Cheap Prescription Eyeglasses for the Entire Family

Homeschoolers aren't immune to the struggling economy. In fact, most homeschooling families have just one income, meaning cutting back on expenses and making ends meet can be all the more challenging.

While cutting back on clothing, dining, and energy consumption can usually be managed, cutting back on prescription eye wear cannot. For mom and dad, who drive and/or work, sacrificing proper eyesight isn't an option. For the kids who hope to succeed academically... proper eye sight, free of squinting and headaches is essential.

Kids go through glasses almost as quickly as they do shoes. If your kids are like my son, they need a new pair of lenses every 12 months, and their frames are lucky if they survive as long. Do you remember my post about fixing my son's titanium frames a twice in just a few months time? The cost was $35 a pop and we were lucky to have found a jeweler able to weld titanium... most cannot! Well... we thought this was luck, when actually we could have replaced his glasses, frames and lenses combined for the price we paid for a weld.

Our son is currently on his second pair of cheap eyeglasses from Zenni Optical. Cheap yet attractive and durable! We've not yet had a pair of Zenni glasses break on our active 10 year old... knock on wood! If it happens, we can replace the entire pair for $43... shipping included. That's what we paid for his last pair of glasses, but they offer pairs just as nice for even less money! A friend of mine paid $80 for two pairs of eyeglasses over the Summer... one pair for her and a second for her son. They are fashionable and look great! No one would know they were discount frames! Like my son's they even have polycarbonate lenses, and were ordered with the anti-glare finish.

I'm not one for telling people what to do, but if you don't take my advice on this one, you're just plain silly! lol 





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Off the Ground

Thanks to Roman May

Getting this place off the ground was an exercise in patience since there were so many renovations that had to be done before we opened the door. Whoever thought having a bakery would be easy is crazy – it’s by far the hardest job I’ve ever had and I’ve worked in some pretty tough jobs! We basically had to transform the whole space from a shoe store into a food service company and we only had about 6 weeks to do it. Between contractor issues and permits and all that I really thought I was going to lose my mind but I got lucky and things evened out after a while. We had a t1 line put in so the online orders could be processed and hired a few high schoolers to work the shifts we couldn’t. By the time the grand opening rolled around we were as ready as we could be but you know, getting us there was a lot of work! I hope we never have to do it again.

 



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Private College Student Loans

The largest funding source for a college education today is the ever popular student loan, not a savings account, grant, or a scholarship... although these funding sources are assume when they're attainable! Most of us turn to student loans to make a college diploma a reality. Thankfully, a student loan can be secured through Federal Student Loan programs or through private lenders.

Student loans can be used to pay for tuition, room and board, books, meals, and even travel abroad programs. Most families today can't afford to pay out of pocket for the high cost of a college education... making low-interest student loans essential. The money is generally given directed to the qualifying student to spend as needed... certain restrictions do apply, but generally speaking any college expense may be covered with the loan... even a computer!

Discover low interest student loans and how to go about applying. The assume-ness of receiving a student loan is never ending. I remember all so well, the freedom I felt when I picked up a student loan check for the first time and was able to cover my college education expenses without worry. The loans I received covered all my expenses and took my focus off money and onto my studies. I worked part-time throughout my college career too... which meant graduating without too much debt.

It's important to appreciate the value of a college education as well as the worth of every dollar you're being lent. Upon graduation, you'll begin repaying your low-interest loans... so be sure to only accept the amount needed to get you through school. The less you have to borrow, the better of you'll be when it comes time to repay. At the same time, be sure you're taking out enough money, that you're not living on high-interest credit cards or sacrificing the health of a good meal while attending school. Keep yourself healthy, your loans manageable, and graduate without regrets or unfortunate consequences.

Discover low interest student loans and how they can take the financial burden from parents who were never able to put away enough money for their children. The cost of a university education continues to climb as securing a career without a degree becomes ever more challenging.

Did you take out a student loan? If so, did you secure a Federal Student Loan or private and what have your experiences been? If you have children planning on attending college within the next 5 years, do you have a game plan?

