Family

7 Places Teens (and Adults) Can Learn About Money

Julie Rains — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:24:31 +0000

We all want to encourage financial literacy in our teens (and ourselves). But what exactly does that mean, how is financial literacy best accomplished, and where can you go to learn? (See also: The Best Money Tools and Toys for Every Age Group)

What to Learn

Financial literacy is defined by the National Financial Educators Council as "possessing the skills and knowledge on financial matters to confidently take effective action that best fulfills an individual's personal, family and global community goals."

At the practical level, courses and workshops on financial literacy typically cover one or more of these topics:

Earning
Budgeting
Spending
Borrowing
Saving
Investing

Developing financial literacy and competency is a two-step process. First, learn foundational, timeless principles for managing money (e.g., spend less than you earn to save money; take more risks to earn higher investment returns).

Next, develop an understanding of real-life practices, which evolve with trends and technology. For example, comparison shopping and investing today is much different than years ago before mobile apps and online discount brokerages. Regulations pertaining to taxes, saving for retirement, handling financial transactions, and more also change frequently.

Understanding a general principle is important and then learning how things work within the current context is crucial for navigating personal finance.

How to Learn

In my experience, the best way to learn is to gain knowledge about key topics and then field test principles in the real world.

For example, I've discovered that some banks are more likely to alert you to problems or waive fees than others, despite what their printed materials may state. Similarly, the concept of risk tolerance is best grasped by gauging my reaction to investment losses following bad economic news, not by listening to a lecture about market fluctuations.

The hands-on approach reinforces concepts in ways that simply consuming information cannot. Still, personal trial and error can be a costly way to learn. Talking with your parents, friends, and colleagues about their experiences can be an effective way to gain insights into financial matters without the money-related consequences.

An effective program is project-based, fun, interactive, and relevant to current needs according to Jim Clark, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. His organization offers a financial literacy course that has educated more than 500,000 teenagers since its inception about 10 years ago. He attributes its success to a design that "puts concepts into practice through experience."

Where to Learn

There are many places to learn about personal finance, many likely available in your area. Take advantage of opportunities in places you already go, like high school or the library, or seek out courses beneficial in helping you to make good decisions without angst. Here are several places that you may want to check out.

1. Boys & Girls Clubs of America

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America offers Money Matters, a program developed and sponsored by the Charles Schwab Foundation.

An adult facilitator who is a positive personal-finance role model guides participants through lessons that include discussions of real-life experiences in a small group setting. These talks include challenges that teens face, such as finding money to attend college and lessons learned from mistakes, such as bouncing a check or getting dinged with late fees. Through sharing of struggles and triumphs, along with adult mentoring and guidance, teens learn good financial practices from each other plus receive support and encouragement.

Teens are kept engaged by being recognized for their efforts and given a forum to “show off.” For example, Money Matters graduates are recognized for completing the program and are eligible for college scholarships. They can also participate in the Money Matters Music Mogul contest.

Adult Version:

For adults 50 and older, AARP offers a three-part workshop entitled AARP Foundation Finances 50+, a new program also developed and sponsored by the Charles Schwab Foundation. Face-to-face guidance is offered in several metropolitan areas. The participant guide and volunteer leader guide are available for free (you can download files or order a printed copy).

2. Student-Run Banks and Credit Unions

Banks and credit unions may have branch offices in local high schools. Students who help run the branches can develop working knowledge of banking systems. Often, hands-on experience is combined with a business class associated with the bank or credit union operations.

Teenage customers can open and manage their accounts at these branches, allowing them to become familiar with banking practices. Specific skills they gain are basic but essential, such as how to open an account, make a bank deposit, check an account balance, and withdraw money for expenses. Plus they can learn that though banking services are often available 24/7 online, branch offices have limited hours.

Adult Version:

Local credit unions may offer educational resources that cover topics such as establishing credit, borrowing for your first home, and general money management.

For instruction on how your checking account and savings account work, arrange to sit down with a knowledgeable representative. They should be able to explain monthly and transaction-based fees, ways to minimize fees, and methods of avoiding a shortfall or insufficient funds for payments you initiate.

3. High School Civics and Economics Classes

Though both of my kids have taken required coursework in civics and economics, the class seemed to make the biggest impression on my youngest son.

Most memorable was the documentary "Maxed Out," which the teens watched in class. The film covers predatory lending practices of many financial institutions. My son’s synopsis of lessons learned: “you go to college, you get a credit card, you max out the credit card, and then you die.”

Adult Version:

"Maxed Out" is available for viewing online and through streaming services, such as Netflix.

4. Scouting Programs

Scouting programs, such as Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts, offer many ways for teens to learn about personal finance and money management. Fund-raising activities for camping trips, special outings, and troop operations can help kids of all ages understand that money is needed for various activities. Plus, there are lessons to be learned from Girl Scout cookie sales.

Badges for financial empowerment in Girl Scouts (PDF) cover topics such as budgeting, comparison shopping, establishing credit, saving for large purchases, and entrepreneurship. The Boy Scouts’ Personal Management merit badge deals with planning for major purchases, making decisions about investing, household budgeting, and more.

Adult Version:

Parents can learn by teaching badges or sitting down with their teens as they cover the curriculum. They may find badge exercises to be useful, such as tracking income, expenses, and savings for 13 weeks (PDF).

5. College Classes

Many colleges and universities offer personal finance classes as part of their degree programs. Courses may be focused in investments, fixed income, real estate investing, and entrepreneurship. Learn in your teenage or young adult years before entering the workforce or starting a business.

Adult Version:

Pick up classes at your local university or community college offered through continuing and professional education. Choose among courses such as personal taxation, retirement planning, and investing.

6. Community Venues

Community venues, such as public libraries, often host financial literacy workshops and classes for teens. Topics covered may include investing, saving for college, and managing a bank account.

Adult Version:

Seminars and workshops on financial topics for adults are generally available at public libraries and community centers. Multi-week courses, such as Financial Peace University, are often held at churches and other houses of worship or community gathering places.

7. Home

You can learn about money at home, often in collaboration with your parents, siblings, and friends.

Things that my teens have learned recently include how to:

Sell items on eBay
Get college textbooks and supplies at a discount
Transfer money from PayPal accounts to bank accounts
Delay spending to get a price reduction
Forgo spending to save for future needs
Set aside gifts and windfalls for large purchases

They’ve also learned that savings accounts pay very little interest right now though having money set aside is valuable by itself.

There’s much more to learn but I’ve found that teens learn best when financial lessons are timely and relevant. Instructors can be parents, sisters and brothers, and friends who are willing to provide guidance and give ideas on what has worked for them.

Adult Version:

When you are ready to make a financial decision, learning all about a subject is desirable. Tapping the knowledge of your spouse, parent, friend, or even teenager can help you navigate personal finance issues.

A big difference between adults and teens, though, is that there are many topics you need to understand now, before a crisis or major financial decision. For example, you can’t wait until retirement to figure out how to generate income for household expenses. You must learn today how to develop streams of income to fund your retirement in the future.

Many financial literacy programs encourage you to apply concepts while you are participating. If not, though, act on your own. Open an IRA and start investing soon after you finish an investing class, for example. The sooner you use newly acquired knowledge, the better for your financial literacy and the faster your financial savvy will grow.

Where have you learned financial literacy?

Written by Julie Rains and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

6 Totally Free Babysitting Alternatives

Craig Ford — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:24:32 +0000

If you're married with young kids, getting out of the house and enjoying a date together can really add up:

$35.00 for dinner
$25.00 for a movie and popcorn
$30 for babysitting

Sometimes when young couples start adding up all the numbers they come to an unfortunate conclusion — they can't afford to go on dates. Sure, you could reduce the cost of dining out by finding a cheaper establishment. You could even skip the movie and go for a walk instead. However, if you want to be able to get out of the house, babysitting is a hard expense to avoid — without a little creativity. (See also: How to Save on Babysitting Without Ending Up on the Local News)

1. Ask the Grandparents

Yes, this is an option that will only apply to a limited number of people who happen to be fortunate enough to live in the same town as their parents. But if you do live in the same town as your parents, then I'm betting your kids already enjoy every chance they have to spend time with grandma and grandpa, and affordable, reliable babysitting isn't really a problem for you.

2. Swap Babysitting With Another Couple

We have some close friends who have young children. Since babysitting is expensive for both of us, we agreed to a biweekly babysitting swap. Not only did we each get a date once a month, but our kids looked forward to date nights because they got to play with friends. When kids have the opportunity to play with other kids their age, they'll welcome the dates with as much anticipation as mom and dad.

