Grandparents! Help Your Grandkids Do Math!

by: Kenneth Williams

This may come as a surprise. But despite all the advances in education, many kids still struggle in the math class. Math is an important subject, yet many kids just don't "get it". Teachers can only devote a limited amount of personal attention to each student. And parents are so busy with their own work nowadays, they don't have time to help their children with school work. That's where YOU, the grandparent, come in! Grandparents teach their grandchildren through example and play a role in encouraging them to be successful and set goals. Grandparents are naturally forgiving and patient, and children sense that. As a grandparent you can help right from the time your grandkids are toddlers, by asking them questions involving numbers, and showing them how important math is to our lives: - Ask them number-based questions, like: "How many books do you want to read tonight?" - Or: "How many miles to grandma's house?" - Show them basic fractions by dividing groups of jelly beans into halves and quarters. - Bake cookies together and teach them how to measure ingredients. - Make something in the wood shop and teach them how to use a ruler. The time you spend with your grandchild is a blessing for both of you. If you work with your grandchildren and teach them the simple basics of math, they will develop a natural talent for it and move to the head of the class. It is important to be positive, patient and enthusiastic. You have a whole lifetime of experiences to share with them. You can be there for them if they become discouraged in school. Don't be negative about math - be positive and enthusiastic. Your attitude will greatly influence them. You can help them over the bumps by showing them that math is simple if you break it down to the basics and build from there. Show them that math is nothing to fear, but rather something to enjoy. Show them how good it feels to solve problems and how wonderful learning is. Teach your grandchildren that math is a tool we use everyday from working at our jobs, using checkbooks, going to the store, furnishing our homes, eating in restaurants, planning vacations and converting our currency. Being a grandparent is one of the miracles of life. There is a natural bond of human affection between grandparent and grandchild that brings a lifetime of joy and love to you both. Spending time with them and really helping them will make all the difference in the world, and it will make math fun for them, too. Successful students will remember spending time with their grandparents and learning life's lessons. From precious baby to challenging teenager, they will remember you were there every step of the way. About the author: Kenneth Williams is a math teacher with over 31 years teaching experience. He is also author of the popular "Fun With Figures" mental math course, which shows anyone aged 8 to 80 the easy way to do impressive mental calculations. Visit the website today for more details at: http://FunWithFigures.com Attention Webmasters / Ezine Publishers: ################################################################################ Please feel free to publish the above article on your website or in your ezine. You may also be interested in joining the 'Fun With Figures' affiliate program (it's free) and earning 50% on all sales you refer. You can get your affiliate link here: http://funwithfigures.com/affiliates/ As an affiliate, you may replace the website link in the above article with your own 'Fun With Figures' affiliate link. Circulated by Article Emporium

Gift Baskets - Create Simple Easy Gifts For the Person Who Has Everything!

by: Donna Hamer
Have you ever thought about giving a personalized Gift Basket?

Is it just me or do you also get excited when you give a gift to your friends and family and you know they love it!

The downside you give a gift and you just know they hate it! Unfortunately you can’t always get it right because what seems right and the appropriate gift for you isn’t always right and appropriate for the person you are buying for.

Take my mother for instance, if you don’t buy her a gift say for Mothers Day you will be in the bad books for weeks. Now before you agree with her, let me ask you this “What do you give someone who has everything”? If you could walk around this ladies house you would understand my problem!

Well over the years I have learnt how to stay in her good books by creating something different and unique every year. I also like to make it a gift that I make, so its personal and comes from the heart. Yes you guessed it a personalized “gift basket”.

Leading up to the occasion, I take some time to think about things that Mum has said she liked over the year and things that she has pointed out in a book that she might like. Then I go about looking for items that would fit into a theme that I can put together into a “Basket”. She loves “glass bowls” so I try to use a glass bowl as the “basket” for my gift and then fill it with items that she likes. It could be as simple as some pampering items or a night out to the movies such as popcorn, candies, a drink, chocolates and two movie tickets etc.

Gift Baskets can be all shapes and sizes, you are only limited by your imagination and of course your budget. A gift basket doesn’t have to be big and elaborate it can be something small. Presentation is the key to a stunning gift basket!

