Everyday saving on energy use means you are paying yourself first. In fact, decreased energy use is like having a savings plan for yourself. Along with helping our environment, every dollar you save goes into your pocket.

Going Green is a Valuable Habit

Committed environmentalists sometimes over-state their case about green living. However, if you’re living on a budget (who isn’t?), you’ll learn that making energy saving tips a habit will return dollars to you along with benefiting our environment.

Conserving energy using simple steps will save you money in a variety of ways. The low cost of many everyday saving habits returns dollars to you over time. Here are some easy steps you can take daily.

The premise behind term life insurance is that it protects your loved ones by replacing your income in the event of your death. Children have no dependents, so typically, child term life insurance is not the best investment choice.

However, when you purchase term life insurance for yourself and your spouse, you are really purchasing it for the security and well being of your children. In many cases, if it was just you and your spouse, you could survive if something happened to one of you. Term life insurance is about securing your spouse’s future at the same standard of living in the event of your death and, most importantly, protecting and caring for your children financially even after you are gone.

Are you hearing more birds chirping in the morning when you wake up? Have you noticed little green daffodil stems pushing up through the ground? If so, they can only mean one thing: it’s the start of spring!

Mother Nature certainly knows how to make a great first impression. From blooms to bugs to baby animals, there are so many different things to see, smell, hear and touch in early spring.

This issue of Gerber Life Family Times suggests some great ways to celebrate the first signs of springtime with your kids. To start things off, enjoy the seasonal quiz below. Do you know the special features that Mother Nature designed for each of the following?

1. When a ladybug takes flight, how many times per second does it flap its wings?

A. 20                      B. 35                      C. 60                      D. 85

2. How many miles can a Monarch butterfly migrate each year?

A. 100                    B. 1,500                C. 2,000                D. 5,000

3. Which Springtime vegetable comes in green, white and purple varieties?

A. Spinach           B. Asparagus      C. Broccoli           D. Corn

Spring is a beautiful time of the year that’s all about celebrating new beginnings. Feeling warm sunshine for the first time in months or splashing through shower puddles are moments that parents and kids look forward to as winter passes. Now that spring is starting to awaken, it’s a great time for curious young minds to be outside and explore Nature’s gifts.

Enjoy teaching your children about the wonders of springtime with these low-cost and creative nature activities for kids:

Start an outdoor or indoor garden

Most kids like playing in the dirt. They’re also enchanted by unusual things. Creating an outdoor garden can be a fun way to enjoy both while teaching them about plants. At your local nursery or home and garden center, look for seeds or starter plants with interesting names such as Moonflower or Snapdragon. Add varieties that can be fun to touch, such as Bunny Tails – an ornamental grass whose blooms resemble powder puffs. Your little ones may also enjoy “Tickle Me” plants, which curl up when touched, or scented herbs such as mint that smell and taste like peppermint, chocolate, orange and other flavors.

Spring is a time for warmer weather, outdoor family fun and fl…fl…fl…[ah-CHOO!] flowers to bloom. It’s also a time to nip pesky allergies in the bud.

Getting your family through allergy season requires a watchful eye and staying in control. Here are some tips for how to stop allergy symptoms in your home:

Turn your home into an allergy-free castle – Curtains, carpets, upholstery, bedspreads, pillows, mattresses and soft toys are magnets for allergy-triggering dust mites. Frequent vacuuming and regular washing can help reduce dust. So can covering mattresses and pillows with zippered allergy covers. Keep an eye on local weather reports, too. When pollen or mold counts are high, keep windows and doors shut. Mold can hide on houseplants and show up on shower curtains, so check the plants and wash the curtains often. A dehumidifier can help lower moisture levels in your home and control mold, but remember to change the filters often.