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lunedì 14 agosto 2017

Memoirs of London - 5

When the springtime came I decided to search for another job. I was grateful to the pizza’s factory ‘cause they gave me the chance to start a new life in London but I needed to change.

I needed to stay at open air and I started walking on the streets, aimless, enjoying the people going on, the shops, the parks and all the life which ordinarily goes by.

One day, along Oxford Street, in one of those tourist’s shops which sell with sweets a lot of Londoner’s souvenirs, I saw a notice like they were looking for staff. I got in and questioned the boss. It was not for his farm, he said, but for another firm which used his entrance for selling fresh ice-creams and drinks, made by personal machines on the place.

He gave me a phone number. After the interview and a three day training , just to learn how to use the machines for making ice-cream (an Italian made Carpigiani) and properly clean it, I started working on one of the pitches they had placed exactly where the shop chain had its selling points.

I was happy to stay finally outside and the weather was nice and mild. The wages increased as the hot season advanced, so I could save some money to go away, may to India or to Mexico, who knows?

I met a lot of good people staying outside. Susy, who introduced me to some English poets and her friend Angie, a nice, blond, blue eyes girl.

But not even her kindness could prevent my departure ‘cause nobody can stop the will of leaving, the desire of traveling, the search of someone’s way.

After the summer season, I decided to leave.

In that time I was profoundly fascinated by the Indian culture. I went through the reading of several books like Hermann Hesse's Siddharta, The Indian Upanishads and Tagore's poems. As a matter of fact I had a lot of confusion into my mind but when you fall in love with something you easily lose your reason. So I thought that I had to go there, where the quintessence of spirituality resided.

In a certain way it occurred to me what happened to the great traveler Cristobal Colon: as he did, I landed to America while searching for India.

After wandering for six months between Miami, Panama, Caracas and Bogotà I was back to London, as I’ll count to the patient reader hereinafter.

6. to be continued...

mercoledì 21 novembre 2012

How to Hire a Nanny without Using an Agency

While nanny agencies are a popular way of securing private, in-home childcare, there are parents who would prefer to find a nanny on their own, without the services of such placement agencies. Fortunately for those families, there are a wide variety of ways to find a nanny without the assistance of an agency. From the best ways to find a nanny without agency assistance to the ins and outs of running the hiring show yourself, here are a few tips to help you along the way.

Take Advantage of Nanny Websites – Nanny agencies typically charge families a fee in exchange for placement services because the agency does the job of sifting through their pool of available childcare providers and sending over the contact information of those they feel would be the best match for the household. Nanny job sites, however, operate on a different model, generally offering prospective nanny employers access to a master list for a nominal fee. While a job site designed specifically for nannies and their employers won’t cull candidates that aren’t likely to make the grade, they do charge far less. Some of these services are even free, existing solely on advertising revenue.
Peruse Online Classified Ad Sites – While online local classified ad sites like Craigslist have been on the receiving end of a bit of bad press from time to time, they’re still one of the more popular ways to find a nanny without using a placement service. These sites allow users to post and respond to classified ads for free, and are broken down into cities or regions to ensure that most respondents live locally.
Don’t Forget About Print – Taking out an ad in a local newspaper or free press publication might not be completely free, but it does tend to be fairly cheap and can still net results, despite the prevailing idea that print is a dying medium. The trick is to choose a publication with a fairly wide readership in order to reach the highest audience.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Word of Mouth – Ask around and you may be surprised at what you find. Friends-of-friends that are experienced and capable career nannies or the college student studying child development who lives on the next block could turn out to be a perfect fit for your family, and one that you never would have found through an agency. Social media is a great way to spread the word you’re looking for a nanny.
Never Skip the Background Check – One thing that most nanny agencies do handle is the criminal background screening and driving record check that helps to ensure that you don’t inadvertently hire a nanny with a documented questionable past, a criminal record or a suspended license due to unsafe driving or poor decisions. Because nanny job websites and online or print classified ads offer absolutely no screening of the candidates that reply, it’s of the utmost importance that you never choose to forgo a background check.
Be a Stickler for References – There’s nothing stopping a respondent to any advertisement from creating an entirely fictitious job history, so it’s imperative that you make every effort to comb through references submitted to you by promising candidates. Ensuring that an applicant is who she says she is, and that she actually possesses the level of education and childcare experience that she claims she does is solely your responsibility when you choose not to use a full-service nanny agency.
Insist On Certifications – CPR and first aid certifications are required by all applicants in the hiring pool of reputable nanny agencies, but are not required by law for private childcare providers. There’s no standard licensing or certification process for nannies, so it’s up to you to ensure that a nanny applicant has up-to-date CPR certification and first aid training. This ensures that she is capable of handling any emergency situations that may arise.

