Learn about Democracy and the legal system via iCivics

http://www.icivics.org/
Former Supreme Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is the Chairman of this nonprofit group promoting education about civics so that future generations can appreciate our democracy.  In an interview about her nonprofit project, she stated that this startup project came out of a need she saw for educating children in America about our judicial system.  There is a handy teacher section as well. 

Handy Budgeting section as well for future public service!

Trick or Treat! Let's not miss a beat!

'Tis the season for lots of things....Fall Harvest Parties, Halloween, Haunted Houses or Weirdness....the main thing is to be safe and have a good time at the festivities. 

Our local police department sends out an advisory for having a safe time, and I can't help but share some tips. 

• Feast on some healthy food prior to trick or treating.  It will keep everyone's energy level up as you make the rounds.  Drink water and perhaps carry a small water bottle.
• Take a picture of your child/ren in their costume.  It's a bonus for their scrapbook AND an immediate photo in case you have an emergency.
• All costumes should be comfortable and made of flame-resistant fabric.  Wearing comfortable walking shoes and dressing in layers for the cool evening is a plus.   Props are for play ONLY.
• Walking with a buddy and/or a group on well-lit streets is important because you are walking in the dark.  Cars driving through neighborhoods cannot react as fast as during the daytime so please use caution when out in the road.  Have a flashlight or other cool lights on your body.  Most pedestrian injuries occur on Halloween night.
• Have cell phone for immediate communication on the adult walking the children through the neighborhood.  If you can, it is wise to register your cell phone with a SMART911 registry. 
• Older children should have instructions on which route is acceptable and a time to be back at the house or meeting place. 
• Homes with outside lights ON and some festive decor are ones to knock on.  Do NOT accept candy from someone's car nor enter a home to get candy.
• Check the trick or treat bag for suspicious looking items. While everyone is handing out candy for fun, there are few who will alter the candy so just be cautious. It helps to know the source of the candy albeit either a neighbor or friend. 

If your loved one is deployed this season, don't let his deployment spoil you having fun.  Besides your stories will enhance his day overseas.  Do attend a Fall Harvest Party and/or throw one with other military spouses.  Take lots of pictures.  There is something magical about creating your costume and then telling a story.  Getting into the fun of the season can take the distance apart factor out of one day of the deployment. 

Carve a pumpkin, create a costume, buy your favorite candy, put up some decorations, and get ready for some fun mixing and mingling with neighbors and the community!  Be safe and that's a great financial perspective to keep in mind.  So don't miss a beat and have a great time trick or treating!

WILLs and survivors

It is wise for everyone to have some form of a Will in place regardless of the size of the estate.  For military, this document is usually done prior to deployments.  It is important to update all records every 2-3 years for active duty military just because a lot can happen and change within a short amount of time.  For most, it is wise to do a review of your estate upon the death of a loved one such as a spouse or child, the new addition to the family (such as a baby or adopted child), or a significant increase in holdings in the estate (i.e., those who have won the lottery which is usually 1-2% of the entire population). 

For those considering how to divide the estate, the best way is to EQUALLY divide the estate among your children.  That way all children are recognized.  Being equally divided sends an important message that the money/assets do not matter and that that child was fully recognized by their parent albeit past issues. 

Of course, for your estate planning needs, it is wise to hire an attorney to draft this legal paperwork should there be any concerns.  JAG can answer many of these questions for the military person.  It is wise to consider the source of your information and do your due diligence.  Relying on one person's advice for a major decision is a high risk proposition.  That is why asking and seeking the information from several sources is wise to make sure that you are able to have your last wishes communicated well.

While no one wants to deal with end of life issues, it is wise to complete the paperwork.  You will sleep better knowing that it is all done.  Your heirs will also relax knowing that they are in good shape.  It is money well spent especially when all can get a good night's rest.

Military Discount in Orlando, FL

Nickelodeon Suites Resort

Nickelodeon Suites Resort is proud to welcome active and retired U.S. military travelers and their families with some military discounts in Orlando, Florida, including reduced room rates and perks through December 15, 2011.  There is also a 20% discount off of a Family Suite through December 23, 2011. 

According to the company, you can make the most of your family time with rewarding military specials for Orlando’s most active family resort!  Rates start at $99 so be sure to research your final prices before booking.  They also offer 10% off food and beverages, 4-D Experience films and cabana rentals.  This is Military Appreciation, and isn't it a nice opportunity?  To book your stay and for more information visit www.nickhotel.com/military or call 877-NICK-111 and ask for the Military Family Package.

Note:  Alfa Sugar is not endorsing this special military discount, just sharing information. 

CamoHuggies for Operation HomeFront

From a TN FRG announcement

Huggies has created a limited-edition Little Movers camo diaper that will be distributed exclusively in Walmart stores across the country. You can dress your baby cute for a cause and help support military families. Operation Homefront will get one diaper for every box of Huggies sold, up to 300,000 diapers. 

Walmart has joined in the excitement and has added a commitment of up to 200,000 diapers to be given to Operation Homefront as part of a postcard campaign; military families will get one diaper for every postcard sent during the campaign, up to 200,000.

