Cutting Edge Camcorders

Is there anyone who doesn’t have a camcorder these days? Take a trip to Hawaii or a local high school football game and you’d probably answer no. But, I have news for you. A recent study found that camcorder sales are down 6% from last year. Hard to believe, isn’t it? With the amount of videos being shared on the Internet nowadays one would believe that the camcorder is at the height of popularity. But, apparently a relatively small percentage of videographers (especially the ones who upload video on YouTube) use traditional camcorders. Instead, studies found they use more PC-friendly … Continue reading

Cutting Edge Cameras and Accessories

Don’t blink or you’ll miss all the advances taking place in the world of photography. Tis the season for camera manufacturers to unveil new products they hope will be ready in time for the holiday shopping season. The following examples are so cutting edge they may not complete final production in time to sit under your tree this year–but there’s always next year. CASIO The company recently announced it has developed a digital camera that can shoot at a rate of 60 photos per second at full resolution. Amazing, right? According to the company, the new camera has a large … Continue reading

Saving Money by Cutting the Phone Cord

Two years ago my husband and I moved into a new home. While I hate moving, I love the opportunity it gives me to clear out the clutter. How often do we get the chance to empty every single drawer, closet, nook and cranny in our homes? I’ve moved about five times in ten years and I am finally starting to get good at it. This time, I decided to use the move as an opportunity to rethink (and reduce) some of our monthly bills. Since I’ve always had the tendency to be a bargain shopper, I wasn’t able to … Continue reading

Let’s Talk Pregnancy Blog Top Ten – Ways to Break the News

I distinctly remember the ancient Full House episode in which Aunt Becky attempts to announce her pregnancy to Uncle Jesse during a family game of Pictionary. First she drew a wheel of cheese, then I think she mocked cutting it in half, then came a bottle of ink, and of course a picture of a baby. Cheese. Half. Ink. A baby? Sheeeeshalvingababy? She’s having a baby! And the Tanner family erupted with congratulatory whelping. There’s more than one way to break the news of your pregnancy to family, friends and significant others, so why not make it really fun – … Continue reading

The Atkins Diet

The Atkins Diet is among the most well known diets. This is due in part to how long it has been around. People recognize the name from all the Atkins food products that they see in grocery stores. Before beginning a diet, it is a good idea to speak with your doctor. What is the Atkins Diet? The Atkins Diet is the original low carb diet. The main idea is to limit the amount of carbohydrates that you eat, especially during the early stages of the diet. According to the Atkins website, the purpose of this diet is to “flip … Continue reading

Fun Ways to Survive the Heat Wave

Sizzling temperatures, streaming sweat and screaming kids. Fun times. A mid-summer heat wave is blanketing the nation this week.  According to meteorologists, more than 50 million people will be affected by dangerously high temperatures which could last all the way through Saturday. Hitting the beach or heading to a local pool is a great way to beat the heat, but for some kids the splishing and splashing may get old after a few days.  With excessive heat warnings posted in dozens of cities, some parents may opt to remain indoors with their children.  If you choose to stay cool in the … Continue reading

Court Approves California Cuts to Medi-Cal Providers

There has been an ongoing saga in California about cuts to providers who treat patients that are covered by Medi-Cal. More than one court case has been filed about this situation. Now, a federal appeals court has approved the reimbursement cut to providers who see Medi-Cal patients. This story has been going on for quite some time. In 2008 and 2009, the state of California legislature cut the reimbursement fees that it paid to hospitals, doctors, and other health care providers. In some cases, the cut to the reimbursement rate was as high as 10%. In 2011, the state of … Continue reading

Say Goodbye to the Five-Second Rule

Are you a proponent of the five-second rule? For busy parents, the five-second rule is typically standard operating procedure.  This is especially true for parents with multiple children.  Whereas firstborns usually gets a clean pacifier if their original hits the floor, by the time the third kid comes along, he’s lucky if mom wipes said pacifier before sticking it back in her child’s mouth. Sound familiar? Well, you may want to start thinking twice about following the famed five-second rule. According to researchers at San Diego State University, if an item falls on the ground, it is not safe for … Continue reading

Baby on a Budget

Your new bundle of joy could make more than a significant dent in your finances. Establishing a solid budget for your baby can help you keep everything under control and leave you with enough money for your baby’s future. You might be interested to know that according to the US Department of Agriculture, it can cost up to a quarter of a million dollars to raise a child through age 17! This doesn’t take into account children living at home past age 17, college costs or significant medical expenses that could arise. That is why it is important to establish … Continue reading

Can You Get By With Less Financial Support?

What would you do if you got a letter from your state government that asked if you would willingly accept a reduction in the financial support for your child? This is exactly what happened to parents who had adopted children with special needs in Vancouver, Washington. Adoption does not happen instantaneously. It is a long process, and it requires a lot of strength and patience. Prospective parents will need to show that they are ready to be a good parent, both emotionally and financially. Parents who choose to adopt a child who has special needs must be ready for the … Continue reading