Green Parenting

When searching the internet for news and article material on life and society I come across some pages that I find interesting, and enjoyable to read. These family and social oriented websites are relegated to my Social Fix Resources or Blogs Grampa Likes listings (in the sidebar of this page).

One such family oriented blog is The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly guide to Earth-Friendly living. This site has information on how to save time, save money, and save the planet (all while saving your sanity!).

A blog, it's worth checking out if you are looking for green news and tips on the environment, food, home, health, money, and other family topics.

Some typical articles:

Are There Drugs In Your Drinking Water?
Is It Green Or Green-Washed?
Are There Carbon Footprints All Over Your House?

Breathe Easier and Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
It’s winter and my house is sealed up tighter than a drum to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. That’s good green parenting, right…or is it? By keeping my family safe and snug inside my modern American home, I may be exposing them to high levels of indoor air pollution. After all, most people spend 80-90% of their time indoors. And while the numbers vary from country to country and state to state, The California Air Resources Board estimates that average indoor air pollutant levels in that state are 25-62% greater than outside levels. These numbers can add up to serious health problems for you and your kids. . .

Help Kids Make Friends With The Earth
There are few places that are as frightening to me as the children's toy aisle in my local "big box" store. Each shelf seems to overflow with toys that are constructed of cheap plastic, lead paint, and other toxins that have yet to be identified. And each toy glitters, rumbles, or sparkles in an attempt to entice children to beg for the latest princess, super-hero, or large purple dinosaur. . .

You can read these articles and more at the The Green Parent.

Cars and Society

Why have we been buying big comfy cars with too many options?
Causing all those environmental woes?

Consumers want these rich cars for the same reason they want big new houses and kool short-term fads.

Corporate marketing and branding!

Commercials often sensationalize a car model by showing it driven at extremely high speeds on highways, mountain roads, city streets and even in parking lots. They are sending the wrong message. Speed can look exciting but speed is costly and speed kills. But those exciting commercials apparently sell cars.

Automobile commercials are amongst the noisiest on TV and can interfere with the family conversation if they are not muted. But the invasive clamor attracts attention and the results are increased sales.

Advertisements often exaggerate the product and underestimate the cost to lure and snare buyers.

The marketing pressures to sell more expensive autos will not let up even though they may become more fuel efficient. Other perky features will be promoted and become standard in newer models to keep prices rising over the coming years.

Cars have played a major role in our current social makeup and are owned by most families. That they are important and useful is undisputable, however too much of the overall product is undesirable for society as a whole. They are a major polluter of our cities and the world, exacerbated by their larger than needed size and power.

Around 1960 I was out to purchase my first new car. Having a long drive on weekends, I had set my mind on a particular smaller car to economize. There were only a few sub-compacts available and they were not that small. In a dealer's showroom I was intent on completing a deal but I was continually steered to other larger models. It took awhile until I realized that he would not sell me the smaller car! The salesman and I both became irritated and I left.

Slow Forward 48 years >> A while ago I walked through a new car show in the local mall. All were higher priced and mostly larger in size, even as interest in pollution and the environment was spreading.

On TV during the previous oil crisis a spokesperson from the Automobile Association was defending why they aren't marketing more smaller cars. "People couldn't just sell their cars and buy smaller ones." The TV commercial which immediately followed the newsbyte was for a flashy full size SUV.

Consumers buy these cars because the manufacturers want them to. But this necessary means of transportation needs a review of its design, effects, marketing, and use. The average person does not need that luxuious model when spending only a few hours a week in the car. Nor does the car require fast speed and polluting power to drive at the speed limit.

The car needs to take a less negative and a healthier place in our society.

What the heck! Are corporations major shareholders in government??


"We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive." - Albert Einstein

Grampa Ken ~ Author of 32 KEYS About Life and Blogger at Social-Fix

Recycling Info Insufficient

A lot of the problems consumers have with recycling is the lack of readily available detailed information. This is particular with the various types of plastic. "Where do I recycle these containers, fasteners, cellophane, packing, bags etc?"

Information is out there but often you may need to spend some time trying to find it. Many will avoid this inconvenience and recycle the item improperly or simply chuck it into the garbage. This is not how it should be.

Considering that all the junk we take into our possession has arrived because of information that is constantly blasted at us, it's not a level playing field. We should be receiving a steady stream of pertinent, persuasive how-to information about recycling. And the marketing of products that have a negative affect on our lives and the world should be reduced and controlled.

