How many times have you heard The world is going to hell on a skateboard? OK, so if I did not tell you, you probably heard The world is going to hell in a handbasket. After last night’s post, I returned to a chain of thinking which always leaves me scratching the noggin and ends in the question:
What’s in it for you?
Custom SearchPatriots & Ex-Pats
What is the world coming to?
Posted by Red on January 16, 2012
https://mommasmoneymatters.com/war-attitude/
The Briefing
“Call Dean Cranston,” Stephen gruffly instructed the Blue Tooth. The telephone only rang twice.
“Where are you?” Stephen’s gaze followed the line of cars to his right. “Fine. Be at the cab stand in seven minutes.” From the gear shift, his right hand silenced the earpiece as he whipped the car through the line.
…slipped out the French doors…
Posted by Red on January 16, 2012
https://mommasmoneymatters.com/squad-6/
Philanthropy Is Not Just For Old Rich People
Today’s youth are the adults of the future. Instilling philanthropic values in children, teens and young adults is vital to solve community and global issues.
Philanthropy is defined by Merriam Webster as the active effort to promote human welfare. Youth have an abundance of energy which, when harnessed, makes even the most difficult tasks seem effortless.
Why is philanthropy important?
Children who volunteer are twice as likely to donate as adults. Youth philanthropists grow up to be adult philanthropists.
Parents strive to teach compassion to their children. The logical next step is teaching philanthropy. Beyond compassionate feelings lies a world in need of action.
Children say the darnedest things…
Television recognizes the power of children’s words and actions with showcases of talent and comic honesty. From the mouths of babes adults everyday look at situations with new eyes. Encouraging philanthropy in youth moves from the entertaining perspective and humor to action.
Metamorphosis
Change occurs when action is taken to make circumstances different. Helping youth identify what needs to change aids in their discovery of how to change it. Often, they can bring a solution where one eludes adults solving the same problem.
What can youth do?
Every penny counts.
Donate: Worldwide, children contribute to causes with allowances, birthday money and after-school job earnings.
Volunteer: Many philanthropic endeavors require labor which is not affordable. Volunteering time for soup kitchens, building projects and deliveries keeps the costs of providing services and goods to needy people at a minimum. Those who cannot afford to donate money can donate their time and talent.
Goodwill: Historic societies, like scouting, promote acts of goodwill. Membership is not a requirement for youth philanthropy.
Kindness: Single acts of kindness are philanthropic. Teens who visit nursing homes to read or do crafts with elderly residents are creating a better way of life for both themselves and the people they visit.
Green Living
Conserve: Children who actively conserve resources are impacting the quality of life for people they will never meet. Living a waste-less lifestyle preserves resources for other people, both now and in the future.
Prevent Crime: Youth who play sports or entertain to raise money for crime prevention have a double impact. They are not participating in crime and are actively raising awareness which prevents crime. Crime prevention is philanthropic.
Play Sports: Sports develop important life skills, like teamwork and accountability. After school sports programs have been cut from school budgets in record numbers. Community sports programs which feature community service in lieu of registration payments advance youth philanthropy.
Music is a universal language.
Perform: Music education can lead an at-risk youth toward a more enriched and fulfilling life. Music enhances the lives of all who hear it. Talented youth play instruments and sing to raise awareness for crises from hunger to pollution prevention. Performing concerts for the less advantaged of any age is philanthropic.
Citizenship: Youth involved in governmental processes are more prepared to be educated voters and instrumental political leaders. They bring about change in the political arena which benefits society by rallying their peers.
Educate: Education is necessary for all of society to continue to progress. Any teen can read to children in a public library. Youth who actively teach others, both younger children and adults, strengthen their communities to make better decisions and enrich others’ lives.
Why is youth philanthropy important for our future?
Youth can change the world they live in and the world for the people with which they share it. They have the power to influence their generation to make every community better. They hold the keys to a better way of life for their elders, their peers and future generations.
Youth philanthropy is our future.
(c) Ann Marie Dwyer 2012
Reblogging of this or any other post on Momma’s Money Matters is expressly forbidden.
Copyright and Privacy Policy available in The Office.
Posted by Red on January 15, 2012
https://mommasmoneymatters.com/youth/
Anyone got a light?
Over the last two weeks, I have gotten a few awards, which I have been sitting upon whilst I was on vacation (and because I did the awards thing between Christmas and New Year’s). Plus, I am so behind in my reading (I would blame vacation, but blame is such an ugly word.) which helps me choose winners who do not already 17 of the award I want to bestow.
Enough excuses. Time for me to get off my duff and hand out some awards.
Today, the award I am sending ’round is one which does not require me to undress admit anything or name every stinking blog I read a set number of blogs. Instead, this quiet little award only requires I copy this post:
Whenever you see a post or blog that you think brings light to the world, put a copy of this post and give them The Candle Lighter Award. What does the recipient have to do to accept it? Just accept it. They can copy and paste the photo on this post onto their blog.
Shine Your Light
What else do recipients have to do? Nothing. If they think someone else is a Candle Lighter, they can give them the award anytime and as often as they want. There is no limit to how many blogs you award The Candle Lighter Award to and no limit to how many times someone can receive it.
Lorre from Articles of Absurdity gave me the candle with the following quote:
This award is for those bloggers whose words light the way through the blogosphere. It originated for blogs “that bring light to the world [and offer] inspiration, hope, optimism, good advice, faith filled assurances, and even humor.”
