25 Manners Every Kid Should Know By Age 9

Helping your child master these simple rules of etiquette will get him noticed -- for all the right reasons.
By David Lowry, Ph.D.

Your child's rude 'tude isn't always intentional. Sometimes kids just don't realize it's impolite to interrupt, pick their nose, or loudly observe that the lady walking in front of them has a large behind. And in the hustle and bustle of daily life, busy moms and dads don't always have the time to focus on etiquette. But if you reinforce these 25 must-do manners, you'll raise a polite, kind, well-liked child.-

Manner #1

When asking for something, say "Please."

Manner #2

When receiving something, say "Thank you."

Manner #3Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is an emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking.
Manner #4
If you do need to get somebody's attention right away, the phrase "excuse me" is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation.
Manner #5
When you have any doubt about doing something, ask permission first. It can save you from many hours of grief later.
Manner #6The world is not interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of adults.
Manner #7Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics unless, of course, it's to compliment them, which is always welcome.
Manner #8When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.
Manner #9
When you have spent time at your friend's house, remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.
Manner #10Knock on closed doors -- and wait to see if there's a response -- before entering.
Manner #11When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling.
Manner #12Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any gift you receive. In the age of e-mail, a handwritten thank-you note can have a powerful effect.
Manner #13Never use foul language in front of adults. Grown-ups already know all those words, and they find them boring and unpleasant.
Manner #14
Don't call people mean names.
Manner #15Do not make fun of anyone for any reason. Teasing shows others you are weak, and ganging up on someone else is cruel.
Manner #16Even if a play or an assembly is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend that you are interested. The performers and presenters are doing their best.
Manner #17If you bump into somebody, immediately say "Excuse me."
Manner #18Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public.
Manner #19
As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else.
Manner #20If you come across a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor working on something, ask if you can help. If they say "yes," do so -- you may learn something new.
Manner #21When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.
Manner #22When someone helps you, say "thank you." That person will likely want to help you again. This is especially true with teachers!
Manner #23Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do.
Manner #24
Keep a napkin on your lap; use it to wipe your mouth when necessary.
Manner #25
Don't reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed.

Win a Go! Baby Fabric Cutter

5 Bills Not to Automate~Frugal Mompreneur

Service providers are happy to give you the "convenience" of automated payments — primarily because it lets them reach into your wallet each and every month. But although autopay can be a valuable financial tool for some bills and expenses, for other types of payments, you may be setting yourself up for all-too-frequent fee hikes, surprise costs, and payments for services you never even use.
Those unexpected costs can hit you with a double whammy, says Jean Ann Fox, director of consumer protection for the Consumer Federation of America. In addition to the extra costs themselves, surprise fee hikes can bleed your account balance dry, she says — and "if you run low in your checking account, you can easily overdraw your account and rack up $35 overdraft fees."
Here are five fees to drop from your automated payment list today.

Mobile Phone Bills
Perhaps the only thing more exasperating than getting your usual sky-high smartphone bill is getting a bill that's even higher than you expect after you've exceeded your plan's texting, phone, or data limits. "If you've got kids, you've got to be paying particular attention to your bills. Oftentimes, they'll download 'free' ringtones that have monthly subscription fees buried in the terms and conditions," says Kathy Kristof, MoneyWatch columnist and author of Investing 101. "If you've automated that expense, you might not notice the charges for months."

"In-app" purchases — such as a game's additional levels, premium features, or virtual goods — also can easily add hundreds of dollars to a monthly bill.

Insurance Payments
Aggressive advertising from insurance companies has conditioned people to look for the very best prices on home and auto insurance. And you can get great deals — for a while. "I call them ungrateful service providers," says Brian Preston, wealth manager at Preston and Cleveland in McDonough, Ga., and host of the Money Guy podcast. "They give great rates to brand-new customers, but then they'll have premium creep over the years, because they hope you're not paying attention." Keep them honest by shopping the rates every year or two.

Utilities
Sitting down to pay water, electric, and heating bills may seem like an onerous chore, but those bills may be the first tipoff that something's out of whack. "If the electric bill is high, maybe it means the refrigerator in the garage has its door open," Kristof says. Big bills will encourage you to investigate problems early.

