Kids and Socializing Online

Social networking sites, chat rooms, virtual worlds, and blogs are how teens and tweens socialize online; it's important to help your child learn how to navigate these spaces safely.

Read here
http://www.onguardonline.gov/articles/0012-kids-and-socializing-online

Homeschool Hows & Whys

Great site filled with articles, tips and resources for the homeschooling family!

"A blog for homeschoolers and others who want to know why education does not work today in most schools or for most homeschoolers, and what can be done about it."

Click link for info -
http://www.connectthethoughts.net/blog

Cyber Alerts for Parents & Kids Tip #1: Be Prudent When Posting Images Online

With the explosive popularity of smartphones and social media platforms, sharing photos has never been easier. Millions of pictures are uploaded to the web every day, and camera-enabled mobile phones are the perennial top-selling consumer electronic devices. So it’s a safe bet that even more photos will be cropping up on image-hosting communities and personal websites.

But what exactly is being shared?

Continue reading this very informative article here -
http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/december/cyber_122211/cyber_122211

Color Coded Folders/Notebooks Tip for School

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/tip/daily-tips/purchase-color-coded-folders-and-notebooks?cid=PAR/smd/20130504/facebook/dtipcolorcodesupplies//PAR/content/9am

FTC Releases Top 10 Complaint Categories for 2012

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released its top 10 complaint categories for 2012. For the first time ever, the agency received more than two million complaints. Of the two million complaints, 18 percent were related to identity theft. Of those 18 percent, almost half were related to tax or wage fraud.

Here is a complete list of the top 10 complaint categories:
Identity Theft - 369,132 complaints
Debt collection - 199,721 complaints
Banks and Lenders - 132,340 complaints
Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales - 115,184 complaints
Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries - 98,479 complaints
Impostor Scams - 98,479 complaints
Internet Services - 81,438 complaints
Auto-Related Complaints - 78,062 complaints
Telephone and Mobile Services - 76,783 complaints
Credit Cards - 51,550 complaints

The FTC uses the Consumer Sentinel Network to record complaints throughout the year. The secure database is available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies across the country and helps agencies research cases and track targets.

Learn more about the 2012 complaints from FTC here
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/02/sentineltop.shtm

4 Ways to Form Green Habits

by Jessica Harlan

"I realized that no matter how good my intentions are, sometimes it’s hard to remember to get into eco-friendly habits. Do you have the same problem? Here are some ways that you can give yourself a gentle reminder until certain sustainable actions become habit."

Read her 4 tips here
https://www.recyclebank.com/live-green/4-Ways-to-Form-Green-Habits?cm_mmc=Marketing-_-Facebook-_-Article-_-4WaysGreenHabits48

The 10 Worst Things You're Doing With Your Smartphone

By Kiona Smith-Strickland

Despite increasing threats to smartphones, security still seems lax among most users. Millions of people make these smartphone security mistakes every day.

Read article here
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/tips/the-10-worst-things-youre-doing-with-your-smartphone-15216505

13 Free Things to See and Do Without Spending Alot of Money (Seniors)

by Jeff Yeager, AARP

Before reaching for your wallet, see what things you can get or do without spending a dime. Who said 13 is an unlucky number? Here are 13 free ways to save money in 2013. Sounds like a pretty lucky New Year to me!

Read list of things here
http://www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-01-2013/13-fabulous-freebies.html

Going to College or Career School? Submit the FAFSA to Get Financial Aid

The federal government provides more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds to students each year. In order to get that money, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly called the FAFSA.

Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and easier than ever, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school. In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA data to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid.

Click here for more info and to submit application
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

How To Stop Wasting So Much Food in the Kitchen

Whether you're cooking for 10 or for one, wasting food in the kitchen is easy no matter how strictly you plan everything. Of course, planning is the first and most important part, but if you're no good at that we've got tips for organizing your fridge and finding alternatives for food on its way out. Let's start with the ever-important plan.

Read post here
http://lifehacker.com/5906225/ways-to-stop-wasting-so-much-food-in-the-kitchen

How I Spy On My Kids Online

Posted by Ann Brenoff Senior Writer, The Huffington Post

I want a "Scared Straight" program for kids who, like my son, think they are immune to the landmines of the online world. I want someone to grab him by his shoulders and scream him into reality, the way those terrifying prison-lifers did to troubled kids in the 1978 award-winning documentary...The underlying message of "Scared Straight" was clear: Do you want to wind up like this scary prison guy? No? Then stop what you are doing, now.

