Talking About: Child Identity Theft

in

Road trips are great times to talk. And with 10 days in the car, Jason and I had plenty of time to chat about everything from budgets and food to missing shoes, friends and, yes, Child Identity Theft. 

And because I didn't think you would believe me, I have video evidence of this conversation. Check us out as we are speeding across the highways of America discussing social security numbers and the little things we are doing to protect our kids. 

And yes, I look like crap and have a head cold. But don't watch it for me, but for Zoe in the background. 

 

In my last post on this topic, I included some useful tips to protect yourself, and your kids, against identity theft and information on kID Sure℠ - all from the Is My Kid At Risk website.

Things you will find when you click on over are: 

  • Quick Start Guide to Child ID Theft: The consequences of child ID theft are staggering. Get all the facts you need to know.
  • Risk Factors Worksheet: Review the Risk Factors to see where you can eliminate some risk for your kids.
  • Bankrupt at Birth: eBook Excerpt: Get a glimpse into a new book whose authors are on a mission to end child identity theft.
  • Child ID Theft Safety Tele-class: Author of the book, Bankrupt at Birth, teaches you about child identity theft and what you can do to help protect your kids. 
  • Free trial of Identity Guard®†: Get a FREE 30-Day trial of Identity Guard®
  • Subscription to Child ID Theft News: Subscribe just by registering your email address
While this may not be the most exciting present for the kids, as a parent I would love the gift of peace of mind!
Have you given any more thought to child identity theft? Have you talked to your spouse or your parents about the risks? 

For more information on child identity theft visit the Identity Guard blog.
*I'm proud ot be an Identity Guard Ambassador and yes, this is a sponsored post. 
†Free trial requires successful enrollment. After your trial period, you will be billed either your monthly or annual fee unless you call to cancel. You may cancel your membership at any time.

Pinterest Nail FAIL

in , ,

I love my neighborhood "chop shop." I love the gel manis and spa pedis and the free 5-minute neck massages. I even have gotten over being insulted when they tell me I need "callus remover" or my lip waxed. But the one thing they just can't get right? The Pinterest mani. You know, the amazing unique manis we all see all over Pinterest?

I went in today with half picked off 3 week old red polish and apparently visions of sugar plums dancing in my head. Half asleep from 10 days in the car and feeling oddly festive, I told the girl I wanted to do red and white stripes on my ring fingers - ala a candy cane! Whee! Fun! When they asked if I wanted a little sparkle to go with it, I thought "Sure! Even more FUN!"

Yea. 

Not so much. 

 

Of course I immediately had to go to lunch with all the KD Gala people, including Lucas' amazing KD doctor. I actually made a point to not talk with my hands. Which is near impossible for me. 

But looking on the bright side, I found a FABULOUS new toe nail polish!

Needless to say a color change is in my future. 

Holiday Insanity? Prepping for a 10-Day Family Road Trip

in ,

What happens when 2 bloggers and their 2 kids hop into a 2013 Cadillac SRX Crossover?

Yeah... I'm not so sure. 

Sometimes I wonder about my sanity. On top of work, my blog, the gala I'm helping with and the impending holidays, we decided it would be a good idea to take a 10-day roadtrip out to Omaha, NE to see Jason's family for Thanksgiving. While Jason grew up with road trips and actually sees them as relaxing all I think is "OMG STUCK IN THE CAR WITH THE KIDS FOR HOURS ON END!" as I start to hyperventilate. 

The key to a road-trip is obviously to make the driving as fun as possible and I have to say I'm very excited to be making the drive in the SRX, on loan to us from GMC West for the trip. With the entertainment system in the car, plus all our various iDevices, I'm hoping the trip flies by in a series of naps, movies and photo stops. But the complusive planner in me is stressing, which is why I thought I would share my (non-expert!) list on prepping for a road-trip.

1) Plan out the route - but don't set it in stone

The last time we made this trip we were re-routed a few times by weather. Instead of going up and over the Rocky Mountains as planned, we ended up taking a southern route though New Mexico and Kansas. While stressful at the time, we saw parts of the country that we never even expected to see. But we also lost money on hotels paid for in advance. Luckily with all the apps out there we will never really be stranded without a room for the night, so while we are making reservations, we are not paying for anything up front.

2) Packing smaller "hotel bags"

While I plan on taking the big ticket items out of the car at night (ie: computer bags, iPads), it's nice to not have to take everything out of the car. We pack smaller "trip bags" with just the things we need for the on-the-road part of the trip so we don't have to unpack and repack each day of the drive.

3) Mapping it out with the kids

While the getting out to Omaha, NE part of the trip will be the direct route, coming back we decided to take an extra 2 days and let the kids chose where to stop - well, to an extent. While they wanted to see the Grand Canyon, after looking at the map we realized that probably would be too much of a non-direct haul, so we decided to stop in Moab, UT and see Arches National Park. 

And the 2nd stop that the kids wanted? Vegas, Baby. I guess it stems from us always saying how fun Sin City is... but even though we won't be partying it up, we are staying on the strip and going to show them some of the tamer sights the city has to offer. 

But you know the trip wouldn't be as much fun with out Jason and I broadcasting our every move. So yes, we will be tweeting, blogging, instagraming and updating statuses along the way. 

Follow along with us at #SRXRoadTrip - tell us where to eat, what sights to see and if there is someplace we need to stop.