Do any of your students have experience, good or bad, with using international editions of textbooks? DD has a couple of very expensive computer science textbooks required for next semester. We can rent used texts from Amazon for about 30% of the new purchase price. . .or buy NEW international versions for less than 50% of the RENTAL cost. Item descriptions state content is identical to U.S. editions. I'm seriously considering giving these a try but thought I'd ask here for actual experiences.

We've rented from Amazon several times. Once we did get two books in poor but usable condition. I emailed Amazon with a description of the damage and they made a note that we wouldn't be charged for damage at the end of the semester. Once we returned them at the end of the semester, one did take an extra long time to be processed but no extra charges appeared.

I've been there. The struggle. The procrastination. The tears. The frustration. Both of my DDs were highly reluctant writers in the early years. Today is a very different story. DD21 has typically been selected to lead the report writing for any of her college group projects. DD17 just finished a dual enrollment English composition course at the community college. Her final paper was given back with AMAZING written on it and a recommendation that she submit it for publication. Here are the things I credit for their turnaround: 1. Write more. This was a tip I got right here on these boards. Especially with my first DD, I tended to let writing slide because it was so unpleasant and I thought it had to get better in a year or two. Sometimes a student just has to get over the physical difficulty of wielding a pencil/pen on paper for more than a few sentences. Free writing is great for this. I didn't care what they wrote, but they had to fill a page a day. Yes, it was often things like "I don't know what to write. I have to fill this whole page. My sister is bugging me. I would rather be cuddling the cat. I don't know what to write. I don't know what to write. I hate this. Can I stop yet?" That's ok. 2. A very basic writing program that takes nothing for granted and takes the student through a slow progression of every step in the writing process. For us, this was the EPS Writing Skills series by Diana Hanbury King. I honestly don't know why these are not much more popular among homeschoolers. They aren't exciting but I truly think they are what finally taught my DDs how to write. 3. After these, I let the student's interest lead the way. My younger DD became interested in creative writing so we did Jump In followed by Cover Story and the other One Year Adventure Novel programs. My older DD wanted a cut-and-dried get it done program so we used Jensen's Format Writing. 4. Introduce typing. I wouldn't do this too early. I still think the student needs to build up stamina for writing by hand. However, a little later on, knowing how to type is a great boon and a huge time saver. I still remember those early days and how concerned I was that my DDs would never be able to write well or hate it so much that they would avoid it. I can't go back and give myself a pep talk but I can share my experience here and hopefully encourage some moms and dads who are still at the difficult stages of teaching writing. Good luck!

I have a DD who is almost 18 and, while she loves to read, she is also a strong proponent of graphic novels. They can be a great gateway to an increased enjoyment of reading. She could probably provide some good recommendations of specific titles if you are interested.

Let's face it, family meals with guests is a minefield of possible problems. I was helping my MIL shop and prepare a meal just this weekend and talked to everyone about preferences, etc. One man said that he would not be eating. So. . .I didn't take him into account when buying pork chops. Once the meal was prepared, I asked him again if he wanted to eat, offering to split my pork chop with him. He said, "no, go ahead." Well, I did. Once everyone was almost done eating, he strolled into the kitchen looking for what was left. It turns out that FIL, knowing that there weren't enough pork chops if this person decided to eat after all, had not taken one. That was FIL's choice, true enough, but I was annoyed at both of them.

This may not be what you meant so feel free to disregard. Here is where I suggest you start: 1. What is actually needed versus wanted and is it needed now or could be postponed? Create a list of priorities, timeline, and ballpark costs: a) fix leaking plumbing, ASAP, $250; b) replace stove that is barely working, 2 weeks, $650; . . .p) replace working but ugly chandelier, 2 years, $175 2. How much can you afford to put toward these expenses each month? Whether you pay as you go, save up and do more of it at once, or take a loan for more immediate action, you need to know what your budget will allow. 3. Check your credit score. This will impact that interest rate you would be eligible for if you decide to take a loan. Determine if you should/could improve your credit score before applying for a loan. 4. Go ahead and contact your bank and current mortgage company as a starting point but definitely shop around, contact any credit unions you are eligible for, search online for possible leads, even contact your insurance agent (ours offers very competitive loans). 5. Take all of the above information to make a plan. Good luck!

