Not Before Coffee

How New Parents Can Save Money

New parents usually have no prior experience in budgeting for a family, and may have no idea what their budget should be when their new arrival comes. The truth is that babies do not need very much. Babies need to be fed, clothed, diapered, bathed and they need a place to sleep. There are many ways to make due with very little. For instance, a changing pad placed on a dresser will work fine in place of a changing table. A bottle sterilizer is nice, but not necessary in to adequately clean baby bottles. While it may be nice for your baby to have their baby wipes warmed up in a wipe warmer, this is also frivolous. A baby’s bottom can be cleaned with cool wipes just as well as warm wipes. Parents can make their own decisions about what is really necessary for their baby, but talking with other new parents who have gone through the experience can usually help inform them of what the basics come down to.

Also, don’t forget that humans grow faster as babies than at any other time in their life. Though it can be tempting to buy a bunch of new baby clothes, it is important to remember that your baby will likely grow out of those clothes in a few short months. There is no better time to take advantage of consignment clothes, the Goodwill, and other friends with hand-me-downs. Friends who have babies are likely to want to get rid of the pile of outgrown baby clothes anyway! Consignment stores and Goodwill also carry gently used baby clothes for a fraction of the cost that they are when purchased new. Just remember to put the clothes purchased on consignment through a thorough wash cycle before putting them on your little one.

And remember the significance of diapers. New babies can go through diapers at the rate of ten per day. Diapers are not inexpensive and they are a necessity. One way to save money on diapers is to use diaper coupons that can be found in drugstore circulars, but a better way to buy them is with cash-back rebates. Sites like Ebates.com offer cash back on online drugstore purchases. Buying diapers through these websites will result in cash back that equals the same amount of money that would be saved by clipping coupons. This way, diapers can be bought immediately with cash back, instead of waiting around for the coupons on the preferred brand of diapers. Certain diaper brands also have points programs where points can be earned with diapers purchases. Buying wipes in bulk is also a good way to save money, because baby wipes tend to be much more expensive when they are purchased in smaller packs. Buying diaper wipes in bulk will save new parents from running out and will also save a lot of money over time.

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Carole Brunner writes about personal finance, green living & saving money at www.homeequityloan.net.

Canine Fashion – Top Trends for Spring

Written by Gayla · Leave a Comment

Now that spring is in full force it is time to switch wardrobes once again to get into the spring fever! And remember that fashion is not just something for people – dogs also can sport the trendy look with a number of fashion items. Spring is a transition season that can be a mixture of cold and warm temperatures, not to mention a few sprint showers and storms! Spring provides versatile temperatures and seasons to dress yourself and your pooch to the nines as you show off your funky and trendy personality! Take a look at some of our favorite spring fashion trends for your furry, four-legged friends!

HATS

Hats for your dog are a great way to accent any outfit for your pooch, while showing style and sass! In addition, hats can also protect your dog’s eyes from the harsh UV rays of the sun.

For Her: Show off your dog’s femininity with a stylish, fufu hat. This hat screams old Hollywood with a trendy flare of today. Any sassy female dog will feel ultra special donning this unique, girly hat.

COST: $50 Available at: Posh Puppy Boutique

COLLARS

If you find that your dog does not want to put up with being dressed in clothes and hats you still have an option to help your pup be fashionable. Collars are a great way to show some style without the hassle of getting your dog dressed in clothing and accessories and there is a vast variety of this doggy must-have. Collars can be girly, funky, retro, Goth and even hardcore! These are some of our favorite collars!

For Her: Polka dots and geometric prints are the hit fashion this spring, so allow your precious four-legged princess to strut her stuff in this amazing polka dot collar. She will be the center of attention when you take her out to the dog park.

COST: $29 Available at: Doggie Couture’s Shop

For Him: Nothing is trendier than going green – and what a better way to do that than by sporting this durable, eco-friendly dog collar, complete with reflective strips. Perfect for late night walks and it will look amazing during the day as well.

COST: $25 Available at: Doggie Couture’s Shop

RAIN BOOTS

April’s showers do bring in May’s flowers, and a lot of fun for your dog to play in puddles! Give your dog the extra protection with these adorable rain booties! Perfect to protect your dog’s precious paws from the cooler temperatures and rain, plus it will keep his, or her, feet dry and clean – a plus for once it is time to come back inside of the house!