Gym Memberships
According to a study done by Stanford and Berkeley researchers, most people dramatically overestimate the number of times they go to the gym each month — in essence paying $17 a visit with a monthly fee. "One technique you can use to save money is to pay a la carte," says Ramit Sethi, author of the blog and book I Will Teach You to Be Rich. "It sounds crazy to buy a day pass each time you go, but that may actually save you money."

Other options include buying packages of passes (often found at climbing gyms and yoga studios) or using smartphone apps to support your (free) workout. The free Adidas miCoach app, for example, tracks the distance and speed of your runs while piping helpful coaching advice into your earbuds.

Cable Bills
Cable used to have a lock on the best programming, but that's changing quickly. Instead of shelling out three figures every month to get your weekly Mad Men fix, consider individual purchases from iTunes or Amazon. "When you're forced to experience the pain of paying each time you purchase a show, you might decide you don't actually want it," says Sethi. "It can also get people out of the house and off the TV."

Still want your TV and movie fix? You can add top-flight movies streamed over your internet connection from Netflix for a more reasonable cost of $8 a month and many past and current TV shows from Hulu Plus for $8 a month.

Resources:Finance:Yahoo.com

Saving Money At Walmart~Frugal Mompreneur Tips

As we continue to analyze shopping strategies at the nation’s largest retailers, including how to save money at CVS, Kroger, Walgreens, Target, Safeway and Rite Aid, we finally reach the big kahuna: Walmart.


Walmart is the 18th largest corporation in the world, the biggest private employer in the world and the largest grocery retailer in the United States – whew! Fortunately, despite the grand titles, shopping at the mega-retailer is actually a breeze. Here’s what you need to know about Walmart before shopping:

Sales Cycle: Walmart does not regularly put out weekly ads. Instead, what you’ll need to watch for are “Roll Back” prices, which are sales prices at the store. Combine those Roll Back sales with a coupon and you’ll maximize your savings!

Rewards Program: Walmart does not have a rewards card or program.

Coupon Policy: You can view Walmart’s full coupon policy on their website, but here is a brief overview:

•Walmart accepts the following types of coupons: Manufacturer’s coupons, Catalina coupons (except those that are dollars/cents/percentage off the entire basket purchase), store coupons, pharmacy coupons, Internet coupons and soft drink container caps.

•Walmart does accept Internet printable coupons, but there are a few guidelines: coupons must be legible/scannable and have the words “Manufacturer Coupon” printed on them. There must be a valid remit address for the manufacturer and an expiration date.

•Walmart does accept competitor coupons, so long as the coupon matches the item requirement for size, brand and product with a specific price listed. They will also match competitor prices. Simply tell the cashier the price match before scanning your item. You don’t need to bring in the full ad, as cashiers will have copies at the register to verify price. You can also price match an item and then use a manufacturer coupon. But, keep in mind, Walmart will not price match sales such as “spend $25, save $5” or prices based on rain checks.

•Walmart does NOT allow you to stack coupons. You can only use one coupon per item.

•Walmart does offer “overage,” meaning they will pay you to take an item out of the store if the coupon value exceeds the purchase price of an item. The excess may be given as cash or applied toward the basket purchase.

•Walmart does NOT double coupons.

Extras: If you follow Walmart on Twitter, you will get a “Deal a Day” tweet. And you can view those daily deals on their website. You can also sign up for mobile alerts, where you will receive four Roll Back alerts per week.

Use the Walmart Store Locator to find the nearest supercenter is in your area.

Resources: Kate Parham

How To Save Money At Target~Frugal Mompreneur

If you're going to shop there anyway, you might as well make the most of your dollar, right? We help you do just that in the fourth article of a five-part series outlining the best ways to save money at the nation’s leading retailers. So far, we’ve looked at saving money at CVS, Krogerand Walgreens. Now, it’s time to learn how we can maximize our savings at Target, the second largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. Here’s what you need to know about Target before shopping:

Sales Cycle: Target's sales cycles run Sunday through Saturday, meaning that advertised sale prices change on Sunday. However, keep in mind Target's sale prices can vary regionally and sometimes even from store-to-store within the same area.

