Special guests Susie, Jack (and Hannah) help me demonstrate how a damp paper towel can change your life. Well, maybe not change your life, but it will help keep that flexible cutting board from creeping off to Nova Scotia.

“There are Five Environments you can live in on this planet. There’s The City. The Desert. The Mountains. The Plains. And The Beach.

You can live in combinations of them. Maybe a city in the desert, or in the mountains by the ocean. Or you could choose just one. Out in the plains somewhere, perhaps.

But you need to get out there and travel, and figure out where you thrive.

Some places you’ll go to and you’ll feel yourself wither. Your brain will fog up, your body won’t respond to your thoughts and desires, and you’ll feel sad and angry.

You need to find out which of the Five Environments are yours. If you belong by the ocean, then the mountains will ruin you. If you’re suited for the blue solitude of the plains, then the city will be a tight, roaring prison cell that’ll eat you alive.

He was right. I’ve traveled and tested his theory and he was absolutely right. There are Five Environments.   If you find the right combination, or the perfect singularity, your life will click…into…place. You will click into place.”

This story resonated with me. I spent decades in a city that didn’t fit me. While living there I read a book called Life 2.0. It profiled dozens of people who had left large coastal cities and thrived in smaller towns. Like a woman who worked in high finance who left New York for South Dakota.

I was inspired by the stories of how technology made working remotely possible, but I was skeptical about the people being happier. Then, I moved to a place that made me feel great, like I could do anything. As Patton Oswalt said. “Everything clicked”.

So, I decided to think about the places I’ve been in my life and how they made me feel. Below are a just a few and how I would sum them up in a sentence or two:

Charlottesville, VA - (Mountains & Plains)
Family, literary, casual, lovely and historic.
I love it here. I feel creative, clearheaded and relaxed.
photo by: Tim Jarrett

San Diego, CA - (Beach & City)
Physical, active, singles - no seasons, perfect weather you take for granted.
A popular favorite that makes me feel out of sync and nervous.
photo by: Tomcio77

Buenos Aires, Argentina - (City)
Stylish, smart, creative, a nightime city.
This place gives me a buzz…in a good way. I feel inspired, energized and balanced.
photo by: Ana Cotta

Rhone Valley, France - (Mountains & Plains)
Food & wine, agriculture, nature, earth, seasons and time, tradition.
I felt warm and alive in the Southern Rhone, while the Northern Rhone felt vacant and dim. What a difference a few miles made.
photo by: Michael Davis

Kauai, Hawaii - (Beach)
Tropical, relaxed, dramatic scenery, feels small, remote and disconnected.
I could live on the lush, rainy north side of the island. The dry and sunny south side was pretty but felt generic
photo by: Jeff McNeill

What are you best and worst environment experiences? Let us know in the comments below.

Traveling the world sans pants just got a lot cooler.  Google’s Street View has always been a great way to see panoramas of streets from all over the world. Today they’ve added some great improvements.

Instead of having to inch along streets using those evil forward and backward arrows, you can now use their spiffy new “pancake” to get around. Check out this short video to get the lowdown.

Solution: Get out the hair-dryer … apply heat to the sticker … after heating up the sticker — it will then easily pull off (without leaving much residue). The remaining residue can be removed by using a touch of lighter fluid on a rag.

Warning: Once the culprit realizes his/her sticker is gone, they will seize the opportunity to put a new sticker in its’ place. If this happens — repeat the ’solution’ (you may find yourself hopelessly in an endless loop). Consider yourself plugged Greg.

via Gregory M Brettell of Reno, NV
Greg kindly asked us to shamelessly plug a Memorial Day tribute he created featuring original music.

TR McCormick of Dillingham, Alaska shared this useful tip:

If you lose anything on a floor and cannot find it. Use a flashlight down on the floor sideways. This causes the object to leave a shadow and you’ll find it right away.

Place a large coffee mug that is 1/2 full of water in your dirty microwave oven. Bring to a rolling boil, then let it sit in the closed microwave for 10-15 minutes. Wipe clean with a paper towel.

UPDATE: Some readers have warned of the possibility that microwaves can overheat water which can explode and cause burns. Here’s what Snopes.com has to say on the matter:

Yes, water can “explode” in the fashion described above. However, it takes near perfect conditions to bring this about, thus “exploding water” is not something the average hot beverage drinker who would otherwise now be eyeing his microwave with trepidation need fear. Odds are, you’ll go through life without ever viewing this phenomenon first-hand, and if you’re one of the rare few who does get to see it, you will likely not be harmed by the experience (that would take your standing right over the cup at the instant it happened, and the liquid’s bolting up and hitting your skin).

