Friday, September 1: Emergency Preparedness

MOBILE LIVING TWITTER CHAT

mobileliving

When: TODAY, Friday, September 1, 2017
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Emergency Preparedness’

Join @RobynsWorld and the MobileLiving team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, September 1 as we chat about Emergency Preparedness!
While it might have been impossible to foresee the scale of destruction wrought by Hurricane Harvey, the tragic events in Texas remind us all that we need to be more prepared in case of emergencies. Join us as we look at the simple steps we can take to improve our readiness for such events and examine the role mobile devices can play in keeping our loved ones safe!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win one of TWO JBL Clip 2 portable Bluetooth speakers!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject: MobileLiving) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/2iHK7AX
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#MobileLiving) this Friday, September 1 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the chat! 

The Rise of V-Commerce

By Tracey Dowdy

As if brick-and-mortar stores didn’t already face stiff competition from e-commerce, there’s a new kid in town, and he may be an even bigger threat.

V-commerce stands for virtual commerce, also known as “digitally-native vertical brands” or DNVBs. Instead of traditional retailing or an e-commerce approach, v-commerce brands focus primarily on social media and one-on-one attention to customers. This model allows them to offer prices that are often significantly lower than their competitors, boosting sales and maximizing profits. In 2015 alone, v-commerce companies raked in a total of $6.6 billion dollars in profits. Projections for 2020 indicate profits of close to $16 billion.

Instead of the traditional model of big department stores or online giants like Amazon, v-commerce turns shopping into an experience. These retailers have created a business model that connects with consumers on a personal level and solves problems through their products, again, often at a substantially lower price. It’s a new take on the old concept of niche marketing.

Hubble Contacts offers consumers daily contact lenses at a significant discount. At just $30 for a month’s supply, they’re a better deal than buying through traditional sellers. Dollar Shave Club sends razors and shaving products directly to you for as little as $9 a month. There’s no commitment and you can cancel any time. EyeBuy Direct does everything in-house, from design to manufacturing, without paying for often expensive retail space. As a result, consumers can buy quality eyeglasses at deep discounts. I bought two pair of prescription reading glasses for under $35 and prescription glasses with progressive lenses for $65.

New to the game is Brandless, a company offering brand-name quality products at generic prices. Everything on their site is $3. They have a wide selection of food and household products. Many are non-GMO, organic, fair trade, kosher, gluten free, and have no added sugar.

There are hundreds of these companies out there but, just like traditional retailers, some are better than others. The easiest way to find the companies that match your need is to simply Google “direct to consumer____” and fill in the blank with whatever product you’re looking for.

Once you find them, do your due diligence and check their reviews, but not on their own site. Google them and see what Consumer Reports, the Better Business Bureau or other shoppers have to say about their products, their level of customer service, and their shipping policies. And, as with every shopping experience, buyer beware. It’s up to you to read the fine print and protect yourself. Not all offer free shipping, contract-free options, or money back guarantees.

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.

Talking to Your Kids About the News

By Tracey Dowdy

No matter how you try to shelter your kids from the news, when events like the violence in Charlottesville unfold, your children are bound to be impacted. Even if you’ve set boundaries for social media, other children may have seen and heard upsetting things and will likely share with their friends.

At times like this it’s important to take these troubling situations and turn them in to teachable moments. We can engage our children in meaningful conversations that both make them feel safe, and teach them how they can play a part it making the world a better place.

Start with a conversation. Family therapist Nicole Coghlin, with Bayridge Counseling Centres says, “It’s okay for you to start the conversation. Listen carefully to what your kids are saying – and what they’re not saying.” That’s an important distinction – sometimes children are hesitant to bring up sensitive subjects because they don’t want to upset their parents, so it’s important to reassure them and let them know they can talk to you about anything that’s making them afraid or uncomfortable.

Psychology Today had great advice for parents after the Ariana Grande concert attack in Manchester back in May. The circumstances are different, but both the Manchester and Charlottesville events impacted our kids and the principles surrounding dealing with the aftermath are the same.

Have that conversation but keep it age-appropriate. Younger children will likely be most concerned about their family and friends: Are they safe? Will they be okay? Older children will tend to ask more broad-based questions: Why do people think this way? What can we do? Be honest, and don’t pretend to have all the answers. This is a complex issue and pretending to have all the answers won’t change the situation.

As in this situation when race is at the center of the controversy, give your child context through a history lesson. Again, keep it age-appropriate, but explain that we made progress back during the Civil Rights era because people weren’t afraid to stand up for what they knew was right. Sometimes history repeats itself and we need to stand up for what’s right again. History for Kids has great resources to teach children about Civil Rights leaders, events like the March on Washington, and other important information. It isn’t limited to American history – there are profiles of Mother Theresa and Gandhi as well.

Keep an eye out for changes in behavior. Remember, it’s back-to-school, so many kids are already stressed. Having the fear Being fearful about what’s happening in the world around them can ramp up that anxiety.

Sometimes it helps to find an outlet. Many of us feel powerless in these situations, so find tangible ways to go out into the community to do good. Volunteer at a homeless shelter; make dinner or mow the grass for a shut-in; bake cookies and drop them off at the local fire station. Tangible acts of kindness demonstrate to your children that there is still good in the world.

Be patient and expect to have the conversation again. Some of my best conversations with my kids came as I was settling them in bed at night. Somehow, those wheels start turning and that’s a prime opportunity to talk through what’s on their mind.

Finally, if your child is really struggling and can’t seem to let go of the fear, consider talking to a professional. Sometimes having someone to talk to who isn’t part of their usual support system allows them to unpack their fears and move on. A therapist can provide the tools your child needs to not only work through these events but any future distress as well.

