Issue Date: July 8, 2007
Get a jump on college
Now that it's the middle of summer, parents are facing the shocking realization that the eventful day their "baby" leaves home is fast-approaching. Although my daughter's school provided lots of information, I discovered a multitude of other things I needed to do to prepare her -- and myself -- for the transition. A sampling:
Here's the scoop on some stuff colleges DON'T tell you.
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Go ahead and reserve a hotel room for move-in day and parents' weekend (the college website often has links to nearby places to stay).
Verify her cellphone coverage and, if she's taking a car, insurance and auto club policies.
Set up a checking account during orientation to beat the move-in rush. A school's credit union usually offers a good deal, or look for a bank with branches near both college and home.
Sign her up for a student credit card, preferably one that helps keep her in line with rewards for good grades, paying on time and not going over the credit limit.
Compile a photo album that includes expressions of love and encouragement for when she's lonely or stressed.
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Boost your AC's efficiency
Air conditioning is a huge electrical drain, but it's a must in heat-blasted places. Take these steps to make AC units run well:
Use ceiling fans to circulate the existing cooled air when the AC is turned off.
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Keep them clean. On window units, use the soft brush attachment to your vacuum to gently dust the coils, aluminum slats behind the filter and the plastic slats on the front. Clean or replace the filter once a month. Be sure side curtains fit snugly against the window to avoid any leaks. On central AC units, gently wash the fragile metal fins with a soft scrub brush and mild detergent, then rinse with a hose. Replace or clean filters.
Declutter the area. Trim foliage to at least 2 feet away from both kinds of units, and remove leaves or twigs under and around central units.
Use a timer. Use a plug-in timer for window units or a programmable thermostat with a built-in timer for a central air unit, then set the timer to turn on 30 minutes before you expect to return home.
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America's top flea markets
Thanks to collectors whose dreams of treasure have been fueled by "Antiques Roadshow" and eBay, flea markets around the country have been flourishing. Here are some examples:
Brimfield, Mass., hosts what may be the greatest American flea market. About 5,000 dealers in 21 fields come together for six days every May, July and September to focus on true antiques and collectibles. Some 30,000 visitors descend on this village; dedicated collectors book a motel months in advance. Admission ranges from free to $7 at each field.
At the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, Calif., on the second Sunday of each month, some 2,200 dealers offer knickknacks and antiques. An appraisal tent provides an on-the-spot estimate of what your newfound treasures are really worth. Admission is $8, but early birds willing to pay $20 can enter at 5 a.m.
The Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, Ill., boasts up to 1,200 dealers selling new and old goods on the first weekend of the month. Just $5 gets you in.
Florida's Daytona Flea & Farmers Market operates year-round, with about 1,000 booths. Admission is free.
Each weekend, more than 500 dealers open their stalls with free admission at the Austin Country Flea Market. The monthly First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas, date back to the horse-trading days of the 1850s. Nowadays, antiques can be unearthed among the belt buckles, handbags and hummingbird feeders.
Award-winning travel writer Everett Potter's website is everettpotter.com.
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Weight loss can help fertility
Obesity encourages insulin resistance and polycystic ovarian syndrome -- conditions that can lead to infertility.
"Higher insulin levels lead to more fat storage and disrupt proper ovarian hormone production," says reproductive endocrinologist Laurence Jacobs, M.D. His program, X2 Fit and Fertile (x2fitandfertile.com), helps women correct insulin resistance with weight loss. Through use of a weighted vest, a low-carb diet and, in some cases, medication, the program has had a 50% success rate.
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