Giving Through Saving

Are you a saver? Are you a handcrafter? Do you enjoy helping others? I fall into all 3 categories which was the basis for starting my blog; Coupons, Crafts and Causes earlier this year. I wanted to educate others how easy and inexpensive it is to help others and give back no matter how much time and/or money you have. There are an endless number of non-profit organizations that are looking for items to be donated. There are several items that you throw away or recycle on a daily basis that someone within your community, our country or even our troops overseas could put to good use.

One of the easiest ways to help is to save the Box Tops for Education emblems found on a select variety of General Mills products and Labels for Education emblems found on Campbell's products (soups, Franco American, Swanson, Prego and more). Both of these can be collected and donated to a participating school. You can send them with a student or employee, drop them off at the school office or mail them in. The school earns so much per emblem submitted to use towards a variety of items for the school system. We have been saving them since both programs began. Our kids are now through school, so we save them for one of our friend's to send with her children.

Did you know that you can donate your pop can tabs to participating McDonald's Restaurants to benefit families of the Ronald McDonald House?

Another easy way is to donate your newspapers and magazines to a variety of different organizations. In my area, there are several local schools and churches with Newspaper Bins in their parking lot where you drop them off anytime.

I use my couponing skills to get products for free or almost free that we won't use to donate to local food drives or pantries. Even if you aren't an avid couponer there are ways in which you could still save and donate. For example, when your store has a Buy 1; Get 1 Free sale and you don't need 2 of a particular item, consider donating the 2nd one. One of our local stores runs a Buy 10 participating items and get the 11th one free. If you only need 9 items, consider picking up the additional items to donate. During school supply season, consider picking up a few of the inexpensive school supplies while at the grocery, drug or office supply store and donate to a school supply drive.

Did you know that our troops can use expired manufacturer coupons? The PX and Commissaries will allow them to use expired coupons for a certain length of time. You can also send non-expired coupons as well.

I enjoy sewing, crocheting and card making. There are many organizations (non-profit and otherwise) that are in need of handmade items to donate to those in need. I'm a member of a quilt club that donates handmade quilts to those with serious illnesses, homeless, been abused and more. They also donate stuffed animals wrapped in a baby doll sized quilt to children that have been abused, lost their home to fire, or battling a serious illness. They also donate baby quilts to pregnancy centers and hospitals. Check with local hospitals, nursing homes, pregnancy centers and non-profit organizations to see what they are in need of.

I also buy fleece remnants at my local fabric store to make scarves and hats throughout the year to donate to coat drives in the fall. If you knit or crochet, this is something you could make from your scrap yarn.

You could make lap robes and walker caddies for local nursing homes; baby blankets, burp cloths and pacifier holders for pregnancy centers. There are a lot of smaller items that you could make out of your scrap materials.

These are just a few of the many ways that you can help by giving back. Of course, there are plenty of fundraisers you could purchase from to help, make a monetary donation, or volunteer your time. I'm more of a behind-the-scenes type person, so I prefer purchasing from fundraisers and saving items to donate when I can.

The Many Benefits of Family Dinners

In this day and age, it seems that parents and kids alike are always on the go. Whether it is work, school, day care, meetings or soccer practice, someone is always out and about.

Dinner is a natural way for families, especially busy ones, to spend quality time together, and the benefits of sharing a meal can go beyond just good nutrition. From catching up on how a child's day went, to learning something new, to just having a good laugh, each meal presents parents with an opportunity to forge a stronger connection with their kids. Here are a few ways in which to make the most out of each dinner, family activities that everyone will enjoy:

Ways to Enhance Family Dinner Time:

Make it educational - Adding a little education to dinner time is a great way for parents and children to learn something new. Cooking a dish native to another country is one way to introduce young children to a different culture. As everyone samples the meal, share a few pre-researched facts about your dish's country of origin with your kids. Encourage them to tell of any information they may know.

