Friday, December 9: Managing Stress

MOBILE LIVING TWITTER PARTY

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When: TODAY, Friday, December 9, 2016
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Managing Stress’

Join the VZWBuzz team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, December 9 as we share tips for Managing Stress!
We all face stressful moments in our lives but how we respond to stress can make the difference between happiness and a life of constant anxiety. Join us as we look at what causes stress, share tips on how to manage stressful moments, and explore how mobile technology can sometimes lend a helping hand!
RSVP and participate in the chat for a chance to win a Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth portable speaker!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/2eMC2r0
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Friday, December 9 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon Wireless.)

Buy and Sell Sites You’ve Never Heard Of

By Tracey Dowdy

The upside to having moved eleven times in the past twenty-six years is that I don’t have a lot of useless “stuff.” My husband is ruthless when it comes to packing. More than once while unpacking, my daughters and I have asked, “Where is my…?” only to be met with a “Well, here’s the thing…” from my husband. Ruthless I tell you. Ruthless.

If you’re not so <ahem> “fortunate” to have a Roy in your life, someone to continually help you purge, and you find yourself with items you want to get rid of, consider selling them online.

We’re all familiar with big names like Amazon, eBay, Craigslist but finding the best website for selling those items can mean the difference between money in your pocket and a trip to the Salvation Army. Maybe a less well-known site will be the one to help you turn your trash into cash.

VarageSale

VarageSale is the brainchild of a mom tired of the drama that often occurs when trying to buy and sell on social media sites. With over a million members in the US, Canada and around the world, VarageSale not only offers a comprehensive buy and sell platform, it’s also a blog with tips on everything from de-cluttering your space to mothering and clean eating.

Everything But The House

Everything But the House specializes in estate sales, so it’s not the best choice for selling your collection of Sponge Bob DVDs but a great option if you’re downsizing or need to sell off the contents of an entire house.

ValoreBooks

ValoreBooks promises “more cash for your old textbooks.” When you consider the average undergrad spends around $1200 a year on textbooks, the prospect of getting some of that money back is pretty alluring. Simply type in the ISBN number, receive an instant quote, and, if you’ve received a better quote somewhere else, ValoreBooks will match it. They also cover the cost of shipping and receiving payment is as easy as choosing a check or having the money deposited in your PayPal account.

Exchange My Phone

Exchange My Phone is the perfect place to sell your iPhone or Android device no matter the condition. Did you drop your phone and shatter the screen? Or maybe your toddler has dropped it in the toilet? No problem – Exchange My Phone buys new, used and broken phones, no matter the condition, and securely deletes all your data for no extra charge. Get a quote, have it shipped for free, and choose to receive payment yourself or donate the money to any US charity. How great is that? You’re keeping your device out of a landfill and doing a good deed at the same time. Now that’s a sweet deal!

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

How To Clean Up Your Facebook Photos

By Tracey Dowdy

Am I the only one with Facebook albums that need to get cleaned up? My Facebook page is cluttered with photos of things that were important to me years ago but now…not so much.

Of course deleting them is an option, but what if you want to save some? For example, that sandwich from your Vegas vacation. It was pretty epic. Alternatively, you could go through and select them one by one but who has that kind of time? Plus, Facebook compresses photos when you upload, so clicking and dragging to your desktop will leave you with an image of lesser quality than the one you uploaded.

Here’s the good news: there are options and most don’t take a whole lot of time.

Download it all, and I mean all

Facebook allows users to download a copy of their entire Facebook data, including photos. Go to Settings >Download a Copy and Facebook will download everything – every status, every chat log, every photo. Downloading doesn’t take long and once you have your copy, you can sort through what’s important to you and delete the rest. Keep in mind photos won’t revert to original quality – you’re getting the compressed version.

Use the Download FB Album mod on Google Chrome.

This extension allows you to download albums and photos and, while the photo quality is not great, it is decent. Install the extension through the Google Chrome store and you’ll see the Facebook icon appear in the top right corner of your screen. Simply open a Facebook album or page, click the icon, and select “Normal.” Press Command +S (iOS) or Control +S (Windows) to save your photos.

Use an app like Fotobounce.

Fotobounce is a photo management and sharing app that allows you to quickly download and organize your pictures online or offline. Once you create an account, login and access Facebook in the panel on the left side of your screen. Login to your account and once there you’ll be able to access all your albums.