If I ever thought anything I wrote was inspirational, I would have named this blog something entirely different. (But enough about the M3 Identity Crisis and the poll on the left.) I truly appreciate when anyone finds what I have to say at least useful, and Lorre giving me this lets me know some of what I am trying to impart may actually be getting through. (Although, it may simply be payback for me giving her an award!)
Who lights the path?
In my list of blogs I lurk through in the wee hours of the morning, there are many who truly light the path. In an effort not to duplicate the award, I have chosen the following knowing full well I shall award this particular one without another post as time transpires.
Angie brings to the blogosphere an uninhibited love of spirituality, humanity and Christianity. She concentrates on ways to be a better human being. And when she least expects it, she shines a Q-beam on the path.
Nigel is on a quest to uncover non-scam writing sites in an effort to further his career and save others the pitfalls which await the starving artist sitting before the keyboard. He is definitely a beacon in the blogosphere.
These two are a lovely couple who bring poignant reflections of the Bible, simple living, kind consideration and the occasional haiku. Being passionate about being demure may be an oxymoron, but they pull it off with grace and light.
Totsy has gone so far as create a page which insists she is not an award winner. I say, Pshaw. You will enjoy her amazing humor and her innovative way of highlighting whatever comes across her path. Best I give her an award which requires her to do nothing.
I hope you enjoy these blogs as much as I have. When I do award this again, I will annotate this post with the additional recipients. Best to comment so you can follow along. And if you have any Candle Lighter recommendations for me, I would love to know which blogs shed light into your corner of the blogosphere.
It is on Amazon…like everything else, except Nook.
And now, for something completely different….
And while I am asking for recommendations, I need some personal opinions. I am going to be purchasing a new ereader soon…very soon.
If you had to choose, Kindle 3, Kindle 4, Kindle Fire or Nook…and why.
(c) Ann Marie Dwyer 2012
Reblogging of this or any other post on Momma’s Money Matters is expressly forbidden.
Copyright and Privacy Policy available in The Office.
Posted by Red on January 15, 2012
https://mommasmoneymatters.com/blog-awards-cla/
How Many?
It is expensive.
Delivering a child is a financial nightmare for many women. With the average cost of prenatal care and delivery just over $7,800 (for run-of-the-mill, no complications, no frills, no multiples, no circumcision), often money plays a role in choosing to get pregnant. Raising children is not for the financial weak, either. Estimates vary for the cost of raising a child to age 18 from $186,000 to just over $270,000.
The question was:
If money were no object, how many children would you have?”
The results are in and a bit surprising.
Tie For Last
9% of survey takers chose both None and 6-9. The None group cited different reasons, including not prepared for the commitment, not liking children and not mature enough to be responsible for themselves, much less anyone helpless. Other reasons were too much work, not enough time, no parenting skills, afraid of childbirth, health, unable to commit to spouse/partner and afraid of getting it wrong and damaging the child.
The 6-9 group were mostly from large families (of six or more siblings) and wanted to have their children brought up with the same camaraderie and closeness they had felt growing up.
The More The Merrier
11% chose the option of having 10 or more. Reasons varied from coming from large families themselves to being only children who always wanted more siblings. Two voters said they wanted built-in babysitters for the younger children. Two more liked the idea of fielding a sports team with the family name.
Nearly a Third
29% said they wanted one to two children. Despite the question, more than a quarter of them stated they would not be able to afford more than two. When prompted to reread the question, they did not change their answers, but did change the reasoning.
- Wanted one biological child and one adopted
- Always wanted two
- Wanted to adopt two for the sibling closeness
- Cannot handle more than two emotionally
- Probably happy with one, but better for child to have two.
None of those questioned admitted they only wanted to have one.
Top of the Heap
Balance and Harmony
The most popular choice, with 42% of the vote, was three to five children. Most of the ones choosing this answer already had at least one child and wanted more. They were willing to adopt their significant other’s children, adopt and/or have more of their own.
More than half of these thought four was the perfect number citing everything from balance of sexes in the home to pairing of siblings for outings to getting the most from investments in clothing/sports gear/electronic toys to Little Women. One thought she may have answered differently had she not had triplets.
Interesting Notes
- Singles were just as likely to want more than five children as married people.
- Many were over 35 with children, but still wanted more.
- About 10% were over 35, but had not had any yet.
- More than 30% wanted a mix of adopted/natural or only adopted.
- Almost 25% wanted children even if they never found a spouse/partner.
- Almost 20% wanted an ethnic mix of children and specifically other than their ethnicity.
- Just under 10% would pursue advanced fertility options for more/any children.
- Fewer than 5% would choose surrogacy.
Some New Things
I hope you have taken a moment to look at the new poll. There were many influences which went into the names selected and the concept art which accompanies the tag cloud choice. To choose other, you must input your idea. Comments are welcome. This poll will not last more than a week, so if you have questions, now is the time.
This will be the final week with M3 News. Its visit count has been abysmal over the last month. So, which would you rather: Just go away or become a place where series are linked?
If you missed the Saturday Evening Post, I am looking for names for the ongoing story. If it gets large enough, it may well become a book. Seriously, if you missed the SEP, I want to know your answers.
(c) Ann Marie Dwyer 2012
Reblogging of this or any other post on Momma’s Money Matters is expressly forbidden.
Copyright and Privacy Policy available in The Office.
Posted by Red on January 15, 2012
https://mommasmoneymatters.com/number-of-children/
Compliments of The M3 Readers