Every week, I leave an empty plastic bin on my front steps, and sometime in the late afternoon it’s replaced with a bin full of fruits and vegetables. (Well, almost full. Slightly fuller in summer.) Like many people these days, I get organic produce delivered to my home. Sometimes, I order other things, too – fair trade coffee, eggs, and even chocolate. You can get almost any grocery item from this company, and some customers reportedly buy all their food this way. I’ve never gone that far, but thanks to the weekly bin, I’ve been able to scale back my major supermarket trips to once every two weeks.

If you’re thinking of signing up with a home delivery service, ask yourself:

1. Am I willing to pay extra for organic produce? That’s what these services specialize in. You do pay for the better taste and perceived health benefits.
2. Will I remember to make the arrangements each week? In other words, review your order and change it if necessary, leave the bin out, arrange for payment.

Then there are a few questions for the delivery service:

1. What’s the minimum order? Or do they just charge for delivery if you order below a certain amount?
2. Can you change your order? You may want to set up a standing order or just get a standard weekly assortment. You may be able to tell the service your preferences (such as absolutely no parsnips ever!) and let them choose for you based on that. There should be a way for you to see your next order online and make changes, up to a deadline.
3. What time will they deliver? This can be pretty broad, like “between 1 PM and 7 PM”. Can you count on using your order for dinner on delivery day?

Thinking about these things will help you decide if home delivery is for you.

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As a mom of teens and tweens, I have experienced several shopping trips with them and have learned much from my kids.  To help other parents, I have asked my 12 year old daughter, Sam, to share some hints on how to make a shopping trip enjoyable for both mom and tween.

Sam: First, parents should ask their tweens where they want to shop. Once you get to the store, give them a bit of breathing room, and let them wonder off to look at stuff.  If you always are breathing down their neck, they may not buy what they want to buy.  They may feel like they can buy only what you suggest.

Michele: I agree that tweens need some space.  However, as a parent, I have two disagreements with your statement.  One, I may think that a piece of clothing you chose is not appropriate.  Two, you may choose an item that costs more than I am willing to spend.

Sam: I completely agree.  Kids should check with their parents before they go to the cash register.  If your parents don’t like it, you would be embarrassed to learn this in front of the cashier.

Michele: Seems like a fair plan.  Room for the tween to choose.  Veto power for the parent.

Sam: Second, parents, when your kids go to the dressing room to try on an item, don’t go into the actual dressing room with them.  Wait outside because if your kid thinks it’s ok and fits, she will come out to show it to you.

Michele: We really don’t want to be cramped in a dressing room with you anyway.  So, as long as you show us the item, we are fine with waiting outside.

Sam: Before you go to the cash register, discuss the price.  If your budget is fifty dollars and your child wants to buy a jacket that is fifty dollars, talk with them.  Explain that he could get three shirts on sale for that price or just one jacket.

Michele: Yes, it is important to learn about budgets.  Sometimes it is worth getting only one item because it is something special, and other times it is better to get more items.

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Buying groceries every week is something that most of us do without really thinking about it. You round up the kids and drive to the grocery store just to purchase a bunch of tasty pre-made foods and beverages that you’ll consume the upcoming week. But don’t you ever stop and wonder just how much you can save with strategic planning? For some people, grocery shopping and deal hunting go hand in hand. You don’t just grocery shop- you plan meals and coordinate your shopping around them. In the end, you will not only save money, but you’ll probably shed pounds and learn to appreciate mealtime again. Here are some good tips to get you started.

1- Learn To Cook
Eat your meals inside your home and save. Learn to make tasty meals from scratch, and you will save even more. Dig out those cookbooks and rediscover your favorite foods. If you have a favorite dish, there is a good chance that there is a easy and affordable recipe out there.

