We have reserved a rec. room for a Swap Party!
Tuesday, October 26th
1600-1800 (4:00-6:00)
Hallasan Rec Room
Gather up your clothes, toys, shoes, decor, books... whatever you find that is ready for a new home.
All items not claimed by the end will be donated.
Anyone willing to help set-up before and pack-up after would be greatly appreciated!
Showing posts with label Smart Consumer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Smart Consumer. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Need Volunteer!
Just wanted to put out there that the lady who was in charge of organizing the Swap parties, is no longer able to do it. So if anyone is interested please let us know! I think usually they held them in the rec rooms of the Osan towers so that it was convenient for most to meet!
With the fall and winter weather coming, it would be nice to be able to trade out any warm clothing you don't wear or that children have grown out of!
This would also be good for trading toys or anything else!
Again, please consider volunteering- I think its a great idea that shouldn't go away!
With the fall and winter weather coming, it would be nice to be able to trade out any warm clothing you don't wear or that children have grown out of!
This would also be good for trading toys or anything else!
Again, please consider volunteering- I think its a great idea that shouldn't go away!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Free SAT/ACT Prep Program for Military Families
eKnowledge Corporation and NFL football players have donated $20,000,000 of free SAT/ACT software to military families worldwide. Military service members, veterans and dependents can order the free SAT/ACT test preparation products (you pay only shipping and handling) worth $200 by
visiting the website: www.eknowledge.com/USA and Enter Sponsorship Code: A4B7CE58B, or call 951-256-4076 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 951-256-4076 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Customer Service/Technical Support:
eKnowledge provides customer service and technical support M-F, 8:30am - 7:30pm EST, support@eknowledge.com or by telephone: 951-256-4076 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 951-256-4076 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Chris Oliver
CCAF Advisor
Education Office
DSN: 784-3891
visiting the website: www.eknowledge.com/USA and Enter Sponsorship Code: A4B7CE58B, or call 951-256-4076 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 951-256-4076 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Customer Service/Technical Support:
eKnowledge provides customer service and technical support M-F, 8:30am - 7:30pm EST, support@eknowledge.com or by telephone: 951-256-4076 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 951-256-4076 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Chris Oliver
CCAF Advisor
Education Office
DSN: 784-3891
Monday, January 4, 2010
Make your own Play-Doh and other fun stuff
Here are some fun recipes to make with your kids.
Everyday Playdoh
Mix 1 cup of flour, 1/3 cup of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter in a bowl. Meanwhile, bring to boil 1 cup of water, one tablespoon of cooking oil and a few drops of food coloring. A little flavoring essence could be added, too. Pour hot mixture into flour mixture and stir. Add more flour if necessary.
Kool-Aid Playdoh
Add a packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid to boiling water in Everyday Playdoh recipe to strengthen the color and scent.
Self-Hardening Playdoh
Mix 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of flour, and add cup of water. Use the same day, air dry for about 48 hours, and paint if desired.
Peanut Butter Playdoh (edible)
Mix together 1-cup peanut butter and cup honey. Blend in powdered milk until mixture is not sticky, and a playdoh consistency. Double the recipe if necessary.
Fudgy Chocolate Playdoh (edible)
Mix together 4 tablespoons softened butter, 1/2 cup white corn syrup, 6 tablespoons cocoa, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3 cups powdered sugar, and 3/4 cup powdered milk. Knead well.
Finger Paint
Pour about a tablespoon of liquid tempera on laminate surface or large piece of shiny paper. Add a few drops of mild dish soap.
Pudding Finger Paint (edible)
Add food coloring to prepared vanilla pudding, and finger paint on a paper plate.
Egg Yolk Paint
Separate the yolk from the white of an egg. Put the yolk in a small cup, and save the white for another use. Mix a few drops of food coloring and teaspoon water with the yolk. Make several colors with more yolks. Use a small brush or cotton swab to paint. This paint dries with a glossy finish on paper. It can be used to paint cookies before they are baked.
Buttermilk or Condensed Milk Paint
Mix drops of food coloring with cup buttermilk or condensed milk. This creates pastel colors. Corn Syrup Paint Mix drops of food coloring with a small amount of corn syrup. Mix in small glass cups to see the translucent colors. This is sticky and glossy.
Bubbles
Mix together equal parts of water and Joy dishwashing soap. Make a wand by twisting a pipe cleaner into a circle with a handle.
From http://www.everythingpreschool.com/recipes/index.htm
Everyday Playdoh
Mix 1 cup of flour, 1/3 cup of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter in a bowl. Meanwhile, bring to boil 1 cup of water, one tablespoon of cooking oil and a few drops of food coloring. A little flavoring essence could be added, too. Pour hot mixture into flour mixture and stir. Add more flour if necessary.
Kool-Aid Playdoh
Add a packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid to boiling water in Everyday Playdoh recipe to strengthen the color and scent.
Self-Hardening Playdoh
Mix 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of flour, and add cup of water. Use the same day, air dry for about 48 hours, and paint if desired.
Peanut Butter Playdoh (edible)
Mix together 1-cup peanut butter and cup honey. Blend in powdered milk until mixture is not sticky, and a playdoh consistency. Double the recipe if necessary.
Fudgy Chocolate Playdoh (edible)
Mix together 4 tablespoons softened butter, 1/2 cup white corn syrup, 6 tablespoons cocoa, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3 cups powdered sugar, and 3/4 cup powdered milk. Knead well.
Finger Paint
Pour about a tablespoon of liquid tempera on laminate surface or large piece of shiny paper. Add a few drops of mild dish soap.
Pudding Finger Paint (edible)
Add food coloring to prepared vanilla pudding, and finger paint on a paper plate.
