Articles by

Real women speak: My favorite way to spend time with girlfriends

Suzi Milovanovic — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:17:00 -0800

Remember the special time of going to lunch with the girls from college or meeting at a movie a little early to catch up on everything without interruptions from the kids, husband or work? It still is a great time to connect, as we women need to do.

Tips for eating out with your family on a budget

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:27:00 -0800

Between soccer, baseball, ballet, piano, homework, housework and the lawn, preparing dinner at home isn't always possible. Even if you're watching your expenses, you and your family can eat out while keeping the bill in check -- and we don't mean by grabbing the quickest $1 burger. Eat out with the family and save money by implementing these strategies and adjustments to your ordering style.

Romantic Valentine's Day date ideas for busy parents

Suzi Milovanovic — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:18:00 -0800

Your darling spouse is expected home from work soon, so you hurry to put the last-minute touches on your meticulously prepared meal, light the tapered candles that lie atop your immaculately set table, and change into something more comfortable. Your one and only love will soon be here to make you complete again.

Guide to celebrating Valentine's Day as a single parent

Suzi Milovanovic — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:07:00 -0800

Whether you are newly single or have chosen the single life from the beginning, being the lone parent in a field of hearts, kisses and chocolate can be challenging. Getting through Valentine's Day, with all of the cards, flowers and love-y dove-y poems, requires the kind of strength that only a single parent can muster. Here are a few ideas to enjoy the day and celebrate all that you have around you.

Super Bowl pre-game activities to get the party started

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:02:00 -0800

Super Bowl means super fun. Psyche up your guests and get into the spirit of the game before kickoff with activities that energize the crowd.

6 benefits of organics for children

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:14:00 -0800

One of the most controversial topics in the health industry over the last decade is organic food and whether it's healthier than conventionally raised food. Not until recently were the benefits supported through findings of extensive research, which found that organic food is more flavorful, safer and more nutritious than the non-organic counterparts. Let's take an in-depth look at six benefits of organics for children.

Exploring DHA deficiency in children

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:03:00 -0800

A lot of information has come out in recent years about the importance of DHA, and this omega-3 fatty acid is now appearing in unexpected places -- from eggs to baby foods to milk. But why should we care about DHA?

Foods & drinks that soothe sick kids

Suzi Milovanovic — Thu, 06 May 2010 08:13:00 -0700

When your child doesn't feel well, neither do you. To make things worse, the appetites and eating habits of children change when they're ill , and parents may struggle to get an ailing child to eat. Although your parents may have subscribed to the "feed a cold, starve a fever" philosophy, that advice has been replaced with recommendations that a child continue to be fed throughout an illness, rather than have her foods restricted.

Fun dinner ideas for families

Suzi Milovanovic — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:08:00 -0800

Consider these two basic facts: If you try to force feed kids, they will turn their heads and tell you, in no uncertain terms, to knock it off. And sometimes, kids like to be independent, which might be why they refuse food in the first place. So, how do you remind them that something worth eating is on their plates without squashing their independent spirits?

5 Warm lunch ideas

Suzi Milovanovic — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:52:00 -0800

Sure, PB and J is a lunchtime favorite, and cold-cut sandwiches couldn't be easier. Even the kids could slap together two pieces of bread and call it "lunch." Break out of your lunch recipe rut and make a little midday magic with these five warm lunch ideas that recapture that cozy, comfort-of-home feeling.

4 Family meals under $20

Suzi Milovanovic — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:38:00 -0800

For many households, food is one of the greatest monthly expenses . One way to stretch the family food dollar, however, is by eating at home instead of eating out. Learn to how to make frugal but fabulous family dishes for less than $20 with these easy budget recipes. They're quick, easy, cheap meals that don't compromise on taste.

6 Tips for becoming a better wife

Suzi Milovanovic — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:55:00 -0800

Like any woman, you'd like to think you're a perfect wife, but with a truthful look at yourself, you'll probably find room for improvement. Becoming a better wife requires not only changing your attitude but also knowing a bit more about how to create a good marriage -- what works and what doesn't, as well as some things to avoid.

Renew your marriage in the new year

Suzi Milovanovic — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:47:00 -0800

With the new year comes a new opportunity to not only make resolutions for yourself, but also for your marriage. Here are a few resolutions to help you renew your marriage in the New Year.

How to be a more frugal family

Suzi Milovanovic — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:39:00 -0800

By definition, frugality is eliminating waste and avoiding unnecessary expenses on items that you consume. When just one person is at the controls of the family budget, this concept can be overwhelming and frustrating, especially with the constant images beckoning us to buy, buy, buy. Being a frugal family can't work until the entire family learns their parts and finds easy ways to reduce waste and save money. Here are a few money-saving tips to improve your family finances.

How to find more family time

Suzi Milovanovic — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:30:00 -0800

Most of us think of family as the most important element of our lives. With the frenzy of carpools, science fair projects and work deadlines, however, finding time to relax and enjoy our closest loved ones can be tough.

Going back to work

Suzi Milovanovic — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:21:00 -0800

Changing times often spawn new terms. Such is the case of "economom" -- which generally refers to moms who know how to pinch pennies. But the word took on new meaning when Time Magazine profiled the trend of stay-at-home moms going back to work due to the recent economic downturn.

How to leave work at work

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:42:00 -0800

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, women are working harder, and longer - nearly 20 hours more a month than two decades ago - mostly due to more women working full time. Translated, this means that the demands placed on working mothers, both from home and from work, has increased exponentially. Add to that the advent of modern technology and you have a recipe for burnout.

6 Tips to approach your boss about a flexible schedule

Suzi Milovanovic — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:00:00 -0800

All moms are looking for ways to spend more time with their families, and having a flexible work schedule can really help. Before you approach your boss with the idea, do a little research and get prepared.

How to find online savings

Suzi Milovanovic — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:25:00 -0800

Commercial retailers didn't really understand online commerce until the late 1990s. But they've since caught their stride, amassing huge databases of information about customer behavior. They use this information to tune their pricing, special offers and promotions accordingly -- for instance, offering online promotions midweek, so consumers can shop at work.

5 Ways to teach your children to save

Suzi Milovanovic — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 21:18:00 -0700

Anytime is the right time to teach kids the value of money. Older kids, especially, are subjected to constant media and peer pressure to keep up with the latest trends which results in most children learning to associate money with spending rather than saving. Children are watching money magically be ejected out of machines and transactions made via the internet, making it difficult to grasp the concept of where money comes from, how much you can afford to spend and how to save.