Nuff said.

There is hardly ever a need to pay full price for kids clothes — even the super nice wear-to-a-wedding ones. Kids grow so fast that their clothes are usually “used” before they are barely worn. So, today we’ll cover 5 ways we dress our kids for a fraction of the full price tag.

1. Easy Amazon Deals

Amazon.com offers huge discounts on clearance items. The trick has always been finding them. We’ve made this a snap with the links below.

Amazon.com Baby & Kid’s Clothes Discounts
90% OFF - Baby & Kid’s Clothes.
80% OFF - Baby & Kid’s Clothes.
70% OFF - Baby & Kid’s Clothes.
60% OFF - Baby & Kid’s Clothes.
50% OFF - Baby & Kid’s Clothes.
40% OFF - Baby & Kid’s Clothes.
30% OFF - Baby & Kid’s Clothes.

2. Clothing Stores - The Markdown Schedule

Clothing stores such as GapKids, Old Navy and Target drop prices dramatically when they need to make room for new inventory. I’ve managed to buy stuff for my kids at 50-90% off by shopping off-season for the upcoming seasons. This is a great way to stock up on socks, tights, underwear, basic T-shirts, and other items that are impossible to find used. Grab a winter coat in February for $5, and you won’t be rushing out with your credit card next year at the first hint of snow.

All major retailers have a markdown schedule. Here is Target’s schedule. Note: This may vary from store to store. Ask a store employee about your particular location.

TARGET’s WEEKLY MARKDOWN SCHEDULE
Monday - Infants, Kids Clothes and Electronics.
Tuesday - Women’s Clothes and Domestics.
Wednesday - Men’s Clothes, Garden, Toys, Health and Beauty
Thursday - Lingerie, Shoes, Housewares, Sporting Goods, Luggage
Friday - Cosmetics, Hardware, Auto, Home Improvement and Jewelry

TARGET’s AFTER HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:
All holidays except Christmas follow the 3-3-2 rule:
The first 3 days after the holiday are 50% OFF.
The next 3 days are 75% OFF.
The next 2 days are 90% OFF.
After that it goes to salvage.

Below are some examples:

4th of July
July 5 = 50% OFF.
July 8 = 75% OFF.
July 10 = 90% OFF.

Halloween
Nov 1st = 50% OFF.
Nov 4th = 75% OFF.
Nov 7th = 90% OFF.

Other retailers may have slightly different schedules. Chat up an employee at your favorite store to get the inside scoop. Don’t forget to check retailers online coupons for updates and surprise sales.

3. Ebay For Box Lots

eBay! hosts another plethora of clothing options. Again, it helps if you’re willing to buy off season. The bargains here are usually in the “lots” of several items, and people trying to clear out the closet or get rid of inventory rather than make a huge profit. Narrow your search by size, gender, and specific brands that you like (e.g. gymboree girl 3).

4. Thrift Shops - The Designer Secret

Thrift shops are a great place to find really expensive, high-quality kid’s items in pristine condition. Why? Because people tend to “preserve” these designer items, not letting their kids wear them. I routinely find gorgeous stuff with the tags still attached. Since I’m only paying a couple bucks for it, I’ll definitely let my kids wear it!
Prices are low because the items are donated and the selection spans seasons, sizes and styles so you can afford to be quite selective. Warning: Knowing this little secret will turn you into a complete clothes snob. Once you know where to get Ralph Lauren for a few bucks, you’ll never buy clothes at Walmart!

THRIFT STORE TIPS:
1. Think Twice.
It’s very easy to get carried away when the prices are so low. So, think twice before you buy — no matter how cute and cheap they are.

2. No Returns
Usually the return policy at thrift shops is minimal to non-existant, so make sure you check for missing buttons, broken zippers and stains before you buy.

3. Consignment Stores
Consignment shops offer pre-screened, generally more-organized, high-quality items with a heftier price tag. Sometimes worth it, sometimes not.

5. Yard Sale Strategy

The best bargains are found at yard sales. Most of the time the seller just wants to get rid of stuff so the prices are rock bottom. Seek out sales in the Volvo-driving neighborhoods and your kid will soon have a designer wardrobe for less than the price of a nice bottle of wine.

