Back-To-School Savings

Mom are you worried about how to get everything your kids need for back-to-school and still stay within your budget? The best approach in looking for savings is to first check items that are still salvageable and can be re-used from last year. No sense in purchasing something you already have and can re-use.

After you have rummaged through the closets and drawers, make a list of what items are still needed to start the new year off right. Look around for items on sale and head to a store that gives you the most for your money. For more ideas on binders, folders, pencils, pens click here for bargains we’ve found already to get an ‘A’ in back-to-school savings.

Planning a Family Trip to a Minor League Baseball Game

Between a busy work schedule and a busy school schedule it’s almost impossible to get togther for a family fun activity. Especially now with the economy down in the dumps, not only is time a problem but money is also an issue. I would like to share with you some tips on places that you can go that are inexpensive. This way you can be sure to spend that fun- family time you all need. The first thing that comes to mind is minor league baseball with New Jersey’s two top teams! Before you head out go to a dollar store and purchase some snacks and drinks for the family. Not only will you be spending time with your loved ones but by staying local you may run into people that live in your area. You can make friends too!

Fun Family Picnic

Another great family idea would be to go to a park and have a picnic. The weather is beautiful so you can have a barbecue too. While your kids are having a good time playing Frisbee, baseball, or volleyball you can prepare a nice barbecue lunch.

Family Picnic at a Pond or Lake

Still another great idea for  family fun is going out to the pond or lake. Bring some fishing poles and enjoy the relaxing isolation provided by the beautiful setting. What a perfect place for you and your family to catch up, have fun and create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.

Snacks and Treats for Kids

As a mom you know first hand how difficult it is to get your kids to eat healthy. Your kids’ daily snack attacks are mini-meals. Think of these indulgences as their fourth meal of the day which equal to at least one-fourth of their daily calories.  Try these great ideas as another healthy fun snack for your children.

• Mini Sandwiches – Cut ham and cheese into small round sizes. About the size of mini crackers. Place a pre-cut piece of ham and cheese on a mini cracker, such as Ritz Bits. Cover with another cracker and voila you have a mini ham and cheese sandwich.

• Frozen Oranges – Cut four oranges into a zigzag pattern. Hollow out the insides, remove the seeds and combine in a blender with the juice. Set the rinds in a muffin and fill with the mixture. Drop a cherry inside each orange. Freeze for 2 to 3 hours. Soften the treats for minutes then serve.

• Puzzled Sandwiches – Make this snack experience more interesting. Start by making a healthy sandwich (using any cold cut of your choice). Cut the sandwich into a number of shapes, separate the shapes, mix them up and place them in a sandwich bag. Your child will have fun reconstructing the sandwich before she eats it.  

• Let’s All Scream for Banana Cream - Peel three bananas. Tip: The riper the banana, the sweeter the drink). Cut bananas in half width-wise, wrap in plastic wrap, and freeze until firm. When ready to make shake, place in a blender, add milk and puree until creamy. Makes four servings.

For more ideas on after school snacks, click here.

When traveling Solo

• Some traveling tips for women are perfect for those who choose to travel solo You may think that you’ll be lonely, or that it may be lots of hard work. Don’t be fooled! Traveling by your self can in fact be very rewarding. You will find that there are plenty of individuals who choose to travel by themselves and rely on others for advice and companionship. Consider buying a guidebook . You’ll find plenty of restaurants, lounges and cafes with a variety of people to dine with, explore with or even travel for a day or week together with. Do talk to strangers around you. The most meaningful and rewarding relationships are encounters you make on a trip.

Vacation with ‘Just Girls’

• Traveling with all women is a bit different from any other vacation taken with loved ones. A woman’s vacation is made up of spas, shopping, sightseeing- that’s a woman’s vacation. We should concentrate on re-connecting with our loved ones and becoming close once again. Try doing things out of the ordinary – painting, surfing, kayaking or just catching up on each others lives. Spending time with your mother, daughter, sister, friends is a woman’s vacation!

