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Apartment Decoration: Tips for Teens

May 25, 2011 By
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When it comes to a teen apartment, less is really more. Teens are busy and they do not have a lot of time that they are going to invest in cleaning up their space. So simple ideas for decorating a teen apartment are the best way to go.

If your teen is obsessed with their favorite color than decorating can be as simple as having the bed spread, curtains and some basic wall decor all be the color that they love.

If they love music, their Cd’s and sheet music can be the artwork that is on the walls. If they love sports, then a few posters with their favorite athletes on them will work as well.

Is your teen a diva or glamour girl? Then using glittery fabrics and throw pillows can make her feel like she is already made it big in Hollywood, including the star that is on her door and the director’s chair that sits at her vanity.

Once you choose a theme, your imagination makes it easy to start brainstorming some great decorative ideas. While creating your fabulous decor, remember that education and other activities are still going to play an important role in their lives, so you want to make sure that there is a space to write, study and use a computer. Sometimes creating different areas for activities can help set the mood too. A corner that is for reading with their favorite books and beanbag can give them a change of pace after staying up late to write an essay.

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Important Money-Saving Tips for New College Students

May 18, 2011 By
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Moving out on their own and going to college is a rite of passage kids get to experience without their parents. It is responsible parents’ duty to teach their young adults how to budget their money before they move out on their own. Here are some tips from students at Portland State University in Oregon.

Laundry: Smart students will be careful with their nice clothing, such as their Rocawear clothes, so they can save money on doing laundry each week. 

Fast food: Dollar-menus make it far cheaper (and faster) to eat than students would spend on groceries to make a meal at home. Also, don’t forget boxed foods: mac and cheese, Top Ramen, etc. These foods are filling, but not nutritious on their own.
Internet: One valuable tool for both parent and student is the Internet. Sometimes, the price of Internet is rather steep. However, using the school’s Internet to keep in touch is available at no charge. 

Haircuts: Unless students befriend someone who does hair for free, the students will pay for it. Going to a professional cosmetology school may be a good idea. All cosmetology students are closely watched and helped by their trainers. 

Tools: Another valuable tool for the newly independent young adult is craigslist. Books and furniture can be found, and prices can be free or very cheap. Another site is The Freecycle Network. Register and browse all the free items people want to give away locally.

 

Also, talk to other students who have recently moved out on their own, and find out how they found ways to save money.

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Spa Day Anyone?

May 15, 2011 By

The pressures of taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or finishing the first semester of college can become overwhelming for many teens. Finding ways to have an economical but relaxing day is necessary. One of the best ways for teenagers to relax during stressful days is to treat themselves to a spa day.

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Find a Deal

Look for discounts online for local spas in your area. Websites like Offers.com frequently stock coupon codes and deals for all types of businesses with a variety of services. A few clicks and you can be on your way to relaxation at a discounted price.

Go to Schools

Beauty or cosmetology schools that teach spa services offer clinic days for students to work. Trained students work under the direction of experienced personnel to perform spa services on patrons for a very reduced rate. This budget-friendly option is a viable choice for those who do not have much to spend but who want to be pampered.

Do It Yourself

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The person who wants to relax at home can purchase products at a beauty store and make a spa. Most items can be bought at large department stores to reproduce the spa experience at home while saving money. Add a few candles with nice music to replicate the relaxing atmosphere of a spa.

The above suggestions are a few ways to enjoy a relaxing spa day on a budget. Many times people like to reward themselves after stressful events without breaking the bank, and a spa day is just the thing.

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Preparing Your Teen For College

May 12, 2011 By
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The earlier you help prepare your teen for college the better. Many teens struggle when they go from home to college life because they have not always taken on as much responsibility as they need to in order to be fully prepared to be one their own.

A great way that you can help your teen be prepared for college life is to encourage then to hold a summer job, and if they can maintain their GPA and other activities, even consider having it part-time during the school year. Having a way to make money will help teach them the value of work and budgeting their money early. When they see that a dollar does not go all that far, they will eventually learn to manage their resources better and value what a college education will help them accomplish income wise.

