Saving Money & Helping the Environment

Have You Helping Our Environment This Summer? As I write this post, I have the option of using an air-conditioner, but I opened the windows. Saves energy... Other ways to conserve summer energy:

• Take shorter showers during hot days. (Caught a family friend showering for up to 30 minutes-at his home)


• Tell your family to stop talking on the telephone while listening to the radio and watching tv (my teenage niece tried this-my eyes rolled for 1 good minute).


• Keep the same cup/glass for multi-water uses (A nephew-only 8-kept trying to use 1 cup per 15 minutes because "I'm hot from running outside", my reply, "Stop running".

Local Spring Travel Ideas with Children

As a parent, you want to spend time with your children. However, you do not want to worry about costs, or travel issues . Here are three possible spring time activities to enjoy with your children and experience local travel. 1) Think about visiting your local museum. Contact a museum representative. Ask about the hours of operation and any family discount specials. 2) Enjoy bike ride as another spring time activity with the children. The family can have fun outside, travel through neighborhoods and spend time together. 3) Watch a local softball game in person. Save money and bring your own snacks. Snack ideas include popcorn, chips and juices for the children.

Relaxing with Your Pets

June is around the corner. Actually, it is next door and it may be difficult to find ways to relax with your pet when you are not feeling well. Here are 5 simple pet-friendly activities which require minimal efforts:

• Invite another pet owner over with his/her pet. Make sure the 2nd pet is not aggressive.


• Make a home video with your pet for future viewing.


• Spend a few buck on pet treats and toys and hang out in the backyard. Your pet will enjoy the fresh air.


• Take your pet to a local pet park and enjoy other pets for a few hours.


• Watch a pet-related television show. Pets love other animals on tv.

Entertainment for Rainy Summer Days

What have you done with your children/young family members during rainy summer days besides watch videos or television? If your answer is nothing because of long work days or the lack of funds, here are low-costs, yet fun suggestions:

• Read a book or have an older child read to you. (Time: 20 to 30 minutes)


• Make a collage. It may be from old artwork or pieces of torn t-shirts. (Time: depends)


• Draw a favorite seen from your childhood (ex. the purchase of a family dog) (Time: 15 minutes)

Cost: Priceless

Fall Work at Home Assessment (Part 1)

September is a month of many changes ,including the scenery, school schedules, and temperature. Another common change is transitioning from working outside the home on-site to working at home.

However, one should perform a quick work at home assessment:

1. Review your background. What is your education, employment history, skills?
2. Do you want to remain in the same field/industry?
3. Are you prepared to make sacrifices to switch to a new field/industry?

Remember, these questions may seem silly ,but you would be amazed how many individuals want to work at home because of so-called quick easy money. Part 2 to follow....

Fall Season and Home Decorating

It is becoming cooler each evening ,which gives me the hint indication that our wonderful summer is fading. However, this may be a good time to think about your fall decoations.

For example, you may be thinking about updating your living room such as replacing your sofa or changing your drapes.

Back to School and Health

Late August represents a good time to have a medical check-up ,while you are updating your children's health records.

Here is a quick link from an written by me as a reminder when checking your doctor:
http://patient-health-education.suite101.com/article.cfm/guide_to_choosing_a_doctor

Gardening: Controlling Upcoming Fall Allergies

I am a year-round allergy sufferer since the 1930's...kidding...not that old. I never noticed the varied allergies ,including ragweed ,which pops up around late July-early August.

Recently, I wrote an article on Suite101 about Ragweed so you or your family/friends can gain a head start and reduce your allergy suffering:

http://fall-allergies.suite101.com/article.cfm/an_overview_of_ragweed_allergies

Feel free to comment here or on Suite (I left the add comment section available).

By the way, check with your primary physician/allergy for specific allergy treatments.

Education and Back to School Supplies

Mid-summer is a good time to think about back to school supplies for your little ones/younger relatives. You may be able to find some good 2 for 1 deals or buy one get one for half price. Here are quick reminders:

• Check last year's supplies since you may have 2 to 3 unused notebooks.
• Look at back-to-school circulars.
• Visit the local discount stores (ex. .99 cent store) for some great supplies ,including pens, pencils, calendars, plastic folders, and binders.

You can save time and money on back-to-school supplies by not waiting until 2-3 days before school starts.

Cooking-Quick Barbecue Pork Recipe

Good morning,

Here in the NYC area, the temperature is reaching 80 degrees. Normally, I would not be thinking about food since I just ate breakfast (a small bowl of apple-cinnamon oatmeal topped with crushed almonds.

However, I starting thinking about recipes so here is quick link to a Maple Barbecue Pork Burger with Apple Coleslaw written by me for Suite101:

http://barbecue-picnic-foods.suite101.com/article.cfm/maple_barbecue_pork_burger_with_apple_coleslaw