My kids are still a few years away from college, but the possibility of saving enough to cover two college educations isn't likely to happen. We're hoping to help cover about half their expense. The other 50% will probably look a lot like my college career... consisting of part-time work and a low-interest student loan.

 



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Learn to Type... Free Tools, Timer, and Accuracy

You may remember my story... that being my current employment status and uh... non-homeschooling status! lol I'm currently working at a middle school as a para educator for autistic children. One of the many perks to my job is learning of free educational resources available to us all.

One of my assigned student's is enrolled in computer lab and I was tickled pink to learn the software the classroom was accessing was 100% free. There's a paid version if you're so inclined, which will record your students efforts. The free version allows you to practice typing skills (while displaying proper hand placement) and times you (words per minute). The site is called: Typingweb.com

Here's a screenshot of the very first lesson. As you see, the hands are highlighted to show proper finger placement.

There's not a lot to say here except YAY! The tutorials are pretty self-explanatory... if you visit the site, you'll find the words "START TYPING". You'll then get a box instructing you to either log in or create an account. You may do so, or you may just "X" out of that box and start working! If you're not a registered user of the site, your scores and progress will not be saved, but you'll still be able to take the typing tutorials, time yourselves and build on your skill!  

This screen shot shows you an assignment in progress. As you work you'll find any errors appearing in pink. The shot I'm sharing shows one highlighted typing error.

Your typing speed will appear in words per minute, as will your typing proficiency.

Now... go get some typing practice!



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My Wish List for 2012

Is it bad to have a want list? I'll be 40 in just a couple days, and I still make them. If that's immature, I'll take it as a compliment! lol

My current want list includes a 35 millimeter camera, one of those babies that takes multiple photos in less than a second's time, in order to better catch motion without the blur. It's a must for moms with active kids... or at least that's what I'm telling myself. I think what I'm trying to say, is that I need a quick shutter speed? If you're camera savvy maybe you can tell me if that's correct.

I also want a new sewing machine. Something amazing and yet easy to use, since I'll be teaching my 9 year old to sew. My machine is less than awesome and I have been having problems with it.

Finally, our family could use a new desktop. When it comes to desktop computers I'm not all that picky. I just want a good quality pc that's family friendly... meaning simple and durable. Am I weird for requiring a computer of all things to be durable? lol I look for that in everything these days. Don't sell me anything fragile or sensitive. It won't last a week at my house!

We probably need the computer more than we do anything else on my wish list. It would be nice to have my laptop back again... rather than having everyone in the family wanting their turn! 

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Free Online Puzzles for Kids and Adults!

I found this at work the other day, while working with one of my autistic students. As of September, I'm a para educator at a local middle school. In this off-season of our homeschooling journey, working at a middle school is providing me a whole lotta great ideas, access to resources, and online tools I wouldn't have otherwise known existed.

I was impressed with jigzone.com for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, it's fun. If you like puzzles, you must take a peak at this.

You get to choose your puzzle image, the number of pieces your puzzle will have, and even get to decide the cut of your puzzle pieces. My favorite shape is the bird! You can shuffle your pieces around, and if you give up, you may even chose to automatically complete the puzzle. Before your eyes, the pieces will move into place! If you find a favorite image, you may complete the same puzzle again and again, with different puzzle shape configurations.

This is a great way to teach hand eye coordination with your pc's mouse too. If you have children just learning how to click and drag, this will give them a great way to practice and with as few as 6 puzzle pieces per puzzle, the task won't be intimidating.

So... you can even add the puzzle to your blog! lol Here goes my attempt... hopefully you'll be able to complete the puzzle shown above using the embedded jigzone code below! Or perhaps, you will learn more about jigzone??? Not sure... let's see what happens!

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Prepaid Debit Cards Make Great Gifts!

A couple years ago I was given a $100 Prepaid Visa card as a thank you from a women's committee I'd directed. I was shocked by their generosity and the gift couldn't have been more perfect. We were leaving less than 48 hours later for a two week jaunt to Orlando to visit the Great Mouse. I didn't have much of a bank account at the time (not that I do now either!) and this debit card paid for a whole lotta snacks for me and the kids while touring the parks.

