Dollar Matters: Plutus Awards Edition, Part I

Posted: 07 Sep 2011 09:07 AM PDT

The Plutus Awards finalists have been announced and voting is underway. Indeed, a number of our favorite blogs and bloggers are on the list. Financial Highway has been nominated in a category: Best Personal Finance Blog, Multiple Authors. I am also pleased and flattered to announce that I have been nominated in the Best Blog Contributor or Freelance Writer category. Be sure to head over and vote for your favorites (hint, hint).

In honor of the Plutus Awards (the winners will be announced at the Financial Blogger Conference), this week is all about some of the nominees (more next week!):

Wealth and Economics; Community versus Country Club

Barbara Friedberg offers a look at the Gross National Product, and its shortcomings. Is it really measuring society’s productivity? A great look at wealth and productivity and the economy.

3 Hidden Truths about Market Crashes – Why They Crash When They Are Handled By Professionals

Mike at The Dividend Guy takes a look at markets crashes. If the professionals are running things, why do we end up with monumental failures?

Money Saving International Travel Tips: Lessons Learned from Three+ Months of Travel

Craig, at Money Help for Christians, offers some helpful tips about international travel. Before you plan your next adventure, read this post.

3 Commonly Overlooked Skills For Turning Around Your Financial Life…

Over at Man vs. Debt, Adam takes an in-depth look at some of the skills you might be neglecting. Want to turn your financial life around? Try cultivating these three skills.

Evaluate the True Price of Dining Out to Save Money

Melissa at Beating Broke offers some insight into the true cost of dining out. Before you head out for another meal, consider what you are really spending.

I Went to College and All I Got Was This $200,000 Bill

A guest post on Budgets Are Sexy shares some great insight into the world of college debt. Do you know what you’re getting into? Think it through before you get too far in.

Extended Warranty on a TV? No Thanks!

Robb at Canadian Finance Blog takes aim at extended warranties on TVs. Do you really need one? Probably not — especially since they can be quite pricey.

Preserving Summer Fruits and Vegetables

Over at The Saved Quarter, you can get a great idea of what to do with all that produce from your garden. A great, basic primer on how to make your summer garden last all winter long.

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Trent at The Simple Dollar writes a great post on taking responsibility for your finances. Stop blaming someone else, and take charge.

13 Ways To Save On Electricity

Kylie Ofiu offers some very practical tips for saving money on electricity. A great checklist as you try to make your home more energy efficient.

Sharing Financial Success

An interesting look, from Adam at the Magical Penny, at the merits and drawbacks of sharing your financial achievements with others.

Income unites versus accumulation units – what difference does it make?

Monevetor takes a look at the difference between income and accumulation when it comes to investment funds. A great explanation.

The Free Cleaning Product Hiding in Your Bin

A Thrifty Mrs takes a look inside your trash to help you with your cleaning efforts. It’s the mesh that your fruits come in!

Stock Your Child’s Study Station with These Affordable Homework Supplies

Posted: 07 Sep 2011 04:00 AM PDT

When school's back in session, the family schedule becomes unavoidably restructured around homework. And inevitably, junior will forget to tell you about a looming project deadline at least a handful of times throughout the year. Stay stocked for study time with these affordable homework supplies you can purchase at office supply stores.

Index Cards

Available in a wide array of sizes and colors, index cards are flexible study items. Use them to create your own flash cards for an upcoming quiz, make a set of coordinating cards to play spelling memory or even use them for reading summaries if your child's teacher is open to that. The list of ways index cards can be used for homework support and classroom instruction is long. Stay stocked on wide rule, narrow rule, blank and multi-colored index cards and be prepared for last-minute study stress.

Colored Pencils

For labeling and mapping assignments, as well as last-minute book projects, a supply of colored pencils provides a grown-up source of color for upper elementary students. Keeping a range of colors stocked in the at-home study station will provide support when going the extra decorative mile for a school project is critical.

Page Protectors

Slipping a transparent page protector over a variety of math and spelling worksheets is a money-saving way to create write-and-wipe practice materials specifically suited to the needs of your little one or teen. Keep them on hand for extra practice before quarterly exams or midterms. Have several examples for each skill set so the answers don't get memorized. Remember, the point is to keep their skills fresh, not to provide busy work.

File Folders

Having taught a variety of grade levels, I'm here to testify that plain manila file folders are some of the most flexible study supplies on the market. You can use them to create story jackets, report covers and even tri-fold study references for in-depth topic areas. Game boards and storage of extra study resources are other ideas. The point is, they don't cost much at all, and it's easy enough to store a box at home. It's worth a few extra bucks to help your little boo stay project ready. Bonus? You'll be able to use them in your home office as well!

Copy Paper

This is another one that can do double duty in the home office while also standing by to provide study support. Basic photocopy paper can be used for printing final copies of a report, creating a colorful book poster your child can back with colored paper for effect, and saved after home use for when your child needs something to check his or her math problems on.

These affordable study supplies will keep you stocked for homework support, but don't forget the importance of having a designated study area at home. This helps establish routine behaviors and sends the message that homework is important.

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