Do you ever wonder if lessons on saving and spending penetrate the Gameboy heads of your kids? I do. But last night, I spotted major progress.
My middle son (age 11) is the big spender in the family. He loves to spend cash. He babysits for families in our apt. building and then poof...the dollars disappear. But to celebrate the birthday of one of his little charges, my son baked a cake. A store cake would have cost about $15 in our neighborhood. But the box mix and the fancy icing cost only about 4 bucks.
And for the candles, my son wanted to a fancy number 7 candle ($4) and a set of sparkle candles ($4). He was a bit miffed at the high rates for candles. So he walked over to the ice cream aisle, where similar candles (a big, rainbox-colored 7 and a box of tall, sparklers)were on sale for only 79 cents each.
The cheaper set looked slightly different than the expensive set, but my son was sold. My husband has this to say about the cheaper candles relative to the expensive version:
"They looked different, but they didn't look worse," he said of the cheaper set.
What's more, after returning from the supermarket, my son proudly boasted about his savings. His smile was as bright as the candles.
Here's the math:
expensive option
store cake: $15
7 candle $ 4
sparkle candles $ 4
_______________________
total $29
My son's cheaper option
baked cake $4
7 candle $0.79
sparkle candles $0.79
_______________________
total $5.58
"Smart! Aren't I?!?" my son said, when I checked this entry with him.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Veronica Mars Star & Homebuying Tips for "Dummies"
Kristen Bell, star of the television hit show Veronica Mars, has a great quote about homebuying and money in the July 2006 issue of For Me magazine.
Here's the question from For Me:
"What did you splurge on with your first big pay check?"
"Nothing. I saved and bought a house!"
--Kristen Bell.
And for the rest of would-be homebuyers, here are tips from Eric Tyson, financial counselor/real estate guru/bestselling co-author of Home Buying For Dummies®, 3rd Edition (with Ray Brown; Wiley, 2006, ISBN: 0-4717-6847-2, $21.99), House Selling For Dummies®, 2nd Edition (with Ray Brown; Wiley, ISBN: 0-7645-5425-5, $21.99) and Real Estate Investing For Dummies®.
"IF YOU'RE A RENTER THINKING OF BUYING . . .
· First, be sure you really want to buy and aren't succumbing to peer pressure. If you're a relatively young renter, you may have the impression that home ownership is the "grown up" choice. Nonsense, says Tyson. Buying a home is a personal choice and it isn't necessarily the path to fun. In fact, as he and his co-author point out in Home Buying For Dummies, a study by Peter Rossi and Eleanor Weber of the University of Massachusetts found that:
- Homeowners are less social, on average, than renters--spending less time with friends, neighbors, and co-workers
- Homeowners spend more time on household chores
- Perhaps for the preceding reasons, renters have more sex and less marital discord, and cope better with parenting than homeowners do!
"None of this is meant to suggest that you shouldn't buy a home," Tyson points out. "But do consider the impact that the increased responsibility will have on your lifestyle."
· On the other hand, don't underestimate the financial benefits of homeownership. For most people, owning actually is less expensive than renting. Obviously, there are tax benefits. The IRS and most state governments allow you to deduct, within certain limits, mortgage interest and property taxes when you file your annual income tax return. And generally speaking, the value of a home appreciates as the years go by, turning your home into a "forced savings account" that you'll be glad for in the future.
Here's a guideline that may change the way you view your seemingly cheap monthly rent. To figure out the price of a home you could buy for approximately the same monthly cost of your current rent, simply do the following calculation:
$________ per month x 200 = $ ______________
Example: $1,000 x 200 = $200,000
See? If you are paying rent of $1,000 per month, you would pay approximately the same amount per month to own a $200,000 home (factoring in tax savings.)
· Don't let "lock out" fears rush you into buying. From time to time, particular local real estate markets experience rapidly escalating prices. During such times, some prospective buyers panic, often with encouragement from those with vested interests in converting prospective renters to buyers. Escalating housing prices make some renters feel left out of the party. But here's a word of sanity: never in the history of the real estate business have prices risen so high as to price vast numbers of people out of the market. In fact, patient buyers who can wait out a market that has increased sharply in value are often rewarded with steadying and, in some cases, declining prices.
IF YOU'RE A HOMEOWNER THINKING OF TRADING UP . . .
· Make sure selling is right for you holistically, not just monetarily. Don't let a "hot housing market" cloud your judgment. If you were lucky enough to buy a nice house in a thriving market ten years ago, the temptation to sell and clear a tidy profit can be huge. But because you can sell doesn't mean you should. Do you really want to uproot your kids from school? Are you ready to break ties with the neighbors you've come to know and like? Are you likely to fall into the trap of choosing a trade up that's too "up" for your budget and bank account? Consider all angles before you make your decision.
"Nothing's wrong with spending money to trade in one house for another, but before you set those wheels in motion, think about the impact of that kind of spending on other aspects of your life," Tyson and his co-author Ray Brown write in House Selling For Dummies. "The more you spend on housing, the less you'll have for other goals that you may have defined for yourself, such as saving for retirement, taking annual vacations, and spending less time working and more time with your family and friends."
· If you do decide to sell, don't get greedy and grossly overprice your house. You may be tempted to do so in hopes that an uneducated buyer may pay you more than the property is really worth. The danger in this strategy is that you won't find a fool who will part with all that money for your overpriced property, and no one else will bid on it. Then, as you lower the price closer to what the house is really worth, prospective buyers may be wary of buying your property because of the extended length of time it's been on the market. In the end, you may have a hard time getting 100 percent of what your home is really worth. Price to sell and you won't regret it.
· Finally, don't you become the aforementioned fool who buys an overpriced trade-up. "Some housing markets are over-inflated at the moment," says Tyson. "And many people who successfully sell an overpriced house assume that they can trade up in the same or an equally hot market and repeat their success in a few years. It ain't necessarily so. Suppose prices fall and you can't recoup your investment? You might be stuck with a house you can't afford to sell. Add a job loss or a new baby to the mix and you might end up with some serious buyer's regret."
The bottom line, of course, is to be sure that any house you buy--be it your first or your fifth--is priced at what it's really worth. Assemble an all-star real estate team and get a good Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) on any house you're considering buying so you'll know the fair market value. And oh, yes: don't just take your agent's word for it. Read up on the "value" subject yourself. (Tyson's books are a great resource.)
"An educated home buyer is a happy home buyer," concludes Tyson. "Do your own due diligence. I always say there are two areas you should never enter into uninformed: medical procedures and real estate. The former represents your health, the latter represents, in many ways, your wealth and your happiness. Do your homework, no pun intended. Bubble or no bubble, you'll be glad you did."
# # #
"About Eric Tyson:
Eric Tyson is one of the nation's best-selling personal finance book authors and has penned five national best sellers (he is also the only author to have four of his books simultaneously on Business Week's business book best-seller list). His Personal Finance for Dummies (Wiley) won the Benjamin Franklin Award for the Best Business Book of the Year. He is also the author of Investing for Dummies and co-author of Home Buying for Dummies and Real Estate Investing for Dummies, among other titles.
His new book, Mind over Money (CDS/Perseus), examines the problematic financial habits people engage in and provides proven strategies for overcoming them.
Here's the question from For Me:
"What did you splurge on with your first big pay check?"
"Nothing. I saved and bought a house!"
--Kristen Bell.
And for the rest of would-be homebuyers, here are tips from Eric Tyson, financial counselor/real estate guru/bestselling co-author of Home Buying For Dummies®, 3rd Edition (with Ray Brown; Wiley, 2006, ISBN: 0-4717-6847-2, $21.99), House Selling For Dummies®, 2nd Edition (with Ray Brown; Wiley, ISBN: 0-7645-5425-5, $21.99) and Real Estate Investing For Dummies®.
"IF YOU'RE A RENTER THINKING OF BUYING . . .
· First, be sure you really want to buy and aren't succumbing to peer pressure. If you're a relatively young renter, you may have the impression that home ownership is the "grown up" choice. Nonsense, says Tyson. Buying a home is a personal choice and it isn't necessarily the path to fun. In fact, as he and his co-author point out in Home Buying For Dummies, a study by Peter Rossi and Eleanor Weber of the University of Massachusetts found that:
- Homeowners are less social, on average, than renters--spending less time with friends, neighbors, and co-workers
- Homeowners spend more time on household chores
- Perhaps for the preceding reasons, renters have more sex and less marital discord, and cope better with parenting than homeowners do!
"None of this is meant to suggest that you shouldn't buy a home," Tyson points out. "But do consider the impact that the increased responsibility will have on your lifestyle."
· On the other hand, don't underestimate the financial benefits of homeownership. For most people, owning actually is less expensive than renting. Obviously, there are tax benefits. The IRS and most state governments allow you to deduct, within certain limits, mortgage interest and property taxes when you file your annual income tax return. And generally speaking, the value of a home appreciates as the years go by, turning your home into a "forced savings account" that you'll be glad for in the future.
Here's a guideline that may change the way you view your seemingly cheap monthly rent. To figure out the price of a home you could buy for approximately the same monthly cost of your current rent, simply do the following calculation:
$________ per month x 200 = $ ______________
Example: $1,000 x 200 = $200,000
See? If you are paying rent of $1,000 per month, you would pay approximately the same amount per month to own a $200,000 home (factoring in tax savings.)
· Don't let "lock out" fears rush you into buying. From time to time, particular local real estate markets experience rapidly escalating prices. During such times, some prospective buyers panic, often with encouragement from those with vested interests in converting prospective renters to buyers. Escalating housing prices make some renters feel left out of the party. But here's a word of sanity: never in the history of the real estate business have prices risen so high as to price vast numbers of people out of the market. In fact, patient buyers who can wait out a market that has increased sharply in value are often rewarded with steadying and, in some cases, declining prices.
IF YOU'RE A HOMEOWNER THINKING OF TRADING UP . . .
· Make sure selling is right for you holistically, not just monetarily. Don't let a "hot housing market" cloud your judgment. If you were lucky enough to buy a nice house in a thriving market ten years ago, the temptation to sell and clear a tidy profit can be huge. But because you can sell doesn't mean you should. Do you really want to uproot your kids from school? Are you ready to break ties with the neighbors you've come to know and like? Are you likely to fall into the trap of choosing a trade up that's too "up" for your budget and bank account? Consider all angles before you make your decision.
"Nothing's wrong with spending money to trade in one house for another, but before you set those wheels in motion, think about the impact of that kind of spending on other aspects of your life," Tyson and his co-author Ray Brown write in House Selling For Dummies. "The more you spend on housing, the less you'll have for other goals that you may have defined for yourself, such as saving for retirement, taking annual vacations, and spending less time working and more time with your family and friends."
· If you do decide to sell, don't get greedy and grossly overprice your house. You may be tempted to do so in hopes that an uneducated buyer may pay you more than the property is really worth. The danger in this strategy is that you won't find a fool who will part with all that money for your overpriced property, and no one else will bid on it. Then, as you lower the price closer to what the house is really worth, prospective buyers may be wary of buying your property because of the extended length of time it's been on the market. In the end, you may have a hard time getting 100 percent of what your home is really worth. Price to sell and you won't regret it.
