2009 September

Survive Summer With 3 Girls And A Pug. Click HERE for a preview of what’s to come.

Sep 10

Tried and True Thursdays: Money-Saving Travel Tips for Fall

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While Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end to summer, it’s actually the start of shoulder season in the travel industry and may be a great time to take a vacation if your schedule is flexible and your budget is not.

The tourism industry has been hit hard by the global recession and deals this fall may be even more stellar than they typically are this time of year. Some experts report fares and bookings going for 40 to 50 percent off in order to lure vacationers.

If you didn’t take the getaway that you had wanted to in 2009, now is the perfect time to shop around and land a great deal. Whether you pull the kids out of school and hit the road or you take off for a romantic getaway now, it’s worth considering. However, there are a few things to think about if you decide to rendezvous in the off-season.

1. Pack for all kinds of weather. The temperature and precipitation can be very unpredictable this time of year depending on where you travel. Hurricane season is still in full swing in some areas, but early snowfall isn’t out the question in other parts either. You may have blistering heat one day and a torrential downpour the next, so you should pack for the worst and hope for best.

2. Check the times and availability of major attractions. Most large tourist attractions are open longer hours during peak tourist times, such as summer, but convert to off-season hours after Labor Day. Be sure to check online when planning your itinerary to be sure your destination for the day is open and running.

3. Don’t forget the sun and the stars. Remember that the days leading up to winter get shorter and shorter. Keep that in mind when you are making plans for a hike through the fall foliage or else it may end up being a night under the stars instead.

4. Be flexible. Off-season is a time when museums change out exhibits, theme parks close rides for maintenance, and other attractions shut down operations on weekdays. Expect these bumps in the road and remember that you’re saving cash and ditching the crowds by traveling during shoulder season.

5. Put indoor activities on your agenda. Even though the weather may be great when you plan your trip, it may be stormy when you arrive. Make sure you seek out activities that allow for fun indoors so you don’t get “rained out” on your trip.

Sep 09

Wildcard Wednesdays: Hot Topic

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Should children be given an allowance? If so, what for? Doing chores? Meeting their own personal goals? Good grades? Improved behavior? When should kids receive money? How much should they get?

Sep 08

Tidy Up Tuesdays: More Home Tips

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While it’s not always the most exciting thing to care for in your home the inner workings need some attention too. Check out my most recent posts on www.adviceandreviews.com for tips on everything from cleaning out your water softener to replacing your furnace filter before you fire up the furnace this Fall.

http://realestate.adviceandreviews.com/home-maintenance/

Sep 07

Mommy Mondays: Taking My Own Advice

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A few weeks ago my children were whining to my husband about doing their weekly chores. Granted, their weekly chores are minimal and if done without complaint would likely take them 20 minutes. As I’m sure the story goes in most homes lots of drama can ensue when parents declare that it’s time to get some housework done. Amidst all of the griping my husband said, “What do we always say? Work … ”

Before he could finish his mini-lecture they both chimed in unison the end of his oft repeated phrase, “We know: Work before play every day.” They groan everytime they hear it. I guess it’s sunk in after years of repetition.

Simultaneously, in another room, I was avoiding my long list of to-dos by watching the end of a TV show. I couldn’t help but think to myself, How often do I dish out advice that I myself don’t take? I began jotting down a few gems over the next day or so and here’s what I came up with.

“Crying doesn’t make it any easier to do what you need to do.” How often do we cry over something that isn’t really that important and we just delay the process of getting it done. My daughter spent weeks and weeks crying about getting dressed. Every day she’d go through this awful routine. (This was during her naked phase when she preferred to run around in the nude.) It would take her three times as long to get dressed because she sobbed through the whole process.

“Stop whining about it and get it done.” Again, similar to crying while doing you hate to do, whining about it is just as bad. All of that negativity just slows you down and really doesn’t make you feel better.

“If you didn’t stay up so late you wouldn’t be so cranky.” I can always tell when kids went to bed too late, but I rarely recognize this same problem in myself. I need my beauty sleep just as much as they do and skipping out on it for too many nights in a row is a recipe for disaster for me as much as it is for them. Was it really worth it to watch that movie or work on that project if it means I’m dysfunctional the next day?

“If you need to pee, then pee.” Embarassing to admit this one, but I think hours will go by and I’ll have been so busy that I will forget I need to pee until I’m about to burst. I find myself constantly chastising my four-year-old for the same bad habit, yet if charges were brought up against me in a court of law I would certainly be found guilty of the very same crime.

Question: What advice do you find yourself dishing out that you’re not taking yourself?

Sep 04

Foodie Fridays: Man v. Food

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man v. food

The TV show “Man v. Food” (broadcast on the Travel Channel) is probably my latest guilty pleasure, although I doubt the late, great Julia Child would approve of it. It’s kind of like “Man v. Wild” meets “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

Here’s the synopsis: Adam Richman, a foodie but not a competative eater, chows down on great food across the country looking for the most impossible challenges to undertake. For example, he’ll find the largest portions of wonderful treats like icecream or pizza and then try to consume the over-sized portion in an alloted time. (Sometimes he competes against others who have already conquered these great feasts.)Other times he’s attempted to devour Thai food that is so spicy the cooks wear gas masks when they prepare the dish. I’m not sure if it’s Adam quick wit or the crazy challenges he takes on that make him so endearing, but it’s hard to not want to cheer him on in his conquests.