For Her: Protect her delicate paws with these fashionable rain booties – your dog will feel special and comfort with every step she takes.

COST: $31.99 Available at: All Dog Boots

For Him: Give your pooch the joy of splashing through puddles and keep his feet clean and dry with these all-weather boots. They are soft and durable to help protect his paws and your carpet through anything Mother Nature brings your way.

COST: $27.99 Available at: All Dog Boots

JACKETS

Just because the temperature is cooler does not mean you have to stay cooped up inside. Give your dog the warm and insulation of these gorgeous jackets and hit the road! There is nothing like fresh air, but just as you would protect yourself from the climate temperatures now you can do the same for your favorite four-legged friend!

For Her: Embrace everything that is spring – flowers galore and pretty pastels. Your dog will look as beautiful as the season while she receives extra warmth to protect her from any uncomfortable weather changes.

COST: $14 Available at: Etsy.com

For Him: Give your dog the protection of a windbreaker with this sleek, soft shell jacket. Perfect for added insulation against cooler temperatures and the wind.

COST: $79.95 Available at: Altrec.com

Susan Wright is a veterinarian with over 10 years experience and an expert on dog bark collars. Susan authors articles on the proper care of dogs and tips to make life with the furry pets much easier.

Country Music’s Hottest Summer 2012 Tours

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Summer time is fast upon us, and that means it is time to make summer plans! Country music fans will be pleased to know that summer 2012 has some big-time offerings when it comes to catching shows by their favorite country music artists. Want to know what’s on the roster? Here are country music’s hottest summer 2012 tours:

Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw. Two country powerhouses join forces for this summer’s Brothers of the Sun Tour. The tour will hit the ground running in Tampa Bay on June 2, and will continue through major stadiums throughout the country, and will feature opening acts by Jake Owen as well as Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Taylor Swift. This country/pop crossover star’s Speak Now world tour is perfect for those who are slightly on the fence about country. That’s because not only is Swift a country music phenom, but she’s also a mainstream chart-topper. What’s more is that her shows are sure to be appropriate for fans of all ages.

Lady Antebellum. This is another crossover group that is sure to please a variety of fans with their Own the Night World Tour. Darius Rucker and Thompson Square will be joining them to create an unforgettable concert experience.

Brad Paisley. Named for its large-scale modern visuals, Paisley’s Virtual Reality Tour is sure to be a crowd pleasure. This tour is already in full swing, and getting rave reviews. It also doesn’t hurt that The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery are the show’s opening acts.

Country Throwdown 2012. If it’s variety that you want, then you can’t go wrong by booking tickets to the latest show in a tradition of rowdy country concerts. The summer 2012 lineup includes Rodney Atkins, Gary Allan, Justin Moore, Eric Paslay, Josh Thompson, and Sunny Sweeney. The tour kicks off in May, and tickets are cheap, so get yours now.

Blake Shelton. Experience CMA’s Male Vocalist of the Year up close and personal (or from afar) by scoring a ticket to see a show in his upcoming Well Lit & Amplified Tour. Shelton’s Superbowl XLVI performance with his wife Miranda Lambert made him an even hotter commodity than ever, and his show will certainly not disappoint.

Miranda Lambert. This Grammy winning artist has decided to take her show on the road with the On Fire Tour. You can be guaranteed to find a show in a major city near you, as Lambert will be performing from coast to coast and North to South, all over America.

As you can see, this summer is full of country music goodness. Plan carefully and prepare yourself for a summer you won’t soon forget.

About the Author: Burl Freuden loves country music and will be following at least 2 of these tours this summer. When he’s not looking for tour updates and current events pertaining to his favorite artists, you are likely to find him searching for a free ringtone or two for his phone.

Life After Divorce When You Have Adult Children

Written by Gayla · Leave a Comment

While a divorce may seem like the end of the world to some people, it is actually the beginning of a whole new life. However, like any transition in life it is going to be stressful and a bit scary. The process is even more scary to go through when you have adult children.