· Finally, don't you become the aforementioned fool who buys an overpriced trade-up. "Some housing markets are over-inflated at the moment," says Tyson. "And many people who successfully sell an overpriced house assume that they can trade up in the same or an equally hot market and repeat their success in a few years. It ain't necessarily so. Suppose prices fall and you can't recoup your investment? You might be stuck with a house you can't afford to sell. Add a job loss or a new baby to the mix and you might end up with some serious buyer's regret."
The bottom line, of course, is to be sure that any house you buy--be it your first or your fifth--is priced at what it's really worth. Assemble an all-star real estate team and get a good Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) on any house you're considering buying so you'll know the fair market value. And oh, yes: don't just take your agent's word for it. Read up on the "value" subject yourself. (Tyson's books are a great resource.)
"An educated home buyer is a happy home buyer," concludes Tyson. "Do your own due diligence. I always say there are two areas you should never enter into uninformed: medical procedures and real estate. The former represents your health, the latter represents, in many ways, your wealth and your happiness. Do your homework, no pun intended. Bubble or no bubble, you'll be glad you did."
# # #
"About Eric Tyson:
Eric Tyson is one of the nation's best-selling personal finance book authors and has penned five national best sellers (he is also the only author to have four of his books simultaneously on Business Week's business book best-seller list). His Personal Finance for Dummies (Wiley) won the Benjamin Franklin Award for the Best Business Book of the Year. He is also the author of Investing for Dummies and co-author of Home Buying for Dummies and Real Estate Investing for Dummies, among other titles.
His new book, Mind over Money (CDS/Perseus), examines the problematic financial habits people engage in and provides proven strategies for overcoming them.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Free Summer Theater Movies for Families
Movie theaters are a source of cool and frugal entertainment during the summer. That's because major national chains are offering free showings of hit family movies either weekly or twice a week.
Regal Cinema is hosting the 2006 Free Family Film Festival on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings through the first week of August at various theaters throughout the country. On June 21, AMC kicked off its free Summer MovieCamp with blockbuster G- and PG-rated Hollywood movies at 10:30 a.m. every Wednesday at select AMC theaters in many markets.
The first movie on the AMC schedule was Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story on Wednesday, followed by Shark Tale, an animated movie featuring the voices of Will Smith and Angelina Jolie, on June 28. The AMC Summer MovieCamp also includes The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Madagascar and March of the Penguins. The AMC program concludes on Aug. 9. For more information, go to http://www.amctheatres.com.
Regal Cinema's Free Family Film Festival began June 6 and continues on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at many theatres in different regions of the U.S.
Movies include Madagascar, Wallace & Gromit and Robots, although each theater features a different lineup of kid-friendly hit movies. It's best to call your local Regal/Crown Cinema for times and titles or check the company website at:
www.regalcinemas.com.
Regal Cinema is hosting the 2006 Free Family Film Festival on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings through the first week of August at various theaters throughout the country. On June 21, AMC kicked off its free Summer MovieCamp with blockbuster G- and PG-rated Hollywood movies at 10:30 a.m. every Wednesday at select AMC theaters in many markets.
The first movie on the AMC schedule was Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story on Wednesday, followed by Shark Tale, an animated movie featuring the voices of Will Smith and Angelina Jolie, on June 28. The AMC Summer MovieCamp also includes The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Madagascar and March of the Penguins. The AMC program concludes on Aug. 9. For more information, go to http://www.amctheatres.com.
Regal Cinema's Free Family Film Festival began June 6 and continues on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at many theatres in different regions of the U.S.
Movies include Madagascar, Wallace & Gromit and Robots, although each theater features a different lineup of kid-friendly hit movies. It's best to call your local Regal/Crown Cinema for times and titles or check the company website at:
www.regalcinemas.com.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Scruffy: Our Life & Money Coach
A new lifestyle guru has moved into my home with lessons on money management, organization and recycling. Our home-school lessons begin every morning at 6:45 when our teacher -- a puppy named Scruffy -- barks his first commands. Life with Scruffy has been a life-altering experience.
Since adopting Scruffy from a private animal rescue program, my home life has jumped to the next level in terms of planning, spending and saving. The choice was simple: We could either be overrun by our dog, or we could pick up our pace.
Here is a quick overview of the lessons I've learned about adopting a pet and dealing with a puppy.
• Ask questions; get specific answers. We adopted Scruffy from a wonderful organization that was passionately devoted to Scruffy and his five siblings. Naively, my family assumed that the adoption was a free or minimal-fee service. However, on the day that we picked up our dog, we faced a surprise bill of $200 for the adoption, medical shots and other valuable services. The fee was reasonable considering what the vet bills might have been. But if we had asked more questions from the outset, writing the check would have been easier.
(Cat lovers, who go through the Humane Society of Broward County, for example, pay $70 in adoption fees for a cat and $40 for adopting a second cat or kitten at the same time. The fee includes spaying/neutering, pet behavior consultation, vaccinations, de-worming and other medical procedures.)
• Recycle. Forget the expensive pooper scoopers and other gadgets. Plastic bags are great for protecting your hands while cleaning up after a pet. It's a great use for discarded bags. Old tennis balls and puppy-friendly stuffed animals can be rejuvenated as great chew toys for dogs.
• Guard your valuables. Shoes, eyeglasses and books are expensive chew toys. Through costly missteps, my family -- especially the kids -- has learned painful lessons about disorganization. A few weeks ago, my daughter brought a chewed-up homework assignment to show her second-grade teacher. ''The dog really did eat my homework,'' my daughter said.
• Consider dollar stores. My husband has found some wonderful pet items at a dollar store. While some upscale pet boutiques sell doggie shampoos/conditioners for $20 and up a bottle, my husband found effective -- and sweet smelling -- dog grooming products for $1 each. The dollar store is also a frugal option for collars, leashes and bowls. We've even found a red-dot laser tag game for my dog for one buck, down from $7-$10 at a local pet boutique.
• Know Your Limits. We purchased clippers for our puppy's long dark nails. But after one nail-trimming attempt, we decided to pay the dog groomer for that service. (We found a $5 puppy pedicure deal). No harm was done to the puppy. But clipping his nails was too painful for us.
Finally, the biggest lesson involves organization. Scruffy is at his best when we provide a well-structured day, with clearly defined times for meals, walk and play. Our puppy is a great teacher.
Since adopting Scruffy from a private animal rescue program, my home life has jumped to the next level in terms of planning, spending and saving. The choice was simple: We could either be overrun by our dog, or we could pick up our pace.
Here is a quick overview of the lessons I've learned about adopting a pet and dealing with a puppy.
• Ask questions; get specific answers. We adopted Scruffy from a wonderful organization that was passionately devoted to Scruffy and his five siblings. Naively, my family assumed that the adoption was a free or minimal-fee service. However, on the day that we picked up our dog, we faced a surprise bill of $200 for the adoption, medical shots and other valuable services. The fee was reasonable considering what the vet bills might have been. But if we had asked more questions from the outset, writing the check would have been easier.
(Cat lovers, who go through the Humane Society of Broward County, for example, pay $70 in adoption fees for a cat and $40 for adopting a second cat or kitten at the same time. The fee includes spaying/neutering, pet behavior consultation, vaccinations, de-worming and other medical procedures.)
• Recycle. Forget the expensive pooper scoopers and other gadgets. Plastic bags are great for protecting your hands while cleaning up after a pet. It's a great use for discarded bags. Old tennis balls and puppy-friendly stuffed animals can be rejuvenated as great chew toys for dogs.
• Guard your valuables. Shoes, eyeglasses and books are expensive chew toys. Through costly missteps, my family -- especially the kids -- has learned painful lessons about disorganization. A few weeks ago, my daughter brought a chewed-up homework assignment to show her second-grade teacher. ''The dog really did eat my homework,'' my daughter said.
• Consider dollar stores. My husband has found some wonderful pet items at a dollar store. While some upscale pet boutiques sell doggie shampoos/conditioners for $20 and up a bottle, my husband found effective -- and sweet smelling -- dog grooming products for $1 each. The dollar store is also a frugal option for collars, leashes and bowls. We've even found a red-dot laser tag game for my dog for one buck, down from $7-$10 at a local pet boutique.
• Know Your Limits. We purchased clippers for our puppy's long dark nails. But after one nail-trimming attempt, we decided to pay the dog groomer for that service. (We found a $5 puppy pedicure deal). No harm was done to the puppy. But clipping his nails was too painful for us.
Finally, the biggest lesson involves organization. Scruffy is at his best when we provide a well-structured day, with clearly defined times for meals, walk and play. Our puppy is a great teacher.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Bartering for Goods and Services
When the dot-com bubble popped several years ago, Jessica Hardwick's life changed dramatically. Her Internet consulting business dried up and Hardwick had trouble paying household bills.
When her cat became sick, Hardwick could not afford the costly vet bills. Then she noticed that the vet was baffled by his new computer and offered her skills in exchange for medical care for her pet.
That experience ultimately led Hardwick to develop www.SwapThing.com, a California-based swap market that enables consumers to swap products and services through the Internet or through regional groups. Established in January 2005, Hardwick's online barter is a distant cousin of online garage sales such as eBay, Craigslist and FreeCycles.
''Our customers range from 18-year-olds swapping video games to 70-year-olds swapping crochet patterns. We serve a wide range of people who want to save money, exchange something they are no longer using for something they need, or trade collectibles,'' Hardwick said.
With 48,000 users in the United States and abroad, SwapThing enables users to operate locally or globally. You can search for merchandise and services with a prescribed radius of your zip code. Some users even use the system for travel and entertainment by swapping for sports tickets or vacation time shares.
SwapThing works like this: Registration is free. But upon completing a transaction, both buyer/seller pay a $1 fee, regardless of the size of the transaction. The fee jumps to $10 for service swaps. Deals can work out using different forms of currency, including a) non-cash barters, 2) cash-plus-merchandise trades, or 3) a negotiated cash payment. The site also features eBay-style auctions, with a pre-set ''Instant Purchase'' price, which operates like the ''Buy-it-Now'' button on eBay.
Florida has emerged as one of the most active regions in the SwapThing market. Several regional groups, called ''SwapCircles,'' meet in Florida. Public meeting sites are recommended by the founder. For instance, a few mothers meet regularly at Starbucks in Miami and Fort Lauderdale to swap bags of children's clothes while sipping coffee.
The art of bartering, however, does involve certain tax considerations. Hardwick is reluctant to provide tax advice, but her site includes a link to the IRS, with downloadable forms.
''We don't encourage people to avoid taxes,'' Hardwick says. ``There are rules.''
When her cat became sick, Hardwick could not afford the costly vet bills. Then she noticed that the vet was baffled by his new computer and offered her skills in exchange for medical care for her pet.
That experience ultimately led Hardwick to develop www.SwapThing.com, a California-based swap market that enables consumers to swap products and services through the Internet or through regional groups. Established in January 2005, Hardwick's online barter is a distant cousin of online garage sales such as eBay, Craigslist and FreeCycles.
''Our customers range from 18-year-olds swapping video games to 70-year-olds swapping crochet patterns. We serve a wide range of people who want to save money, exchange something they are no longer using for something they need, or trade collectibles,'' Hardwick said.
With 48,000 users in the United States and abroad, SwapThing enables users to operate locally or globally. You can search for merchandise and services with a prescribed radius of your zip code. Some users even use the system for travel and entertainment by swapping for sports tickets or vacation time shares.
