Ask, Know, Do

An Often Overlooked Holiday

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation declaring the first Sunday after Labor Day would annually be honored as National Grandparents Day.

What most people today are not aware of, however, is the history behind this holiday. Marian McQuade, a housewife from West Virginia, is known as the initial advocate of Grandparents Day. A lifelong advocate of the aging, McQuade encouraged grandchildren across the country to relish in the rich history and wisdom of their grandparents’ years.

National Grandparents Day, an often overlooked holiday, falls on Sunday, September 7^th this year.  It is a time to bring family members of all generations to spend time together.

Planning fun, engaging activities makes it easy to bridge the gap between multiple generations.

On National Grandparents Day, New York City is a great place to find these intergenerational activities, no matter where your interests lie. New York Foundation for Senior Citizens (NYFSC), the only non-profit, non-sectarian social service organization serving elderly throughout New York City’s five boroughs, recommends the following activities: 

1.    Picnic: Take a trip to the local market or grocery store and pick up lunch foods to restore the lost art of picnicking in the park, whether it is Central Park or the nearest one to you. On a fall afternoon, it is the perfect weather to sit outside and enjoy a meal together. Consider bringing lawn chairs to maximize comfort. http://www.nycgovparks.org/ 

2.    Art: Stop into a pottery painting studio.  Since the ceramics are bare, you can set your creative spirits free. At the end, you will have a nice take-home to remember the day. Studio fees range from $0 to12; pottery pieces range from $4 and up. http://www.timeout.com/new-york-kids/things-to-do/where-to-paint-your-own-pottery-in-nyc 

3.    Touring: Book a riverboat tour on the Hudson River. Relaxing on the water is a great way to see New York City from a new perspective, and maybe even learn a new fact or two. Cruises last between one to two-and-a-half hours and prices range from $20 to $40 per person. www.circleline42.com 

4.    Theatre: Purchase tickets to enjoy a Broadway spectacle together. Enjoy a classic musical together such as Lion King, or opt to see a fun, edgy performance like Kinky Boots.  http://www.stubhub.com/theater-tickets/ 

5.    Sports: September is a great time to attend a sporting event. Take advantage of your proximity to the US Open and attend an intense tennis match. Baseball games, whether you’re a Yankees or Mets fan, are an American classic.

http://usta.usopen.org/US-Open/ticket_plans/

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/ticketing/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ticketing/seating_pricing.jsp 

Gift Card Advice as Borders Closes the Book on Business

By Guest Author Andrea Woroch

In the wake of Borders recent announcement it's folding up shop, those holding gift cards from the bookstore chain may have cause for concern. While the second-largest bookseller says it's presently honoring gift cards, shoppers are well advised to use up their balances before it's too late. We faced a similar situation when Blockbuster and Circuit City filed for bankruptcy and are likely to do so again. To ensure consumers don't get left in the lurch, here are a five lessons we've learned from these experiences.

1. Move Fast
Store liquidations usually begin rapidly -- this Friday for Borders -- so it's often best to use up gift cards online, rather than wait until you have time to visit a retail store.  Borders liquidation website says all 399 remaining stores will close by September, but they may start writing the final chapter on your local store much earlier.

2. Research the Bankruptcy Status
Borders was refused bankruptcy, meaning they had no choice but to liquidate. Other retailers, however, filed for bankruptcy and turned things around. Sometimes a company that's filed for Chapter 11 is allowed by the bankruptcy court to honor its gift cards. California, however, specifically requires merchants in bankruptcy compensate gift card holders.

3. Consider the Company's Stability
If you hear tales of other merchants threatening to close shop, research their financial stability via such sites as BBB.com and Forbes Risk List. (Stores considered at-risk by Forbes presently include Rite Aid and Zales.) Also, ScripSmart.com regularly updates its list of "Gift Cards to Avoid."

4. Use It or Sell It
If you've received a gift card for a merchant you wouldn't frequent, don't wait until a store goes out of business. You can exchange gift cards for cash right now on such sites as GiftCardGranny.com and receive up to 95 percent of the card's value in cash.

5. Use a Credit Card
If you're concerned about a retailer's financial stability but still want to buy a gift card, do so using a credit instead of a debit card. You can then ask the card issuer to withhold payment until you're sure of the merchant's status.

Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc.. She is available for in-studio, satelite or skype interviews. As a nationally recognized media source, Andrea has been featured on NBC Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC, ShopSmart Magazine, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. To view recent interviews or for more savings tips visit AndreaWoroch.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.