3. Join or Create a Baby Sitting Co-Op

Last year our church started a babysitting co-op. Parents could leave their kids at the church while two of the other parents stayed and did the babysitting. Each child brought something to eat for dinner and the babysitters selected a kid friendly movie for the kids to watch. The only rule was that if you left your kids you needed to be sure to take a turn babysitting in the future. If there are six to eight couples on an evening, all but one of them were able to go on a date without an extra expense for babysitting. Again, the kids look forward to their night out as much as parents do.

4. Exchange Services

If you typically have a teenager babysit for you, it's possible that you could help them with something that they would consider more valuable than money. This could include something like tutoring them in school or coaching them in a sport.

5. Double Date With Other Parents

This suggestion may seem like it's breaking the rules, since typically most people think dating is about spending time together as a couple. However, if you're more in the mood for getting out of the house and doing something fun, then consider a double date with another couple that has kids. We've had other couples come over to our house and the kids typically entertain themselves. On other occasions, we've met couples somewhere like Chick-Fil-A with a play area. Usually, the kids play while the adults can hang out and enjoy adult conversation.

6. Be Friends With People Who Don't Have (but Do Like) Kids

A few weeks ago we were shocked when some friends who don't have kids asked if they could babysit for us so we could have a date. We've spent time with the couple on several occasions and they told us how much they enjoy kids — especially how much they enjoy being around our kids. I don't know how you develop a strategy around this, but I guess if people like being around your kids you might have some free babysitting opportunities arise. All this time we thought we were raising well-behaved kids for their own good.

What babysitting options have you tried?

Written by Craig Ford and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Getting Your Money Back Without Losing Your Friendship

Mikey Rox — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:24:31 +0000

Whenever you lend money to friends or family, there’s a decent chance you won’t see that dough again.

One reason could be that expectations and repayment terms weren’t discussed beforehand — for which the giver and receiver are both at fault — but another reason could be that the person to whom you lent money just isn’t courteous, which is not your fault at all. (See also: Borrowing From Friends: The Friendship Killer)

Alas, while I’d generally advise you to err on the side of caution before you part with your hard-earned cash to anybody for personal reasons, sometimes giving someone a personal loan may be necessary. I get it. Things come up. Still, if you were generous enough to help that person out when they were in a financial bind, they should be grateful enough to pay you back.

It’s never easy asking someone to give you your money back, but it has to be done — lest you get walked all over and become an ATM for everyone you know. To make the situation a little less awkward, here are a few tips.

1. Keep in Touch Regularly

You have no reason to stop talking to the person you lent money, but they sure do — especially if you’ve lent them a large sum of money and they have no means of paying you back in the near future. With that in mind, make sure you maintain regular communication — as frequently as before, at least — so they’re constantly reminded of the debt they owe you just by seeing you or talking to you. Some people will try to avoid you in this case, but don’t let it happen. If someone seems like they’ve taken your money and run, it’s not a good sign. Continue the relationship as it was before so you can eventually get what you’re owed.

2. Don’t Pester at First

You shouldn’t lend someone money if you’re going to hound them two days later demanding that you be repaid. This is where the expectations of repayment play a large part in how you go about settling the debt. If the person to whom you lent money agrees to pay you in a week, let a week and a few days pass before reaching out and reminding them about the mutually established deadline. Going easy at first will help keep the lines of communication open.

3. Ask If the Money Solved the Problem

If too much time has passed and the borrower hasn’t brought up repayment, you have every right to bring it up. Just try to do it tactfully. With genuine concern, ask if the problem has been solved. For instance, if they needed money to pay an electric bill, ask if it’s been paid and if it’s back on track. This will not only remind the borrower about the debt and let him or her know that you haven’t forgotten, but it’ll also give you insight into whether this problem persists and if the person is capable of paying you back in a reasonable amount of time.

4. Be Frank But Polite in Your Request for Payment

If hints aren’t working — and sometimes they won’t, especially if people are flat broke and simply can’t pay you back — it’s important to stand your ground. When asking for your money back, be frank but polite. Let them know that you still care about them, but it’s important that they hold up their end of the bargain so the situation doesn’t escalate to the point that will damage your relationship. If you haven’t established a deadline by now, this is the time. Talk it over together and decide on a date that is acceptable to you both, taking into consideration your friend or family member’s need for a certain amount of time to earn the money to pay you back.

5. Offer to Accept Payments in Installments

Another option — and perhaps an even better one than hoping for a lump sum on a specific date — is to suggest a payment plan or installments. It will take you longer to recoup your entire loan, of course, but you will increase your chances of getting the entire sum back by allowing the person to pay small amounts over a period of time.

6. Don’t Let Them Off the Hook

Whatever you do, don’t let this person off the hook. Most people will appreciate the gesture you made to help them out (and pay you back eventually), but some will try to "forget" about it and hope you will too. Don’t be a sucker — not even for something as small as a $20 loan. The amount may seem insignificant, but the repercussions could ruin your relationship two-fold: Not only will you harbor resentment, but that person may start hitting you up more frequently and for larger sums. Loan the money and get it back — bottom line. You want to be a good friend, not a poor one. Two broke people do not happy endings make.

Have you ever lent someone money? Did you get it back? What did you do? Let me know in the comments below.

Written by Mikey Rox and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

What It Costs to Raise a Child

Aaron Crowe — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:00:31 +0000

Raising children can be invaluable and something a parent will cherish forever. The cost of those memories, however, is much more than time spent, diapers changed, toys picked up, and tears shed. (See also: 7 Things to Consider Before Becoming a Stay-at-Home Parent)

As any parent will tell you, there are financial costs to raising children, though they probably don't closely track them. The federal government does, however.

Average Annual Cost Per Kid

The latest figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture [PDF] put the annual cost of raising a child from $12,290 to $14,320 in a two-child, married couple, middle-income family.

Child-rearing costs through age 17 vary by family income level. The total costs range from $212,370 to $490,830, with the average middle-income family spending $295,560 to raise a child through age 17. These expenses don't include college.

The USDA also offers a child cost calculator, which can be a fun form of birth control for would-be parents who have a few seconds to spare online. The calculator asks for the number and age of children, how many parents live in the household, where you live, and before-tax annual household income.

Zip Code Influences Kid Cost...

Some areas of the country are more expensive to live in than others, which might be an incentive to move. Child-rearing expenses were highest in the urban Northeast, followed by the urban West and urban Midwest. They were lowest in the urban South and rural areas. The costs of housing, child care, and education had the most regional differences.

...and So Does Your Kid's Age

Expenses increased as children age, the report finds, with food, transportation, clothing, and health care expenses rising the most as a child eats more and starts driving.

Where Your Kid Money Goes

Where does the money go? About where you'd expect.

Housing: 30%
Child care and education: 18%
Food: 16%
Transportation: 14%
Healthcare: 8%
Clothing: 6%

Another 8% went to miscellaneous expenditures, which can quickly drain a parent's pockets. These include:

Personal care items and services such as haircuts and toothbrushes
Entertainment such as portable media players, sports equipment, and computers
Reading materials such as nonschool books and magazines
Admission fees such as paying to go to a movie, baseball game, or amusement park

Those costs seem to add up fast during summer when a child is bored.

College Is Extra

A big expense that isn't included is the cost of sending a kid to college, although parents might be taking on that expense if they're saving for a child's college education before the child turns 18.

The USDA report cites statistics from the College Board that in 2012 the annual average tuition and fees at a four-year public college with in-state tuition was $8,244, and was $28,500 at a four-year private college. Annual room and board was $8,887 at a public college and $10,089 at a private college. That adds up to about $33,000 to attend a public college for four years, or $114,000 for four years at a private college.

Maybe those priceless pieces of school-made art from kindergarten can be sold at auction.

Kids Cost Opportunity, Too

Along with the cost of raising children, the USDA had other bad news for parents — they're likely to earn less money as they spend their time with their children instead of in the workforce. Current earnings and future career opportunities may be diminished because of job choice or reduced time in the labor force for one or both parents. If a parent has to stay home and take care of children, that parent won't earn as much money as they would otherwise.

But at least the report gets to the point of child-rearing that only parents can understand and appreciate — the rewards are priceless, no matter what the cost.

Or, as the USDA bluntly puts it, "The direct and indirect costs of raising children are considerable, absorbing a major share of the household budget. On the other hand, these costs may be outweighed by the benefits of children."

Where do your child-rearing dollars seem to go? Are you getting your money's worth?

Written by Aaron Crowe and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

7 Strategies for Controlling Toy Clutter

Camilla Cheung — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:24:32 +0000

Any parent of young children can tell you that keeping up with the toy clutter is an ongoing — and losing — battle.