SwapThing works like this: Registration is free. But upon completing a transaction, both buyer/seller pay a $1 fee, regardless of the size of the transaction. The fee jumps to $10 for service swaps. Deals can work out using different forms of currency, including a) non-cash barters, 2) cash-plus-merchandise trades, or 3) a negotiated cash payment. The site also features eBay-style auctions, with a pre-set ''Instant Purchase'' price, which operates like the ''Buy-it-Now'' button on eBay.
Florida has emerged as one of the most active regions in the SwapThing market. Several regional groups, called ''SwapCircles,'' meet in Florida. Public meeting sites are recommended by the founder. For instance, a few mothers meet regularly at Starbucks in Miami and Fort Lauderdale to swap bags of children's clothes while sipping coffee.
The art of bartering, however, does involve certain tax considerations. Hardwick is reluctant to provide tax advice, but her site includes a link to the IRS, with downloadable forms.
''We don't encourage people to avoid taxes,'' Hardwick says. ``There are rules.''
Friday, June 09, 2006
Spending Money to Save Money
Sometimes to save money, you have to spend it. It’s a paradox I learned the hard way. Indeed, through trial and lots of error, I’ve learned that some thrifty do-it-yourself projects carry hidden (and expensive!) price tags.
Our course, if you have the time and talent, do-it-yourself projects such as home repairs, seamstress work and elaborate cake designs are a valuable way to save money. But if your reach dramatically exceeds your grasp of mechanical realities, it pays to have a professional perform the necessary tasks.
I call it “thrift overload,” a condition that can happen when dollars and common sense are in short on supply. That concept hit home this past summer while my family –vacationing in Orlando — watched a Cosby show rerun in a hotel room.
On the small screen, family patriarch Cliff Huxtable tried to fix the family dishwasher. His reasoning: Why pay a repairman when you can do it yourself? But hiring a repairman, Huxtable ultimately discovered, would have been cheaper than buying a new big-ticket appliance after a botched do-it-yourself repair.
I laughed at the sit-com, because I’ve been to that same cliff of self-delusion. Consider the evidence: I routinely destroy family cookware with my well-intentioned, but distracted efforts to cook. But even with my smoke alarm record, I vainly attempted (with my husband’s creative assistance) to bake an elaborate Pokemon birthday cake from scratch.
On the eve of the party, our creation kept us in the kitchen until 4 am as we melted butter and created several custom shades of food coloring for our cartoon-inspired cake. Hours later when the party finally started, we were too tired and clueless to take pictures of the cake or even the birthday boy. The party is a blur, but I clearly remember that cake.
Likewise, my short-lived web site designing career cost me a bundle. Armed with a do-it-yourself program, I built myself a pretty little website for free as opposed to the price quotes --$200 to $1,200 –I received from professional website designers.
Unfortunately, I am a former luddite who used to fall into a blue funk at the sight of a new computer system in the workplace. Given my skills and limitations, the so-called Click ‘n Build website program should have been renamed Click ‘n Cry.
After thirty hours of wondering aimlessly through menus and menus of graphics, fonts and photographs, I stopped watching the clock as the days passed me by. My little “free” website actually cost me about $3,000 (conservatively) in lost time and opportunity costs. (I could have written and sold several short stories during that time frame.) After that reality check, I belatedly realized that I should have just written a check to a web site designer.
Our course, if you have the time and talent, do-it-yourself projects such as home repairs, seamstress work and elaborate cake designs are a valuable way to save money. But if your reach dramatically exceeds your grasp of mechanical realities, it pays to have a professional perform the necessary tasks.
I call it “thrift overload,” a condition that can happen when dollars and common sense are in short on supply. That concept hit home this past summer while my family –vacationing in Orlando — watched a Cosby show rerun in a hotel room.
On the small screen, family patriarch Cliff Huxtable tried to fix the family dishwasher. His reasoning: Why pay a repairman when you can do it yourself? But hiring a repairman, Huxtable ultimately discovered, would have been cheaper than buying a new big-ticket appliance after a botched do-it-yourself repair.
I laughed at the sit-com, because I’ve been to that same cliff of self-delusion. Consider the evidence: I routinely destroy family cookware with my well-intentioned, but distracted efforts to cook. But even with my smoke alarm record, I vainly attempted (with my husband’s creative assistance) to bake an elaborate Pokemon birthday cake from scratch.
On the eve of the party, our creation kept us in the kitchen until 4 am as we melted butter and created several custom shades of food coloring for our cartoon-inspired cake. Hours later when the party finally started, we were too tired and clueless to take pictures of the cake or even the birthday boy. The party is a blur, but I clearly remember that cake.
Likewise, my short-lived web site designing career cost me a bundle. Armed with a do-it-yourself program, I built myself a pretty little website for free as opposed to the price quotes --$200 to $1,200 –I received from professional website designers.
Unfortunately, I am a former luddite who used to fall into a blue funk at the sight of a new computer system in the workplace. Given my skills and limitations, the so-called Click ‘n Build website program should have been renamed Click ‘n Cry.
After thirty hours of wondering aimlessly through menus and menus of graphics, fonts and photographs, I stopped watching the clock as the days passed me by. My little “free” website actually cost me about $3,000 (conservatively) in lost time and opportunity costs. (I could have written and sold several short stories during that time frame.) After that reality check, I belatedly realized that I should have just written a check to a web site designer.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Miami Heat, Shaq and Wade's World
Okay, I'm a basketball nut and especially a Miami Heat fan. Check out my other posts throughout the year about Shaq, Wade, Coach Riley and the rest of the Heat.
I'm taking the frugal approach to the NBA Finals.
I can't afford to fly to Dallas, but I can afford to go to the Road Rally at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami. The Road Rally event was free for the last round, but the charge is now $5 a head, which is still an affordable price to watch the game in the stadium, with give-aways, perks, cheerleaders, the gymnastic team and the team mascot: Bernie. It's a blast. It's like a big block party.
We don't have cable in my house or even standard TV. My kids watch videos and DVDs, but not regular tv. (They read more and watch fewer ads pushing commerical products.)
But our no-TV ban is a bummer during the NBA playoff season. I would even spring for cable, just to watch the games. But here are our solutions:
1) Go to Road Rallies for away games.
2) Watch games with friends, who have TVs in their homes (instant parties). Bring refreshments to help defray the costs for the host.
3) Watch TV at the local sports bar (beware of the weirdos. eeewww. One weird guy kept winking and singing to me every time I cheered for the Heat. I learned to keep my mouth shut and I have not returned to the sports bar.)
4) Try to get cheap tickets for home playoff games. For the first round, we were able to get $12 standing room tickets. I haven't been so successful during subsequent rounds.
oh well. There's always NBA.com, 790 the Ticket (sports radio) and 610-AM (more radio) and of course, the sports section of the Miami Herald and other newspapers, which I read on line.
The frugal fun continues. LET'S GO HEAT!!!!!!
I'm taking the frugal approach to the NBA Finals.
I can't afford to fly to Dallas, but I can afford to go to the Road Rally at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami. The Road Rally event was free for the last round, but the charge is now $5 a head, which is still an affordable price to watch the game in the stadium, with give-aways, perks, cheerleaders, the gymnastic team and the team mascot: Bernie. It's a blast. It's like a big block party.
We don't have cable in my house or even standard TV. My kids watch videos and DVDs, but not regular tv. (They read more and watch fewer ads pushing commerical products.)
But our no-TV ban is a bummer during the NBA playoff season. I would even spring for cable, just to watch the games. But here are our solutions:
1) Go to Road Rallies for away games.
2) Watch games with friends, who have TVs in their homes (instant parties). Bring refreshments to help defray the costs for the host.
3) Watch TV at the local sports bar (beware of the weirdos. eeewww. One weird guy kept winking and singing to me every time I cheered for the Heat. I learned to keep my mouth shut and I have not returned to the sports bar.)
4) Try to get cheap tickets for home playoff games. For the first round, we were able to get $12 standing room tickets. I haven't been so successful during subsequent rounds.
oh well. There's always NBA.com, 790 the Ticket (sports radio) and 610-AM (more radio) and of course, the sports section of the Miami Herald and other newspapers, which I read on line.
The frugal fun continues. LET'S GO HEAT!!!!!!
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Pondering Renters Insurance
Oh, no. Summer means hurricanes, brush fires, tornadoes and other seasonal patterns in different parts of the country. (Every region has its issues.)
On my balcony, the view of the Atlantic Ocean comes with a price: I fret about the safety of my family and belongings during Hurricane Season.....
Of course, my landlord has property insurance. But I can't be lured into a false sense of security. The landlord’s policy provides coverage for the actually building, but such policies typically exclude coverage for the personal belongings of tenants. Bottom line: It's time to cover my assets! Surprisingly, rental insurance policies are affordable. ( I got a quote from Geico for less than $300 a year.)
Coverage and costs vary from company to company. I plan to contact local insurance agents to get policy information and prices. I can also tap into Internet resources by applying the term “renters insurance” to popular search engines.
Here's my own Q & A of key issues for those of us who live in apartments and want protection for our possessions.
What types of events are covered by renters insurance?
Lighting, fire, theft/vandalism, water-damage from home plumbing, riots, electrical surges, falling objects and other accidents
What about flood coverage?
Ah! That’s the $64,000 question. Depending on the company, residents may need to purchase an additional policy or “rider” for flood coverage. And for hurricane coverage, there are often separate policies/riders for wind storm coverage.
What other “issues” should you watch out for when purchasing rental insurance?
Read the fine print. Many policies offer coverage for either “actual cash value” (ACV) or “replacement cost value” (RCV). Take the second option whenever possible. That’s because ACV coverage offers a settlement to cover the only value of your property at the time of the fire, storm or theft.
For example, your computer system may have cost $1,200 two years ago, but it may only be worth $200 under ACV calculations. But RCV coverage enables you to collect the sum of money that it would cost (TODAY!!!) to replace your computer system due to damage, theft or loss from your home. You get a lot more coverage for your money under RCV policies.
On my balcony, the view of the Atlantic Ocean comes with a price: I fret about the safety of my family and belongings during Hurricane Season.....
Of course, my landlord has property insurance. But I can't be lured into a false sense of security. The landlord’s policy provides coverage for the actually building, but such policies typically exclude coverage for the personal belongings of tenants. Bottom line: It's time to cover my assets! Surprisingly, rental insurance policies are affordable. ( I got a quote from Geico for less than $300 a year.)
Coverage and costs vary from company to company. I plan to contact local insurance agents to get policy information and prices. I can also tap into Internet resources by applying the term “renters insurance” to popular search engines.
Here's my own Q & A of key issues for those of us who live in apartments and want protection for our possessions.
What types of events are covered by renters insurance?
Lighting, fire, theft/vandalism, water-damage from home plumbing, riots, electrical surges, falling objects and other accidents
What about flood coverage?
Ah! That’s the $64,000 question. Depending on the company, residents may need to purchase an additional policy or “rider” for flood coverage. And for hurricane coverage, there are often separate policies/riders for wind storm coverage.
What other “issues” should you watch out for when purchasing rental insurance?
Read the fine print. Many policies offer coverage for either “actual cash value” (ACV) or “replacement cost value” (RCV). Take the second option whenever possible. That’s because ACV coverage offers a settlement to cover the only value of your property at the time of the fire, storm or theft.
