Writing workshops always say that you should write about topics you know. Well, one thing I know a little bit about is being a Scout parent. Since I have all boys, I’ve been involved with a Boy Scout Troop. But I’m sure the Girl Scout program has similar benefits. Anyway, I’ve been involved in our…
These 90 days* same as cash deals can be really good or really bad. Here are some tricks to keep them on the good side of things and save you money. These deferred payment deals can be very effective when used correctly. (*I say 90 days, but many of them are like 6 months or…
My son Blake and I had a good talk the other day. He’s a High School Sophomore and he has been slipping a bit in school lately. He needed a kick in the butt and I was definitely in the mood to give it to him. But it reminded me of how difficult it can…
Passive aggressive behavior is massively frustrating! I see a lot of it with the people in my life at home and at work. My kids have learned something called Intentional Incompetence, which is basically doing a lousy job on their chores – on purpose. They figure if they do a lousy enough job at their…
Why should your teen get involved in doing regular volunteer service in your community? I’ll give you one reason. Your teen needs to feel like a hero. Not every kid can be the popular one, score the winning sports goal, or win the top prize at the science fair, but every kid can do volunteer service. Usually,…
Most financial experts agree that the best way to teach kids to be a smart shopper is to actually let them TRY it. They need to learn from their own successes and failures. Since one of your biggest recurring expenses is your grocery budget, this is a great place to start. I think everyday finance…
Fast food seems like such an easy and harmless thing – a burger here, a pizza there, maybe a latte in the morning, but before you know it, it can really sabotage your budget. Take a look at some of the statistics below: That last one came as a bit of a surprise to me…
I’ve met some people who can do some pretty amazing things. Seriously, amazing things. Like making blind children see. Making children walk who had never walked before. You know, boring, everyday stuff like that. Take this man. Looks a little like Santa Claus, doesn’t he? But he gives kids a gift that is much better…
My son is a Boy Scout in a very active Troop and I’ve become a Scout Mom and one of the adult leaders in our large Troop. It’s a big job, but I really enjoy it.
I am having such a tough time making a decision. So, I thought I’d take it to the blogosphere to get some perspective. I have a chance to send my son to the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 2013. A lot of the other boys from our Boy Scout Troop are going to be going…
I had a chance to learn about a book from Richard and Linda Eyre called The Entitlement Trap. I was really interested in this book because I have enjoyed one of their previous volumes “How to Teach Your Children Responsibility”. They have a whole line of parenting books on various subjects and I really enjoy…
If you live in a house with other people, as most of my readers do, there are going to be times when you are going to have to deal with Other People’s Stuff (OPS). You know, all the STUFF your family leaves ALL OVER THE HOUSE! Unless you live with a herd of raging neatnicks,…