Egg Yolk Paint
Separate the yolk from the white of an egg. Put the yolk in a small cup, and save the white for another use. Mix a few drops of food coloring and teaspoon water with the yolk. Make several colors with more yolks. Use a small brush or cotton swab to paint. This paint dries with a glossy finish on paper. It can be used to paint cookies before they are baked.
Buttermilk or Condensed Milk Paint
Mix drops of food coloring with cup buttermilk or condensed milk. This creates pastel colors. Corn Syrup Paint Mix drops of food coloring with a small amount of corn syrup. Mix in small glass cups to see the translucent colors. This is sticky and glossy.
Bubbles
Mix together equal parts of water and Joy dishwashing soap. Make a wand by twisting a pipe cleaner into a circle with a handle.
From http://www.everythingpreschool.com/recipes/index.htm
Heather, Guest Blogger
Monday, December 14, 2009
Winter destination ideas from Osan Parents
Question: What is there to do around here when the Winter comes?
Answer:
Answer: E-Mart and Lotte Mart both have indoor play areas for the kids while you shop. The supervisor at E-Mart usually speaks enough English to understand what you need.
Answer: Everland has seasonally appropriate activities. The CoEx Aquarium is a decent place to spend the morning. Just get there early or there will be lots of people. It reminds me a little bit of a Korean Manalay Bay (Las Vegas) aquarium. It is definitely an interesting cultural experience. Not just fish!
Answer:
- In the shopping mall where Lotte World is in Seoul, there's also a large indoor ice skating rink. Just DON'T GO THERE on weekends or Korean holidays. Weekdays / US holidays are best.
- There's a modest aquarium at COEX Mall.
- In late Dec / early January, there will be some artificial snow sliding areas in Seoul.
- There are indoor water parks such as Ocean World - Vivaldi Park (ski resort and indoor water park) in Hongcheon. The trick is to find a Korean friend who can get a discount rate at the hotel. They can be very pricey, even for modest accommodations.
- One of the best known ski resorts - now indoor water park too - is Phoenix Park. Korean winters tend to be rather drab and dry. Much of the snow falls in Gangwon-Do Province - to the east / northeast of Seoul. That's where most of the ski resorts are.
Answer: E-Mart and Lotte Mart both have indoor play areas for the kids while you shop. The supervisor at E-Mart usually speaks enough English to understand what you need.
Answer: Everland has seasonally appropriate activities. The CoEx Aquarium is a decent place to spend the morning. Just get there early or there will be lots of people. It reminds me a little bit of a Korean Manalay Bay (Las Vegas) aquarium. It is definitely an interesting cultural experience. Not just fish!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Eco-friendly holiday ideas!
I just read that Americans spend more on trash bags than 90 other countries spend on everything. I knew it was bad, but that's pretty shocking. If you've spent even three days in Korea, it's obvious that garbage and recycling is taken much more seriously here, and I understand that the situation is similar in the rest of the world, where resources are scarcer than we have enjoyed for decades in the US.
But the times, they are a-changing. Our landfills are filling up, our air and water are dirty.There are even contaminants in breastmilk! In the Pacific Northwest, the Orcas are starving to death because there aren't enough salmon to feed them. The list of environmental damage goes on, and on, and on, and it's all a direct result of overconsumption and the manufacturing, packaging, shipping and other activities that support it.
That's all pretty dreary, I know, but there are plenty of steps we can take. With Christmas coming up, I am already dreading the hefty bags full of wrapping paper, excessive packaging (oh, how I hate those wire ties that fasten toys to layers and layers of cardboard and plastic!), shopping bags, and boxes.
Here are some ideas to reduce the Christmas impact on the environment:
1. Consider environmentally friendly gifts: reusable grocery bags (Envirosax makes some really cute ones!), reusable BPA-free water bottles or sippy cups, battery-free toys made from recycled materials (Sprig, many more), or wind-up flashlights and radios.
2. Request, and give, gifts to charities like World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org/), Heifer International (http://www.heifer.org/) or 'adopt' a penguin, snow leopard or other endangered animal at World Wildlife (http://www.worldwildlife.org/) in lieu of a traditional gift. I have plenty of people on my list that don't need another scarf, pocketknife, toy or pair of gloves, and even kids can appreciate helping animals, or sending a seed kit or a flock of chickens to a family in Africa. You can even send a backpack of school supplies to an American kid in need.
3. Use environmentally friendly wrapping (use foil and then save it for use in the kitchen, or use kids artwork, or the comics from the Sunday paper). Try incorporating the wrapping into the present by wrapping a hat and gloves in a scarf, tucking some little girl's jewelry into a purse, or wrapping baby's presents in a super soft blanket tied with a ribbon. The possibilities are endless!
Add your own ideas in the comments, or send a post to osanparents@gmail.com!
But the times, they are a-changing. Our landfills are filling up, our air and water are dirty.There are even contaminants in breastmilk! In the Pacific Northwest, the Orcas are starving to death because there aren't enough salmon to feed them. The list of environmental damage goes on, and on, and on, and it's all a direct result of overconsumption and the manufacturing, packaging, shipping and other activities that support it.
That's all pretty dreary, I know, but there are plenty of steps we can take. With Christmas coming up, I am already dreading the hefty bags full of wrapping paper, excessive packaging (oh, how I hate those wire ties that fasten toys to layers and layers of cardboard and plastic!), shopping bags, and boxes.
Here are some ideas to reduce the Christmas impact on the environment:
1. Consider environmentally friendly gifts: reusable grocery bags (Envirosax makes some really cute ones!), reusable BPA-free water bottles or sippy cups, battery-free toys made from recycled materials (Sprig, many more), or wind-up flashlights and radios.