YARD SALE TIPS:
1. Go early for the best selection.
2. Go late for the best prices.
3. Don’t be afraid to make an offer — “Can I take all of these for $5?”

General Bargain Hunting Tips:

Think Ahead.
If you’re willing to shop off-season and ahead a few sizes, you can get great quality at bargain prices, and avoid those last-minute expensive shopping sprees. Invest in some plastic storage bins, make some labels and you’re all set. Organizing this stuff is essential — otherwise you’ll end up buying more than you need and not using it.

Keep A “Need List”
Keep track of sizes and clothing needs in something you keep with you, like a small notebook or PDA. The next time you’re in a thrift store wondering if your son has rainboots for spring, or what size they should be, you’ll have the answer without going home and digging through the closet.

What’s Your Secret?

Do you have a tip to share? Let us know your deal snagging secrets.

NOTE: Although this list emphasizes homeschooling, (since that’s what we do) it’s not limited to information only useful to homeschoolers. Regardless of the form of “school” you’re using, your kids are learning all the time — and so are you.

Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense
The author is not only a wonderful novelist, but also a public school teacher who teaches his own children at home. Inside this slim and beautifully readable volume are thought-provoking insights from the both perspectives.

Guerrilla Learning: How to Give Your Kids a Real Education With or Without School
Author, Grace Llewellyn, is a go-to guide for those with a bent toward “unschooling”. Even if you weren’t previously inclined, this might change your mind.

The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education
The same author as above — helpful information for people homeschooling/unschooling with teenagers.

The Natural Child: Parenting from the Heart
A beautifully simple parenting guide that encourages you to follow your instincts and common sense. If you’re tired of “methods”, this might be for you.

The Unschooling Handbook : How to Use the Whole World As Your Child’s Classroom
The title says it all.

Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book of Homeschooling
This list would certainly be incomplete without some wisdom from John Holt (aka: The Godfather of Homeschooling).

Instead of Education: Ways to Help People do Things Better
In this more recent and lesser known book, John Holt once again challenges the educational status-quo and offers ideas for how to give your kids a creative and self-motivated love of learning.

The Continuum Concept: In Search of Happiness Lost
This book just might change the way you think about EVERYTHING. (If that doesn’t spark your curiosity, you deserve a life of monotony.)

Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How Our Children Really Learn–and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less
Memorize less, play more, and emulate Einstein? Sold! The authors (also psychologists) of this book validate what many parents know by instinct (but can forget): kids need to play and explore; kids are learning all the time; hurrying intellectual development doesn’t work out in the long run and can actually be counter-productive. Don’t make your kids’ learning about scores and tests, as these provide only a narrow view of learning and development.

A Child’s Work: The Importance of Fantasy Play
From the inside flap: “Even for very young children, unstructured creative time in the classroom is waning as teachers and administrators are under growing pressures to measure school readiness through rote learning and increased homework. In her new book, Vivian Gussin Paley decries this rapid disappearance of creative time and makes the case for the critical role of fantasy play in the psychological, intellectual, and social development of young children.”

Beyond the Rainbow Bridge : Nurturing our children from birth to seven
A Waldorf-inspired guide for living happily with young children. Even if you don’t know a lot about Waldorf education and/or don’t completely subscribe to all the principles, the ideas in this book can be helpful for any parent who wants to provide a peaceful environment and learning that goes hand in hand with “the natural rhythms of everyday life”.

Heaven on Earth
A wonderful Waldorf guide from a teacher/author in our own hometown of Charlottesville, VA.

How to Talk so Kids Can Learn
The author of classics “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, and Listen So Kids Will Talk” and “Siblings Without Rivalry” presents ideas on communication specific to education.

The Well-Adjusted Child: The Social Benefits of Homeschooling
A book that dares address the “S” word. Buy this for your skeptical in-laws.

Real-Life Homeschooling: The Stories of 21 Families Who Teach Their Children at Home
One of the most valuable sources of information for homeschoolers is other homeschoolers. Hearing the wildly varying tales of how other people homeschool can be inspiring and reassuring to newbies and old pros. The author of this fun collection of family profiles focused on DIVERSITY — if you think homeschoolers are all alike, think again.

During the coming year, Family Hack will be presenting a series of profiles on homeschooling families. Let us know what you would like to hear about from these families.