• Decide if you need permanent or term life insurance. Permanent policies will provide money to your family no matter when you die. Term policies will pay only if you die during a specific period of time.
• When you’re trying to decide between life insurance companies, ask family and friends for recommendations. You can also meet with an insurance agent to talk through your options.
• Ask for the outlines of several plans so you can compare the features of the various options you’re considering.
• Always answer the questions on your application truthfully.
• Once you select a plan, store the policy with your other important financial documents, but not in a safe deposit box. Upon death, boxes are sometimes sealed temporarily by the bank, which could delay your family’s access to the coverage.
• Review and update your policy from time to time, especially after major life events like marriages or children being born.

• Gas Mileage Tips -- Find out how driving efficiently, keeping your car in good condition, and combining trips can help you save money.
• Traffic and Road Closures -- Get resources to keep you informed about road and traffic conditions.
•  Scenic Byways -- Find scenic drives that you might enjoy while traveling on the road.

The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

•  Cost $80
  
•    Valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. Expires the last day of the month punched.
  
•     Includes two signature lines and any two individuals may sign the pass. Both are considered pass holders.
  
•     Admits pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee sites.
  
•     At per person fee sites, admits pass holder and up to three (3) persons age 16 and older. Children 15 and younger are admitted free of charge.
  
•     Photo identification may be required to verify ownership.
  
•     Passes are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
  
•     To plan your trip and determine if this pass is the right one for you, please contact the offices of the federal recreation sites where you plan to visit.

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• Studies show that students whose parents are involved in schools are more likely to resist negative peer pressure, more likely to graduate and to go to college, and less likely to have learning and behavioral problems.
• One of the best things you can do to see that your child gets the most out of his or her education is to get involved and encourage them to do the same. Serving on the PTA or becoming a class parent assures that you know what’s going on so that your child can take full advantage of school events.
• Encourage your child to sign up for extracurricular activities and take part, as a family, in school work days, spirit nights, donation drives and the variety of activities held throughout the school year.

• Don’t wait for a conference to talk with the teacher about a child’s progress. Students will be more successful if parents have an open dialogue with their children, teachers and school administrators from the start of the school year.
• Be positive. Your child may be nervous about heading back to school, so be sure to model optimism and excitement about the new year. Your child will pick up on your good attitude. Also, let him or her know you're always available to talk about problems.
• Discuss your child’s learning style and past successes and challenges with school. Ask questions about your child’s curriculum, educational track and expected benchmarks for the academic year. Notice when your child completes homework/assignments and provide encouragement. Praise your child for positive efforts even if you don't see the results yet.
• Talk every day about the progress he/she is making in each class. Encourage your child to talk to teachers if he/she does not understand an assignment.
• Almost every student approaches the start of a new school year with at least a bit of trepidation, and if your child has struggled with school in the past, he/she is much more likely to be less than overjoyed about heading back into the classroom. Remind your child that she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
• Point out the positive aspects of starting school. Refresh positive memories about previous years.

• Create a homework center—a specific area in the house where your child can do homework each evening. Establish a regular homework time, making sure that it’s in a quiet place and stocked with enough supplies, such as pencils, erasers, paper, a folder or two, and a calculator.
• Establish a household rule that the TV set stays off during homework time.
• Supervise computer and internet use.
• Be available to answer questions and offer assistance
• Keep encouraging literacy at home. Read at least once a week with your child and make frequent trips to your local library.
• Have a dictionary available for your child to look up new or unfamiliar words
• All students need to be proficient in Science and Mathematics in order to be successful as adults. Communicate the importance of learning Science and Mathematics. From the kitchen, to the family car, balancing a checkbook and figuring out the discount on their latest purchase – Science and Mathematics surround us and enrich our lives in many ways.
• When it comes to your child and school, don't forget that routines are your ally. From consistent bedtimes to a well-established homework zone, developing positive habits can help ease anxiety and promote appropriate behaviors.

