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Archive for January, 2007

Talking Insurance with a 6-year-old

January 31st, 2007 at 07:57 pm

"What is State Farm?"

That's what my kid asked on the drive to school. In the next 10 minutes, I gave her a simple, how-it-affected-her lesson.

We went over insurance for our home, we went over insurance for cars, etc.

The other two kids in the car, my 8 year old and the 7 year old neighbor asked good questions:

Can you stop paying it? (Yes, but the company does not have a promise to pay you anymore)

Can you restart paying it? (Yes)

What if you can't pay for car insurance? (You don't get a drivers license)

Tomorrow Maybe we can touch on how math is used in the insurance business!

Shopping on Craigs List

January 28th, 2007 at 02:22 pm

Have you tried Craigs List for furniture, household items, sports items?

I've been looking for a desk suitable for my 1st grader's room to more formalize a homework area and establish good study habits.

First stop-the thrift stores. Ugh, they were bad values! Most were in the $35+ range and were beat up/needed paint.

Next stop-browse the internet for unfinished furniture and/or Target type places. There were suitable styles but in the $100 range.

Last stop-craigs list. For a few weeks I looked in the for sale 'furniture' section. The first one I loved was a great price and great item and sold to someone else the next day. There are others who know great deals out there Frown But patience paid off and there was a darling inexpensive 5 drawer desk with fancy brass handles for $10. We snatched it and my little one has put her 'laptop' on it ever since.

New Brain Stretcher

January 27th, 2007 at 03:17 am

What children's song did Burl Ives record which involves a pre-chrysalis lifeform?

Good luck and watch for the answer here Embarrassment

How do I look?

January 25th, 2007 at 12:09 am

Here are my new car magnets for Pretty Cheap Jewelry.

In car obsessed California, I feel arrived.

Nothing silly about the fact that the instant they went on every little mile is a business tax deduction.

Thx Tinapbeana

January 21st, 2007 at 02:31 pm

Ah yes you were right about where to put the code for Etsy sellers who blog...

Now to add the button

Joining Blog Ring of Etsy Sellers

January 19th, 2007 at 07:56 pm

Well, hope this works for adding the 'button'

Brownie G.S. Handbooks

January 18th, 2007 at 06:53 pm

Lucky find! As a Brownie Girl Scout Leader, I should have the official handbooks to plan our meetings. However, they are really expensive, a set is about $20. I have been putting off buying them, and sharing the books that my co-leaders have.

At Barnes and Noble I just happened to find a set on the Christmas clearance table for $5. Whew.

Need Faster Internet Service

January 17th, 2007 at 08:42 pm

DH and I are currently on dial up. With one child becoming an internet user, and the second close behind, it's time to move up.

Budget allows for an increase in cost but we're comparing the options:

1. Cable/Internet Combination. Evil cable operator in our area has alienated many of our neighbors and friends, us included. And the program content is not acceptable for my children.

2. Dish/Satellite. Seems to be the most expensive.

3. DSL/additional phone lines. Maybe this is the answer?

Bday @ the Movies

January 16th, 2007 at 07:33 pm

My 8 year old wants to take 3 friends to the movies for his birthday! Yay! So much simpler and inexpensive than a party at home or at a 'destination'.

We can take 3 plus my one in the car. Let them knock em selves out with Eragon and the ice cream parlor. (I might even sneak some candy in my purse instead of buying popcorn at the movies).

Maybe my 6 year old will also want the same kind of party. Any idea what movie I can plan to take little kids in about a month?

Getting Great Amazon Mileage

January 14th, 2007 at 02:37 pm

My kids each received a gift certificate for $35 on Amazon. My older is a veteran internet shopper after discovering the Lego website at 7years old (he saved for his dream toy). My younger is now in the modern world after a little lesson on how the internet is connected to 'stores'.

So many choices! They are making their wish lists for anything they can dream up. Gameboys, Rocking Horses, digital Tv, the sky is the limit, until...

Time to look at the prices and pick out what will the gift certificate truly pay for, not to mention a shipping.