Since that experience I've realized just how valuable a prepaid debit card can be. If you give a gift card to a specific retailer, your recipient has no flexibility with where they opt to spend that gift. Perhaps they're given a gift card to a clothing store, but can't afford to put gas in their car or food on the table? Maybe they really wanted to see that concert that's nearly sold out, but the only card in their wallet is a gift card to a shoe store?

I also like Prepaid Debit Cards because they're safe. You can't overspend on a prepaid debit card. The value of the card is set and paid in full upon purchase. It's not being drafted from a bank account and cannot be used for more than it's predetermined value. It's simple to carry, simple to use, and doesn't take into account your credit history.

Green Dot is an issuer of such cards... if you've ever gifted a prepaid Visa or Mastercard, it may have been a Green Dot credit card. These cards are available for purchase at over 50,000 locations including Walmart, CVS, Rite Aid, and Radio Shack. I'm just saying... if you need a gift for someone special, it might just be as easy as going to the register at a Walmart and grabbing a prepaid gift card... which can be found right across from those candy bars and bubble gum!

In addition to gifting prepaid debit cards, some people are using prepaid debit cards to better manage their finances as demonstrated by this article in the Star Global Tribune on Financial Education. It probably feels safer than carrying cash and can help you stay true to your budget.

I'd love to recommend prepaid cards as gifts to high school graduates who plan on attending college. They may use the card to purchase furnishings for their dorm room, or books for their classes. I remember spending every cent I made the summer before college, just getting to college. That wasn't pleasant. I didn't have anything though! Oh... and back then I was making $4.10 an hour.

If you know someone getting married, they'd no doubt love a prepaid debit card to take along on their honeymoon, or perhaps to purchase picture frames for their favorite wedding photos. They may even use the debit card to help pay for the photos themselves! Or... maybe they'll use the gift card to buy and send thank you cards. That's a dying art. I have to wonder if it's partially the expense that keeps young couples from sending out thank you's?

Have you ever given a prepaid debit Visa or Mastercard? What was the occasion and what was their response? You really can't go wrong with a gift card accepted by anyone taking plastic!

 



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Online Elementary Math Intervention Program

Many children see "math" as a four letter word. It's not quite as simple to master for some of us as lets say... reading and writing. That was definitely the case for me. I struggled with mathematics all the way through my senior year of college where I'd pushed calculus to my final semester and almost didn't graduate... that is after my calculus final had been graded! lol Thank the Lord for the a teacher who graded on the curve, which sparred me repeating the class over the Summer and postponing my diploma.

I definitely don't miss the stress of studying math, but then again... that stress hasn't entirely departed from my life. I'm living with elements of those feelings of dread all over again through my son who finds the subject less than thrilling.

Does any of this sound familiar? Maybe you're looking for a math curriculum or a little math intervention for your own child? If you have a son or daughter who could use an individualized learning plan DreamBox offers just that. I've never used this program personally, but I like what I've read.

If you're a homeschooler.... DreamBox has a link for homeschoolers looking for an individualized computer-based math program. The program includes a parent dashboard, giving you the tools to track your student's progress. You'll also be able to view the skills your child is learning at any given time and you'll receive parental notifications via email as they pass academic hurdles. This program is intended for grade levels K-3 and is intended to make learning math a fun and rewarding experience. You'll even find printable achievement certificates!

There are no paper and pencils, no worksheets or books. This program is all computer-based which may appeal to families facing the never ending battle of worksheet and notebook clutter. It may also appeal to homeschoolers of children on the autism spectrum, since many (like my own son) don't like writing with a pencil. My son doesn't even like the feel of paper at his fingertips. He seems to learn just as well if he can ditch the pencil and paper, but is more relaxed... so why not?

I found on the DreamBox website a 14-day free trail to their elementary math intervention program. I'm going to request the trial while me kids are on Christmas break... when we'll have more time to sample the program.

This program is also recommended for use in schools. If you're a teacher or school administrator responsible for seeking out new learning programs, maybe you should try the free 14 day trial?

If you've used DreamBox, please share your experiences. I'd love to learn more!
 



