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How to shop smart and save this holiday season

Posted on November 11th, 2011 by Alexis Cala No Comments

The biggest shopping days of the year are just around the corner. So, whether you’re planning to shop online or in store, there are a few tips that can help you save money and time, and protect your wallet while you shop.

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8 tricks (and treats) to a fun and safe Halloween

Posted on October 31st, 2011 by Alexis Cala No Comments

It’s Halloween — which means ghosts, ghouls and probably a few angry birds will be gearing up for a night of trick or treating. But before you let your little pirates or zombies loose, there are a few things you can do to make sure the only hazard they need to watch out for is too much sugar.

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Your money spent wisely – layaway, cash or credit

Posted on October 27th, 2011 by Alexis Cala No Comments

With a tough economy limiting many budgets, and the holidays creeping around the corner, more stores are once again offering layaway. And more folks are turning to it for an easy way to get the things they want or need without using credit cards. But does it really save you money or end up costing you more in the long run?

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Show some (frugal) love on Father’s Day

Posted on June 17th, 2011 by Alexis Cala No Comments

Courtesy of davef3138 (via Flickr)

While goofy ties and knick-knacks are fun, don’t forget Father’s Day (June 19th) is a celebration of fatherhood. So, whatever you do, just make sure the guy who’s been there knows how much he means to you.

Now, if you’re like Sonora Dodd (quick history lesson: she’s the one who started a day just for dad’s over 100 years ago), it’s easy to find reasons to celebrate Dad. But it’s not always easy to decide on a gift. Need some ideas? Whether you’re thinking homemade or you have a present-buying budget there are nifty gifts for every kind of Dad.

Watch this video and check out Lexi’s tips on what you should do for dad, here.

Still not sure what he’d like? Let him know you care with some wellness tips any dad will appreciate:

Dads — looking for a little help? Find resources, advice and support just for you.

5 ways to get ready for Memorial Day weekend

Posted on May 26th, 2011 by Alexis Cala No Comments

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who aren’t with us and a chance to spend quality time with those who are. So, if you’re planning a get together this weekend, here are some tips to ensure you have a safe, healthy and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.

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Easy, DIY gift ideas for Mother’s Day

Posted on April 28th, 2011 by Alexis Cala No Comments

A survey of 300 women by wishlist.com showed that 13 percent preferred handmade gifts for Mother’s Day. About 12 percent of moms wanted flowers and another 12 percent wanted jewelry. So why not give her all of the above? There are some great handmade flower bouquets, jewelry and other gift ideas that are sure to please this Mother’s Day!

If you’re in need of clever wrapping ideas, take a look at these do-it-yourself (DIY) ideas. They’re pretty simple and even use recycled items like chip cans, old books, etc. Since you need an exacto knife and glue gun for some of them, make sure the kids have your help.

Looking for other ways to send some Mother’s Day love? Here are just two ways to show mom you care:

  • Now through Mother’s Day you can visit facebook.com/Macys to join Macy’s “Thank-a-Mom Movement”. All you have to do is send a free, personalized Facebook message to your favorite moms and in return, Macy’s will donate $5 in her honor to one of the following “mom-approved” charities: American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement, Futures Without Violence, Make-A-Wish Foundation, National Park Foundation and Reading Is Fundamental.
  • The Meals On Wheels MealsForMoms campaign helps raise awareness of homebound senior moms facing the threat of hunger this Mother’s Day. Visit MealsForMoms to send a message of hope to a lonely and homebound senior mom or send an e-card to a special woman in your life.

Remember, whether you buy her a spa day or make her handmade gifts, the most important thing is that your mom knows how much she’s loved and appreciated.

3 ways to celebrate International Women’s Day

Posted on March 7th, 2011 by Alley Pezanoski-Browne No Comments

Courtesy of ftbester (via Flickr)

Women have made significant strides in education, work, and in making the home a more gender equal place. While there is still much work to be done, March, which is Women’s History Month, is a great time to celebrate the achievements of women past and present.

Unfortunately, we just missed Women of Color Day (March 1st), but there’s still time to celebrate during the rest of the month. March 8th is International Women’s Day, a time to celebrate the educational and economic achievements of women (many people also celebrate it as Working Women’s Day).

This year’s theme is Our History Is Our Strength.

1. To celebrate International Women’s Day, there are thousands of events being thrown worldwide, and you can most likely find a Women’s Day event in your area.

2. Another great way to celebrate is by remembering or learning more about:

3. Or celebrate by spending the day with your mothers, aunts, daughters, nieces, and girl friends (maybe even your sons, husbands, or the other men in your life) learning more about the women of your own family tree!

It’s also an important time to think about how far we’ve come, and how much further we need to go towards a more gender equal society.

Here are some facts about how women’s rates in education, the workforce, and family have changed (good and bad), from the Wall Street Journal:

  • In 1970, only 8% of women had a college degree, compared with 14% for men. Now 28% of both men and women have college degrees.
  • Women between 25 and 34 years old are now more likely to have a college degree than men of the same age, and more women than men go to graduate school.
  • In 2009, about 87% of women 19 years old or older had graduated high school, slightly higher than men.
  • The number of women 20 or older in the workforce has doubled over the past half-century, and is “holding steady at 61%.”
  • Women, however, lag far behind men in the higher-paying computer and engineering fields.
  • Men still get paid more than women to do the same jobs.
  • Across educational levels, women made on average 75% as much as their male counterparts in 2009.
  • Women are still more likely to live in poverty and/or to be single parents.

So as you can see, there’s a lot that still needs to be done to create a more gender equitable society. But a great first step is to remember and honor our female heroes!