I have always struggled with “creative talent” so when I discovered that making gift baskets was very simple, I became a talented person over night!

Something I have found funny since I learnt how easy it was to create a “Gift Basket” is how many friends copy my ideas and give baskets to their friends.

I give “Gift Baskets” for all occasions - from Christmas to Marriages, Arrival of a New Baby, Birthday Gifts for Boys or Girls, Leaving Party in fact the reasons are endless.

For a boys birthday, how easy is it to get a bucket, spade and sand digging equipment. A cool towel, hat or cap (write their name on the hat to give it a unique look), a stick of sunscreen or zinc cream. Then wrap it up !!

For a girl, they love lots of knick knacks or things they can make. Try putting together packets of beads in a container with compartments. Include some wire and hooks. Your local craft store can help you with the items required. You can create this “Gift Basket” for less than $15.00 and they love it !


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the author:

About the Author – Donna Hamer is the author and publisher of 101 Gift Basket Ideas. For a Free 5 part Mini Course on how to create your own “Personalized Gift Baskets” visit www.101giftbasketideas.com


Circulated by Article Emporium

Get back in shape after the birth of your baby - a gentle 10 point plan

by: Janice Elizabeth Small

1.Be especially kind to yourself in the first weeks after your baby is born. Your body has gone through huge changes and it's unrealistic to expect that you can snap back into your old shape straight away. Unrealistic expectations sets you up for failure and disappointment, but you CAN get your figure back if you are patient and take it one step at a time. 2.Forget drastic dieting and treat your body to healthy nourishing food and gentle exercise to get back in shape. You will naturally lose some weight during the first few weeks as your uterus shrinks. Breast feeding alone will allow you to lose weight at 1lb a week if you eat normally and healthily as it uses up 500 calories a day, but you do need to eat enough so that your milk does not dry up. Plan on losing the remainder at a gentle pace. 3.Your tummy will look very sad after the birth, flabby and saggy. Don't worry you can soon get things looking good again. Do all the post-natal exercises and gentle exercise recommended by your health-care professionals during the first 6 weeks to get your tummy back in shape. After that check with them that it is Ok if you want to embark on a more strenuous exercise routine. Once your doctor says its OK to exercise, one of the best ways to retighten your muscles is a simple yoga move. Stand with your feet apart, hands on thighs. Breathe out fully and then pull your tummy muscles in and up as hard as you can, holding for a count of 10. If you do this a few times a day before breakfast you'll soon see results. Don't do this during pregnancy. 4.The first few weeks with your baby are precious and not the time to start injuring yourself by doing too much too soon. Whatever you decide to do, don't go mad in the first week you're allowed to exercise normally. Build up gradually as if you'd not exercised before. 5.If you are not able to get back to the gym or to do whatever activity you used to do now that you have a baby to care for, investigate home-exercise programs and videos you can do while your baby sleeps or organise your partner or friend to watch your baby for a short time while you exercise. You will need to be a bit more resourceful and determined to fit in your exercise but you can find a way if you really want to. 6.Walking with your baby is always great – you both get fresh air and out of the house and you get fitter while your baby is soothed by the movement of the pram. You could also use a baby carrier to keep your baby close to you while you walk. This is especially soothing for a restless baby. Aim to walk for 30 minutes to an hour each day. 7.You may find yourself tempted to snack more if you are alone at home with your baby especially if you are used to being out and about at work every day. Make sure you have lots of healthy snacks around such as fruit and avoid buying unhealthy snacks so you are not tempted. You may be better to plan 5 or 6 mini-meals rather than snacking all day AND having your usual lunch and dinner. 8.Take the time to plan simple meals for the next few days before you go shopping. This will help you avoid the "What's for dinner"/"Oh no, I haven't defrosted it?" / "Better send out for pizza again" Syndrome. This is not the time to plan elaborate recipes but try and avoid too much processed junk food because you do have time for a simple omelette, pasta sauce, baked potato or salad 9.If you start a plan to get in shape and it all feels like too much, simply restart it when you feel up to it – there's no need to beat yourself up over anything. Most women feel a bit tired and stressed with a new baby so don't put more pressure on yourself. All in good time. If you feel really down remember and seek help - post-natal depression is very real and quite common. 10.Reward yourself. You've been through a lot – your body has changed, your hormones are in disarray. Whatever you do that helps towards getting back in shape (a walk, a healthy snack, your tummy exercises or whatever) give yourself a pat on the back. A few moments to yourself can be a great reward if you have someone who will care for your little one for a while. Bonus tip: Above all relax into your new life with your baby. You'll achieve nothing by worrying about your shape. Take time to rest and pamper yourself as much as possible. Sometimes you can feel quite neglected because your baby makes so many demands and this in itself can lead you to eat for comfort. Take care of your own needs. Ask for support from your partner. If you look after yourself by eating healthily and keeping up some gentle exercise you'll be fine and your weight will naturally rebalance itself over time. Copyright 2005, Janice Elizabeth Small About the author: Janice Elizabeth is a weight loss coach and author of "The Diet Exit Plan". Request her FREE 15 page report "How to lose weight without dieting - 7 secrets the diet industry doesn't want you to know" at http://www.SimplySlimming.comTODAY! Circulated by Article Emporium

