Archives for February 2014

10 Eco-Friendly Actions Your Kids Can Take

February 25, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Teaching your kids to be eco-friendly is important for many parents, but talking about the benefits of recycled roofing material or laundry detergent doesn’t exactly sink in for most children. However, there are some things you can do to teach your children to be eco-friendly in a way that allows them to really get involved.

Incorporate these 10 eco-friendly actions into your child’s routine to help them understand the importance of taking care of the planet from an early age.

1. Teach your child about composting. Composting is relatively easy to understand it also teaches your children about not wasting things that can be reused, even if they seem like they’re just trash.

2. Get involved in a community cleanup project with your child. No matter where you live, there’s bound to be an area that needs to cleaned up. Community cleanup projects can also be a great way for your kids to make new friends and broaden their horizons.

3. Let your kids know about eco-friendly products. Examples of eco-friendly products include everything from bathroom tissue to toothpaste to over-the-counter alternative remedies like those found at Amoils.com. Getting your kids started looking for natural products early on will be a beneficial habit for them later in life.

4. Have your children buy recycled materials for school. Everything from recycled binders to notebook paper is widely available. Doing this will teach your children the importance of using items in their everyday life that are good for the environment – something they’ll continue to do in their adult years.

5. Get your kids in the habit of keeping items like newspapers for other projects. Examples include craft projects or even household chores like cleaning windows, which newsprint actually excels at. Children need to understand that wasting items only to buy other ones for the same job isn’t good for the environment.

6. Work with your child to have an Earth Day party at their school or at home. Doing this can help you teach your child about the environment and help them make friends at the same time. Many schools already have eco-friendly programs, so consider working with them to make them more prevalent.

7. Show your kids how to avoid products that are made to be used once and discarded. Items like paper plates aren’t good for the environment. Teach your kids that a little work on their part — things like washing a few extra dishes – can be beneficial and worthwhile.

8. Gather clothing in your neighborhood for a recycling project. Not only will less clothing have to be made, you’ll be helping less fortunate people in your area and around the world. Make sure your child understands the benefits of doing good things for people along with the planet.

9. Get your kids in the habit of using natural products around the home. Examples include baking soda for cleaning the sink instead of abrasive cleaners that pollute the earth. You’ll also have less waste when it comes to packaging.

10. Show your kids the value of nature. You can do this through all sorts of activities – including day hikes, camping or even going to the beach. A healthy respect for nature and its value is important for distilling eco-friendly beliefs in your child.

When it comes to teaching your children to be eco-friendly, the best you can do is to be a good example. As a parent, getting your child to live an eco-friendly life doesn’t have to be hard. Leading by example is essential, and by telling your child why you do what you do, they’ll see the benefits.

Tips to Help You Stick to a Monthly Budget

February 23, 2014 | Leave a Comment

It is the beginning of the year and you have decided to finally stick to a monthly budget. The way unexpected bills seem to hit it’s more important than ever to stick to a monthly budget. The following tips should help you stay on your budget.

1. Quarterly Bills

When preparing your budget, ensure you are putting enough back to pay all of your bills since some of your bills may not come every month. Auto insurance may be paid every three months and you want to ensure you are putting enough up to pay all of these bills.

2. Start a Savings Account

If possible, set a specific amount to be sent to your savings account if you use direct deposit. This way the money will be put aside automatically. This will certainly help you save money for those large expenses that often gobble up your paycheck and leaving broke. With a savings account you won’t need a loan when you find yourself in that I need money panic that unexpected bills bring.

3. Budget for Couple Time

Set up an allowance for yourself and your spouse. Learn to make it through the week with this set amount. If you run out of funds for lunch, start taking your lunch. By having an allowance, you will soon learn where you have been spending all of your money each week. After you start missing a few lunches out due to spending your allowance on Starbucks, you will learn to manage your allowance a bit better.

4. Keep Receipts

At the end of the week, you can see where you and your spouse are spending every dime. Now, you can sit down together and learn what items can be cut out of your spending habits without changing your lifestyle completely. You may only be able to go to Starbucks twice per week or start buying pounds of your favorite coffee and making it at home. It will certainly be cheaper to enjoy a cup of your coffee at home than stopping to purchase one on the way to work. It may even give you some quality time at home before heading off to work.

