by Mrs C | May 13, 2020 | Blog
Death is an inevitable part of life, one that should be carefully planned for. Among other considerations, it is important to set up a few precautions to financially protect your loved ones when you pass away. There are three things you’ll want to make sure you have in order before you pass away.
Life Insurance
Death is both a tragedy and very expensive. Between the cost of funerals, grave preparations, and other incidental costs the expenses can easily rack up. Having a life insurance plan can help offset some of these costs as well as go towards repaying any debts you owed in life.
Term life insurance can be a less expensive option that might suit your needs and circumstances better than general life insurance. Term life insurance includes different time length options depending on your particular needs. The insurance company will pay your beneficiaries if you die during the policy’s term, in exchange for a monthly fee to the insurance company to keep your policy active. If you are working in a high-risk environment, a term life insurance policy for the time you plan to work in that field may be a good option.
Write a Will
Writing a will is essential to ensuring that your assets go to the right people after your passing. It also makes the process of dividing your assets go much faster than leaving it for the state to decide. When writing a will, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind. Make sure the will is legally binding, which requires signatures from you as well as two witnesses not listed in the will. It may also need to be notarized, depending on your state laws. Keep your debts in mind when leaving large assets to your loved ones such as houses. If you are still paying off a mortgage or auto loan, make sure the person you leave the asset to can financially handle taking over repayment.
Name an Executor
Just because you die doesn’t mean your finances don’t need to be properly managed, and the carrying out of your last wishes won’t just happen on its own. Part of estate planning involves the creation of a will and naming an executor for your estate. An executor is someone you name to help ensure your last will and testament is carried out properly. Without one named in your will, the state will usually name your spouse or eldest next of kin as the executor, whether or not they are prepared or trustworthy enough for the position.
With these three things taken care of, your assets will be in good hands after your passing, and your loved ones will be protected from the debts left behind as well as potential fraud that may occur in the ensuing chaos of sorting out your assets.
Read some more great financial tips in this article: How Your Family Can Save Money on Food Each Month
by Mrs C | May 7, 2020 | Blog
Looking for a house to rent can be a headache. The process can drain your time, energy, enthusiasm and wallet. However, a few smart moves can make your search much more pleasant and less demanding. Here are three ways you can save yourself effort and disappointment during your search for your next rental home.
Create a Budget With Room for Hidden Costs
Because the rental prices of properties are so varied and the additional costs associated with the process aren’t always obvious at a glance, a budget will help you stay on track. According to Oz Moving, when you sign a lease for a place to live, there are other expenses besides the rent. You’ll have to take into consideration the application fee, security deposit, pet deposit, moving expenses, and more. These incidental expenses will vary from one house to the next. However, these expenditures are unavoidable facts of life. Having a structured budget can help you stay focused on the big picture so that these little costs don’t catch you by surprise or drain your money.
Compare Prices of Similar Properties
According to FirstKey Homes, comparing prices of different houses helps you avoid rental scams. Unfortunately, there are people out there trying to get over on unsuspecting renters, so you must do what you can to protect yourself. Houses in the same neighborhood should be priced around the same amount if they’re similar in size and features. You may even be able to ask some of the residents what they’re paying as well as other pertinent questions. Sure, that’s personal information, but you’d be surprised at the amount of helpful information you can get from potential neighbors.
Consider Different Locations
You’ve heard it before: The most important factor in real estate is the location. Certain houses are going to be more expensive simply because of where they’re situated. This also means that associated costs may be more expensive. If you find that renting a house in a particular neighborhood will simply cost too much, try a neighborhood a few blocks or miles away. You’d be surprised at how fast prices can drop with distance.
It’s true that a search for a house to rent can be exhausting. However, if you follow the tips outlined above, you can significantly reduce the amount of effort, time and money you’ll put into it. Remember to set a budget for yourself, compare similar houses and consider different locations. You’ll be able to settle in sooner and feel more comfortable.
Read more great money-saving tips in this article: What You Can Do to Save Money on Everyday Household Items
by Mrs C | Apr 16, 2020 | Blog
You may be ready for a successful potty training journey, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a smooth transition. Potty training is difficult for many kids, and it can be frustrating if you are the adult trying to encourage the process. Here are some things to keep in mind if potty training isn’t workout out the way you wanted.
Try Something New
If you have gone down a potty training path that isn’t working, it’s time to try something new. Not every child responds to the same approach, but there are plenty of places to look for other techniques. There are lots of creative potty training tips on the web that you can try if other methods aren’t working for you and your toddler. Parenting websites with information on this topic are everywhere. Books in your local library also will likely cover potty training. It’s also a good idea to ask relatives and friends what worked when they were potty training a little one. You never know where you will find the right advice, so explore a variety of sources.
Offer an Incentive
Some adults don’t like the idea of offering a child a reward for using the potty. However, this approach can help get the process started, and the reward can be something that you are OK with offering. A longer bedtime story, an extra serving of fruit or a special date are all possibilities when it comes to rewards. A child won’t require a reward to use the potty forever. In fact, kids quickly move beyond needing this motivation. Positive peer pressure and the elimination of diapers will be the real rewards when your child gets the hang of potty training.
Be Patient
Being patient is important. Every child is different, and your child has to potty train when he or she is ready. If your child senses that you are stressed about the situation, he or she will become stressed. This can actually cause potty training to take longer. Acknowledge small wins, and let the process unravel in its own time. Eventually, your child will use the potty. You don’t want to look back at your time trying to potty train your child as simply days or months of stress.
