Many children will be trick-or-treating tonight and tomorrow night.  Here are a few reminders of safety for us all.

1)  Stay in groups.  Never go trick-or-treating alone. 
2)  Teach children to never enter a home without prior permission from their parents.
3)  Teach your children to never approach a vehicle unless they have their parent or guardian.
4)  Carry a flashlight or glow stick and wear reflective clothing.
5)  Never go up to a home that is not well lit.
6)  If possible, go with your children.  If not, go in groups or see if your child can tag along with another parent.
7)  Consider attending fall …read more

I remember when I was pregnant with my first child and it seemed like I was spending a lot of my free time in the doctor’s office.  Now that I have kids, I’m spending more time than I’d care to waiting for appointments.  Here are more tips for saving time while at a doctor’s office.  Ironically, I wrote them while waiting. 

7)  Take something to do with you.  This one isn’t going to get you seen any quicker, but it can help save you time especially if you have a recurring weekly appointment.  I have cleaned out my purse, …read more

Unfortunately, we can spend a lot of unnecessary time sitting around waiting at the doctor’s office.  Your time is valuable so here are some time saving tips to help:

4)  Find out the best way to communicate with the doctor.  Some doctors are now conversing with patients by email.  Some prefer to have you leave a message with the nurse who usually returns your calls within a few hours.
5)  Be willing to see a nurse practitioner or other physician on staff.  If my kids are sick and need to be seen right away then I know that I can probably get …read more

Here at Thrifty Mommy we sometimes provide tips on saving time as well as saving money.  After all, your time is valuable to you just like your finances.  Unfortunately, one of the places where you might spend and waste a lot of your time is in the doctor’s office waiting to be seen.  Ironically, I am now sitting at a doctor’s while my son is being seen. 

Here are some tips to save you time:
1)  Be on time.  This one may sound simple, but so many people are late for their doctor appointments.  Being late can cost you time.  Many offices …read more

The recent Gallup Organization survey notes that women are putting off both pregnancy and gynecological exams due to financial constraints and money concerns.
According to coverage of this issue in the Chicago Tribune, “Women who were in a relationship but not married were most concerned about an unintended pregnancy, at 33 percent. Almost one in ten married women said the economy was a factor in their decision to postpone a planned pregnancy.”

Postponing a pregnancy is one thing; dire consequences won’t come of avoiding a pregnancy, but skipping gynecological exams due to economics is quite another issues. Women need to have a …read more

USA Today just ran a good piece about how to extend your health care coverage if you’ve been laid off, a piece, that sadly, many of the workers in the U.S. can use right now. Most of us have heard of the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), which allows you to extend your health care coverage, but it’s always been hyper expensive to do so, which makes little sense, since the last thing people without work need is way higher health care costs.

The USA Today piece points out that now the new economic stimulus package enacted this year …read more

Did you know that nearly one out of every 10 children in the US has asthma?  Asthma can be overwhelming and scary for a child.  It is important for parents to talk to their children about asthma and how to properly manage the condition.
Schering-Plough has partnered with the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) to develop Breathless Bethany Buttercup, a cute and colorful children’s storybook that uses a little girl’s story about her experience with asthma to provide information about asthma management.  It’s designed to help parents talk with their kids about the importance of properly managing the …read more

Turkey Butt has been very sick with the stomach flu. Her doctor gave her a prescription for anti-nausea that has helped but we are still trying to get Gatorade and Pedialite down her. Her favorite drink is strawberry milk and I can’t let her have that on such a queezy stomach until she is better. Our doctor says if she isn’t better by tomorrow, then she iwll have to be hospitalized. Not exactly what I wanted to hear.
So here is what I am trying and I hope it will help you as well to be mindful …read more

Recently I was sent a bag of Weight Watcher’s newest desert, Pecan Crowns.  They are 1 point and absolutely delicious.  I usually don’t like deserts, just ask Karen, but these are really good.  They are like those wonderful pecan turtles minus the guilt.  The chocolate melts in your mouth and I would wholeheartedly recommend eating them for a guilt free desert.

I hate it when Turkey Butt is sick.  I take full advantage of the snuggle time,. but I hate it when she runs a fever and is nauseated.  It’s just never any fun.   Remember the good old days when we could feel comforted as parents knowing the cold medicine we were giving our kids was helping?!?!?!?!?!  Now I just feel helpless.