Evolving Your Family

One of the challenges of moving on after a divorce when you have adult children is determining how to handle “family” events. If you had minor children then the handling of these situations would have been discussed in your divorce paperwork. However, when you have adult children a parenting plan is not a part of your divorce paperwork.

Family events can be handled in a couple of ways. First of all you can just alternate special events, like a traditional parenting plan would do. However, you can also orchestrate family events based on what your kids want to do.

While you can split up the holidays and special events, you also have the option of sharing these events as a family unit. This can be difficult at first, however, with time you will be able to tolerate each other long enough to get through special events that involve the grandchildren.

Dating After 50

In addition to dealing with adult children and divorce you will also need to figure out how to have a social life once again. Dating when you are over 50 is a challenge but it is not impossible. The key to dating when you are over 50 is to be comfortable with who you are and knowing what you want in a partner.

If you haven’t dated in a while then your first step towards dating in your 50s will be to learn about what modern dating is all about. Working with a relationship coach can be a great way to prepare yourself to go back on the market. These people will show you how to attract someone’s attention and how to find the right person for you.

Finding someone to date today is a little easier than it used to be. You can sign up for online dating services, you can work with a matchmaker or you can just cruise local hang out spots to find someone interesting. You can also have people you know and trust set you up on blind dates.

After you get divorced you will need to move on with your life. This is a challenge when you have adult children and are a more mature individual. However, starting a new life after 50 can be very exciting and it can provide you with the opportunity to start a new life that will be fulfilling and full of new experiences.

Madeline Binder, M.S. Human Services Counseling, had a private practice where she helped families of divorce co-parent.

Who Can Become a Politician?

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Who Can Become a Politician?

As with any public service position becoming a politician requires the ability to work directly with people and navigate potentially volatile diplomatic situations – both domestic and international. Whether it is a seat in the oval office or a seat in City Hall it is important to know what qualifications or useful skills will help an aspiring politician’s chances at serving the public.

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Politician?

Contrary to popular belief, having a degree can be helpful in furthering education and becoming a well rounded person but it is not a requirement to become a politician. However, an area of expertise or the demonstrated dedication that comes with achieving a level of higher education can win the trust of discerning voters who may otherwise question a person’s qualifications and abilities to see a project through to the end.

A good indicator of the diverse backgrounds of politicians can be seen in the current candidates running for President. While President Obama has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations, as well as a Law Degree, other candidates have delightfully diverse life experiences.

Ron Paul has delivered over 4,000 babies in the course of his career as an obstetrician and Newt Gingrich’s entire academic history has been dedicated to European History. Rick Perry holds a degree in Animal Science – which may qualify him to work in the political arena. The fact remains that while having a degree can help a candidate’s political career, it does not necessarily matter what kind of degree it is.

Tips for Becoming a Politician

The answer is there is no simple answer. Politicians hail from all walks of life and many major in unique and interesting backgrounds people would not immediately associate with the political spotlight. There are some general guidelines that can help focus and enhance a person’s professional resume, lending them legitimacy when they ask voters to head to the polls.

1. Becoming familiar with the issues - No politician can expect to get far without a comprehensive knowledge of the issues at hand. Successful politicians have the ability to speak eloquently and convincingly when it comes to the hot issues in the public spotlight.

2. Gain relevant experience - Many people can gain relevant experience through the course of their higher education by serving in student government or other political positions on campus. Other types of experience can include serving on committees and councils in the community. A demonstrated ability to work well with the public and other political figures can further enhance an aspiring politician’s relevant experience.

3. Become visible in the community - Everyone has to start somewhere and unless a person has significant political connections already, he or she will typically have to begin at the bottom. Being a politician means being actively involved in the governance process. Showing up to town hall meetings, attending open hearings, and penning editorials can be useful in making connections and also building a visible presence. This same visibility can also come back to haunt a politician. Writing a heated editorial about hot button issues can resurface at a later date, especially when it stands in conflict with a politician’s current stance on the issue.

Political science, economics, business, government, and law are all popular majors for those considering political science careers but there are more important elements to becoming a politician than the degree’s area of expertise.

A dedication to public service, a willingness to endure social and political hardships, and a fervent desire to represent the people’s will are all the essential components a real politician needs.