Money Saving Tips: While Target doesn’t have a rewards program, there are a lot of ways to get additional savings at the discount retailer. First, Target offers dozens of printable coupons online, with no printing limit. So, you can print 500 coupons for toothpaste if the deal is just that good! If you’d prefer to save your computer's paper and ink, you can even print coupons at Target stores at the Registry computers. You can also sign up to receive mobile coupons straight to your phone.
Another plus when shopping at Target is the store’s “Gift Card Promos.” Often times, when you buy a certain amount of a particular product, you will receive a $5 gift card. Combine these offers with coupons, and you can often make money on your purchases! To check whether or not a product is participating in a gift card promo, scan the product’s barcode at one of the store's red machines located at the end of aisles. The screen will show you the price and the corresponding promo.
In addition to gift card promos, Target has a national markdown schedule. Every two weeks, items will continue to be marked down until sold out or until the discount reaches 75 percent. You can find these items at the clearance racks, typically on the end caps of aisles. And finally, Target offers a $0.05 bag credit if you bring your own bags to carry your merchandise home.

Coupon Policy: Below is a summary of Target's coupon policy:

• Target accepts the following types of coupons: Target store coupons, manufacturer coupons, Internet printable coupons and mobile coupons.
• Target does not accept competitor coupons, but they will match competitor prices if the advertisement is local, current and the product being matched is identical.
• Target offers price adjustments within seven days of purchase.
• Target allows you to stack one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon per item.
• For promotional "Buy One, Get One Free" (BOGO) sales, you may not use two coupons or promos to get two free items. Unless stated otherwise on the coupon, the use of one BOGO coupon requires that you purchase two valid items, where you pay the full price for the second item.
• Target does not offer "overage," meaning they will never pay you to take the item out of the store. So if the coupon value exceeds the purchase price of an item, the cashier will adjust the price of the item to match the coupon amount.
• Target does not double or triple coupons.
• All Internet printable coupons must have a bar code and be scannable.
• Target does offer rain checks on out-of-stock items, except gift card promotions. Target rain checks expire 45 days after issue.

Extras: Target has a large trial size section filled with items usually marked at around $1.00. While some coupons exclude trial sizes, some do not specify a size requirement. If you have a coupon that doesn’t exclude trial size, you can often score free products in this section.

Use the Target Store Locator to see where the nearest Target store is in your area.

Photo credit: Target Springfield, VA by j.reed on Flickr
Resources: Kate Parham

How To Save Money At Walgreens~Frugal Mompreneur Tips

If you’ve been following along here, you know we’ve been analyzing coupon policies and saving strategies at some of the nation’s leading retailers. First up was how to save money at CVS and Kroger. Now it’s time to look at Walgreens, the largest drugstore chain in the United States with more than 8,100 stores. Here’s what you need to know about Walgreens before shopping:
Sales Cycle: Walgreens sales cycles run Sunday through Saturday, meaning that the advertised sale prices change on Sunday. Walgreens also includes coupons right in their weekly ad, which can be used in conjunction with manufacturer coupons. In addition to weekly deals, Walgreens also offers monthly deals in their monthly coupon booklet and Register Rewards coupons.

 

Rewards Program: While Walgreens doesn’t have a loyalty card, it does offer Register Rewards (RRs), which are good for cash off of your next purchase. RRs are printed at the end of your cash register receipt, like Catalinas, and RR deals are advertised in Walgreen’s weekly ad.

When using Register Rewards, keep in mind that if you buy two different items that will result in a RR, you will get one reward for each different product you have. BUT, if you buy two of the same item, you will only received one Register Reward. To get two RRs for two of the same item, you must purchase the items in separate transactions.
Also important to note: You cannot “roll” RRs, meaning you cannot use a Register Reward to pay for the same item in a subsequent transaction and receive an additional RR. But, there is a loophole. If you find two different products that trigger the same value Register Reward, you can alternate buying those items in separate transactions, paying for the second transaction with the first register reward, and so on.
Bonus: The Coupon Dictionary: Your Guide to Coupon Lingo
Coupon Policy: Now that we’re familiar with RRs, let’s look at Walgreens’ coupon policy.