Get Answers To Important Questions About Dog Nail Trimming

by: Teresa James

Trimming your dog’s nails is not usually considered sharing “quality time” with your beloved pet. But when done often enough, with the proper technique, and rewards for your dog’s good behavior, it should be one of those regular grooming events that your dog will tolerate if not look forward to. If not done often enough, with proper technique, and reward- training, it can be frightening and even painful for your dog. In this article are answers to many common dog nail clipping questions as well as tips on proper equipment and technique that will give you the advantage when you approach this simple home dog-grooming necessity. Is dog nail trimming painful to my dog? Dog nail trimming is not painful if you use a sharp nail trimmer and don’t clip the nails too short. A dull trimmer can put a lot of pressure on your dog's toenail before it actually cuts through the nail. If this happens your dog may feel an uncomfortable pinching sensation. This is because the vein in the toenail is being squeezed. To avoid this always make sure that you're using a sharp pet nail trimmer. What tools do I need to trim my dog’s nails? You will want to have a sharp clipper designed for dog nail trimming. Dogs come in all sizes so choose a nail trimmer that’s right for the size of your pet’s nails. The most common types of nail trimmers are the guillotine, pliers and scissor styles. Guillotine style dog nail trimmers - require that the dog’s nail be inserted through a hole in the top of the trimmer. As the handles are squeezed together the blade comes down and cuts through the nail. Many people find guillotine style clippers more difficult to use on large breed dogs. Thicker nails can be more difficult to insert into the guide hole in the clipper. These dog nail trimmers have a cutting blade that must be changed frequently to maintain a nice clean cut. Pliers style dog nail trimmers - work similar to pruning shears. The two notched blades surround and cut through the nail as the handles are squeezed together. Some people like this style because they can see exactly where the blade will cut through the nail. If you have a large dog this type of trimmer works great on thick nails. Just make sure to select a heavy-duty clipper designed to cut through the thick toenails of your large breed dog. Pliers style trimmers are available for small, medium and large dogs. These dog nail trimmers don’t have blades that need to be replaced but they do need to be sharpened when they become dull. Scissor style dog nail trimmers - work just like a pair of scissors. The two scissor-like notched blades surround and cut through the nail as the handles are closed. These clippers are for light duty jobs only. These are not actually dog nail trimmers. They are best used for cats, birds and other small animals. Some people do use them on small dogs. They’re usually labeled as cat/bird claw clippers. The style you choose for your dog nail trimming needs is a matter of personal preference. If the clipper is the correct size it will get the job done. Just remember to keep your nail trimmer sharp so that it makes a fast clean cut. A dull clipper can pinch the nail, which will result in discomfort to your dog. In addition to good quality nail trimmers, it is also recommended to have a pet nail file. You’ll find that it is much easier to file down any rough edges with a nail file that has been designed for the shape of your dog’s nails. Next on the list is styptic powder. It’s always a good idea to have it on hand for those occasional mishaps. A nail clipped just a little too short tends to bleed a lot. Applying some styptic powder will help stop the bleeding. Finally, keep plenty of dog treats on hand to reward good behavior. You can also use dog treats to distract your pet during dog nail trimming. Treats work great to draw a dog's attention away from a bleeding nail. Why do my dog’s nails need to be trimmed regularly? When a dog’s nails become too long they interfere with the dog’s gait and as the nails continue to grow, walking will become awkward and painful. Untrimmed nails can also split resulting in a great deal of pain, bleeding, and a trip to the veterinarian’s office. In severe cases a dog’s nails can curl under and grow into the pad of the dog’s paw causing a very serious and painful infection. These types of ingrown nail problems are most common on the dewclaws. The dewclaws are the nails located on the inside of the paw. Many breeders have the dewclaws removed shortly after puppies