Suze Orman may be the money guru of today, but sometimes I think she took a page from my parents' handbook on raising financially responsible children. Growing up, my folks paid us for hard work done around the house and allowed us to spend it how we wanted. My chores included cleaning my room, making my bed, helping with dinner, doing dishes, and other things that eased the burden on my mom and step-dad. As we grew older, my sister and I had to set up a budget for our monthly expenditures. Based on our needs and wants, our parents devised a monthly allowance for us. It taught us both that perhaps a Polo shirt wasn't as necessary as the cheaper version available at Target.
You may recall my enthusiasm for Bumkins long-sleeved bibs. The nifty shields keep things clean during eating hours, but they're also stain savers for art projects and cooking experiments. If you're a fan of them, you may be cheering for joy when you see the more affordable options! Simple: The long-sleeved Ikea smocks with a catchall pocket on the tummy are a steal at $4 for a pair! Swank: The original Bumkins bibs come in abundant designs and tie around the back of the neck for extra security. If a Dr. Seuss design suits your fancy, get ready to pony up $18 for the posh protector.
Dashing out on Halloween night often leaves lil time for dinner. But filling up your children's bellies with a meal prior to trick-or-treating cuts down on the candy consumption and sour stomach. If you're looking for fast options, steer clear of the drive-thru and choose something more healthy like a vegetarian pizza on wheat crust, burritos or gyros.
I am still debating going to a Halloween party tonight. If I go, I surely must dress up my bump for the occasion. Check out my slideshow and tell me which garb I should don should I head out for the spooktacular night!
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What happened to the good old days of court jesters, witches, Raggedy Anne and teddy bears? Our society has certainly become less prudish, as evidenced by foul language on TV, pants with MILF written on the rears and sex education in kindergarten.
This Halloween, we are sure to see some young girls trick-or-treating in scantily clad costumes that will have their male counterpart's tongues wagging and parents gasping. What do you think of these costume choices? Appropriate or absurd?
Holidays often mark evident transitions from being childless to having children. But Halloween is perhaps the sharpest contrast when it comes to "pre" versus "post" baby days. My husband and I used to get decked out in costumes and party on vampire time attending house or block parties. Tipping back cocktails and dancing was the adult form of trick-or-treating. Then, with parenthood arrived our obligation to do the mad dash with our darlings.
It's the carefully choreographed dance from work to scarf down dinner, outfit our tots, map a route to all our relatives houses and hit the streets to trick-or-treat. It's a shuffle that has hiccups no matter how much you plan. And, one that is worth wearing plain clothes and watching my children run up and down flights of stairs soliciting candy in their costumes and collecting memories.
Suze Orman may be the money guru of today, but sometimes I think she took a page from my parents' handbook on raising financially responsible children. Growing up, my folks paid us for hard work done around the house and allowed us to spend it how we wanted. My chores included cleaning my room, making my bed, helping with dinner, doing dishes, and other things that eased the burden on my mom and step-dad. As we grew older, my sister and I had to set up a budget for our monthly expenditures. Based on our needs and wants, our parents devised a monthly allowance for us. It taught us both that perhaps a Polo shirt wasn't as necessary as the cheaper version available at Target. 
Ralph Lauren
Fontanelli
Mantaray