Tax time is upon us.   Consider your tax-filing situation.  Here are some things to think about:

Contribute to an IRA for yourself and your spouse. You have until April 15, 2010 to make IRA contributions for 2009. (From cnn.com: check out CNN.com or MSN.com for their money-related articles)

Consider your withholdings allowances and withholding status:  Though many of us look forward to a tax refund every year, ask yourself if what you’re getting back could be paid to you throughout the year, instead of loaning it to Uncle Sam at 0% interest—wouldn’t that be better? Evaluate your W-4 and see if any changes can be made.

Get Organized: Make it a resolution! Designate one area in your home and one set of files to organize all of your financial/home data. Start collecting those pieces of information that you’ll need at tax time. Being organized can save you lots of time and money when you know what you have and can find it fast! This includes receipts for big purchases, warranties/instructions, credit card statements, etc.

Want More Money Information? Check out these sites:

Money Instructor:

http://www.moneyinstructor.com/

This site has information for parents, teachers, homeschoolers and individuals who want to teach kids money matters—and learn for themselves as well! Read more about personal finance and other helpful money saving/investing/credit ideas.

Yahoo Finance:

http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes 

Several finance articles on money and personal finance can be found here. Lots of information on new tax laws and how to prepare for filing taxes.

Best Consumer and Finance Freebie:  Order your free copy of the “Consumer Action Handbook”!  It’s the yellow pages/encyclopedia of everything you need to know to protect yourself, make wise spending decisions and more!:

http://www.consumeraction.gov/

Entertainment.com – Purchase an Entertainment book- now’s the time to get a great deal on a 2010 book (perhaps free), when you pre-order a 2011 book.  Entertainment books will pay for themselves after a date night or two (and when you also use it to save on groceries, dry-cleaning and a trip to the zoo..)

Restaurant.com – Dining Gift Certificates, at a fraction of the cost.  Find your city on Restaurant.com and discover a new favorite dining escape.  Purchase and print your gift certificate, from home, and then go out and enjoy.  Frequent coupon codes, offered via their email updates net you a $25 gift certificate for as little as $2!

Visit the website of your local Radio/TV Stations/Newspapers  Look for “ Half-Price” Gift Certificate Deals or coupons for dining, attractions and more!

Want to Create A Custom Date Night or Day-Out Adventure? 

Start with a little research.  Internet, local libraries, and chambers of commerce are great sources of where to go and what to do in your area.  In the Seattle area (and in many other cities), there are the “Best Places to Kiss” books, and similar which direct you to the best for your time and money.   Ask around, look around and then plan something uniquely memorable.

Need More Sizzlin’ Inspiration? 

Here’s what I found when I googled “Cheap Date Night”:

Redbook Magazine gives you many fun, affordable ideas:

http://www.redbookmag.com/love-sex/advice/43-date-night-ideas-2

Focus on the Family offers ideas for “Keeping the Romance Alive”:

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/daily_living/keeping_romance_alive.aspx

RomanticLyrics.com offers their Romance on a Shoestring Ideas (and if you need a love poem, romantic song suggestion, or lyrics to a love song- they’re your website.):

http://www.romantic-lyrics.com/ros.shtml

Emergencies can occur at any moment.  Our best chance for survival and protection of further damage is to be prepared – in writing.  You can not only protect your family by being prepared, but you are able to make a difference in the lives of others when you’re not in chaos over your own circumstances. 

Ready.gov:

http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html

Ready.gov is the best and most user-friendly emergency preparedness resource.  This website will lead you through the process of putting your plan in writing.  Ready.gov advocates that we “Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed”.  Here are some of the resources you can download, complete and refer to.  You can complete them online or print them and fill them out by hand.

Family Emergency Plan:  Communicate now how your family will reach each other and where you will go in the event of an emergency.  Make copies once you’ve completed them (for your emergency kit, automobile, work, and vital contact people):

http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/familyemergencyplan.pdf

Family Communication Plan:  This form identifies and establishes communication plans should an emergency occur while the family is separated:

http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/family_communications_plan.pdf

Adult Folding Wallet Card:  An emergency plan, to carry with you in your wallet.

http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/fep_download/FamEmePlan_Adult.pdf

“QuickShare” Your Emergency Contact Information, The Email Text Option:  Complete this form online.  Your information will be transferred into a text format which you then email to those who need this information.  Ready.gov suggests that families complete the Family Emergency Plan to be best prepared; the Email Text option is not as comprehensive. 

http://ready.adcouncil.org/beprepared/quickshare.html

“Readiness U”: Communicating With and Including Children in the Emergency Preparedness Process: Children, with their caregivers, can find emergency preparedness information at this website.  Features are written in an easy to understand language, with the help of Sesame Street Characters and other kid-friendly activities.

http://www.ready.gov/kids/home.html

Sesame Workshop has an entire “Let’s Get Ready” website devoted to explaining emergency preparedness to young children.  Printable activities, video segments, and more can be found here:

http://www.sesamestreet.org/ready

 In our next segment, we will list resources which will help families prepare an emergency kit.

