As the economy has worsened, the printable coupons section of http://Hawaii.MomsLikeMe.com has been growing more popular. This month's offerings include coupons for $1 to $2 off selected Yoplait, Pillsbury and Kotex products, and $5 to $10 off some Hasbro and LeapFrog learning toys. Just go to http://Hawaii.MomsLikeMe.com and click on the pink Coupons tab visible at the top of any page. New coupons are added all the time, so check back regularly.

— Esme Infante Nii

A SLEEKER SHARPIE

PERMANENT PEN GETS SHINY MAKEOVER

Everyone needs a permanent pen at some point, but for moms with school-aged children, a Sharpie is practically essential. How else are you going to label your young children's clothes, extra clothes and Zip bags for their soiled clothes when they need to change into their spare outfits?

Permanent pens are even more important in the computer age, when older kids are turning in some of their homework on CD. Try labeling one of those with a No. 2 pencil. But no matter how fine its point or saucy-colored its cap, until now, a Sharpie's gray barrel has always been its most defining, and arguably most unflattering, physical characteristic.

That's all changed with the new stainless steel Sharpie that's even fatter than the traditional ones, but that just offers more surface to shine. At $6.99 on Amazon.com, it's pricey, but it's also refillable.

— Treena Shapiro