Turn dinner time into game time - Games during dinner are a great way to have fun as a family, and the simpler they are, the better. Games like "20 Questions," and "What's Missing from the Table Top," require no preparation beforehand and no extra supplies in order to be played. Games like "Family Quiz," require writing questions about each family member ahead of time, but it's a way for family members to learn new things about one another. Kids love watching as their parents try to answer questions about their favorite animal, color, etc.

Create a family story - Storytelling is another family activity which allows kids and parents to use their imagination. It is a perfect meal time idea to try out, as everyone is conveniently sitting around a table. The first person to go begins telling a story, and then passes it along, giving everyone around the table a chance to add to the tale. This is an especially exciting activity around the holidays, as the story theme can be chosen ahead of time to fit a special time of year.

Outdoor Movie Events Help Boost Morale of Soldiers and Military Families

Being in the Army means missing Christmas, birthdays and many other special family events. Not being there for these days hurts, but sometimes the hardest part is missing out on every day family life. For soldiers and their family members, enjoying simple but fun events like watching outdoor movies on an inflatable screen can be just what is needed to boost the morale of soldiers, and bring soldiers and families closer.

Enjoying a movie as a family is among the more common ways families bond. In the military, soldiers and families often bond with other military families as a larger military community. Many events that take place on a military base are geared toward bonding and boosting the morale of troops, as well as their family members. A well chosen movie enjoyed by a group of military families is an excellent way to encourage bonding in the military community. Inflatable movie screens are versatile. Whether you would like to use an open field, an area on a military base, or even on an aircraft carrier; an inflatable movie screen will meet your needs. And the high quality equipment and service provided by Southern Outdoor Cinema will ensure that the experience is enjoyed by all.

The choice of movie will depend largely on the group the event is being held for. For a group of soldiers with families that include children; a classic family or children's movie is the best choice. Most parents enjoy seeing their children having a fun time. For parents in the Army, it is usually even more gratifying to see the excitement children get out of fun events. The Army takes soldiers away from their families for extended periods of time, so watching their children enjoy a movie at a special event like this will likely become a cherished memory. And inflatable movie screens are available in a variety of sizes. There is a screen for any size group; from just a few hundred, to as many as 10,000 viewers.

For groups of only soldiers; morale boosting is the name of the game. Movies that emphasize team work and coming together to reach a common goal are great choices. A movie specifically about the military or war is also a good choice. Other times, soldiers might want to simply enjoy a popular movie and have a good time together. Spending time together in a relaxed environment, away from the demands of the Army, is important for soldiers.

When fun time with family and friends is limited, it is important to make that time special. Watching a movie on an inflatable movie screen is exciting and a great recreation event for soldiers and military families.

How Much Should You Give Your Child for an Allowance

Student credit card loans and education loans have become a major cause of concern for parents, these days. If you want to stay away from such a situation, it will be wise for you to help your child develop good monetary habits. In most of the cases, children gain the habit of making uncalculated expenses as they get allowances in excess.

There is nothing wrong in giving pocket money to your child but you should decide the sum of money or the amount carefully and then make the decision. Parents who are unable to decide on the amount of pocket money that they will be giving to their child can take note of the following factors.

Determine the Needs of Your Child

Traveling Allowance:

When you are deciding on the allowances that you provide to your child, you should at first chalk out the needs of your child. Make an estimate of the transportation cost that is needed for going to school.

If your child is enrolled in any other activity like music, dance, swimming or even in any games, you should not forget to include the transportation cost for travelling all the way to the respective training centers. Most of the children have their own bikes or cycles. In that case, allowances for transportation should be reduced.

Food Allowance:

It is always good to pack the lunch box of your child when he leaves for school. However, many working mothers cannot do so for their busy schedules. Whatever be the reason, if your child is not carrying his lunch from home, you should estimate the cost of foods in the school canteen or college canteen and then add up the amount to determine the total allowance in this account.

Miscellaneous Allowances

It is good to give some extra money to your child for purchasing some items of his choice or for a movie with friends. However, that should be restricted and decisions should be made depending on the age of your child.

