Posts Tagged With ‘ children ’

Over the years, I’ve seen hundreds, maybe even thousands, of ads on Facebook. To me, it doesn’t seem like a very good place to be placing orders. You have no idea about the reputation of the companies. In the spring, I succumbed. I ordered a “jacket” for my sister for her birthday. I also ordered one for me. The ad said orders would be received promptly. After I ordered one jacket, I was notified it came from Italy and was in customs. The second, identical jacket, I was informed, was coming from Ireland. Many more messages arrived about the jackets being in customs at various places. When... Continue Reading

More than 804,000 borrowers will have $39 billion in federal student loans discharged in the coming weeks, the U.S. Department of Education announced Friday. The discharges are fixes to ensure borrowers have an accurate count of monthly payments that qualify toward forgiveness under income-driven repayment plans. These fixes are part of the department’s actions to address failures in the administration of the federal student loan program in which payments made under IDR plans weren’t accounted for. Borrowers are eligible for forgiveness if they’ve had either 20 or 25 years of qualifying... Continue Reading

The Fourth of July is all about red, white, and blue to celebrate the country’s birthday, the 248th this year. What are some ways Americans celebrate the holiday? Many families host or join a family or neighborhood event. Some examples include: picnicking or barbecuing with family and/or friends or enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, swimming, dancing, playing sports games, or camping. Participating in or watching patriotic parades or doing patriotic crafts with kids are also popular. Celebratory events organized by communities occur throughout the nation and include food trucks,... Continue Reading

Your July Fourth celebration could be ruined with a serious injury and trip to the emergency room. Fireworks related injuries continue to be high, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is urging consumers to either watch community fireworks displays or take steps to use consumer-grade fireworks safely. Eleven fireworks-related deaths were reported in 2022, mostly associated with mortar-style devices, the CPSC said in a new report announced Thursday on the National Mall where the agency offered live demonstrations of fireworks dangers. Five of the deaths were caused by fireworks misuse,... Continue Reading

How is your Father’s Day going? Seventy-five percent of Americans are celebrating Father’s Day today. They’re spending a record $22.9 billion, according to a survey conducted for National Retail Federation. Consumers are spending $196.23 on average, up from $171.79 last year and topping the previous record of $174.10 in 2021. As in other years, the most popular Father’s Day gifts are greeting cards, purchased by 61 percent. Other top gifts include clothing, 55 percent; a special outing such as dinner or brunch, 52 percent; gift cards, 48 percent; and personal care items, 32 percent. Today,... Continue Reading

It’s a tragedy that more babies are dying in loungers and companies are continuing to sell dangerous ones. Boppy newborn loungers Although Boppy newborn loungers were recalled in September 2021 due to the risk that infants can suffocate, shortly after the recall two additional infants died in loungers in unsafe sleep environments. In October 2021, an infant was placed on the lounger for sleep and then it rolled underneath a nearby adult pillow. In November 2021, an infant was placed on the lounger in an adult bed with a parent and soft bedding, and it was later found dead on the lounger. Consumers... Continue Reading

On Memorial Day, I rushed over to REI to see what I could find at its “biggest sale of the year.” REI’s clothing, shoes, and other items are so expensive I only buy things when they’re on sale. I found a pair of sandals that I like, Keens, $97. Also the sleeping bag that I use when I travel is decades old. So I bought one on sale, $127. While I picked shopping as a way to start the summer, here’s what my blogger friends were up to as the new season unfolds: Very small things to do for summer fun Have you heard of the teacup list? Instead of the bucket list with its dramatic, “before-I-die”... Continue Reading

Remember when 125,000 Peloton Tread+ treadmills were recalled after the death of a child and dozens of incidents of children, pets, and objects being pulled under the rear roller? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Peloton have finally agreed on a rear guard repair for the recalled Tread+ treadmill. The repair eliminates possible entrapment near the treadmill’s rear roller. The guard features a breakaway design that moves it away from the treadmill when it comes into contact with a person or object, shutting off power to the treadmill and slowing down the belt. While the guard... Continue Reading

For years, research has shown that eating packaged products – such as some breakfast cereals, snack bars, frozen meals, and most packaged sweets, along with other items – is linked to poor health outcomes, like an increased risk of diabetes, obesity, and cancer. In addition, more recent studies have shown that highly processed foods are linked to depression and anxiety. And a few studies have suggested a link between eating ultraprocessed food and increased risk of cognitive decline, according to an article in The New York Times. To avoid ultraprocessed food, read labels on food. Don’t... Continue Reading

Although Mother’s Day is highly commercialized, I like remembering my mom on this special day and I enjoy visiting with my daughters over WhatsApp. Maybe next year, I’ll be able to travel to Spain again in May. Since my birthday is May 4 and my daughter’s is May 23, we have so much fun celebrating our birthdays plus American Mother’s Day and Spanish Mother’s Day in May in Spain. The photo is of my mom. It’s her high school graduation photo. She graduated when she was 16. Mother’s Day spending Consumers plan to spend a total of $35.7 billion on Mother’s Day this year, nearly $4... Continue Reading