When answering questions or giving advice, be as open and honest as you can be without your advice or response turning into a lecture.

  1. Be sure you understand the question.  Miscommunication often occurs when you don’t pay close attention to what others are saying. Make sure you understand what you’re being asked before trying to answer. If you do not understand the question, repeat to clarify what you think you heard.

2. Please don’t ramble.  If you know the answer, provide it quickly and succinctly. Don’t spend a lot of time discussing irrelevant information. (“That reminds me of . . .”)

3. Keep in mind that you are the expert.  Don’t be intimidated when someone who has more responsibilities or may know more in a different area asks you a question. Give the answer then back it up with facts and details. You may want to put them in a note or memo to memorialize them.

4. Give facts and data, not opinions.  If you’re asked for facts or data, give that. Refrain from adding observations to your answer. If asked for your opinion, then give it.

5. Don’t guess at answering the question.  If you can’t immediately answer a question, don’t try to fake it. Let the questioner know that you will get the information and get back to him or her. Get the answer as soon as possible, when you have it, respond immediately

6. Never be condescending.  Do not respond to a question with a condescending remark. That includes facial expressions, ie; a credulous look with eyebrows raised, shaking of the head, deep sighs. This may make the person hesitate to communicate further with you. You will lose a valuable source/resource.

7. Admit what and when you don’t know.  Being an expert can sometimes mean that you don’t know the answer to the question, but you do know who does. Refer the person to good and proper sources who can be of better help.

We know they know who we are, but they also know what we buy, and when and how regular we buy it. And of course they know where we shop, so will you get a slap if you shop bargain basement?

I have known, for many years why you are often asked for your zip code when using your credit card, but until a couple of years ago had no idea that where you used your credit card was important. Since becoming aware of this, I have changed my credit card shopping tactics. I am not sure when I learned that credit card companies not only watch how much you spend, but where you spend. I now use my American Express in [what I assume are] AMEX worthy stores.

When I go to the mall, I love browsing in the dollar store and often make purchases there. I almost always spend $15 to $20, I mean how can I resist those pretty colored glass jars or that cute wicker basket, I can use it for… If I am low on cash I pop these items on my credit card. But now I use a card that does not have the same value to me as another one does. I don’t want my credit card $$ ceiling lowered because I have a good time in the dollar store. Something to think about the next time you go shopping.

Oh, and if you are offended, embarrassed or just surprised that you receive certain catalogs in the mail, the reason may be a in piece of plastic, your credit card. Shopper lists are often sold or traded.

Are you an online shopper or a hold out? If you are a mall shopper you will notice a few empty stores. While I have no plans to give up mall shopping, I do like the convenience of shopping online, especially comparison shopping. To add to the lure of online shopping, there are coupon sites that give you coupon codes for $$’s off purchases at certain online stores. One such site is Sherpa Coupons, they have compiled this shoppers online information :

• 63 percent of online shoppers are female; mothers are the fastest-growing demographic group.
• Americans spent more than $115 billion online in 2008; some forecasters say online shopping will hit almost $330 billion in 2010, or about 13 percent of total retail sales.
• U.S. consumers aren’t the world’s most prolific online shoppers. South Koreans are, with 99 percent of Internet users in that country making online purchases. Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan run a close second, with the United States at No. 8.
• The most popular online product? Books, followed by clothing, videos and games, airline tickets, and electronic equipment.
• 60 percent of consumers confine their shopping to a single site. The most popular shopping site is Amazon.com.

Sherpa not only gives coupon code information about online shopping; it has a blog and a free weekly coupon newsletter that gives you the 411 on shopping. The site also offers coupons that can be downloaded. I realize that some people are hesitant about using computer printed coupons, for the most part they are trouble-free. I have used them for a couple of stores and have used several for TGI Friday’s without a hitch. However, you should keep in mind that no all stores and restaurants will accept computer printed coupons. You may want to call before you head out with your coupon.

Visit the Sherpa Coupons site. Don’t forget visit its blog and sign up for its newsletter.

When shopping online, check out Sherpa or your favorite coupon code site before you hit the purchase icon, you may save anywhere from five to twenty percent off the final cost. Remember to search as many coupon code sites as possible as the savings vary.  Just type “coupon code” to start saving dollars.

There is a public service announcement on PBS that shows a small child playing, his dad sits watching his boy. The child peaks into a small stack of tires, he runs, he plays. A bigger kid wearing a mask, growls and frightens the child who hightails it back to daddy who opens his arms wide. After a few encouraging words from daddy the child returns to the fun of exploring and having a good time.

  Parents are their child’s safety net and teaching your child to be safe as they grow and explore is one of a parents most important jobs. With so many potential threats to worry about, that can seem overwhelming. So, what can you do to help your kid? For one thing they need to know that it is OK to say “No” and “Stop.” 

• Discuss safety calmly. You want your children to be careful, not terrified. When you talk about safety matters, emphasize that your main concern is their welfare. Listen to their concerns, and answer their questions as clearly and honestly as you can.

• Highlight important information. Be sure your younger children know their home phone number and address, as well as contact information for another relative or trusted adult.

• Don’t just talk about strangers. Let children know they should tell you anytime they’re made uncomfortable by someone’s behavior, even if they know the person well.

• Play “what if?” Rules and advice can be too abstract for young minds to understand. Make it real by asking children what they would do in certain situations: If a stranger tried to get them into a car, for example, or if they got lost in a shopping mall.

• Discuss body issues. Let your children know that no one should be allowed to touch them in personal areas. Teach them what areas you’re talking about, with the proper names, so they can tell you accurately if something happens. The phrase “Just say no” is so appropriate here.  Teach your little one to follow his or her instincts, if a touch feels wrong, it probably is.   

• Listen, listen, listen. Oh, yeh, listen. If your child says I don’t this or that person or does not like the person anymore, find out why. Never insist that people must be liked or tolerated because they are family, etc.