2- Make A Week’s Worth of Menus
How can you save if you don’t plan? Sit down with the entire family and make a list of the meals and foods everyone likes. Then coordinate the meals around the week, and be sure to add breakfast and lunch to the menus. Some of the meals may be homemade, and others convenience meals (i.e. frozen foods or boxed meals), but it’s important to plan all meals in advance. Start the menu at least one day before shopping.

3- Hunt For Coupons
The web is filled with coupon websites that let you just search, click, and print! After you’ve got your meals planned, make a list of everything you need, then search for coupons.

4- Sign Up For Loyalty Cards
If you haven’t already, sign up for your grocery chain’s loyalty card. These programs are free and are often filled with extra benefits like free groceries or promotional offers.

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I know the economy’s bad right now. So, it’s more important to know where to go to spend your money wisely, right? Here are more cities that you can visit to boost their economy by shopping.

Madrid, Spain

Although there are a lot department stores in Madrid, small specialty stores are its specialty. And there are dozens of shops that can be found in a number of shopping districts. Let me take you to them.

Salamanca

Salamanca is home to Calle Goya, Madrid’s main shopping street. If you’re looking for high-end, luxury items, Calle Goya is the place to visit. You’ll be able to buy products from Yves Saint Laurent, Donna Karan, Chanel, Versace, Gucci and many more signature brands. Madrid’s “most emblematic commercial center” also can be found in the Salamanca district, Centro Commercial ABC Serrano. This building houses up to three stories high of mostly high-fashion shops, jewelry stores and hairdressing salons. And you’ll also find a restaurant and bar at the rooftop terrace of the Centro Commercial ABC Serrano.

Puerto del Sol

Puerto del Sol houses some of the busiest shopping streets and most famous commercial centers in Madrid. Calle Preciados and its surrounding streets are pedestrian-only shopping streets and home to high-street fashion outlets and department stores, as well as traditional stores. If you’re looking to buy high-end clothes for men, then head on over to Gran Via not far away.

Chueca and Fuencarral

If you’re looking for something a little different, head on over to the Chueca and Fuencarral shopping districts. If you’d like to see and buy more unique and avant-garde fashion and products, visit the Chueca district, one of Madrid’s more cosmopolitan areas. Be sure to drop by the Fuencarral Market for some glamorous, outrageous and eccentric products. If you want anything out of the ordinary, be sure to visit this unique shopping district.

Next destination: Cape Town, South Africa

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If you walk frequently, you need to purchase a good pair of high quality walking shoes. Even if you just walk occasionally, you still need good shoes! Shoes of a high caliber will help to prevent injuries from taking place. Here we look at some important points you need to think about when you shop for walking shoes.

Mark Fenton, author of the book Pedometer Walking (2006) and a former member of the US race walking team believes there are three important aspects to look for in a pair of proper walking shoes. Firstly, you need a shoe that has a flexible forefoot that bends at the ball of the foot but not at the arch. Secondly, for the purposes of ease of motion and for the natural roll of the foot you require a beveled or round heel. Thirdly, you need a shoe upper that is very forgiving. The upper is simply the part of the shoe that covers the foot.

Walking shoes and sneakers (or running shoes) are not one and the same. The difference is in the midsoles, which is where the cushioning part of the shoe lies. Runners pounds their feet harder on the ground than walkers do, which is why they need a different level of cushioning. Walking shoes have a more flexible bottom (which is called the outsole). On the other hand, running shoes have outsoles that are more on the rigid and stiff side. Walking shoes that are made well have a thinner midsole, which enables them to roll from heel to toe in the manner that nature intended. If a walking shoe had a thick heel wedge, it would cause the walker pain, and this would lead to sore shins and for some people, shin splints.

You should shop for walking shoes in a sporting goods store. A sporting goods store is a better option than a department store. The price for a good pair of walking shoes can range from $30 all the way up to $100. Try on an array of shoes to find the one with the right fit. Wear a pair of socks that you normally would wear when you walk. Walk around on the carpet to see if the shoes are stable but also soften the impact of walking. Never buy walking shoes without walking around in them first!

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