For example, your computer system may have cost $1,200 two years ago, but it may only be worth $200 under ACV calculations. But RCV coverage enables you to collect the sum of money that it would cost (TODAY!!!) to replace your computer system due to damage, theft or loss from your home. You get a lot more coverage for your money under RCV policies.
Monday, June 05, 2006
My Dirty Laundry
Since my teen years, the clothes hamper has been my household nemesis. In high school, I was in charge of the clothes pile, a task that languished under my watch until my parents gave me some organizational tips and demanded improvement.
Now that I'm a parent, I have a new spin on laundry dramas. Consider the math: Multiply three children by seven towels a week. Add in 15 sets of school uniforms and several I-wore-it-for-a-minute shirts. With that mix, laundry becomes a major investment in terms of time and money.
These days, the sorting-washing-folding duties belong primarily to me. It's just like high school. But determined to finally score an ''A'' in home economics, I've done my homework. I've accumulated the following tips from detergent companies, appliance experts and other personal care sources:
LAUNDRY BASICS
Like many things in life, good organization is the key. The makers of Tide recommend a well-stocked, well-organized laundry room that is convenient to the rest of your home. Reduce your sorting time, by setting up different hampers for different colors (color, white and dark clothes) and fabric types.
In my home, I plan to eliminate the double-digit towel cycle, by assigning each member of the family two towels for the week. That should reduce weekly towel usage to 10 towels from its current high of about 30.
And speaking of towels, you can speed up drying time, by adding a large dry towel to a damp load. This step could cut your drying time (and costs) by 25 percent or more, according to The Laundry Alternative, a Vermont-based appliance company.
OTHER TRICKS
• Yellow armpit stains on linen and cotton shirts. Sprinkle stained areas with a teaspoon of meat tenderizer. Scrub the area with a clean toothbrush. Put the shirt aside for an hour and then wash it in hot water, according to the May 15 issue of First magazine.
• Collar stains. Rub a chalk stick around a collar ring; let it stand for 10 minutes, then wash. The chalk powder soaks up the oil that creates the collar ring. The oil, the ring and the chalk wash away, according to First magazine.
• Measure carefully. Many consumers waste money and resources by using more laundry detergent than necessary, according to The Laundry Alternative, which specializes in eco-friendly laundry and septic system products. South Florida has soft water and that means less detergent is needed to wash laundry. Corey K. Tournet, owner of The Laundry Alternative, said in an e-mail that the term ''hard water'' was coined because it is ''harder'' to wash clothes in it than soft water.''
FIGHTING WRINKLES
Believe it or not, I actually enjoy ironing. I meditate while steaming out wrinkles. But if you hate ironing, the manufacturers of Tide detergent have a few suggestions. For instance, wash lightly soiled and bright color items in cold water to reduce wrinkles. (A cold water wash saves energy and money.)
• Shake out your clothes before transferring them to the dryer. This step prevents clothes from becoming wrinkled or balled up.
• Don't overstuff the dryer; clothes do not properly circulate in an overstuffed dryer.
• Fold or hang up garments immediately after the dryer stops spinning or else you'll have a tangled heap of wrinkled items.
Now that I'm a parent, I have a new spin on laundry dramas. Consider the math: Multiply three children by seven towels a week. Add in 15 sets of school uniforms and several I-wore-it-for-a-minute shirts. With that mix, laundry becomes a major investment in terms of time and money.
These days, the sorting-washing-folding duties belong primarily to me. It's just like high school. But determined to finally score an ''A'' in home economics, I've done my homework. I've accumulated the following tips from detergent companies, appliance experts and other personal care sources:
LAUNDRY BASICS
Like many things in life, good organization is the key. The makers of Tide recommend a well-stocked, well-organized laundry room that is convenient to the rest of your home. Reduce your sorting time, by setting up different hampers for different colors (color, white and dark clothes) and fabric types.
In my home, I plan to eliminate the double-digit towel cycle, by assigning each member of the family two towels for the week. That should reduce weekly towel usage to 10 towels from its current high of about 30.
And speaking of towels, you can speed up drying time, by adding a large dry towel to a damp load. This step could cut your drying time (and costs) by 25 percent or more, according to The Laundry Alternative, a Vermont-based appliance company.
OTHER TRICKS
• Yellow armpit stains on linen and cotton shirts. Sprinkle stained areas with a teaspoon of meat tenderizer. Scrub the area with a clean toothbrush. Put the shirt aside for an hour and then wash it in hot water, according to the May 15 issue of First magazine.
• Collar stains. Rub a chalk stick around a collar ring; let it stand for 10 minutes, then wash. The chalk powder soaks up the oil that creates the collar ring. The oil, the ring and the chalk wash away, according to First magazine.
• Measure carefully. Many consumers waste money and resources by using more laundry detergent than necessary, according to The Laundry Alternative, which specializes in eco-friendly laundry and septic system products. South Florida has soft water and that means less detergent is needed to wash laundry. Corey K. Tournet, owner of The Laundry Alternative, said in an e-mail that the term ''hard water'' was coined because it is ''harder'' to wash clothes in it than soft water.''
FIGHTING WRINKLES
Believe it or not, I actually enjoy ironing. I meditate while steaming out wrinkles. But if you hate ironing, the manufacturers of Tide detergent have a few suggestions. For instance, wash lightly soiled and bright color items in cold water to reduce wrinkles. (A cold water wash saves energy and money.)
• Shake out your clothes before transferring them to the dryer. This step prevents clothes from becoming wrinkled or balled up.
• Don't overstuff the dryer; clothes do not properly circulate in an overstuffed dryer.
• Fold or hang up garments immediately after the dryer stops spinning or else you'll have a tangled heap of wrinkled items.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
NBA Playoffs & Free Summer Fun
Last night at American Airlines Arena, I had my first taste of free summer fun. The Miami Heat opened up the arena for a free road rally for Miami Heat Fans and other basketball fanatics.
The road rally takes place when the team is playing a playoff game in another city. The arena then becomes the center of a huge sports party that is kid-friendly and free!!!
Here's the deal: Free parking, free admission to watch the Heat-Pistons playoff game inside the arena in the Dewars Club and in the actual arena seats on the big screen.
Great fun! The gymnastic team was there, the stadium announcer, the cheerleaders and the team mascot. They all handed out free team merchandise to Road Rally participants.
The freebies included cool playoff tee-shirts, D-Wade converse bracelets, Miami Heat magnets for the frig and lots of other cool stuff. And we had fun. You should have seen my boys doing smiling & dancing on the Big Screen TV. (The arena used its normal close circuit arena camera to scan the crowd during time-outs and half time.) Of course, we were sooo bummed that the Miami Heat lost. But we still have a 3 to 2 edge in the playoff series against Detroit.
So here's my point: Sporting arenas, bookstores, libraries and municipal parks have an assortment of low-cost or no-cost activities during the summer. Even malls have free activities for kids during the summer. Don't shop; just have fun. Do your homework and enjoy a great summer without spending a bundle.
Here's my round-up of free things in my neighborhood. And even if you're not from South Florida, my list can be an example of the types of activities that you can hunt down in your neighborhood.
Free and Cheap Camps
Day camps are free through the City of Miami offers at over 30 locations. Likewise, the City of Fort Lauderdale's eight-week day camps are only $37.50 per week.
If you can't afford lofty fees for sports lessons, don't worry. The Miami Beach Sports Specialty Camps program at Polo Park creates an even playing field. The selection includes: basketball camp: ages 7-13, $125/week; soccer: ages 5-13, $125/week; tennis camp: ages 7-13, $125/week; volleyball: ages 7-13, $100/week; baseball camp: ages 7-13, $125/week; flag football: ages 7-13, $125/week. Rates are higher for non-Miami Beach residents.
Polo Park and the Miami Beach Country Club are where young golfers, ages 7-13, can get putting and driving instruction from PGA members; $125 a week. Polo Park, 4301 N. Michigan Ave., Miami Beach. For camp registration, call 305-861-3616.
At the Outdoor Water Polo Camp on Miami Beach, campers ages 8-16 can learn the ropes of one of South Florida's trendiest sports; $125 a week. Scott Rakow Youth Center, 2700 Sheridan Ave., Miami Beach; 305-673-7767.
The City of Miami also offers a variety of indoor/outdoor activities and other cultural programs for children ages 7-13 through its ''Super Camp'' program as various parks. After a one-time $25 registration fee, it's $60 a week for city residents, $90 a week for non-residents. Call 305-416-1341 or call 311 and ask for info on summer camp programs.
From field trips to crafts, the City of Fort Lauderdale also has a diverse range of summer camps. Fort Lauderdale's Summer Community Camps program includes fitness, art and crafts, games, field trips and swimming at seven community centers and parks for ages 5-11. An eighth center, Camp New River, is for children 10-13. $300 for eight weeks; call 954-828-7275.
Fort Lauderdale also has camps dedicated to specific interests or sports such as the Sports and Fitness Camp for ages 6-11 at Holiday Park Gym & Social Center; $340 per four-week session: Holiday Park Gym & Social Center, 1150 G. Harold Martin Dr., Fort Lauderdale. For specialty camp information, call 954-828-5383.
In Miami Beach, six parks and playgrounds are the sites for Miami Beach Recreation Summer Camps for ages 5-17; $500 for eight weeks; call North Shore Park, 501 72nd St.; 305-861-3616.
The road rally takes place when the team is playing a playoff game in another city. The arena then becomes the center of a huge sports party that is kid-friendly and free!!!
Here's the deal: Free parking, free admission to watch the Heat-Pistons playoff game inside the arena in the Dewars Club and in the actual arena seats on the big screen.
Great fun! The gymnastic team was there, the stadium announcer, the cheerleaders and the team mascot. They all handed out free team merchandise to Road Rally participants.
The freebies included cool playoff tee-shirts, D-Wade converse bracelets, Miami Heat magnets for the frig and lots of other cool stuff. And we had fun. You should have seen my boys doing smiling & dancing on the Big Screen TV. (The arena used its normal close circuit arena camera to scan the crowd during time-outs and half time.) Of course, we were sooo bummed that the Miami Heat lost. But we still have a 3 to 2 edge in the playoff series against Detroit.
So here's my point: Sporting arenas, bookstores, libraries and municipal parks have an assortment of low-cost or no-cost activities during the summer. Even malls have free activities for kids during the summer. Don't shop; just have fun. Do your homework and enjoy a great summer without spending a bundle.
Here's my round-up of free things in my neighborhood. And even if you're not from South Florida, my list can be an example of the types of activities that you can hunt down in your neighborhood.
Free and Cheap Camps
Day camps are free through the City of Miami offers at over 30 locations. Likewise, the City of Fort Lauderdale's eight-week day camps are only $37.50 per week.
If you can't afford lofty fees for sports lessons, don't worry. The Miami Beach Sports Specialty Camps program at Polo Park creates an even playing field. The selection includes: basketball camp: ages 7-13, $125/week; soccer: ages 5-13, $125/week; tennis camp: ages 7-13, $125/week; volleyball: ages 7-13, $100/week; baseball camp: ages 7-13, $125/week; flag football: ages 7-13, $125/week. Rates are higher for non-Miami Beach residents.
Polo Park and the Miami Beach Country Club are where young golfers, ages 7-13, can get putting and driving instruction from PGA members; $125 a week. Polo Park, 4301 N. Michigan Ave., Miami Beach. For camp registration, call 305-861-3616.