5. Meal Planning

Plan your meals by the week. Sit down and plan what meals you will be preparing at home. Create your grocery list and then go shopping. Use coupons or even use the weekly sales bill from your grocery store to plan the meals for the week. Once you begin buying items in bulk instead of one meal at a time, you will see quite a bit of savings on food. Smaller packages of meat are often more expensive than larger ones. All you have to do is divide the meat and freeze for future meals. You may learn that you are saving more money on food as you can buy large packages of meat that might be spread out over two weeks since you will not want to eat the same meat every night.

6. Set Goals

Start with something small such as a night out at your favorite restaurant with your spouse. Next, go to the harder goals such as paying off a credit card or saving to purchase a new car. Setting goals will help you feel good about staying on your budget; however, if you set your goals too high and it takes several months to reach the goal, you may become discouraged. Start small so you can enjoy the benefits of saving money.

7. Spoil Yourself

Remember it is okay to spoil yourself once in a while. If you have cut your favorite stop for a shake or going to the movies to save money, it is still all right to enjoy this treat. Just do not go overboard. Decide how many times you can spend your “mad money” on a movie each month. Allow your spouse to do the same.

5 Essential Health Exams for Men & Women Over 40

February 20, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Maintaining good health is essential throughout our life, but as we get older it becomes more and more imperative. Many diseases and illnesses can be avoided by properly maintaining health, whether that is by eating right, maintaining a good weight, or keeping essential exams for individuals over the age of 40 up to date. There are a couple health exams that men and women over the age of 40 should get to ensure lasting health.

Blood Pressure

A leading cause in death of both men and women over the age of 40 is heart disease. There are often times no signs that lead to high blood pressure, so it is important for men and women over the age of 40 to get their blood pressure checked regularly. The only way to truly know whether an individual has high blood pressure or not is to get their blood pressure checked. If high blood pressure is found and proper steps to treat it are taken, it can greatly reduce the risks of stroke, heart disease and kidney issues.

Measuring Waist Size

Health risks greatly increase for individuals who are overweight, whether it is mildly overweight or severely overweight. Women who have waist sizes greater than 35 inches or men who have waist sizes greater than 40 inches are at health risks such as heart disease and diabetes that average weight individuals typically are not. Keeping waist size in check can reduce these health risks significantly. If an individual’s waist size does get in the risk category, a doctor can help get that individual on the right track to weight loss to get in the healthy weight range.

MRI

Men and women over the age of 40 who experience chronic headaches should have an MRI performed. Chronic headaches can have a wide array of causes, but an MRI can narrow those causes down. By having an MRI performed, individual’s can not only learn the cause of their headaches, but also learn whether or not brain surgery to reduce the headaches is needed. Cortical thickness that is reduced on the brain can be the cause of chronic headaches. If the thickness is extremely reduced, brain surgery can sometimes be needed to give the individual relief.

Cholesterol

High cholesterol can have negative impacts not only on an individual’s heart, but also their overall cardiovascular health. Having a test run at the doctor’s office to determine good cholesterol and bad cholesterol is essential to keep an individual’s heart and cardiovascular system healthy.

Blood Sugar

Diabetes is also one of the leading causes of death in both men and women over the age of 40. A simple blood sugar test at the doctor’s office can determine if an indbloodividual either has diabetes or is in the pre-diabetes stage. Not only is diabetes also a leading cause in death, but it is also a leading disease in the cost to maintain it. Although all cases of diabetes are not avoidable, it is much easier to stay healthy and eat right to reduce the risks of developing diabetes than to live life trying to maintain it.

Both men and women over the age of 40 can keep their health in check by having these five essential exams performed. The best way to maintain lifelong health is to take steps to avoid illnesses that can be avoided.