Before I had my daughter, I swore that my home would not become overrun with primary-colored bits of plastic, but reality was a different story. While the chances are slim of your living room being the pristine, perfectly accessorized space you dream of (at least until the kids outgrow their toys), these strategies for controlling the toy clutter can help give you a little visual relief. (See also: How to Get Rid of Your Junk)

1. Rotate and Limit Toys

I’ve found that my daughter quickly gets bored of new toys, so I try to rotate them out to keep them fresh.

When she receives a bunch of new toys for holidays or her birthday, I let her play with one new toy and keep the rest in the guest room closet. Fewer toys out in the family room means less daily clutter. When I notice my daughter neglecting her toys, I switch them out. My plan is to bring the old toys back when she has forgotten about them, although since my daughter is the only grandchild on both sides, I think she’ll have enough new toys to last for years.

2. Baskets and Bins

Having a variety of large baskets and bins to corral loose toys makes cleanup faster and easier. After all, they’ll be played with and messed up the next day, so who cares if they’re stored in a big pile in a basket or box? My toddler enjoys putting things in boxes, so I try to make cleanup a game for her — hopefully she’ll learn some good habits along the way!

If you want to organize toys a little better, you can label the baskets and bins — all dolls in one bin, for example, or all cars in another. Having everything in its own bin makes it easier for your child to find the toy he or she is looking for.

3. Purge

This might be the best way to control the toy clutter — just don’t keep so many toys! Whether you put them in storage, give them to friends, or donate them to the local thrift store, get rid of the toys your child no longer plays with. Alternatively, swap them with another child’s toys so you’re not storing useless clutter.

Having fewer toys might actually help your child to focus better on his or her play instead of getting distracted by another toy within reach.

4. Store Toys in Every Room

Having just one storage area in the entire house can make it difficult to put all the toys away at the end of the day. Instead, designate toy storage areas in several rooms, whether it’s a drawer in your child’s bedroom, a box in the pantry, or a mesh bag for the bath toys in the bathroom. That way, there’s always a storage spot within easy reach so you can tuck away the clutter.

However, don’t let toys get strewn all over — designating one room for primary play and toy storage helps to prevent the chaos from reaching the rest of the house.

5. Store Toys at Grandma’s

It’s hard to control the continuous flow of toys into our home, as both sets of grandparents have made it their mission to shower my daughter with every piece of pink plastic known to humankind. To prevent my home from being overrun, I tactfully suggest that my daughter’s grandparents keep some toys at their home for her to play with when she comes over. That way, my daughter gets super excited to visit her grandparents, and I can always rotate the toys from their house to mine if needed.

6. Clean Up Every Night

Don’t wait for the clutter to pile up and drive you crazy before cleaning up. Keep the toy clutter manageable by cleaning up frequently, such as every evening before your child goes to bed. That way, the mess won’t be as intimidating and you can de-stress a little before heading to bed yourself.

7. Discover Hidden Storage

Storage ottomans, closed cabinets, and bins under the bed can keep toy clutter out of sight and help you feel like you’re a little more in control of your home.

How do you control toy clutter at home?

Written by Camilla Cheung and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

How to Save on Babysitting Without Ending Up on the Local News

Carrie Kirby — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:24:30 +0000

A recent survey by online childcare matchmaker UrbanSitter.com found that the average parent pays $14 per hour in my area — San Francisco — for care for just one child.

My husband and I have three children.

Combine these two facts and you might be able to guess that we haven't been out on a date in months. (See also: From $5 to $30+, Date Ideas for Every Budget)

When we do pay for childcare, we don't turn to a website to hire a sitter, because, as UrbanSitter pointed out in its own survey, it's too expensive. We're cheapskates. Still, childcare is not one of those things where I can just try the cheapest thing I can think of. I can't go down to the local day labor lineup and pick up a sitter or give my 8-year-old the password to the Netflix account and hope for the best. If I don't want to end up on the news — and staying off the news is my minimum goal for each parenting day — I need to get quality childcare for my meager funds.

These are some ways I've managed to do that.

Parent Co-Ops

Whether it's a highly organized network with a thick rulebook and mandatory fingerprinting or a loose understanding among the parents on your block, a parent co-op can be a lifesaver to financially pressured moms and dads.

In a co-op, you babysit for other families' kids to accrue points that you use to pay other parents to watch your kids. We have belonged to three co-ops: one spread over the entire North Side of Chicago, one that involved only four families who could practically shout to one another from our front porches, and one of intermediate size. I've used the services of other parents in order to get work done, to get to appointments, and yes, for date nights.

A few years ago I wrote about how to start a babysitting co-op on Parenting Squad. Even if you don't belong to a formal parent co-op, trading off play dates with the families of your children's friends can be great, too.

Pros: You know other parents are experienced at taking care of kids. It's free.

Cons: If you're busy, it might be hard to find time to babysit other peoples' kids. Many co-ops don't do background checks, and you may not know all the families.

Nanny Sharing

When you have only one child, it's kind of a waste to hire a babysitter to come to your home just to watch over him or her. Most caregivers are perfectly capable of taking care of several kids at a time.

Ask around or check with local parent groups to find families willing to share a nanny. I use a nanny share once a week for my preschooler, so I can get a few extra hours of work in while the older kids are at school.

Pros: Hourly rate is usually at least 30% less than hiring a babysitter on your own. Your kid will probably have more fun with playmates around. If the other families have already found a great nanny, you're spared the vetting process.

Cons: Less flexibility due to other families' needs. More administration needed to coordinate schedules. If the other child or children get sick or drop out you may end up paying the sitter's whole fee on your own.

The Gym Childcare

This sounds cheesy, but I have joined gyms before almost entirely because membership included two hours of childcare per day. Plans vary, of course, but if you are a stay-at-home parent who needs a daily break, or a part-time entrepreneur who needs an hour each day to answer emails, the amount of care you can get with a gym membership may really work for you. You might even find time to work out once in awhile, too.

Pros: Some are quite affordable since they are supplemented by dues from all those members who never show up at the gym. It's flexible.

Cons: Quality varies widely. You might catch a few glares from other parents if the childcare is busy and they notice you spent your whole visit using your laptop.

Parks and Rec

Many cities offer low-cost classes, playgroups, and even preschools for small children through their parks departments. Some early childhood programs require the parents to stay, but others don't. You may not actually care if your little one learns gymnastics or painting — but for $5-$10 per hour, they are out of your hair for awhile and not watching TV. Really awesome park systems offer such classes on school holidays to help working parents out of the childcare-gap pinch.

Pros: Affordable and often nearby.

Cons: Some cities will have waiting lists. Quality varies.

"Mother's Helpers"

I started babysitting at age 11, but nowadays most parents don't consider it safe or responsible to leave such a young child in charge. Which is too bad, because 11- and 12-year-olds have really great rates.

Luckily, I work from home, so I am sometimes able hire an under-aged "mother's helper" in the neighborhood to play with my kids and keep them from bursting into my office while I conduct a phone interview. Many kids this age are anxious to get started babysitting and can be a real help.

Pros: Cheap. Small kids love playing with older kids. You can train a neighborhood kid for several years until he or she is old enough to become a real babysitter.

Cons: Kids this young may have trouble enforcing rules with smaller children. They tend to let the kids make a big mess. Between school, sports, and activities, many 'tweens are available for limited hours.

Grandma and Grandpa

I so envy those families whose retired parents care for their kids full time. That has never been the case for us, but we still engage the ultimate free babysitters every chance we get.

No, Grandma and Grandpa don't do things our way, and they don't follow instructions to the letter the way a paid sitter might, but they love our kids, and that is so important that I am willing to overlook even the fact that the kids ate nothing but hot dogs and chocolate eclaires all weekend. Getting the grandparents to babysit has involved hours of car and even air travel for us, but it's always worth it.

Pros: Free (for most people). Family love, precious memories for the kids.

Cons: They don't do things your way. Travel may be involved.

No-Childcare Alternatives

The other way I've saved on childcare over the years is simply by avoiding using any. No, I'm not talking about leaving the kids alone — remember, the goal here is to stay off the nightly news. Instead, I'm talking about optimizing time, making schedules that work, and prioritizing what really needs to get done.

Split the Shift

You get home from work, kiss your spouse, and he heads out the door for the evening shift. It's not easy on a marriage, but millions of families make it work. Both my mother and my husband's mother are nurses, and this is how things worked when we were little. On the upside, with this arrangement, both parents get experience parenting independently, which can be really good for their relationship with the kids.

Bring the Kids

Most jobs nowadays don't allow for kids in tow, although a few do — babysitter, newspaper deliverer, for example. But you can try to bring kids on errands when possible to minimize needed childcare time. It's much harder to grocery shop or go to doctors' appointments or exercise with kids along, but it is actually good for the kids to learn to behave in these situations, and it allows you to get more done in the day.

