Tuesday, May 8, 2012

$mart Suzy: Mother’s Day hat winner, family
fun activities, helping kids with money, deals

By Suzy $mart
Kyforward columnist

 

Suzy is so excited to tell you that Kelsey Wood of Richmond has won the Keeneland Gift Shop monogrammed hat, just in time for Mother’s Day! Thanks to all those who entered. Please stay tuned for more exciting giveaways – great surprises in store.

 

Tomorrow: The great giveaway will be a free nights’ stay at one of Kentucky’s great state park resorts lodges. Tell your friends. Don’t miss it.

 

Family fun – Legends back

 

The Lexington Legends return home for four games May 10-13 against the Hagerstown Suns. Thursday, May 10th is Bark in the Park night, presented by IncrediPet, so plan to take your well-behaved doggie to the game. A two-dollar admission charge for each dog will benefit the Paris Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). It’s also Thirsty Thursday, and Pepsi products will be on sale for one dollar each.

 

Friday is Faith and Family Night, presented by Asbury University. Saturday will feature the entertainment of Birdzerk and a Ford Fireworks show after the game. Saturday is Nurses Night. Sunday is a JIF Kids Club Sunday, and all kids may run the bases after the game.

 

Games will begin at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and at 1:35 p.m. Sunday.

 

A great place for the whole family to have a good time.

 

Friday evening – Drum Circle

 

At 6 p.m. in Woodland park, , the Lexington Drum Circle is taking to the great outdoors to share a love of making music with the community! Individuals are welcome to stop by enjoy the music in whatever way is most comfortable. Stop by for a few minutes or the evening to listen, dance, hula hoop, juggle, or join in. No prior experience or skills required. For those who are inclined to participate, they will have a cache of extra drums, shakers, bells, blocks, etc to share.

 

For Mother’s Day weekend

 

In its 18th year, Mayfest offers a visual, performing and literary arts fair in historic Gratz Park. The festival starts at 10 a.m. and includes a variety of juried art and craft vendors from around the state and country, artists who conduct demonstrations and workshops, performances by local performing artists, strolling artists, food and activities for both children and adults.

 

Teaching financial basics to younger kids

 

Suzy endorses this good advice from New York Life, since Suzy also believes you can’t start too early to teach your children the value of money (including taking care of their things and taking personal responsibility). Kids really do respond when adults who love them encourage them in the right ways. . .

 

Simple lessons on spending versus saving and wants versus needs can begin at a young age and continue as a child grows.

 

Here are some tips for teaching younger children about money:

 

• When kids receive money for a celebration — from a lost tooth to a birthday — teach them to save a portion and enjoy spending the rest responsibly.

 

• Create a wish list with your child. Write down the items she wants to buy and encourage her to prioritize the list into short- and long-term purchases. This is a great way to introduce a discussion on “wants” versus “needs” as well as budgeting. For example, your child can have two piggy banks: one for short-term and the other for longer-term items.

 

• You can also create a refrigerator chart with a line for each goal. For every few dollars saved toward that goal, have your child add a star to the corresponding line on the chart. This is a motivating and fun way to track progress.

 

• Consider introducing allowances, perhaps in exchange for household chores. This money can help motivate children to reach their goals and help out around the house.

 

• Stop at your bank, open an account for your child and make deposits from piggy banks. Encourage your child to monitor her savings — from reviewing financial statements together to helping her access account information online. To motivate children to save more, think about matching any contributions they make to their accounts.

 

• When your child achieves a savings goal, have fun making the planned purchases. When comparing choices, explain how price often depends on quality. Ask why they like one item over another and discuss value.

 

Featured coupon site

 

It’s Coupons.com – where you’ll find over 230 printable coupons and lots more. Some examples:

 

• SAVE $1.00 on TWO (2) packages of any LUNCHABLES Lunch Combinations with Fruit
• SAVE $1.00 on any THREE Keebler® Products
• SAVE $1.00 on any two Ziploc® Brand bags
• SAVE $1.00 on any ONE MorningStar Farms® Veggie Foods Product
• SAVE $1.00 ON TWO when you buy any TWO BOXES Cheerios® cereals: Original Cheerios® • Honey Nut Cheerios® • Frosted Cheerios®
• SAVE $1.00 ON TWO when you buy any TWO BOXES General Mills cereals: Basic 4® • Cheerios® • Chex® • Cinnamon Toast Crunch®
• SAVE 75¢ on any ONE (1) package of KRAFT MILKBITE Milk & Granola Bars
• SAVE $1.00 off any Country Crock® Spread (Excl. Honey and Cinnamon Flavored Spread)
• SAVE 75¢ on any ONE (1) package of KRAFT FRESH TAKE Cheese & Breadcrumb Mix
• SAVE $1.00 off ONE (1) 2 GIANT ROLL OR LARGER PACK OF BRAWNY® PAPER TOWELS
• Save 50¢ when you buy ONE POUCH any flavor 17.5 OZ. OR LARGER Betty Crocker® Cookie Mix
• SAVE $4.00 on any Non-Drowsy Claritin-D® Allergy Product (15 count or larger)
• SAVE 55¢ on any ONE (1) package of PHILADELPHIA INDULGENCE Cream Cheese Spread (8 oz.)
• $1.50 OFF ONE Pampers Swaddlers or Swaddlers Sensitive Diapers (excludes trial/travel size)
• SAVE $1.00 on any one Coppertone® Suncare Product (except trial size)
• SAVE $1.00 on any ONE (1) 36 oz. V8 V-Fusion® Smoothie beverage. Find in the juice aisle.

 

See you tomorrow, Suzy friends. Happy smart shopping!

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