How To Pick the Best School District for Your Child: 5 Tips for Parents

February 19, 2014 | Leave a Comment

When choosing a new home, the local school district can make or break the deal for many parents. You can find your dream home, but if the local schools are inadequate, it’s not worth sacrificing your child’s education for it. Before making such an important decision for your family, you will want to make sure you’re moving into the best school district available.

This can be done by following a few simple tips.

Check School Ratings

Checking the area school’s ratings can be quick and easy. It only takes a few minutes of online searching to find the answers you are looking for, but what exactly do you want to find? Test scores are an excellent way to judge schools within the district. Schools are rated by numbers one through five. Five is excellent, and you want to look for this rating. A five is easy to achieve, so if a school is falling short, it could be a sign of underlying problems. Look into personal ratings as well. Websites such as Rate My Teacher post ratings that high school students give their teachers. The site is free to view.

Look Into Crime Statistics

Be sure to check out the crime statistics for the neighborhood. There will be obvious signs of a high crime area like barred windows and multiple sex offenders nearby that we all think to check for, but you may want to investigate a little further. There are many online sites that list neighborhood crime rates for you. Your family’s home security should be your first priority. Local law enforcement agencies also have important information on their websites. Don’t forget to look on the local news station’s site too.

The Educational Approach Used

Does the school district model their work after a certain educator? Many districts follow specific models of education such as the Montessori Method, Dr. Mel Levine’s All Kinds of Minds, or Dr. Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. They may follow philosophies like Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, or Montessori. Research these programs to find out more about each one and if it will suit your child’s needs.

Visit the Local Schools

Ask to visit the schools within the district during a regular school day. If you are denied the privilege, this is a major red flag. During your visit you will want to watch how the teachers interact with the students, other adults, and parents. Pay attention to details such as if the teacher makes sure the students understand the information. Ask yourself if the kids are focused or disruptive during class time. Visit several teachers among many grades to get an accurate perception.

Finding a Good Fit For Your Family

A school district can look fabulous on paper, but if it doesn’t fit the needs of your children, that won’t make a bit of difference. Find out if they offer transportation that fits your schedule and you feel comfortable with. Ask other parents about the levels of homework assigned, and find out if they offer after school programs that interest your children.

After you have done your research online and finished the footwork required to get an idea of what your school district is like, you’ll be able to make an informed decision that will greatly benefit you and your children in the future.

What other tips do you have to pick the best school district possible?

Top 3 Priorities For Great Parenting

February 18, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Parenting is a big job for everyone who starts a family, but that does not mean that parents can do everything alone. With simple tips and tricks, parents can bring up their kids to be successful students, hard workers and well-rounded people. A combination of academic assistance, real world experience and motivation can change a kid’s life from average to extraordinary almost overnight.

Education and Test Preparation

Every student will be subjected to a massive number of standardized tests of their time in school. However, not every student performs well on these tests without help. Investing in test and academic preparation with Barron Test Prep can help a student to learn how to take standardized tests effectively without feeling stressed or over-burdened.

Academic and study assistance can also help students to pass classes that they would otherwise fail due to poor teaching or poor curriculum. With a study helper, every student can get through the most difficult and stressful classes they can take in school. Without this assistance, students cannot learn how to get through tough classes, graduate high school and college and become successful in life.

Choice Activities

Every child should have the chance to participate in different activities throughout their life. However, a child should not be over-burdened with the activities that they participate in. Children should be given activity options that include sports, musical instrument lessons and lessons in foreign languages.

Students should get a choice of activities that they can become highly proficient in. When a child has the opportunity to become a great baseball player and a great clarinetist, they are not distracted by the myriad other activities on their plate. Children should be given the chance to be great, but they cannot be great at everything all at the same time.

Freedom

When students are given the freedom to be themselves, they are able to more fruitful and more successful in life. The unfortunate reality of parenting children is that they eventually grow up and leave the house. However, they must learn how to be themselves before they are sent out into the real world to fend for themselves.

Even when parents are investing in academic prep courses and music lessons, the child still needs a chance to be free to do what they want. Children need time to be with their friends, to go to parties, to have sleepovers and to just be kids.

Parents are charged with making sure that their kids are ready to leave the nest, but kids are never going to be ready to leave the nest if they are sheltered and coddled.

