by Mrs C | Jan 31, 2023 | Blog
Having kids can be a joyous experience, but it also comes with a price tag. In addition to the basics like food and clothing, there are additional costs associated with raising children.
From healthcare to education, parents need to be prepared for the cost that comes with being a parent. Let’s take a look at why having kids can get so expensive.
Food Costs
No matter how many children you have, food is one of those necessary expenses that will never go away. When you have kids, however, food costs tend to increase due to larger appetites and more frequent snacking throughout the day.
It can also get more expensive if you are buying organic or health-conscious foods for your family. Eating out as a family tends to be pricier as well; even fast food can add up quickly when feeding 3 or more people at once.
Healthcare
When it comes to healthcare costs, they are typically higher when you have kids due to doctor visits and vaccinations required throughout childhood and adolescence.
Braces are another common expense for families; kids tend to need braces between 12 and 18 years old in order to straighten their teeth and improve their bite alignment – an expense that could easily set you back anywhere from $3K-$7K depending on the severity of the case. Additionally, orthodontic treatment may include retainers after the braces come off which could add even more money onto your bill!
Education
Education is not only an important part of childhood development but also an expense that parents need to prepare for in advance. With tuition rates rising each year, parents oftentimes must save for years in order for their child to attend college or university once they graduate high school – this often means sacrificing other financial goals like saving up for retirement or taking a vacation together as a family. If parents cannot afford college tuition outright, then loans may become necessary which could mean decades of debt repayment following graduation day!
Raising kids is certainly an expensive endeavor, but it’s worth every penny in the end! Parents should do their research ahead of time so that they know what expenses come along with having children – from childcare needs and education costs all the way down to dental care such as braces – so that they can plan ahead financially accordingly! While some expenses cannot be avoided completely (i.e., food), there are ways that parents can cut corners here and there in order to make ends meet while still providing their children with everything they need during their growing years!
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by Mrs C | Jan 28, 2023 | Blog
As inflation continues to rise, many people are trying to find ways to cut down on the cost of living and save more money. While there are definitely places you can cut back, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice everything you love.
Luckily, there are ways to make life simpler that also cut costs.
Keep One Car
Cars can be incredibly expensive, even after you have paid off the loan. Not only do you have to keep it insured, but you also have to provide regular maintenance and pay for gas, which keeps going up in price.
While having more than one car can be convenient, especially if both partners work outside of the home, it can end up costing you more than it is worth. If you can sell your second car, not only does that eliminate those extra expenses, but it will also bring in cash from the sale.
Downsize Your Home
Many people dream of living in a large home. After all, a mansion is a sign of wealth, and the larger your home, the better off you are. But just because you can afford a large home doesn’t mean that you should buy up all that space. Large homes can be difficult to maintain and the costs are often much higher.
Because there is more space, utilities cost more, you have a higher property tax, and repairs always seem to take up more money. Unless you need all of that space for your family, it may be time to downsize to something that is just as nice, but more affordable. You may even be able to make a larger down payment with the profits from your home sale.
Prioritize Quality
Rather than buying a lot of things or focusing on whatever is cheapest, make sure that you prioritize quality in your shopping decisions. While it may have a slightly higher price tag up front, having quality products means that they will last longer and you will get better use out of them. You should also consider whether you actually need the things that you are buying. Rather than having a closet overflowing with clothes, try creating a capsule wardrobe. This allows you to have a varied style with high-quality pieces that you actually use. When the things you buy have a purpose, you won’t be as tempted to splurge on unnecessary purchases.
Working out what you spend each month and focusing on what can be simplified is a great way to make sure that you are trimming the fat from your spending and finding the extra cash that you can store away for a rainy day. Take some time to work with your partner to find the best way to reduce your living costs.
Did you enjoy reading this article? Here’s more to read. How You Can Save Money on Housing Costs
by Mrs C | Dec 21, 2022 | Blog
If you are looking to add more personality to your home, plants are the perfect way to do that. Plants are a great decoration because they are alive and changing all the time. There are also a wide variety of different plants you can choose from depending on your style and preferences.
Create a Calm Atmosphere
Have you ever noticed that being in nature can help you feel a lot calmer? This is a big part of why people seek retreats into nature to get a break from the stresses of life. While you may not have time to constantly go hiking or camping, putting a few plants around your home takes only a few minutes. Some plants are not only nice to look at but also have calming scents, like lavender. Having plants around your home will help to create a calm environment through looks, smell, and aesthetics.
Keep Your Home Healthy
Besides having calming effects, plants can also help keep your home healthier. You might think that plants will only introduce more unwanted bugs into your home, but this is not true. Some plants release chemicals that keep pests away. Make sure that you read up on different plants before choosing what to put in your home so you can get ones that will repel instead of inviting pests.
Improve Your Mood
Having plants in your home is known to improve your mood, especially in the winter. During the spring, summer, and fall months, you can find joy from plants outside, but most of these die in the winter. Plants can also help improve your mood by helping you feel accomplished about something. Even if you are having a bad day or not feeling your best, you can feel good about how well you take care of your plants.
Before you start putting plants in your home, you should think about what would be best for your lifestyle and living space. For example, if you have children or pets, you probably don’t want to get cacti or other sharp plants. If you don’t have lots of extra time to prune and water, low-maintenance plants like succulents might be good for you. Additionally, pick plants that will thrive in the amount of sunlight your home gets. Get creative with what you want your space to look like and the different combinations of plants you could use.