Teaching your teen how to cook basic meals will also help them budget better in college as well as keep themselves fed. When they can cook rather than ordering pizza or eating out all the time, they will be able to save more money and maybe even impress a date or two.

Insisting that your teen help save up for their college education will help them determine that it is valuable to them since they too are investing in it. They will know that everything is not just handed to them in life, if it is worth having then it must be worked for. This also teaches them about setting goals and using restraint until they reach their financial goals.

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How to Eliminate That Expensive Cell Phone Bill

May 8, 2011 By
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Cell phone bills have become almost as expensive as they are ubiquitous. Almost everybody has a cell phone, after all. But just like with gasoline, no matter how much one may complain about its price, the fact remains that it isn’t really optional. However, there are ways to get around having a cell phone bill larger than your house payment. That way is by being very choosy, and making your choices based on what you actually need.

When you compare cell phone plans, you are going to find a ton of options available to you. You will find everything from prepaid plans where you get a certain number of minutes, all the way up to plans with unlimited texting, unlimited talk and even unlimited downloads. And as tempting as it will initially be to simply choose the cheapest plan and be done with it, that may end up not being the best plan for you. Remember, there is a difference between value and price. And when it comes to your family’s cell phone plan, you need to keep your actual needs in mind.

Allowing your kids to text their friends 5,000 times per day is not a need. Your kids may complain when you tell them that after a certain number they’ll either pay for their usage or get their texting dropped, but ultimately this will be a lesson to them. If nothing else, they’ll learn to get out with what they’re trying to say to their friends, instead of just texting ad nauseum whenever they get bored or have chores. At any “rate,” choose your plan carefully.

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Keeping Your Teen’s Halloween Costume Appropriate

May 7, 2011 By

When your children become teenagers they often want to dress a little too mature for their age. It’s pretty common when Halloween rolls around; your teenager is going to want a more mature, adult-like costume to wear.

Here are some ways to keeping your teen’s Halloween costume appropriate.

If your 13-year-old daughter wants to dress up as Britney Spears, choose a more appropriate costume from costumeexpress.com. We all know Britney liked to dress a little provocatively, but there were outfits that any teen can wear on Halloween. The most popular option would be the schoolgirl uniform; just make sure the outfit doesn’t look exactly like how Britney wore it in her music video!

While so many pop stars are showing off skin, there are ways your teen can dress like their favorite singer without having to wear a revealing outfit. The best way would be to choose an outfit worn in a music video. For example Britney’s schoolgirl uniform or the outfit she wore in her ‘Lucky’ video.

Many teens like to think they’re adults who can dress how they’d like, but that’s not the case. Let your teenager know why certain Halloween costumes won’t be appropriate for them to wear.

Halloween is the time when people can be creative and dress up in crazy costumes. With teens they have to remember one important thing … they have dress codes to follow. It may be Halloween but your teen’s school will still have a strict dress code.

Your teen can still have fun and wear outrageous costumes for Halloween as long as they don’t cross the line with an outfit that’s inappropriate for their age.

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Teen Apartment Ideas

May 4, 2011 By
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Whether it’s time for your teenager to go to college or your son or daughter has simply decided to get a new place, it may be time for your child to move into an apartment. Here are some teen apartment ideas and tips to help you, and your teen, with the process.

Finding an Apartment

  • Atlanta apartments for rent can be the perfect solution for teens heading to college in Georgia. The Atlanta perimeter, demarcated by I-285, will give your teen the choice of in-town or suburban neighborhoods.

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  • Your teen should also consider transportation options. Young adults who don’t have a car may need to look into the local transportation system.

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  • Choose the type of neighborhood that fits your teen’s personality. Some teens may prefer an area with a vibrant nightlight to quieter neighborhoods.

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  • Start looking early and check back regularly. You may be able to negotiate rental prices on a unit that has been vacant for a while.

