Slash Your Grocery Bill with America's Cheapest Family

I was browsing the Internet and came across this interesting video. Featured on the Today Show, this family is called "America's Cheapest Family". See this video and learn more about how this family of five has managed to spend just $350 a month on groceries;including their toiletries, personal hygiene and paper products.

The Smart and Effective Way to Connect with your Kids Today

Children don't come with instructions when they are born. They are unique, little people who seem to depend on you for everything. And boy do they. From birth to 18 months, parents seem to have the hardest time. It's the time when we are walking on egg shells, trying to figure our little ones out. They look at us, but can't say a word. But I know what they may be thinking. "OK, parents, maybe I can't talk, but I still can communicate. Can't you read the signs? Read between the lines?"

All the while, we are thinking, "Hey little one, you've got to say something soon. I can't take much more of this game of charades". My children are teens and I still feel this way sometimes. They are so independent and want to grow up so quickly. With that independence comes sign language, foreign language and grey hairs. (Yes, I have a few)

So, what is the smart and effective way to connect with your kids today?

• Listen to them. That's right! Stop, look and listen to them.
• Show them that you are human. You're not supermom/dad. You're human and you make mistakes. Just quickly correct them, to be their example or they will surely call you on it. Don't give them that, "do what I say, not what I do", line.
• Stay in their lives, but not on top of them. Don't smother them by being overly protective. Be protective, but don't overkill. This could actually backfire.
• Prepare them for their future. That should be one of the top goals a parent has. You have a little person in your life for whom you are responsible. Teach them that life is about living and learning; then show them how to do it.

I had to learn some hard lessons in child rearing. I am still learning, but so are they. If you learned something from your parents that was inaccurate, then don't blame them, just change it. Your children are in a whole new day and time,where things change. But good morals and strong family values should not.

Well, I'm signing off. But before I go, I want you to remember these words. "Kids are people, too". Until next time, take care of yourself, and yourself will take care of you.

Changing with the Seasons

Image by ...anna christina... via Flickr

Does the weather have an affect on your mood? I have to say truthfully, it does on mine. I'm affected by the glowing sun, and the pouring rain. I don't like it when it's too hot or too cold. So, what do I do?

I have come to realize, since I can't control the seasons and its weather, that I have to find ways to adjust to them. I try to keep fresh smelling pine and flowers that blossom around, during the winter. When it's raining, I put on uplifting, yet relaxing music, and add a touch of gentle, fluorescence through the lighting in my room.

Image via Wikipedia

It's those little adjustments; changing with the seasons, that makes life just a little more pleasant. Although, we can't change the seasons, we can certainly change how we respond to them.

Image by Steve-h via Flickr

Make every day, every season, a beautiful day, overflowing with vitality and thanksgiving. You'll be sure to find that changing with the seasons, is not so hard after all.

Related articles

• We change with the weather. (zemblanitous.wordpress.com)
• Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month (everydayhealth.com)

Buyer Beware

Stop, before you make that next purchase

I'm a retailer, but I am also a consumer. I love a bargain just like the next person. Shopping for bargains is fun and also relieving, to know that you are are smart-shopping. But what happens when you shop for a bargain that is nothing but a scam? It doesn't feel so relieving. Instead, it feels as if you have stepped into a nightmare.

How can you avoid being scammed? I have to tell you that I can't promise you that you never will be in your lifetime, but there are some things you can do.

• Ask questions. Don't be timid in this area. Reputable companies must be registered in their cities/states. All companies must hold a license that allows them to operate in their prospective states. Contact your local business regulator to check the legal status of a business you are interested in.
• Search your Better Business Bureau database for more information on the business. Not all businesses will be registered with BBB, so don't let this deter you. You can use other measures to find out the information you need about business besides using BBB. Business Owners: You can become a BBB member, but please know there is a registration fee.
• Search RipOffReport.com's Database. This is an open forum that people go to in order to share their experiences with not so reputable companies, or companies they feel deal in unfair practices.

If all checks out, still use precaution. The business may be reputable, but every business has employees, even if it is a sole proprietorship. You will be dealing with real people. There should be a mutual relationship between buyer and seller, business and consumer. But it doesn't always work quite that way. Some people are just really out to make a buck. They have no realization that people are the reason they are making their money in the first place. If they mistreat their customers, the customer has the freedom and every right to go elsewhere. Businesses who put customer service last on their list, should really rethink this method. Without the customer, you have no business. Treat them right, and they will come back. Mistreat them and lose business and loyalty. Plus they may just tell everybody to steer clear of you.
This should be a no-brainer for business owners, but apparently this is not taught in most business schools. You have to learn that morals are a part of character. It would be such a shame to work so hard to market a business to only find that your customers are running away because of your immoral business practices. Take that into consideration. If your business school doesn't teach morals and ethics, then you better go elsewhere to learn them quickly. Quite frankly, you are wasting your money going to a school, who does not teach you these things. If you really think knowledge and money is what it takes to run a business, you will find that your business will fail quickly. Consumers look far beyond your sales, your store layout, and your smooth talking. They look at how you treat them. Yes, they really do.

In closing, this post was created to help you be aware, not to live in suspicion, and to help my fellow busines owners along the way. Consumers, shop freely, but be informed and vigilant. There are scammers out there who make their living off of other people by deception. They do not have your best interest at heart. So, buyer beware.

Thanks for blogging with me. Feel free to add your comments below. Until later; take care of yourself and yourself will take care of you