2. Request, and give, gifts to charities like World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org/), Heifer International (http://www.heifer.org/) or 'adopt' a penguin, snow leopard or other endangered animal at World Wildlife (http://www.worldwildlife.org/) in lieu of a traditional gift. I have plenty of people on my list that don't need another scarf, pocketknife, toy or pair of gloves, and even kids can appreciate helping animals, or sending a seed kit or a flock of chickens to a family in Africa. You can even send a backpack of school supplies to an American kid in need.
3. Use environmentally friendly wrapping (use foil and then save it for use in the kitchen, or use kids artwork, or the comics from the Sunday paper). Try incorporating the wrapping into the present by wrapping a hat and gloves in a scarf, tucking some little girl's jewelry into a purse, or wrapping baby's presents in a super soft blanket tied with a ribbon. The possibilities are endless!
Add your own ideas in the comments, or send a post to osanparents@gmail.com!
Anna, Guest Blogger
Monday, November 9, 2009
Kids & Money – International Currency
One of the advantages of living overseas is the educational opportunity for children and adults alike. When you come to Osan (or any other OCONUS), you are dealing not just in U.S. dollars, but the currency of the country in which you now live.
When our son asked if he could have “one hundred cents” from my husband’s bureau, we decided it was time to teach him about money around the world. Like most military families, you may have kept souvenirs of your travels in the form of local currency.
We pulled out our collection of international currency and our globe (if you do not have a globe, a map of the world will work too).
The money was separated by country and then we held up the different types of coins and bills against the countries that minted them. We compared the appearance of the money to that of other countries, noted similarities and differences, and talked about their values versus the U.S. dollar.
If exchange rates confuse you as much as they do me, try these websites for lesson plans and ideas for teaching children:
For younger children -
http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/detail/international-currency-exchange-lesson-plan/
For older children –
http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Social_Studies/Economics/ECO0201.html
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Allowance Question
As your child gets to a certain age, you might begin to ponder the question about allowance. When this question came up in our home recently, my husband and I asked ourselves the following:
- What is the purpose of paying an allowance?
- Should it be attached to household chores?
- Who manages the money?
In my research, I found a variety of answers and wide range of diverse responses on the allowance question. We were able to make the decision that fits best with our views on how a family and household should work (and as this is new territory for us, I cannot know yet whether or not that decision is the one that will work for us in the long term).
I thought I would share my research with other parents, so families can decide what works best for them when they face this question.
Tip Jar – a child is given money based upon age (a young child may receive pocket change; an older child may be given dollar bills). The “tips” are based on work and merit. That is, a standard rate is placed in the jar for the child doing chores as he is told to do them, and a bonus is given if the child does the chores on his own (without being asked).
Here & There – a child is given a quarter here and there for good behavior, having a good day, doing various chores in the home, etc.
Chore or merit-based – a child is given an allowance based upon chores. This ranges widely as follows:
- Allowance for set chores in home
- Allowance for picking up after oneself
- Allowance for doing school work
- Bonuses earned for good behavior, extra work, not whining, etc.
- Allowance cut for misbehavior
Extra Pay for Extra Work – in both the “no allowance” and “allowance” homes, children often earn extra pay for doing work above and beyond their normal chores. For example, they might be expected to keep their room clean and pick their toys up out of the living room in the normal course of things. However, to lend a hand with the laundry or washing dishes (if that is not one of their normal chores) would result in a bonus.
As you can see, there are a variety of ways to deal with allowance and household responsibilities, and some of these methods are often combined with others.
An interesting book on the topic is First National Bank of Dad by David Owen, which actually suggests setting up a “bank account” for your child to help teach money management. The premise of the book is that the parents run a “bank” for their child(ren), with simple terms and strong incentives to save (a generous “interest rate”). It also suggests giving the children the freedom to manage their own money and learn from their mistakes. This is also something to consider even if you handle the allowance very simply – as parents we must decide if it is it better to bite our tongues and watch children blow a few weeks’ of hard-earned money on something cheap, breakable, or that will provide momentary pleasure (such as candy), and to let them see that earning more money takes a while, or if we should manage their money with a strong hand until we think they are mature enough to understand the system of earning, saving, and spending.
There is also the FDIC Money Smart program, which is a free financial education program on CD aimed at youth ages 12 to 20. I tried to order it, however the order form does not accommodate APO addresses. I used the “Contact Us” link at the bottom of the FDIC website, which led me to a Customer Assistance Form, to express my disappointment and ask them to accommodate overseas military family orders. I received a response that they will be making this change to their website. However, if this is a program you think you would like to order, please do not hesitate to contact FDIC and remind them that there are more military families serving overseas who would like to be able to order it!
Hopefully each and every family will find the balance that works best for them!
Wendy, guest blogger
Friday, October 9, 2009
Oh, NOOOOO! It's holiday shopping time!
It might seem pretty early, but if you're internet shopping at Osan, you better get clicking. Items shipped parcel post routinely take 6-8 weeks, and could take longer in the holiday rush. Bigger items, especially, can be slow, and you don't want to have to try to explain why Santa didn't make it this year! Likewise, if you're sending Korean goodies back home to the states, ship them as soon as possible; you won't be sorry!
Do check out the BX before you start shopping online, to make sure they don't have what you want. If you see something you want, snap it up because it won't be there long. The same goes for Christmas decorations and other items.
If you're having trouble, here are some ideas that might help. Try buying smaller items, or items with less packaging to cut down on the size of the box. Priority mail will get here much faster, but there is a size and/or weight limit on the box. Click here to see eco-friendly toys from Amazon. These toys often have less packaging, and Amazon does a great job shipping here in a timely manner. The OSC has a list of companies that ship APO here; just scroll down to the section called 'Internet Shopping'. You can also get an account at APObox or Ship it APO. They will provide a U.S. street address for shipping, then forward your purchases to your APO box for a reasonable fee.
