Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Compare flight prices. Find a flight (and hotel) booking website if you plan to fly. Consider alternate transportation options. Consider all transportation needs. Perform scheduled maintenance on your car.

Answer: Different airlines can offer widely variant prices for similar flights, so be sure you shop around if you’re planning to fly. Remember that booking a flight and hotel together may save you money if the website offers specials or discounts. These websites often compare flight prices from different websites for you, all in one place. While flying is the quickest way to travel long distances, other options such as taking a train or bus or even renting a recreational vehicle may be less expensive and more environmentally friendly.  They may also be more fun, particularly if traveling with children. Reaching your destination is only one transportation consideration.  Once you have arrived in the area, you will need to figure out how to get from the airport, train station, or bus station to your hotel.  You may also have plans to travel locally while on vacation.  Call the concierge at the hotel you’re staying at and ask whether the hotel offers complimentary or reduced-fee shuttle service to and from the airport.  If they don’t, ask for any advice on local ground transportation. Rent a vehicle if you will need to get around a lot once you have reached your destination.  If you’ll be doing a lot of sight-seeing in areas that are spread out, a rental car will be a better option than taxi services.  Be sure you know your hotel’s parking policies and fees. If you don’t plan to leave your destination once you get there (for example, if you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort), you may not need a rental car.  Consider a taxi or shuttle from the airport instead. If you are going to an urban area, search online for the city’s public transportation options.  Areas with subways, trains, or bus systems often offer daily or weekly passes that are much cheaper than rental car fees. If you’re planning to drive to your vacation spot, be sure your car is up-to-date on basic maintenance.  Check the air pressure in the tires. Change the oil if it has been 3 months or 3,000 miles since the last change. Be sure that all essential functions are in good working order: check wiper blades, headlights and taillights, brake pads, hoses, and belts. Be sure you have a spare tire and working jack.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). Place the seasoned steak in a shallow roasting pan. Place the pan in the oven. Allow the steak to rest for 3 minutes before serving. Finished.

Answer: Cook the steak, uncovered, for 40 or 50 minutes.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Preheat oven to 350℉ (175℃). Sift together 1 cup of flour, ¾ cup of cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon of baking powder, and ⅛ teaspoon of salt in a bowl. Blend the butter. Mix the two bowls of ingredients together using a whisk or electric whisk. Place in oven for 30 minutes. Finished.

Answer: (note: place butter in a microwave for 20 seconds to melt it), 2 cups of sugar, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 4 eggs, 3 tablespoons of peanut butter, and 3 tablespoons of Nutella together in a separate bowl. (The Nutella and peanut butter should also be melted down in the microwave for about 20 seconds.) Once mixed, place into a baking pan. Allow to cool and then enjoy!


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Ask for and check their references. Find out if they have emergency training. Take note if they’re on-time and seem prepared. Interview them by asking relevant questions. Take additional, more thorough background check measures. Let them interact with your kid(s). Get feedback from your kid(s). Set clear ground rules and evaluate their response. Compare their pay demands to the going rate in your area. Trust your instincts.

Answer:
Even if you’re considering a teenager as a babysitter, they should be able to whip up a quick list of references that includes previous clients or people who can vouch for their character. Ask for a list of at least 3 such people, and call them directly to confirm their recommendation. It’s best for your child’s safety if any babysitter you use has CPR certification and first aid training. If you’ve found an otherwise great babysitter who doesn’t have this kind of specific training, you might consider investing in the training for them — especially if you envision them becoming a long-term sitter for your family. Invite them over for an “interview” at a specific time (e.g., 6 o’clock) and see if they arrive on-time or even a little early. This is always a good sign! Also evaluate whether they seem prepared to discuss the job with you, and whether they seem excited about it. Sit down with the candidate and run through a list of questions you’ve prepared beforehand. Evaluate not only the content of their answers, but also their demeanor and comfort level. Ask things like:  What is it that you enjoy about caring for children? How many other families have you babysat for? What would you do if my child was choking? Could you stay later than scheduled if we’re running behind? Check out a detailed list of potential questions at https://www.sittercity.com/parents/find-child-care/babysitter-interview-checklist. If you'd like to take the next step beyond contacting references and asking detailed interview questions, you can typically check things like driving records, court records, and sex offender registries for free. To do so, you'll usually need to contact the relevant government authorities (or check their websites) where you live.  You can also pay to have third-party companies do more thorough background checks for you. You must get the person's written consent, however, before you do a background check on them. Your safest bet is to draw up a "Consent to Background and Reference Check" -- you can find free templates for these online. Give them at least 15-30 minutes to “hang out” with your child/children to get a feel for how their personalities mesh. Even better, set up a 1-2 hour “observation session” in which they babysit while you’re still in the house and occasionally checking in. Offer to pay for this observation session, like you would for a typical babysitting gig. Your kids shouldn’t have the final say on their babysitter, but that doesn’t mean you should completely ignore their opinions. Ask them if they liked the person, if they had a good time together, and what specific things they did together. You might want to use your kids’ opinions as the “tiebreaker” between two equally-viable candidates, for instance. Go over your house rules, the specific expectations for the job — meals, cleanup, bedtime, etc. — and the typical times when you’ll require their services. Take it as a positive sign if they ask questions and are eager to learn more about how things work in your home. Babysitting rates will vary widely based on factors like where you live, the number of kids you have, and the age and experience level of the sitter. A good general pay range is between $10-$15 USD per hour, though. Ask friends and neighbors how much they pay their babysitters. At the end of the day, you know your kid(s), your home, and your family’s needs the best. So if an otherwise qualified sitter just doesn’t “feel” right, you’re probably right to trust your gut and consider a different candidate. It’s great to give people a chance to prove themselves, but letting them do so while caring for your children isn’t the best scenario.