Moms Talk

Should You Pay Kids for Doing Chores?

Experts agree that it's a good idea to start teaching kids about money from an early age, but there is little advice about how best to do it.

Moms Talk is a weekly feature on all Lehigh Valley Patches in which local parents, caregivers and other members of the community are invited to share opinions and advice on parenting issues. This week’s Moms Talk topic relates to kids and allowances: Most experts agree that it is important to start teaching kids about money from an early age. But, that’s the extent of their agreement. There really isn’t much consistent guidance out there about the “how.” Do you pay your child an allowance? If so, at what age do you begin paying an allowance? How much do you pay? Do you give kids money for doing nothing? What kind of message does that send? Or, do you pay your youngster for doing jobs around the house? So, tell us what you think: Should you…

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Jenae's View

I Beg To Differ

Parents must teach children to be discriminatory in how they help those in need, which can be a touchy subject.

Helping the needy has always been in my blood. I grew up in less than desirable circumstances until I was about 8 years old and learned to appreciate the little things in life. Long story short, I lived across the country in army tents, semi-constructed homes, small apartments and even a converted 1958 GMC school bus for a few years before my parents settled down in a traditional house. I know what it’s like to live on potato soup, canned beans and oatmeal. I know what it’s like to get cardboard creations as Christmas gifts. Looking back, I am so thankful to everyone who helped us through those tough times. We didn’t ask to be poor. It was just the way things happened. Kind hearts made our lives a little easier. Despite our circumstances, …

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Keeping Them Honest

Crash Diet Needed for All Government

Local government does a better job financially, but all levels of government need to become more fiscally responsible.

Like my Patch bunk buddy, Jonathan Geeting, I'd love to see a Bi-County public health department here in the Lehigh Valley. Never mind that Erie County, which has a public health department, ranks 52 out of 67 counties in that ominous "morbidity" rating. Never mind that Northampton County, which has no public health department, actually ranks 10 in health factors like smoking and STD. No, damn the evidence, and spend away. Replace the "pro-morbidity" pols, as Geeting calls them. What Jonathan and other spenders fail to realize is that, before we have public health or nice choo-choo trains to NYC and Philly, government really needs to go on a diet. Just two years ago, the Lehigh Valley flushed $250,000 down the toilet to tell us what we …

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My Turn

Easton Area School Board Wrong to Appeal Bracelet Verdict

The district will waste thousands of dollars it desperately needs on a flawed appeal of the "I Love Boobies" decision handed down by federal judge Mary McLaughlin.

At a time when the Easton Area School District can ill afford to throw money down a rathole because of gaping budget deficits, it saw fit to suspend two middle school students for wearing "I Love Boobies" bracelets, virtually daring First Amendment advocates to intervene. And so they did. Predictably, the sanctimonious action led to a federal lawsuit against the district--one it was destined to lose because of its flimsy premise, and, in the process, cost the district thousands of dollars in legal fees it badly needs, especially now. The school administration reasoned that these bracelets, which are intended to promote breast cancer awareness, were sure to titillate 12-year-old boys and whip their sexual hormones into such a frenzy that …

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Borough Receives $100 Paper Recycling Prize

Abitibi Paper Recycling Green Team member Lenny Szy was at Hellertown Borough Council's March 21 meeting to present the award to Borough Manager Cathy Kichline.

One hundred dollars may not seem like a lot of money anymore, but in today's economy every little bit helps. Thus it was with appreciation that Hellertown Borough Manager Cathy Kichline accepted a $100 prize check from Abitibi Paper Recycling Green Team member and Lower Saucon resident Lenny Szy, who said the award was earned because the borough increased its paper collection goal by 15 percent. Abitibi is a Philadelphia-area paper recycler that collects dropped off paper from two dozen Dumpster-like receptacles strategically located throughout the Saucon Valley area, Szy explained. Szy said he and former Lower Saucon Township Historical Society president Lorraine Torrella helped negotiate the introduction of the local paper recycling …

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The (Single) Parent Guide to E-filing Your Taxes

Returns are due April 18; where are your deductions?

The Internal Revenue Service announced that it was extending the tax return deadline by a whole three days--April 18 is the 2011 deadline. This is good news for all those procrastinating parents who are still trying to gather paperwork. If you are a parent filing your own taxes online with H&R Block, TurboTax or another free e-file website, there are several child-related deductions of which you should be aware. For a good part of the last decade, I have e-filed my own taxes and have found great results. By no means does this make me an expert on the subject, but if this soccer mom can do it, I think pretty much everyone can be walked through the steps of the e-file process. The e-file program that I used through H&R Block provided a list …

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Frugal Family

This week indulge (and save) when shopping, eating or reading!

This week, treat yourself to a tasty meal and a silky cotton shirt, or introduce your children to an author (or two) and celebrate the classic Very Hungry Caterpillar!   1. Braveheart Highland Pub and Restaurant, 430 Main St., Hellertown. Deal:  Two ongoing specials: Good through: Ongoing   2. Barnes and Noble, The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, Center Valley. Deal: Free story times with children's authors. Good through: See above   3. Brooks Brothers, The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, Center Valley. Deal: $25 off a $100 or more purchase from the Supina Cotton collection. Good through: March 24   4. Billy's Downtown Diner, 10 E. Broad St., Bethlehem. Deal: Many breakfast and lunch specials, including: Good through: March 19   5. …

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Keeping Them Honest

John Morganelli, Bon Vivant

Last year the Northampton County District Attorney raked in more than $87,000 from well-wishers.

Last year, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli raked in $87,874.37 from well-wishers, including people who work for him and lots of $250 checks from defense lawyers. Morganelli is sitting on a $130,000 mountain of cash. But don't worry. He made lots of contributions last year, too. To himself. Campaign finance records reveal that Morganelli donated $13,625.87 to himself last year, a year in which he wasn't running for anything. That's right. His campaign fund became his personal ATM machine. So what did he do with all that dough? He blew $1,109.99 at Macy's, presumably to buy a few DA uniforms. He filled up his gas tank 15 times, spending at least $40 for his gas guzzler every time. But most amazing of all are the …

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The Katz Meow

Egypt and the World

The recent peaceful revolution means the U.S. is in a time of great opportunity and great risk.

Some days resonate through history. Among them is July 4, 1776, the day that the Continental Congress adopted the Declarationof Independence. It was not only a great day for what turned out to be the United States of America, it proclaimed to all mankind that all people were entitled to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” A second, also American, was July 3, 1863, the day the union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg assured, in Lincoln’s words, “that government of the people, for the people, and by the people shall not perish from the earth.” A third was May 8, 1945, when Germany surrendered to the allies and the Second World War ended in Europe. Those who are old enough to remember the lightning bolt of joy that went through …

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