I just assembled a cabinet purchased at Ikea and was happy to see that the little plastic bags containing hardware had recycling numbers printed on them. It's absolutely necessary that all used consumer plastics have a destination and that we are kept totally informed on disposing of them wisely. Detailed lists should be available and distributed locally.

Some useful information on recycling plastic:
Consumers can find out which plastics are accepted in their local area and how to recycle, prepare and transfer them by contacting their local recycling hauler (usually the local city or county solid waste or public works department, or a private company). Generally, paper labels do not need to be removed from plastic bottles or containers, but lids should be thrown away because they typically are made from a type of plastic that is not recyclable. Plastic bottles and containers must be rinsed, squashed, and placed in recycle bins for collection. Plastic grocery bags are often accepted by stores in recycling containers placed near the entranceways.

Plastic Identification Codes

Plastic Identification Code	Type of plastic polymer	Properties	Common Packaging Applications
	Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE)	Clarity, strength, toughness, barrier to gas and moisture.	Soft drink, water and salad dressing bottles; peanut butter and jam jars
	High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)	Stiffness, strength, toughness, resistance to moisture, permeability to gas.	Milk, juice and water bottles; yogurt and margarine tubs; trash and retail bags.
	Polyvinyl Chloride (V)	Versatility, clarity, ease of blending, strength, toughness.	Juice bottles; cling films
	Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)	Ease of processing, strength, toughness, flexibility, ease of sealing, barrier to moisture.	Frozen food bags; squeezable bottles, e.g. honey, mustard; cling films; flexible container lids.
	Polypropylene (PP)	Strength, toughness, resistance to heat, chemicals, grease and oil, versatile, barrier to moisture.	Reusable microwaveable ware; kitchenware; yogurt containers; margarine tubs; microwaveable disposable take-away containers; disposable cups and plates.
	Polystyrene (PS)	Versatility, clarity, easily formed	Egg cartons; disposable cups, plates, trays and cutlery; disposable take-away containers; yogurt and margarine containers
	Other	Dependent on polymers or combination or polymers.	Beverage bottles; baby milk bottles.

Read more on Plastic Recycling at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Sunday Morning Fix

It's Sunday morning and a good week lies ahead.

One sure thing about this week is that after Saturday night it will be gone forever. But I will be glad I was there.

So for starters I will very quickly review last week. Just once, to determine what I should have done, what I should not have done. If there is anything I should correct, and I can correct, and I want to correct, I will. If there isn't I will forget it now and forever.

For the week that lies ahead:
My first concern is to enjoy each day free of stress and worry.
Work will not consume me - there are more important things.
I will detail my job duties and my daily life responsibilities.
My needs will be simple and pleasant with nothing artificial.
Periodically I'll review non-material assets: family, friends, and me.
Nature belongs to me too, from the vast expanse to tiny life.
I'll see fields, mountains, clouds, flowers, insects and birds.
I will finish each day forgetting troubles and remembering highlights.

A problem may arise and I will confidently and calmly:
Gather all the facts.
Describe the problem in detail.
List all the possible solutions.
List the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Detail what to do.
And follow through.

If I should stray into that world of stress and worry it will be time to stop and relax. I will take easy deep breaths and think a peaceful scene, real or imaginary. Like a fresh farm field or an ocean sunset.

My antidepressant is handy: Accept myself as I am and others as they are.

From time to time I'll remind myself that I have so much to be thankful for.


Grampa Ken ~ Author of 32 KEYS About Life and Blogger at Social-Fix

Articles written by Grampa Ken are free to copy provided that the hyperlinked byline is intact. Articles written by others are their copyrights and belong to them.

Marketing Target: Children

It's scary the way we have been commercialized and how our children are now being programmed for a life of consuming, and towards so much of the wrong things. If children are allowed to be 'brainwashed' in any way it should be towards living a healthier and happier life. It should include topics like honesty, nature, charity, healthy food and lifestyles. And parents should not be left alone to fight the huge tide of marketing that promotes and persuades children in the wrong direction.

The New American Dream reviews a book by consumer expert Juliet Schor on this very disturbing trend.

