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Mopeds for Kids A Necessity? The headline told the story: Mopeds Present A Problem. The picture caption was explicit: Hie problem with mopeds,isn’t the machine: it’s the driver. The story quoted the police lieutenant's description: They're my nemesis. The biggest problems the police officer explainedare underage youngsters (you must be at least 15 to drive a moped), and riding double (which state law also forbids). Aside from stopping illegal drivers and halting unsafe actions when they see them occurring, police can do little’to prevent what must eventually lead to a moped-related fatality. Responsibility for safe and legal operation of mepeds lies squarely with the parent. Not even with the young driver as much as the parent, since most persons who drive mopeds seem to be teenagers too young (under 18) to qualify legally as responsible citizens. The first question a parent should ask is: Is a moped necessary. Necessary is the word, given our energy thirsty age where another energy shortage is inevitable. Sure a moped is a great gasoline-saver. But not if its use is unnecessary. Joyriding (often illegally) is as unnecessary as is parental push today to drive children into adulthood long before its time. Mopeds have a very important place in an age of dwindling fossil fuels. But their use is only positive when they replace or become a substitute for otherwise heavier motor vehicle which consumes more fuel. Their use is detrimental to the individual and society when they replace a bicycle. While it may be a good idea for your son or daughter's first vehicle to Be a moped, it clearly should never be a substitute for your youngster's bicycle.

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Q. I am a Vietnam Veteran, and I have been having some trouble with my balance, perception, and have skin irritations. I don’t know if I was affected by anything in Vietnam. I know it isn’t an emotional problem but a physical problem and it isn’t going away. la there any place I can go to check it out? A. If you feel that you have been in contact with herbicides while you were in Vietnam call the Cape May County Veteran’s Bureau, who are sponsoring an active campaign for Vietnam veterans who have had contact with Agency Orange or other herbicides in Vietnam. Call Mrs. Hevener at the Veteran’s Bureau - 8862762. • Q. My child is IMt years old and has been very slow in her development. I don’t know whether her intelligence is normal or not. I am upset and I don’t know where to turn. A. Based on what information you've given, I would have her evaluated by her pediatrician. I would also get in touch with the Association for Retarded Citizens Project Horizon Program, which does assessment training, guidance, and counseling for families and children age birth to three years old Call 465-9349 Project Horizon is located atSlxth & Maryland Aves. in Rio Grande, behind the Shop Rite Supermarket.

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Money Matters Financial Roadmap

By Vince Fulglniti An unknown commentator on the human condition once observed that "most people aim at nothing in life and hit it wjth amazing accuracy.” If you are among those not satisfied with the results of last week’s income and expense plan, you signed up for a potentially rewarding part-time job - managing your own money. If you are married, your spouse is your business partner and managing your money requires joint participation in the important planning step. Moon, June, and spoon don’t always create a harmonious financial tune. JOINT RESOLUTION of financial goals can touch on many more sensitive issues previously explored than whether to buy that new outboard motor or a fur coat. People are creatures of habit and changing habits will call for greater sacrifice and a more positive attitude of cooperation than most people really expect. Step II-Where Am I Going? You can manage your money without positive goals if you never hope to have any more than you do now. Setting goals involves simply saying, ‘‘This is the something I want to be part of my life style. These are my dreams!" TO BE REALISTIC, consider the needs and wants of the family as a whole. Even the breadwinner can not sit down and list the dreams of each family member. Have each member draw up a list of specific goals and dreams. Try a five-year time frame. After completing the lists, separate by priority - 1. Must have. 2. Should have. 3. Would be nice to have. Then separate them by putting a time on each (month/year). WHEN THE LIST of family dreams is completed and agreed upon, you have a working

schedule that could look like this: Short Term Second Bath — Target date July 1181, time 10 months, coat/month 9110. Long Term College Taltion (let year) — Target date Sept. 1084, time five years, cost $4,000, cost/month $07. After adding the cost per month of short term goals to the cost per month of long term goals, you know the amount per month required to reach those goals. Add this figure to your fixed expense from last week’s income and expense plan then subtract from yourmonthly income. YOU WON’T have to go to Atlantic City casinos to find out that the odds are that the amount required to meet your fixed expenses and to reach all goals is more than your current income. If so, don’t quit now! You just found out what the problem is. Three things can be done - 1. Increase your income. 2. Decrease your expenses; or, 3. Modify your goals, you will probably do all three.

Increasing your income can mean either you or your spouse working harder or longer, or hopefully I can show you how to make your money work harder for yod. DECREASING YOUR expenses can be done but it requires changing your spending habits. If your income were cut by $44/week, it would mean belt tightening but somehow you would manage. Think! Why wait for time and tide to do this to you. Doing it yourself would save that $167 month'y needed to meet your goals. Modifying your goals could mean stretching the time out, or scaling down the cost of the dream. y Be realistic but be enthusiastic about those goals. Keep track of what you do each month. Reexamine your progress! Now that we know where we are going and when, let’s look at how to get there next week.

Vince Fulginitt, a Wildwood resident, is an account executive with a leading investment broker.