Potty training isn’t an easy process, but it is a necessary part of raising a child. Stay calm, try different approaches, and eventually you will find success!
by Mrs C | Apr 15, 2020 | Blog
This pandemic has brought significant disruption to our normal day-to-day life. With the rising number of people getting infected, we’re reminded of this new reality daily. Even while we’re all sheltering-in-place, you need to make sure your family is protected against infection. You do this by relying on valid information, establishing a new family discipline on personal hygiene, practicing social distancing and caring for one another.
Keep Things Clean and Disinfected
Let’s start by using a disinfectant. You may use household disinfectants if they are available, but you might have to make one yourself. If so, you can mix 4 teaspoons of bleach for a quart of water. Another effective disinfectant is 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. When applying your disinfectant solution, leave it on any applied surface for at least a minute. That should be long enough to completely kill viruses.
Wipe down and disinfect every commonly touched area in your home. This includes doorknobs, light switches, phones, keyboards and toys children play with. Anything routinely touched is worth disinfecting every day. When it comes to something mailed or brought into the home, take time to wipe them that down with disinfectant as well. Viruses can survive for a day on cardboard and three days on plastic.
Quarantine Your Family
Respecting a safe social distance is the only way we can keep this infection from spreading. It’s worth emphasizing how important it is that we all stay home, away from everyone outside our own family circle. You should only leave your home for essential activities. Be clear with your family what these essential activities are. They include going to the grocery, pharmacy or gas station. You can go for a walk around the block as long as you stay away from other people, and you still have your front porch or backyard. Just remember to maintain at least 6 feet of distance from everyone. COVID-19 might be transmitted from a casual conversation in close proximity.
Take Care of Each Other
Other than daily disinfecting, social distancing and sheltering in place, there’s one other thing you can do to protect your family. Simply caring for each other is vital. Being aware of everyone’s physical health and emotional condition adds another layer of protection. This awareness will help you respond promptly and appropriately if someone actually shows some signs of a cold or the flu.
Take the time to think through how you’re going to apply these precautions in your own home. It’s worth the effort to safeguard your family. Coronavirus may be a scary thing to deal with right now, but doing these things will help to ease your mind a little bit and protect your family.
Here’s another great article: 3 Staycation Ideas That Your Whole Family Will Enjoy
by Mrs C | Apr 10, 2020 | Blog
You don’t have to break the bank or travel far away from home to enjoy spending time together as a family. A staycation is an easy and affordable way to take a break from the rigors of everyday life. Here are three staycation ideas that your whole family will enjoy!
Have a Movie Night
You do not even need to leave the house to feel like you are getting away. A home movie night is a convenient way to relax and enjoy the company of your loved ones. You can create a home theater for your movie night to make it extra special. Be sure to have plenty of treats such as popcorn and candy on hand. A good way to choose movies is to take a family vote. Or, you can choose a kid-friendly movie for the first part of the evening, and then choose something more appropriate for adults after the children have gone to bed.
Go for a Hike Together
If the weather permits, going on a hike is an ideal way to spend quality time together while getting away from the house. You can make a day out of it by packing a picnic and bringing along lawn games for a break during the middle of your hike. Connecting with Mother Nature and getting exercise at the same time will kill two birds with one stone as you enjoy this time of family bonding and let your children experience the benefits of the outdoors. Be sure to research hikes in your area so that you choose a route that meets the abilities of everyone in your family. This is especially important if you have small children.
Camp in the Backyard
With temperatures on the rise, now is a good time to consider a backyard camping getaway. You will be surprised at how you feel like you are getting away by simply pitching a tent in the backyard. As a bonus, you will still have the convenience of your bathroom and kitchen right at your fingertips. Elevate the experience by building a fire and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. A family tent will accommodate everyone comfortably and provide for hours of bonding time.
You will create memories to last a lifetime with any of these three staycation ideas. Not only will everyone in your family have a great time, but you will also enjoy a low-stress way to spend time together without the hassles of packing and traveling.
Related: How to Save Money on Vacation
by Mrs C | Apr 10, 2020 | Blog
As more and more households begin to have two breadwinners, the need for babysitters is no doubt going to increase. However, for many who may not be used to the idea of having another person take care of their child or having the extra expense, it can be a challenging period. The following list includes a few things you need to know when hiring a babysitter.
How Much Is It Going to Cost?
Throughout the years, the job of babysitting has gone from something for teenagers looking to make some extra money to do to a lucrative career for adults. In fact, the national average in terms of payment for a babysitter in 2016 was $15.71 per hour, per child. That means that most babysitters you come across will charge twice as much as the national minimum wage. You may find babysitters for a lower price; however, they will more likely than not also have less experience in the field.
The Vetting Process
A common error that many parents make when choosing a babysitter is that they simply go by what they see on paper. Anyone can boost their resume to make it better than it really is, so it is your job to vet all your potential candidates thoroughly. This begins with the type of questions you ask during the vetting process. You may include questions such as past issues and how they dealt with them as well as creating scenarios and seeing how well they answer.
Just in Case
Parents want to know that their children are being well taken care of while they’re gone. This has led many parents to secretly install hidden cameras in their homes. There are some restrictions with hidden nanny cams, but they are generally worth the investment. However, it is highly recommended to research your state’s law before installing them because some states actually restrict people from filming others without their knowledge or consent. In terms of safety, it is paramount to make a “just in case” plan for your babysitter to follow. This may include certain medical issues that your child has and what to do. You may also include alternative numbers to reach you by in the event that you are not able to pick up the phone.
Hiring a babysitter is a big step in any parent’s life. Therefore, it is incredibly important to understand not only the financial investment being made but also the person coming into your home. By adhering to the information above, you can begin laying down a strong foundation for when you do begin your search.
Here are some more great tips: How Your Family Can Save Money on Food Each Month
