Just A Single Mom

The FRO Solution explains how child support in Ontario and Family Responsibility Office-FRO (Ontario’s Maintenance Enforcement Program-MEP) work.

The FRO Solution attempts to be the solution to those parties frustrated by the FRO and support payment issues, by offering a solution to better maintenance and enforcement of a child support order.

In review of the solution presented by “SIX” or the ”FRO Solution“ it was found to be not much of a solution at all for those who seek to have their support order maintained or enforced by “the FRO”.  Rather, their service is tailored to appeal and meet the needs of a payors looking to lower or decrease their support ordered obligation to pay child support.

Their solution comes with a membership fee of $50.00 applicable to both parties annually, and functions as a document management service or as they claim a “ledger”.  In short, it is a document repository for parties to upload their income tax documents and proof of section 7 expenses (extra expenses), for parties to better manage disclosure and review of the amount of support that either party is entitled to pay or receive.  It does not provide any viable solution to how the FRO would maintain or enforce and order held in their office.  The “FRO solution” does not and cannot by law under the PIPEDA, disclose any information or documentation to “the FRO” for purpose of maintenance or enforcement.  For changes to a order of support it is necessary to  return to court for a motion to vary or motion to change.

There is no case where the courts have included in any order for support that parties use a service such as “The FRO Solution”, no review on this service actually serving as the solution to child support payment issues.  In searching for a pending patent, as claimed to have by “the FRO Solution” no application for a patent pending was found with the The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).

In further review of the FRO Solution, it is found that their collection and storage of data and documents may put members at risk by lacking security to protect private information over the internet by not having a SSL Certificate on their sign up and login screens.  While the “FRO Solution/SIX” does claim to use SSL “when viewing the private user pages”  and to  maintain protection of privacy under the PIPEDA, members should ensure their document ledger offers the security,  thus fully protecting their personal information being transmitted, and stored over the internet.

The “FOR Solution” is simply putting parties at risk for a constant need of having to return to court to dispute or change an order for support year after year.  This solution, may not be the solution for parties to a child support order at all, and may be nothing more then a means for a particular lawyer to promote his legal services by advertising a “FRO solution” as a means to retain clients who have issues with their support payments, and seek resolution by seeking a motion to vary with the family court.

The only real “FRO solution”, or solution for “child support payment issues”, is for individual parties to be responsible for, and proactively communicate with “the FRO” for maintenance and enforcement of orders for child support.   “The FRO” is only able to effectively maintain and enforce any order for support when there is for cooperation of both parties.  The only solution to issues related to support payments is when one party is proactive in making contact to “the FRO” to review their order for support, and the enforcement of it.  To maintain the support payment amount,  both parties must offer truthful disclose, apply fairness per the Child Support Guidelines, and cooperate voluntarily, and oblige the order for support.

Whether it’s the advent of the novel, the introduction of rock and roll, television, or now, social media, one constant
remains: every up-and-coming generation embraces “new fangled inventions” while their parents struggle to accept and
understand these “modern” changes.

In fact, many parents avoid the tech talk because they don’t feel confident in their knowledge of this new social media world. However, ignoring this new frontier won’t make it disappear; rather, it can expose your kids to problems, predators and privacy breaches. Get a handle on your child’s online activities and:
Know the rules. Facebook restricts accounts to those 13 and older, so if your tween is bugging you about signing up,
you may be able to hold them off for a year or two with this information. Twitter, however, does not have the same
restrictions. If your child insists on getting social online sooner rather than later, consider more secure and age
appropriate sites designed for younger kids.
Spell out the risks. Kids learn to be wary of strangers in person, but they also need to know how to avoid befriending
strangers online. Explain the dangers of online predators and restrict kids to only connecting online with people they
know in real life. Also check that they aren’t giving away too much information on their public profile, such as their school
name, birthday or phone number, which could open the door to predators.
Explain the consequences. Kids live in the here and now and often don’t consider the impact of posting a mean
message or a photo down the line. Explain that every item they post, and every piece of information they share will
literally last a lifetime and can come back to haunt them. A good rule of thumb: if your kid wouldn’t discuss or show
something to their entire class, they shouldn’t share it online. Consider getting your kids to sign a social media
agreement, which clearly lays out your expectations and sets some defined ground rules.
Hang out in the background. Ensure you “follow” or “friend” your child to track their online activity. Insist on knowing
their account user names and passwords; if they text regularly, take a peek at their conversations every now and again.
Avoid being an overly-active friend online though, as you not only risk publicly embarrassing your kids in front of all of
their friends, but you also risk pushing them into creating a “secret account” you’re not aware of.