This may be an unpopular opinion but I don't think recreational dancers have any business being en pointe. That level of dance should be reserved for serious pre-professional students. Otherwise, yes, the risk of serious injury and long-term issues is unacceptable. DD17 has danced since age 7 but since her interest level is recreational, she has never danced en pointe. The dance studio assumes that all ballet students will go en pointe which strengthened my belief that they are not being selective enough in determining who can/should pursue it.

Ingenuity at its finest! A quick tumble dry at the end of a drying cycle will help to soften air-lined-dried towels as well.

You experience is very much appreciated. I certainly won't be able to go multiple times a week to help with the device. I would need to keep it as simple as possible. They do have wifi. I took my own Kindle Fire with me and tried it out and let the resident try one of my games to see if he would even be interested. Photos/screenshots and simple instructions is a great idea. Appreciate tips on how to maintain control while keeping it simple for the user. Personalization ideas for the device is great as well.

This. And sometimes the older edition is ok even when the instructor insists you need the new edition. DD had one instructor insist that she needed the newest edition and we chose to disregard this recommendation since she already had the previous edition. They haven't used the book . . .at all. I also recommend students have a nice reusable water bottle. It is much more appealing, IMHO, to drink water from a glass bottle, and reduces the need to purchase drinks. Another tip, if your child is away at school without a car, check with your car insurance agent if this will reduce the coverage costs. While you are at it, find out if your student is eligible for a good student discount.

Thank you! This is very helpful.

So, I want to get a brain damaged adult a Kindle Fire to use in the nursing home to pass the time playing simple games, watching movies, etc. Since items can easily disappear at such facilities, I'd like to keep the cost as low as possible. Can anyone advise on any of the following: 1. The kid-proof case and two-year replacement if broken that come with the kid version are appealing but add to the cost. The kid-content app is not needed/wanted. I can pick up the most basic Kindle Fire at about half the cost and plan to keep my eyes out for sales over the next couple of weeks which should bring the cost down even more. I found a likely looking rubber cover for about $10 with good reviews. Thoughts? 2. Should I set up the device under my own Amazon account so that I can easily help load content, etc.? Would I still be able to lock out any ability to make purchases, etc. from the device itself? Would you recommend setting up a new Amazon account for the relative? That one wouldn't have any credit cards tied to it so no purchases would be possible. 3. All the current Kindle Fires in my immediate family load ads. However, I'm considering paying to have the ad-free version for the relative so they don't have to mess with getting past the ad screen. I think they could probably learn how to do so but want to make it as simple as possible. Thank you! Peggy

Thanks, everyone. I had all but one of the spice components already so just picked up some ground ginger which was inexpensive, and mixed up my own pumpkin pie spice.

I'm out of pumpkin pie spice and have checked 3 Aldi stores. I haven't found it. I know they don't carry it year-round but I'm pretty sure that I bought my last bottle at Aldi last year around this time. I've priced it at a couple of other stores and just can't make myself pay the asking price. Aldi has spoiled me with their low prices on spices.

DD tutors for computer science courses at the local community college. This week, an instructor came into the tutoring center and asked to speak to all the tutors who work with his students. Essentially, he was unhappy that his students leave class without asking him questions or visiting his office hours. Instead, they rely on the tutoring center to get the assistance that they need. He told the tutors that he wants his students to struggle. The kicker is that DD actually had a course under this instructor and understands exactly why students run directly from his class to the tutoring center. The instructor is a poor lecturer, to the point where I was convinced that he didn't have a firm grasp on the subject himself when DD was taking the course. He either can't or chooses not to answer student questions, often replying that they should already know it or that they should figure it out. Fortunately, the lead tutor of the center inserted himself into this interaction and politely but firmly refused the request. The center has well communicated guidelines on the kind of help the tutors can provide. They can explain concepts, help the student think through the problem, provide other examples where the same thinking/process can be applied, etc. They can not provide actual code (in the case of CS students) or answers to any homework/assignments. In other words, they help the students LEARN, not provide answers/solutions. I know some folks on here actually instruct at the college level. Any thoughts on where the instructor may be coming from?

Most people do seem to adjust but some never do. I keep my distance and reading glasses as separate pairs.

