Email Blunders

Hi Folks,

I have no idea why Feedburner seemed to randomly send out a post from May about National Biking Month. I’m not sure what went wrong. Hopefully the next post you receive in your inbox or in your feed reader will be more time-appropriate.

Stay tuned and thanks for your patience.

Beth

Safe and Effective Sunscreens 2010

beach Safe and Effective Sunscreens 2010Last year’s post on Safe and Effective Sunscreens is one of the most popular on this site. It highlights the results of the Environmental Working Group’s sunscreen study. My goal was to look through their recommended options to find the most readily available and inexpensive sunscreens. EWG has just come out with their newest sunscreen study for 2010. Sadly, only 8% of all sunscreens tested made it onto the approved list and they are all expensive.

There are several reasons why only 8% made the cut this year. One is a concern about the safety of Vitamin A in sunscreen products and the possibility that it actually increases our risk of skin cancer. Another reason relates to the effectiveness of sunscreens. EWG has found that effectiveness claims are rarely as they appear. It’s entirely possible that the sunscreen you’ve been using doesn’t have the protection you think it does. Read the full study yourself for all the details.

EWG has also created a helpful tool that allows you to input your sunscreen and then receive feedback about its ratings. You can try out the tool below.

A note about naysayers: Every year after the release of EWG’s sunscreen study, the internet is abubble with claims that EWG’s report is in error, that poorly rated sunscreens really do work, aren’t dangerous, etc. If you check the sources of these claims however, they almost always come from the sunscreen industry — either companies who manufacture the very sunscreens that were rated poorly or other businesses that have a vested interest in certain sunscreen products performing well in the market. As such, I tend not to trust these arguments. I will say that I am not a scientist and I am unable to break down EWG’s study to find gaps. I do believe, however, that the sunscreens they recommend are safe. While they are also expensive, I’m willing to err on the side of caution here. The primary method suggested by EWG for reducing harmful sun exposure is to cover up. Wear UV protective clothing, wear hats, stay out of the sun during peak daytime hours if you can.

10 Safe and Effective Sunscreens From EWG’s 2010 Study

You can view the full list here.

1. California Baby SPF 30 + Sunscreen Lotion 2.9 oz Safe and Effective Sunscreens 2010 – $17.99 ($6.20/ounce)

2. California Baby SPF 30 + Sunblock Stick – No Fragrance, .5 oz  Safe and Effective Sunscreens 2010 – Pack of 2 for $25.98 ($25.98/ounce)

3. Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+, 5.3-Ounce Tube Safe and Effective Sunscreens 2010 – $24.50 ($4.62/ounce)

4. All Terrain AquaSport Performance Sunblock, SPF 15, 3-Ounces  Safe and Effective Sunscreens 2010 – Pack of 2 for $20.28 ($3.38/ounce)

5. Badger Sunscreen for Face & Body SPF 30 2.9 oz Safe and Effective Sunscreens 2010 – $15.99 ($5.51/ounce)

6. Jason Natural Products Sunbrellas Chemical Free Sun Block 4 oz. Safe and Effective Sunscreens 2010 – $11.21 ($2.80/ounce)

7. JASON NATURAL PRODUCTS, Earth’s Best Baby Care Chemical Free Sun Block SPF30+ – 4 oz Safe and Effective Sunscreens 2010 – $13.58 ($3.39/ounce) [This is the one we use for our kids]

8. Loving Naturals Organic SPF 30 Sunscreen Zinc Oxide 4 Oz. UVA/UVB Vegan Safe and Effective Sunscreens 2010 – $19.75 ($4.93/ounce)

9. La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Suncreen Cream UVA Protection with Mexoryl SX, 1.7-Ounce Tube Safe and Effective Sunscreens 2010 – $25.98 ($15.28/ounce)  [I use this one for my face]

10. Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm SPF 15 3.5 oz. – $27.90 ($7.97/ounce)

EWG has also created a Hall of Shame that lists 8 popular sunscreens and explains the problems with them. Be sure to check out that list.

I hope you’ve found this post helpful. If so, please spread the word by sharing with the people you know.

Photo Credit: Pink Sherbet

How To Make the Most of Craigslist

for sale 300x199 How To Make the Most of CraigslistYears ago I used ebay a lot. Mostly for selling, occasionally for buying. In the years since, ebay’s fees have gone up, and the stuff I have for sale has gotten bigger — kids’ gear and toys are rarely small. Because of the size of these items, shipping isn’t a good option. That’s when I started using Craigslist for buying and selling.

I’m by no means a Craigslist expert, but I have learned a few things since I started buying and selling kids’ stuff there. Here are some tips:

If You’re Buying

♦ Plan in advance. If you know you want to give your kids a ride-on John Deere Gator for their birthday in September, start looking a few months in advance. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to watch the Craigslist ads and wait for the right deal.

♦ Take someone with you when you go to look at an item. I like to believe that the world is a safe place, but it just makes sense to take a friend when you’re going to a stranger’s house.

♦ Be prepared to pay cash for the item when you go to look at it. But don’t be afraid to walk away if it’s not exactly what you want.

♦ It’s okay to ask the seller if she’ll take $xx for the item, but don’t be a jerk about it. Most of the time people will take a little less, but sometimes they won’t. Decide on the maximum price you’re willing to pay before you get there.

I’ve bought quite a few things for my kids on Craigslist. For larger toys and playsets, it makes sense to avoid paying full-price for a new item, especially if it’s something the kids are likely to out-grow. It’s also good for the environment to reuse an item that’s already out there, rather than buying, and therefore causing more production of, something new.

If You’re Selling

♦ Do a search on Craigslist for the item you will be selling. See if there are others already listed and compare prices, age and condition of the item(s).

♦ Clean it up before listing. Clean items are more appealing and are more likely to sell.

♦ Be as detailed as possible in your listing. Include photos. Disclose and photograph any problems — it will save you a lot of time later.

♦ Be honest. The person who contacts you first gets first dibs.

♦ Ask a fair price, but be willing to haggle a little.

♦ Providing a phone number in the listing makes things move along more quickly. I always use the anonymous email option, but do give my cell number.

In General:

Buy quality products (used or new) and take care of them. If you do, you’ll get a good return on your money. We recently sold a Power Wheels Barbie Jeep How To Make the Most of Craigslist, a Peg Perego John Deere Gator  How To Make the Most of Craigslistand a BOB Revolution Duallie How To Make the Most of Craigslist stroller. In each case, I was able to get well more than half of what I paid for each item. It was a good deal (compared with buying new) for the buyers and a good deal for us.

I’d love to know what tips and suggestions you have for buying and selling with Craigslist. Tell us about them in the comments.

Photo Credit: David M Hepburn