Money
Teens and money
was the title of a recent study from Junior Achievement USA and the Allstate Foundation that determined that the majority of today’s teens believe they may fail to reach the same level of financial success as their parents. Aimed at understanding the financial views and behaviors of young adults, the study reported that teens are aware of the impact the recent economic crisis had on their families, and have altered their aspirations as a result. On the upside, parents can affect this impression, as the overwhelming majority of teens — 86 percent — still look to their parents for advice on managing money, “making it vital for parents to have family discussions around money management,” the survey reported.
Space
Hidden home treasures
Pragmatists looking for ways to generate more cash may want to start hunting through the house for tomorrow’s antiques and collectibles. According to the book, by Michael Hogben & Linda Abrams (Red Rock Press), which recently became available as an e-book, steel watering cans, old toys and dolls, funny salt and pepper shakers, and head vases are but a few of the often overlooked contemporary household items that are likely to fetch more money down the road. The authors are seasoned collectors who have compiled easy-to-follow advice about what to collect now that you can cash in on later, and the best ways to go about it. “Don’t pass up your neighborhood yard sale or thrift shop,” Hogben writes. “You never know what you’ll find. …I browse like a detective.”
Time
Better summer mowing
Anyone who uses a gas-fueled lawn mower may want to heed these efficiency tips from .
Sharpen your blade: This is the most important thing you can do. You use more fuel with a dull blade, so either sharpen up or have a spare blade on hand.
Keep your tires inflated: Just like on your car, proper tire inflation means less fuel use.
Keep the mower clean: Keeping the deck and discharges clean means the mower doesn’t have to work as hard.
Elana Ashanti Jefferson, The Denver Post