To download, highlight the photo or album and select “Download” from the Edit pane. You’ll be prompted to choose where on Fotobounce you want to store the images – either a new album or add to an existing album. You can also upload to your Flickr account by choosing “Upload to Flickr” in the edit pane. Fotobook even has face recognition capabilities, works with Mac or Windows, and fully integrates with Twitter as well as Flickr.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

8 Tips for Selling Stuff Online

By Tracey Dowdy

So you spent the weekend cleaning up the garage or sorting through the playroom. You’ve got boxes of camping gear, small appliances, snow tires and toys no one uses any more – if they ever did. Now what? Time for an online yard sale, that’s what!

Turning your trash into another man’s treasure has never been easier with online sales platforms like Craigslist, eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Etsy. But before you start, there’s a few things to consider to ensure your online sales experience is a positive one.

1. Choose an online platform. Are you willing to ship the item? Then eBay is a great option. Are you trying to connect with local buyers? Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist are a good fit. Is the item handmade? Consider Etsy, a site that is built around handcrafted items. You can post in more than one place but make sure to note the item is cross-posted in the listing

2. Make sure your item is sales-worthy. Sometimes your trash is just, well, your trash. Look at the item from a seller’s point of view and ask yourself, “Would I buy this from another seller?”

3. Determine your price. If you’re not sure, research what others are charging for the same or similar items and go from there. Be prepared for potential buyers to offer a lower price and decide if you’re willing to negotiate. Once you’ve settled on a price, do not change it.

4. Prep the item to be photographed and sold. It should go without saying that if you want the best price, the item should be in prime condition. Wash and press clothes, touch up paint, replace the missing knobs on the drawers, sanitize the toys. Buyers will naturally be drawn to an item that looks good onscreen.

5. Speaking of looking good, take good photos. Use a simple backdrop whenever possible, good lighting and high quality photos. Keep the item as the focal point – clear away toys, décor and anything else that would distract the eye. Think of how realtors stage houses for listings: you want a clean, clear space that focuses the buyer on the item, not the pile of dirty dishes in the sink or your child photobombing in the background.

6. Write good copy. Most buyers will choose concise over clever any day. Be clear about the price, pick up location, and describe the item exactly as is, including if it’s scratched, dented, bruised or battered. Not everyone is looking for brand new items but they are looking for honest descriptions.
Note: don’t describe an item as “gently used” if the item has a blood stain, you can’t find the item, or it is infested with fleas – all situations I have encountered when I went to pick up an item. Don’t get me started on that couch!

7. Close the deal. Consider whether you want buyers coming to your home or if you prefer to meet in a public place. Cash-only transactions are generally best, but for big ticket items you may want to ask for a cashier’s check or money order.

8. Be professional. Use appropriate language, respond to buyers inquiries promptly, and don’t be late for your arranged pick up. Online sales communities allow feedback and the way you handle transactions determines your reputation within that community.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

 

Friday, December 2: Mobile Tools for Financial Fitness

MOBILE LIVING TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: Friday, December 2, 2016
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Mobile Tools for Financial Fitness’

Join the VZWBuzz team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, December 2 as we chat about Mobile Tools for Financial Fitness!
Getting our finances under control – and keeping them that way – is one of the keys to a less stressful life, but as most of us know, that’s easier said than done. Join us as we look at some of the mobile tools than can help us manage our family finances and get us on the road to financial fitness!
RSVP and participate in the chat for a chance to win a JBL Pulse 2 Bluetooth speaker!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/2ezZ9Cy
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Friday, December 2 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon Wireless.)

Monday, November 28: Finding Gifts for the Holidays

MOBILE LIVING TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: TODAY, Monday, November 28, 2016
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Finding Gifts for the Holidays’

Join the VZWBuzz team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Monday, November 28 as we chat about Finding Gifts for the Holidays!
RSVP and participate in the chat for a chance to win a Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth speaker!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/2egSIWe
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Monday, November 28 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon Wireless.)

Friday, November 18: Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

MOBILE LIVING TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: TODAY, Friday, November 18, 2016
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Getting Ready for Thanksgiving’

Join the VZWBuzz team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, November 18 as we chat about Getting Ready for Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is coming up at that means turkey, football, your favorite movies…and Black Friday shopping! Join the VZWBuzz team as we preview this very special time of year!
RSVP and participate in the chat for a chance to win a Motorola portable charger or an LG 360 camera!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/2dCXUWJ
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Friday, November 18 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon Wireless.)

Web Sites for Homework Help

By Tracey Dowdy

My father faced many challenges in life but none greater than tutoring his daughters in math. God bless that man. Hours at the dining room table drilling us on times tables, explaining fractions, long division, finding the square root…no wonder he had gray hair long before he turned 40.

I was smart enough to marry a man who could do the same for our kids. He covered subjects like math and chemistry, I took care of English and History. I seriously think that should be part of parenting classes – who is going to help with what homework – but that’s an article for another day.

