When hard times hit, what do you tell kids?

Last update: October 5, 2008 - 11:57 AM

Beware of what you say to kids. When a parent says, "We can't afford to eat that," sometimes kids magnify that statement and imagine: "We can't afford to eat!" Instead, tell them that the family needs to cut back on expenses and will be pickier about what you buy.

Put a positive spin on it by encouraging the family to work together to cut costs.

"It can be something that pulls a family together if they do it wisely," says Marci Alessi, a psychologist in Winter Park, Fla. "The key is not to alarm kids, but to say, 'We need everyone's help.'"

Other tips:

• If you're worried about losing the house or having to move out of state for a job, keep it to yourself until you're sure the move is coming.

• Give kids a feeling of control. For instance, encourage them to look for ways to save money -- by borrowing DVDs from the public library instead of renting them, for example.

• Try not to argue about money in front of the kids.

• Remain calm. It will help the children cope with change, too.

ORLANDO SENTINEL

Country of origin now required for some food

After six years of haggling, country-of-origin labeling has arrived. Retailers are now required to tell shoppers if their fresh fruits and vegetables, beef, lamb, pork, chicken, goat, fish, shellfish and some nuts come from a different country.

What does this mean for consumers? Look more closely at packaging for words such as "Product of the USA," "Produce of the USA," "Grown in Mexico" or "China." The words will appear on placards, signs, labels, stickers, twist-ties and other displays, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Enforcement of the new rules will begin April 1. Consumers Union has created a printable guide to country-of-origin labeling at www.consumersunion.org/ pdf/CU-Cool-Tool.pdf.

FRESNO BEE

Hungry from lounging?

A new study suggests that couch potatoes get hungrier than active types. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst studied six young, lean and fit men and women in three one-day experiments. On one day, the volunteers spent 12 hours being physically active. On the other two days, the volunteers watched videos, worked on computers and were allowed to move around only by being pushed in a wheelchair. The volunteers reported feeling hungrier in the couch-potato scenarios.

WASHINGTON POST

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