For the most part, the show is pretty family-friendly too. We’re always looking for fun things to watch that don’t peter on the edge of PG-13 or worse. In fact, my kids are such fans of the show, they’ve been begging me to send in a challenge to Adam. They’d like to challenge him to a chocolate consumption contest. I’ve rarely seen Adam loose to any commoners but I think these girls could him a real run for his money.

Here’s how they’d stack up:

Their combined ages: 17.

Their combined weight: 90 pounds (if wet).

Their love of chocolate: immeasureable.

Question: What TV shows appeal to your inner foodie?

Sep 03

Tried and True Thursdays: Gift Ideas on a Budget

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Most people would agree that times have been tough and their cash flow is tight. We’re willing to sacrifice to save money in most areas, but when it comes to our friends we certainly don’t want to be stingy. So, what do you do when you’re invited to a birthday party or a baby shower if you don’t have the means to splurge?

Decide if you really want to go to the party. Don’t feel obligated to purchase a gift for everyone who invites you, and if you really don’t want to go to the baby shower then don’t. I know, it sounds easier than it is. But you have to consider where your funds and your free time will be spent.
Give your talents as a gift. Are you an outstanding photographer? Give your friend a free photo shoot for their family Christmas card. Do you like to babysit? Offer free babysitting to a friend with young children. Be creative and think of things that you can uniquely offer.
Get the kids in on the plan, too. Children are invited to loads of parties each year and it can really add up. Stock up on fun items as you see them go on sale and stash them away for the next party invitation that comes your way. Kids can also give the gift of movie nights at your home (make extra buttery popcorn, hand out tickets, and dress up for the premier), or a day at the home spa (and do manicures and pedicures). Be creative and think of the time you’ll save not going from store to store looking for a gift.
Buy a gift card – creatively. One year, on my birthday, a good friend gave me a $10 Dairy Queen gift card. She knew about my non-so-secret-addiction to M&M Blizzards and treated me to my guilty pleasure. It was the one of the most thoughtful giftcards I’d received because it was proof she really knew what made me tick and every time I used it (atleast three times) I thought of her generosity.

Question: What frugal but fabulous gift giving ideas do you have?

Sep 02

Wildcard Wednesdays: Hot Topics

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For the next few weeks I’d like to pose a question each Wednesday exploring moms’ opinions about different hot topics. Some of them are more hot-button topics than others. Others may come straight from the headlines while some are just for fun. Regardless of where they originate, I hope they will inspire thoughts and commentary. Please share your opinions and offer your perspective.

I’d thought we’d start off the sounding board on the lighter side. I actually found this question to be a stumper for me. (I had no idea I would be so indecisive on this one.) With the fall television season upon us, I thought it would be timely to ask this question: If you were only allowed to watch one TV show per week, which would it be?

Sep 01

Tidy Up Tuesday: Tools of the Trade for under $100

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People frequently ask me what products I recommend they purchase to get organized. I think it’s a common misconception that getting organized costs a lot of money. In reality, I think you need a few great, inexpensive products and the motivation to work hard to complete the task.

Below are a few items that help turn any cluttered and messy room into an organized and deliberately, designed retreat. Now you can take lack of funds off the list of reasons why you haven’t started organizing that room that’s been calling out to you. Each of these items combined total $100 or less.

Shelving. You can find beautiful and functional floating shelves at any hardware store these days. Not only does it free up space in a room it also adds interest on a bare wall. You can use baskets to store away items on the shelving and then intersperse show pieces (candles and small frames photos) amongst the baskets. Closets and garages will double or triple storage capacity once shelving is installed. Standard shelving can be used in these areas to save money.
Baskets. Beautiful baskets in natural textures bring the outdoors in and warm up a room. They also provide a space for storing small items that would otherwise clutter up and overwhelm an area. In the bathroom you could use it to keep beauty products together or hair accessories for young girls. Baskets can be used in an office area to gather papers or supplies. The possibilities are endless. Nice boxes, or attractive plastic bins can also be used if baskets aren’t your thing or if you’re working in a kid space.
Label makers. I love my label maker and feel like no organizational project is complete unless you can find the stuff after you’ve organized it. Attractive labels that actually stick to the storage bin they’re intended for can help you locate objects faster than forging around each bin individually.
A trash can. The secret weapon to winning the war against clutter is the trash can. You need it to get the renovation rolling and you need it to maintain minimalism. I can’t think of many rooms in a house that couldn’t benefit from a waste basket. Whether it’s the laundry room, office, bathrooms, kid’s rooms, etc. they all have a greater chance of staying orderly if you have a system for disposing of unwanted items.

Question: What are your secret tools for organizing a space?