A Little TV Won't Kill Them

I'm not a big fan of screen time for the kids, but I view it as the parenting equivalent of your emergency savings account. You shouldn't use it every day because you want to save it for when you really need it. So yes, when I have a deadline and I'm not done working by the time they get home from school, there might be an after-school video session now and then.

If you're too good a parent to let the TV (or iPad) be your babysitter, then make a busy box or busy bag — a stash of self-service activities to keep the kids quietly occupied when you're too busy to entertain them.

Obviously, use your parental judgment to determine how much supervision your children need while distracted by such activities.

Outsource It or Do It From Home

If you are hiring a sitter so you can do something other than work — shop, clean house, do yardwork, walk the dog — ask yourself if the task is really worth the babysitting costs. After all, in many places you can order groceries online for a small fee, so even if you don't want to take the kids to the store, there is still a cheaper way. Or, check out TaskRabbit to see if you can hire someone to run your errand for less than the cost of a sitter.

You can't outsource your date night, of course, but there are ways to have a fun night in after the littles are tucked in their beds. At our house, setting aside an evening to watch a movie, accompanied by a special snack and cocktail, has replaced a lot of expensive nights out. And if you have friends with kids, combining a get-together for the parents with a sleep-over for the kids can be fun for all.

How have you saved on childcare while keeping out of sight of the news choppers?

Written by Carrie Kirby and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

5 More Ways to Save Money on Homeschool Supplies

Linsey Knerl — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:48:30 +0000

Years ago, I shared some of the methods I used to homeschool my five kids on a budget. While many of those resources are still relevant, some of the websites have ceased to exist, or I have found newer, better avenues for getting supplies on the cheap. Here are my new favorite five ways to get supplies for much less than retail! (See also: 7 Important Lessons Frugal Parents Teach Their Children)

Thrift Stores

Much of the required reading in a homeschooling class involves classic literature. Just this year alone, my kids have been assigned over a dozen "classics" that we could buy from a book store for $7 to $19 a copy. Thrift stores are much more reasonable, however, and if you can put up with some dog-ears, wear, and someone else's name written on the jacket, you can walk away with armfuls of classics for $.25 to $1 each.

As it turns out, most thrift stores are happy to part with copies of "The Iliad" or "Tom Sawyer;" most shoppers are looking for NYT bestsellers, and the classics collect dust and take up shelf space.

Publisher "Imperfect" Sales

Did you know that most publishers have boxes of books that have never been sold, but that have dents, marks, or wrinkles that prevent them from asking full price?

For our math curriculum, for example, I skip the homeschool retail sites and head directly to the publisher's website. Most have a section in their store called "damaged," and I can get various required textbooks and workbooks for 30-50% off retail. These books are missing no pages; they just don't look "pretty" from the outside. These sales are never advertised, and you can't guarantee that they'll have exactly what you need. (With five kids, however, I can grab what they have at the time, and save for future years.)

Library Sales

Space on library shelves is at a premium. With so many kids clamoring to read copies of "The Hunger Games" and the next YA Vampire title, classic reads from Bradbury are getting the boot in libraries everywhere. Luckily, these titles are usually put out for anyone to acquire, at prices less than thrift stores. Just ask when the next library book sale is taking place. You may be allowed to peruse the selection early, and many libraries will take a donation of $10 to $20 for an armful of books. (We acquire 70% of our literature texts from library sales, and many of the books are valuable first editions or unabridged classics!)

Facebook

A while back, I told you about how you can sell your second hand items for cash on Facebook. This works in the favor of the homeschooler, too, as many homeschool groups have formed on the social media site for the sole purpose of trading, selling, and buying used curriculum. Taking over where Craigslist used to reign, Facebook lets users do more than just buy or sell; parents can ask detailed questions about books and software before they buy — and even get tips for making the teaching process better for the family.

Giveaways

As an avid sweepstaker, I love to win supplies for our homeschool!

Homeschool blogs are the number one source of prizes for your home classroom, and the odds of winning on such sites are better than trying to win large national sweepstakes. Many blogs offer prizes as part of product reviews, giving you a chance to see what you'll win before you enter. To find ongoing blog giveaways that offer homeschool prizes, be sure to read up on our tips. And before you think that blogs are the only way to win, remember that Facebook is a great source for prizes as well!

While it's possible to spend almost nothing on your homeschool supplies, most home-educating parents want the best for their kids — and that costs money! Employing a savvy shopping strategy can drastically reduce what you pay out of pocket for textbooks and supplies, and your home will become the ideal learning environment for much less than the suggested retail price of your curriculum!

When you're not scoring tests and essays, where do you score the best deals on school supplies?

Written by Linsey Knerl and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

16 Best Baby Gifts on a Budget

Jennifer Holder — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:24:33 +0000

About five years ago my friends, one by one, started getting married. For me that meant figuring out what being a "grown-up" really means — buying gifts for other people.

Once I finally got that down, my friends started having babies, and my gift-giving education started all over again. Honestly, sometimes I feel like Carrie on that one "Sex and the City" episode where she registers for shoes.

Well, needless to say, I have no children, but I’m finally getting the hang of this buying gifts thing. And even better, pretty much all of my Facebook friends have children, so they made me even better. Recently I did a poll of my friends about the best baby gifts they received and added a little pricing research. The result is this collection of budget friendly gifts you can buy for a friend or loved one’s newest little bundle of joy. (See also: What a New Baby Really Needs)

$0-$10 Gifts

Why, you wonder, does this collection start at zero dollars? Because of...

1. DIY Coupons: Cost of Paper

This might sound a bit hokey, but it’s a great idea from one of my friends.

New parents are tired and might be desperate for a night off or a good meal. Make them a coupon book and offer to prepare dinner, babysit later, or if photography is your hobby — offer a photo sesh. You could also find out the thing New Mom missed most during pregnancy and offer to buy in bulk as a present after the birth. In the case of one of my best friends, it was ceviche. I didn’t buy in bulk, but I did go get some, and she was a happy camper.

2. Boppy Pillow Slipcover: $9.98

If you don’t know what the Boppy is, scroll down. If you do know and you know your friend already has one, buy them a few extra slipcovers. After all, if you know what it’s for, then you know how terribly dirty it’s going to get (spit up, anyone?).

3. Pacifiers: $5.99-9.99

Binkies. Pacis. Nuks. Whatever you want to call them, a baby can never have too many pacifiers. And they’re the perfect thing to round out a gift.

4. Baby Gowns, 0-6 Months: $7.99-$10.99

No buttons, zippers, or fuss — baby gowns are perfect for wrapping babies up tight without having to mess with fasteners. Give the gift of a Circo 2-pack or Gerber 2-pack, and give the new parents a little diaper-changing ease.

5. Baby Medicine: $1.99-$9.99

Another great gift for new parents is a basket of medicine — little things moms and dads might need along the way including nasal spray, baby orajel, Grow with Me medicine dispensing set, gas drops, infant ibuprofen and anything else you can think of.

6. Baby Safety Nail Cutter: $3.99

Baby nails are surprisingly sharp, but unfortunately they’re also unsurprisingly soft. Cutting them is a necessary evil, however, because otherwise the baby could cut up their legs. The Simba brand nail cutters have great Amazon reviews and seem to solve the problem of cutting more than just a baby’s nails.

7. Ouftits, 6-9 Months: $6-$13

When a baby is on the way, parents are inundated with tiny clothes, but once the baby has arrived, he or she is mostly dressed in baby gowns or swaddled, so when it comes time for the baby to wear their cute outfits, they've outgrown them. Outfits in the range of 6 to 9 months seem to be one of the more important gifts you can give. Pick out some cute ones!

$10-$20 Gifts

There are more clothes to be had in this price range as well as some affordable maintenance gear.

8. Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack: $14.99

I’ve seen this grass countertop drying rack at many, many baby showers, and all parents attest to its greatness. The straight up-and-down design allows for even drying, and the color and style allows for that cuteness factor.

9. Diaper Genie Essentials Pail: $19.99

If your friend is going to be breast feeding or their outside garbage is far away, get them a Diaper Genie. It’s perfect to keep the stink out, and most parents can’t live without it. Bottle-fed babies go number two less, though, so it might not be a necessity for them.

10. Socks, All Sizes: $18.99

Socks of all shapes and sizes are a surprising necessity. Probably not surprising to parents, but surprising to me. Pick up a pack of socks, and the parents will be eternally grateful.

11. Backseat Mirror: $19.99

As you know, babies have to face the other way in the backseat. Buy a handy backseat mirror so your friends won’t ever miss a moment (well, besides the moments when they have to pay attention to the road).

12. Boogie Wipes: $10.99

None of my friends actually recommended these boogie wipes, I just really liked the name. And upon further investigation found out that they’re actually more than just a cute name. They’ve gotten great reviews, but apparently going unscented is the best way to go.