Read her post here
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ann-brenoff/spying-on-kids-online_b_2839081.html?utm_medium=referral&utm_hp_ref=new-york&ir=New%20York&utm_source=t.co

10 Ways to Save Money on Your Prescriptions

Posted by AJReissig

It is estimated that over 50% of Americans take a prescription medication on a daily basis. With the rising cost of prescription medications, it only makes sense to look for ways to save money on prescriptions. What follows is a list of ten things you can do to save money on prescription medications.

Read post here
http://thethriftynation.com/save-money-2/save-money-prescriptions/334

Top 25 Free e-books Sites, the Definitive List

"...You’re in luck because Amazon is no the only site where you can get yourself some good e-book titles. In fact, we have compiled 25 of these sites that offer free e-books download."

Read the list here
http://socialtimes.com/top-25-free-e-books-sites-the-definitive-list_b7595?red=rb

5 Best Stone Age Parenting Practices

Published on March 8, 2013 by Mark van Vugt, Ph.D. in Naturally Selected

What traditional societies can teach us about raising our children ...

Read his article here
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/naturally-selected/201303/5-best-stone-age-parenting-practices

7 Ways to Fight Illness With Immune-Boosting Foods

posted by Tara

The cold and flu season is here in full force. With the changes in weather and cold temperatures, many of you may find yourself battling a variety of pesky bugs and viruses. Fortunately, there are a number of foods to add to your diet to help boost your immune system and give you a leg up. Don’t wait until you’re sick to starting eating these foods. Do it now!

Read article here
http://www.socialmoms.com/food/7-ways-to-fight-illness-with-these-immune-boosting-foods

Teach Your Kids to Stand Up to Bullies

by Aurelia

Bullying isn’t just specific to classrooms — your child can be bullied within the comfort of your home. Through social media, your teen can become the target of around-the-clock cyber bullying. Here are some tips if your son or daughter or someone you know is being bullied — and advice for ending (or preventing) the vicious cycle of aggression.

Read article here
http://parentingmyteen.com/2013/teach-your-teen-to-stand-up-to-bullies

Access to over 500 Support Groups

Health Issues & Life Challenges....Research The Latest Drugs, Treatments And Alternative Therapies

More info click here
http://www.dailystrength.org

20 questions to ask your kids

by Tracy Chappell

"A friend of mine told me about this ritual she started with her daughter on her third birthday and, of course, I fell in love with it. (Yes, she got it from Pinterest.) It’s a list of 20 questions to ask your child each year on her birthday, with the idea that you’d create a book of them, giving you a snapshot of your child at that moment in time"

Read her list here
http://www.todaysparent.com/blogs/tracys-mama-memoirs/20-questions-to-ask-your-kids

Why Do People Stay in Abusive Relationships?

People who have never been abused often wonder why a person wouldn’t just leave. They don't understand that breaking up can be more complicated than it seems.

There are many reasons why both men and women stay in abusive relationships. If you have a friend in an unhealthy relationship, support them by understanding why they may choose to not leave immediately.

Read post here
http://www.loveisrespect.org/is-this-abuse/why-do-people-stay-in-abusive-relationships

Know Your Stuff: The 110 Best DIY Tips Ever

Posted by the Editors

For Popular Mechanics' 110th anniversary, we decided to do something special: We dived into our archives to find the 110 best, handiest, and most helpful tips ever printed in PM. It's more than a century of DIY wisdom. You can read the introduction to the project here.

View the complete list here
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/skills/know-your-stuff-the-110-best-diy-tips-ever

8 Things Not to Keep in Your Wallet

by By Emily Inverso | Kiplinger – Mon, Jul 9, 2012 1:00 PM EDT

With just your name and Social Security number, identity thieves can open new credit accounts and make costly purchases in your name. If they can get their hands on (and doctor) a government-issued photo ID, they can do even more damage, such as opening new bank accounts. These days, con artists are even profiting from tax-return fraud and health-care fraud, all with stolen IDs.

Read this informative article here
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/8-things-not-to-keep-in-your-wallet.html

How Secure Are You Online: The Checklist

by Thorin Klosowski

"...For the purpose of this post, we're breaking down online security into four essential parts: passwords, browsers, at-home Wi-Fi and networking, and browsing on public Wi-Fi. Within those categories we'll give you a checklist of everything you should do, from the bare minimum to the tin-foil-hat best."

Read checklist here
http://lifehacker.com/5938980/how-secure-are-you-online-the-checklist