Keep an open door. Encourage your children to tell you if they’re being bullied online or if some activity they see just
feels wrong. Also, suggest they come to you if they’re not sure about whether or not it’s okay to post a photo or
information. The more open and available you are, the more likely they’ll be to approach you with a challenge, problem
or concern.
Enforce the rules. If your child breaks the rules you’ve agreed on, then ensure you follow through with the
consequences you’ve clearly laid out beforehand (e.g., shutting down an account, taking away their mobile phone for a
week, etc.). Be fair but strong so that kids know exactly what to expect if they violate your agreement.
You’re potentially violating your child’s privacy or exposing them to harmful scrutiny. Remember, your job as
a parent is to protect your kids; not put them in harm’s way.

Net Numbers

98 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds used the Internet in 2009.
86 per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds have a social networking profile compared with 62 per cent of 35 to 54-year-olds and 43 per cent of people older than 54.

201 Facebook friends is the average amongst teen users of the site.
47 per cent of parents feel overwhelmed with their teen’ online safety.
43 per cent of teens would change how they acted online if their parents were tracking them.

Schools out, vacation days booked, and Summer is well under way.  With the heat melting those ice cream cones and the ever cooling pool, it’s time to gear up for one of best summer past-time activities; THE MOVIES!

I have always enjoyed taking my kids from when they were little to see a movie.  The whole experience for them was exciting and grand.  whether meeting up with a friend to see the hottest chick flick, or having a date night, I still love going to the movies.

This summer’s movie line up is sure to please you in any situation.  Spend a hot afternoon, or evening enjoy a flick on me.

Thanks for your support!

Enter Daily to win 1 of 2  sets of FREE passes!

Times are tougher than ever before. Managing household finances can be like juggling on a tight rope over top a fire pit. The daily grind and stress of it all can be overwhelming and exhausting leaving little time to relax and enjoy much life has otherwise to offer.

Consistently being financially strapped, living paycheck to paycheck barely able to cover basic living expenses is not uncommon amongst a majority of homes. Rising energy and food costs, along with job uncertainty make it seem impossible to get ahead. We all are becoming less focused on the future in the long term, like our children’s college, and retirement, and more focused on what next month will bring.

It has never been a better time to recognize the state of our economy and look closer at how it has affected you. It is time to have a more proactive approach if you are going to survive these challenging economic times. If you don’t have a budget, you should make one and see where your money is going. Look for ways to cut costs wherever you can. Saving 5 dollars here and 10 on each household bill can make a huge impact on your monthly cash flow once you add up all the savings. Try these three bills first:

1. Cable/Internet/Phone
Reduce cable/internet bills, and consider cancelling home phone. Often when informing your service provider that you can no longer avoid services, and are looking to cancel, they will offer a promo of 25-50% off services to retain your business.

2. Cell Phone
Aim to have an unlimited calling area phone service. Companies offering local calling zones can reduce cell phone services in half, they usually have no network fee, eliminate the risk of unexpected charges.

3. Energy Bills
Be aware of peak hours with your energy company, do laundry, and major cooking during the off peak hours to reduce energy bill by almost half. Use energy efficient light bulbs and avoid leaving lights and electronics on when not in use. Further reduce energy bills by hanging clothes to air dry. These tips can easily impact your monthly energy costs by $25-$50.

Additionally, you should be in contact with organizations in your community providing funding for families feeling the pressures these economic times present. There is no shame in taking advantage of any of these programs, and I urge you to take advantage of them all. More mid-income families are taking needing to rely on these programs. Before finding yourself in such dire position, start reaching out to find what support is available in your community and how to become eligible. Usually everyone is eligible for one time support but can often receive ongoing monthly assistance from the following:

1. Food Banks
Taking advantage of these could save more than $200.00 from the monthly budget. Communities usually have more than one organization to visit, allowing monthly support at each by providing food and grocery store voucher’s.

2. Local Churches
Check with local churches for funding provided by organizations like United Way, to assist with emergency funds to help get ahead by covering a mortgage or rent payment, clothing, food, utilities, medications.

3. Debt Settlement Programs
If you can reduce your monthly loan payments, or amount you have to pay back in interest, take advantage of these. Despite the impact it may make on credit report, it can help keep you out of debt and free up cash flow ultimately making it possible for you to begin saving.

Once you have your monthly expenses under control, aim to save 10% of your income regardless how little it is. Take advantage a high interest low risk savings account under a government income tax exempt or tax deferral program.

The tough times are not easing anytime soon. It will be years before our economy will shift into more stable conditions. You must have a strategy to cope with the times and provide for family and survive these times, they are likely to get worse before better. Do what you have to do to survive these challenging times.