When parents are looking at the best ways to help their children thrive, they must consider all the possible options out there. Children should be given all the academic assistance they need to succeed in life. Children should also be given a chance to excel at sports, music and languages so that they have something that distinguishes them from their peers. Finally, children must be allowed to be themselves and discover who they are.

When parents give their children all of this help, children grow up to be healthy, happy and comfortable adults who can thrive with children and families of their own.

What other tips do you have?

Dealing With Picky Eaters

February 17, 2014 | Leave a Comment

When I found out I was pregnant I was one of those parents who obsessively read and researched everything. Even after she was born I was still researching like mad, over everything. Well almost everything. One topic has me totally lost. Feeding my almost two year old. Feeding my child has become one of the biggest stressors in my life. I’ve dealt with my share of parental stress since becoming pregnant but nothing could prepare me for the consistent stress of trying to feed my child.

She will eat most fruits, most of the time. Is picky with her vegetables. Outright refuses any and all meat which is fine but finding protein and iron substitutes can be a headache of its own. She loves cheese, bread products and pasta sauce. Try putting the three together, a-la homemade mini pizza, and it’s not happening. She loves peas except when I want to put them in something. Everyday is an adventure at meal time.

Throughout the stress of feeding I have discovered a few tips that make feeding a picky eater slightly easier.

Let Grazing Happen

With the exception of almost always being up for eating breakfast, I’ve discovered she’s not much for wanting a traditional lunch and dinner. Though I don’t necessarily like this, I’ve accepted she would much rather have smaller meals or snacks throughout the day. Rather than giving her a traditional lunch I usually pack a bunch of healthy snacks instead. Sometimes I’ll try something like a sandwich but most days it’s a combination of fruit, yogurt and something like whole wheat crackers and cheese. This way she can eat at her pace while still getting some nutrients.

Get Creative

Given that she doesn’t like meat by itself, but will eat pasta I’ll try to ”hide” meat in stuff like pasta sauce or chili. She also likes smoothies and mixed fruit so it’s easy to hide stuff she normally wouldn’t eat like kale. I’ve discovered she likes to ”dip” things so have tried making stuff like homemade tofu or chicken nuggets and give her ketchup to dip in. She’s also accepted hummus as a cracker dip. A newspaper recently printed a brownie recipe which though contains some cocoa is actually made with beans and quinoa, something I’m sure she will eat and sneak a little protein into her treat!

Two Bite Rule

I’ve received the suggestion, and plan to implement, that all foods (new or not) require a two bite rule. She must try two bites before she will be allowed to ‘leave the table’ but is welcome to eat as much that is offered to her. It is said that children take many attempts of a new food before they accept it into their diet. One of my frustrations is that if I do something as simple as use a different shape pasta she won’t even try it, outright refusing it before realizing she will like it. With a two bite rule she will likely try to realize that she does like it. The two bite rule sets boundaries as parents but still gives the child some freedom to make decisions.

Dealing with a picky eater is very frustrating but with a little accommodation it doesn’t have to be as bad. Pay attention to your child’s eating patterns and try to adapt them within your lifestyle, without turning yourself into a short order cook!

Drinking Doesn’t Mix With Anything

February 16, 2014 | Leave a Comment

There’s nothing wrong with a little drinking and fun, and there’s nothing wrong with a little flutter, however when drinking is concerned, it doesn’t always have the best of bedfellows.

Alcohol lowers inhibitions, as we all well know, and makes anything seem like a good idea. Therefore it can interrupt your ability to make a sensible decision, and a bad decision might end up seeming like a very good idea. That’s not good.

Then, if you combine alcohol and the Internet, and you could have a bad mix on your hands.

Managing Your Time

Both alcohol and any online activity can act as time warps – ever been in a club for what feels like twenty minutes, online to find out that it’s actually two a.m. and the bouncer is not your friend? Or had a ‘quick look online’ for Christmas presents and managed to spend an entire evening on Amazon? So combining the two together can be deadly for those who have time and budget limits for their online gambling.