The campaign runs now through December 31, 2011 or until a goal of 500,000 free diapers for military families has been reached. The camo diapers come in sizes 3 (16-28 lbs), 4 (22-37 lbs), and 5 (over 27 lbs).  All sizes retail for $19.77 per box.

Thanks so much to Kimberly-Clark and Walmart. For more details, go to www.huggiescamo.com. 

Shop Back to School & Get Tax-Free Savings

It's back to school time.  Summer is wrapping up yet again.  Many of my dear military friends have PCSed, moved, relocated or taken a new job.  Change is inevitable.  Some change is good.  Some change is difficult to accept.  Some change is not the way I had hoped.

This weekend is tax-free weekend in Tennessee.  Perhaps other states and areas offer this opportunity for folks buying back to school items to save.  Buyer beware on certain items as some are part of the tax free category and some are not.  Each state is different so be sure to check with your local state government. 

Ironically, many retail stores are desperate for your business and are offering to pay state sales tax on any item you purchase. 

Keep in mind that some items made in another country may not be complying with federal regulations.  For example, Crayola is the only product that I purchase when it comes to crayons, sidewalk chalk, markers or other items that my children will use.  It is important to not sacrifice price for your child's well-being.  Yes, certain crayons or sidewalk chalk contain harmful chemicals and several children are known to have develop a severe allergic reaction that is unexplained and leaves the parents skeptical about what to do.

There are several children's consignment sales offering back to school items for Fall/Winter.  This is a great way to make affordable purchases that are tax-free.  Your local Goodwill store, Salvation Army, or other Thrift stores may also offer tax-free savings. 

For us military folks, it's great to enjoy tax-free purchases on certain items while still having to pay a commissary fee or other.  I am certain that there are deals at your local AAFES stores so double-check your prices and see if Walmart or others will match the price. 

Regarding online tax free savings, it depends.  I don't know of any at this time of publication.  On-line buying is convenient and great.  Beware of shipping costs because that is what will up your cost in the purchase.  Some vendors are offering free shipping or site to store free delivery.  I opt for that one over paying shipping costs any day.

International military families may be challenged with certain back to school supplies.  While I am unfamiliar with some items, it is good to go to such sites as Wives of Faith Facebook page or other military related web site pages and even blogs for more specifics. 

Best of luck as you and your family go back to school this fall!  Whether is homeschooling, local public school or base school, and/or a private school, I wish you great success.  Study hard and make people in your country proud!  It's an international world now when it comes to education.

Children & Their Financial Future

In listening to a local financial advisor talk radio show over the weekend, a caller called in a question asking how can he explain to his children the importance of investing and saving for the future?  The guy went on about how you want to accumulate assets so that you won't have to work as hard when you get older in life.  In my opinion, he missed THE real key and that is TIME.  Children have time and the ability to benefit from the power of compounding over a longer period of time.

Today, children are not being taught prudent financial managemet.  Even at Walmart, children can get a FREE piece of candy for opening up a credit card account.  Dave Ramsey commented that that was low on the corporation's part to lure in future customers.   Credit cards and their balances are high, yet subjecting children's credit history to this activity when their income is nonexistent is ludicrious. This is a recipe for financial disaster and perhaps we are seeing some of the first signs of these credit problems with the Recession of 2007-09. 

Children look down upon work and earning money. It's hard to believe that young teens expect to make $20 an hour and do nothing for it.  There are some hard working teens in our area but most want to waste time on the computer, check out the latest in fashion or goof off in other ways.  I certainly don't have many high school kids knocking on my door offering to mow the lawn or do handy work.  Where are the children working these days, if they are?  McDonald's is looking to higher many employees this year, yet many high school kids look down upon that line of work.  It is sad because people used to embrace hard work, develop good character and people skills and help support the family. 

If weird in America means that your child works a decent paying job, doesn't do drugs, and brings home an above average credit card, then what may be even more weird is for them to not have any debt, fund their college though jobs, savings and/or scholarships, and have an investment portfolio.  I commend the parents and child willing to follow that path in America.

JC Penny offers FREE 8x10 & 50% discount portraiture

JC Penny offers a nice deal to military.  Until June 30, 2011, JCP is offering a FREE 8x10 portrait and 50% off of your entire portrait purchase.  Please complete the JCP coupon and show military ID.

Military Children: Camp Opportunity 2011

The Golden Corral Restaurant is sponsoring a FREE week of summer camp for children of disabled or wounded military families.  Camp Corral is a great opportunity for military kids to help themselves to happiness.   There are three camp sessions being held at Millstone 4-H Camp near Ellerbe, NC this summer.  Hurry because registration is available for 400.  Parents are to provide transportation costs to and from camp for their child.

Promo for Operation Homefront from Stage Stores

In support for U.S. military families, Stage Stores Inc. is now selling a
patriotic, reusable shopping tote with all proceeds benefitting Operation
Homefront.  You can purchase the shopping tote at any Stage
store for $5. 100 percent of the funds are donated to Operation Homefront.

Stage Stores Inc. operates its stores under the names of Bealls, Goody's,
Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage.