are born, so not all dogs will have dewclaws. If your dog has them remember to include them in your dog nail trimming routine. These nails don’t touch the ground, so they don’t wear down as fast as the others as your dog walks on rough surfaces. Trimming your dog’s nails regularly will easily prevent these problems. How do I know when my dog’s nails need to be trimmed? When your dog’s nails are beginning to curve is one indication that your dog’s nails need a trim. And if you hear a clicking or tapping sound as your dog walks across a bare floor it’s definitely time for a nail trimming. But it is best not to wait that long – once or twice a month is usually a good rule of thumb for dog nail trimming. If you let your dog’s nails grow too long then it could take some time to get them back to a healthy length again. Regularly trimming the tips of your dog’s nails is the best approach. Some dogs walk and run on rough surfaces and are able to wear down their nails, but most dogs will need some help. You will get to know how fast your dog’s nails grow if you routinely inspect your pet’s nails. Even if you don’t actually trim them each time, regular inspection will help assure that your dog’s feet stay healthy. So, make nail inspection and trimming an important part of your dog’s routine grooming. When should I start trimming my dog’s nails? If you’re starting with a puppy the answer is as soon as you bring your new puppy home. If you have an adult or an older dog the answer is pretty much the same – right now. If you start early it probably will not take too long for your puppy to adjust to a nail trimming routine. Make a habit of handling your puppy’s feet everyday. Nail trimming will be much easier if your puppy doesn’t mind having his feet handled. Adult dogs, just like people, are usually set in their ways. So if your adult dog initially resists getting his nails trimmed you will most likely need to spend a lot more time getting him used to the procedure. As with a puppy, it’s a good idea to start getting your dog used to having his feet handled before you attempt to clip your dog’s nails. Be very patient and don’t rush into the procedure. Bring out the clipping tools ahead of time and let your dog become familiar with them. It is important that you remain calm. If you’re nervous, your dog will sense it and associate fear or uncertainty with dog nail trimming. If your dog is nervous use gentle reassurance, but don’t coddle your dog. Let your dog know that you expect him to behave, but don’t push it too far. If your dog can only manage to tolerate getting one toenail trimmed that’s all right. Just be persistent and try for another nail at another time. And always remember to reward good behavior with your dog's favorite treat. How can I cut my dog’s nails when he doesn’t like his feet touched? Have patience and start working on getting your dog used to having his feet handled. This must be done gradually, so don’t rush it. Try gently touching one foot while your dog is asleep. If your dog wakes up be very casual about it. Just remove your hand and act as if you didn’t even notice that you were touching his paw. Anytime your dog resists don’t react, just ignore the fact that you were even holding his paw and try again another time. Repeat this process and over time your dog will adjust to having his feet handled and you should even be able to start touching individual toes without an adverse reaction. Whenever your dog allows you to touch his feet always remember to praise your dog and give him a dog treat. Your dog will begin to associate having his feet handled with a pleasant experience. Bring out the nail clippers when your dog is very comfortable with you handling his feet and you are confident that you have gained your dog’s trust. Will my dog ever adjust to getting her nails trimmed? Many dogs may never like to get their nails trimmed, but if done regularly over time, dogs can learn to sit through this routine grooming procedure. Other dogs may never sit still. If you can’t get your dog to sit still you may need to recruit the help of another person to hold your dog while you trim her nails. While some dogs can be distracted by dog treats alone, others may also have to be held. You may want to try clipping your dog’s nails after a full day of exercise when your dog is looking to take a long nap. Tired dogs tend to be less resistant. If you know that your dog tends to bite when stressed out, for safety sake you should muzzle your pet before you begin a dog nail trimming procedure. If the task of trimming your dog’s