Excerpt

The Commercialized Child and the New Consumer Culture by consumer expert Juliet Schor, explores the damaging effects advertising and marketing have on children. According to this breakthrough research, the advertising-saturated culture our children are exposed to is causing an array of psychosomatic symptoms.

Expenditures for advertising and marketing aimed specifically at children have risen to over $15 billion a year. This amount is likely to grow with the increase in children’s buying power, now estimated at more than $30 billion a year in direct purchases. Children influence an additional $670 billion worth of parental spending, making them a prime advertising target. It’s estimated that the average child watches more than 40,000 television commercials per year. According to a recent poll released by the Center for a New American Dream nearly 8 in 10 of Americans (79%) think there should be more limits on advertising to children. The majority of Americans (87%) think that our current consumer culture makes it harder to instill positive values in our children.

The review cites the book's six tips to help parents reduce children’s exposure to advertising. This is really worth reading if you have kids.

Read the full review at The New American Dream

Home Buy Caution: Walkthrough

As with any sales transaction slick ads and fast talk can result in disappointment or serious regrets later. Your new home buy is a big investment and the product requires careful scrutiny.

Glitzy eye pleasing brochures are designed to appeal and to sell these costly products. As with most promotions it is likely to contain many exaggerations some of which may be serious and costly to the purchaser. There can be very carefully worded promises so as to fit the legal definition of truth. They might seem more like outright lies after the new owner moves in.

"Minutes from downtown" could be 55 minutes, or more. That handsome couple standing on the beach might have had a few traffic lights to maneuver and difficult parking to get there.

Strata fees are very likely to be on the low side and require raising at the first general meeting.

"Top brand appliances" turned out to be just that but were the very bottom of the popular manufacturer's product line. I'm still smarting over that one!!

So every word of every sentence in the spiel, ad or brochure should be carefully analyzed for deception.

The Walkthrough

The quality and completeness of the purchased product covers a very wide range of objects and workmanship and is where the greatest disappointments may lie.

The walkthrough is when the buyer walks through the premises with the contractor or seller. Deficiencies are noted and the buyer signs acceptance upon these items being corrected. Most people aren't prepared for this and the process does not take much time. Costly discoveries may be made after occupancy but it may be too late or difficult to correct.

Using a qualified building inspector is usually recommended for all home purchases. This is especially advisable if a house with a yard is the purchase. Even if a professional is to be hired it should be advantageous to do a self-inspection beforehand to check out details that someone experienced, perhaps in a hurry, might overlook.

Self-inspections are easier for condos and finished home interiors as prospective owners will have a better idea of what they want and should expect.

Make several personal walkthroughs beforehand if permissible and safe.
Have a knowledgeable friend tag along to help find deficiencies.
Carefully look for flaws, inferior work or product, and omissions.
Take along a pad and pen, and checklist.

For the home interior walkthrough the one page printable Interior Walkthrough Checklist should be helpful as a general guide. It may not be complete or suitable to your particular needs but should provide some suggestions about things to check that you normally might not think about. It is not meant to replace a professional inspection.

Interior Walkthrough Checklist


Grampa Ken ~ Author of 32 KEYS About Life and Blogger at Social-Fix

Identity Theft Info and Tips

Identity theft. Trendy, new age robbery. It's in the news a lot these days. Identity theft is on the rise with new creative techniques catching victims unaware. The US Federal Trade Commission has some pertinent information on the topic that is worth reviewing.

What is identity theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft. The crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn’t make—or until you’re contacted by a debt collector.

Identity theft is serious. While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend hundreds of dollars and many days repairing damage to their good name and credit record. Some consumers victimized by identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit.

How do thieves steal an identity?

Identity theft starts with the misuse of your personally identifying information such as your name and Social Security number, credit card numbers, or other financial account information. For identity thieves, this information is as good as gold.

Skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods to get hold of your information, including:

1. Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
2. Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
3. Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
4. Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form.
5. Old-Fashioned Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records, or bribe employees who have access.
6. Pretexting. They use false pretenses to obtain your personal information from financial institutions, telephone companies, and other sources. For more information about pretexting, click here.

For more information on identity theft such as . . .
What do thieves do with a stolen identity?
How can you find out if your identity was stolen?
What should you do if your identity is stolen?
Should you file a police report if your identity is stolen?
How long can the effects of identity theft last?
What can you do to help fight identity theft?

Read more at the FTC's About Identity Theft