13. Nosefrida the Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator: $14.54

Apparently Sweden does baby snot removal much better than anyone else. In fact, I wish this had existed when I was little — the only thing I remember from my childhood was the evasive boogie removal. But this seems to do the trick, painlessly and easily.

$20-$30 Gifts

We're a ways from stroller territory, but we're definitely moving into long-term baby comfort and care with the gifts available in this price range.

14. Boppy Nursing Pillow: $29.98

Every mother (and father) attests to the Boppy. And as neither a mother nor father, I can attest to the effectiveness of the Boppy as well. Holding babies has never been easier!

15. Diapers: $25 and Up

No, seriously. Unless you’ve had a baby or otherwise have a grasp of having a baby, this could surprise you — diapers are expensive! And although they’re a seemingly boring or obvious present, they’re extremely important. If you feel the present is lacking originality, try making a diaper "cake" (but don’t frost it... the baby will do that).

16. Swaddle Blankets: $29.99

Swaddle blankets are rather expensive, probably because they work so well. The ones suggested to me cost over the limits I set for this article, so I did a quick search for one in the price range. Luckily, aden + anais make an affordable and reliable option.

What's the best baby gift you've ever given (or received)?

Written by Jennifer Holder and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

6 Ways to Save Money on Preschool Enrollment

Sarah Winfrey — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:48:35 +0000

If you have a preschool-aged child, you know that paying for preschool can be expensive. While there are a wide variety of prices and preschool philosophies out there, looking at the bill almost always feels like a shock to the system. There are, however, a few ways to save some money and still get your child the jump start on their education that you’ve been hoping for. (See also: 7 Important Lessons Frugal Parents Teach Their Children)

1. Shop Around

Look at more than one preschool before you sign up.

In our area, some preschools are five to six times more expensive than others. Are they better? That’s up to each parent to decide. The point is, you need to know what is available how schools differ from each other.

Remember that sometimes it’s worthwhile to spend more to send your child to a school that fits their personality. But if the schools are mostly the same, you don’t need to break the bank on the most expensive one. You won’t know which one that is, though, unless you look at several of them.

2. Talk to Parents

Other parents are your best resource for finding a good deal on a preschool. They’ve been where you are, and they may be able to tell you where you’ll get the best deal, where you’ll spend more but it will be worth every penny, or where your money will be wasted.

If you belong to any sort of parents’ group, ask everyone you can. Sure, some people will insist you go one place and others will send you another direction, but at least you’ll have more information. If you’re looking for something specific in a preschool, ask questions that will help you narrow your choices to those that will serve your child’s needs well.

3. Volunteer

Many preschools will allow you to volunteer and reduce your bill. While you’ll still have to pay (and sometimes the reduction isn’t very much), you’ll offset at least a bit of your child’s education. As an added bonus, you’ll get to be in and around the environment of the preschool, so you’ll have a better feel for what goes on there and what your child is learning.

4. Look for Aid

Some preschools offer financial aid. While these can be few and far between, it’s worth at least asking about, especially if you want to send your child somewhere you can’t afford.

You can also look into state and federal aid, although with the economy in its current state, these offers have gotten pretty sparse over the last few years. If you’re truly working on a low income, there should be some sort of free or subsidized preschool available for your child. If you make a bit more money, you may be out of luck.

5. Do It Yourself (or Join a Co-op)

If paying for preschool really grates on you or just isn’t in the budget, you can always choose to do it yourself.

There are a million different resources available online, from free, printable worksheets to entire curriculums. You’ll want to evaluate everything based on what you know about your child’s needs, strengths, and weaknesses, but most adults feel competent enough to teach things like shapes, sounds, colors, numbers, etc.

Some children don’t do well with preschool at home, either because they want to get out or because they don’t like to work with their parents that way. In that case, some areas have co-operative preschools. You’re still likely to pay a fee, but most of the classes are parent-led, and you’ll take your turn every so often. Or, you can get together with some parents of like-aged kids and make your own co-op.

6. Supplement With Freebies

Whether your child is in preschool or you’re doing it at home, take advantage of free options around your city. Many museums offer free days and, while it will be busy, it’s a great chance to expose your child to something they wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

While there are certain skills that kids need to learn before kindergarten, they’ll be in a better position to learn if they’ve used their brains in a lot of different ways. Giving them the opportunity to see many different things will help them develop the ability to learn. And there’s no need to pay for this exposure if you’re willing to do your homework and battle a few crowds.

There’s no need to feel overwhelmed at the cost of preschool. Instead, take your time, look at the options available to you, and then choose what’s best for your child and your budget. Give yourself as much time as you need to make the decision, so you can be sure it is one both you and your child will be happy with.

Were you able to save money on your child's preschool? Please share your experience in comments!

Written by Sarah Winfrey and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

11 Ways to Have Fun at Your In-Laws

Julie Rains — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:24:31 +0000

Visiting in-laws can seem like competing on "Survivor." You have to learn to thrive in a foreign environment amid unfamiliar ways.

Though I have never been on a reality television show, I have made numerous visits to the homes of my husband's family, just the two of us in the beginning and later accompanied by children.

I have learned survivor-like skills such as how to accept and overcome challenges, make shrewd decisions, and show an unflagging spirit (that is, how to select Christmas gifts for all ages, contribute to meals for extended family gatherings, and get active children to behave well during multi-hour car trips).

Over the years, I have also learned ways to enjoy what may otherwise be an emotionally and physically draining experience due to the stress of travel, holiday preparation, and alien surroundings. Consider these techniques to increase genuine pleasure of visiting your in-laws. (See also: 15 Tips for Hosting Holiday Houseguests)

1. Pack Your Own Supplies

Missing the amenities of home can make you miserable. So if there are a few things that can bring you pleasure or keep you comfortable, then carry those with you. If your in-laws aren’t coffee drinkers (mine avoid caffeinated beverages for example), pack a great instant version or your own grind. If beds and couches are in short supply, bring a sleeping bag, pad, or blankets; or book a room at a hotel or inn.

Be self-sufficient with your own supplies, rather than expecting others to provide all that you want or need.

2. Bring a Book

Reading a book gives you a fun escape without completely ignoring everyone else. Unlike watching a movie, listening to music, or playing a game on a digital device, reading is not totally isolating and generally considered acceptable during extended visits.

Just because you may be with people who you see occasionally doesn’t mean that every moment must involve deeply meaningful interaction. You can join and exit group discussions while reading, and you may find that the right book is fodder for conversation.

3. Take a Walk

Out-of-town visits are generally not conducive to fitness activities. But you may be able to step outside your in-laws’ home and take a walk in the neighborhood to get fresh air and exercise.

On my trips, I have enjoyed walking with my immediate family and some of the in-laws. Along with way, we study the architectural styles of nearby homes and businesses, tell and listen to family stories that involve a certain street or house, and note changes that have taken place since one or all of the siblings have moved from the area.

4. Go on an Outing

Getting out of the house for a few hours is a great stress reliever. My in-laws live in a small city, so there is not much to do there in terms of cultural or sporting events, art or historical museums, etc.

However, the city has an expansive park near their home and the city’s center. When our children were younger, my husband and I took them to the park’s playground, which included old-fashioned slides, swings, and teeter-totters.

5. Help With Food Preparation or Clean-Up

There are various levels of expectation regarding contributing to meals and clean-up when visiting. I won’t claim to be an expert in all situations, but I do know that lending a hand can be a pleasant way to pass the time; you don’t have to take charge, but you can participate. You may learn a new recipe or cooking technique, plus you get to hear stories that may not otherwise be told at the family table.

6. Learn (to Love) Family Stories

Every family has a set of stories that are told and retold. The introductions may vary, so you may not realize that you are going to hear a familiar story until you have invested your attention and time into listening to what seems like the same-old, same-old recounting of a long-ago event.

But these defining stories can help you to understand the family's values as well as the times and circumstances that they experienced. You may hear about the reaction of a child to her first sleepover camp, which reveals much about individual personalities and family dynamics. You might learn about a close call during a foreign war or economic harshness in the early 20th century. You'll hear the stories many times, so learning to love them and detect nuanced differences in each retelling can make visits more pleasant.

7. Learn Family Secrets

My mother-in-law often talks to me about the past of the immediate family as well as more distant connections. She shares stories of difficult circumstances, belligerence that caused personal and financial problems, romantic and career plans gone awry, regrets, disappointments, and life-changing illnesses along with instances of grace that saved family members from disaster.

Like the tales that are told and retold, they help define the family — who they are as individuals and as a whole. The stories can help illuminate the rationale behind decisions and possibly give you understanding and compassion for unusual fears and biases. Hearing about heartbreak itself is not fun but helps put your current troubles into perspective.