At the Outdoor Water Polo Camp on Miami Beach, campers ages 8-16 can learn the ropes of one of South Florida's trendiest sports; $125 a week. Scott Rakow Youth Center, 2700 Sheridan Ave., Miami Beach; 305-673-7767.
The City of Miami also offers a variety of indoor/outdoor activities and other cultural programs for children ages 7-13 through its ''Super Camp'' program as various parks. After a one-time $25 registration fee, it's $60 a week for city residents, $90 a week for non-residents. Call 305-416-1341 or call 311 and ask for info on summer camp programs.
From field trips to crafts, the City of Fort Lauderdale also has a diverse range of summer camps. Fort Lauderdale's Summer Community Camps program includes fitness, art and crafts, games, field trips and swimming at seven community centers and parks for ages 5-11. An eighth center, Camp New River, is for children 10-13. $300 for eight weeks; call 954-828-7275.
Fort Lauderdale also has camps dedicated to specific interests or sports such as the Sports and Fitness Camp for ages 6-11 at Holiday Park Gym & Social Center; $340 per four-week session: Holiday Park Gym & Social Center, 1150 G. Harold Martin Dr., Fort Lauderdale. For specialty camp information, call 954-828-5383.
In Miami Beach, six parks and playgrounds are the sites for Miami Beach Recreation Summer Camps for ages 5-17; $500 for eight weeks; call North Shore Park, 501 72nd St.; 305-861-3616.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
10 Steps for Fun-but-Cheap Birthday Parties
Hey I loved these tips about putting together meaningful but affordable birthday parties for kids...Check it out.
" There are ways for parents to avoid the financial and emotional traps birthday parties bring. Stowers Innovations, Inc., publisher of the Yes, You Can... series of books, suggests the following 10 tips to increase the meaning and decrease the cost of birthday gift giving and celebrations.
1. Set a pre-determined budget – Determine a specific budget in advance for gifts and parties to avoid a financial crunch each year. Share this budget with your children to avoid unrealistic expectations.
2. Limit the number of guests – Keep parties manageable by limiting the number of guests your child is allowed to invite. A good rule of thumb is one guest for every year. So a five year old could invite five friends. Children cannot connect with very many people at one time and often connect most with family. By limiting the number of guests, you create an environment in which your child can form more meaningful connections.
3. Involve your child in the planning process – Give your child a major role in organizing the party. Talk about what is important about this party and how the money budgeted for the celebration will be used. Help them pick out games, food and decorations. Sit down with them to write party invitations. Years from now, when your child remembers his or her birthday, they’ll remember the experience, not just the party.
4. Team up – Share the cost of birthday parties by joining with other parents whose children have a similar birth date. This allows children to have parties that feel extravagant without straining your budget. If teaming up isn’t an option, consider throwing a big birthday party every other year for your child.
5. Keep it simple – Plan a party around a simple and inexpensive activity your child and their friends enjoy, such as baking and decorating cookies, hosting a talent show or playing dress-up. If your child is interested in dancing, host a dance party and allow your child to create a dance for everyone to learn. Or create a play based on their special interests and have party guests put on a show.
6. Build connections – Create activities that build connections and allow enough time for the activity to be meaningful. Young children have shorter attention spans and an hour and a half party would allow them enough time for a meaningful experience without loosing interest. Older children, however, may find a longer activity more meaningful. Consider allowing your older teen to invite a friend on a weekend family trip, or to a concert or theme park.
7. Celebrate family birthday traditions – Invite children to take part in a family birthday tradition. Serve breakfast in bed or allow children to choose the dinner menu on their birthday. Bake special treats the child can share with the class at school. There are many ways to build traditions, which make the day extra special.
8. Consider alternatives to traditional birthday gifts – Give your child a non-material gift, such as an experience or new privilege. Take the day off from work to go to a museum together or recognize the importance of getting older by extending a curfew or allowing young children to stay up later.
9. Teach the art of giving – Incorporate giving into your child’s birthday celebration. Instead of bringing gifts to the party, ask guests to bring something that can be donated—books, money, new toys or clothing—to a charity your child chooses. Send thank you notes to guests giving them specifics on the total contribution to the charity.
10. Make gift giving and receiving more meaningful – Set aside enough time during the party to allow the gift exchange to be a special experience. Let each child explain why he or she chose their gift and allow time for the recipient to open it. Many parents set up chairs for the gift giver and recipient, so they can sit next to each other while the present is being opened.
“Including your child in all aspects of the birthday experience, from planning to creating a scrap book after the event, helps create a party both you and your child will remember for a lifetime,” said Sheelagh Manheim, Ph.D., co-author of Yes, You Can… Find More Meaning in Your Life. “A great party is not about the money spent, but about the connections formed and the memories made.”
The books Yes, You Can... Afford to Raise a Family and Yes, You Can... Find More Meaning in Your Life are available by calling 1-800-234-3445 or online at www.stowers-innovations.com."
" There are ways for parents to avoid the financial and emotional traps birthday parties bring. Stowers Innovations, Inc., publisher of the Yes, You Can... series of books, suggests the following 10 tips to increase the meaning and decrease the cost of birthday gift giving and celebrations.
1. Set a pre-determined budget – Determine a specific budget in advance for gifts and parties to avoid a financial crunch each year. Share this budget with your children to avoid unrealistic expectations.
2. Limit the number of guests – Keep parties manageable by limiting the number of guests your child is allowed to invite. A good rule of thumb is one guest for every year. So a five year old could invite five friends. Children cannot connect with very many people at one time and often connect most with family. By limiting the number of guests, you create an environment in which your child can form more meaningful connections.
3. Involve your child in the planning process – Give your child a major role in organizing the party. Talk about what is important about this party and how the money budgeted for the celebration will be used. Help them pick out games, food and decorations. Sit down with them to write party invitations. Years from now, when your child remembers his or her birthday, they’ll remember the experience, not just the party.
4. Team up – Share the cost of birthday parties by joining with other parents whose children have a similar birth date. This allows children to have parties that feel extravagant without straining your budget. If teaming up isn’t an option, consider throwing a big birthday party every other year for your child.
5. Keep it simple – Plan a party around a simple and inexpensive activity your child and their friends enjoy, such as baking and decorating cookies, hosting a talent show or playing dress-up. If your child is interested in dancing, host a dance party and allow your child to create a dance for everyone to learn. Or create a play based on their special interests and have party guests put on a show.
6. Build connections – Create activities that build connections and allow enough time for the activity to be meaningful. Young children have shorter attention spans and an hour and a half party would allow them enough time for a meaningful experience without loosing interest. Older children, however, may find a longer activity more meaningful. Consider allowing your older teen to invite a friend on a weekend family trip, or to a concert or theme park.
7. Celebrate family birthday traditions – Invite children to take part in a family birthday tradition. Serve breakfast in bed or allow children to choose the dinner menu on their birthday. Bake special treats the child can share with the class at school. There are many ways to build traditions, which make the day extra special.
8. Consider alternatives to traditional birthday gifts – Give your child a non-material gift, such as an experience or new privilege. Take the day off from work to go to a museum together or recognize the importance of getting older by extending a curfew or allowing young children to stay up later.
9. Teach the art of giving – Incorporate giving into your child’s birthday celebration. Instead of bringing gifts to the party, ask guests to bring something that can be donated—books, money, new toys or clothing—to a charity your child chooses. Send thank you notes to guests giving them specifics on the total contribution to the charity.
10. Make gift giving and receiving more meaningful – Set aside enough time during the party to allow the gift exchange to be a special experience. Let each child explain why he or she chose their gift and allow time for the recipient to open it. Many parents set up chairs for the gift giver and recipient, so they can sit next to each other while the present is being opened.
“Including your child in all aspects of the birthday experience, from planning to creating a scrap book after the event, helps create a party both you and your child will remember for a lifetime,” said Sheelagh Manheim, Ph.D., co-author of Yes, You Can… Find More Meaning in Your Life. “A great party is not about the money spent, but about the connections formed and the memories made.”
The books Yes, You Can... Afford to Raise a Family and Yes, You Can... Find More Meaning in Your Life are available by calling 1-800-234-3445 or online at www.stowers-innovations.com."
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Manic Mom & Simple Birthday Parties
During my children's birthday parties, I morph into Ms. Manic Mom, my alter-ego. Pumped with a maternal cocktail of adrenaline and anxiety, I dash around with a single question: ``Are they having fun yet?!?''
I worry about the activities, the party favors and the atmosphere of our high-energy, but low-budget parties. It doesn't matter that we typically receive rave reviews. In the Manic Mom mode, I never stop worrying.
I'm not alone. As a nation, we spend a fortune on petting zoos, bounce houses and other party festivities for our children. We spend huge sums of dollars to create a few smiles during birthday parties.
CHILL OUT
Just relax, says Sheelagh Manheim, co-author of Yes, You Can . . . Find More Meaning in Your Life (Stowers Innovation Inc/2005, $19.95).
As a grandmother and veteran of many fun, but frugal, parties, Manheim has dozens of celebrations that have generated happy memories for her children and their friends. Her kids and their guests still talk about the low-cost gypsy party in which Manheim dressed up as a fortune-teller and offered words of advice.
She believes in the keep-it-simple approach. Her basic party recipe includes a short roster of games/activities, cake-cutting ceremonies and sweet goodbyes. And she recommends a two-hour party limit, especially for the five and under crowd.
BASIC BALL GAMES
Here's the logic: Children are ''over-programmed'' during their daily lives. Play dates, homework, lessons and other after-school activities leave little time for basic fun. Therefore, many kids particularly appreciate simple ball games and bean bag tosses. Other party favorites include craft activities in which kids make place mats or other useful items.
For my daughter's recent birthday party, we purchased wooden door paddles on clearance from a national craft chain. Shaped like the classic do-not-disturb hotel signs, the wooden paddles were perfect for paint, sparkles, stickers and other tools of creativity. The kids decorated their paddles with names, initials, welcome signs or words of warning. This activity consumed a large block of time and was a hit with the boys and girls. What's more, each kid left with a practical, but unusual party favor for their bedrooms.
'Their self-esteem comes from saying: `I did it myself,' '' Manheim said.
DONKEY TAILS
Even Pin-the-Tail on the Donkey -- an old-school classic -- can be transformed into an exercise in self-esteem and creativity. We discovered that lesson by accident. As our party guests decorated their door paddles, my artistic husband quickly sketched out a donkey for the next activity. Fascinated by his artistic production, the kids drifted away from their own art projects to watch. We could have taken it a step further by letting the kids draw the donkey and create the tails, Manheim said.
''It's hysterical fun,'' she said about the entire process. `What matters is that they are using their imagination and doing something new.''
I worry about the activities, the party favors and the atmosphere of our high-energy, but low-budget parties. It doesn't matter that we typically receive rave reviews. In the Manic Mom mode, I never stop worrying.
I'm not alone. As a nation, we spend a fortune on petting zoos, bounce houses and other party festivities for our children. We spend huge sums of dollars to create a few smiles during birthday parties.
CHILL OUT
Just relax, says Sheelagh Manheim, co-author of Yes, You Can . . . Find More Meaning in Your Life (Stowers Innovation Inc/2005, $19.95).
As a grandmother and veteran of many fun, but frugal, parties, Manheim has dozens of celebrations that have generated happy memories for her children and their friends. Her kids and their guests still talk about the low-cost gypsy party in which Manheim dressed up as a fortune-teller and offered words of advice.
