Remember Homeless and Elderly in Winter

My thermostat has risen to a balmy 17 degrees from 6 this morning. My friend and I were planning to lay out this afternoon, but we had to see whose yard would be warmer. She was at 1 degree so I guess it's my house for the tanning party. And it's easy for me to be silly and facetious about the weather. Because I live in a heated home with a reliable furnace and a husband who keep everything in tip-top repair. But a lot of people aren't so fortunate. Read on.   Remember the Homeless and Elderly this Winter

Shut off Your Smartphone and Give Kids Your Time

We've all  carped about the dangers of texting. But I'm worried about a specific kind of cellphone overuse--by parents. Ever notice how much time parents spend on their smartphones when they're with their kids? Ever worry about that? I do. So does my 15 year-old daughter. She loves her i-gadgets but even a teen gets that too much is bad. And there's a time and place.   Look Up from that Smartphone and See What You Are Missing

Give the Best Gift Money Can Buy this Christmas

My heart goes out to parents struggling financially at Christmas. Been there. But when I see people overspending and buying a lot of junk they don't need, my sorrow dims.
Call me Scrooge, but it's time to quit confusing credit debt with poverty. Poverty is no running water, open sewers, no food, no medical care. First world consumerism "poverty" is mostly funds mismanagement. iPhones and EBT cards, Medicaid and new cars. Cable, Blu-Ray, satellite TV, games systems and welfare. Gambling, lottery and unemployment. Tattoos, salon nails and food stamps. You can't have them both. So this Christmas, if money is tight, cut back. That's the best gift you can give your kids. Money Tight This Christmas? Give the Best Gift Money Can Buy

Toys for Tots, Giving Tree Shopping Suggestions

I'm feeling pleased and satisfied. Daughter and I got our Samaritans-Purse Operation-Christmas-Child shoe box delivered on time for Thanksgiving delivery. Plus, we got good prices on toys for our church's Christmas Giving Tree too. Dollar General had BOGO 50% off art sets, plus $5 off $50. I'm liking how St. Patrick's (our church) is doing the Giving Tree this year. Here's what's different and how I suggest all Christmas gift donations run.   Toys for Tots, Giving Tree Shopping Tips

Fair Trade Christmas Shopping From Greater Good

We have two god-daughters. Each year, I send their birthday and Christmas gifts together. One has a December b-day and the other, January. I have the gifts shipped to them. Kids love getting mail and it saves me time and running. I don't like to spend double on shipping and handling (to my house and then theirs). I always shop from the same place, Greater Good Network Fair Trade (from The Hunger Site suite of online donation sites). Gifts are made by women and families in developing nations and fair or direct traded. So artisans make the most on their labor and aren't exploited. Plus purchases fund food, health, literacy and other programs. I recommend checking this site for all mail order Christmas gifts.   Fair Trade Christmas Shopping  

Give Kids Cellphones for Christmas Presents, Not Smartphones

As Christmas rolls around, kids are making lists and checking them thrice. At the top of many lists is: Smartphone. But good parents don't need a cellphone to make smart choices. Here's a plan to manage kids and cellphones. Should kids have phones? If you can afford them, okay and if the kid chips in. Cellphones help keep kids safer. They can can contact parents. But children and teen don't need smartphones. They shouldn't have bills till they can afford them. Giving children free use of devices with plans or data packages teaches them to play now, pay later (or never).  Cellphone Christmas Presents for Kids, OK, Smartphones, No 

Candy Alternative Treats for Trick or Treat

Call me an old bat, but I hate Halloween--the ghoulishness, haunted houses, the money wasted on decor, the landfill waste, the candy focus. I'd didn't even like it as a kid. I liked that it made old people happy seeing costumes. I liked dressing up in not scary costumes. But there are other, better ways to do those things. Regardless, I'm not a Scrooge that I pass out treats. But I do like to give sugar alternatives. I wrote one list and here are 10 more trick-or-treat handouts. 10 Candy Alternative Treats for Halloween