meta-dad

All Those Little Engines…

So now that global warming has been shifted to the front burner again, it seems as if everything with a combustion engine is under the microscope – which it should be. Like most guys that have gone nuclear (i.e. married, kids, dog, house, et al.), I have my weekend routine of chores which include mowing the lawn. Big whoop, grass grows, you cut it. Evidently, lawnmowers put Hummers to shame when it comes to spewing noxious fumes into the atmosphere.

For example, regulators in California estimate that using a chain-saw for two hours produces as much pollution as ten cars each driving 250 miles (400km) though the outdoor-power-equipment lobby, of course, vigorously disagrees.” ~The Economist

Now what bums me out is there are programs out there (especially here in California) where you can get an electric mower at a great discount through government-sponsored programs, but they are not really advertised. Check on-line and through your local sources for any similar programs available in your area. So I want to share some links for people in the L.A. County area – and mark your calendars for next spring (they are sold out for this year already) and get on their mailing list at the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which covers Los Angeles and Orange County, is offering residents a $399 electric-powered lawnmower for $100 if they trade in an old petrol-burning lawnmower.

I know in parts of Nevada, New Mexico and Texas they will pay you to get rid of your lawn (“Cash For Grass Programs”) and replace it with a “zero-scape” (rock garden, cactus-scape, etc.) which saves the municipalities millions of gallons of water annually.

Related Links:
It All Adds Up | The Economist
South Coast Air Quality Management District | Lawn Mower Exchange Program
South Coast Air Quality Management District | Leaf Blower Exchange Program
Consumer Guide: Electric Lawn Mowers
San Diego Union Tribune | Smart Yards

Laughter Improves Breast Milk

Okay Mr. Dad, pop quiz; your newborn baby seems to have a bad case of eczema and your breastfeeding mom is probably pretty concerned about it – what do you do? Make mom laugh. Tickle her. Do some prat-falls. Pull out all the stops, if you get tired rent her favorite funny movies. I’m not making this up, no sir. Now – go, go, go.

…he showed breastfeeding mothers either a feature length Charlie Chaplin movie or bland footage of weather information, and took samples of breast milk at regular intervals afterwards. Two milk feeds later, he also measured their babies’ allergic reactions to dust mites and latex. Those infants whose mothers had laughed had markedly reduced reactions (Journal of Psychosomatic Research, vol 62, p 699).”

“…Kimata also found significantly higher levels of melatonin in the laughing mothers’ milk. The hormone is associated with relaxation, and levels are reduced in people with eczema.” ~ NewScientist.Com

Now go put on your best funny face and make the woman giggle. Come on, do it for the children. And for heaven’s sake, shut off the weather channel.

(Via NewScientist.Com)

And Now For Our Moment of Zen…

Gosh, I miss NYC.
(Via 43Folders.Com)

CRAYO-Names

Letter-shaped crayons from StoryBlox

(Via Etsy)

Saving For College

This newly passed legislation really doesn’t surprise me. From what I had been told this most recent amendment to the ‘kiddie-tax’ has been coming down the road for a while. Basically, they are trying to prevent people with the highest income from stashing their income under their kid’s name. Those days are officially no-more.

It’s clear to me that the 529 plans across the country are going to be seeing a considerable upsurge in participation due to this new piece of legislation. I am actually a big fan of the 529 programs out there. There are some really good online resources to tap into to get up to speed on which states have the best rated plans and what may work best for you.

Another type of banking product to consider is a Coverdell Educational Savings Account for your little ones. For a more thorough definition of what they are click the link. For me, the E.S.A. is a good way for my wife and I to save for our kids (potential) primary and secondary schooling – tax deferred. Meaning, we can start saving for our boys to go to a good private middle-school (the local public middle schools in our area are awful and scary), which is over ten years away. And if we decide change plans (say we move to another area that has good public schools and decide to have them go there), we can hang onto the E.S.A. funds and use it for their college tuition.

Related Links;
GreatSchools.net
SavingForCollege.net

CNN Article about Kiddie Tax Changes

Free Money for Father’s Day

That’s right, well sort of. Just an idea going out to those moms out there – give the gift that keeps on giving, Booty Bucks! They only come in ten Booty Buck denominations – so you are going to have to be creative when giving change back.

Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there!

(Download Booty Bucks)

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Unique Father’s Day gift ideas from a Dad
5 more great Father’s Day gift ideas