8. Get to Know Someone Each Time You Visit

Discover how interesting your extended family is. Take some time to learn about another family member's world — what they do at work, how they spend their free time, and even the circumstances of their childhood. You don’t need to drill this person, but you can work on making conversation as a way of laying a foundation for future interactions.

9. Be Prepared to Tell Your Story

Family extroverts are always ready to tell you about what’s going on in their lives. Being surrounded by talkers who are eager to share the highlights of the past year (the real-life equivalent of the holiday newsletter) can be trying, particularly if you are an introvert.

By the time you feel comfortable sharing what’s happening in your life, your visit may be over. Prepare for the extended time with family by thinking of things you would like to share, such as career milestones, hobby-related accomplishments, or vacation plans.

10. Don’t Think About Work

Having to worry about work can be a drag on your happiness. Unless you are required to be connected, cut off digital gadgets and work-related distractions. And, as much as possible, don't think about the office, store, or project worksite. You don't need the double stress of dealing with professional concerns and family issues at the same time. Let yourself enjoy a change in environment.

11. Befriend the Kind Relative

During the first several years of family visits, I often felt like an outsider who needed to display the survivor-like traits of loyalty and value to the team. However, I realized later that I ought to have been focusing on the family members who loved and adored me for who I was. Discovering that person or those persons is essential to enjoying the extended visit.

The kind relative may not be obvious at first. Look to those who accept you “as is” while encouraging you to become the (better) person you hope to be. Certainly beware of inappropriate liaisons but don't ignore the kind aunt, sister-in-law, or cousin. She can become not only an ally but also shed light into family dynamics, reinforce how endearing you are, and help you to feel the love that may not get showered upon you in a crowd.

How do you have fun at your in-laws? Are the visits naturally enjoyable or have you learned to embrace new and different circumstances?

Written by Julie Rains and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

30 Easy Holiday Crafts for Kids

Jennifer Holder — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:48:55 +0000

Somehow, the dropping temperatures and smell of turkey makes children want to do nothing but make crafts. Below, check out holiday craft ideas from holiday-specific (Christmas, Hanukkah) to holiday-general (mainly snowmen), all arranged by craft supply. Keep in mind that supervision is required for some of them, but most they can do on their own while you’re cooking some tastiness for the table. (See also: 5 Fun Family Friendly Games for Your Holiday Party)

Pasta

Ahh, pasta — the quintessential child craft supply. The options are endless, but here are a few you can try.

1. Pasta Menorah

Using paper, glue, lentils, and macaroni, your kids can make this simple and cute pasta menorah. As the blog suggests, some supervision might be required for younger kids (after all, they might try to eat the dried pasta).

2. Ornaments

Using round pasta, there are plenty of options for trees, stars, and other pasta ornaments. Use paint if you’d like, or just keep them pasta-colored.

3. Pasta Tree

This pasta tree from Better Homes and Gardens is one of the more complex crafts, but supposedly it’s under $10 and takes about an hour. I personally think it looks the most fun.

Egg Cartons

It's likely you’ll have a lot of empty egg cartons lying around while cooking the many cakes, cookies, and casseroles associated with the holidays, so put them to good use with these fun crafts.

4. Christmas Tree

To make a Christmas tree, take two egg cartons and glue them to a piece of cardboard in the shape of a tree. Use green spray paint (or just regular craft paint), decorate, and voila! For a slightly more complicated egg-carton stand-up tree, try this tree craft out.

5. Menorah

Use an empty egg carton turned upside down and popsicle sticks to create this egg-carton menorah from Nick, Jr.

Pipe Cleaners

This classic craft supply can be bent into lots of fun holiday items.

6. Beaded Ornaments

This is a craft I did a lot as a kid — stringing beads into shapes to make different ornaments.

7. Snowmen or Reindeer Figurines

Your kids can also attempt slightly harder shapes, like a skating snowman or a stand-up reindeer.

8. Menorah

Joyful Jewish came up with an inventive (and adorable) way to make a menorah out of pipe cleaners (also pictured is the star of David). All that is needed for this one is pipe cleaners and a little elbow grease. She also uses gold pipe cleaners to “light” one each night.

Fabric and Paper

...including one of the most classic kids' craft supplies — toilet paper rolls.

9. Snowman

You can use equal parts shaving cream and Elmer’s glue to make a puffy snowman on a piece of paper or canvas.

10. Aprons

Make a no-sew holiday apron with the kids! Buy a blank apron in their size along with some felt, ribbons, and other fabrics, and have them design their aprons however they’d like. That way if they do end up helping in the kitchen, they’ll at least try to keep their clothes clean.

11. Toilet Paper Roll Figurines

There are no real instructions, per se (the idea comes from one of those Pinterest pins with no actual link), but the picture of the figurines is a good start. Use paint, paper, and glue (or anything else) to decorate old toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls.

12. Paper Dreidels

Enchanted Learning provides a printable dreidel to make this. With the addition of scissors, glue, crayons, and a small dowel or straw, your child can make this craft. Grab some game pieces and play, play, play.

13. Star of David

All you need is white paper, scissors, and glue, and you and your child can make some Stars of David. You can use them to decorate the wall, or, as the link suggests, put them together with paper towel rolls to make a mobile.

Glass

Although these two crafts are very safe, make sure to supervise children when they're working with glass.

14. Light Bulb Snowman

Start with a light bulb meant for crafting (real light bulbs won’t screw off just right and could burst into pieces in your hand). Use marshmallows or cotton balls for the inside, and use a black permanent marker, stickers, googly eyes or whatever you’d like to complete the outside. You can use black felt to make the hat and a small amount of ribbon to make the scarf. Add some string to the top, and it also makes a great ornament!

15. Food Jar or Mason Jar Snow Globes

Here’s the cheapest option — start saving jars leftover from jam, olives, or mayo (especially since so much cooking is going on). After properly cleaning a jar, buy some glitter, figurines (try the Dollar Tree), and other bits and bobs to fill your jar with. Now, you can go at this two different ways: Martha Stewart suggests how to make your snow globe with water, while the Salt Tree offers a waterless alternative. Take a look at each and decide which you like more (and/or which is easier to make with the kids).

Buttons

I’ve told you about lots of ways to use buttons in the past, but there are plenty of other options.

16. Christmas Tree

Use thick paper (or canvas if you have it), glue, and all the green buttons you can summon to make this Christmas tree. Perfect decoration for the wall!

17. Snowflake

This snowflake ornament (or wall decoration) requires a wire coat hanger, a glue gun, and white buttons. There is no need to try and wire the buttons through the coat hanger, just glue them on and go. Of course, be careful that nothing is burned or poked out.

18. Ornaments

Martha Stewart serves up a number of different types of ornaments made out of pipe cleaners and buttons.

Candy

Your kids will hop right on these crafts (if you can keep them from eating as they go).

19. Chocolate Dreidels

With chocolate kisses, chocolate sprinkles, marshmallows, and pretzel sticks, you can make chocolate dreidels. They won’t quite work to play with, but they’ll be delicious.

20. Gumdrop Pops

Using assorted gumdrops and a rounded-off toothpick (only if these are going to be used as decoration and not made by small children — otherwise use a candy stick as suggested), you can make any sort of Christmas creation. If you’re not planning on consuming them, Martha suggests to put them in a jar of sugar for table decoration.

21. Mint Wreaths

Better Homes and Gardens provides some fun ideas to do with candy canes, including these mint wreaths, which require a hot glue gun.

22. Snack Cake Penguins

These snack cake penguins are adorable and delicious at all once. OK, the base of this particular craft isn’t candy, it’s Swiss cake rolls, but the other ingredients are candy.

Gingerbread

The (delicious) holiday staple.

23. Men

My mother, a third grade teacher, has been baking gingerbread men every year since I can remember for her class. They’re not the edible kind, but the kind that gets really, really hard so you can decorate them with some paint and hang them on the tree every year until someone (me) accidentally breaks them. You can also go for a more edible recipe and make cute reindeer.

24. Houses

The houses require more frosting, gumdrops, and graham crackers, and surprisingly — less gingerbread. Unless, of course, you want to go all out. The internet provides some good gingerbread house recipes, including one for a Hanukkah gingerbread house. Get some supplies and see what happens. If anything, it’ll be delicious.

Ball Ornaments

The most common ornament can also be the most fun to decorate. They’re also everywhere, so finding the blank ornaments doesn’t require a special trip (although I’d advise to get these and most other supplies at the Dollar Tree). Here are some ideas to spruce them up just a little.