There are a few websites which will help you in your journey to keep your New Year’s Resolutions:

43 Things.com:

http://www.43things.com/

Be encouraged by people who have already accomplished what you’ve set as a goal for yourself, or find people to partner with in your shared goals.  You can even set up for automatic emails to be sent to you, reminding you of your goals.  There is also an iPhone app from 43 Things.com

SparkPeople.com: is the place to find free advice and assistance in meeting your diet goals.  Free diet plans, calculators, and trackers are some of the tools you’ll find.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/

MoneywiseWomen.com: Washington State based network of finance authors, speakers and mentors who provide information to inspire women to have the best financial futures possible.  Sign up as an email member and you will receive free periodic articles, full on encouragement and vital information.

Moneywise Women is holding a one-day conference in several Washington State cities this year.  For their conference in Bellingham on March 20, they are offering half-price tickets (limited supply) for those that register soon.  Visit their website for a full list of upcoming conferences.

http://moneywisewomen.net/

Free Consumer Action Handbook ( full edition available online):

Order your free copy of this annual encyclopedia of all things money.  Consumers become instantly wiser when they get their hands on this free publication — or view it in its entirety online.  Anything you want or have to do with your money — it’s here.  Be aware of scams, “who to contacts” for when circumstances go wrong, and how to prevent your becoming a victim of identity theft — and more!  The processes of filing a complaint, investing, bankruptcy, and other topics are here in a convenient, easy-to-read format.

http://www.consumeraction.gov/

Share with us online resources which encourage you!

When you want to know where everybody else is scoring a good deal, look here:

BargainMama.com:

http://www.bargainmama.com/

Deals, Money Saving Tips, and More about Being Cheap but Chic

A bargain mama’s blog about how she saves money and finds bargains.  Twitter updates, blog, and more.

Bargainsit.com:

http://www.bargainist.com/

Updated daily, this treasure trove of money saving information includes freebies, coupons and a free daily email.  Sales are listed by store, category, and by the “Latest, hand-picked deals, sales and coupons.”

 When you want to find a book, CD, or DVD –

and you have some you’d like to swap for them:

 Paperbackswap.com

http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php

Register here and list the books you’re willing to send to someone else.  You can purchase book credits, or earn them for mailing books to other members. 

 Bonus: Cash for Your Books!  Check Out Cash4Books.net:

http://www.cash4books.net

Type in the ISBN of the books you have.  If they are worth cash from Cash4books.net, box ‘em up, print a free shipping label – and then, you’ll get cash!

Help for the Homework:

Factmonster.com:

http://www.factmonster.com/

Colorful, Fun and Fact-packed website on every homework topic.  Get quick, useful information on the subject your student is studying.  Links to online almanac, dictionary, thesaurus, and encyclopedia.  Games, quizzes, and features on kid-popular current favorites. 

This Week’s Holiday Preparation Tasks:

Talk with your family, friends and extended families about this year’s “gifting plans”.  If there are names to be drawn, spending limits to determine, etc. – get those decided now.  Share information such as likes/dislikes, favorite colors, home décor theme, etc. (Note all this down in your notebook!)  Then, begin to form a gift-giving list.  Inventory your home gift closet (or start one!).  Set an upcoming date to gather to work on those homemade gifts too!

 Holiday Fun Task:  Start the conversation with friends about their holiday traditions.  Create an email letter, Facebook post, or simply get together to share these ideas.  As a family, pick one or two “new-to-you” traditions to try this year.  Transfer the list of supplies to your upcoming shopping list.

In the spirit of keeping learning fun and finding family fun!

Free Learning Games, Ideas and Printable Resources:

http://funschool.kaboose.com/

http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=30&e=gameslanding&mcat=game_infant,game_toddler,game_preschool&site=us

http://preschoolprojects.net/sample.php (Sign up for their free newsletter and view a free preschool product sample)

http://familyfun.go.com/printables/

http://www.freeprintable.net

http://www.starfall.com

http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/

Online Reference Tools:

Online Medical, Financial, Languages, and other types of Dictionaries.  Fun Feature: “Hangman” game on the homepage:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

Lots of ads, but the dictionary, crossword and translator tools are there:

http://www.reference.com/

Online Encyclopedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Search National Geographic (also features games, videos, and activities)

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

http://kidshealth.org/ (Features a Parents, Kids and Teens Site)

Learning into (Fun) Action Resources:

Free Online fieldtrips through Yellowstone Park (includes lesson plans & more):

http://www.windowsintowonderland.org/

Find Fieldtrip Locations and Opportunities in Your Community.  Locate, Book and Review available fieldtrips:

http://www.fieldtripfactory.com/

More Resources and Educational References for Parents:

List of Organizations and Websites Geared to Parent Education and Learning Inspiration:

http://www.preknow.org/families/athome/learnathome.cfm

Before make that purchase from your favorite online retailer, be aware there may be coupons codes which can save you money.  Want to make some money back from your purchase?  There are websites for that too!