And, if you're looking for other alternatives to the usual toy orgy, click here for some other ideas.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Osan AB loves comments!
Here at Osan, Services and the facilities love to get your comments, and there are online forms to make it super easy. Here's a list:
Click here to comment on Services facilities (Clubs, recreation, gym, dining, CDC, etc).
Click here to comment on the commissary.
Click here to comment on the BX or other AAFES facilities. Just click the little envelope icon on the upper left that reads 'email the gm'.
Click here to email (or call) the Commander's Action line. You can even be anonymous if necessary.
Click here to comment on the elementary school.
Click here to email the Principal at the high school. Just click on the link near the bottom of the page.
Help them out; let them know what you think!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Babywarming
Winter is almost here! It's hard to believe when it's been so beautiful, but the cold weather is probably only a few weeks away. And if you haven't been here for a winter yet, you might be surprised by how cold and windy it gets. If you wear your baby on your back, you can keep him or her warm for practically free with a do-it-yourself toasty baby sack. The instructions below were originally posted last winter and several of our Osan moms loved them!
Maybe you’ve seen Anna Jane and Jane tooling around lately in a fabulous new black and green coat. What you might not know is that Anna Jane made the coat during a single naptime with a coat she got at the thrift store! The thrift store will be open this Saturday, and there are plenty of coats still available, as well as fleece jackets and pants that can be cut up to add the baby sack. Choose a contrasting color for a fun visual effect, or make it match. Veteran Osanites tell me we’re probably in for weeks or months of bundling up weather, so don’t worry about having to put your coat away too quickly.
Here is a link to the directions, and here are Anna Jane’s tips after successfully completing the coat:
- Definitely use a coat with a silky lining so the baby slides through easily!
- Measure out where your baby's head will actually come out of the coat. I pinned it a few spots and tried it on without Jane, but with the "image of where she'd be" in my mind until I got the hole for the head in the right place.
- Make sure the fleece "stretches" width wise not length wise so that the baby is hugged when you put it on.
- Stretch the top panel taut when you sew it so that the back of the coat is more snug.
- Stroll around ‘town’ showing off your toasty tot and your sewing skills!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle for Osan!
As a New Year approaches, it has a lot of us thinking about our New Year’s Resolution. How are we going to better ourselves, or how are we going to help make something better. One great way to start the New Year’s is by doing our part to conserve our precious resources. And the best way to do so is by RECYCLING, yes, recycling. Now I know we have all heard this plenty of times, it’s been hammered into our heads for years. But have any of us actually taken the challenge and tried to recycle our paper, plastic, and glass. If not I say take the challenge, try to recycle. There are plenty of ways to recycle here at Osan. Even off base, did you know recycling is MANDATORY in South Korea? So not only would we be helping our Planet, but we would be respecting the laws ordered by our host country. One way to recycle on base is by sorting all of our recyclables, putting them in plastic bags and taking them to one of the big, brown dumpsters, marked “Recycle”. There are plenty of these big dumpsters across base, so finding one shouldn’t be difficult. If you live on base, put your recyclables (plastic, glass, cans, paper) in clear garbage bags and put them down the trash chute. Money saved on garbage disposal costs here on base can be spent on other things to help us all out.
So there is an idea for a New Year’s Resolution for anybody feeling earth friendly. However, for those of us who want to get started now, go ahead start recycling today. Conserving our resources is an important job that we all need to take part in. Our resources are important to live or daily life’s that we are accustomed too. Take one step closer to preserve the earth for our future generations.
Recycling and Environmental Facts
Recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 trees, 2 barrels of oil (enough to run the average car for 1,260 miles), 4,100 kilowatts of energy (enough power for the average home for 6 months), 3.2 cubic yards of landfill space, and 60 pounds of air pollution. Trash to Cash
Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild our entire commercial fleet of airplanes every 3 months. Environmental Defense Fund
About 80% of what Americans throw away is recyclable, yet our recycling rate is just 28%. Environmental Protection Agency
Over ½ million trees are saved each year by recycling paper in Boulder County. Eco-Cycle
There are more roads in our National Forests than the entire U.S. Interstate Highway system. National Forest Protection Alliance
Recycling creates 6 times as many jobs as landfilling. Colorado Recycles
Recycling glass instead of making it from silica sand reduces mining waste by 70%, water use by 50%, and air pollution by 20%. Environmental Defense Fund
Recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to operate a TV for 3 hours. Eco-Cycle
If we recycled all of the newspapers printed in the U.S. on a typical Sunday, we would save 550,000 trees--or about 26 million trees per year. California Department of Conservation
The energy saved each year by steel recycling is equal to the electrical power used by 18 million homes each year - or enough energy to last Los Angeles residents for eight years. Steel Recycling Institute
If every household in the U.S. replaced just one roll of 1,000 sheet virgin fiber bathroom tissues with 100% recycled ones, we could save: 373,000 trees, 1.48 million cubic feet of landfill space, and 155 million gallons of water. Seventh Generation Co.