While a nanny placement agency does take a lot of the hassle and guesswork out of hiring a nanny, it can also diminish the scope of your hiring power and be quite expensive. Rather than being restricted to a relatively small list sent over from an agency, you can cast your net wide and have a hands-on hiring experience. Provided that you take the proper common-sense precautions, are willing to invest the time and energy into screening nannies, and are vigilant about checking a candidate’s background and references, hiring a qualified nanny without the services of an agency is possible.

P.S. This post was proposed to me for publication by Carol Watson. I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

http://www.nationalnannies.com/blog/how-to-hire-a-nanny-without-using-an-agency/

lunedì 24 settembre 2012

30 of the Best Blogs About Saving for College

Without a college education, a young person’s prospects for a reasonably secure job that pays well can be dramatically reduced. The cost of a degree, however, can be almost prohibitive for some families. Thankfully, there are several methods of saving for college and finding outside financial aid that can make the dream of an advanced education a reality. The following 30 blog entries discuss various methods of financing a college education without completely destroying the family budget.
529 College Savings Plans
Named after section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code that created such plans in 1996, a 529 Plan is designed to help families set money aside for use towards future education costs. Almost every state currently has at least one 529 plan available, but the particulars can differ from state to state. Before beginning to invest, it’s a good idea to research the features of 529 plans in your individual state.

Certificate of Deposit
A certificate of deposit, commonly referred to as a CD, is a risk-free savings plan insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration for banks and credit unions, respectively. CDs are designed to be held until the end of a fixed term, at which time they’ve “matured” and money can be withdrawn, along with all of the interest accrued over that term. These five blog entries discuss the ins and outs of CD as a savings method.

Money Market Accounts
Banks and credit unions offer money market accounts, which are similar to standard savings accounts in many ways. The major difference between the two is that a money market account typically pays a higher interest rate with a higher minimum balance requirement. Most money market accounts also allow only three to six withdrawals each month, which is typically a non-issue for families using the plan solely as a method of saving for college. These plans are also insured by the FDIC, making them a safer alternative to higher-risk, higher-yield methods.

I Savings Bonds
Once upon a time, savings bonds were paper securities sold at financial institutions as low-risk, liquid savings products. While the U.S. Treasury no longer offers paper savings bonds as part of their ongoing effort to increase electronic transactions, you can still purchase savings bonds to help finance a child’s education. In these five blog entries, I Bonds are discussed at greater length.

Offsetting Tuition Expenses with Scholarships and Grants
Depending upon your child’s athletic or scholastic aptitude, you may find that qualifying for and receiving partial or even full scholarships is easier than you realized. For some families, government grants are also a possibility. Offsetting some of your child’s tuition costs with scholarships and grants can make your existing savings stretch farther, as discussed in these five blog entries.

Student Loans
Sometimes, despite parents’ best efforts, the college funds they’ve set aside for their children simply aren’t enough to cover all of the expenses. In such cases, especially when grants and scholarships aren’t an option, student loans may be the only choice. These five blogs tackle the issue of student loans, offering valuable insights and information.

