Posts Tagged ‘teenagers’
Hello Friends and Happy Thankful Thursday
This week there are several things for which I am thankful and of course it begins with my family, friends and faith. I am also thankful that my youngest son is learning a few hard lessons while still at home. Ever since we gave him a car he has tried to add options to jazz it up, some good…others not so much. The latest was a set of rims that he received from a friend that I told him not to put on, did he listen? Nope. Unfortunately, they were too large for his vehicle so he had to pay our mechanic to remove them! #hardhead
Early Monday morning, he slowly followed me to Middletown Car Care to drop it off and then I had to drive him to school. Needless to say, it was early morning and you know I am NOT a morning person!
Skirt and Top | JCPenney // Shoes |The Shoe Dept // Necklace | TraciLynn Jewelry
I was not happy nor was he because he had to take my pictures! Oh well, a small price to pay for the cost of having to have those dang tires taken off his car! #teenagers
I am also thankful that my son understands that even though I nag him, I do it only because I have his best interests at heart. Does your children appreciate your nagging, nope, but are you thankful for the nagging your parents did with you?
Okay, it’s your turn, what are you thankful for this week?
Stay Blessed – No Stress in the New Year!
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On Saturday, the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute, held it’s annual From Purses to Portfolios Celebration at the Chase Center on the Riverfront.
This event was held to honor the 2013 Award Recipients, those who had achieved various levels (hours) by participating in Money School Classes, Money Clubs, Special Events and Volunteering. Women achieving various levels ranging from 1-15 hours and up to 250 hours were being recognized, the highest achievement being the Ambassador of Financial Education ~ 250 hours.
The recipient of this award was Elizabeth “Penny” Church for her “Penny’s 2 Dollars Money Club” and she also received the Sandra A. Varano Golden Purse Award.
The other categories of recognition were: Money School Advocate Awards; Executive Director’s Awards and Outstanding Volunteer Awards of which I was also a recipient due to the volunteer hours of instruction for the Blogging 101 and Blogging for Your Small Business classes.
The From Purses to Portfolios Celebration was held in a beautifully decorated ballroom, and on each table there was a vibrant Autumn Mum and a small Gift Bag on each seat. Inside the Gift Bags was a pink FAB pen, Note Cards, “friends don’t let friends drown in debt” magnet, a donation envelop, a card advertising “Money Letters” and a retractable measuring tape from Citi, who was the major sponsor.
Chasing the Dream Exhibitors were set up around the ballroom selling products and attendees walked about chatting and networking. In an adjoining room there was a breakfast buffet, warming trays filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and fried potatoes. As well as tables of yogurt, pastries, bagels, fruit, coffee, tea and juice.
Ronni Cohen, Executive Director opened the program with a warm welcome and explained the levels of achievement and how they are gained through the Money School of Delaware.
Alisha Adams, a Money School instructor gave a beautiful blessing and Quadia Muhmmad, Program Director introduced the Keynote Speaker, Jackie Cummings Koski.
Jackie Cummings Koski, is the Award Winning Author of Money, Letters 2 My Daughter. As one of 6 children raised by a single dad, where money was always short, finances were taboo to talk about and bad money decisions were made, she knew that she wanted her daughter to make better financial decisions in her life.
She was determined to teach her daughter Amber, financial literacy but in a fun and easy way, one that would appeal to her teenage mind. Jackie began to write letters and those letters turned into a best selling book, one that was sent to and acknowledged by the President and First Lady Obama. Money, Letters 2 My Daughter is available in book stores as well as a downloadable ebook.
Jackie ended her presentation with a Group Activity in which she asked us to answer 1 of 4 questions on a “My Money Letter” form. Those willing to reveal their answer on stage were each given a $2 bill which has been significant in Jackie’s life long savings plan.
Ronni returned to the podium to present the 2013 Awards and Door Prizes which included Gift Cards, a WaWa Gift Basket and Books. One of the winners was a man, but in keeping with the FAB motto of “FOR Women ~ ABOUT Women ~ BY Women AND the men in their lives” is was okay!
A game of “What’s in your Purse” was then hosted by Quadia with the winner of having the most items on her list in their purse receiving the table’s Mum.
The event concluded with a book signing by Jackie and more sales by the Chasing the Dream Exhibitors. It was a great day and another wonderful FREE event sponsored by The Delaware Financial Literacy Institute – The Money School of DE.
The 10th Annual From Purses to Portfolios Event will be held next year on October 25th 2014 – so mark your calendars.