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, August 18: Back to School

MOBILE LIVING TWITTER CHAT

mobileliving

When: TODAY, Friday, August 18, 2017
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Back to School’

Join @RobynsWorld and the MobileLiving team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, August 18 as we chat about Back to School!
It might be the middle of August but Back to School is just around the corner. Join us we look back at our own school days and share tips on how to make the transition from play days to school days as easy as possible!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win an Echo Dot home assistant or a JBL Flip 4 waterproof Bluetooth speaker!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject: MobileLiving) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/2wiYhOi
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#MobileLiving) this Friday, August 18 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during

Best Apps for Back-to-School Shopping

By Tracey Dowdy

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – back-to-school! Whether you loved having your kiddos home for the summer or whether you think the most beautiful sight in the world is that big yellow bus, kids are headed back to school.

That means it’s time for back-to-school shopping. These apps can help you stock up without breaking the bank, a promise that’s sure to make everyone happy.

Retail Me Not promises “500,000+ Coupons for 50,000 Stores” on their site. By aggregating sales and coupons from major retailers like Nike, JC Penney, Target, Payless, as well as smaller, local retailers, this app has the potential to save you a lot of money by dropping exclusive deals, discounted gift cards, and cash-back offers into the palm of your hand. Plus, the app is available in Canada as well, so it works great for cross-border shopping. (Free – iOS/Android)

Key Ring is a life saver – well, maybe a wallet saver. Instead of jamming all your store loyalty cards in your wallet, Key Ring stores them for you. Then, just enter your zip code and the app will upload local flyers so you can browse sales and coupons. Create a list, search for the items across circulars, find the best deals and save both time and money. (Free – iOS/Android)

FLOK doesn’t tell you where to get the lowest prices but it will tell you where you can earn rewards. The app matches you with local retailers offering loyalty reward programs, many who award points just for signing up. Start earning points and redeem them at any time. (Free – iOS/Android)

Ebates will be your go-to deal shopping app by promising as much as 40% back on your purchase at over 2000 retailers and wholesalers. Download the app, pick your favorite retailers and save money through rebates, coupons and cash back rewards from big names like Macy’s, Kohl’s, Sephora, Target, or even Groupon and eBay. (Free – iOS/Android)

ShopSavvy saves you the hassle of scrolling through circulars and searching retailers online by doing the heavy lifting for you. Simply use your smartphone camera to scan the barcode for any item you’re considering purchasing and ShopSavvy runs through a database of over 40,000 stores to see if anyone has a lower price. The app is constantly updated in real-time, so if the deal is better elsewhere, you’ll know before you get to the checkout. (Free – iOS/Android)

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.

Podcasts Your Kids Should Be Listening To

By Tracey Dowdy

In a media saturated world with visually driven content – streaming services, video games, e-readers – the idea of kids engaging with an audio-based medium like a podcast may seem like a stretch. How can we convince them the story is strong enough to keep them enthralled without a single image to draw them in? By introducing them to one of these captivating, entertaining podcasts created with kids as the intended audience.

Dream Big is the top-rated podcast in the Kids & Family Section of iTunes. With the tagline “Family-friendly podcast inspiring kids and parents to dream big,” your child may not be the only one motivated by 7-year-old Eva Karpman. Evan and her mom interview celebrities, but not the TMZ kind. Think Canadian astronaut Chris Hardwick, motivational speaker Sean Stevenson, or Hardcore History host Dan Carlin. Each week’s guest comes from different feed with a consistent message of finding your passion and chasing your dreams. (Best for: All ages)

One of the most imaginative podcasts out there is What If World, a storytelling podcast especially for kids. Hosted by Mr. Eric and his friends Abacus P Grumbler, Randall Radbot, and Whendiana Joan, What If World asks the kind of questions your kids ask: What if werewolves and unicorns were real and everyone had a unicorn as a pet? What if I could jump through my TV and jump into Minecraft world? One of the podcast’s most fun features is that kids can call and leave a voicemail (call 205-605-WHAT) and possibly be featured on the show or click on the Question Generator and be inspired to create a story of their own. (Best for: Elementary)

Book Club for Kids is hosted by public radio personality Kitty Felde alongside a team of middle schoolers. Together they talk about popular young adult books, discuss their favorite authors and have a celebrity guest read a chapter of that week’s featured book. Felde and the students talk about a wide spectrum of genres and each episode is archived on their website. In previous podcasts, the team discussed books as varied as Old Yeller, Al Capone Does My Shirts, Passenger on the Pearl, and Our Teacher is a Vampire and Other (Not) True Stories, so there’s something for everyone. (Best for: Middle Schoolers)

You’ll love This American Life just as much as your kids will. It’s the number one downloaded podcast in the country (2.5 million weekly downloads) and for good reason. Each episode is themed (doppelgängers, cars, camp, the birds and the bees, babysitting) and uses a clever combination of solid journalism, stand-up comedy and masterful storytelling to draw the listener in. Be warned, some of the content is for mature audiences and there may be swearing in some of the segments. (Best for: Older Teens)

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, August 4: Mobile Security

MOBILE LIVING TWITTER CHAT

mobileliving

When: TODAY, Friday, August 4, 2017
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Mobile Security’

Join @RobynsWorld and the MobileLiving team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, August 4 as we examine ways to improve mobile security!
We love our smartphones and tablets but how can we protect ourselves against data theft, phishing scams, viruses and other security threats? Join us as we look at the simple steps we can take to ensure a safer mobile lifestyle!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win an Echo Dot home assistant or a JBL Flip 4 waterproof Bluetooth speaker!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject: MobileLiving) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/2vuzvu9
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#MobileLiving) this Friday, August 4 between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the chat.