Until that happens, or at least while we wait, the gods of the Internet have provided several excellent web sites that can fill in when the questions asked are outside your scope of knowledge or you’ve run out of ways to explain a concept. Even better, no matter what your child’s learning style, these sites can make learning not only accessible, but fun as well.

IXL

IXL offers “dynamic, adaptive learning” so “practice feels like play. Students will find resources to help with math, science, social studies and language arts from Pre-K through Twelfth grade.  Available as a website and an app, IXL provides Common Core aligned content that will boost your child’s confidence as well as their skill set.

Access to a limited number of exercises is free, but membership is required for full access to resources like unlimited practice activities, analytics, awards, and certificates. (Membership fees: $9.95/month or $79.95/year)

Bookopolis

Bookopolis recognizes that readers are leaders and wants to instill a lifelong love of reading in kids aged 7-12. The web site tracks reading and writing accomplishments and encourages kids by awarding badges and points for adding or recommending books to others, writing reviews and reports, or inviting their friends to join. Kids practice persuasive writing, reports, keyboarding skills, comprehension, and keep an online reading log. There are contests, suggestions for reluctant readers – a lifesaver for parents when book reports are assigned – and links to fun pages like “Doodle with Tom Gates”, hero of Liz Pinchon’s series of books. (Free)

Khan Academy

Khan Academy provides thousands of educational video tutorials covering a broad range of subjects including math, science, history, English, art, and computer programming for students K-5 through university. Tutorials are available in English, French, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese and are Common Core aligned. Recognizing that each student learns differently and develops skills at different times, students have unlimited access to resources to ensure they achieve mastery through “conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and real-world application.” (Free)

Google Scholar

Google Scholar “provides a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature.” Ad free and limited to scholarly works such as abstracts, articles, books, and court opinions instead of the entire scope of the Internet, Google Scholar is ideal for students just starting in academic research. Keep in mind that articles are automatically sorted by topic, not date, so just as with Google, students will need to be mindful of relevance and the date information was published. (Free)

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

How Effective Are Activity Trackers for Weight Loss?

By Tracey Dowdy

Are you wearing a fitness tracker? A new study published in the American Medical Association Journal concluded that activity trackers may not be living up to all they promise. Researchers found that individuals wearing activity trackers in fact lost less weight than those that didn’t.

The results were surprising as researchers “anticipated that those with the activity trackers would lose more weight across the 24 months,” said study co-author John Jakicic, a weight-management researcher at the University of Pittsburgh. “When we found just the opposite this was very surprising.”

The study followed 471 overweight or obese individuals aged 18-35 years over a two-year period. Each participant followed a program of exercise, ate a healthy diet and participated in weekly support meetings. Six months into the study, one group started utilizing a website to track calorie intake and exercise, while individuals in the second group were given fitness trackers commercially available and designed to be worn on the upper arm.

Fast forward two years. The individuals using fitness trackers lost an average of 8lbs while those tracking diet and fitness goals online dropped 13lbs. Note: The study did not include a control group of individuals that were offered no online or wearable tech weight loss interventions.

While the study may be disheartening for anyone using an activity tracker, it’s important to consider several things not documented by the study results. One, participants still lost weight. Losing less weight than another individual is less important than the impact a healthier lifestyle will have long-term. Speaking of long-term, it is yet to be seen which group maintains their fitness goals and lifestyle changes over time. Will those logging on to a website be more inclined to continue or will it be the individuals who are seeing “results” in real time as their tracker logs steps, heart rate, and calories burned?

Furthermore, “the importance of examining effective weight loss strategies for young adults is supported by a recent report showing that this age demographic has a prevalence of obesity (32.3%) higher than the prevalence in youth 12 to 19 years of age (20.5%) but lower than that found in middle-aged adults (40.2%). This may suggest that young adulthood is an important transition period for weight gain and the development of obesity.” In other words, developing a healthy lifestyle when you’re younger bodes well for avoiding obesity in middle age regardless of the methods used. Again, focus on the bigger picture. Both groups improved their overall health.

Regardless of your approach, it takes more than diet or exercise on their own to maintain a healthy body. Exercise can be undermined by a poor diet and inadequate nutrition hinders peak physical ability. Food should be seen as fuel, not a reward.

Obviously, whether you choose wearable tech is a personal choice. If it motivates you and helps you stay on track, by all means get one. There are a lot of great options available. As Jakicic said, “Regardless, if you wear a device like this and it helps you to become more active and manage your weight better, by all means keep doing that.”

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.