Make Your Child Develop the Habit of Saving Money

Irrespective of the sum of money that you are offering to your child as his allowance, you should encourage him to save a part of it. Initially he may not be interested to save much but with due course of time, he will gain the habit of saving money. You can start with a piggy bank and then can gradually proceed to open up a bank account for your child. Also make him understand the value for money so that he can decide how to make the best use of every penny he receives.

These tips should help give you a better idea of how much to give your child for an allowance. You definitely want to give them enough to learn to manage their money. However, you don't want to give them too much money since this will give them unrealistic expectations in the future.

Backup Camera Systems Keep Roads Safe

On average more than 180,000 deaths each year are the result of injury. In relation to vehicles, pedestrians ages of 65 and older account for 18% of accident deaths and 10% of injuries. One in every five children between the ages of 5 and 9 die as victims in traffic crashes. Many parents specifically do not let their younger children walk to school because of traffic safety reasons. That is only second to distance. When you look at the numbers, it is very apparent that driving safety must be taken more seriously. Many of the accidents that end up being fatal are close to home, where people are distracted and comfortable. For example, many accidents occur as the result of backing up your car.

Don't become a statistic. Don't let your neighbors become statistics. You can increase the safety of your vehicle when you install a backup camera system. That blind spot, so infamously known as the cause of these fatal accidents, will be completely covered by the camera you attach to the back of the car. It can often reach a distance of at least 30 feet. Some can go 50 feet or more. If you want extra accuracy you can get some systems with an infrared night vision setting.

Many people back out of the driveway hurriedly. Sure, checking in the mirrors is standard but how many get out of the car and go around the back and check out the block to make sure it's clear. It's just not a viable option every time you plan to drive somewhere. But, with the screen in front of you on your dashboard you can be sure the coast is clear before you put the car in reverse.

Commercial vehicles definitely can learn from this as well. They are expected to be very alert when it comes to pedestrian safety. Transit buses and trucks must always be on the defensive because they travel to highly populated areas. Having a truck backup camera is a benefit to the driving because it will increase safety and decrease the time it takes you to be sure of it.

Buying Real Estate: Building a Lifestyle

In the current real estate market, both buyers and sellers have different objectives then they did five years ago. Then, many homeowners bought with the intention to hold a property for one to three years and sell it for a profit or to gain equity for the next property purchase. After the real estate and mortgage market downturn, many areas of the U.S. were flooded with short sales and foreclosed properties -- so buyers can no longer rely on this fast equity. Nowadays, most real estate professionals are recommending that homebuyers plan to hold their property investment for a minimum of 10 years.

Homes for Sale are More Likely to Sell if They are Move in Ready
These days, the trend in home buying is for move in ready homes. Most buyers cannot take out home equity loans for property improvements. It is imperative the seller makes certain appliances, fixtures, flooring, kitchens and bathrooms are in good condition or recently renovated or replaced. Homebuyers are in a place to be choosy. If they want fixer uppers they can purchase foreclosures or distressed properties. Sellers serious about closing on their homes will make the necessary renovations even before putting the home on the market.

Homebuyers Want to Purchase Homes Near Shopping Districts
If the home purchase is intended as a primary residence for ten years, it needs to fit the lifestyle of the family or individual who owns it-- perfectly. Right now the most popular trend in real estate purchases is to live close to mass transit, shopping and entertainment. Many people want to walk in their own neighborhoods and have easy access to everything they enjoy: the gym, restaurants, bars, movies, and more. Neighborhoods and condominiums close to main shopping districts will be more desirable then other areas where driving is necessary.

I have worked with many homebuyers over the years. Generally, I break down lifestyles into three types of areas: rural, suburban and urban. I ask homebuyers I work with which of these lifestyles they desire. Then we work on identifying other specifics about the home such as: pools, garages, multiple bathrooms, square footage and more. The most important parameter in purchasing a home is location. Price range for home purchases sometimes limits choices to certain areas, but I have found we can usually work around this and still find the buyer a desirable location.