Managing Your Budget

Alcohol and gaming both cost money. For those who have gambling budgets this isn’t such a problem, although a glass of wine or four might make gamblers inclined to over step their budget. Drinking can also make you a bit morose, which can lead to reckless or ill-considered behaviour (like putting your life savings on red, because what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right?) that can damage your finances.

Online gambling and alcohol mix less well than live gambling because there isn’t the same ‘party’ atmosphere. Online casinos don’t have tall, good-looking women walking around handing out drinks – there are no distractions. Therefore it gets easier to enjoy yourself, Lucky Nugget’s Canadian casino offers great games, some of the most popular ones out there and without distractions, it’s easier to concentrate on the game. Behavioural scientists have made links between alcohol and gambling addiction in the past – both are repetitive, both are habit forming, and both should be handled with care. Unlike in a ‘bricks and mortar’ casino, online casinos can’t tell if you’ve had enough – so it’s up to you to monitor your behavior.

Moderation is Key

Everything in moderation can lead to a very good time indeed. Both gambling and drinking have to be approached with a healthy mind set, which means doing neither too much or for too long. Online gambling is a fantastic hobby when well-managed, so why ruin it with drink? The Australian Government has this very interesting page about alcohol and gambling, when they mix well and when they don’t.

The First Timer’s Guide to Purchasing an Investment Property

February 15, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Buyers purchase an investment property for many reasons; to get a foothold in the property market, to build a financially secure nest egg for retirement or to build a property portfolio. Every property investor has to start somewhere, so your first investment property purchase should be researched thoroughly, as not all purchases will deliver positive returns.

Select the Right Property, in the Right Area, at the Right Price

Always choose a property that will increase in capital growth. Purchase in an area you are familiar with and as a first timer, do not consider offshore or interstate properties. Always get an independent valuation and research the current market value of properties in your chosen area. Select an area where there is a demand for rentals to ensure you have a steady flow of rental income. Also check out the demographic of the area as to whether there is greater demand for family homes or apartments to rent.

Select the Right Mortgage

When sourcing finance for an investment property, you will be faced with many options. Your loan will need to be structured correctly, so get expert advice from your financial advisor or mortgage lender. For taxation purposes, it is probably better to keep your current home loan and your investment loan separate.

Hire a Good Property Manager

A good real estate agent will look after your needs and screen suitable tenants on your behalf. They will do inspections several times a year which you can also attend if you are able to. Your property manager can provide you with a wealth of information on the landlords and tenant’s rights and responsibilities. They will take care of maintenance and any emergency situations that might arise. They can also attend court proceedings in the event of non-payment of rent. It is a good idea to build a good rapport with your property manager and keep in regular contact.

Make Sure Your Property is Ready

If your investment property needs sprucing up, just give it a coat of neutral paint. Make sure your property looks tidy and fresh, as a well presented property will have no trouble attracting quality tenants.

Negative Gearing

There are many things to take into account with property investing. Your accountant will be able to give you advice on capital gains tax, stamp duty and interest deductions. If you make a loss on your investment property, this can be used to offset or reduce tax paid on other income you earn.

Purchasing an investment property is an exciting time and can help you reach your ideal financial goal. Investment properties are a longer term type of investment. Do not place yourself into financial hardship just for the sake of buying a rental property. This could put you in the position of having to offload and sell the property at the wrong time. Choosing the right home loan at the outset will put you on a stable financial path. A Clear Path Variable Rate Home Loan from BOQ can be used to purchase an investment property and gives you flexible repayment options.

Do you have any tips from experience when it comes to purchasing an investment property?

3 Easy Ways Busy Parents Can Be More Frugal

February 13, 2014 | Leave a Comment

As a parent your to-do list can seem endless.

Go to work. Drop the kids off at school. Take the baby to daycare. Pick up the kids. Cook dinner. Take the kids to soccer practice. And, the list goes on and on.

As a busy parent it can be hard to focus on frugality when you can barely keep your head on straight. In these instances it’s the small things that can have the most impact on your financial situation.

Here are three ways busy parents can be more frugal.