• Walgreens accepts the following types of coupons: Walgreens store coupons, manufacturer coupons, Internet printable coupons and Register Rewards. Walgreens does not accept competitor coupons and will not match competitor prices.
• Walgreens allows you to “stack” one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon per item. You can then use RRs in addition to these coupons, but in the event that any item’s selling price is less than the value of the coupon, Walgreens will only accept the coupon in exchange for the selling price of the item. Coupon redemption can never exceed the selling price of an item.
• For promotional “Buy One, Get One Free” (BOGO) sales (where the sale is in-store at Walgreens, not initiated through a coupon), you may use two manufacturer’s coupons toward the purchase or another manufacturer’s BOGO coupon, resulting in two free items, as long as the final price doesn’t go below zero.
• Walgreens does not offer overage, meaning it will never pay you to take the item out of the store. So if the coupon value exceeds the purchase price of an item, the cashier will adjust the price of the item to match the coupon amount.
• Walgreens does not double or triple coupons.
• All Internet printable coupons must have a bar code.

Bonus: Secrets of Extreme Couponers

Extras: At Walgreens, you must have at least as many items as you have coupons. So, if you are buying one item, and you have one manufacturer coupon and one Register Reward, you will need to add a “filler” item. This applies to all coupons. Look for a clearance item, pack of gum, individual caramel or Sunday newspaper to add as a filler item – something less than $0.50 is ideal.

Final Tip: There’s some debate about the best order to use your coupons. The general consensus, however, is to apply your Register Rewards first, followed by Walgreens store coupons and finally manufacturer coupons.
Use the Walgreens Store Locator to see where the nearest Walgreens store is in your area and start saving!

Resources: Kate Parham

How To Save Money At Kroger~Frugal Mompreneur Tips

Yesterday, we talked about how to save money at CVS, one of the nation’s largest retail pharmacy chains. This week, in part two of our five-part series about saving money at the country’s biggest retailers, it’s all about grocery shopping with coupons at the largest grocery store chain in the United States: Kroger. Here’s what you need to know about Kroger before shopping:Sales Cycle: Kroger sales cycles run Wednesday through Tuesday, meaning that the advertised sales prices change on Wednesday.
Related: Top 5 Places to Find Coupons
Rewards Program: By filling out a short form at Kroger’s customer service desk, you can get a Kroger Plus Card. Use this card every time you shop in order to get advertised sale prices on hundreds of products in the store. If you register your card on the Kroger website, you will frequently receive coupons in the mail, including periodic coupon booklets and personalized coupons based on your shopping habits.
What’s more? For every $100.00 you spend using your Plus Card, you will save $0.10 per gallon on any grade fuel on your next fill-up at participating Kroger and Shell gas stations.
Related: The Coupon Dictionary: Your Guide to Coupon Lingo
Coupon Policy: Kroger is known for having one of the best coupon policies, primarily because they allow you to double and even triple coupons! Let’s take a look:

• Kroger accepts the following types of coupons: Kroger store coupons, manufacturer coupons, Internet printable coupons, Catalina coupons and eCoupons. Kroger does not accept competitor coupons and will not match competitor prices. Kroger does not accept expired coupons.
• To load eCoupons to your Plus Card, visit websites like Kroger, Cellfire, ShortCuts and P&G.
• Kroger allows you to stack one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon per item. Kroger does not allow you to stack eCoupons with other coupons. So use your paper coupons first, then scan your Plus Card.
• For promotional “Buy One, Get One Free” (BOGO) sales (where the sale is at Kroger, not a coupon), you may use two manufacturer’s coupons toward the purchase or another manufacturer’s BOGO coupon, resulting in two free items.
• If a manufacturer’s coupon exceeds the price of the item, the excess will be applied to the basket purchase. If excess is greater than amount due on the total order after all coupons are redeemed, the excess will be given in cash. So, essentially, Kroger could pay you to take merchandise out of the store.
• Kroger will double coupons up to $0.50 and triple coupons up to $0.39. So if you have a $0.50/1 coupon, that coupon becomes a $1/1 coupon at Kroger. And a $0.30/1 coupon becomes a $0.90/1 coupon. But a $0.51 coupon will be redeemed at face value. The doubling will happen automatically at the register, ringing up as a “Bonus Coupon” underneath your original coupon. Kroger will not double or triple eCoupons.