25. Reindeer Thumbprint

This reindeer thumbprint ornament is easy: take some brown paint, put it on your thumb, stamp it on the bulb, let it dry, and decorate. No muss, no fuss (as long as you quickly and properly clean that initial paint off your children’s fingers).

26. Snowman

Fill a clear ball ornament with fake snow, screw on the top, and decorate. To try and keep it shatter proof, make sure you have the kids put it right back in the same carton.

27. Ornament Ball Tree

Big surprise, I really like this tiny tree craft. Use a Styrofoam cone from a craft store, hot glue, and ornaments to decorate. While the first part of this craft might not be totally for the kids, you could always have them decorate the tree with paint afterward.

Pinecones and Acorns

Here are some fun ideas for the pinecones and acorns you might have in your backyard.

28. Pinecone Snowmen

These pinecone snowmen combines a previously-mentioned craft supply (pipe cleaners), popsicle sticks, a pom pom, googly eyes, and, well, pine cones. Grab some tacky glue or a glue gun and slap the whole thing together.

29. Pinecone Trees

My friends and I recently set forth on the mission to make a pinecone tree we saw on Pinterest. What we weren’t prepared for was that it takes a LOT of pinecones to properly cover the trees. However, with a little patience and a ton of hot glue, you really can pull it off. With supervision, this can be a good way for kids to learn how to fit pieces together better than Lego castles ever taught them.

30. Acorn Dreidels

To make acorn dreidels, use acorn shells, modeling clay (any color), and matches. Roll the modeling clay into a ball, put it in the acorn shell and put a match in (tip down) and spin away.

What is your favorite holiday craft to do with the kids?

Written by Jennifer Holder and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

8 Alternative Gift Ideas for Chanukah

Ashley Watson — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:00:33 +0000

With Chanukah less than a week away, most parents are probably scrambling to find gifts for each of the eight nights of the holiday. While gifts are not traditionally part of Chanukah festivities in the Jewish faith, giving gifts each night of the celebration has become part of the festivities. It's hard to deny the influence of giving gifts on Christmas, especially if you have small children.

Whether you are a parent who tries to minimize the adopted "tradition" of gift-giving during Chanukah or you are seeking some last-minute ideas, here are eight alternative gift ideas for each night of the holiday. These last-minute ideas can help reduce the stress of any gift-giving holiday, no matter what you claim as your faith. (See also: 25 Gifts You Can Make Today)

1. Family Craft Night

Instead of giving gifts one night, make it a family craft night in which you make gifts for each other. There are plenty of crafts out there to suit children of all ages. Make a menorah or Chanukah decorations out of found objects, clay, or other materials around the house. You can always turn it into a family cooking night. Even the big kids enjoy cookies, and it gives you and your children an opportunity to spend time together.

2. Donate to a Charity

Not only is donating money one of the many mitzvahs in the Jewish faith, but it is also a great way to turn one of the gift-giving nights toward someone in need. There are many Jewish foundations, such as Heifer at Hanukkah, that focus on giving meaningful gifts to others on Chanukah. Organizing a toy exchange with a local charity or finding other local charity events to participate in is another way to donate your time and spend a night with your children.

3. Host a Potluck

Invite friends and family to your home on one of the nights for a potluck. This is a great way to enjoy time with loved ones and avoid a night of opening gifts.

4. Storytelling Night

Storytelling is a huge part of the Jewish tradition, and there are plenty of stories you can tell or let your children tell. This is a perfect opportunity to tell Chanukah story. Having your children participate is key for this one.

5. Game Night

Like the family craft night, a game night is very popular during Chanukah, given all the games already built into this holiday. You can offer small prizes, such as chocolates and other treats, for the games. And of course, there's always spinning the dreidel.

6. Live Music Night

Whether you have musicians in the family or not, singing together or listening to live music is a great way to spend an evening together. If you have friends who play musical instruments, invite them over and turn it into a musical potluck night.

7. Kids Choice Night

You can always leave one night open to let your kids choose an activity that they enjoy. There are also plenty of Jewish organizations that offer alternative game ideas for kids of all ages.

8. Other Meaningful Gifts

While you may try to avoid gift-giving all together on Chanukah, there may be one night when you want to give a large gift, or a few smaller gifts throughout the week. You can always find something meaningful, such as books, handmade gifts, or toys made by charitable organizations.

The trick to avoiding the materialism and stress that tends to go along with holiday gift-giving is to get your children involved. If you are buying a gift for a friend's child and aren't sure what to give, ask the parents first. Many Jewish families differ on ideas about involving gift-giving as part of the Chanukah celebration, but it's safe to get a small or modest gift.

Written by Ashley Watson and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

How My Hoarder Family Saved Christmas

Max Wong — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 10:36:44 +0000

Hoarding runs in my family. The only reason why most of our homes don’t reflect the OCD chaos of our brains is because we manage our belongings with the ferocity that most people reserve for calorie counting and fantasy football leagues. While none of my relatives live in squalor, as my cousin Carolyn puts it, "In our family, we file things horizontally." We are all wannabe minimalists with messy desktops. Although we joke about becoming crazy dog ladies or building a maze made of old National Geographic magazines in the living room, we all worry that one day we will fall victim to our belongings. So, after looking with mortification at the packed garbage cans stuffed with the aftermath of Christmas 2001, my extended family took a radical step in the direction of less stuff — we agreed to stop giving Christmas gifts to each other. Even to the kids. (See also: Simple-Living Lessons I Learned From "Hoarders")

This decision had several unintended consequences, all of them good.

We Regained Other Celebrations

Last year, 38.9% of Americans started shopping for Christmas in October, a statistic that is entirely believable to anyone who has noticed Christmas decorations jostling for shelf space with Halloween costumes at stores across the country. In addition to freeing up more time and money for Halloween and Thanksgiving, family birthdays in December and January suddenly got the attention they deserved. My grandmother, who was born on December 28, told me that she never got a real birthday. Sandwiched between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, her birthday had always been an important holiday travel day for friends and family.

My youngest cousin’s birthday is in the first week of January, so she was pleased that her birthday became a special day instead of just an afterthought to the December holidays. While Christmas presents were verboten, birthday presents were not. She quickly decided that the additional two weeks she had to wait to get “The Toy of the Year” were worth the extra attention.

On a side note, people who hear about our no-Christmas-gift policy seem to worry that the kids in my family are somehow suffering from Scrooge levels of deprivation…which was something actually worried about for the first year. However, there are several gigantic loopholes in the no-gift rule. First, while the kids don’t receive gifts from the family, they do get Christmas gifts from their friends. Secondly, everyone still gets a stocking full of candy on Christmas morning. Most importantly, during their winter break from school, the kids are allowed to ignore bedtime, sleep in as late as they want, eat dessert for breakfast lunch and dinner, and watch television with impunity. We had anticipated that there would be a lot of griping from the under-14 camp, but to their credit, I can’t remember one instance where any of my younger cousins complained about their lack of Christmas gifts. Perhaps they’ve been secretly pouting all these years, but I suspect that they prefer the additional freedom in lieu of opening a few more presents on Christmas morning.

It Allowed Us to Be Smarter Shoppers

Removed from the mass hysteria that is now part of Christmas shopping, we were able to shop after-Christmas sales without a deadline, but with all the post-holiday consumer reports. Because the kids got to play-test the “must-have toys” at their friends’ homes in the weeks after Christmas, their birthday present lists got shorter, not longer. Some things, they realized, just didn’t hold up to the hype.

We Saved a Ton of Money

Last year, the average American shopper spent over $700 just on Christmas gifts. While my family is pretty frugal, our combined savings still amount to several thousand dollars every year. Not spending money on gifts that go under the tree allowed us to spend money on family experiences like tickets to the zoo to see the Christmas lights. Two years ago, our huge extended family went to Las Vegas for a reunion at Christmas, a trip that a lot of us would not have been able to afford had we spent the money on traditional gifts.

Also, after Christmas, the price of just about everything drops dramatically. An expensive Christmas gift suddenly becomes an affordable birthday or graduation gift on December 26. When I got married this year, I know all the wedding gift cards from my relatives were purchased at a steep discount in January from gift card exchange sites like Plastic Jungle.

We Retained Our Sanity

Christmas shopping is stressful. A Consumer Reports survey from last year uncovered that 6% of Americans were still carrying Christmas debt from 2010 on their credit cards when they started shopping for Christmas 2011. British financial analysts estimate that one in three Britons will go into debt to pay for Christmas this year. Every January, credit counselors report a 25% spike in business as consumers come to grips with their holiday overspending. I don’t know one responsible person with debt who isn’t haunted by it. We discovered how easy Christmas is to enjoy when there are no bad financial repercussions lurking around the corner.