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  • Get boxes from stores and use large trash bags for moving goods. Choose boxes that will be easy to carry once your teen has packed them.

Setting up the Apartment

  • Help your teen set a budget based on his or her income.

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  • Furnish the apartment with existing furniture or look for furniture deals. Search local discount stores or charity-sponsored shops that sell second-hand goods.

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  • Decorate wisely by emphasizing space with blue or green backgrounds. Add warm tones with yellow or orange.

Your teen will always remember his or her first apartment. With your help, your child can create the perfect place to call home.

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Dealing With Your Teens Drinking

May 4, 2011 By
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Many parents are not sure what to do when they find out that their teen is drinking underage. They don’t want to make a mistake that will cause their child long-term side-effects, or that will encourage them to rebel and to drink even more.

Luckily for parents, they are not alone on this issue. There are many different forms of support networks that they can rely on so that they can work together with their teen on this problem.

When it comes to alcohol, it is easy to become addicted. Getting your teen into an addiction recovery course can help them look at the root of why they are choosing to drink. It can also give them the tools and support that they need to stop drinking. There are also groups and programs that many churches have to help parents as well.

It is important to address the issue and start dealing with it before your teen ends up in the court system, and then ultimately in juvenile detention or even jail. Having firm boundaries in place from the time that they are young is the best approach, but if your already dealing with a drinking teen, then you want to get as much support as you can.

Making it harder for them to access alcohol in your home and setting firm limits is a great start, but getting them into a 12 week program with Alcoholics Anonymous may be the best thing that you can do for them right now.

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College Admission More Competitive: Help Your Teen Prepare Early

April 20, 2011 By

College admissions are becoming more competitive due to a variety of factors. The first is more people are going back to college and there are only so many spots open for certain degrees. Second, funding cuts limit the ability of a college to accept students. With so many qualified applicants, it is important to start helping your teen prepare for college early.

The time to start looking at what is required on a college application is while students are still in high school. Don’t let teenagers put off applying until the last week of their senior year because by then, it is far too late. A quick search on elearners.com will put teens in touch with the school to which they’d like to apply. This will give them a good idea of what they need to get together for their college application.

Good grades are important. However, grades alone won’t guarantee college entry. You will need good scores on the SAT and ACT to get you a spot in class. Taking practice tests beforehand is a way to prepare for this highly crucial part of your pre-college experience.

Colleges also like to see extracurricular activities such as participation in sports or volunteer work. This shows that the applicant is a well-rounded individual. Even if your grades aren’t in the top percentage, having a few extracurricular activities looks good on your college application. It shows an interest and involvement in being part of a team or helping the community.

Colleges look at more than just grades. To beat the competition, you have to start looking at colleges now.

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Teen Pregnancy

April 17, 2011 By
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The NPCH’s August 2010 poll revealed that about 30-50 babies are born to underage mothers every hour. Teen Pregnancy is rated as one of the top ten health problems for young adults among the US.Even though the US’s Teen Birth rate is at it’s lowest in about 20 years(seeU.S. teen pregnancy rate at record low: CDC (reuters.com)), the States are STILL listed as having the HIGHEST teen pregnancy rate, decline or not. Check out US behind other countries in terms of Sex education (your-story.org).The Government funded USDAHE has extended funding to try and make abstinance programs more available in schools, as well as contraceptive education. Fact: Babies that are born to teen mothers are more likely to be premature, have a low birth weight; they’re more likely to die or be more susceptible to health problems such as bleeding in the brain or learning disabilities down the road.  Many states and parents are approving a new approach to abstiance classes. In example, offering Social services and Community service jobs to teens where they would be in charge of a group of children, I.E. Childcare. Another Idea for abstinence is offering a welfare-way out of welfare program for mothers and children, as well as paternity tests that helps make fathers more responsible for their children and payments of child-support. Other parents propose the idea of offering medical services that teach teen moms about birth control or contraceptives, especially if they already have a child.

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