Related: Secrets of Extreme Couponers

Extras: Kroger frequently has 10 for $10 sales. Most shoppers think this means you have to buy 10 items. You don’t! The sale simply means that those items are $1 a piece, no matter how many you buy. The same principle applies to other sales, like two for $4. You don’t have to buy two items to get them for the $2 sale price.

However, Kroger also regularly has “Mega Sale” events, which do require the purchase of a certain number of items. The sale is usually something like, “Buy 10 participating items and save $5 instantly.” The good news is that you can mix and match different products participating in the sale. But, the not-so-great news is that you must buy 10 participating items to get the $5 credit. Even if you buy more than 10 items, you’ll have to do it in groups of 10 in order to get the credit.

Final Tip: A great way to save even more money at Kroger is to fill prescriptions at their pharmacy. Why? In the weekly ad, Kroger commonly provides a coupon for $25 worth of merchandise when you transfer or buy a new prescription. So next time you need a refill, present this coupon when you check out at the pharmacy and get $25 in free groceries on your next shopping trip. The credit will be automatically applied to your Plus Card.

Author:Kate Parham

How To Save Money At CVS~Frugal Mompreneur Tips

We’ve been talking a lot about couponing lately (e.g. where to find coupons, couponing secrets and coupon lingo), but it’s time to put our money where our mouth is. This is the first article, in a series of five, that will outline the best ways to shop at five of the nation’s leading retailers to maximize your savings. Each store has their own coupon policy, rewards program and sales cycles, so it’s important to learn the ins and outs of your preferred retailer. Up first: CVS. Stay tuned for Kroger, Walgreens, Safeway and Target.
CVS is one of the nation’s largest retail pharmacy chains with over 7,000 stores. Here’s what you need to know about CVS before shopping:
Sales Cycle: CVS sales cycles run Sunday through Saturday, meaning that the advertised sales prices change on Sunday. In addition to weekly deals, CVS also offers monthly deals, which are advertised in the monthly ECB booklet. What’s an ECB, you ask? ECBs, or “ExtraCare Bucks,” are CVS currency that you earn for cash off future purchases. You can find out how many ECBs you earned with each purchase by checking out your receipt.

Rewards Program: If you’re going to shop at CVS, you’ll want to sign up for the CVS ExtraCare Rewards Card so that you can receive ExtraCare Bucks. Every non-prescription purchase you make earns you 2 percent in ECBs, credited to your ExtraCare account. At the end of each quarter, you’ll get the value in your account back as ExtraCare Bucks to use on a future purchase! And, as if that weren’t enough, you’ll also earn $1 for every two prescriptions filled using your ExtraCare card. Many other items sold at CVS will also produce an ECB when purchased, which you can find in your local ad circular.
The best way to use ExtraCare Bucks is to combine them with a great sale price, a CVS coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon (also known as coupon “stacking”). You’ll get an even better deal if you can “roll” your ECBs from one transaction into the next, eventually resulting in zero out-of-pocket expense. Here’s how it works:

First, scan your local ad circular to see which products will generate ECBs. For example, let’s say Crest toothpaste is on sale; purchase one tube for $2 and get $2 back in ECBs. Use those ECBs to pay for the next transaction – a second tube, which will generate $2 more in ECBs. And so on. To maximize savings, use the ECBs you earned from a transaction to buy something in a subsequent transaction. If you can pay for an item with ECBs, then get more ECB from the transaction, even better! Just remember, you must use your individual ECBs at one time. So, if you use a $2 in ExtraCare Bucks on a $1 purchase, you forfeit the extra $1.
Coupon Policy: Now that we’re familiar with ECBs, let’s look at the CVS coupon policy:

• CVS accepts the following types of coupons: CVS store coupons, manufacturer coupons, Internet printable coupons and ECBs. CVS does not accept competitor coupons and will not match competitor prices.
• CVS allows you to stack one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon per item. You can then use ECBs in addition to these coupons. If there is a limit in the ad for the Extra Bucks items, this limit is per CVS ExtraCare Card, not per transaction.
• For promotional “Buy One, Get One Free” (BOGO) sales at the store (not initiated by a coupon), you may use two manufacturer’s coupons toward the purchase or another manufacturer’s BOGO coupon, resulting in two free items.
• CVS does not offer overage, meaning it will never pay you to take the item out of the store. If the coupon value exceeds the purchase price of an item, the cashier will adjust the price of the item to match the coupon amount.
• CVS does not double or triple coupons.
• All Internet printable coupons must have a bar code.
• CVS does offer rain checks, or a piece of paper that you’ll get when the store is out of an item that is on sale. Once the item is back in stock, you can use your rain check to purchase it for the sale price, including any ECB offers. At CVS, rain checks do not expire.

Extras: When you first walk into a CVS, you may notice a bright yellow kiosk, called the CVS Coupon Center. When you scan your ExtraCare card at one of these coupon centers, a CVS store coupon based on your shopping habits will be presented to you. These coupons are randomly generated, so not every shopper at every store will get the same offers.

Final Tip: The order in which you present your coupons is incredibly important at CVS. To maximize your savings, make sure to present coupons in this order:

1. Dollar off store coupons (e.g. $3 off a purchase of $15);
2. CVS coupons;
3. Manufacturer’s coupons;
4. ExtraCare Bucks.

Use the CVS Store Locator to find out where the nearest CVS store is in your area and start shopping saving!
Author: Kate Parham

Scented Salted Dough Balls~Frugal Mompreneur Tips

I love walking into a room that has that beautiful Aroma. Studies have shown that certain smells can affect your moods, energy, evoke vivid memories and powerful emotions. I personally love the smell of Lemon Grass, to me, it makes the room feel clean and bright. I find that lemon grass also appeals to men, they seem to recognize the fragrance and comment on how much they like it. I often use lemon scented Eucalyptus, it is sort of antiseptic smell and one that is great if you are feeling a 'bit under the weather', maybe the beginnings of the flue. Also reminds me of the bush in Australia.
It is has been suggested that certain odors can create a healthier home and work environment.
An example, and I am sure we have all done this, when you enter a room with a "oh that smells beautiful" makes you feel good, or when someone forgot to empty the garbage bag with last nights prawn shells in it. The reaction to the garbage smell is, your face immediately becomes screwed up, mood changes to accusingly, "Who didn't take out the garbage last night" and you become that unpleasant person.

I think everyone has their preference to an Aroma. The smell that you enjoy may not be the same for your partner or spouse so it is a good thing to find an aroma that suits you both. I know my husband is not very keen on the odour of Ylang Ylang, me, I love it.

You have hundreds of different essential aromatherapy oils. My suggestion is not to use fragrant oils. They are usually made from artificial scents and to me are very overpowering, stay with the pure oils. Men usually don't like those strong scented sort of smells but will handle the subtle smell of pure essential oils.

Some of the oils can be rather expensive, although lemon grass and lavender are normally reasonably priced. Only a drop or two is needed and a small bottle will last a long time.
Rather than use candles and an aroma burner, I found this recipe for Scented salt dough balls. The scented dough balls can last for a very long time and only take a drop or two of oil on them every now and then to keep that nice fragrance in you room. These can also make nice gifts.

You Need
2 cups plain flour
1 cup table salt
1 cup of water
1/4 tsp essential oil

Method
Mix the water into the flour and salt to make a modelling-type dough. Add a few drops of food colouring for your desired coloring before adding the oil.
Knead well until smooth, roll into small balls and leave to dry.

Dry the balls in a warm place over several days, or speed up the process by placing them in an oven at a very low temperature for a few hours
Tip: Adding 1 tbsp of lemon juice helps the dough to harden.
You are able to perfume a room with these balls and look nice, placed in an attractive ceramic bowl. They harden after a period but remain absorbent and can be regularly refreshed with a few drops of oil.

