How to...Make Sure Your Photos Aren't Being Illegally Used

As a blogger, you work hard to find that perfect image to illustrate your post each day. Does the thought of someone ripping off the photo that you took of your kids infuriate you? How do you protect yourself?

For starters, you can put a watermark on all your images. This will help prevent people from ripping your images off.

The second thing you can do is a "reverse image look up." TinEye, is online software that will let you upload a photo to see if it is being used elsewhere. You can also look up images by giving it a url to one of your images. This tool is still in beta, so there are a few kinks to be worked out.

Give it a whirl: TinEye.com

How to...Make a Jedi Costume

I said I was going to do a few more posts on homemade Halloween or Fall Festival costumes. I had thought I would have time to shop, find some c ap supplies, and then make my post. Being a full time working mom with an 18 month old, the shopping part didn't happen. So you will have to use your imagination for this one.


How to make a Jedi Costume
Supplies:

• burlap sack (here's one for $3.69)
  
• off-white or brown turtleneck (free if you have one on hand or can borrow one)
  
• thick brown ribbon, or a brown belt (free)
  
• brown tights (or sweat pants) (free if you have some, or borrow some)
  
• blue tempera paint ($2-5)
• aluminum foil
  
• an old wrapping paper roll (free)
  

Make it:

1. Cut head and arm holes in the burlap sack.
2. Paint the wrapping paper roll blue, and put a bit of aluminum foil on the end to make a handle. You may want to "twist" the last few inches to make the handle part smaller and more stable to hold.
3. Put on turtleneck and sweats/tights, and layer over the burlap sack. Put belt/ribbon around the waist.
   
4. Grab your blue light saber, and you are ready to go get some candy.
   

Travel Tip: Booking the Lowest Airfare

When I plan a trip, I go to great lengths to make sure I am getting the cheapest airfare possible. My dad worked for the airlines, so I grew up flying free and so I hate paying for a ticket. Over the years I've made a few observations that help feel confident I'm getting the best fare out there. Here are 3 tips to help you get the best fare for your upcoming travels:

1. The lowest listed fares are usually on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

2. Use Expedia, Orbitz and other travel sites to see available fares, but make sure to double check the airline site. Often I can save $5-10 on service fees, and they have more time options.

3. Figure out what you will be paying to check baggage, for the emergency exit row, etc. Many airlines have extra fees these days. I love Southwest because they don't have baggage fees . I recently booked a trip on a different airline because the fare listed was cheaper. After getting to the airport and paying over $100 (each way) for baggage fees, it would have been cheaper for me to fly Southwest.



Wondering which airlines are best for traveling with kids? Check out my earlier post, "Favorite Airline for Traveling with Toddlers."

How To...Make a Turtle Costume

It's that time of year where everyone starts thinking Fall Festivals and Halloween. I see very pricey Halloween costumes at every store I walk into lately. I personally prefer to make my own costumes for Baby Boy, since with a little creativity, I can usually make super-cute and way-less- expensive costumes. Please note that this costume works best with infants that are are at least sitting through toddler age.

To make a Turtle costume, you will need:

• 1 pair of green sweats
• an old bicycle helmet

• 2 shades of green paint (I used acrylic paint)
  

• a couple of sponge paint brushes

To start, make what will be the turtle shell by painting the entire old helmet the lighter shade of green paint. Once the paint has dried, go back and paint "spots" all over the helmet with the darker shade. Start by painting the air vents, and then fill in excess space strategically. Your painted helmet should look similar this.


Finally, dress the child in the green sweats. Put the turtle shell (or helmet) on the child's back, and then admire the end result.

How To...Cooking Family Dinner (A Working Mom's Guide to Making a Home Cooked Meals During the Week)

Many families have busy schedules these days, and we are no exception. As a working mom I find it incredibly difficult to get home, fix dinner with a hungry 17 month old hanging on my leg, and keep my sanity while doing it. A few weeks ago, I decided that something had to change, so I implemented a plan that has worked really well for us so far.

• Every week, I do meal planning before I go to the grocery store (this saves us money too). I write the meals on my calendar.
• I cook my big meals that may require more time to prepare on the weekends while the baby is napping and hubby is home to distract the baby (if necessary).
  
• At least twice a week, we eat leftovers. (Leftover night at my house is on Mondays and Wednesdays while hubby is at school).
• On Mondays and Wednesdays, after Baby Boy is in bed, I fix the meal for the next day.
  
• Friday's is the anything goes night, some nights we have pizza, some nights we go out somewhere that will serve us our food quick, or we pick up some take home after work.

Here's what we at this week:

• Sunday: Poppyseed Chicken, Green Beans, salad.
• Monday: Leftovers.
• Tuesday: Spaghetti with Italian sausage.
  