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Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday
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As the mother of a teenage driver I am always on pins and needles every time he grabs his keys and leaves the house. There is just so much they can learn in a classroom setting and even with the mandatory driving hours that are required with a Graduated License, once they are on the road alone it can become a life or death situation.
Some teenagers are extremely careful and patient drivers, others not so much and unfortunately I have the latter. I’ve explained to him that driving is a privilege and he should remain ever vigilant when he’s behind the wheel. There are just too many RIP Markers on the sides of the road and a few of you know that I lost my sister in a car accident on September 14th 1992.
I have argued, nagged and yelled at him to drive slowly and also threatened him with the loss of his car, keys and driving privileges if ever stopped for speeding.
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It goes in one ear and out the other and so I think the time has come for more drastic measures. Hubby brought home information from the website Teen Tracking, a plug and play GPS monitoring system and I am seriously considering buying one.
According to the website The Big Brother GPS Locator/Tracker “allows parents to keep a close eye on their new teen drivers. Notifications on speed and boundary violations. Easy 2-wire installation. Installs under dash for covert operation. PoweredbyGPS® technology.” The cost is hefty but the piece of mind is priceless and definitely cheaper than the increase to our monthly car insurance rates!
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Has anyone purchased this Teen Tracking monitor or is there another GPS Tracker that you would suggest?
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Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!
Today is officially the first day of Summer 2013, and school has ended for both my husband and son so let the summer snacking begin! Small children aren’t the only ones who like to snack during the day, my guys are always in and out of the frig or looking in the pantry trying to find something to eat. During a recent grocery shopping trip to Giant/Super G, I found a few new snacks that I think will hold them over between meals.
Fruit is always a great snack and I like to have a variety on hand, grapes, cherries, bananas, apples or grapefruit. I recently began purchasing Mini Sweet Peppers from Sunset Grown which can be eaten raw, in a salad or stuffed with a soft cheese like Laughing Cow. Laughing Cow Lite Creamy Swiss is only 35 calories per wedge and are a great snack with the mini peppers or with a piece of fruit.
Sunset Gourmet Tomatoes are an easy grab-and-go snack and they also add variety to a salad.
Crackers another great snack and these Ritz Crackerfuls are available with Peanut Butter or Cheddar Cheese filled. There are 6 individually wrapped packs in each box, these are made with real peanut butter and 6g of whole grains which to me makes it a healthy snack.
Jello has made several changes over the years and not just to their standard flavors of Chocolate and Vanilla puddings. They have added new flavors with toppings like this Turtle Sundae, a more grown-up option. Unfortunately the packaging has also changed from 6 containers per package to 4, and these new flavors contain only 2.
Dole brand, a leader in fruit snacks have recently introduced Fruit Squish’ems! As you can see these Apple Strawberry fruit pouches aren’t just for tiny toddler’s hands, big teenager hands grab them too! Made from fresh apples in the USA they are only 60 calories each and also make a great grab and go snack.
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A new product by Hormel are these REV Snack Wraps which come in 8 varieties including Pepperoni, Ham & Cheese, Meat Lovers Pizza, Spicy Italian Style, Peppered Turkey, Italian Style Ham and Hot Pepper Ham. I tried one and felt it needed a little mayo or mustard and could have used a few seconds in the microwave to soften the flatbread.
When waiting for dinner is “just too long” these microwavable Hormel Compleats Cafe Creations fill the bill. With a variety to choose from including Chicken Chipotle Pasta and Creamy Chicken Carbonara, no one should have to “starve to death” waiting for dinner!
Last but not least are these new Lunchables Uploaded. I hadn’t purchased a Lunchables since my sons were were in Elementary School, but I had a $1.00 off coupon so I decided to give it a try. Included in this package are the ingredients to make a 6-inch sub; a few slices of Oscar Mayer Lean Turkey, and Kraft cheddar cheese, a packet of Kraft fat free mayo, a 6-inch sub bun, a 10 oz bottle of Spring Water, a Kool-Aid Tropical Punch Single pack, a Pringles Snack Stacks Potato Crisps and 2 Hershey’s Kisses, not bad for $2.50!
What kinds of snacks do you have in the house?
I’ll be on the lookout for more because these won’t last the week!
Linking up with Living Better Together – come on over and join in on the fun!
Have a fantastical day – Smooches!
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Hello Friends and Happy Friday Eve!
Today, my youngest begins volunteering at the Food Bank of Delaware. It’s so very hard to find summer employment for teenagers these days, and he needs gas money, so I made him a deal. He will volunteer 3 hours a day, 3 times a week helping to prepare free summer meals for kids, and I will pay him $50.00 a week for gas and savings.