The U.S. is 5% of the world's population but uses 25% of its natural resources. Environmental Protection Agency
Colorado is one of the worst states in the nation in terms of recycling and composting. Learn more about how our efforts are falling well short in the "State of Garbage in America." BioCycle, 2008
Recycling and Environmental Facts
Recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 trees, 2 barrels of oil (enough to run the average car for 1,260 miles), 4,100 kilowatts of energy (enough power for the average home for 6 months), 3.2 cubic yards of landfill space, and 60 pounds of air pollution. Trash to Cash
Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild our entire commercial fleet of airplanes every 3 months. Environmental Defense Fund
About 80% of what Americans throw away is recyclable, yet our recycling rate is just 28%. Environmental Protection Agency
Over ½ million trees are saved each year by recycling paper in Boulder County. Eco-Cycle
There are more roads in our National Forests than the entire U.S. Interstate Highway system. National Forest Protection Alliance
Recycling creates 6 times as many jobs as landfilling. Colorado Recycles
Recycling glass instead of making it from silica sand reduces mining waste by 70%, water use by 50%, and air pollution by 20%. Environmental Defense Fund
Recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to operate a TV for 3 hours. Eco-Cycle
If we recycled all of the newspapers printed in the U.S. on a typical Sunday, we would save 550,000 trees--or about 26 million trees per year. California Department of Conservation
The energy saved each year by steel recycling is equal to the electrical power used by 18 million homes each year - or enough energy to last Los Angeles residents for eight years. Steel Recycling Institute
If every household in the U.S. replaced just one roll of 1,000 sheet virgin fiber bathroom tissues with 100% recycled ones, we could save: 373,000 trees, 1.48 million cubic feet of landfill space, and 155 million gallons of water. Seventh Generation Co.
The U.S. is 5% of the world's population but uses 25% of its natural resources. Environmental Protection Agency
Colorado is one of the worst states in the nation in terms of recycling and composting. Learn more about how our efforts are falling well short in the "State of Garbage in America." BioCycle, 2008
Here's some other simple things you can do today to help the environment and Osan:
-Use reusable bags at the commissary and BX
-Take your kitchen waste (no meat or dairy) to the composting bins at the garden
-Buy items that have less packaging
-Take items in good condition to the Thrift Store or post them on the online swap meet group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osanswapmeet/
Christina, guest blogger
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Updated Osan Hacks
Here are some handy Osan Tips you might not know:
*You can shop online at Gmart Korea: they deliver!
*Check with the BX about ordering AAFES items and having them shipped to the BX. They will also send things here from the Yongsan PX. Give them a call if our BX doesn't have something you need.
*To get e-mail notification that you have a package, sign up at the package window.
*Mailing packages is faster if you use cash. The post office only has one line to run cards, so if someone else is using a card in another line, you'll have to wait.
*If you're having trouble getting items shipped APO, try www.shipitapo.com or www.apobox.com.
*Try Hide My IP Address if you're unable to access websites you want to see; Korean IP addresses are blocked from many sites you might be interested. There are multiple free options for this.
*Click here for a links to online South Korean newspapers and news sources in English.
*The commissary sometimes has reduced prices on perishables on Sunday night, because it's not open on Mondays.
*There are book swap shelves at the library, one for adults and one for children.
*There is an awesome sports facility on top of the commissary parking lot: a soft-surface track, four tennis courts and a basketball court.
*There is a laundromat by the Main Gate with big washers for comforters and etc. They also have bathrooms in there if you need to go before you head-off base.
*Two options for getting your car washed: The Auto Hobby Shop has a new automated car wash, and there are business owners on bicycles around base that will come to your vehicle and clean it up.
*The O'Club has an email list that they use to send out their activities and events. Stop by to sign up.
Got some more? Add them to the comments!
*You can shop online at Gmart Korea: they deliver!
*Check with the BX about ordering AAFES items and having them shipped to the BX. They will also send things here from the Yongsan PX. Give them a call if our BX doesn't have something you need.
*To get e-mail notification that you have a package, sign up at the package window.
*Mailing packages is faster if you use cash. The post office only has one line to run cards, so if someone else is using a card in another line, you'll have to wait.
*If you're having trouble getting items shipped APO, try www.shipitapo.com or www.apobox.com.
*Try Hide My IP Address if you're unable to access websites you want to see; Korean IP addresses are blocked from many sites you might be interested. There are multiple free options for this.
*Click here for a links to online South Korean newspapers and news sources in English.
*The commissary sometimes has reduced prices on perishables on Sunday night, because it's not open on Mondays.
*There are book swap shelves at the library, one for adults and one for children.
*There is an awesome sports facility on top of the commissary parking lot: a soft-surface track, four tennis courts and a basketball court.
*There is a laundromat by the Main Gate with big washers for comforters and etc. They also have bathrooms in there if you need to go before you head-off base.
*Two options for getting your car washed: The Auto Hobby Shop has a new automated car wash, and there are business owners on bicycles around base that will come to your vehicle and clean it up.
*The O'Club has an email list that they use to send out their activities and events. Stop by to sign up.
Got some more? Add them to the comments!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Money Matters for Military Spouses
Many of us are military spouses and moms and lots of us stay at home, especially here at Osan where there are fewer options for paid employment. And that's a great choice for lots of reasons, but unemployed spouses can be at a financial disadvantage, particularly when the employed spouse is military.
Often the spouse of an active duty service member knows little about pay, entitlements, life insurance and other benefits or obligations, and these things can be challenging to figure out. We all know that decoding an LES or information provided by the military can be difficult, and sometimes it's not even accurate. Click here for military.com's guide to military pay. https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx is the military's myPay site. The site can be accessed with the active duty member's login ID and a six-digit PIN. The semi-monthly LES can be found here, as can the W-2 and other tax forms. Pay changes can be made through the site also: TSP contributions, exemptions, payroll deductions, direct deposit, savings bonds and etc.