• Wednesday: Leftovers.
• Thursday: Taco Soup
• Friday: Pizza night
• Saturday: Venison Steaks, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies. If I have time during the day, I may whip up something decadent for dessert.

I think this plan works because by making the bulk of the meal the night before and only having to warm it when I get home, eliminates many excuses (such as I'm too tired, we don't have anything to eat, or I'm starving and can't wait long enough to cook something). I also think by eating leftovers 2 nights a week and then cooking gives me a chance to recharge.

What easy weeknight meals do you cook? Leave a comment and let me know.

Travel Tip: Packing Made Easy a.k.a. How To Pack for Kids

Last year after baby boy was born, my entire family came to visit. My sister-in-law shared with me how she simplifies packing for her 4 girls. I thought it was ingenious, so now I am sharing it with you:

1. Buy a box of the gallon sized Ziploc bags.
   
2. Put one outfit in a bag (undies, tights/socks, skirt/pants, shirt, sweater, etc.).
   
3. Label the bag with the child's name.
4. Repeat for each child and for each day you will be gone.
   

Now you kids outfits are neatly packed, and easy to pull out of the suitcase. Plus, you'll save time by not having to coordinate outfits. Heck! Since the outfits are already coordinated, the kiddos could even choose which one to wear.

How to...Create a Budget

A few years ago, hubby and I took the Financial Peace Class at our church. The class was wonderful. I recommend it to all my friends that are getting married, that have teenagers leaving for college, and for anyone that just wants to learn to manage their money better.

I have learned that having a budget is crucial for saving money. It enables you to manage your money better, it gives you visibility where your money is going, and it highlights areas where you could save more.

To create a budget:

1. Get out all your bills from the last month.
2. Start making a list and recording all your bills. A sample list you may want to track could look something like:

Saving
Housing
• Mortgage/Rent
• Home Repairs
• Home Owners Insurance
  
Utilities

• Electric
• Water
  
• Gas
• Phone (cell/land line)
  
• Trash
• Internet
Automobile

• Car Payment(s)
• Gas, Oil changes
• Repairs
• Insurance
Clothing
Entertainment
Insurance (Health, Life, Disability)
Dining Out
Other (Child Care, Christmas Gifts, Birthday Gifts)
Vacation Savings (If I am saving for something like new furniture, or a vacation, it gets it's own category)


3. Get out your paycheck stubs for the month, add them up, and determine whether you are in your budget.
   
4. Analyze your budget.
   
• If you are within your budget, congratulations! Now you should start adjusting to determine where you can save.
• If you are spending more than you make, then look for areas of spending that you should cut back on or eliminate (i.e. Do you need both a land line and a cell phone?, Could you eat out less?).
5. Repeat this every month. Are you saving more? Are you eliminating debt?
   

For more information on budgeting, check out Crown Financial Ministries Financial Tools or the Dave Ramsey's Website to find a class near you.

How To: Decode Text Message Abbreviations

You see teenagers texting each other all the time...at the movies, in the mall, while they're driving (hopefully not, but I have seen it). If you are like me, you wonder how they can do it so fast, or find it an efficient use of their time. I hate sending text messages. I'm slow at it, and quite frankly, I'd rather just call someone.

To text efficiently, you need to be able to decode the abbreviations. Here is a sampling of some popular shorthand texting terms.

• # 99 - Parents are no longer watching
• afaik - As far as I know
• asap - As soon as possible
• atm - At the moment
• b4 - Before
• bbl - Be back later
• bbs - Be back soon
• bf - Boyfriend
• BI5 - Back in five minutes
• btw - By the way
• cid - Consider it done
• cm - Call me
• cuz - Because
• cya - See ya
• dk - Don’t know
• dl - Download
• dur - Do you remember
• eod - End of discussion
• ezy - Easy
• f2f - Face to face
• fwiw - For what it’s worth
• fyeo - For your eyes only
• g2g - Got to go
• gf - Girlfriend
• gl - Good luck
• gr8 - Great
• h&k - Hugs and kisses
• h8 - Hate
• hagn - Have a good night
• hig - How’s it going
• howru - How are you
• iccl - I couldn’t care less
• idk - I don’t know
• ilu - I love you
• im - I am
• imho - In my humble opinion
• jk - Just kidding
• jtluk - Just to let you know
• kit - Keep in touch
• kwim - Know what I mean
• l8 - Late
• lmk - Let me know
• lol - Laugh out loud
  
