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This Week in MCFP 22 Oct 2010
This Week in MCFP 22 Oct 2010
This Week in MCFP 22 Oct 2010
We’ve had some beautiful fall days here recently – perfect runner’s weather for
Army’s Ten-Miler. We wish all the participants well and hope this great weather continues for those
planning a similar, but much longer, trek at the Marine Corps Marathon. We all know that skier’s weather
will be upon us soon enough!
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From DoDEA
Providing policy, tools, and resources to further enhance the quality of life of service members and their families.
This Week in MC&FP October 22, 2010
National Family Partnership, Red Ribbon Week provides schools and families a perfect
opportunity to discuss the dangers of drug abuse and the benefits of a healthy and drug-free
lifestyle. The Red Ribbon Campaign is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program in
the nation, reaching millions of young people each year. For more information about Red
Ribbon Week activities at DoDEA schools, contact the principal of the school in your area.
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This Week in MC&FP October 22, 2010
The grant program is open to dependent children of active duty, Title 10 Reservists on extended
active duty, Title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty, retired, retired reservists and
deceased Air Force members. Spouses of active duty members and surviving spouses of
deceased personnel are also eligible. All applicants must be enrolled as full-time undergraduates
at an accredited college or university during the 2011-2012 academic year, and are required to
maintain a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). For more information, see
http://www.afas.org
Thinking about presenting at the DoD/USDA 2011 Family Resilience Conference? Proposals
for workshops, computer labs, research posters, and program showcase exhibits are due
Wednesday, November 3, 2010.
If you haven’t done so yet, mark your calendar now to be in Chicago on April 26 - 29, 2011, at
the Hyatt Regency. The interagency conference, Forging the Partnership, will bring together
professionals from DoD and USDA and will build connections, competency and the capacity of
our agencies and programs.
The conference will feature keynote speakers, current youth and family research presenters,
interactive workshops and computer labs. For more information, see
http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/service/conferenceandworkshops/fy2011
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This Week in MC&FP October 22, 2010
2010 National Recreation and Park Association Congress – “Hot Topic” Session
Carol Potter will present an education session at the National Recreation and Park Association
Congress 2010 national conference about “Building Resilience for Healthy Families and
Communities in the Military” on Wednesday, October 27, in Minneapolis, Minn. Participants
will gain information about the current military environment, the challenges facing today’s
service members and their families, how recreation opportunities build resilience, and the
benefits of implementing recreation that impacts military readiness.
Based on session content and speaker qualifications, the congress has identified her session as a
“Hot Topic.” Sessions with this branding will receive special marketing in the preliminary and
final programs, on the association’s Web site, in promotional materials, and on-site.
From Resale
The “My Hero” contest is open to for submissions by military members and all military ID card
holders who are 18-years-old or older at the time of entry. Essays of 300 words or less must
include name, address, daytime phone number, rank or occupation, as well as information
regarding the nominee (name, address and contact information).
See http://www.shopmyexchange.com/pa/news/10news/10-049.htm
DECA is delivering the benefit at the following Guard and reserve locations. For more
information, visit http://www.commissaries.com/guard_reserve_sales.cfm:
In the News
From the American Forces Press Service – Family Care Plan Requirements Change A recent
change in Defense Department policy highlights why servicemembers and deployable civilians
who also are custodial parents may want to seek legal help in arranging their children’s care
during deployment. DoD Instruction 1342.19, “Family Care Plans,” was revised in May to
require such plans from troops and expeditionary civilians who have legal custody or joint
custody of a minor child. The new policy requires these parents to attempt to obtain the consent
of the noncustodial or adoptive parent to any family care plan that would leave the child in the
custody of a third party. See http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=61319
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This Week in MC&FP October 22, 2010
Nutrition Tip of the Week – What’s a serving from the milk group?
One cup (8- ounces) fluid milk or yogurt, 1½ ounce natural cheese, or 2 ounces processed cheese
can be considered as a 1-cup serving from the milk group.
For more information on making healthy and nutritious food choices, check out the
Commissary’s Web site at http://www.commissaries.com/ .
Let’s Move/Childhood Obesity Tip of the Week – Help Kids Stay Active
Children and teens should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical
activity most days of the week, preferably daily. Remember that children imitate adults. Start
adding physical activity to your own daily routine and encourage your child to join you. Some
examples of moderate intensity physical activity include:
Brisk walking
Playing tag
Jumping rope
Playing soccer
Swimming
Dancing
See http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/children/index.html#prevention.
Financial Tip of the Week – Five Sneaky Ways to Save $100 a Month
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This Week in MC&FP October 22, 2010
If your savings rate is not up to snuff and you're finding it hard to pinch those pennies for a rainy
day, try some of these sneaky switches to trick yourself into saving more than the national
average.
Fire your bank? Add up all your banking fees: ATM fees, monthly account fees, overdraft
protection fees, minimum balance fees, debit card transaction fees, and the myriad of other
miscellaneous fees to see how much your bank is costing you. If you're paying a pretty penny
for the privilege of using your own money, then maybe it's time to give your banker the pink slip
and switch banks.
Make your kids pay for it! If your kids keep asking for stuff they don't need, then maybe it's time
to get sneaky by closing the bank of mom and dad and making your kids spend their own
allowance. Teaching kids the value of earning a dollar can help them grow into financially savvy
teens, and not giving in to every childhood whim could save you hundreds each month.
Lower your mutual fund fees. If you put your retirement savings into mutual funds, chances are
those sneaky investing fees -- management expense ratios (MERs), loads, and trailer fees -- are
all drastically decreasing your investment returns each year, without you even noticing! Cutting
your investment costs by over 1 percent could save you thousands per year, depending on the
size of your portfolio.
Pay your mortgage biweekly, not monthly. By opting for biweekly payments, you will pay a bit
more each month and there will be a few months where three mortgage payments are due,
depending on how the weeks fall, but if you are on biweekly paychecks, you won’t notice the
difference. For example, when compared with monthly payments, switching to an accelerated
biweekly payment plan can save you around $30,100 in interest and end your mortgage almost
four years sooner, assuming a $200,000 loan at a 5.6 percent interest rate with a 25-year term.
That's an average of $100 saved each month!
Plug in your slow cooker. Just throw a few tasty ingredients into a slow cooker the night before,
and plug in the pot before heading out the door. Not only are slow cookers easy to use and frugal
to buy, but they can also cut your grocery bill significantly by allowing you to purchase cheaper
cuts of meat and tenderizing them over low heat for a longer time.
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