Another potential disadvantage to the military spouse is the lack of a personal retirement plan. If you move from base to base, sometimes working, sometimes not, it can be difficult to amass significant retirement benefits. A Roth IRA can be an excellent choice for a retirement vehicle for a spouse. T Rowe Price and Fidelity both offer low cost Roth IRAs with a variety of investment choices. You can invest up to $5,000 per year (this year; limits will likely change over time) and many investment companies let you contribute automatically every month. Just sign up, pick a fund or fund(s) and forget about it. Or check into some other options, but do something for your future- Osan is a great place to sock away some money!
If you're interested in going back to school, the active duty spouse can now transfer his or her post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse or (child)ren, or any combination. The total benefit is 36 months (4 9-month school years) of tuition, housing at the E-5 rate for the locality, plus $1,000 per year for books. The benefit can be split up however you choose, and active duty members can do it from work with their CAC- it just takes a few minutes. You can read more the details and rules here.
And that brings us to three D's we don't want to talk or think about: Divorce, Deployment and Death.
As military spouses, we are possibly more knowledgeable than our counterparts married to civilians, because almost everyone has been through at least one deployment, probably requiring us to handle the family finances whether we usually do it or not. Both spouses should be up to date on bank accounts, debts, investments and other financial information and have access to important documents and data. If you or your spouse is a little behind the curve, sit down together and make up a cheat sheet, just in case.
And what about divorce? It may not surprise you to hear that if you and your active duty spouse separate, the military will be of no assistance to you until a divorce settlement is finalized. If you are separated and your spouse won't give you any money, guess what? The military doesn't care. If you think you might be in this position in the future, make your financial preparations now: get a credit card in your own name, and start stashing away some cash. You may or may not be entitled to a portion of the military member's retirement, so if you are facing this possibility, get a good lawyer with experience in military finances.
You probably know that the active duty service member has life insurance coverage through SGLI. If your active duty spouse elects a beneficiary other than you, your permission is required and a notification is sent to you. Is the SGLI enough? Check out your other benefits and entitlements in this situation and look at your family's finances to decide if you would need more. What about the stay at home spouse? If something happened to you, would your spouse be able to afford to pay someone to do all the work you do every day? Chances are, if you have kids, coverage for you makes a lot of sense.
The bottom line is that a little bit of time and effort now will pay big dividends in the future- keep up on your family and personal finances!
Often the spouse of an active duty service member knows little about pay, entitlements, life insurance and other benefits or obligations, and these things can be challenging to figure out. We all know that decoding an LES or information provided by the military can be difficult, and sometimes it's not even accurate. Click here for military.com's guide to military pay. https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx is the military's myPay site. The site can be accessed with the active duty member's login ID and a six-digit PIN. The semi-monthly LES can be found here, as can the W-2 and other tax forms. Pay changes can be made through the site also: TSP contributions, exemptions, payroll deductions, direct deposit, savings bonds and etc.
Another potential disadvantage to the military spouse is the lack of a personal retirement plan. If you move from base to base, sometimes working, sometimes not, it can be difficult to amass significant retirement benefits. A Roth IRA can be an excellent choice for a retirement vehicle for a spouse. T Rowe Price and Fidelity both offer low cost Roth IRAs with a variety of investment choices. You can invest up to $5,000 per year (this year; limits will likely change over time) and many investment companies let you contribute automatically every month. Just sign up, pick a fund or fund(s) and forget about it. Or check into some other options, but do something for your future- Osan is a great place to sock away some money!
If you're interested in going back to school, the active duty spouse can now transfer his or her post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse or (child)ren, or any combination. The total benefit is 36 months (4 9-month school years) of tuition, housing at the E-5 rate for the locality, plus $1,000 per year for books. The benefit can be split up however you choose, and active duty members can do it from work with their CAC- it just takes a few minutes. You can read more the details and rules here.
And that brings us to three D's we don't want to talk or think about: Divorce, Deployment and Death.
As military spouses, we are possibly more knowledgeable than our counterparts married to civilians, because almost everyone has been through at least one deployment, probably requiring us to handle the family finances whether we usually do it or not. Both spouses should be up to date on bank accounts, debts, investments and other financial information and have access to important documents and data. If you or your spouse is a little behind the curve, sit down together and make up a cheat sheet, just in case.
And what about divorce? It may not surprise you to hear that if you and your active duty spouse separate, the military will be of no assistance to you until a divorce settlement is finalized. If you are separated and your spouse won't give you any money, guess what? The military doesn't care. If you think you might be in this position in the future, make your financial preparations now: get a credit card in your own name, and start stashing away some cash. You may or may not be entitled to a portion of the military member's retirement, so if you are facing this possibility, get a good lawyer with experience in military finances.
You probably know that the active duty service member has life insurance coverage through SGLI. If your active duty spouse elects a beneficiary other than you, your permission is required and a notification is sent to you. Is the SGLI enough? Check out your other benefits and entitlements in this situation and look at your family's finances to decide if you would need more. What about the stay at home spouse? If something happened to you, would your spouse be able to afford to pay someone to do all the work you do every day? Chances are, if you have kids, coverage for you makes a lot of sense.
The bottom line is that a little bit of time and effort now will pay big dividends in the future- keep up on your family and personal finances!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Osan Parent Sound Off: GPS
Question: Can anyone tell me what the deal with the GPS's is here?
Do you have to buy a Korean GPS or can you buy a Garmin and just have
to buy the maps here?
Answer: We had a large Garmin Nuvi when we got here. So we thought we would just buy the map and put it on, but the maps cost $220 US dollars to buy from the Garmin dealer here and you can't get it anywhere else. So we opted to but the Garmin Nuvi 200 that the Garmin dealer in Songtan is selling. I checked the price and he sells it for the same price you would get in the USA plus the $220 for the map so I think around $350 US dollars is what we paid him for the unit with the maps. It is the best deal around unfortunately. I even spoke with Garmin about it and they don't sell the maps directly.
