Having a child can be a wonderful life-changing moment, but there is no getting around it, children are expensive! In 2010, the Dept of Agriculture estimated that it costs $476,000 to raise one child - until age 18. That doesn't even include college expenses. Yikes! That number may seem alarming but there are small changes you can make to help reduce the drain on your wallet. One HUGE expense right off the bat is, you guessed it, diapers. Americans spend approx $7 billion dollars on … [Read more...]
Ten Gluten-Free Halloween Candies – Safe List
September 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Halloween is a fun time for all but for those with gluten-sensitivity or celiac disease, eating a piece of candy laced with gluten can make for a very frustrating & uncomfortable day/week. Gluten-free means avoiding anything that includes wheat, barley, oats and rye in the ingredients. If the thought of Halloween candy is scaring you because of the unknown ingredients, check out our collection of "safe" eats! Here is a list of the most popular SAFE gluten-free candies, so you and … [Read more...]
Benefiting Lives by Going Green
August 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
This week's Guest Blogger, Amanda of GreenDiary.com, shares her eco-friendly tips with us! - Jan Going green is the need of the hour. It’s no longer an option but a necessity. It has become imperative due to increasing air pollution and holes in the ozone layer of the atmosphere. A few changes in our day to day lifestyles will go a long way in saving our planet from damage. Installing solar equipment The majority of the electricity is produced through coal which releases harmful … [Read more...]
Save Money by Shopping in your Closet!
July 17, 2011 By 1 Comment
Trash or Treasure? "The secret of a happy life isn't buried in a treasure chest...it lies within your heart. (Or...in your closet!)" Ok, I will admit to being a Baby Boomer so I consider myself a little "seasoned" as a woman, a consumer and an all around "educated by time" kinda girl. If you are a Boomer Girl like me, then it's time not to come out of the closet, but to go back in! As I said in previous columns, I get a little attached to my "stuff". Stuff is defined as jewelry, … [Read more...]
FDA: Puts a limit on use of 80 mg Simvastatin
July 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I can't stress enough how important it is to keep track of the medicines that you take and the possibility that they have side effects or react with one another. My dearly missed mother, Evelyn, who just passed away in 2010, had a surgery at least 15 years ago and following the surgery the doctor prescribed a sleeping medication called halcyon. My mother was nothing if not organized and completely followed her doctor's instructions to a "T". About two weeks after she arrived home from the … [Read more...]
Junk in Your Trunk? Might be Worth Money!
July 13, 2011 By 1 Comment
"Hot funk, cool punk, even if it's old junk...it's still rock n' roll to me." - Billy Joel So who hasn't at least seen the television trailers for the show, "Hoarders"? I admit that I am one of those people who gets emotionally attached to many of my "things". I don't fall into the category of a hoarder and you don't have to wade through stuff to get from my front door to the bathroom, but I can commiserate with folks who.......collect. There are two ways that relieving myself of some … [Read more...]
Ten Tips to Make the Most of Your Farmer’s Market!
July 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Today’s Farmer’s Markets have become annual local weekly seasonal events where farmers GATHER to sell their products directly to consumers. My local market is an “every Thursday" event from Early June through October where local Midwest farmers sell everything from colorful fresh flower bouquets’ to cheese, honey and mountains of fresh tomatoes, Brussels spouts and of course my all time favorite, fresh cheese! Here how I make the most of my Farmer’s … [Read more...]
5 Money Saving Tips from Jaclyn Smith!
July 5, 2011 By 1 Comment
"My father always instilled in me the value of a dollar. I've tried to be wise and use good judgment, certainly not living beyond my means." When asked for her most important money-saving tips that she follows herself, Jaclyn said: 1. Re-think your wardrobe often, looking for new ways to extend it. (accessorize, add a scarf, mix & match!) 2. Eat at home. Eating in saves money and enhances family time. 3. Try to hand-wash. I hand-wash all my sweaters and lingerie. This … [Read more...]
5 Natural Mosquito Repellents Including Beer!
June 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
“Zzzzzzzzz” if this is the aggravating sound that’s buzzing around your BBQ this summer (like it was mine) it’s time to get out the mosquito repellent. In the past I just wanted to be rid of the little vampires because they were irritating, left welts and the resulting “itching” , etc. but not so long ago my friend’s dad died from West Nile and just miles from his home, West Nile left another friend’s mom with dementia. “Be Gone!” I say to the little blood suckers. Keep … [Read more...]
Get the Gas On & Save on Utilities
May 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Get Your Utilities in Working Order "We believe that electricity exists because the electric company keeps sending us bills for it!" - Dave Barry Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em--utilities that is! In our economy even those of us who work every day and do our best to pay our bills can fall behind. More and more Americans are receiving horrifying calls and correspondences from their utility companies (gas & electric) stating, "Your service has been disconnected for … [Read more...]
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