As a 17 year old male, it’s important for him to build a good work ethic, but to have an opportunity to work in a field that gives back builds character. I want him to understand that not everyone lives a privileged life and that we all have an obligation to help others. Whether it’s in donating money, clothing, food or time, we should all reach out into our communities to lend a helping hand.
Growing up in a housing project in New Rochelle, NY, my sister and I attended summer programs that provided free lunches. Even back then, I knew this not only helped us but our grandmother as well, and that it was important to be grateful. It would upset me when other kids would smash the milk cartons or throw away the fruit, I knew there were others even less fortunate who would have loved to have had that milk or piece of fruit.
If your High School student is also having a hard time finding employment for the summer, consider a volunteer opportunity in your area, it can also be a good topic for their Senior Project.
Have a fantastical day – Smooches!
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Hello Friends and Happy DST Monday!
Woke up thinking it would be a bright and sunny Pre-Spring day, instead it was a dark and damp foggy morning, oh well at least I woke up a lot of people didn’t! (Blessed). The day started out much like most people’s heads…a little foggy, why don’t we abolish Daylight Savings Time, it’s original purpose is no longer valid, what do you think?
Driving in fog is dangerous yet some people feel the need to speed which makes it even worse, unfortunately 6 teenagers lost their lives in Ohio due excessive speeding – God rest their souls! (News Report)
Which brings me to another reason why I don’t like car shopping for my son’s, too many young people die in car crashes. As most of you know my lil sis, Gloria was killed in a car crash in 1992, she was only 29, and not a day goes by that I don’t think of her!
Shake it off … shake it off… sorry, didn’t mean to bring you down!
Let’s clear the way for the outfit of the day.
Black Pencil Skirt – Boscov’s // Colorful Top – GW Boutique (Goodwill) // Animal Print Pumps – DSW // Dooney & Burke Purse – closet staple // Ring and Bracelet – Mizoutlet.com
What do you think about these pumps with this outfit – should I have worn the green cap-toe pumps from Target?
One good thing about Daylight Savings Time it will be a sunshine filled commute home!
Linking up today with #YOLOMondays – join in to meet a new blogger.
Have a fantabulous evening – Smooches!
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Hello Friends, I hope you are having a terrific Tuesday!
Recently, I read an article that had suggestions on the products that you should and should not buy at your local Dollar Stores. I agreed that buying party supplies and paper products was a good idea and with not buying toys which may contain high levels of lead. Purchasing cleaning supplies saves money, but I only buy name brands because some of the others are watered down which makes them a waste of money.
The only statement in the article that I did not agree with was that food items should never be purchased. Granted there are some items in a Dollar/99 Cents store that shouldn’t be purchased because of it’s obvious non-compliance with FDA’s regulations, however, there are a lot of products that I would and have bought at Dollar Tree stores.
The state of the economy has forced us all to be more frugal but my sons are trying to eat me out of house and home! They are always snacking and can easily polish off a large bag of chips in one sitting…wonder where they got that from (lol). Therefore, I am always on the hunt, usually with coupons in hand, in search of snacks that they will eat and be satisfied without breaking the bank.
That’s where Dollar Tree comes in, and it has always been my “go to” store for snacks, even when the boys were small, it was the place to stop before going to the movies. Not all products are sold in all stores and I was surprised with what I found in their freezer section, taking note that packaging was clearly marked Made in the USA, (The Bronx, NY, Altoona, PA, Pennsauken, NJ and Rancho Cucamonga, CA). There are many name brand products made specifically for non-grocery type stores as evidenced by their sizes, however, the quality remains the same and manufacturer’s coupons are accepted.
Turkey Creek Snacks – Pork Rinds/Chicharron (for me)
Pennysticks Brand Pretzels
David Sunflower Seeds
Utz Onion and Garlic Potato Chips
Popcorn Indiana Sea Salt Popcorn
Luigi’s Italian Ice
Baker Best Soft Pretzels
Golden Krust Jamaican Patties
Sapphire Teriyaki Noodles and Vegetables
Our Foods Orange and Teriyaki Chicken
Do you shop at dollar stores, and if so, what do you buy?
Thank you Jennifer and Christine at store # 3730, Beaver Brook Plaza, New Castle, DE, for a pleasant shopping experience. The shelves were fully stocked and the store was very well maintained!
BTW – don’t forget to complete the customer survey on the back of the receipt to enter their sweepstakes!
~~ ALL OPINIONS ARE SOLELY MY OWN – I WAS NOT CONTACTED BY DOLLAR TREE NOR ANY PRODUCT MANUFACTURER FOR AN ENDORSEMENT ~~
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