She believes in the keep-it-simple approach. Her basic party recipe includes a short roster of games/activities, cake-cutting ceremonies and sweet goodbyes. And she recommends a two-hour party limit, especially for the five and under crowd.
BASIC BALL GAMES
Here's the logic: Children are ''over-programmed'' during their daily lives. Play dates, homework, lessons and other after-school activities leave little time for basic fun. Therefore, many kids particularly appreciate simple ball games and bean bag tosses. Other party favorites include craft activities in which kids make place mats or other useful items.
For my daughter's recent birthday party, we purchased wooden door paddles on clearance from a national craft chain. Shaped like the classic do-not-disturb hotel signs, the wooden paddles were perfect for paint, sparkles, stickers and other tools of creativity. The kids decorated their paddles with names, initials, welcome signs or words of warning. This activity consumed a large block of time and was a hit with the boys and girls. What's more, each kid left with a practical, but unusual party favor for their bedrooms.
'Their self-esteem comes from saying: `I did it myself,' '' Manheim said.
DONKEY TAILS
Even Pin-the-Tail on the Donkey -- an old-school classic -- can be transformed into an exercise in self-esteem and creativity. We discovered that lesson by accident. As our party guests decorated their door paddles, my artistic husband quickly sketched out a donkey for the next activity. Fascinated by his artistic production, the kids drifted away from their own art projects to watch. We could have taken it a step further by letting the kids draw the donkey and create the tails, Manheim said.
''It's hysterical fun,'' she said about the entire process. `What matters is that they are using their imagination and doing something new.''
Friday, May 26, 2006
Botox vs Sunscreen: My Anti-Facelift Rant!!
Botox, facelifts, collagen, acupuncture treatments and expensive skin creams!!!!
Millions of dollars are spent annually on cosmetic procedures and expensive anti-aging treatments.
But for far less money ($5 and under), we can buy cheap but effective preventive facial/skin care. THINK SUNSCREEN.
On a personal level, I know the power of sunscreen. For the last few weeks, I've been out of my favorite anti-aging skin creams. I use inexpensive; but effective drugstore potions. I've been too busy to clip coupons and pick up more. But I've slapped on some sunscreen --important in Miami--and my skin has been looking great. Less is more, especially if you remember the sunscreen.
The latest crop of women's magazines -- Real Simple, First, For Me -- have written some interesting pieces about the frugal and effective power of sunscreen. On the low end, decent coverage can cost $5 (or less). Here's one cheapie that's gotten rave reviews:
Hawaiian Tropic Baby Faces & Tender Places SPF 50 $5 (rated best stick protection by Real Simple)
On the higher end: Lancome Soleil Ultra Expert Sun Care SPF 50 Sunscreen Face and Body Lotion $32.50....rated best cream by Real Simple.
Real Simple offers these sunscreen tips
Millions of dollars are spent annually on cosmetic procedures and expensive anti-aging treatments.
But for far less money ($5 and under), we can buy cheap but effective preventive facial/skin care. THINK SUNSCREEN.
On a personal level, I know the power of sunscreen. For the last few weeks, I've been out of my favorite anti-aging skin creams. I use inexpensive; but effective drugstore potions. I've been too busy to clip coupons and pick up more. But I've slapped on some sunscreen --important in Miami--and my skin has been looking great. Less is more, especially if you remember the sunscreen.
The latest crop of women's magazines -- Real Simple, First, For Me -- have written some interesting pieces about the frugal and effective power of sunscreen. On the low end, decent coverage can cost $5 (or less). Here's one cheapie that's gotten rave reviews:
Hawaiian Tropic Baby Faces & Tender Places SPF 50 $5 (rated best stick protection by Real Simple)
On the higher end: Lancome Soleil Ultra Expert Sun Care SPF 50 Sunscreen Face and Body Lotion $32.50....rated best cream by Real Simple.
Real Simple offers these sunscreen tips
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
New Lives for Old Stuff: Recycle!
From the corners of closets and the depths of storage bins, I have uncovered an assortment of unwanted items.
However, thanks to a few recycling tips, I look at castoff items with new eyes. Here are a few ideas from readers, magazines and friends:
Mylar balloons: Give festive Mylar balloons a second life. Deflated Mylar balloons make great gift bags. Just snip off the top portion, insert gift and tie the bundle with a pretty ribbon.
Mouse pads: As popular give-aways, computer mouse pads often multiply. Old mouse pads can be used as kitchen trivets for hot dishes, according to Budget Living magazine ($3.99 at newsstands).
Shower curtains: One Budget Living reader offers this practical suggestion for worn-out shower curtains: Cut the magnets out of the old plastic liners for use on refrigerator doors.
Envelope addresses: Put junk mail to good use. Before tossing unwanted mail, snip out the three lines featuring your name/address and paste that information onto outgoing envelopes. This process creates two solutions with one snip. Dumpster-diving identity thefts are thwarted and you've created instant return labels with minimal effort and no expense.
Craft photo frames: Take a tip from a vintage (June 2003) issue of Martha Stewart's Living magazine ($4.75/newsstand price). Old make-up compacts can be recycled into elegant photo frames.
Re-fashioned hair accessories: For awhile, I stocked up on trendy hair elastics – sold at CVS, Walgreens and other chains – created from the same fabric used in pantyhose. But a thrifty friend pushed my DUH button, with her brilliant idea: Cut the legs of clean but worn out pantyhose into horizontal strips. (No sewing, required). Using black and brown hose, I've made pony tail elastics that really resemble my favorite name-brand accessory. I've saved money and landfill space.
But my favorite recycling tip -- actually the spark for this post -- was delivered by a kind woman named Vivian.
While visiting an animal shelter, Vivian discovered that the vets used plastic Herald newspaper delivery bags as feeders for baby birds. What other uses are there for plastic bags? Vivian asked.
Melissa Tosetti, editor of Budget Savvy magazine (www.budgetsavvymag.com) has come to my rescue with this suggestion for plastic bags: "Double the bags and pour cooled kitchen grease into them. Tie the bag shut and throw it away. No mess!"
However, thanks to a few recycling tips, I look at castoff items with new eyes. Here are a few ideas from readers, magazines and friends:
Mylar balloons: Give festive Mylar balloons a second life. Deflated Mylar balloons make great gift bags. Just snip off the top portion, insert gift and tie the bundle with a pretty ribbon.
Mouse pads: As popular give-aways, computer mouse pads often multiply. Old mouse pads can be used as kitchen trivets for hot dishes, according to Budget Living magazine ($3.99 at newsstands).
Shower curtains: One Budget Living reader offers this practical suggestion for worn-out shower curtains: Cut the magnets out of the old plastic liners for use on refrigerator doors.
Envelope addresses: Put junk mail to good use. Before tossing unwanted mail, snip out the three lines featuring your name/address and paste that information onto outgoing envelopes. This process creates two solutions with one snip. Dumpster-diving identity thefts are thwarted and you've created instant return labels with minimal effort and no expense.
Craft photo frames: Take a tip from a vintage (June 2003) issue of Martha Stewart's Living magazine ($4.75/newsstand price). Old make-up compacts can be recycled into elegant photo frames.
Re-fashioned hair accessories: For awhile, I stocked up on trendy hair elastics – sold at CVS, Walgreens and other chains – created from the same fabric used in pantyhose. But a thrifty friend pushed my DUH button, with her brilliant idea: Cut the legs of clean but worn out pantyhose into horizontal strips. (No sewing, required). Using black and brown hose, I've made pony tail elastics that really resemble my favorite name-brand accessory. I've saved money and landfill space.
But my favorite recycling tip -- actually the spark for this post -- was delivered by a kind woman named Vivian.
While visiting an animal shelter, Vivian discovered that the vets used plastic Herald newspaper delivery bags as feeders for baby birds. What other uses are there for plastic bags? Vivian asked.
Melissa Tosetti, editor of Budget Savvy magazine (www.budgetsavvymag.com) has come to my rescue with this suggestion for plastic bags: "Double the bags and pour cooled kitchen grease into them. Tie the bag shut and throw it away. No mess!"
Monday, May 22, 2006
Off-Season Travel Bargains in Miami
Okay, I'm talking about off-season travel bargains in Miami. But apply this logic to other areas of the country. Try Disney in the winter; go to a ski resort in the summer. You'd be surprised about the discounts offered by seasonal resorts seeking to lure in year-round traffic.
check this out:
My first summer in Miami was a shock. After a flight from Manhattan, we arrived at Miami International Airport on an August evening about 10 years ago. Holding suitcases and a toddler, we stepped into a blast of hot, humid air. Within minutes of arrival, I was ready to return to the Northeast region of the country, where the summer nights are relatively cool.
But we've stuck it out and I'm glad.
There's nothing like summer in South Florida, especially with the palm trees, the ocean and the wide range of affordable activities during the seasonal meltdown. Many businesses, restaurants and attractions offer summer perks and discounts to increase traffic during the off-season.
RESTAURANT DEALS
For example, during a recent stroll down the 41st Street shopping district in Miami Beach, I spotted a summer dinner sale at Dougie's Bar-B-Que & Grill. On Wednesday nights, children 12 and younger eat free with an adult who orders a minimum of $15.95. Tuesday nights, the restaurant, a popular kosher deli franchise, markets an all-you-can eat buffet.
Other local restaurants will offer dining discounts during the month of August as part of the Campo Viejo Wines Presents Miami Spice. For more details, check out: www.miamirestaurantmonth.com.
BOWLING ALLEYS & OTHER FUN
Meanwhile, hot-ticket discounts include reduced rates or special programs at hotels, parks and bowling alleys. To boost summer revenue, bowling alleys, such as Strike Miami at the Dolphin Mall, are also promoting warm-weather specials. As part of a ''Summer Cool Down,'' Strike Miami is offering group discounts of 30 percent off during the day and 20 percent off at night. Groups must book through the event office; 305-594-0200, ext. 406. For all customers, a Monday night special, beginning at 9 p.m., features shoe rentals and unlimited bowling for $14.95, according to Strike Miami's Amy Arcara.
THE ZOO
Likewise, during July, the Miami Metrozoo will hold a buy-one-get-one free ticket sale, according to Cindy Castelblanco, the Zoological Society of Florida's public relations manager.
DAY SPAS
Luxury spas and resorts also have summer deals. Those promotions include free mojitas and a $65 rate (down from $102) for a mini-massage at the Shore Club on South Beach, and 20 percent discounts for locals at The Setai (Miami Beach) and the Harbor Beach Marriott (Fort Lauderdale).
And as weather heats up, area motels and hotels are always likely to offer deals. And remember, not all specials are advertised or promoted. Therefore, it pays to ask for summer or regional discounts.
check this out:
My first summer in Miami was a shock. After a flight from Manhattan, we arrived at Miami International Airport on an August evening about 10 years ago. Holding suitcases and a toddler, we stepped into a blast of hot, humid air. Within minutes of arrival, I was ready to return to the Northeast region of the country, where the summer nights are relatively cool.
But we've stuck it out and I'm glad.
There's nothing like summer in South Florida, especially with the palm trees, the ocean and the wide range of affordable activities during the seasonal meltdown. Many businesses, restaurants and attractions offer summer perks and discounts to increase traffic during the off-season.