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Math Websites for Kids

Hey homeschooling and homework helping peeps! Here's a short list of fun websites geared at helping boost your children's math skills.

We've personally used and benefited from a handful of these sites. Most are free... I've starred the two we've used that have a free and paid version. Happy learning!

• AAA Math ~ www.aaamath.com/
• BigBrainz ~ www.bigbrainz.com/ (*free and paid versions) 
• Count On ~ http://www.counton.org 
• Education 4 Kids ~ www.edu4kids.com/
• Figure This! Math Challenges ~ www.figurethis.org/challenges/math_index.htm
• FunBrain.com ~ www.funbrain.com/ 
• JumpStart.com ~ www.jumpstart.com/ (*free and paid versions) 
• Math.com ~ www.math.com/
• Math Goodies ~ www.mathgoodies.com/
• Math Mayhem ~ www.learningplanet.com
  
   
  
  
  
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Writing a Winning Resume

Composing and perfecting a winning resume isn't something most of us do by profession... consequently the task can be a bit intimidating to the average job seeker. My husband has been out of work for nearly 2 months now and for weeks tweaked and re-tweaked his resume... doubting himself along the way.

Resume Builder isn't a site we were aware of until today... and wouldn't you know it, but my husband has just accepted a 2 month contract for work. That being said, it's just a 2 month assignment. So... if this contract doesn't lead to a permanent assignment, we'll once again be looking for ways to represent him on paper. Represent him in such a way as to sell his experience and know how to a hiring firm. So much work!

I don't know much about Resume Builder... but I also don't know much about How to Write a Resume! lol We'll take all the help we can get! By the way... this help is free for the taking. That's right... it's free! So while I can't say that I've personally tried Resume Builder, I can't think of any reason not to!

Are you or anyone you love out of work? What have your resume writing experiences looked like?
 



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Walmart's Solution for Affordable, No Hassle Cell Phone Plans

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Try not having a contract for starters. I love that! If you frequent a Walmart store and have stepped into the electronics department, you've no doubt seen the Straight Talk kiosk. Like everything else Walmart offers, their cell phone services are going to be hard for any competitor to beat.

Imagine not only skipping a contract, but having no activation fees, no background credit checks, and not being penalized for terminating your phone service. Did you know such a plan existed? That's impossible to beat! Seriously.

I think this is what my 10 year old son would call epic. It's unreal to find a plan that gives you such affordability with no strings attached. You can even use an Android on Straight Talk. So, if you're a smart phone user, don't dismiss the advantages to going with Straight Talk.

A few of the plans Straight Talk offers are as follows... they have a year long service with unlimited phone use for under $500! This includes talk time and text time, as well as web use and picture messaging. That comes out to just under $42 a month. Sounds like a great solution for parents to teens. No shocking bills to deal with at the end of the month!

If you're wishing to pay by the month, you can enjoy unlimited monthly service for as little as $45. Again... unlimited means unlimited text, talk, picture messaging, and web use.

Next time you Call a friend on your current cell plan and find yourself worrying about how long she's going on and on about her latest fight with her boyfriend, remember Straight Talk!

Don't fall Hook, line and sinker for those high-priced contract plans with multiple strings attached. Such as extra fees should you decide to ditch them or go over on  your minutes!

Studying to be a Tax Preparer?

My aunt makes a living doing other people's taxes... something I could never do! She is accustomed to receiving phone calls and emails from yours truly come early April as I struggle to get our tax return completed. It's my least favorite time of the year... and I'm sure I gain a good 5 lbs the week we spend filing. I honestly find it hard to believe that the average American citizen is qualified to correctly file an income tax return without some sort of assistance. There's a lot there to know, and a lot of room to make mistakes. I truly wish Uncle Sam could simplify the process somehow! I can dream can't I? lol

If you're studying to become a tax preparer, you have my sympathies... lol, no but seriously, you must have something upstairs I don't. A love for numbers, story problems, changing tax laws and an amazing amount of patience isn't something I possess. Never will either! I'd imagine the tax preparer exam is rough too! Bravo to anyone who can pass that exam! I'm just not a numbers person.