Ok, so I messed up younger DD's FAFSA the first time. Somehow fumble fingered the SS# so had to start a whole new FAFSA. I couldn't get the IRS tool to work this time so finally went in and manually entered it from our tax forms just so we could get the thing submitted. The EFC returned for her should have been a little less than older DD since she has less in savings. However, it returned a higher EFC. So, now I want to SEE all the entries in older DD's FAFSA so that I can compare to younger DD's FAFSA and figure out why. However, we successfully used the IRS retrieval tool when we did older DDs FAFSA a few weeks ago. Even her SAR doesn't show those entries. It is OUR information, how can I get it?

Always best to follow up on something like this. Certain medications can cause this as well. As can surgery and a number of other things.

So, I've posted before about being pulled into the world of texting to keep in touch with my DDs as they attend college and finding myself enjoying it more than I thought possible. Well, it has been almost a year since I finally got a smart phone (last December) to facilitate texting and my younger DD just now taught me Swyping. I am loving it even more. Wow! Who knew? I don't have to painstakingly peck each letter. I'm playing with it, getting sloppier and sloppier and the accuracy of what I want to say is pretty darn impressive. What else am I missing? ha!

These services are nothing new. I remember being shocked years ago to discover that people were paying to outsource their master's thesis or PhD dissertation. It's pretty clear to me that the ethics of doing the right thing will pay off for the student in the long run. Those seeking unethical shortcuts may have short term success but it will eventually catch up to them. Give your son a big hug. He sounds awesome. That willingness to work hard will serve him well.

We are struggling a bit to be sure that NOTHING is missed in communications from potential colleges. DD is checking her personal email as well as each school's email account and student portal on a regular basis. Most messages to her personal email are ending up in the Junk folder so that needs special attention. We attempted to go in and add the school domains to her "safe sender" list and noticed that the schools are not using a uniform domain. Housing and events seem especially prone to using odd domains for emails. We've seen yahoo.com as well as others without an ".edu" ending. So, it is a bit of a pain to be sure each unique domain is added and will still need to be careful about checking Junk for anything new. Why can't anything be easy?

Actually heard this weekend at a college preview day. I know that completing the FAFSA can be confusing and this student was only 18, but wouldn't they at least understand that almost everyone completing FAFSA is 18 or older and if that is all it took, potentially eligible for more aid?

DD17 is dual enrolled in a freshman English composition course and has an instructor with serious time management issues. We are now 8 weeks into the semester and the class has turned in a single paper. On a daily basis, the instructor will do something like announce that everyone in the class must speak to her individually during that days class to discuss their next assignment, then spend 30 minutes talking up her favorite charity, and only have time for a handful of students to discuss their assignment with her before classtime is over. DD is frustrated but I keep telling her that part of navigating college courses is dealing with less-than-ideal instructors. We did check this instructor on Rate My Professor during registration, which we know to take with a whole shaker full of salt, and this instructor gets good reviews.

I would appreciate everyone's thoughts on ways to maximize our health insurance benefits before year end. These apply for folks who have hit their deductible and/or out of pocket maximum. If you haven't, it may be better to postpone expenses to next year. 1. Squeeze in any planned/needed appointments, tests, etc. Most of us are prone to procrastination but now's the time to get an appointment before years end! 2. Get all prescription refills in December. I'm actually considering asking my doctor for a new 90-day script on one expensive med that I'm currently filling every 30 days. If I fill the 90-day script in Dec, that will last me the first quarter of 2018 before I have to pay out of pocket for the next refill. 3. If you have a FSA, check your balance and the rules for when you must use it up. Make plans to use the total before you lose it, even if it is for items that are not absolutely essential (a new set of prescription sunglasses, an extra order of contact lenses, etc.) Would love to hear other ideas. It's been an expensive year here and hoping for a much less expensive new year.

I had some blood testing performed to determine if I could come off a medication. I THOUGHT that what we were running was some very basic tests. It turns out to have included some tests that were pretty specialized, expensive, and not covered by insurance. So, I'm at fault for not asking specifically what exactly was being tested. I admit that. But now I have in hand a large unexpected bill from the analytical laboratory. I just wish everything could be more transparent to the patient BEFORE the big bill shows up in the mail. Edited to add the kicker: All test results were good. Doc still wants me on the medication. So why did we test?