According to a recent post by money saving blog WalletPop.com, many parents have put off signing their kids up for summer camp this year. Must admit, I'm one of them. A weak economy and high camp prices can't help but make you look twice & reconsider. Indeed, we may be suffering from Summer Camp Sticker Shock.

Our childcare system works well in Summer, but -- must say -- it takes some logistical prowess to crack the off-school calendar code, especially if you're a working parent &/or juggling other caregiving & community efforts. If you're creative and do a little homework, you can find some low-cost summer camps or alternative programs in your community.

Here are some tips:
- Some camps offer discounts for early sign-up (better hurry!)
- Camps affiliated w/ non-profits like YMCA or the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts) will be cheaper.
- Opt. for a Day Camp vs. a Sleep Away camp – find & compare camps at www.acacamps.org
- Nearly two-thirds of camps offer camper scholarships or financial aid. Many others allow parents to spread payments over the course of a year.
- Ask about discounts for enrolling more than one child.

More money saving tips: eHaggling - Your Mouse as a Bargaining Chip.

Am not entirely sure where or how my daughter gets this stuff, but she HAD to show me this last night .... Have no idea how they created it, but -- must admit -- it's pretty neat or -- in the words of her teen & pre-teen friends "pretty cool." They're right. Take a look ...

Pretty Cool

How cool is this ....! Haven't tested it yet, but can't wait to. You can turn a 10-30 second digital video clip into a little print flip book to re-create the moment. The smallest size would make the cutest party-favor can think of ... See Rave Reviews from bunch of sources, including HGTV's "I want that!" Me too:)

As discussed on radio this week, if you've ever been around Disney stars & their handlers, you know they run a tight ship. So, THIS must be a calculated decision to let Miley be Miley along with her best friend Mandy Jiroux as she transitions from having a 7-9 year old following to maintaining & building pre-teen & teen fans.

Reminds me of the transition of Lizzie McGuire to Hilary Duff.

The antics are pure 15-year-old. According to People Magazine, Miley does the editing. In other words, it's pretty much what every other teen girl you may know is doing -- except the beds they're jumping on are at the Four Seasons and the snacks they're pigging out on are on a private plane vs back of the station wagon. Otherwise, same, same.

Will say this ... Miley probably has 18 months tops before hanging out in bed with your girlfriend is going to have a whole different connotation & be the kind of viral video that cultivates the wrong kind of fan base. I hope she & everyone who works with her gets this & doesn't learn the hard way.

See what you think. As with the Hannah Montana concert, you may want to adjust the volume DOWN ...

This year, over 250,000 college students will go away on Spring Break, but they may not be as "away" as they may think. Parents who want to keep an eye on just how hot the action is getting, can go high-tech by tapping into beach web cams. EarthCam.com offers links to live views of popular Spring Break destinations like Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Fort Lauderdale and Daytona Beach. Kids who want to get psyched for the trip, can also check them out.

The cameras aren't really intended to "spy" on your kids, but they'll give you a good idea of the kind of festivities going on. Brace yourself! I showed one mom this weekend & her reaction summed it up well, "I'm nervous & jealous!"

As discussed with Gordon Deal on WSJ Radio, this video is -- well -- familiar;) Major notes to self ....

THE ONLINE BUZZ

Get Your Viewers Up-To-Date on This Month's Hot Topics: The March Madness Craze, Celebrating St. Patty's Day in Eco-Friendly Style, Making the Most of what's in Your Fridge without Spending a Cent, and Spring Break Insider Travel Tips

The Online Buzz is an up-to-the-second report of the freshest online trends and activity. What topics dominate chat rooms right now? Whose hits are spiking or sinking on the online search charts? What is the hottest viral video? Fronted by Regina Lewis, Online Buzz keeps your viewers ahead of the curve on the best of the Web every month in a smart, upbeat segment.

Regina is available the first Wednesday and Friday morning of every month via satellite or tape from Dulles, Virginia . The Online Buzz currently airs in major markets including Atlanta , Detroit , Denver and Charlotte as well as on CNN Headline News.

Regina can customize your segment to cover topics dominating your market, in a personal and localized fashion. Custom tags and introductions are available by request. This month's topics options include:

· Manage March Madness. It's one the year's most anticipated online events and Regina offers up online bracket tips, the scoop on watching the games online and helps you balance work with your March Madness cravings.

·

Five Easy Ways

to Go Green: With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, Regina checks in with the greenest folks around, the editors at GreenDaily, for tips on going online to green up your life.

· Get Ready for Spring Break. Easter is early this year- March 23- so Spring Break is just around the corner. For those traveling, Regina has tips on getting through security fast, last-minute vacation planning and the most popular destinations. And, if your teenager is a Spring Breaker... Webcams so you can watch. How they work and why you might want to be careful what you wish for!