• luvu - Love you
• mob - Mobile
  
• mte - My thoughts exactly
• mtf - More to follow
• n - And
• ne1 - Anyone
• np - No problem
• nrn - No reply necessary
• obtw - Oh by the way
• omg - Oh my God
• otoh - On the other hand
• pcm - Please call me
• pls - Please
• ppl - People
• prw - Parents are watching
• ptmm - Please tell me more
• qix - Quick
• r - Are [or ] or
• rotfl - Rolling on the floor laughing
• ruok - Are you OK
• sec - Second
• sit - Stay in touch
• sol - Sooner or later
• sry - Sorry
• sys - See you soon
• t2ul - Talk to you later
• tafn - That’s all for now
• thx - Thanks
• tmb - Text me back
• tmot - Trust me on this
• ttutt - To tell you the truth
• ttyl - Talk to you later
• ur - You are
• v - Very
• w/o - Without
• wayd - What are you doing
• wbs - Write back soon
• werru? - Where are you
• wtm? - What time
• wuwh - Wish you were here
• x - Kiss
• xoxoxo - Hugs and kisses
• y - Why [or] yes
• yr - Your
• zzzz - Sleeping
• UG2BK - You got to be kidding
• GBTW- Get back to work
• NMP - Not my problem
• PIR - Parent in room
• GFTD - Gone for the day
• FYEO - For your eyes only
• BI5 - Back in five minutes
• DEGT - Don’t even go there
• BIL - Boss is listening
• PAW - Parents are watching
• 99 - Parents are no longer watching
• PCM - Please call me
• IMS - I am sorry
• TOY - Thinking of you
• KUTGW - Keep up the good work
• CID - Consider it done
• FWIW - For what it’s worth
• HAND - Have a nice day
• IAT - I am tired
• NRN - No response necessary
• 4COL - For crying out loud
• WRUD - What are you doing
• LMIRL - Let’s meet in real life
• ^5 - High five

If you should get a text that you need to find the meaning of, visit LG's Mobile Phones De-Texter website: http://dtxtr.com/ or NetLingo.com.

How to...Save Money at the Grocery Store (No Coupons Necessary)

Save money at the Grocery Store...Without Using Coupons!

I'm a working mom, so I don't have a ton of time to spend looking through ads looking for coupons. I do want to save as much as I can at the grocery store. I have come up with three things that I do (almost every week) that saves me money.

1. Look at the Store Ads online to see what is on sale. Click the links that follow and enter your zip code for the specials near you: Albertsons, King Soopers, Kroger, Price Chopper, Publix, Safeway Weekly Savings, Schnucks, Shop-n-Save, Shop Rite, Tom Thumb, Vons

2. Plan a menu for the whole week (based on what is on sale) and make your grocery list. I mostly stick to meals that are fast and easy to make, so I use my tried and true recipes...you know, the ones you grew up eating and know by heart. If you want something different, or need some help planning a menu, Once a Month Mom posts menus for a month at a time. $5 dinners has some great inexpensive recipes (hence the name), and on Mondays, she publishes her weekly menu.

3. Pay cash for all your groceries.
This may sound crazy to you, but try it. It's so easy to swipe that credit card or debit card, without even thinking about what you are spending; however, if you are standing in line with nothing but cash, you suddenly become very aware of every item in the cart and what you are paying for it. Remember that bag of chocolate chips, which wasn't on sale or on your list? Baking cookies doesn't seem quite so important (Newsflash! paying cash also helps your waistline!). Paying cash helps you stick to your list, but you also need to compare the per unit prices. Sometimes buying in bulk isn't the best deal...and the goal is to spend as little as possible, right?

How to...Create an Online Scrapbook

I like taking pictures. I like being able to display those pictures in a creative way. Online scrapbooks are a fast and easy way to share your photos and videos. Smilebox is one of my favorite tools to use. It is super easy, and you can share it anywhere. It is free; however, you do have to have a paid subscription to print it, or to share it without advertisements.

Since you can post videos in your Smilebox, it is a great way for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins to see what your little one has been up to recently.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

How to make a Smilebox Scrapbook

1. Go to Smilebox.com and create an account.
2. Install the software.
3. On Step 1 Choose, scroll down the the Design Catalog and choose Scrapbooks.
4. Find a design you like.
5. Now you are on Step 2 Personalize. Smilebox will often pull your most recently saved pictures into the Photo Selection Box (on the left side of the screen). If the photos you wish to use are not there, add them by clicking on the Add Photos button.
6. Once you are finished adding your photo's, it is time to get started creating your scrapbook.
   The right hand side is where you customize your pages.
   




• Select your music for your scrapbook.
• Choose the layout for each of your photos.
• Choose your background.
• Choose your embellishment level.
• Choose the page title
• Customize any text.










7. Once you have finished creating all of your pages, save your work. By clicking the Save button.
8. Click on Step 3 Preview, and preview your scrapbook. Make sure everything looks the way you want it to. Check for typo's.




9. Once you are satisfied with your scrapbook, click on Step 4 Share, Print, or DVD.