Unlike potpourri dough balls do not get dusty and dry over time. As the balls get impregnated with the oil, they develop a glossy appearance. Instead of balls you can also try other shapes such as shell shapes or fruit shapes. What ever takes your fancy

Resources: Lesley Voth

What not to buy at Ikea! ~ Frugal Mompreneur Tips

What Not to Buy at Ikea

Ikea offers sleek, modern design at such reasonable prices it’s no wonder that the average customer in the United States drives 50 miles round trip to shop the inspiration rooms (and inevitably dine at the equally impressive smorgasbord of cafeteria food). While we’re huge fans of the Scandinavian design behemoth'strendy home accents, chic wall art, graphic rugs, and highly functional accent furniture, there are certain things not worth the trip. Here are five items you’d be wise to re-think:

1. Mattresses
When it comes to mattresses, the saying you get what you pay for rings true. And because getting consistent good nights’ sleeps is crucial for your health, opting for a quality mattress is a wise investment. Ikea offers mattresses at a price range from $80 for a simple, twin-sized spring mattress to $649 for a king-size foam mattress. While the latter promises pressure-relieving and temperature-stabilizing technology at a seemingly reasonable price, the price structure is a bit misleading. To walk away from Ikea with a complete bed set, you’d have to purchase three more items: A bed base, foundation, and at least one mattress pad, adding almost $500 more to your total cost. What seems like a good deal on the surface, actually turns out to be what you’d be spend for a full set at any other mattress retailer, such as Mancini’s Sleep World or Sleep Train. Furthermore, you don’t get the free delivery and set-up or the ability to negotiate payment plans like you would at most mattress-specific retailers, which are constantly offering promotions and deals in an effort to stay competitive.

2. Imitation Wood Products You’ll Use Every Day
Ikea is full of products that look like wood but are actually made of laminate or pressed wood—or wood particles glued together. These pieces are generally of lower quality and won’t last as long as the real thing. While purchasing accent furniture or bookshelves in this material might serve you well, you might find yourself replacing that laminate coffee or dining table within a year as the daily use will cause the laminate to peal away at the edges or become stained or scratched.

3. Dinnerware
If you’re looking for a simple, no-frills dinner set, Ikea's $25 set of six plates, side plates, and bowls, might fit your needs. But you’d be able to find a similar set at Target or other retailers for the same price. And if you’d like your flatware to make a bit more of a statement, Ikea’s selection is lacking. While the Scandinavian purveyor offers more than enough ways to add flair to your pad at a reasonable price, their specialty is not stylish flatware. We recommend filling your Ikea cart with tabletop accents or fabulous wall decals, but scooping up china flatware when department stores like Macy's offer sales because you’ll have much more inventory to choose from.

4. Quality Cutlery
Any professional chef or avid home cook will tell you that a quality set of knives is essential. And unfortunately, quality requires investment. There’s no way the $10 set Ikea offers will provide the ease, precision, longevity, or efficiency that a professional knife set promises.

5. Things with Complicated Assembly Instructions
Unless you’re a natural handyman (or know someone who is) or simply must have that bookshelf that comes in a gazillion pieces, be wary of some of the items that require a huge amount of DIY assembly. Purchasing a fully-formed bookshelf elsewhere for a bit more might be worth what you save in time and sanity.

Resources: Yahoo.Shine

Little ways to lose big pounds

Getty Images

By Jessica Girdwain

It's a familiar story: You pledge to honor a daily elliptical routine and count every last calorie. But soon, you're eating cupcakes at the office and grabbing happy hour mojitos, thinking,Oops, diet over.

There is a better way: Swap the all-or-nothing approach for one or two healthy switch-ups in your daily routine. "Doing this can lead to more weight loss than you ever imagined," says Marissa Lippert, R.D., author of The Cheater's Diet.

In fact, we talked to readers who knocked off 10, 25, even 60 pounds with some easy tweaks. Borrow their slim-down secrets to transform your body the real-world way.