Additionally, while giving and receiving gifts should be pleasurable, a lot of giving has become a kind of social currency, with the givers hoping that the cost of their gifts are accurately appraised, for their full value, by the receivers. A lot of the pleasure of giving a gift is imagining the pleasure that it will bring the recipient. People are often so stressed out by end of the year deadlines that choosing gifts becomes more about efficiency and budgeting than about figuring out what will bring their loved ones the most joy. By removing the obligation of Christmas gifts, we were all able to delete a giant task from our end of the year to-do lists, which was, frankly, a relief.

We Saved a Lot of Time

I can’t speak for everyone, but for me, shopping — even online shopping — takes up a lot of time. Not shopping freed up time to enjoy other holiday activities like trimming the tree, baking 80 dozen cookies to give out to friends and neighbors, attending and hosting parties, caroling, and looking at Christmas lights.

It Allowed Us to Be Generous

What is the Christmas spirit about if not kindness to others? Christmas morning is now spent serving Christmas dinner to people who really need a nice meal, not sitting around the tree. We have the extra time and the extra money to help out local charities. My great-aunt was a lifelong patron of the Dumb Friends League, aka the city pound. Every dog she’d ever owned had been a rescue. One of our favorite holiday activities is bringing toys and treats to the pound at Christmastime and spending the day petting all the dogs.

It Gave Us New Holiday Traditions to Enjoy

Like ex-smokers huffing on second-hand smoke, my cousin Carolyn and I still love to window-shop the day before Christmas and experience the apex of American consumerism. Only instead of buying, we enjoy the vulgar splendor of the mall at Christmastime by people watching from the comfort of the Cinnabon.

This year my family will celebrate our 10th gift-free Christmas. What started as a strategy to keep our closets tidy, ended up bringing us closer together with each other and our community. It’s our own little Christmas miracle.

Written by Max Wong and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Avoid Dinner Stress: Pay Someone to Plan Your Meals

Aaron Crowe — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:48:35 +0000

Running a household is busy enough with laundry and dishes to clean, bills to be paid, kids to be delivered and picked up, and meals to shop for and cook.

If you've got enough money, you can hire a personal assistant or a few people to run all of these life errands for you. For those who can't afford a personal valet, there are options to at least getting a few chores done by someone else. (See also: 4 Things to Consider Before Hiring Household Help)

Take meal planning. I didn't give it much thought until I read a New York Times story this summer about websites that provide a week of recipes for a minimal amount — about $5 a month.

As a stay-at-home dad, planning family dinners wasn't a major stress in my life, but the time it took added up each week. It took a few hours as I looked up recipes, checked the pantry and freezer for what we already have, made a shopping list, went to the grocery store one day and the farmers market the next, and invariably had to return to the store because I forgot an ingredient.

It was always a little difficult coming up with meals everyone liked, especially with a picky child and a no-fish rule in the house. Meal planning, it turned out, was a stress that I didn't realize I had until I saw a solution for it.

So after finding a Groupon for half off a year's worth of recipe planning at The Fresh 20 — named after the 20 ingredients essential to a pantry and the fact that there are no more than 20 fresh ingredients to shop for each week, I decided to hand my family's meal planning to someone else.

The site promises meals that won't have processed, frozen, or packaged foods with preservatives — most of the stuff in the middle aisles of supermarkets — and instead uses fresh meat, vegetables, fruits, and brown rice and pastas. Options are available for gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian meals, along with a classic menu each week. There's also a lunch menu.

With the 20 ingredients to buy each week (some are used in two or more recipes, such as chicken or rice), and a pantry of 20 items the site recommends having (olive oil, certain spices, etc), grocery shopping is a lot easier than it used to be. I'll go over the pantry items in a future post and will include details on just why certain things should always be in a pantry.

Instead of wandering down each aisle, a shopping list provided with each weekly meal plan helps you avoid aisles where you don't need anything. You do still need to shop for lunch and breakfast items.

The meal plans should save you money while shopping since you're buying less. Once the pantry is stocked, weekly groceries should be cheaper because you're buying fewer items. While only five meals are planned for the week, The Fresh 20 goes off of the idea that you'll either go out for a meal or two during the week, or you'll have leftovers for a night. I estimate we're saving about 20% on grocery bills.

I've used the meal plans for the past month or so and have so far found it to be a godsend in helping me worry less about what I'm going to cook on any given night. I usually don't cook one of the prescribed meals every few weeks because it's something that most of my family won't eat. Or I find a substitute ingredient — such as chicken for fish — and the dinner still tastes great.

In an average week, I'd say that one meal isn't a hit with everyone, so the recipe gets thrown out. Not that the meal was bad, but that it wasn't great enough to make us want to eat it again if given the choice. For the meals we do like, I keep the recipes in a file for future use.

The meals are all easy to make, taking about 30 minutes or so. Food prep can add a little more time, only a few minutes, and the weekly instructions recommend doing some prep work on the first day of the week for the rest of the week's meals. I've skipped the advance prep work and have found that most recipes can still be completed within 30 minutes.

I get an email every Friday from The Fresh 20, giving me a link to that week's recipes along with a shopping list and nutritional analysis of each meal. I print it out on Friday and either my wife or I go grocery shopping before Monday night, when we start the five planned meals. For the two days without provided recipes, so far we've either cobbled something together in the kitchen with whatever we have, have leftovers, or go out for dinner. Who wants to eat at home every night?

With that one chore out of the way for such a low price, I'm now looking into paying someone to deliver produce to my door from the farmers market. I'll let you know how that turns out in a month or so after I've tried it out for awhile.

Written by Aaron Crowe and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

10 Fun Toys and Games You Can Make at Home

Xin Lu — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 10:24:43 +0000

Now that I am the mother of a three-year-old boy, I have found that he always wants to be entertained, and constantly buying new toys is not an option. When I was a kid, I didn't have nearly as many toys as my son, but I remember that my parents and I played with a lot of homemade toys and games. Here are 10 do-it-yourself toys and games that will entertain your family for hours without denting the wallet. (See also: Great Financial Gifts for Children)

1. Cat's Cradle

This is probably the simplest "toy" you can make. Basically all you need is a few feet of yarn or string. Tie the ends to make a loop, and then you can start to make all kinds of patterns with your hands. The game is usually played with two people, and it is quite interesting to see all the variations. Check out some quick cat's cradle instructions.

2. Mancala

This is an ancient board game that can be made with an empty egg carton and some small counters like beads, beans, or even coins. The point of the game is to "capture" all the counters after putting them into the spaces in succession. You can see the basic rules of Mancala here.

3. Pinwheel

When I was young, my mom made pinwheels for me out of paper and little bits of wire. You can use any colored paper or even foil to make the actual pinwheel. You can find pinwheel instructions here. These toys are great for entertaining little ones.

4. Rattles and Shakers

These are also great baby toys that you can make on your own. You can use any kind of small container and just put in a few small beans, and it would be a cheap rattle. If you want to be fancier, you can paint and decorate the containers.

5. Play-Doh

My son is absolutely in love with Play-Doh, but he always ends up mixing all the colors into one big brown pile and then asks for more. Apparently it is much cheaper to make your own dough at home. There are many recipes online, and most of them consist of flour, water, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring. My favorite homemade Play-Doh recipe is dough colored by Kool-Aid.

6. Kites

A simple kite is actually very easy to make. All you need is some fabric or paper, a couple dowels, and a lot of string. I still remember that my dad made me a traditional Chinese kite out of very thin paper and bamboo strips and painted a tiger's face on it. There are many patterns for kites, but the most basic one is the classic diamond shape. PBS has a great set of instructions for making such a kite. You can get very creative with your kites and have the kids decorate them as they wish.

7. Jump Rope

It's very easy to make your own jump rope. All you need is some braided polyester rope and a way to make a pair of handles. Here is a good set of instructions for a simple jump rope. Jump ropes are fairly cheap to buy, but if you make it on your own, you can make it any length you want.

8. Jianzi

Jianzi is a toy that is very popular in China. When I was young we made these out of several washers attached to some chicken feathers. The game is basically like hacky sack, and kids kick them around without letting the jianzi fall to the ground.

9. Tangram

This is an ancient puzzle game made out of a square cut into seven pieces.You can print out a pattern, and then cut the shapes out of hard cardstock, plastic, or thin wood. There are an endless number of shapes you can make out of these pieces. There are many tangram puzzles online where a finished tangram is presented, and it's up to the player to figure out how to make that shape.

10. Masks

Kids love to pretend to be superheroes, and one of the art projects I remember the most from childhood is making paper mache masks. A great set of mask instructions is available here. After the mask is made, the kids can paint them however they want.

These are just some of the toys and games you can make at home with very cheap and readily available materials. The great thing about making these toys yourself is that the process of making them can be fun projects as well.

Written by Xin Lu and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.