Ways parents can develop awareness of poverty, teach generosity

If I had a buck for every time I heard someone say "kids today are so insensitive and selfish," I'd be rich. If kids lack sensitivity, it's because we parents have failed to teach empathy. And kids need to learn empathy, especially for those in need. Here are ways to develop awareness of world poverty and teach generosity.  Ways parents can develop awareness of poverty, teach generosity

Free School Supplies, Free Bags, Super Savings from OfficeMax

I've got a penchant for free stuff, dollar stretching and get the most for my shopping buck. OfficeMax is offering two great deals on back to school shopping. First, spend $150 and you get a free $58 value 3-piece bag set. Enter promo code "FREEBAG" at checkout. Also, if you buy certain ful backpacks and laptop backpacks--Tremor, Sweet Melissa, Heartbreaker-- on sale for $18.74-$29.99, they come stuffed with free school supplies. Links below say $24.98, but backpacks have been price-reduced even farther, saving you 53%! Oh, and orders over $50 get free shipping. Already bought your kid's backpack? Buy another for next year. Or buy one to donate. Operation Christmas Child is gearing up for their annual shoebox giveaway event. You could donate to Toys for Tots or church giving trees. For more back to school cost cutter tips, read How a Mom of Four Saves 80 Percent on Back to School Shopping 

How to Save 80 Percent on Back to School Shopping

 Labor Day means children return to school. It also means back to school shopping. If you haven't finished shopping, don't worry. That's a good thing. It's best to wait until kids are in class to find out what is and isn't needed on that back to school shopping list. I've raised four children; here are do's and don'ts to save 80 percent on school supplies and clothing.

* Don't fall for all the back to school marketing ploys. Take advantage of sales, but wait to find out what your child's teacher actually requires. Take it from a teacher, many store school supply lists trick you into buying things you don't need. Read more read more