Making it an even bigger win, Stage is giving every shopper who purchases the
tote a $5 Bounce Back Reward good on any $25 purchase.

As additional support for military families, Stage is also introducing a military discount program.
Active, inactive and retired military members with valid military identification are eligible for a 15 percent discount every day.

Find a list of stores

Operation Homefront also has a community page dedicated to furthering its outreach.  Community Operation Homefront offers FREE stickers for those who have served.  There is the Wounded Warriors Wives Program as well as the SABAN Scholarship for military spouses.  Deadline for application is July 1, 2011.

 

Stop Spoiling & Start Saving

Our American culture influences us parents to indulge our children and provide means to them that our grandparents dreamed of achieving one day.  The challenge is to balance access to means and excess.  If we parents deny our precious children an object of desire, then we feel guilty, drive ourselves into debt over getting the stuff and deplete our energy in ways that can harm us and our children later.  Perhaps this is an extreme description for your case....perhaps not.  I have children, and if I can give them everything, I would.  However, is that helping them to learn good values and become good citizens in our country?

As I go through my cluttered home full of toys, clothes and other misc, I remind myself that it is stuff, and it is time to get rid of certain unused items (as much as it breaks my heart to see them go).  It is emotional detachment preventing me from getting rid of the stuff. 

According to an online professional organizer (source unknown), 85% of items in your house are unnecessary.  For those challenged with hoarding, that is staggering, and if you've watched some of the HGTV's organizing shows, you will be amazed at how far people go.  I've even seen a farmer collect over 16,000 coffee mugs.  They are all over the house, barn, and other places.  What on earth are they going to do with them? Where will this stuff end up that you are paying the credit card for?  Landfills are overflowing, and even with the Go Green campaign, it's a wonder we determine how to deal with the stuff. 

Welcome professional organizers and 1800Junk or College Hunks Haul Junk!  More ways to spend your precious money on getting rid of the stuff that you bought with your hard-earned money.  While there are certain items necessary to have, it is more cost-effective to declutter and live with less. 

On Forefront Families LLC web site page, there is a commentary on Excess & Indulgence when it comes to our children.  I like how these people simply put it so please click on the link.  Indulgence occurs from providing too much stuff, a lack of discipline and low expectations.  If parents were to spend time rather than money on a child, it will last a lifetime AND not cost much in monetary value.  Children need time with their parents, and in this modern era of cell phones, texting, video games, e-mail etc..., the battle for your time is a big motivator to act out, be it good or bad.  Usually the bad behavior gets your attention. 

If good behavior is rewarded, then how much better will our children behave the way we hope?  Less costly in the long run....yes, certain behaviors can be addressed and changed so that later down the road, you won't be paying legal court costs or fines or fee penalties for your child's lack of responsibilty. 

No is a difficult word to say to a precious toddler, a tween or a teenager when they ask for something.  I often tell my children that we have not budgeted that item and that we will have to save up our money and purchase it.  By presenting a realistic answer, they understand an important reality of life regarding financial spending for a household.  Everyone must live within their means regardless of a big or small paycheck.

A nice benefit to stop spoiling your child is to start saving.  If you follow the 10/10/80 approach with your spending plan, you will see positive benefits overall.  Tithing 10% of your income is wise.  Saving 10% of your income is important for future rainy days.  Preplanning how you intend to spend 80% of your income is key to successfully being a good steward of your home.  When children experience this living environment, it can't help but be rubbed off on them, and then as adults with their own families, they will become responsible US citizens and live within their means (not live in your home or depend on you to support themselves). 

With the US savings rate at a low, it is good to remind future generations about what our grandparents experienced during the Depression.  Both of my grandmothers constantly reminded me of their life experience and why it is important to save for a rainy day.  They imparted wisdom that lasted a lifetime with their grandchild and ultimately their great grandchildren. 

If you give of yourself for the good of others, then you are well ahead of the pack when it comes to stop spoiling and start saving. 

To take it a step further, our faith has become Americanized.  Having worked in market research, it's amazing how corporations mastermind ways to sell a product or service.  Even daily postal mail is 75% direct marketing with flyers, coupons, and ads.  We are bombarded daily with "buy this because you cannot live without it."    Parents are challenged to raise children in this age of influence. 

One author, Frances Chan, presents some good food for thought in his book Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God. 

Dr. James Dobson founded Focus on the Family and is a renowned author regarding children and families publishing such books as The Strong Willed Child, Bringing up Girls and Bringing up Boys. 

Jodie Berndt authored Praying the Scriptures for your Children, and I think it helps to pray for children's faith, character, safety, relationships and future (including financially supporting oneself).   Prayer power has no monetary value, yet it is a beautiful blessing bestowed upon a child. 

These authors are just a few of many who are committed to present material relevant to parents, especially those parents who desire a different path for their children than what is being promoted or taught.  

Welcome to the journey with other fellow American parents who strive to raise children with good morales and values.  I hope that this topic of stop spoiling and start saving will jolt something into your family that will be a blessing in the future.

(c) 2011  Stephanie Arredondo