Now is the time to notice 'used' is much lower than 'new' especially in books, movies. How about sales? Free/low mailing costs too.

Everytime they mention 'I want a ...' they go to Amazon to see if it can be put on the wish list.

We're on our first week of looking. I think we'll take a few more days to dream, then let reality take its course.

99c Store Furor

January 11th, 2007 at 06:40 pm

Over on the

Text is Etsy and Link is http://www.etsy.com
Etsy forums there was a furor over shopping at the 99c stores. I contributed:

"The 99 cent store is just this generation's Five & Dime"

Taking our allowance, or coins from earning chores, to the Five & Dime gave use the 'buying power' life lesson. Didn't you get the feeling of directing your own destiny buying whatever you could with your own money? (Of course I think we mostly bought candy and little toys!)

I let my kids take their dollar(s) to the 99c store for the same lesson. They learn if something is a good choice and lasts, or how to save longer for a higher quality product if it doesn't last.

Of course they still try to buy candy, but I only let them get sugarless gum!

Half Fold 6' Table 1/2 Off @ LnT

January 11th, 2007 at 02:22 am

Unadvertised! Portable half-fold table at Linens n Things regularly $70 rang up at $35! Bring a 20% off coupon from Bed Bath, and Beyond as they will take it too!

This is the table you can use for the backyard BBQ, the craft fair (for us small businesses), the scouting meetings, etc.

Grand total $30.02 Big Grin

Clever Packaging Lesson

January 10th, 2007 at 02:11 pm

You may have seen me post this in the forums, but I want to refer others to this site to this idea-

Earth Day Game (in April). Great for classrooms, scout groups, etc.

Supplies:

Two Equivalent products-one 'over' packaged, one in simple package.

Examples some types of Pepperidge Farm cookies, boxed cereal vs. bagged cereal, string cheese with character vs plain wrapping. You can have a lot of fun with this.

Steps:
1. Remove the items from the packages and place in separate plain plastic bags, or on a plain paper plates being sure to note which item came from which package.

2. Reserve the packaging to show the players at the end of the game.

3. Ask players to observe, touch, feel, taste each item. Is one better than the other? Vote.

4. Reveal which item came from which package.

The lesson should be obvious-it is hard to say if the highly packaged item is better. Save the Earth by reducing packaging! Save loads of money buying house brands of course!

Fun on $5 (or Less)

January 9th, 2007 at 02:49 pm

About 12 years ago I was asked to go out for pizza and to go 'spend a few dollars credit at the used book store' on a Friday night by a guy I met at an environmental group meeting. Well...I ended up marrying that guy and that was our first 'date'!

You can still have a great time with little cash. Here's my top three things to do for fun with $5:

1. Day hike. There is a hike calling your name undoubtedly. On the beach? (while there, collect shells or driftwood for crafting supplies) In the hills? (I hear the Smoky Mtn trail network is [almost] better than ours in California). In the city? Walk the downtown area of your city (pay attention to the buildings or just window shop). Take a small pack with snacks and water.

2. Go to the library. Pick the biggest one you can get to. There are magazines you want to browse, but didn't have time. There are newspapers from other cities. Go to the non-fiction section for how-to books, art, biographies, animals, pets. You've forgotten things you wanted to learn about.

3. Take $5 to the used book store! Of course you might find someone to marry...

This is not just for kids. Post your other ideas here.

Are you Coffee Smart?

January 5th, 2007 at 03:03 pm

If you double the filters in your drip maker, will your coffee come out weaker or stronger?

Check back for answer!

Free Beauty Item Coupon

January 3rd, 2007 at 08:29 pm

CVS Drugstores prints out a google of coupons on their receipts. I received one yesterday for:

BOGO beauty item (up to about $6 value)

What should I get? Mascara? Kids shampoo?

I don't wear eyeshadow much, never foundation or perfume either. I'm practical to a fault :{ but maybe this could be something to treat myself?

Or use to obtain a gift for my sister?

Just for Fun Trivia Question

January 2nd, 2007 at 01:22 am

The moon has billions of these.

(courtesy: home Jeopardy game)