P. S. This post was proposed to me for publication by Carol Watson. I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

http://www.nationalnannies.com/blog/30-of-the-best-blogs-about-saving-for-college/

sabato 15 settembre 2012

How to Make Your Own Baby Wipes

Baby wipes have long been hailed as a godsend for parents, and many parents use them for far more than just their intended purpose. In addition to being used to clean up messy babies during a much-need diaper change, lots of parents swear by using them to wipe up messes, act as a mini-shower, and serve as tissues, paper towels, and napkins. However have you ever taken the time to look at the ingredients listed on your baby wipes packaging? Are the ingredients listed full of words that you can’t pronounce? Babies have sensitive skin, and the harsh ingredients in commercial wipes can irritate a baby’s soft bottom, not to mention while wipes are super convenient, they can also get pretty expensive. By making your own baby wipes you will not only save money, but you can use gentle ingredients that won’t harm or irritate your baby’s delicate skin.

Gather together the following items:

4 qt. round or square container with a lid (wide enough for paper towel roll to fit in and tall enough for ½ of the roll to fit)
Roll of 2-ply paper towel (Bounty select-a-size work well)
2 tablespoons of baby wash
2 tablespoons of mineral oil (use coconut oil or vegetable oil if sensitive skin)
2 ½ cups of hot water
Cutting board
Knife

Start by cutting the roll of paper towel in half using the knife. Pull the cardboard core out of the paper towel halves. The last paper towel is usually glued on, but with a little work you can get it to come loose. Place half of the paper towels into the container, cut side down. Measure the hot water, add the baby wash and oil to the water, and stir. Pour this mixture over the paper towels. Put the lid on and turn the container upside down. Allow the container to sit for about 5 minutes. Flip container back over and now the wipes are ready to use. Cut an “X” in the lid of the container if you’d like to pull the wipes through. Otherwise you can just take the lid off each time. Start pulling wipes from the center.

Since there are no preservatives in these wipes there is a chance for mold to form. To avoid this keep them in a cool place that is out of direct sunlight. If you are worried about mold you can add 4 drops of tea tree oil to the water before adding it to the paper towels. Tea tree is a natural antiseptic and will help to prevent any mold from forming.

You can also customize these wipes to suit you and your baby’s needs. It’s simple to add a few drops of lavender essential oil if you’d like to have scented wipes. Lavender also has antiseptic properties.

Homemade wipes can also be used in your travel wipes container, or you can simply throw some in a zip top bag and go.

The savings on these wipes will vary by where you live, but on average you can save about $10 a month by making your own wipes. Homemade wipes tend to be moister then store bought ones, so some parents think they work better as well. If the wipes seem too wet for your liking just decrease the amount of water you use the next time you make them.

P. S. This post was proposed to me for publication by Kaitlyn Johnson I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

http://www.newborncare.com/blog/how-to-make-your-own-baby-wipes/

giovedì 6 settembre 2012

How to Make a Beach Tote from Duct Tape

There are so many beautiful patterns and types of duct tape in the craft stores. What once was plain silvery gray are now rainbow colors and bright patterns. You can even make your beach tote to match your swim suit if you want.

The most important first step is to learn how to make duct tape fabric. From that point everything is a lot easier. Say for example that you would like the sides to be about 12×12 inches. You will need to make a 12×12 piece of duct tape fabric. To do this you will cut strips of duct tape 12 inches long. One side will be sticky so you need to cover that will more tape. So start out by cutting 4 strips of tape 12 inches long. If you’d like the inside of your tote to be a different color half of your strips will need to be that inside color and half will need to be the outside color.