RESTAURANT DEALS
For example, during a recent stroll down the 41st Street shopping district in Miami Beach, I spotted a summer dinner sale at Dougie's Bar-B-Que & Grill. On Wednesday nights, children 12 and younger eat free with an adult who orders a minimum of $15.95. Tuesday nights, the restaurant, a popular kosher deli franchise, markets an all-you-can eat buffet.
Other local restaurants will offer dining discounts during the month of August as part of the Campo Viejo Wines Presents Miami Spice. For more details, check out: www.miamirestaurantmonth.com.
BOWLING ALLEYS & OTHER FUN
Meanwhile, hot-ticket discounts include reduced rates or special programs at hotels, parks and bowling alleys. To boost summer revenue, bowling alleys, such as Strike Miami at the Dolphin Mall, are also promoting warm-weather specials. As part of a ''Summer Cool Down,'' Strike Miami is offering group discounts of 30 percent off during the day and 20 percent off at night. Groups must book through the event office; 305-594-0200, ext. 406. For all customers, a Monday night special, beginning at 9 p.m., features shoe rentals and unlimited bowling for $14.95, according to Strike Miami's Amy Arcara.
THE ZOO
Likewise, during July, the Miami Metrozoo will hold a buy-one-get-one free ticket sale, according to Cindy Castelblanco, the Zoological Society of Florida's public relations manager.
DAY SPAS
Luxury spas and resorts also have summer deals. Those promotions include free mojitas and a $65 rate (down from $102) for a mini-massage at the Shore Club on South Beach, and 20 percent discounts for locals at The Setai (Miami Beach) and the Harbor Beach Marriott (Fort Lauderdale).
And as weather heats up, area motels and hotels are always likely to offer deals. And remember, not all specials are advertised or promoted. Therefore, it pays to ask for summer or regional discounts.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Pet Supplies for Scruffy at the Dollar Store
We have a new dog named Scruffy. He is so cute. His adoption is a great story for another time.
But first, I want to write about our dollar store pet supplies. Of course, we could have spent a fortune on pet supplies and trinkets at an expensive boutique near our home, where dog shampoos and conditioners cost about $20 a bottle and doggy outfits cost over $100.
Hello?!? I don't spend $20 for a single bottle of conditioner for my pampered hair and I buy my clothes at steep discounts. (Best find: a $100 Ann Taylor Loft jacket for $15 at a summer sale last August.) I love Scruffy, but he doesn't need a $200 jacket and he can use the flea shampoo that my husband found for $1 at a really cool dollar store in South Beach. And the stuff even smells good. (Not for my hair. Oh no. But it's great for Scruffy.)
So here is a list of some of our dollar store purchases:
One Buck Bargains
1. Great nylon leashes (we purchased 2)
2. Really cute dog bowls (one for water, one for food)
3. A package of chew sticks (Other stores charge $6 to $7 for similar packages.)
4. Assorted chew toys...for $1 dollar each. (I've seen the same toys for about $10 each.)
5. Conditioning Pet Shampoo $1 for 16 fl. oz (Forget the high-end stuff for $20 a bottle)
Dollar Duds
1. Chain link leash. The dog hates this one. So we don't use it.
2. Rope/Ball-tug-of-war toy. This dollar store item was a dud. It was not well-made and my dog quickly ripped it apart. oh well....
3. Spiky rubberized teething circle. He ignores this toy.
We enjoyed the stuff that worked and our mistakes weren't costly.
But first, I want to write about our dollar store pet supplies. Of course, we could have spent a fortune on pet supplies and trinkets at an expensive boutique near our home, where dog shampoos and conditioners cost about $20 a bottle and doggy outfits cost over $100.
Hello?!? I don't spend $20 for a single bottle of conditioner for my pampered hair and I buy my clothes at steep discounts. (Best find: a $100 Ann Taylor Loft jacket for $15 at a summer sale last August.) I love Scruffy, but he doesn't need a $200 jacket and he can use the flea shampoo that my husband found for $1 at a really cool dollar store in South Beach. And the stuff even smells good. (Not for my hair. Oh no. But it's great for Scruffy.)
So here is a list of some of our dollar store purchases:
One Buck Bargains
1. Great nylon leashes (we purchased 2)
2. Really cute dog bowls (one for water, one for food)
3. A package of chew sticks (Other stores charge $6 to $7 for similar packages.)
4. Assorted chew toys...for $1 dollar each. (I've seen the same toys for about $10 each.)
5. Conditioning Pet Shampoo $1 for 16 fl. oz (Forget the high-end stuff for $20 a bottle)
Dollar Duds
1. Chain link leash. The dog hates this one. So we don't use it.
2. Rope/Ball-tug-of-war toy. This dollar store item was a dud. It was not well-made and my dog quickly ripped it apart. oh well....
3. Spiky rubberized teething circle. He ignores this toy.
We enjoyed the stuff that worked and our mistakes weren't costly.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Traveling on Big Wheels
In air-conditioned comfort, I traveled in a stretch vehicle driven by a uniformed employee, who politely opened the door for me. It was a luxurious, waterfront ride for $1.25 — far less than a gallon of gas — courtesy of a Miami-Dade Transit bus.
I shared the ride with tourists, who were traveling to the Nasdaq-100 tennis tournament. Other riders included, Raymond Cummings, a Miami resident, who is also a big fan of public transportation.
“It’s cheaper than buying gasoline,” said Cummings. “I don’t drive. My wife usually drives. I just don’t like the traffic.”
Many consumers have reservations about public transportation. Complaints range from schedules, convenience and access. Many of those concerns are valid, but as gas prices continue to climb, I've noticed an effort to improve public transporation. And indeed, there should be a long-term commitment to upgrade and support transit systems.
Buses and trains are affordable and energy efficient. There are also fare discount programs for individuals, senior citizens, veterans and students. Many transit programs also offer group discount plans for companies. But even without discounts, buses, subways, trolleys and trains are far cheaper than cars.
To get the most mileage out of public transportation, it’s best to check schedules and leave plenty of time for possible delays. And I always carry work or reading material with me. It's my spin on energy efficiency.
I shared the ride with tourists, who were traveling to the Nasdaq-100 tennis tournament. Other riders included, Raymond Cummings, a Miami resident, who is also a big fan of public transportation.
“It’s cheaper than buying gasoline,” said Cummings. “I don’t drive. My wife usually drives. I just don’t like the traffic.”
Many consumers have reservations about public transportation. Complaints range from schedules, convenience and access. Many of those concerns are valid, but as gas prices continue to climb, I've noticed an effort to improve public transporation. And indeed, there should be a long-term commitment to upgrade and support transit systems.
Buses and trains are affordable and energy efficient. There are also fare discount programs for individuals, senior citizens, veterans and students. Many transit programs also offer group discount plans for companies. But even without discounts, buses, subways, trolleys and trains are far cheaper than cars.
To get the most mileage out of public transportation, it’s best to check schedules and leave plenty of time for possible delays. And I always carry work or reading material with me. It's my spin on energy efficiency.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Shopping at the Portal: Online Comparisons
Game Boy Advance -- a handheld electronic toy from Nintendo -- has topped my daughter's wish list for the last six months. With her own savings and a parental contribution, she recently purchased the toy at a discount through an eBay auction. Other Internet resources also offer affordable options.
In fact, there are several online shopping portals that compare vendor/retail prices at a variety of outlets. Those services are helpful for researching the best deals over the Internet or at traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Those outlets include Shopzilla.com, PriceRunner.com, Shopping.com, Pricegrabber.com and NexTag.com.
Online comparison shopping is a popular trend, even with consumers who are uncomfortable making online purchases. Traditionalists use the Internet to compare retail prices and then make their actual purchases at standard stores. In fact, 70 percent of online shoppers browse through multiple Internet channels before every purchase, according to a recent survey from Shopzilla, an online index of 30 million products at over 50,000 stores. But for 64 percent of shoppers surveyed, comparison shopping is a time-consuming process involving multiple visits to four sites on average.
Overstock.com and Other Outlets
Overstock.com features excess inventory. For less than wholesale prices, Over stock.com purchases merchandise from manufacturers and sells those items at discounts of 40 percent to 80 percent below standard retail prices. In addition to partnership agreements with name-brand companies, Overstock.com acquires canceled orders from stores and items from companies that are downsizing or moving. Merchandise includes furniture, books, clothing and jewelry and other items.
In addition to its regular discounts, Overstock.com offers special clearance bins. A special page on the site features bins of books, music and movies for $1 to $5. Another bin features an assortment of bedding, shoes, accessories, jewelry, electronics and house wares for $25 and less. And regardless of the size or weight of your order, shipping is always $2.95.
www.shopitome.com (Shop It To Me) works like a personal shopper. You provide a profile of your shopping tastes (size and favorite labels), and Shop It To Me will find the lowest sale price from its pool of retailers. That list includes Nordstrom, Ann Taylor Loft, Kenneth Cole, Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and other top stores. You can elect to receive daily, weekly or semi-weekly e-mails alerting you when the items from your wish list are on sale.
www.restaurant.com sells discounts for restaurants in your area. For instance, after typing in my area code, I received a list of 212 restaurants within 15 miles of my home, including hot spots in South Beach, Coral Gables and the Brickell Avenue district. At those eateries, Restaurant.com charges $10 for $25 gift certificates and $3 for $10 certificates. They are good for purchasing meals. Restrictions vary from restaurant to restaurant and are detailed on the website. One South Beach eatery, for example, requires a minimal food purchase of $35 and at another restaurant, the certificates can't be used for early-bird dining.
www.drugstore.com offers discounts on beauty and personal care products, vitamins, prescriptions and other items typically found in brick-and-mortar stores. Drugstore.com partners with Rite Aid and GNC, which sells vitamins and other health aids. Product savings range from 20 percent to 40 percent. Shipping is free for orders of $25 or more.
Of course, due to security concerns, many consumers are wary about online transactions. For that market, www.billmelater.com (bill me later) offers a solution. Through agreements with a wide range of retailers, Bill Me Later enables you to shop online, but receive hard copy bills through regular mail so that you don't have to use your credit card on cyberspace. According to a customer service rep, the merchandise is shipped as soon as you make the purchase, with the bill arriving later. Bill Me Later has financing agreements with Wal mart.com, Sports Authority, Linens-N-Things, Petco.Com and other well-known online merchants.
In fact, there are several online shopping portals that compare vendor/retail prices at a variety of outlets. Those services are helpful for researching the best deals over the Internet or at traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Those outlets include Shopzilla.com, PriceRunner.com, Shopping.com, Pricegrabber.com and NexTag.com.
Online comparison shopping is a popular trend, even with consumers who are uncomfortable making online purchases. Traditionalists use the Internet to compare retail prices and then make their actual purchases at standard stores. In fact, 70 percent of online shoppers browse through multiple Internet channels before every purchase, according to a recent survey from Shopzilla, an online index of 30 million products at over 50,000 stores. But for 64 percent of shoppers surveyed, comparison shopping is a time-consuming process involving multiple visits to four sites on average.
Overstock.com and Other Outlets
Overstock.com features excess inventory. For less than wholesale prices, Over stock.com purchases merchandise from manufacturers and sells those items at discounts of 40 percent to 80 percent below standard retail prices. In addition to partnership agreements with name-brand companies, Overstock.com acquires canceled orders from stores and items from companies that are downsizing or moving. Merchandise includes furniture, books, clothing and jewelry and other items.
