Lately it seems like the more money our family makes the less we have at the end of the month. I know this defies logic, but I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this boat. I remember the good old days when we were poor and yet able to save a lot of money. Most unfortunately, our savings trend has decreased as our income has increased.

In my current state of acknowledging the need to save more and spend less—much less—I have decided to utilize a few highly recommended money-saving resources.

Luckily, it seems there are many others out there just like me. We all want to save money, but we need an injection of know-how. Even luckier, there are a few treasured people out there who are willing to share their money saving tips for free!

To date, the most comprehensive money saving resource I’ve found is Pinching Your Pennies. At www.pinchingyourpennies.com you can find a myriad of money saving tools like coupon lists, grocery deals, and online discount codes.

The thing I love most about this site is that much of it functions in a member-helping-member way. There are countless postings from members that advertise the best deals around town. Everyone on this site is happy to share their best coupon and money saving advice, which is nice for those of us who are just beginning to venture into the world of coupon clipping and bargain shopping.

If you are anything like me, saving more equals a happier household. As I turn toward the world of penny pinching, I urge anyone else in need of a spending overhaul to do the same. I would also like to thank the gold-hearted members of Pinching Your Pennies for sharing their saving advice so liberally.

Take a minute and ask yourself whether or not you feel completely comfortable dropping your child off at school,or a friend’s house,or the mall.

Although my child is only three and not yet running around town on his own, I feel a tinge of unrest every time I drop him off at school. I fear that something might happen while we are apart and he may not know what’s going on or how to deal with his surrounding circumstances. This line of thought often leads me into somewhat of a “fear tailspin” in which I start to consider never letting my child leave my sight ever.

I would love to stand over my child’s shoulder forever and protect him. Realizing this is quite impossible and somewhat creepy, I have decided to equip him with the knowledge and resources he may need in an emergency. You may be thinking “Your kid is only three what good can this possibly do now?” To which I would answer, A day seldom goes by when I am not amazed by the vast amount of knowledge young children soak up. They are pretty sponge-like in that way. Also, if I start teaching my baby about emergency preparedness while he is young, he has a much better chance of surviving a severe disaster.

Children spend approximately 25% of their time away from home. As they grow older and become more interested in their friends and less interested in you this percentage grows. So what would your child do if he/she went to the store with his/her friends and an earthquake erupted? Would your child know what was going on or where to go for safety?

Starting an emergency plan is important for all families and age groups. The younger a child is when he/she is taught about emergency planning, the better things will go in the event of a disaster. Please keep in mind that emergency planning is not exclusive to giant attacking monsters or the earth freezing over. Make sure you include minor calamities in your emergency plan such as cuts, power outages, bug bites, CPR, etc.

I realize emergency planning is an extremely broad topic and that starting an emergency plan can be very stressful. My best advice is to start small; cover the basics and work up to more critical subjects.

Read the list below for ideas on what to include in your child’s emergency plan. In the event of an emergency, make sure he/she isn’t left stranded.

• Make sure your child knows to dial 911 in an emergency
• If an emergency occurs, where will you meet if separated? Who will you trust?
• Cover topics like stranger danger, bug bites, and cuts
• Discuss what to do in major disasters like earthquakes or floods
• Provide your child with a 72-hour kit, change, and a phone card
• Make sure your child knows your contact information and consider providing him/her with an emergency cell phone with alternative contact numbers
• Pre-arrange to have an alternate care-taker who is willing to care for your child if you are not available
• Have your child keep a small emergency supply kit at school. This kit should include a flashlight, a radio, bottled water, and a poncho or mylar blanket.

Knowing your child is safe and cared for will allow you to keep a clear head so you can make responsible, intelligent decisions in a time of crisis. Prepare your child to understand what to do if you are not around. Teaching your child a broad range of emergency preparedness techniques will prepare him/her for greatest emergency of all the one he/she is forced to face alone.

Did you know the average American adult spends over 30% of his or her time at work? My first thought was, “I wish I could only work 6 hours a day!” But seriously, whether you are a full-time hero or a part-time student, emergencies have a good chance of striking while you are away from your primary emergency supply — assuming you have a primary emergency supply.

An emergency kit is not just about giant monsters wreaking havoc through the city or floods reaching your 4^th story window, they are about everyday incidents ranging from minor scrapes and bruises to a lightning storm that knocks out the power for 45 minutes. Make sure you don’t end up being the only one without a poncho in that torrential downpour or finding your way through the pitch dark halls of your building without a flashlight by taking the following steps toward emergency preparedness:

Store emergency contact information in your workspace. If something happens to you at work, your co-workers will need to know who to call. Make sure your emergency contact information is clearly written and easy to find. Keep this list in your phone as well. Many companies have an ICE (in case of emergency) section built into their phones. If your phone doesn’t have this function, create your own ICE contact.

Keep a duffel bag or backpack full of emergency supplies in your office. Don’t get caught off guard in a less-than-stellar situation. Make sure your backpack or duffel bag has plenty of water, a flashlight with extra batteries, a pocket knife, a first aid kit, and a radio. These items will keep you safer and provide you with a sense of security.

Keep an auto emergency kit. This will not only ensure your safety on the road, it will also provide a backup to your home or office emergency supplies.

Get acquainted with your company’s first aid kit and emergency supply area. Every company should have a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher. Make sure you know where these items are located and how to use them.

Research your company’s evacuation plan. Although most businesses do not hold emergency drills, every company should have an evacuation plan. Acquaint yourself with the details of this plan and discuss emergency preparedness with your supervisor and co-workers.