Take the inside tape strip and lay it directly on top of the outside tape color. Make sure to line up the strips as exactly as you can so all of the sticky is covered up on both sides. Be careful to avoid bubbles in the tape.
Take another inside strip and lay it down, overlapping about ¼” of the other inside strip. Turn it over and cover that strip with another outside strip color. Continue to do that until you have a 12×12 piece of duct tape fabric.
Create another 12×12 sheet of duct tape fabric the same way. This is the other side of the tote bag.
For the sides of the bag you will start just like you did with the sides. However, you will make the sides only as wide as you need them. For a tote wide enough to carry a towel and other stuff you probably need to make the sides about 10×12.
Attach the sides to the front and back. Similarly to how you created the fabric you are going to lay the front panel of the bag next to the side panel and using a 12 inch piece of tape you will adhere the panels together. Do this to the other side panel so that you can work on it while it’s flat. Now attach the back panel to the second side panel still keeping it flat so that your tape is straight and doesn’t have a lot of bubbles. To make the bag 3D you will need to bring the two edges together and tape them to form the body of the bag.
For the bottom you will need to create duct tape fabric in the dimension of the bag. If you make your sides 10 inches wide them you will make your bottom piece 10x 12. Using the same method as before make the duct tape fabric. Then attach the bottom on all edges with strips of tape.
To reinforce the whole bag you can tape everything on the inside and outside of the bag. If you have used different tape on the inside of the bag just make sure that you stay consistent when attaching the panels together.
For the handles of the bag you have two options. The first option is to decide how long you’d like the handles to be and adhere two strips of tape together at that length. Make two of these so that you have a handle on each side of the bag. Attach the ends of the handles to the sides of the bag using strips of duct tape. On the center of the handles you may want to fold the tape in half and wrap it with additional tape to make the handles more comfortable to hold.
A different handle would be one that is a single strap going from end panel to end panel. Create a strip that is 30 inches long by adhering two pieces of tape together as before. Set the handle aside and create the loops where the handle will go. Take a strip of tape that is about 10 inches long and stick it to the side of the tote about 2 inches below the edge. The tape needs to be vertical at this point. Stick the tape to the tote for an inch then pinch the tape in half so that it sticks to itself, but leave the last inch to stick back on the tote. Curve the tape around and stick this end even with the other end. Now you have a loop. Create another loop for the opposite end.
Take the strap and fold it through the loops. Use a piece of tape to stick the end of the strap to itself on the other side of the loop. Do this to the other end of the strap and your tote is complete.

While this is just a basic tote, the possibilities are endless when it comes to meshing fashion and function. You can make this tote in any size and color that you want, making it the perfect summer accessory.

P. S. This post was proposed to me for publication byCarrie Dotson. I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

http://www.summernannyjobs.com/blog/how-to-make-a-beach-tote-from-duct-tape/

lunedì 3 settembre 2012

How to Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaning Wipes

The invention of the cleaning wipes was genius. They make wiping up a mess or disinfecting door handles a snap. The problem with these wipes is that sometimes the ingredients are a bit harsh and they can be a bit pricey. Worry no more, check out this tutorial on how to make your own non-toxic cleaning wipes for less.
Step 1 Take a roll of 2-ply paper towels and cut it in half with a sharp knife. Try to avoid serrated knives as sometimes they chew up the edge of the paper towels too much.
Step 2 Find a container that is big enough to put one half of the paper towels in. A 4 quart round container is ideal, but sometimes difficult to find. Square containers work fine too. A large margarine tub is often the most efficient and handy choice. Once you have found a container that the paper towels will fit into you will want to work the core of the paper towel roll free from the glue in the center and remove it. Put the paper towel in the container cut side down.
Step 3 Mix together a solution of 1 ½ cups of white vinegar, 1 ½ cups of water, and a tablespoon of lemon juice (optional).
Step 4 Pour the solution all over the paper towels. Snap the lid on and turn it upside down for about 5 minutes to let the solution completely saturate the paper towels.
Step 5 Turn the container right side up and cut an “X” in the top of the container. Open the container and grab a paper towel from the center of the roll and feed it up through the “X” in the lid. Snap the lid back on and you are ready to clean.
Germ fighter In order to make your wipes the germ killing kind you will need to go a step further with your solution. Add ½ teaspoon of tea tree oil. Make sure that you get the pure essential oil and not the cheap imitation stuff.
Window cleaning wipes Turn your wipes into window cleaning wipes by using a different solution. Mix together ½ cup of rubbing alcohol, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and 2 ½ cups of water. Pour the solution over the paper towels as before and you will have wipes that will give you streak free windows. To make sure your windows or mirrors are streak free you might want to dry them with some newspaper.
Tips If you’d like to give your wipes a nice fragrance add a few drops of an orange essential oil and wherever you clean will have a citrusy fresh scent.
Warning these wipes are not intended for baby care. These wipes are non-toxic, but it’s still a good idea to keep all cleaning products out of the reach of children. Do not flush these wipes as the paper towels can still clog your plumbing even though they are non-toxic.