 When Traveling with fido

• Nowadays, more and more women are traveling with their four-legged best friend. You should consider taking a test run before heading out with Fido. Your road trip should not be her first journey in a car. See how your pet reacts to traveling. Always make sure that she is wearing her tags in case you get separated. When riding in the car, fasten your pooch so that she is secured in a carrier or for bigger dogs, make sure to fasten their seat belt too. Make sure to stop every two to three hours to stretch, relieve herself, and to keep her hydrated. For those of you traveling by air, you will either be able to have your pet crated and kept under your seat or for bigger dogs they will need to fly as cargo along with a recent health certificate issued by your veterinarian. Pack an up-to-date veterinary history, record of vaccinations and your vet’s contact information. In case of an emergency, try to visit a veterinary clinic accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. Bring along comfortable bedding, treats, toys, and food.

Family Trips

Careful planning is advised before venturing off on a family vacation.

1. First you start with making a list of places that you want to visit and explore. It is also a good idea to let a neighbor know ahead of time to take care of your house. This also goes if any special accommodations need to be made for a family pet.
2. Make sure everyone’s passport is up-to-date. About a month prior to your travel date you will want to start purchasing any last minute articles you might need such as clothing for the climate of your destination.
3. Check with the hotel to make sure they have essentials such as blow-dryer, iron, toiletries (shampoo, feminine products, soap), so that you can pack any thing your hotel does not provide.
4. When traveling with teenagers you should try and think ahead for fun and entertaining activities their age group would enjoy. Family camps are good choices since these are designed with teen programs and activities which are supervised and contained within safe boundaries. Some activities are whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, sailing, windsurfing, horseback riding and mountain biking. Try to visit a camp that separates underage children by age group so that teens can interact with their peers.
5. It is probably a good idea to stop mail delivery to your house while you are gone unless you have someone house sitting for you who can pick it up everyday.

And on the day that you leave, give yourself plenty of time to get through airport security and get to your flight on time.

Air TravelTips for Pregnant Women

•  The first thing to keep in mind when traveling while pregnant is to find out what is the policy of the airline you are traveling. While every airline has a different policy, the rules change regularly. Alert the airline about your pregnancy. This will ensure that you are cared for in the best way possible and given the right seat on the airplane so that you can get up and move around the plane. After the 28^th week most airlines request a written letter from your doctor confirming your due date and stating that you are fit for air travel while pregnant. In general, air travel is safe unless you are experiencing a difficult pregnancy or are flying too close to your due date. Be careful of dehydration, Avoid caffeine and alcohol, Pack fruit such as grapes, cherries, plums and oranges, Wear comfortable shoes with adjustable straps in case your feet swell, Rest as much as possible.

Once your flight is over, a few things to consider is to keep a stronger sunscreen than usual. Keep a list of names and numbers in case of an emergency. Have a name and number of a local hospital. Ask your doctors if there are any activities you should stay away from. Bring your medical records from your doctor in case of an early delivery.

Traveling tips for Couples

• Whether you’re traveling as newlyweds or celebrating your 25th anniversary there certain elements that make it unique from traveling alone. Therefore, planning your vacation would be a wise investment of time. Certainly each one has his or her idea of what a vacation should be. This is why compromising on differences of opinion should be done before you set out on your travels. Each partner should have the opportunity to contribute their say so on destination, accommodations, some of the sights and activities that you want to see. It might be wise to have separate luggage so that one doesn’t feel that the other is hogging all the luggage space. Try to decide what your spending budget will be or how you will split costs. This may not be an issue for married couples but can become a problem for a couple that is dating. A vacation is supposed to be a memorable time which is why you should tighten up any lose ends that may become a problem later.

For more travel tips , click here.

 No Worries Mom

Back-to-school is only a few weeks away. Starting a new year brings a new set of challenges. This is why she needs all the help she can get. Here are some great back-to-school ideas on how to get your kids off to a good start.

• Get Organized. Set up a study area where she can concentrate on her homework and not be interrupted. 
• Make sure she knows where the bus will pick her up. 
• Review with your child precautions to take like not talking to strangers. Always go over safety tips such as looking both ways before crossing the street. 
• Start practicing good habits such as getting to bed early or laying out her clothes the night prior. 
• Help prepare a tasty lunch.