nails proves to be too much, find a professional dog groomer or veterinarian for this part of your dog’s routine grooming. If you can’t get your dog to cooperate it’s better that your dog doesn’t associate you with this negative experience. If you know that your dog tends to react in an aggressive manner, be sure to let your groomer know what to expect so that the necessary safety precautions can be taken before they begin a dog nail trimming session. What is the quick and what do I need to know about it? The quick is the living part of a dog’s nail and has blood vessels running throughout. Cutting into the quick during dog nail trimming is painful for your dog and will result in bleeding. If your dog has light colored nails your job will be easier since you will be able to see the quick. It will be impossible to see the quick if your dog’s nails are black or dark in color. If your dog has at least one light colored nail you can usually use that nail as a guide for the others. If dog nail trimming is completely new to you, ask your veterinarian or groomer to show you how to trim your dog’s nails or consult a good dog care book. Another important fact to note is that the quick grows with the nail. As a dog’s nails grow longer the quick will also lengthen. So if your dog’s nails are over grown you will not be able to clip the nails to the desired length without cutting into the quick. You will need to trim the tips of your dog’s nails often and over time the quick will shorten. To avoid cutting into the quick you’ll want to start by trimming small pieces of the nail until you get the hang of it. Help, I’ve cut my dog’s nail too short and now my dog is bleeding! What do I do now? Don’t panic. Your dog is in a little pain but the prognosis is good – your dog will live! You’ve cut into the quick, the blood-filled tissue in your dog’s nail. To stop the bleeding take a pinch of styptic powder and press it against the bleeding toenail. Now give your dog lots of treats. The nail should stop bleeding in about 5-10 minutes. Try not to baby your dog too much. You don’t want to bring a lot of unnecessary attention to the injured nail. You’ll be surprised at how easily your dog will be distracted by the dog treats if you’re not making a big deal out of the bleeding toenail. So just stay calm and upbeat and you may be able to finish your dog nail-trimming task. If your dog is calm and enjoying the treats it's best to continue trimming. If you didn’t finish with the paw that you were working on you may want to continue on another paw and come back to that one after you have finished the rest. If your dog is too excited you may need to try again at a later time. Don’t be discouraged, even professional dog groomers occasionally cut into the quick. If my dog’s nails are over grown how can dog nail trimming get them back to a healthy length? You will need to trim your dog’s nails regularly. Start by clipping very small pieces of the nail tip until you can see a dark, round, kind of moist looking disk appear in the middle of the nail. This means you’re approaching the quick and the nail will bleed if you cut it any shorter. Try trimming this far every week or two and the quick will gradually recede. Over time the length of the nail can be shortened. Cutting into the quick to shorten a dog’s over grown nails could lead to an infection. If your dog’s nails are extremely over grown and this condition is causing health issues consult your veterinarian immediately. Trimming your dog’s nails is one of the regular home dog grooming tasks that helps to keep your dog healthy and active. As with most dog grooming tasks, rewarding your dog for positive behavior is an important part in your dog’s acceptance of the activity. It’s always best when your dog can associate the attention you lavish on him or her with a positive, happy memory. Learning the tricks to proper dog nail trimming, training your dog with positive feedback, and showing patience and love will make the time you spend together a reward in itself. About the author: Teresa James is the Webmaster of www.Dog-Supplies-Advisor.com a site dedicated to providing dog care advice on a broad range of dog-related topics. Includes articles, frequently asked questions, recommendations, and tips for dog owners. Free subscription http://www.dog-supplies-advisor.com/free-dog-ezine.html. See more related articles at http://www.dog-supplies-advisor.com/home-dog-grooming.html Copyright 2004 Dog-Supplies-Advisor.com, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission. Circulated by Article Emporium