P. S. This post was proposed to me for publication by Maria Wells I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

http://www.housekeeping.org/blog/how-to-make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-wipes/

venerdì 17 agosto 2012

5 Rules for Handling Hand Me Downs

There’s no denying the fact that babies are expensive, and many families work hard to lessen the expense that comes with having a baby by searching for good deals on all of the items that are needed. When given the option of cutting costs by buying second-hand gear or taking hand me downs from friends and family members, most new and expecting parents leap at the opportunity. While some items are perfectly safe to be used after a previous owner unloads them, there are some that should not be used and guidelines for how others should be handled in order to ensure that they’re up to snuff and safe for your little one. Here are five of the rules that you should take into consideration before you stock up on second-hand baby paraphernalia.

Check Recall Information – The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission is the single most valuable resource for recalls and safety warnings that the modern parent has at their disposal. Their website is a wealth of information for both new and used baby items; parents should make a habit of checking it regularly or signing up for their free email list in order to stay abreast of any developments regarding future recalls.
Be Sure That Older Furniture Meets Modern Safety Guidelines – If a hand me down crib was made after 1992 it’s almost certain to meet modern safety standards. Measure the space between slats to ensure that they’re no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, and check to make sure that any paint on very old or antique cribs is not lead-based, that models of any age have not been recalled, and that your mattress fits snugly into the crib with no more than two-fingers width between the edge of the mattress and the sides of the crib. You’ll also want to be sure the headboard and foot board have no ornate cutouts that could post an entrapment risk. Changing tables should feature a railing or raised edge that’s at least six inches higher than the changing surface and safety straps or harnesses to keep wiggling babies in place; high chairs should be checked for stability and any broken or deteriorating pieces.
Skip the Second-Hand Car Seat – One thing that should not be purchased second-hand, or accepted as a hand me down donation, is a car seat, due to the extreme concerns about their safety and functionality in the event of a car accident. Car seats should always be discarded and replaced after an accident, even if they seem to be intact under close scrutiny. Often, inner workings and safety measures can be compromised after an accident, rendering them practically useless in a second crash. Unless you know the history of a car seat intimately and are absolutely sure that it was never in so much as a fender bender, it’s best to opt for a new model to ensure your new baby’s safety.
Give Items More Than a Once-Over – A quick glance is usually not sufficient to ensure that all parts of an item are in good working order and that nothing is missing, so take the time to carefully examine a second-hand item. Make sure that all screws and bolts are tight, that surfaces feel stable, and that nothing wobbles; toys should have all pieces intact and present no danger of breaking into smaller parts that could present a choking hazard, and strollers should have working breaks and be free of any rusting, sharp edges, or frayed seams.
Clean, Clean, Clean – No matter where a second-hand item came from or how clean their houses are, it’s important that you clean them thoroughly to remove any mildew or mustiness due to the item languishing in a storage building, stains of indeterminate origin, bacteria, or foreign bodies. While you’re scrubbing look for corrosion from leaky batteries or expiration dates; some items are made from plastic that degrades over time and may no longer be suitable for use.

Clothes for newborns and young infants can often be purchased second-hand for far less than retail cost and show few signs of wear due to the limited time that babies can wear them before outgrowing them. They’re a great way to stretch your baby budget, leaving you more money for purchasing important items brand new, like car seats and crib mattresses. Breast pumps, bottles, nipples, and feeding items should also be purchased new; though well-meaning friends and family members may gift you a slew of leftovers from their own new-parent days, there’s no rule stating that you have to use them all. Whether you opt to graciously accept them and quietly discard them, or to be open about your skepticism regarding their safety or usefulness (gently and courteously, of course) you should never use baby items that you feel are out of date or less than safe simply because they were given to you by a loved one.