Rebate Websites:

Ebates.com: When you begin your online purchase at Ebates.com, you will receive a percentage refunded to you.  Ebates.com offers retailer coupons and discounts via email updates and at their website.  Some discount coupon codes you find elsewhere can be combined with your Ebates.com refund.  Receive $5 just for signing up, and $15 for referring two friends (who make qualifying purchases.)  There’s a blog featured which informs you of updates and promotions.

UPromise.com:  A free program that refunds a percentage of your participating purchases into a college savings account. Receive contributions to college funds when you register your grocery rewards card and purchase participating products.  Relatives of yours who register at Upromise.com can add to your savings account with their purchases. 

Swagbucks.com: Use this free website as your search engine and you’ll be rewarded with “Swagbucks”.  Earning of “Swagbucks” can also be done by shopping, inviting your friends (when they win a “Swagbuck” for searching using the site, so do you), promoting Swagbucks.com and by trading in particular electronic devices. 

When you have accumulated a number of “Swagbucks”, you can exchange them for merchandise, gift cards, magazine subscriptions, ITunes singles/albums, PayPal cash and more.  Tip: Instead of using your “Favorites” feature of your internet browser, type the name into Swagbucks.com and you’ll accumulate “Swagbucks” much more quickly. 

Coupon Code Website:

CouponChief.com:  CouponChief.com is one of the largest and most user friendly coupon code websites.  Coupons can be easily found by a keyword search, alphabetically and by category.  Users report back to each listing, letting you know the recent validity of the discount.  Register with CouponChief.com for updates on discounts from stores you prefer to shop with.  Visit CouponChief.com and you’ll immediately see where others are saving money, as they offer a list of the most popular coupons. 

CouponChief.com’s online discounts vary by retailer, ranging in percentage discounts to offers of free shipping.  Some offers can be combined with the refund site Ebates.com.  When you find a discount coupon code, they have a “Pays-2-Share” program which will pay you 2% of purchases made through that discount code.  CouponChief.com offers a Google Group Forum where users can discuss discounts and use of the site.

Money Saving Example:  I began my shopping with Ebates.com.   I clicked on “JCPenney” and received an immediate rebate tracking ticket from Ebates.com.  (Tracking tickets are your “receipt” from Ebates, confirming for you that this purchase will result in a refund when you move to the online retailer’s site from Ebates).  Through Ebates.com, I was taken to the JCPenney website where I was able also use a 15% off my order coupon code from CouponChief.com.  I combined the offers, saving 5% on my purchase (which I’ll get back in PayPal cash), and a 15% discount on the JCPenny purchase.  What a great deal for my pair of jeans!

We’d love to hear about your money-saving tips and websites.  Where are you finding great discounts?

We’re returning from vacation… and I’m realizing that I’ll land smack dab into the last week of September….

So, here’s a reminder for all of us, to look over those September to-do’s and deadlines! 

Here are a few things to look forward to (and enjoy) in October:

October: Children’s Magazine Month:  Share titles you may remember such as “Highlights”, “Spider” and “Sesame Street” as you explore childsmagmonth.org.  Many titles can be found at your local library.  For great deals on magazine subscriptions, check out Amazon.com’s frequent specials or bestdealmagazines.com.

October is “National Dental Hygiene Month”:  Get a head start on all of those upcoming “Goodie-Holidays”, and ensure that your kids (and yourself) are practicing good dental hygiene.  Find and print a cute chart to keep track of your kids brushing at spaceshipdentist.com/media/games/getupandbrush3.jpg.  Colgate.com also has some neat tools to help teach your kids the importance of brushing their teeth.

“Fire Prevention Week” is October 4-10.  Is your family ready in the event of a fire at your home?  It’s more than replacing the batteries in your smoke detector.  As your kids age, they’re more able to be ready and somewhat more likely to be curious about fire.  Create a fire escape plan, provide collapsible fire ladders for second-story bedrooms, and find teachable moments to discuss fire safety.  Firesafety.gov has escape plan procedures, free puzzles and coloring pages, and other tools to help you.

