Presidential Tax Plans, What you Would Pay

There’s a new political tool getting some attention online.

 

Electiontaxes.com estimates how individual income taxes would be affected under the current plans put forth by each of the two presidential candidates.

 

So now voters can calculate what a Barack Obama or John McCain administration would do to their bottom line.

 

The site is free to use and will show you how much you would pay in taxes for 2009 through 2012.

 

Users can enter only their income or provide more detailed information such as deductions, retirement plan contributions, child care expenses, etc.

 

Also, the site doesn’t require users to provide specific names or other personal information like a Social Security number, so it is safe to use.

 

Just remember the site is an “estimate” because the candidates’ tax plans are still changing and, in some cases, the specifics of each plan have not been made fully available.

 

Calling College Kids To Kayak and TheLimited.com

Hey college kids listen up….you can go kayaking downtown for $5 during the month of October.

All you need to bring is your student ID and a printed coupon you can get from ventureoutdoors.org.

This is a great opportunity to experience Pittsburgh and our beautiful skyline in an entirely new way. I have actually gone kayaking through Venture Outdoors several different times just this summer. It really is a great experience, not to mention a whole lot of fun.

You’ll find the Kayak Pittsburgh Downtown location under the Roberto Clemente Bridge (6^th St). Take the staircase nearest PNC Park down to the waterfront walkway.

College kids can kayak any weekend through October for $5 from 10 a.m. to dusk.

This college student discount is offered as part of Pittsburgh Connections.

For more information about Kayak Pittsburgh, visit kayakpittsburgh.org.  

And make sure, no matter what your age, to get outdoors between now and the end of October. It is going to be beautiful in Western Pennsylvania with the Fall foliage. Fall is absolutely my favorite time of year!!!!! You can go hiking, biking, fishing, white water rafting and more. Visit Ventureoutdoors.org

 

In other exciting news….

 I just wanted to tell you that one of my favorite clothing stores The Limited has FINALLY gone online. They’re fashionably late… by years. Regardless, I am so excited because now I can shop from the comfort of my own home instead of having to drive all the way out to South Hills. Yay, Yay, Yay!  Enjoy ladies! TheLimited.com

JetBlue Flies Over ebay…

Looking for a good travel deal? A weekend getaway? JetBlue may be on to something…..

The airline is letting you bid on three hundred roundtrip flights and six vacation packages this week on the auction site.

Opening bids are set at 5 and 10 cents for flights to more than 20 destinations, although you probably won’t score a trip for that amount.

The airline is also offering four “mystery” vacations to undisclosed locations.

Flights leave on Thursdays and Fridays and return on Sundays or Mondays – and travel must be completed by October 6th.

The last day to submit bids is Sunday, September 14th.

Monitor Your Kids’ Computer Use

Kids use computers every day. So overseeing how your kid and the computer grow up together poses real challenges for parents.

 

You want to make sure your children’s best interests are served and they are protected as they navigate the World Wide Web.

 

Here are some simple things you can do that will put you in control of how your kids use the computer.

 

To start, it’s best to set up your “kid computer” or the family PC in a place where you hang out – a common area such as the family room or kitchen. This way you can watch and monitor Web sites they visit, and easily help them with homework.

 

Next comes the choice between a laptop or desktop.

Laptop portability can be a pro and a con. You can shift your child’s computer space with you as you move about the house. But they can also take it with them out of your ear shot and eye sight.

 

Then it’s on to Kids’ software.

Think “Edutainment,” making learning fun. There are plenty of software and web sites out there designed for tweens. Sites like KOL.aol.com and Tweegee.com are two examples of parent approved/safe sites for your kids.

 

To find age appropriate edutainment software, start by reading reviews from other parents.

Amazon.com and other major online retailers have sections devoted to children’s software where titles are rated and parent comments are posted.

 

It’s also important to exercise parental controls.

For example, the Windows Vista operating system and Microsoft Windows Live come with settings to help you manage and monitor your child’s time on the computer. You can also buy and install software that filters out offensive material found online.