Do you have to buy a Korean GPS or can you buy a Garmin and just have
to buy the maps here?
Answer: We had a large Garmin Nuvi when we got here. So we thought we would just buy the map and put it on, but the maps cost $220 US dollars to buy from the Garmin dealer here and you can't get it anywhere else. So we opted to but the Garmin Nuvi 200 that the Garmin dealer in Songtan is selling. I checked the price and he sells it for the same price you would get in the USA plus the $220 for the map so I think around $350 US dollars is what we paid him for the unit with the maps. It is the best deal around unfortunately. I even spoke with Garmin about it and they don't sell the maps directly.
If you want to go check him out, he is the guy who was in Seoul, but opened an office in Songtan a few months ago. Walk out the main gate, go across the street and down the little alley to the right of the main walkway. It is the alley with the car dealership, BMW I think? His store is right across from the car dealership. It has a large Garmin sign above it. I don't think it is open on Tuesdays.
There is a large screen $400 unit you can buy from the PX up at Yongsan, but we heard not so good reviews on that one and you can't use it in the states. But it is huge!
Hope this helps, $350 is a lot of money, but totally worth it. We used it to go to Daechon beach and it took us right there.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
2009 Sunscreen Guide
Summer is here! For the past few years, the Environmental Working Group has been studying hundreds of sunscreens. Surprisingly, many of the most popular name brands don't provide the protection they promise and/or have dangerous ingredients. Click here to find the safest and most effective sunscreens, and check out EWG's main site to find information on many cosmetics and other household products.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Got Pinkeye?
The pinkeye is going around AGAIN. Or still. Whichever. At my house, it always seems to start up on Friday evening of a long weekend. Even if I can get the ointment or the drops when we need them, it would be more fun to poke my own eyes with a stick than to try to get them in my kids' eyes.
This last time, I tried some natural remedies and had good luck. There are many common things you can try: tea bags, apple cider vinegar, and breast milk just to name a few. The kids even had fun with it. It's not 'medicine', and it's not every day you can put tea bags on your eyes or whip up your own tonic in the kitchen. And, there are similar effective remedies for many other common ailments.
Here are a couple of links with pinkeye remedies, or try a web search for 'natural remedies conjunctivitis' or 'alternative treatment pink eye'.
Home Remedies For You
Natural Cures
This last time, I tried some natural remedies and had good luck. There are many common things you can try: tea bags, apple cider vinegar, and breast milk just to name a few. The kids even had fun with it. It's not 'medicine', and it's not every day you can put tea bags on your eyes or whip up your own tonic in the kitchen. And, there are similar effective remedies for many other common ailments.
Here are a couple of links with pinkeye remedies, or try a web search for 'natural remedies conjunctivitis' or 'alternative treatment pink eye'.
Home Remedies For You
Natural Cures
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Osan, Sweet Osan
It seems like every day I hear one of my friends or neighbors talking about a recent fabulous trip, or planning an upcoming one. If you look under 'labels' on the left side of this page you'll see a category called 'travel destinations' that has reviews of exotic locales by Osan parents. There are tons of interesting places you can easily travel to from here: Thailand, China, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia, New Zealand, Guam, Saipan and more.
While you're here you might as well take advantage of all these opportunities to travel, right? When will you ever have a chance like this again? That's what everyone says, and for a while I believed them. But you know what? I don't WANT to travel around Asia. If I had my choices of continents to travel on, Asia would be on the very bottom of my list, even below Antarctica. I can't read the signs, it's a hassle to travel with my two small children, and travelling costs a lot of money and leave, both of which we'd rather save. I get my fill of Asian culture eating in town and taking day trips to the local attractions.
Sometimes I feel very lame and uncool admitting this to all my well-travelled friends, but no more! I'm embracing my inner homebody. It's okay to stay on base!
While you're here you might as well take advantage of all these opportunities to travel, right? When will you ever have a chance like this again? That's what everyone says, and for a while I believed them. But you know what? I don't WANT to travel around Asia. If I had my choices of continents to travel on, Asia would be on the very bottom of my list, even below Antarctica. I can't read the signs, it's a hassle to travel with my two small children, and travelling costs a lot of money and leave, both of which we'd rather save. I get my fill of Asian culture eating in town and taking day trips to the local attractions.
Sometimes I feel very lame and uncool admitting this to all my well-travelled friends, but no more! I'm embracing my inner homebody. It's okay to stay on base!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Need to ship your pet?
I do not claim that this is perfect information; it I just what I have heard and
verified by talking to pet owners and the animal transport companies. Airports
& Airlines can and do change their policies at any time and often without
notice. Always check with your specific airline.
Inchon airport (and the airlines) have changed their prices and policies for
leaving Korea with a pet.
1. To be in the cabin with you (under the seat), the new weight is now 10
pounds maximum - that is, pet + carrier cannot exceed 10 pounds. I do not know
the price for this.
2. Animals up to 70 pounds may be checked in as excess baggage. (NOTE: Please
double check this with your specific airline; some carriers may have different
policies). However, to check a pet as baggage:
a. the price is extreme.
b. some airlines may have different weight limits. Again, please check
with your specific carrier.
One family at Osan is paying $1,100 to fly their two cats with them to the
States ($550 per pet). They are on Korea Airlines. Another Osan family was
also quoted by Korea Airlines $550 to fly their 14 pound dog to the States.
United is cheaper; the family with the two cats was quoted $380 each to fly on
United. However, United has apparently limited their number of flights out of
Korea. Transportation seems to be booking people mainly on Korean Airlines.