• Children between the ages of 6 and 9 need about 10 hours of sleep each night. Preteens need a little over nine hours. Therefore, setting a regular sleep routine could improve your child’s sleep habits and schoolwork. Establish a reasonable bedtime so that they'll be well-rested and ready to learn in the morning.
• Eat a healthy breakfast. Studies have shown that children who eat healthful, balanced breakfasts and lunches are more alert throughout the school day and earn higher grades than those who have an unhealthy diet.
• Have your child organize and set out what they need the night before; Clothes should be laid out in their bedrooms.Homework and books should be put in their backpacks by the door. Pack light, a backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the student’s body weight. Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles and may increase curvature of the spine.
• Encourage students to leave the iPods, cell phones and other electronic toys at home. Most schools ban them during school hours anyway -- and students have been robbed of their electronic items going to or from school. Teach your child not to share locker combinations with other students.
• Encourage your child to keep a notebook or journal in order to write down the need-to-know info to help them remember details such as their locker combination, what time classes and lunch start and end, their homeroom and classroom numbers, teachers' and/or bus drivers' names, etc.
• Use a wall calendar or personal planner to record when assignments are due, tests will be given, extracurricular practices and rehearsals will be held, etc.
• Meet with the school nurse - This is especially important if your child requires any medications at school (for asthma, allergies, attention deficit disorder, etc.), has any allergies (foods, medications, bee, yellow jacket, etc. stings) or any medical conditions (seizures, heart conditions, etc.) that may restrict their participation in school activities.
• Make sure students are aware of all school rules governing their behavior while in school.
• Children may be embarrassed about being targeted by bullies, let them know it’s OK to report a bully to a teacher, principal or resource officer.
• Prepare your child for social situations. A certain level of social anxiety is normal. Respond to signs of anxiety by talking to your child about school concerns. Make time to listen when kids want to talk - review your child's worries one at a time and help them problem solve so they don't become overwhelmed.

• Avoid contact with corded phones.
• Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords.  Unplug electronic equipment well before the storm arrives because power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.
• Avoid contact with plumbing and bathroom fixtures because they can conduct electricity: do not wash hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes or do laundry.
• Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
• Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls.
• If you're caught outside during a storm, stay away from tall trees. Avoid open fields, beaches, and boats on the water. If possible, seek shelter in a thick growth of small trees or in a low lying area.  Also avoid anything metal such as golf clubs/carts, tractors, bicycles, etc. Seek shelter in a car if possible, but avoid touching any of its metal parts. 

• Breathing - if breathing has stopped, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
  
• Heartbeat - if the heart has stopped, administer CPR.
  
• Pulse - if the victim has a pulse and is breathing, look for other possible injuries. Check for burns where the lightning entered and left the body. Also be alert for nervous system damage, broken bones, and loss of hearing and eyesight.

• Use sunscreens with broad spectrum SPF values of 15 or higher regularly and as directed.
• Limit time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense.
• Wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun; for example, long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats.
• Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, more often if you’re sweating or jumping in and out of the water.

Ideas for saving energy

• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs with the ENERGY STAR label
• Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use
• Wash only full loads of clothes and dishes
• Take shorter showers
• Seal and caulk your home's air leaks
• Check your home for the recommended level of insulation
• Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees F
• Install a programmable thermostat in your home

• Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires annually. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. A dry and neglected tree can be.  
• Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.  
• Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
• Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

• Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
• Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets.
• Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be warm to the touch.

• Use Only Nonflammable Decorations
• All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.

• Army 877-736-5554
  
  Website: https://www.stoplosspay.army.mil/
  E-mail: RetroStopLossPay@CONUS.Army.Mil 
   
• Navy 901-874-4427
  
  Web site:  http://www.npc.navy.mil/ReferenceLibrary/MILPERSMAN/7000FinancialMgmt/7220_410.htm
  E-mail: NXAG_N132C@navy.mil 
   
• Marine Corps 877-242-2830
  
  Website: https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/stoploss
  E-mail: stoploss@usmc.mil 
   
• Air Force 800-525-0102
  
  Website: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/stoploss/
  E-mail (active): afpc.dpsos.stoploss@randolph.af.mil
  E-mail (guard/reserve): arpc.contactcenter@arpc.denver.af.mil
  
  The DoD Web site links to service-specific sites,where you can get more information, or begin the RSLSP claim process.