In addition to its regular discounts, Overstock.com offers special clearance bins. A special page on the site features bins of books, music and movies for $1 to $5. Another bin features an assortment of bedding, shoes, accessories, jewelry, electronics and house wares for $25 and less. And regardless of the size or weight of your order, shipping is always $2.95.
www.shopitome.com (Shop It To Me) works like a personal shopper. You provide a profile of your shopping tastes (size and favorite labels), and Shop It To Me will find the lowest sale price from its pool of retailers. That list includes Nordstrom, Ann Taylor Loft, Kenneth Cole, Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and other top stores. You can elect to receive daily, weekly or semi-weekly e-mails alerting you when the items from your wish list are on sale.
www.restaurant.com sells discounts for restaurants in your area. For instance, after typing in my area code, I received a list of 212 restaurants within 15 miles of my home, including hot spots in South Beach, Coral Gables and the Brickell Avenue district. At those eateries, Restaurant.com charges $10 for $25 gift certificates and $3 for $10 certificates. They are good for purchasing meals. Restrictions vary from restaurant to restaurant and are detailed on the website. One South Beach eatery, for example, requires a minimal food purchase of $35 and at another restaurant, the certificates can't be used for early-bird dining.
www.drugstore.com offers discounts on beauty and personal care products, vitamins, prescriptions and other items typically found in brick-and-mortar stores. Drugstore.com partners with Rite Aid and GNC, which sells vitamins and other health aids. Product savings range from 20 percent to 40 percent. Shipping is free for orders of $25 or more.
Of course, due to security concerns, many consumers are wary about online transactions. For that market, www.billmelater.com (bill me later) offers a solution. Through agreements with a wide range of retailers, Bill Me Later enables you to shop online, but receive hard copy bills through regular mail so that you don't have to use your credit card on cyberspace. According to a customer service rep, the merchandise is shipped as soon as you make the purchase, with the bill arriving later. Bill Me Later has financing agreements with Wal mart.com, Sports Authority, Linens-N-Things, Petco.Com and other well-known online merchants.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Spinning on the Freecycle
Imagine if everything on eBay, the global Internet-based garage sale, traded for free. Perhaps that electronic marketplace would be called ``Freebay.''
Don't laugh. A large Internet-based giveaway exists in South Florida and throughout the country. The Freecycle Network, operates an Internet-based bulletin board where items -- fax machines, movie tickets, pianos and other household castoffs -- are offered for free on a first-come, first-serve basis.
''One person's trash can truly be another's treasure,'' say the organizers of Freecycle Network ( www.freecycle.org).
The Freecycle Network was launched in May 2003 by RISE Inc., a Tucson, Ariz., nonprofit group committed to waste reduction, recycling and other social issues. RISE created Freecycle as a way to reduce waste in Tucson.
But over the last year, membership in the program has expanded nationally and even beyond national borders. Anyone can register for either group by going to www.freecycle.org and clicking on the appropriate geographical region.
The Miami-based group was started by Michele Doss of Miami, who screens the posted messages on Freecycle Miami's electronic bulletin board. She urges new members to participate as donors as well as takers. Freecycle works best when there is a balance between giving and taking, she says.
Doss also adheres closely to the initial concept from Freecycle's founder Deron Beal: recycle, recycle, recycle.
''It looks like we're helping people keep a lot of things out the landfills,'' she says.
Curious about the local giveaways, I recently logged onto the global Freecyle site and registered for Freecyle Miami through Yahoo.
The list of available items included a playpen, a child carrier, a recliner, a hot tub, a water softener and movie tickets. As of June 10, a boy's 26-inch Schwinn bike was still available, but a 25-foot fiberglass boat was taken.
A family of five from West Palm Beach was offering a free General Electric washing machine that they acquired when they purchased their home last year. According to their report, the machine that came with the house is in good condition and doing a ''great job'' on the family laundry.
But a gift of a newer and larger machine prompted the family to give away the older one. The family wants to continue the spin cycle of giving. And as a give-away bonus, they are also offering an organic watermelon from their home garden and fresh eggs if their chickens cooperate.
Don't laugh. A large Internet-based giveaway exists in South Florida and throughout the country. The Freecycle Network, operates an Internet-based bulletin board where items -- fax machines, movie tickets, pianos and other household castoffs -- are offered for free on a first-come, first-serve basis.
''One person's trash can truly be another's treasure,'' say the organizers of Freecycle Network ( www.freecycle.org).
The Freecycle Network was launched in May 2003 by RISE Inc., a Tucson, Ariz., nonprofit group committed to waste reduction, recycling and other social issues. RISE created Freecycle as a way to reduce waste in Tucson.
But over the last year, membership in the program has expanded nationally and even beyond national borders. Anyone can register for either group by going to www.freecycle.org and clicking on the appropriate geographical region.
The Miami-based group was started by Michele Doss of Miami, who screens the posted messages on Freecycle Miami's electronic bulletin board. She urges new members to participate as donors as well as takers. Freecycle works best when there is a balance between giving and taking, she says.
Doss also adheres closely to the initial concept from Freecycle's founder Deron Beal: recycle, recycle, recycle.
''It looks like we're helping people keep a lot of things out the landfills,'' she says.
Curious about the local giveaways, I recently logged onto the global Freecyle site and registered for Freecyle Miami through Yahoo.
The list of available items included a playpen, a child carrier, a recliner, a hot tub, a water softener and movie tickets. As of June 10, a boy's 26-inch Schwinn bike was still available, but a 25-foot fiberglass boat was taken.
A family of five from West Palm Beach was offering a free General Electric washing machine that they acquired when they purchased their home last year. According to their report, the machine that came with the house is in good condition and doing a ''great job'' on the family laundry.
But a gift of a newer and larger machine prompted the family to give away the older one. The family wants to continue the spin cycle of giving. And as a give-away bonus, they are also offering an organic watermelon from their home garden and fresh eggs if their chickens cooperate.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Frugal Prom Fantasies: Fashion for Less
Dateless and clueless in New Jersey, I skipped over the entire prom scene during my high school years. I never missed the long cheesy white limo, the stick-pin corsage or even the rent-a-tux boy. But I still dream about The Dress.
I can't go back in time, but there are lots of options to meet my high school prom fantasies as well as prom realities for today's high schoolers. Options range from custom dressmakers to discount stores, depending on whether your budget is at the high or low end.
Unconventional channels (eBay, consignment/thrift stores, online swap shops such as Freecycle.org and different charities) have prom gowns from $0 to $300 and up. One local charity -- Becca's Closet -- hands out free prom dresses and formal wear to teenagers in need. I highly recommend this Plantation-based program for teens seeking assistance with prom wear. Check out http://www.beccascloset.org.
No matter where you shop, your prom dress hunt should begin with a few fashion basics, such as fabric, fit and workmanship, according to Wensley Alvarez, a salesman at Consign of the Times, a consignment store in Miami Beach and Coconut Grove.
''It's all about quality and a good cut,'' Alvarez said.
Upscale consignment stores are ideal for prom shoppers with high-end tastes but off-the rack-budgets. At Consign of the Times, for example, clothes and accessories from Prada, Versace, Chanel and other designers sell for one-third of the standard retail price. For instance, a designer cocktail dress or gown sold new for $600 to $2,100 would cost about $200 to $700 at Consign of The Times.
There are a number of consignment stores in South Florida. Inventory varies and it's best to call ahead to see which stores have a collection of prom gowns and cocktail dresses. Thrift stores throughout our region are stuffed with an abundance of gowns because many dresses are cast aside after being worn to just one prom.
Many dressmakers will tailor their creations to fit your budget. I spoke to one Coral Gables seamstress -- located on Miracle Mile -- who makes prom gowns that cost $3,000 and higher. But if your budget is far less, about $250, she'll create and stitch an attractive prom gown to fit that price range. At a coming-of-age party for a friend's daughter, I saw one of the dressmaker's affordable custom gowns, and I was impressed with the cut, color and fit.
On the other end of the scale, Marshall's sells affordable and fashionable gowns for well below $100. I tried on one gown at Marshall's and later spotted that same gown for more than twice the price at a small boutique. Other fashion mavens praise the off-the-rack gowns at JC Penney, Ross and Dillard's.
Other affordable options include bridal shops where either discontinued, unclaimed or sample party gowns are available at steep discounts.
I was also surprised to find a wide range of prices and selections of gowns and party dresses on eBay (www.ebay.com), some with designer labels. From an eBay vendor called Fabulous Gowns, I even found gowns as cheap as 99 cents, excluding shipping and handling. Ebay showed a long track record and high customer satisfaction rating for Fabulous Gowns.
My personal favorite was a size 6 green sheath gown with a V-neck for $1. Of course, my prom days are over, but I can still dream.
I can't go back in time, but there are lots of options to meet my high school prom fantasies as well as prom realities for today's high schoolers. Options range from custom dressmakers to discount stores, depending on whether your budget is at the high or low end.
Unconventional channels (eBay, consignment/thrift stores, online swap shops such as Freecycle.org and different charities) have prom gowns from $0 to $300 and up. One local charity -- Becca's Closet -- hands out free prom dresses and formal wear to teenagers in need. I highly recommend this Plantation-based program for teens seeking assistance with prom wear. Check out http://www.beccascloset.org.
No matter where you shop, your prom dress hunt should begin with a few fashion basics, such as fabric, fit and workmanship, according to Wensley Alvarez, a salesman at Consign of the Times, a consignment store in Miami Beach and Coconut Grove.
''It's all about quality and a good cut,'' Alvarez said.
Upscale consignment stores are ideal for prom shoppers with high-end tastes but off-the rack-budgets. At Consign of the Times, for example, clothes and accessories from Prada, Versace, Chanel and other designers sell for one-third of the standard retail price. For instance, a designer cocktail dress or gown sold new for $600 to $2,100 would cost about $200 to $700 at Consign of The Times.
There are a number of consignment stores in South Florida. Inventory varies and it's best to call ahead to see which stores have a collection of prom gowns and cocktail dresses. Thrift stores throughout our region are stuffed with an abundance of gowns because many dresses are cast aside after being worn to just one prom.
Many dressmakers will tailor their creations to fit your budget. I spoke to one Coral Gables seamstress -- located on Miracle Mile -- who makes prom gowns that cost $3,000 and higher. But if your budget is far less, about $250, she'll create and stitch an attractive prom gown to fit that price range. At a coming-of-age party for a friend's daughter, I saw one of the dressmaker's affordable custom gowns, and I was impressed with the cut, color and fit.
On the other end of the scale, Marshall's sells affordable and fashionable gowns for well below $100. I tried on one gown at Marshall's and later spotted that same gown for more than twice the price at a small boutique. Other fashion mavens praise the off-the-rack gowns at JC Penney, Ross and Dillard's.
Other affordable options include bridal shops where either discontinued, unclaimed or sample party gowns are available at steep discounts.
I was also surprised to find a wide range of prices and selections of gowns and party dresses on eBay (www.ebay.com), some with designer labels. From an eBay vendor called Fabulous Gowns, I even found gowns as cheap as 99 cents, excluding shipping and handling. Ebay showed a long track record and high customer satisfaction rating for Fabulous Gowns.
My personal favorite was a size 6 green sheath gown with a V-neck for $1. Of course, my prom days are over, but I can still dream.
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