Well, it’s been a tough financial year for most of us, and the holiday season isn’t going to help. I love to be generous, but I also have to be realistic and stay within my budget. And for some, the end of the year and the start of the shopping season may be the perfect time to get some financial training.

Starting next week, Iowa State University Extension program will be offering online holiday financial classes. Classes will meet for one hour on Mondays at noon or Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. The class covers everything from creating a budget and tracking expenses to credit and predatory lending.

For more information or registration forms, contact the ISU Extension office at 641-512-0650 or e-mail schmitt@iastate.edu.

Posted under Economy, Education, Holiday, Web/Tech

It seems like a female right of passage. Your first Black Friday. A mixture of child-like anticipation, consumer-driven desire and competitive adrenaline. It’s an American tradition that I’ve never really had much interest in. Last year I blogged about Black Friday, but didn’t admit that I’ve never taken part.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to shop. I especially love Christmas shopping. But I’m more of a leisurely browser than a power shopper. I carefully plan each gift for my friends and family. And I do not like crowds when I’m shopping. That’s why all through college I would go grocery shopping in the middle of the night.

But, just like everyone else, I’m trying to save a few bucks, and I think I might take the plunge this year and have my first Black Friday experience.

Here’s what I’m using to prep:

http://www.blackfriday.info/

http://bfads.net/

These sites include product lists with photos, icons showing door busters and rebates, and include full scans of the original store ads. You can also choose to add items to a shopping list so you have a clear game plan.

I’m also adding an iPhone app to the mix. Tara Thomas introduced me to ShopSavvy. It will scan any bar code and then show you online listings for that product. Basically, it’s a way to do some comparison shopping in the middle of the fray. I spent some time running around the newsroom scanning books, food wrappers, the Kleenex box…just to test it out.

What are your Black Friday secrets? I’m looking for some guidance from the pros!

Posted under Holiday, Web/Tech

I’ve seen this circulating on some tech blogs, but beyond that it doesn’t seem to be gaining much steam.

A bill in the House of Representatives right now would provide low-income families with the money for broadband access. Called the Broadband Affordability Act of 2009, it was introduced back in September by California Representative Doris Matsui. Right now it’s sitting in a committee.

I can see both sides to this argument. In a time when people are losing their jobs and the healthcare debate is center stage, should broadband access be a high priority? At the same time, my parents live in Tanzania and have a faster Internet connection than some people who live here in eastern Iowa.

Of course, when you start to talk about affordability, you also need to look at accessibility. That’s one of many issues found in the I-Jobs legislation passed earlier this year in Iowa. In that bill was $25 million to promote the deployment and sustainability of high speed Internet access in communities without it. As of August, Iowa is working to map available broadband in the state to help prioritize projects.

So what are your thoughts on the affordability and accessibility of broadband access here in Iowa. And do Iowans even care?

Posted under Economy, Politics, Web/Tech

Health departments across the county have recently suggested that hospitals limit the number and even ages of visitors to help curb the spread of H1N1. At St. Luke’s in Cedar Rapids, that means the groups Mommy and Me and the Breastfeeding Support Group have been postponed until further notice.

St. Luke’s is using the live-blogging tool “Cover It Live,” (which we also use here on KWWL.com) to keep mom’s connected during the support group hiatus. The program will allow new mom’s to chat with each other or ask questions to a health expert moderating the conversation.

The groups are password protected. For times or to request log in information, call (319) 369-7166.

Posted under Health, Web/Tech

I was browsing the iPhone app store last night and the Genius tab suggested I try TripIt. Normally I would have glazed right over any travel apps since I don’t travel as much as I used to, but I actually have a long trip coming up in December and I’ve been looking for a way to organize it all.

It seems pretty simple on the surface – you e-mail TripIt your confirmation itinerary. It breaks down each leg of your trip, then allows you to add notes like car rental info, maps and weather information to each stop.

When I do travel, it’s normally to visit my parents in Tanzania, and I’m always a little skeptical of travel sites. I feel like they promise me the world, but can rarely deliver anything outside the U.S. My upcoming trip involves flights through 3 continents and 5 countries. So I decided to put TripIt to the test.

I forwarded my itinerary to TripIt, and in less than 5 minutes, my travel plans showed up both online and in the iPhone app. Each flight has a button to check flight status and check in online, weather for both departure and arrival. It also lists all of the important info like confirmation number, seat number, meals and timezone. For Mac users, it will also sync with iCal.

Probably the nicest feature so far – the ability to add extra info to each stop. I have a longer layover in Washington, D.C. where I plan to meet up with friends and I’ve been adding maps and contact info into that section.

You can also upgrade to TripIt Pro and get alerts about flight delays and track your frequent flyer miles.

So far, I’m impressed. But, I won’t leave home without a hard copy of all my travel plans. I’m not sure what my cell service will look like when I leave the states and I’m still a little skeptical of the accuracy until I see it action.

Have your own online travel tool? I’m always open to suggestions! Leave a comment!

Posted under Travel, Web/Tech

If you’ve ever found yourself looking at your neighborhood on Google Earth – then this event is right up your alley.

Cedar Rapids is hosting an open house on Nov. 16, to showcase GIS, a computer-based mapping tool the city uses for everything from police response to land development. The open house with showcase the software’s role in the community and there will also be a map gallery and interactive mapping stations open to the public. The open house will be at the Cedar Rapids Public Library at Westdale Mall from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

GIS stands for geographic information systems, and extends beyond Cedar Rapids. GIS Day is actually an annual international event happening on Nov. 18. You can find out more at www.gisday.com or on Twitter (@GIS_Day).

Posted under Education, Web/Tech

I don’t think the hype was anything to rival an Apple release, but even this iPhone owner is wondering if the grass is greener on the other side.

I have a big decision to make. When my contract is up next year, do I upgrade to 3GS or do I go Android?

I’ve read the reviews and watched the demos. But, I need the opinion of an average person and not a tech expert.

Anybody picked up one of the new Droid and willing to write a quick review for my blog? E-mail me or leave a comment.

Posted under Web/Tech