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How to make last-minute travel a breeze

Suzi Milovanovic — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:24:00 -0700

If that perfect destination getaway somehow manages to land in your lap unexpectedly, or if your boss suddenly sends you on a last-minute trip, make sure it's as successful as if you had planned it for months with these tips and hints. The key is not to over-think-- just cover the basics.

3 Stove-free healthy breakfasts for kids

Suzi Milovanovic — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 19:30:00 -0700

Who needs a stove when you have so many other ways to serve up an easy and healthy breakfast? Try a few of these alternatives for stove-free days when you're pressed for time or when you want to try something different.

5 Fast school day breakfast recipes

Suzi Milovanovic — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 19:29:00 -0700

The school alarm clock sounds, setting all members of the house into action. Showers are started, buttons and zippers are fastened and backpacks are being checked for all the necessary items. The family zooms into the car, but screeeeech! what about breakfast?

6 Simple swaps for a healthier school breakfast

Suzi Milovanovic — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 19:27:00 -0700

Eating breakfast promotes proper growth and maximizes school performance. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breakfast is also important in controlling weight gain and obesity in adolescents because of the opportunity to provide the important nutrients and calories in an additional meal, as opposed to packing them all into one meal.

15 Back to school tips for moms

Suzi Milovanovic — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:49:00 -0700

The long, lazy days of summer are getting shorter, and summer vacations are concluding as suitcases filled with summer memories are replaced with backpacks stuffed with shiny new pencils, notebooks and other school supplies. Here are 15 tips to ease the transition from summer to school.

5 Things you can do to prepare for retirement

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:10:00 -0700

The term retirement may conjure up visions of you and your gray-haired spouse strolling in a park sometime in the distant future, but don't be disillusioned. No matter what your age, you must plan for retirement because it comes up faster than you realize! Planning for the future involves putting solid strategies into place to reach your goal. Don't put it off; the most important thing is to simply begin. Here are five basic considerations to get you started preparing for retirement.

Best left-handed school supplies

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:33:00 -0700

All the lefties in the house, raise your hands! Left-handed students can find school a little trickier because they cannot easily use some of the school supplies they are given. Specially designed left-handed supplies can solve these problems.

Everything under $1 school supplies

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:32:00 -0700

Going back to school doesn't have to mean going to the poorhouse! You can get an entire year's worth of essential school supplies at bargain prices, especially if you shop the sales -- perfect for the family on a budget. Check out these top picks for school supplies that cost less than $1.

Teachers speak: Advice for parents

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:31:00 -0700

After a long summer break, most kids are ready to go back to school, but are the parents? Teachers agree that parents are one of their greatest resources for achieving student success. Whether your child is attending public, private, Montessori or other type of school, the teachers all have some basic advice for parents to ensure a positive and successful academic journey this year.

How to find a tutor

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:30:00 -0700

If you constantly hear your child complaining "I don't get it" or "Why do I have to go to school, anyway?", it may be time to enlist the help of a tutor. But where do you start? Here's a quick guide.

Vision boards for the school year

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:28:00 -0700

Vision boards are a great way to set personal goals, no matter what age you are. Besides being a great reminder of your personal goals, vision boards are also fun to make!

Teachers speak: Best ways to help kids with homework

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:25:00 -0700

Your child is struggling with her math problems once again. What do you do? Offer a small bit of direction and let her do it on her own, even if she does it incorrectly? Or sit with her and walk her through each step? For the most part, teachers agree that there's a right way and a wrong way to help with homework. Here's what they have to say.

20 College essentials from bag to dorm

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:24:00 -0700

Going off to college is exciting, and you'll probably hear more chatter about what people are bringing to college as opposed to what courses they are taking. College really isn’t just about getting a great education. It’s also about making the slow transition to adulthood by learning how to do things on your own.

A freshman's guide to time management

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:22:00 -0700

Going to classes, studying, socializing, participating in clubs and maybe even working a part- or full-time job makes it difficult to find time for family and friends or even down time for a college freshman. So how can you make it work? These simple time management tips can help you stay grounded and balanced.

Tips to start your freshman year off right

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:19:00 -0700

So you thought you were the big man on campus: Class president, prom queen or homecoming court, all-star athlete, etc. Throw all that out the window, because you're headed to college, baby! Congratulations -- You start at zero, along with every other entering freshman. While the situation may seem grim at first glance, you can make sure your freshman year starts off on the right foot with these important steps.

5 Fun daddy daughter date ideas

Suzi Milovanovic — Mon, 31 May 2010 14:08:00 -0700

The schedule of activities most children have these days leaves little time for fathers and daughters to spend together. Even if you can't control how much time you have, you can control the quality of that time. Here are five simple, inexpensive and mutually enjoyable activities that allow for time to just talk. Making the effort is the most important part of spending daddy-daughter time, and she’ll definitely appreciate the attention.

Best cars for families with two or more kids

Suzi Milovanovic — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:56:00 -0700

Making the leap to expand your family to 2+ kids can be challenging to say the least and finding a family car can add to that frustration. While safety features are certainly important to keep in mind, you should also think about which car not only fits your kids – but their car seats too.

Guide to buying a new appliance

Suzi Milovanovic — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:52:00 -0700

If your dishwasher has rinsed its last dish or your casserole is still not done after six hours, it may be time to replace those old appliances with shiny new ones.

How to fit multiple carseats in a back seat

Suzi Milovanovic — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:48:00 -0700

Figuring out a way to fit multiple car seats in your car can be a challenge that is made trickier when you have more than two. You just may be able to transport the family and friends without super-sizing your vehicle when you follow these do's and don’ts.

How to hire a contractor

Suzi Milovanovic — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:42:00 -0700

Whether you're pressed for time or are tool box shy; if you are like most homeowners you will hire a contractor to do a major project rather than take the chance to do it yourself. It can be stressful, especially after hearing horror stories that involve exorbitant fees, missing screws and unlevel floors. Control your stress by remembering a few key points when hiring a contractor for your next project.