I have a lot of respect for anyone who has taken an income tax course with the dream of becoming a registered tax preparer. I might be a little jealous too.

Have you ever taken an income tax course? Maybe you are a registered tax preparer? How long did it take to get through school and what was the exam like? Curious minds want to know!

 



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Have You Taken an SSRI During Pregnancy?

A widely prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor has been blamed for causing birth defects when taken by women during pregnancy. Consequences of expectant mother's taking certain SSRI's can be scary. Some women experience no ill effects, while others give birth to children with heart and lung problems, clubbed feet, neural tube defects, and spinal cord abnormalities. What a horrible situation to be in.

It's not easy knowing what's safe to take when you're expecting either.... I've been in that situation myself. As a mom who relies on a anti-anxiety medication, I have had the all too familiar argument with myself each time I find myself expecting. Believe it or not, I've been pregnant 8 times. We only have 2 children with us... the other 6 we miscarried. I'll never know if my choice to take anti-anxiety medication would have had a negative influence on any of these children's well being, but I did go through the mental and emotional battle of trying to decide whether or not to take the risk.

Often time doctors can't tell you how a medication might affect a fetus. They don't feel safe saying... "everything will be fine"... so they tell you things like, "not enough research is available". Talk about scary! What about drug manufactures? Do you ever wonder if they know more than they're sharing? I don't have any proof of such... and I'm not going to accuse anyone of anything, but when lawsuits start booming against large pharmaceutical brands, you do wonder if the claims of the victims can be substantiated. I've seen commercials on television for zoloft lawsuits, along with a phone number victims can call to gain legal representation.

Do you know anyone who has taken zoloft during pregnancy? Did they worry about possible damaging consequences to the health of the pregnancy or fetus? I'm of the opinion than any medication (even over-the-counter) has a bit of poison (for lack of a better word). Drugs are chemicals after all. They can make a world of difference for us... giving us better lives free of pain, chemical imbalances, hormonal problems, and such... however, it's hard to find a drug that doesn't have it's share of side-effects. Even Ibuprofen if taken too often can damage the body... and during certain stages of pregnancy is forbidden.




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What Do You Do When a Prescripton Drug Makes You Sick?

Have you even been prescribed a medication only to find  later that people were dying from the drug or having potentially life threatening reactions? They spend billions of dollars researching and developing new pharmaceuticals, but I never feel safe taking a new drug until it's been on the market for a few years. The newer medications make me feel somewhat the guinea pig. I'd rather not play that role.

A few years ago I was taking a particular class c medication while pregnant. With class c drugs,  they don't know what to tell you when you inquire as to the medications potential threat to a fetus. The canned response when you ask a doctor whether a class c medication is safe when pregnant is... "do you think the benefit outweighs the risk?"... problem was, no one (at that time) could tell me what the risk might be. I'll never know either. We miscarried that pregnancy, like so many others before and after. I was only on that anxiety reducing medication for about a year, so the medication wouldn't have made a difference in any of the miscarriages. A few years later I learned that the medication I'd been on had been blamed for birth defects. How sad.

Anyway...  I won't be looking for an attorney for Unsafe Drugs at this time. It's scary today to read about all the babies born with birth defects by moms who took certain medications while pregnant. I hurt for those moms and their little ones.The anxiety medication I was on isn't the same one I take today. I'm currently taking a med that has been on the market for nearly 12 years and I feel much better about it than the other medication. For one thing, I've never heard of any birth defects or law suits against it's manufacturer.  Hopefully I never will!

Treating anxiety while pregnant shouldn't be frowned upon... we just need to be careful. Some of us (myself included) have chemical irregularities in our brains that make it impossible to reduce anxiety to a reasonable level on our own. Even with exercise and a healthy diet, some of us simply don't function well without medical intervention. I've found biofeedback helpful, but hard to practice when at work... or while sleeping... which by the way, without medication I don't sleep!

Do you ever worry about the prescription medications your doctor prescribes to you or your children? Does the length of time on the market play into your consideration of whether or not to fill the prescription? Do you research the drug online before distributing?

 



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