P.S. This post was proposed to me for publication by Paul Taylor, I'm therefore publishing it by his invitation and under his permission. See also the link below fore more information:
http://www.babysittingjobs.com/blog/5-rules-for-handling-hand-me-downs/

domenica 5 agosto 2012

10 Ways to Teach Kids to Manage Their Money

Being able to handle money wisely is the greatest gift you can give your kids. Struggling with money is stressful and unnecessary if you create the foundation for smart spending and saving. Here are 10 ways to teach kids how to manage their money and to help instill your money values in them.

Pay yourself first. Decide with your child what percentage of the money he earns or receives that he will get to just spend however he wants. Be it on candy, bubble gum machines, or toys. It’s important that he have some money that he feels like he can spend however he chooses. You can set the rules as to how and when he can spend it, but make sure that he does have some money for fun stuff.
Create jars and label where the money is to go. Take some mason jars or recycled jars and label them with the different places that the money is going to go. Have jars marked, “Fun Money”, “Long term Savings”, “Short term Savings” and “Charity”. Feel free to change the names around to fit your goals. Long-term savings could actually say, “College Fund” and the short-term savings could say, “Cell phone”. Things like this will allow you and your child to personalize your savings system. Once you hit a certain amount in your jar you can move it to a bank account.
Help your child choose a charity in which to donate. Giving back to the world is an important lesson that kids need to learn from a young age. In your case maybe you would like your child to give money to your church in addition to or instead of a charity. Maybe your kids love animals and would like to donate money to the Humane Society.
Set a savings goal for big ticket items. If your child is constantly asking for a large toy or electronic encourage him to start saving for it. Print out a small thermometer chart and help him fill in the thermometer as he puts money in the jar. It will increase the excitement if he feels like he is getting closer to his goal. You could offer up some extra chores where he could earn some extra money. You’ll be amazed at how ambitious kids can be if they have the proper motivation.
Make sure they have long-term savings. Talk to your child about going to college or buying their first car. These items are very expensive and have to be saved for. Determine what you think the fair amount would be to put into the long term savings jar. Is it 10 or 20%?
Open a savings account for your child. Take your child to the bank or credit union and help her open her first savings account. There are online options as well that will allow you to add money to her account electronically so the money is never actually in her hand. This option is available and you will have to decide whether it’s the right option for you and your child or not. When opening a savings account you can explain about interest. Let her know that the bank will pay her for letting them use her money.
Help your children realize the difference between a need and a want. This is an important discussion to have with your kids. You will hear your kids tell you that they NEED to have the latest jeans or cell phone, but those are wants and not needs. Help your kids see the difference and then when they come to you and say that they have to have something you can ask if it’s a need or a want. Wants aren’t a bad thing, but needs should be taken care of first. For example, he ‘needs’ to put money into savings for his future more than he ‘wants’ to get the latest video game.
Create a filing system to keep track of receipts. Getting your child used to tracking their money is an important habit to get them into. When they buy something with their money they need to come home and write down the purchase in their spending journal and then put the receipt into a file. Determine how many files or envelopes you will need. One way to do it is to create an envelope for each month and then have a big envelope to keep all of the smaller envelopes in. This method may work better if you have multiple children tracking their spending. Another way would be to keep the monthly envelopes in a file marked with their name.
Demonstrate money saving techniques. Kids usually go to the grocery store with mom or dad and that is their first experience watching mom spend money. Show the kids how coupons work and in store discounts. Explain various tricks you use to save money while grocery shopping. You may think that your kids won’t need this information for years to come, but it’s important that kids are aware that mom saves money where she can too.
Set a good example when it comes to money values. Keeping your own spending journal and receipt file will set a good example for your kids. Let your kids know that you are saving for a big item or vacation. Kids learn by example and it’s easier for them to learn when they know what you are doing. It’s not so important that your kids know every detail and concern that you have about money, but impress upon them the important stuff.

P.S. This post was proposed to me for publication by Paul Taylor, I'm therefore publishing it by his invitation and under his permission. See also the link below fore more information:
http://www.babysittingjobs.com/blog/10-ways-to-teach-kids-to-manage-their-money/

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