Every time I turn on the television, grim faced newscasters impart tales of threatening economic times. I hear tales of an almost certain economic disaster. “Possible Recession!” screams a newspaper headline. Gas prices are at an all time high, milk is close to $4 a gallon, and something as simple as a magazine can set you back more than $5. And, hello? A $6 cup of coffee? I really don’t have to read about tough times to know they exist. I merely have to balance my checkbook.

I don’t have to tell you that having kids is expensive. Groceries, shoes, school supplies - it all adds up. The necessities every month threaten to take over my budget, never mind the extras. “Can I join art club? It’s only $75!’ asks one daughter. “”What about indoor soccer? I need new shoes, and knee pads,” says another. The littlest ones just want toys. And books, and more toys.

Up in my attic I have bags and boxes of things my kids are no longer using. The playroom contains puzzles and books, playsets and baby dolls that aren’t being played with, taking up space. Listing those here on Zwaggle will give me Zoints, and I can trade those in for things that my kids will use. Things they’ve been asking for, things that will make life more fun for them, and using the Zwaggle site helps me to make them happy, all the while allowing me to use my cash for other, boring, adult things.

Like gas in my van. Yikes - isn’t there any way to trade a stroller for a fill up?

And I went ahead and posted several books for sale on Zwaggle. I was curious as to how painful the entire process would be; having been bitten several times with other “for sale” sites, I was a bit leery. Would anyone want my items? Would they be priced too high, or too low? What about the buyers - would they be legitimate, honest buyers, or would I be suckered?

I had five books that I no longer needed - two maternity, one parenting, and two general humor. Posting them took just minutes. Once I added in my photo, the Zwaggle process walked me through the steps, assessing the value of each book and posting them as available. It was over almost before I began. Then the waiting began.

Within a day, three of my books were chosen and I agreed to send them. Because I’d picked seller shipping, it was my responsibility to print off Fed Ex Ground labels, pack up the books, and ship them out. Not being familiar with Fed Ex Ground, I was certain that it’d be too expensive to use, but I was pleasantly surprised at how reasonable the cost was - comparable to both USPS and UPS.

Just two days later, I had an email in my inbox, telling me that the book had been received and approved by the buyer, and a day later, the Zoints were credited to my account, ready to use for my own purchases. Quick, easy and painless.

It’s a process I’d highly recommend, and one I plan to repeat. What’s stopping you?

A few days ago, one of my older kids came up to me, complaining of foot pain. I brushed it off, thinking that it was just a case of shoes tied too tight and told him to stop complaining.

Yeah, I’m so patient and loving.

Today, he was still complaining, and so I decided to take him to the shoe store. I had bought shoes for him two months ago, several pairs - school shoes, sneakers, running shoes for track team, church shoes - and so I was fairly confident that the shoes were not the problem. Maybe he had something wrong with his feet.

Yes, indeed, he did have something wrong with his feet. They were being squeezed into shoes two sizes too small and a full width too narrow. This has been the pattern lately for a lot of his stuff, both clothing and shoes. It seems that no sooner do I get the tags cut off and the shirts washed then he is unable to button them up - they are that tight.

Kids grow amazingly rapidly. Really, it is almost inhuman, how quickly it happens. When they shoot up, you can be left with bags of sweaters and boxes of shorts. And what about the sports gear? The cleats, the shin guards, tennis rackets and miniature golf clubs - those things cost plenty of money and it’d be nice to recoup some of that value, wouldn’t it? Especially if you have to turn around and get them the next size up.

List those older kids items here. Zwaggle is not just a site for baby stuff, but rather, a full service site for parents with kids of all ages. Send it on to another family, and use your Zoints to buy something you need. Maybe even something for you.

Is anyone listing a Spa Day?