· Make the Most of What's in Your Fridge: Short on time at the end of the day? Regina tells you how to make the most of what's in your fridge or pantry to save serious time and money.

· Viral Video- See what everyone is watching this month! The cyberspace video we can't seem to get enough of. You won't believe the story behind the clip!

Regina Lewis, AOL Consumer Advisor, national TV contributor, tech-trend expert, knows the tips, tricks, secrets and shortcuts for making technology work. She is as an expert commentator for a wide range of national network and cable programs, including The Today Show, The View, Fox & Friends and weekly segments on CNN Headline News. The mother of three, she's been honored on Capitol Hill for her work in championing online kids safety.

Interviews made possible by AOL. Regina Lewis is a national television contributor appearing regularly on network and cable news programs. Find out more about Regina at www.reginalewis.com

A friend brought this site to my attention. He friend Megan Siegel created it. It's quite the creation. Have seen a lot of photo sites, but never anything quite like Zenie Bottle. Definitely take a look ... The music really makes it all come together. The virtual collages are relatively easy to put together & it doesn't cost a thing. There are some really creative ones. You can post anonymously which is nice option to have. Fun way to share photos of a certain event or around a theme. You can even insert video. Plus, you can post your bottle on your website or Facebook page. Pretty neat.

Here's a sweet one called "My Best Friend's Wedding!" , another for an Inspiring Athlete one of my friend's lovely family.

View more Zenie Bottles

Personally think you can spend & waste (depending on implementation or lack thereof) a ton of cash at this store. If you don't have one in your area or if you want to resist the urge to splurge (it's hard to get out of there without a full cart), check out www.containerstore.com . Some of their items were featured in REAL SIMPLE magazine this month (another fabulous concept easier said than done). This item caught my eye ...

GroundHog.org is the official site of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, where it's seemingly Groundhog Day 365 days a year. But each February 2, Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobbler's Knob - in front of thousands of followers from all over the world - to predict the weather for the rest of winter. According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.


According to the groundhog.org, Punxsutawney Phil makes his annual prediction in "Groundhogese," a language only understood by members of the Ground Hog's Inner Circle ... They're the guys in the tuxes and top hats.

Watch Phil's Prediction on Live Webcast
You can watch Punxsutawney Phil make his prediction live on the Web, beginning at 7am (EST) by clicking here.

Log on to groundhog.org for more about the evolution of Groundhog Day and the legend of Punxsutawney Phil ... You can even become an official card carrying member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

A new social-networking site is stirring up a bit of nostalgia in cyberspace. WereYouThere gives you a place to share memories of common experiences – from major events in history like Man Landing on the Moon, 9/11 or the assignation of JFK ... to lighter times like "Beatlemania," or Fashion Fads of the 70's. You can liven up your memories with photos and video and share them with friends and generations to come. This weekend my youngest son asked: "Mom, did you know any pilgrims when you were little?" He probably thinks I could really contribute to this site ... :) ENJOY.

Many of you may have heard me talk about www.blackvoices.com on the radio. Well-organized, thoughtful & timely, the editorial content provides a refreshing forum. Sometimes I visit the site, just to get a broader take on issues in the news. There's also some pretty eye-opening polls & no shortage of comments on hot-button issues. Today there's a social feature on Martin Luther King Jr. It's beautifully done & a few minutes on this impressive site, really helps serve as a reminder of his impact. You can read & listen to his speech. Now, in the era of online video, you can even watch it on-demand. Pull a chair over & let the kids see ...

Parents purchasing video games for their children can find out the hard way the ratings on the box .-- "E" for everyone or "T" for teen -- don't always tell the full story. Enter: WhatTheyPlay.com, a new online guide with a searchable database of game reviews cuts straight to the potentially edgy portions of games. It's a must click any parent considering whether their child is ready to join the "World of Warcraft" or become the next "Guitar Hero."

This is not the time you want to come to down with something ... for sniffles, runny noses and coughs consider referring to these sites with some home remedies: AOL Body, Home Remedies for You and the Mayo Clinic have proposed cures for everything from the Common Cold to Snoring. They all -- of course -- suggest pursuing clinical care if/as needed, which people tend to skip over the holidays.

www.home-remedies-for-you.com

www.mayoclinic.com

This holiday site is a HOOT! Turn yourself into a virtual dancing elf! "Elf Yourself" by uploading a photo and after a few quick adjustments with the site tool, you're off and dancing. You can add up to four pictures = four dancing elfs ... so it's fun for the whole family.

Speaking of fun ... I just had to turn Regina into a dancing elf. Click to watch.

Happy Holidays!

Jeff - from team Regina.