Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Distributive property of multiplication

 I have a 3rd and 1st grader and helping them with homework is sometimes challenging. The words my 1st grader comes home with surprises me and having to explain the words to her to get her to understand what in the world I am talking about can be hard at times. This week it is the word plead. When I was in 1st grade I was just learning to read less challenging words lol. How things have changed? My 3rd grader needed to figure out how to solve a problem using distributive property of multiplication. Now growing up I was taught to solve a problem this way:
 36
x 5 - first you would figure out what was 6x5= 30 carry the 3 and put the 0 under the 5. Then 3x5=15
   0   add the 3 giving you 18 giving you an answer of 180. These days kids have to use common core
18    I am sure you have heard of it by now. Parents everywhere are complaining how dumb its
        making their kids. When I looked at examples to learn the new way of doing this method it comes out to be easier then the old way.  The same problem is broken down a bit more. You still come out with the same answer.

Since the 3 is in the tens place you place a 0 behind the 3 making it 30
30x5=
yes this may look a bit harder but its not cover the 0 and ask the child to figure out 3x5=15
a lot of people know that off the top of their heads. Now don't forget to add the 0 because 3 is in the tens place if you remember me saying that before. So a big problem of 30x5= became easier because it was broken down. 30x5= 150
now the 6 is in the ones place so 6x5=30 now add 150+30= 180. Same answer. Yes this was a pretty easy problem but with them learning to do easy problems this way they will be able to figure out bigger problems that you would need a calculator to figure out. Making our kids into human calculators and I don't know about you but I use math everyday. Cooking, shopping, writing out bills, driving.  When my daughter caught on to this way her face lit up and she was doing huge problems and excited that she could figure them out with no problem. Very proud of her. I am this old and still learning so I am proud of myself for catching on. lol Notice I didn't put an age. That's the math that I don't care to keep track of.

Project Payday

 A lot of us are looking for ways to earn a little more cash. We see many scams online and things we purchase to make money turn out to be different from what we thought it would be. 2 days ago I signed up for Project Payday for free. Yes to get started I had to complete 2 offers but they were free and now I have an account. Today is my first day starting to promote it. The first offer I did was the Free Credit Score. To become a VIP member I had to complete 2 offers and I chose Hulu plus as my second free offer to complete. I will let keep you updated on how everything works out. Who doesn't want to have a bit of extra cash in their pockets? If you would like to get started click here to start making a difference in your pockets.

Checkout 51

Checkout 51 is a new free cash back shopping app. Last week I loaded to my phone and started using it. I went to the store purchased my items. Took a picture of my receipt and checked off the offers that I wanted to take advantage of. I made $3.00 by just doing and buying things I normally buy. I received $2.00 in my account for making a purchase of $20.00 or more and $1.00 for purchasing milk. If I would load another deal before tonight I would get another $1.00 in my account but I don't plan on going to the store any time today. When my account reaches $20.00 then I will be able to cash out. New offers are loaded on Thursday. So can't wait to see what will be offered this upcoming week. Using the App on a smartphone makes it super easy to use. Try it out.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Once upon a child

   This place is my new favorite consignment store. Once upon a Child. It's a huge store and I have found stuff for my oldest every time I go to it. They are very well organized and get this I don't even have to seperate the different seasons. On my most recent trip I brought in a box of clothes and found some pretty neat things. My daughter needed a raincoat and I am still in search of one that is light weight but since it is still cool outside she can use the lands end that I found. It's in great condition and well made so it will last through all the girls. It cost $9.50. I was so excited about it.
This shirt which is a justice shirt for $3.50. I get excited when I find clothes from justice at second hand stores. Some of their clothes are way over priced and their clothes are also well made.
Another shirt from justice same price. $3.50. I thought it was cute.

She needed a couple of uniforms still. I found these cute shorts. I love the buttons at the bottom on the sides. They were priced at $3.50. In great condition.

I also found this skort. I love the buttons at the bottom of these and they were in great condition. At $5.50 I couldn't pass them up. 

 I checked out received back my box of clothing that they did not except. Jeans with designs on the side, Hannah Montana stuff I don't want it and they don't either lol sad. A couple of other things. With the credit from them buying some things I received $5.00 back. Not too bad. I also have a card now that gets stamped every time I buy or sell $10 Worth of items. When I fill it, I will get 15% off my purchase. I will be back for sure. 





Friday, January 10, 2014

What a change we have been through.

The girls started their first week of brick and motar school as homeschoolers call it. I do miss them being home since they are gone now for 8 1/2 hours a day. It is a lot easier b/c they are learning from everything from a teacher now. I feel now my dumbness won't rub off on them too much lol. We love our house. Even though it wasn't the one we first looked at. I feel this house was built for us. It's a 4 bedroom 3 bathroom. Our yard is a nice size and the neighborhood is quiet. Not that the one we lived in before wasn't. The girls ride a bus too and from school which makes it easier on me since they now go to two different schools. Katie's school is 5 minutes away maybe less then that and Sara's school is 10 minutes away according to my gps. I am learning my way around and finding some good stores and places to eat that we didn't have across the lake. I am in love with steak and shake. Not a good thing. I want to try all different kind.