Fall leaves mean color and traditions aplenty.  Cherish the moments with your camera and scrapbook.  Take it all in, with your family.  Enjoy a tour of a pumpkin patch, leaf-strewn park, and heat up some cider. 

Remember though, that fall means holidays…and as the month goes on, we’ll be closer to family gatherings, gifts, and special moments we’ll want to be prepared for.  Get some friends together now to share holiday traditions – and take this time to try some new ones.  Block out time in your calendar to begin creating a memorable, home-made Christmas. 

Make your holiday season merrier (and more affordable) when you put this month’s “coffee-money” away for future gift and holiday purchases.  If your family does gift exchanges or sharing of home-made delights, make those plans known now, so that everyone can enjoy the gift-giving preparations.

Share your Fall Ideas with us!

Lunch Box Inspiration: Send Your Love to School with Them:

Send your kids to school with little surprises awaiting them in their lunchbox.  Thoughtful notes can communicate your love and strengthen bonds between parent and child.  Your child will feel special; the extra attention and praise will be priceless to them. 

When creating lunchbox notes consider your child’s age and peer environment.  Young children will be delighted with cute words and pictures.  Older children will be thankful when you keep pet names and sweet words out of the notes.  Include a joke they can share with their lunch mates.  Children who do not take a lunch to school can be pleasantly surprised with notes of encouragement in their backpacks. 

Making fun and loving notes can be as simple as paper notes of stick figures, words large or small, or stickers.  Use copies of photos, jokes, drawings, colored paper, comics, and whatever else your heart leads you to create.  Notes on everyday napkins with or without drawings are a great idea as well.  If you’re out of ideas, Hallmark sells a line of .99 cents cards meant for children.  Tip: To avoid a rush to make your notes amidst the morning routine, make enough cards for the entire week ahead of time.

Choose words which communicate your love.  “You’re special to me”, “We’re proud of you”, “Thanks for all of your hard work”, etc.  Younger children can be aided in their quest to learn reading when you use the same words, on different backgrounds.  In your notes, compliment your kids and/or give them something to look forward to when they get home.

There are a number of books with tear-out notes or, online, you can find printable notes, decorated with their favorite cartoon characters (or other décor).  Here are a few sources:

http://www.nickjr.com/printables/dora-lunchbox-love-notes.jhtml

http://www.nickjr.com/printables/oswald-lunchbox-note.jhtml

http://printables.familyeducation.com/

Here are some jokes to inspire your sense of humor:

Question: What do you call the smelliest fairy? Answer: Stinkerbell.

Question: What did the computer do at lunch time? Answer: Had a byte!

Question: What do you call a bee that is always complaining? Answer: A grumble bee!

Knock Knock

Whose There

Candy

Candy, who?

Candy cow jumped over de moon!

However you create your lunchbox notes, you will be making memories and affirming your kids in these valuable years of their life.  And, you just might inspire hundreds of laughs throughout the lunchroom with your new lunchtime jokes.

September is here.  We’re getting back to school, sports and other activities.  We’ve spent the past few months outside, enjoying outdoor events.  Soon, the search will be on for things to do with our families.  Where can these events and programs be found?

Local phone books, printed community guides and chamber of commerce offices are great sources of information.  Promotion of extra-circular events will be distributed through your child’s school as well.  Contact the office of your city’s parks and recreation office.  Local community colleges, churches, and creative retail stores may also offer programming for families. 

Websites of these organizations will also list event information.  If you’re looking for the nearest scouting troop, boys and girls club or retail franchise activities, check with their national website online.  Entering your zip code can connect you with local chapters and programs.

Community newspapers are an excellent source of community events.  A phone call to a local community resource office or school office can help you find things to do in your community.  When you find this information, consider ways you can help provide this information to other families in your neighborhood.  Flyers, emails, and bulletin boards posted with this information can be a great service to others — and you may make some new friends as well.

Area MOPS, MOMS and other support groups or playgroups are resuming their regular schedule of meetings.  Reach out and find a place to be encouraged.  If you find there is no ”oasis place” for moms or families, start one with a friend.  Beat cabin fever before it starts!  Making an effort to become connected to others will bless you in the fall and winter months ahead.

In our North Whidbey area, we have created an online bulletin-board style community website.  Our goal is to be a resource, connecting people to family fun and more.  MoreFun4Life is a free, one-stop site for all things community:

http://www.orgsites.com/wa/morefun4life

Perhaps it will inspre a similar site in your community.  This website looks at events this week, and is advance notice for events to come in the next month.  We also offer lists of family fun places and community organizations, to close the gap between neighbors.

Where do you go for family fun in your area?