Swap your go-to order"I used to eat out at restaurants up to nine times a week! By cutting back to just once a week and ordering a grilled chicken salad instead of a large bowl of pasta, I've lost 20 pounds in one month."—Kerri Butler, Joplin, MO

Skip the salty aisle "I reached my goal weight after I stopped routinely buying snacks at the grocery store. If I wanted a bag of chips or a candy bar, I had to walk to the store to get it. That inconvenience usually made me ignore my cravings." —Heather Del Baso, Worcester, MA
Run your butt off "When I wanted to fit into my skinny jeans again, I started running 20 minutes a day during my lunch hour. In two months, I've lost 20 pounds, have tons of energy, and just finished my first 5K. Those jeans? They're too big now!" —Lauren Castor, Anniston, AL
Pile on the veggies"By adding vegetables to the foods I love—like eating pizza topped with arugula and green peppers instead of pepperoni—I became so full so quickly that I no longer had room to eat things like chips or super-rich desserts. I said good-bye to four dress sizes!" —Janessa Mondestin, New York City, NY

Brave a new class"Two months ago, I started going to Zumba twice a week. The crazy dance routines really tone your muscles—especially legs and abs—and give you a heart-pounding cardio workout. Eleven pounds later, I've almost reached my goal weight." —Morgan Howe, Rochester, NY
Nix nighttime eating"Each time I needed to lose the baby weight, I stopped eating after 6:30 p.m. five nights a week. The other two evenings were reserved for nights out. Most of what I'd eat at night was junk food anyway, so it took only two months to get my pre-baby body back." —Deborah Gilboa, Pittsburgh, PA
Have a 300-calorie breakfast"I used to skip breakfast, but now I never go without. I always eat about 300 calories of a healthy mix of protein and whole grains. My go-to meal: a sandwich with natural peanut butter and apple butter. It keeps my hunger down so I snack less throughout the day. In a little over a year, I've shed 65 pounds." —Bo Hale, Tulsa, OK

Save room for your dessert "I budget for the treats I love. By eating healthy snacks like carrots and hummus, I have calories to splurge on a piece of chocolate and glass of wine each night. And I've still managed to lose 20 pounds in three months." —Elaine Higginbotham, Fort Worth, TX
Get fired up"I loaded my iPod with jams that make me look forward to going to the gym. They energize me, allowing me to pick up speed on the elliptical—and because I want to hear my entire playlist, my workouts are longer now. Two months later, I'm down 13 pounds and have killer legs." —Kara Marshall, York, ME
Kick the habit"I quit smoking, and right away joined a gym and started working out with a personal trainer. There was no way I could exercise and feel healthy if I kept lighting up. I've already dropped 37 pounds in three months!" —Leila Fathi, Memphis,TN

Do a purge"I totally cleaned out my pantry. Once I replaced the foods I used to overindulge in, like ice cream, with lower-cal snacks, such as roasted sunflower seeds or Special K Chocolatey Delight cereal, I began making better choices automatically. Now, I'm slimmer than I was before I had my two kids!" —Lori Feldman, Coconut Creek, FL

Get fit in five"I try to fit in small bouts of exercise whenever possible, like doing jumping jacks or crunches during television commercials or dancing while washing dishes. This burns extra calories and keeps me from mindlessly munching in front of the TV. Now my clothes fit way better, and I'm more toned than ever." —Megan Tiscareno, Hammond, IN
Don't supersize it"When going out for fast food, I used to get the large-size value meal. Now, I satisfy a craving by ordering just one item: a small order of fries or a six-piece box of chicken nuggets. So far, I've shaved off 16 pounds in seven weeks, and I'm on track to being thinner than my high school self for my 10-year reunion later this year."—Miranda Jarrell, Birmingham, AL
Downward dog it"Yoga has become the best thing for my relationship with food and my body. From practicing it several times a week, I'm now more in touch with my hunger cues—so I eat intuitively and stop when I'm full. I've gone down a jeans size, and my cellulite has disappeared!"—Jessica Nicklos, Morgantown, WV
Healthy up your happy hour"After work, my colleagues and I always grabbed dinner—and it was usually deep-fried. Then we changed things up. Instead of nights out, we started walking and running around a local track. A year later, I'm down 40 pounds." —Ellen Setzer, Cleveland, OH

Walk with spot "My dog and I go for a walk every day, even if it's for just 10 minutes around the block. When the weather is horrible, her enthusiasm gives me the incentive to get out when I wouldn't dare lace up my sneakers otherwise. All the walking adds up: I've lost more than 50 pounds this past year." —Jamie Altholz, Denver, CO
Resources: Shine.yahoo.com