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by Mrs C | Dec 7, 2022 | Blog
Whether you rent or own a home, housing costs likely take up a very large portion of your budget. This can become a significant financial burden over time. Finding ways to reduce your housing costs can make things more manageable for you.
Move Farther Into the Suburbs
Most people are aware that living in the city is going to be much more expensive. There are more people in the city which means there’s a higher demand for space. This drives up the prices. When you move into the suburbs, you are paying a lot less for housing while also getting more space.
Some additional costs come with owning a home in the suburbs. These include paying for more maintenance and upkeep. However, these additional costs are outweighed by the money you save by living farther into the suburbs. It’s simply cheaper to live away from the city.
Rent Your Home
For many, it’s seen as an achievement when you can finally purchase your own home. However, owning a home can actually be a lot more money. You pay your mortgage, property taxes, HOA fees, and maintenance costs. Renting your home is less time and money intensive than owning a home.
Your landlord will take care of all the maintenance for you and your only expense will be your monthly rent. Additionally, you have more flexibility when renting. You are free to move whenever you choose. It’s much more manageable for people to rent than it is to buy. You save yourself a lot of time, money, and effort.
Downsize Your Home
There are many reasons to downsize your home. If all of your children have moved out, there’s no need for you to maintain all that extra space. When you reach retirement, you might also want to downsize because there’s less space for you to maintain. You can also downsize simply for the sake of saving money. A large house only requires more maintenance and cleaning and it will cost you more to continue owning or renting it. A smaller home is more sustainable, cozy, and affordable.
When it comes to saving money, there are a lot of costs you can cut. Why not start with one of your biggest expenses? Decreasing your housing costs can free up your budget so you can save more money or dedicate it to other financial needs.
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by Mrs C | Nov 16, 2022 | Blog
If you have multiple kids, you know how expensive it can get to pay for everything they need. Dental treatments are no exception. And because dental treatments are often necessary, you’re left looking for ways to afford them without totally breaking the bank. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to save money on dental treatments for your kids.
Focus on Prevention
Saving money on dental treatments is easy if you can avoid needing them in the first place. That’s where preventive dental care comes in. Taking good care of teeth by properly brushing, flossing, and attending regular dental appointments helps them stay healthy.
That reduces the need for dental treatments, which saves you money. You may need to be personally involved in your kids’ dental care, depending on how old they are. Kids usually need help to thoroughly clean their teeth until they’re about six years old.
Get Good Insurance
Sometimes even the best preventive care isn’t enough to avoid needing any dental treatments. In the event of necessary dental treatments, having good dental insurance can make it easier to save money. Not all dental insurance is the same, so look into the different options available to you.
Depending on your circumstances, dental discount plans may be a better option from a financial standpoint. Dental discount plans only require an annual fee rather than monthly premiums. Just make sure whatever dental insurance you choose will provide the coverage you need for your kids’ treatments.
Ask about Cash Discounts
What if you don’t have insurance? If that’s the case, it’s still possible to save money on dental treatments. Look on the dentist’s website or ask them when you go in for appointments if they offer any discounts for paying in cash. Paying with cash benefits the dentist, which could mean they are willing to extend benefits to you in the form of discounted treatment. Make sure you’re ready to pay the bill upfront and in full if you plan to ask for discounts for paying with cash.
Most parents find themselves worried about affording health care treatments of some sort, dental or otherwise, at some point in time.
Finding ways to save money becomes something of an art, especially when you have multiple kids you have to pay for. Remember, you can always talk to people at the dentist’s office about payment plans or alternative treatments that may be more affordable. Remember to check out the local dental schools in your area and see what treatments they can offer too. You may find going there is a more affordable option for some things.
Did you enjoy reading this article? Here’s more to read: Why You Should Have Insurance to Cover Dental Costs
by Mrs C | Nov 3, 2022 | Blog
If you have a move coming up in your life, you are probably already starting to feel the stress of the situation. And while moving is generally stressful for everyone, there are things you can do to make sure that your move is as calm and easy as possible. Getting started early can help you to make a plan that will keep your move simple and manageable.
Decluttering
One of the biggest struggles of making a move, no matter how close or far you are moving, is the packing part of the process. And, if you have a lot of clutter around your home, it is going to be even more difficult. Everyone experiences an increase in clutter as they live in a place for a while, but taking time to declutter can make your move much simpler. When you declutter, divide things into what you want in your new home, what you will store, and what you want to donate or throw away. Then you can simply put everything where it needs to go and move forward with your packing.
Hiring a Moving Company
If you feel like you have to take care of every detail of your move by yourself, you are going to experience a lot of stress. Having a moving company on your side can help you to decrease your stress and make the whole process easier. You can hire movers for whatever portion of the move you want, whether it is simply to drive the moving truck or to take care of the whole process. Moving everything yourself can help you save money, but it may not be worth the stress it causes.
Create a Routine
A serious problem with moving is that it can cause you to have big changes in your routine that disrupt your life. So before you start your move, make sure that you come up with a temporary routine you can work with. Having a schedule planned out for when you will work on moving tasks, other life issues, and rest will help you to keep yourself safe and stress-free throughout the move. Try to make as much of a routine as you can along the way.
As you get ready for your move, remember to do a little bit of self-care as well. Moving is full of stressful experiences, but you deserve to feel good and have fun along the way. As you start planning for your move, make room for adjustments and changes that might come throughout the process.
Check out this article on why you should have insurance to cover dental costs!