3. Large pets (approximately 60 pounds+) must be shipped via a private pet
transport company. I know of two:
a. Korea Animal Transport
b. Pet Airline company
Korea Animal Transport just quoted $1,620 to send a 100 pound dog to Texas. My
understanding is that the price starts at $1,000 minimum.
Pet Airline is cheaper. It has has quoted a teacher $1,827 to send 3 dogs.
However, they will only handle pets up to 66 pounds. If your pet is above 66
pounds you must go with Korea Animal Transport.
Contact info for these companies is at the end of this email. They well may be
other companies, but this is all I know of so far.
Important:
1. These are prices for going to the States; I do not know prices or policies
for travel directly to Europe.
2. I do not know if requirements for entering Korea have changed; I have not
heard they have.
3. Please always check with your individual airline; their policies may vary.
Airport and airlines can and do change their policies & fees at any time and
without notice.
4. Again, please pass this onto everyone possible. People need to plan ahead
to take their furry family members with them.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Monica Hoagland
Information Specialist
Osan American Elementary School
Osan Air Base, South Korea
DSN 784-6912
Contact info on the pet transport companies:
Korea Animal Transport c/o Chungwha Animal Hospital
Sohee Yoon, Manager
email : soheeyoon@gmail.com
Address : 21-1 Itaewon-Dong, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul, South Korea
website : www.cwhospital.com
tel. : +82 2 792 7602
Pet Airline Company
gina@petairline.co.kr
verified by talking to pet owners and the animal transport companies. Airports
& Airlines can and do change their policies at any time and often without
notice. Always check with your specific airline.
Inchon airport (and the airlines) have changed their prices and policies for
leaving Korea with a pet.
1. To be in the cabin with you (under the seat), the new weight is now 10
pounds maximum - that is, pet + carrier cannot exceed 10 pounds. I do not know
the price for this.
2. Animals up to 70 pounds may be checked in as excess baggage. (NOTE: Please
double check this with your specific airline; some carriers may have different
policies). However, to check a pet as baggage:
a. the price is extreme.
b. some airlines may have different weight limits. Again, please check
with your specific carrier.
One family at Osan is paying $1,100 to fly their two cats with them to the
States ($550 per pet). They are on Korea Airlines. Another Osan family was
also quoted by Korea Airlines $550 to fly their 14 pound dog to the States.
United is cheaper; the family with the two cats was quoted $380 each to fly on
United. However, United has apparently limited their number of flights out of
Korea. Transportation seems to be booking people mainly on Korean Airlines.
3. Large pets (approximately 60 pounds+) must be shipped via a private pet
transport company. I know of two:
a. Korea Animal Transport
b. Pet Airline company
Korea Animal Transport just quoted $1,620 to send a 100 pound dog to Texas. My
understanding is that the price starts at $1,000 minimum.
Pet Airline is cheaper. It has has quoted a teacher $1,827 to send 3 dogs.
However, they will only handle pets up to 66 pounds. If your pet is above 66
pounds you must go with Korea Animal Transport.
Contact info for these companies is at the end of this email. They well may be
other companies, but this is all I know of so far.
Important:
1. These are prices for going to the States; I do not know prices or policies
for travel directly to Europe.
2. I do not know if requirements for entering Korea have changed; I have not
heard they have.
3. Please always check with your individual airline; their policies may vary.
Airport and airlines can and do change their policies & fees at any time and
without notice.
4. Again, please pass this onto everyone possible. People need to plan ahead
to take their furry family members with them.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Monica Hoagland
Information Specialist
Osan American Elementary School
Osan Air Base, South Korea
DSN 784-6912
Contact info on the pet transport companies:
Korea Animal Transport c/o Chungwha Animal Hospital
Sohee Yoon, Manager
email : soheeyoon@gmail.com
Address : 21-1 Itaewon-Dong, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul, South Korea
website : www.cwhospital.com
tel. : +82 2 792 7602
Pet Airline Company
gina@petairline.co.kr
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Osan Hacks
Here are some handy Osan Tips you might not know:
*To get e-mail notification that you have a package, sign up at the package window.
*Mailing packages is faster if you use cash. The post office only has one line to run cards, so if someone else is using a card in another line, you'll have to wait.
*If you're having trouble getting items shipped APO, try www.shipitapo.com or www.apobox.com.
*The commissary sometimes has reduced prices on perishables on Sunday night, because it's not open on Mondays.
*There are book swap shelves at the library, one for adults and one for children.
*There is an awesome new sports facility on top of the commissary parking lot: a soft-surface track, four tennis courts and a basketball court.
*There is a laundromat by the Main Gate with big washers for comforters and etc. They also have bathrooms in there if you need to go before you head-off base.
*Two options for getting your car washed: The Auto Hobby Shop has a new automated car wash, and there are business owners on bicycles around base that will come to your vehicle and clean it up.
Got some more? Add them to the comments!
*To get e-mail notification that you have a package, sign up at the package window.
*Mailing packages is faster if you use cash. The post office only has one line to run cards, so if someone else is using a card in another line, you'll have to wait.
*If you're having trouble getting items shipped APO, try www.shipitapo.com or www.apobox.com.
*The commissary sometimes has reduced prices on perishables on Sunday night, because it's not open on Mondays.
*There are book swap shelves at the library, one for adults and one for children.
*There is an awesome new sports facility on top of the commissary parking lot: a soft-surface track, four tennis courts and a basketball court.
*There is a laundromat by the Main Gate with big washers for comforters and etc. They also have bathrooms in there if you need to go before you head-off base.
*Two options for getting your car washed: The Auto Hobby Shop has a new automated car wash, and there are business owners on bicycles around base that will come to your vehicle and clean it up.
Got some more? Add them to the comments!
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