Lifestyle & Trends - Family Living

Create a comfy 'school zone' for studying at home

With the arrival of the new school year, now is the perfect time to "zone out" and get your family and your home in gear by creating a comfortable, yet functional study zone in your home. Read More

Summer 'staycations' remain popular as recovery approaches

Have you heard about the new trend in family vacations? With the economy in rough shape, more and more families are opting to "vacation at home" to make the most of their budget. The savings really add up, since the cost of family vacations can be quite high. Airfare remains expensive, and while taking the car instead will save money, gas isn't cheap. And spending a day or two traveling each way dramatically cuts into everyone's time, to say nothing of its effect on attitude. Hotels are pricey, eating out for a week costs more than a month of groceries and tourist attractions like theme parks can put a real dent in the wallet. Instead, many savvy families are choosing a "staycation" to save money, or to put the money they do spend toward something of more lasting value. Read More

Fight summer 'brain drain' with online summer schools for K-12th grades

Cash-strapped school districts across the country are cutting summer school programs in record numbers. In fact, more than a third of administrators polled in a recent American Association of School Administrators survey said they are considering eliminating summer school for the 2010-11 school year. The good news for parents is that the recent boom in online K-12 education means many high-quality, engaging online summer school programs are now available to students. Read More

College-bound? Do your homework on insurance

If you or your child is college-bound this fall, don't forget to review your insurance. Doing your homework now could save you money and headaches in the future. Read More

Jump start this school year with the perfect recipe for success

After a summer filled with sunny beach days and sleepovers, getting kids motivated to head back to school and adjust to a new routine is often a challenge. To make the transition a little easier for kids and parents, here are some tips and fun ideas to get creativity flowing and wake-up brains for learning. Read More

Feeding your baby's potential - supporting your baby's first milestones

Every milestone, no matter how small, is thrilling when you become a parent. Not only are these moments memorable and exciting, but they are also important indicators of your baby's development. Parents can follow these simple tips to support their baby's cognitive and physical development during their first year. Read More

Consider long-term storage for the still-at-home college grad

For some parents, it feels like just yesterday when you were dropping your young adult off at college. You met the roommate, cleaned the dorm room from top to bottom, then played movers for a day as you hauled all their items into a tiny room for two. It was emotional. It was a breath of relief. And it made your house rather empty. Then four years later, you found yourself in the same situation. Read More

Overwhelmed by debt? Know your options

If you find yourself in a financial hole you can't get out of, it's important to know you have options. Being in debt can cause people to continue to make payments that they can't afford or can barely afford without much hope of ever eliminating the debt. If you find yourself in this position, there are a few routes you can pursue to free yourself from overwhelming debt. Read More

Help your kids turn your house into a green zone

As a parent, you'd like your home, community, and children's schools to be greener. Going green doesn't have to be difficult, time-consuming or expensive. In fact, a smart and savvy parent can go green and save green at the same time. Here are a few easy ways you can change the world for the better, and even have fun while you're at it. Read More

Do you need more auto insurance than the state-required minimum?

When it comes to auto insurance, a lot of people try to get by with the bare minimum. They don't want to spend a lot on insurance, so they will purchase no more coverage than what is required in their state - their "Financial Responsibility Limit." Read More