Gathering with Extended Family for the Holidays Doesn’t Have to be Painful

by: ARA
(ARA) - Aunt Edna is upset because Cousin Billy is bringing his new girlfriend, and she doesn’t think she should have to buy her a gift. Sue and Harry’s family can only come on the Saturday before the holiday, and Aunt Judy insists that everything be home cooked. Considering the obstacles and opinions, why will Americans mob the airports and highways this holiday season, as they do every year, to attend gatherings with their extended families?

“People need to feel that connectedness,” surmises Charlotte Shoup Olsen, an associate professor of family studies and extension specialist at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan. “When everyone is together you get that sense of being part of a bigger community -- not in the sense that you live close by, but just in a sense of belonging. Holidays, especially, offer a good opportunity to build that family history together.”

According to a recent poll conducted by Harris Interactive and sponsored by Modern Woodmen of America, Rock Island, Ill., 90 percent of Americans attend a holiday event such as Thanksgiving or Christmas with extended family.

“Nearly all Americans in our survey (99 percent) feel it’s good for children to know their relatives and family history,” comments Sharon Snawerdt of Modern Woodmen. Modern Woodmen, a fraternal benefit society offering financial services, promotes strong family relationships through its many member programs as well as its Web site, www.gatherings.info.

Snawerdt adds, “Ninety percent of survey respondents indicated that spending time with extended family is one of the most important parts of their lives.”

Family Feuds

The holidays are a time for “peace on earth,” but that doesn’t stop Uncle Joe from fighting with Aunt Helen.

“Holidays are a time when people come home, and grown, mature adults will fall back into those old childhood roles in the family and past hard feelings resurface,” explains Olsen. “Big sis just can’t get over feeling that baby brother was spoiled rotten, even if they are both in their 40s.”

Olsen says that all family members should be included in the invitation, even the black sheep or the two family members having a feud.

“If someone refuses to come because so and so will be there, there is nothing you can do about it,” she says. “That is his or her baggage.”

Olsen offers some tips for how to handle family members who may not like to be in the same room with one another.

* Appoint a neutral member of the family to take on the role of mediator. (This person should use humor and tact to encourage guests to avoid touchy subjects. In other words, if Uncle Joe starts discussing Grandpa’s will, the mediator should gracefully make it known that this isn’t the appropriate time to bring up that topic.)
* Assign seats using place cards.
* Set up smaller table arrangements throughout the house.
* Limit alcoholic beverages. Alcohol makes some people braver and more confrontational.
Giving and Receiving
It wouldn’t be the holidays without gift giving, but as families grow larger many struggle with how to handle it. Olsen offers these tips:
* A grab bag. In this system, set a price limit and have each guy bring a guy gift and each gal bring a gal gift.
* A drawing. Each participant planning to attend the event draws a name from a hat (or via phone or email) and brings a gift for only that person.
* A homemade gift exchange. Crafts, food items and artwork are good suggestions. This is for the family willing to invest some time, but not as much money.
* A “time” gift certificate exchange. These can feature anything from snow shoveling to babysitting services.
* A kids-only exchange.
* A collection of donations for the local food pantry or group sponsorship of a needy family.

Finally, Olsen suggests forgoing the gift giving altogether and replacing it with activities even more meaningful. Modern Woodmen’s www.gatherings.info Web site offers a host of tips for making your family gathering fun. Aside from the standard board games and card games, your family may want to try these ideas:

* Games and Activities
-- “Picture Lotto” – Make your own game using copies of your family pictures.
-- “Frosty” – Use some toilet paper, construction paper and family teams to have some family fun in this interactive game.
-- “Unwrap the Gift” – This game uses a bag of candy or small gift items, a multi-layer-wrapped gift box and some music to create fun for the very young, as well as the adults.

* Scrapbook, photography and video ideas
-- A Family Time Capsule – It can’t get much easier than videotaping the festivities to save for posterity. You can incorporate interviews with family members asking them to share their favorite memories or a song.
-- Gathering Scrapbook – More than compiling a multifaceted record of a gathering, creating scrapbooks can be a rewarding. At your next family event have each family create a page. Take pictures that day thinking about each family, so you can get a representative sample. When the film is developed, place the appropriate pictures with that family’s page. Compile together and share at your next gathering.

“The important part of gift giving isn’t so much what you get, but prolonging the family time together,” says Olsen. “Instead of a gift exchange, you can think of activities or games to do together. You can sing carols or look over photo albums. You can view family videos or make a video heirloom. Any holiday tradition is an opportunity beyond eating to spend time together. You have a short amount of time together, but you want to make it a good memory for the whole year.”