Here's my breakdown of the three locations related to lifestyle choices for homebuyers:

Rural: Do you need a property with acreage?
Many rural homebuyers are used to this lifestyle. They often own horses or enjoy boating, gardening, hiking or other outdoor activities. Some of these buyers will be new to rural living and making a change in lifestyle. To many who choose the rural lifestyle, living near a small town or in one is best, because there are grocery stores, doctors, restaurants and businesses nearby. Rural buyers will want a certain amount of acreage and outbuildings for additional guests or activities. Some of the buyers who want to own rural property will be more inclined to ask about green built features in a home, or be willing to purchase green built homes.

Living in the Suburbs
Some families and couples want peace and quiet or they choose to raise their children outside of rural areas and big cities -- but still want to be close to a host of activities. So they choose suburban lifestyles. Many suburban developments and communities are close to a city or an interstate entrance. Subdivisions appeal to various lifestyles such as: golf communities, waterfront homes with docks or dock access for boating, homes near a historic area, houses close to a national park or public trails, or nearby a shopping district. Suburban lifestyles can be varied but many have the same themes running throughout. Families want to be close to school and churches and have plenty of green space in the backyard for leisure activities such as grilling, swimming, playing or just relaxing. Multiple bedrooms and bathrooms are required with plenty of square footage.

Choosing the Urban Lifestyle
Professionals, people who travel a great deal, and individuals with sophisticated tastes in cultural choices, dining and entertainment want to live in urban areas. Mass transit and airports are easily accessible. A choice of restaurants and leisure activities is literally at the doorstep. Urbanites live life on the go and do not want to be bogged down with yard work. Many urbanites will want to purchase a townhome or condominium that will include exterior maintenance. Some urban dwellers will want amenities such as pools, gyms and community rooms included as amenities to complement the condominium lifestyle. Many will want to be within walking distance of restaurants, markets and bars.

These three lifestyle choices are a matter of personal taste and preference. Since home ownership is now a decade long commitment, lifestyles need to be carefully considered prior to purchasing a home. I often tell homebuyers to project 10 years into the future. For example, will the homebuyer need a space for an aging parent? Or, will the homeowner need extra room for a child or grandchild who may have to move back in for a while? These lifestyle changes could weigh in heavily on the decision of which home to buy.

Browse Sealy's Bugshield Beds to Combat Bed Bugs

If you like to keep your home as clean as possible, you might worry about how to keep the beds in your property hygienic, as mattresses cannot be washed deep inside. You can clean the surfaces but the interior is likely to house a build-up of bed bugs and dust mites, which can compound allergies.

Many people are unaffected by the creatures, but others can be sensitive to bed bugs, which reside in sleeping solutions and are mainly active in the night, when they feed on the occupant's warm blood. And while dust mites are often harmless enough, people with allergies might find they come out in a rash or that skin ailments like eczema or certain types of dermatitis become worse.

Dust mites can be the source of respiratory conditions, such as asthma and hay fever, and because they are present all year round, can cause constant allergic reactions.

If you or others in your household suffer from any of these conditions, you might be wondering how to free bedrooms of the bugs to allow for a better sleep. There are products available to help get rid of bed bugs and dust mites, so that you or members of your household can rest throughout the night, untroubled by the creatures.

Browse the Bugshield collection of Sealy beds if you want to take steps towards more hygienic sleeping solutions. The firm has developed an array of mattresses with a biocide woven into the fibres as part of its Smart Fibres range.

The biocide is safe against skin but fatal to bed bugs and dust mites. Trials have shown that the mattresses have a 100 per cent mortality rate for the creatures, with 90 per cent killed off after 24 hours.

As well as exterminating current bugs, the sleeping solutions generate an inhospitable environment for the insects to breed, preventing further infestations from breaking out.

In this way, the beds cater for allergy sufferers, but the biocide is not the only feature that may appeal if you're looking for a new bed. The mattresses made by Sealy have other elements, such as a special design that aims to eliminate tossing and turning by reducing