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Controversial Device Repels Teenagers

In a previous article, we wrote about a ring tone that only teenagers can hear. They use it to fool adults into thinking that they aren’t using a cell phone, such as in school where cell phones may be banned. Now, it seems, the adults are getting back at the teens, taking advantage of the sound to repel teens from hanging out in places where they are not wanted, such as in front of an apartment building, at the street corner or on school grounds after hours. But the device is highly controversial. Human rights activists and civil liberties unions … Continue reading →

Where to Find Inexpensive Clothes for Slightly Older Kids

Inexpensive gently used clothing is easy to find for the littlest set, but once a kid gets past the age of four or five, the hunt becomes a real challenge. Here are some places you can use to cloth your children with inexpensive clothing for slightly older kids. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, finding good quality second hand clothing gets more difficult as kids get older. There is simply not a good inventory available. You can still do pretty well, though, if you check out the following sources. The outlets Outlets can sometimes yield great finds in new clothing. … Continue reading →

Finding Inexpensive Clothes for Slightly Older Kids

From the time we decided that I would leave my full time job and stay home with our first child, I have been practicing ways to save money. But now that our first child is nearly eight years old, there has been one area that has become more difficult: finding good quality clothing for him and cheap or free prices. One of the biggest reductions in costs for us was baby clothes. There is a wealth of great quality and great looking used clothes that could be had at thrift stores, yard sales and from generous friends. It was very … Continue reading →

How to Save Money on Play-Doh Fun

Kids just love play-doh, much to the despair of many a mom who dreads the chance of the play-doh crumbs getting in the carpet or elsewhere around the house. This is why I think of spring and summer as play-doh season, since a small table out in the garage, driveway or backyard eliminates the mess. The other detriment to play-doh, is that it can be expensive after a while, especially when kids mix up all of the colors or let it dry out. The play-doh kits that you buy that feature all of the neat tools are more expenses. But … Continue reading →

Kids, Frugality and Being in Fashion

Accommodating trends in kids clothing without spending a fortune can be a little tricky but not impossible. Here is how to help your child still be cool without spending $1,000 on clothes every year. Proper Fit If you do nothing else with your child’s clothing to help him or her be in fashion, please at least ensure a proper fit. Nothing will get noticed more by other kids that clothes that are too small or in some cases too big, depending on what the current trend happens to be. Remember “high waters?” Whether you use hand me downs or buy … Continue reading →

Frugal Gifts for Teens

Teenagers can be hard to purchase gifts for. They generally know more than you do about what is currently in, and most of the general gifts for teens fall into the electronics category which can get quite expensive. If you have a teen or two on your list, you might appreciate some good tips for getting them nice gifts while still staying on a budget. Here are some ideas. Snack Basket Teenagers are always hungry. Fill a basket or a box with yummy treats that they will be sure to appreciate. You can buy snacks in bulk and distribute them … Continue reading →

Should You Hold Your Child Back a Year?

One controversial idea that seems to be gaining in popularity is the practice of intentionally holding a child back or delaying the start of school by a year. Thus, students who are qualified to enter kindergarten at the age of five stay home or in preschool that extra year, only entering formal school at the age of six. Why is this happening and what should you do? There are a few reasons that parents are choosing to delay the start of a child’s formal schooling. One reason is to ensure that the child will be at the top of the … Continue reading →

Overmyminutes.com: Keep Track of Your Cell Phone Usage

In the world of cell phones, there are two kinds of people. There are those who never use up their minutes and have a roll over plan that continually forwards them to some distant future when cell phones will be imbedded in people’s brains instead of carried around on a hip or in a purse. There are also those who continuously go over their minutes and have to pay a large cell phone bill every month. Both types of people could benefit from keeping track of their minutes. The folks that have more minutes than they are using may see … Continue reading →

Robotic Animals Decode Animal “Talk” and Behavior

One of the latest bits of information about technology and science concerns robotic animals that are being used to help decode animal “talk” and animal behavior. Scientists are building all sorts of robotic animals from squirrels to slugs and using them to interact with real animals in the hopes of gaining new information about animal behavior. Other robotic animals (and insects) currently being used include lizards, parrots and roaches. The robotic animals range from just hidden speakers that are controlled remotely by computers to full-on animated animals, complete with gestures and sounds. Scientists set these robotic animals up near real … Continue reading →

Computing Week in Review: April 21st Through April 27th

This past week, we’ve answered that age-old (well at least decades-old) question, does turning your computer off and on damage it. for the answer to this dilemma, as well as stories about greening up your technology and more, check out the Computing week in review for April 21st through April 27th. April 21st Does Shutting Off Your PC Daily Shorten It’s Life? One of the greatest technology debates is not about cell phones causing cancer or Yahoo versus Google, but something more domestic. Does shutting down a PC on a daily basis shorten its life? Do you have to compromise … Continue reading →