“That’s one gift everyone will appreciate.”

Courtesy of ARA Content

About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content

Circulated by Article Emporium

From Penny Pincher to " Coupon Queen "

by: Melissa Garcia

You've heard the the old saying"Nothing in life is free" right? Well not anymore. My name is Melissa Garcia and I am a mother of two children ,Taylor my daughter and Ryan my son. I got married in 1995 and we decided to have our first child 6 months after.Thats when my husband and I decided that I was going to be a stay at home mom. My husband bought us a computer and soon we got the internet. Boy did that open a whole new world to me! I soon started chatting with moms who clipped coupons,sent in refunds and frequented freebie boards. My husband thought I was silly. The first month I would save over half on my grocery bill, the second month I was bringing home receipts showing him how I got stuff free at the grocery store. I think he must have feel out of his chair when the third month came along and I came home and the store actually had to pay me to shop there (sitting here laughing and reminicing all these memories while writing this). Well friends and relatives start asking how are you doing this? So of course I got them started and then eventually started my own website online! My site started out small but quickly grew to over 2,000 people now both men and women and we are growing larger everyday. Everything is growing so quickly that even my children have stepped into help. My children set down with me and help me sort, staple & cut my coupons. They are learning the value of saving money. Of course daughter is picking up on it faster than my my son. Ryan will say mom can we get that and Taylor will say "Not unless mom has a coupon for it" LOL!! I do alot for people and Im very envolved in my childrens activities. Im one of those people who can't say no LOL and sometimes I feel stressed and under appreciated. I know there are other people out there like me and that is another reason why I started this website. Everyone I know calls me the "Coupon Queen".. My husband is so proud of me that he carries a picture around of me standing next to my free stuff!!.Why even our local news station has called me to do SEVERAL interviews which you can see at http://www.channeloklahoma.com (do a search for coupon queen) My dream now is to go on the "Oprah Show"!!! We will be starting some coupon classes and also hope to get involved with the battered womens shelters soon!! We hope this gets you as much enjoyment and money savings tips as we do!! ABOUT OUR SITE: On our site you can learn how to get FREE stuff from Major companys online with no strings attached!! My mailbox is always filled with goodies. Also did you know there are online sites that will give you FREE Gift Certificates just for registering and visiting there online merchants, no purchase necessary!! I have gotten FREE gift certificates to places like, Toys r us, Target, Walmart, and TJ Maxx. I tell people how to look for offers in grocery stores from major companies offering free stuff like FREE Movie Tickets just for sending in upc's from their products.Dont forget getting your groceries at 70 to 80% off using coupons! We show you how to get the best deals! We also have a shoppers alert board Where people post about good deals they find online like office max offering a $20 off any $20 purchase you just pay shipping. Target is one of our favorites. We teach women how to REALLY shop targets clearance section. We are usually the first ones to find the deals as sometimes we find out about stuff thats on clereance before its even marked!!! You should see my gift closet. I already have most of my Christmas shopping done!! We help each other out when we find an amazing clearance sale like $60 karioke machine that I got for $9 or the $100 pokemon gameboys that were not marked clereance but rang up $10 or $15!!!!! Oh and you cant forget saving money around the home. We have remedies you can make at home like Homemade baby wipes and dryer sheets.Learn how to make your household items last longer. I also talk about sweepstakes! I have won a trip to Cancun and San Antonio.I have won birthday partys for my daughter, 2 cases of cereal ,$100 in groceries and many other items!! My family and friends call me the FRUGAL QUEEN!!!! Kathie is our Technical Liason and Graphics Coordinator and with out her I don't know what we'd do. So if you like what you see give Kathie a hollar & let her know!!! Anyone can be a " Frugal/Coupon Queen " and we'll show you how!! And don't forget when you get all those good deals don't forget to donate to you local shelter!!! To find out more go to: http://www.morestealsanddeals.com About the author: Copyright Bio: Melissa Garcia CouponQueenofok@aol.com Edmond,Oklahoma You may use this article for free for non profit as long as you keep its authenticity and you email me to let me know where it will be posted or published as I would love to let my readers know.I have a pic that would go great with this article if you'd like to email me for it. Circulated by Article Emporium