Prepare Simple Meals

Keeping your meal planning simple is not only a cost effective strategy but it can free up a ton of time for you. Stock your pantry and freezer with some go-to, simple, and healthy meals that the whole family will enjoy.

What I often do is prepare several meals in advance that I can throw in the crockpot for those busy days. To do this simply gather all of your ingredients, put them in a freezer bag, and toss in the freezer. In the morning simply empty the bag into the crockpot. You’ll have a delicious meal waiting for you when dinner time comes around. Clean up is also extra easy, which is an added bonus!

Use Frugaa When Shopping Online

I tend to do much of my shopping online since it’s a huge time saver. And, every time I do I make sure to check and see if there is a coupon code to go with my purchase.

Frugaa makes this process even simpler. You simply visit Frugaa select your budget and the category or store you want to shop at and Frugaa will show all the available coupon codes that fit your chosen criteria. You won’t have to spend time weeding through different sites or searching for codes that coincide with your budget.

This is another easy way to save time and money.

Maximize Free Activities

As parents it can sometimes be hard to resist buying the latest toys or signing up children for every after school activity – but really, most of this is unnecessary.

You shouldn’t feel obligated to buy everything you see for your child. Free activities, like spending time outdoors, can be the most fun and memorable things you can do together.

Here are some ideas:

Have a “fancy” dinner in which you and your children dress up, use your good dishes, and eat at the table.
Take a walk through the woods.
Visit parks and watch your children play.
Have your kids put on a play for you.

There are endless free activities you and your children can enjoy, you just have to be willing to use your imagination.

One Small Step at a Time

It can be hard to stretch your frugal muscles when you’re always strapped for time. However, if you take a couple minutes at the start of the day to plan things out you can save time and money.

Start by making a few small changes. Once you get the hang of it you’ll be able to easily identify opportunities that will benefit your bottom line.

3 Big Costs of Teaching Your Child to Drive

February 7, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Whether you like it or not the time will eventually come for your child to drive. While your nerves might be on edge as your child makes her way on the road, your pocketbook can take a hurting, too.

It’s important to realize what kind of costs you are going to incur before it’s time to send your child off to learn how to drive. Here are some of the most common expenses you will come across as your child becomes driving age.

Drivers Education

First on the list is driver’s education.

It’s been awhile since I took a driver’s education class but I can still remember my parents talking about how expensive it was. A driver’s education class usually consists of classroom sessions teaching new driver’s basic laws and safety regulations and also time driving with a driver’s instructor.

In addition your child will be required to have a certain number of hours in driving experience with a licensed driver or trainer before taking a driver’s test.

Call and find out how much driver’s education will be at least a few months in advance so that you can prepare for this cost. You should be able to find at least a couple different courses in your area that you can compare.

Car Insurance

Getting insurance for a driver with a permit varies from region to region. Some insurance companies don’t require you to add an unlicensed permitted driver while others do. And, some companies will want you to get special insurance for an unlicensed driver.

Check with your insurance agent for the rules and regulations in your area. If you need to get learner’s drivers insurance check out insurelearnerdriver.co.uk where you can get learners drivers insurance for a specified period of time at a great price.

Car Costs

When your child is ready to drive you’ll also be faced with the question of whether or not to purchase your child a car. Since this is usually a huge cost you’ll want to save in advance or have your child pick up a part time job to help contribute to the cost of a car.

Even if you don’t purchase your child a new car you’re still going to have to factor in maintenance and fuel costs. A child with a learner’s permit will need to spend a certain amount of time driving to gain experience and since fuel is getting increasingly expensive this can be a big cost.

If your child will be sharing a vehicle with another family member the cost of maintenance will also go up. Oil changes, new tires, and other routine maintenance will need to be increased. Incidentially, I like Costco for tires. Costco has excellent service and they inflate their tires with nitrogen, which results in good long term tire pressure.

Be Prepared

Becoming driving age is an extremely exciting time for a child and a nerve wracking time for parents. Aside from worrying about your child being on the road you’ll also need to think about the associated costs.

If your child is approaching driver’s age it’s important for you to plan in advance and consider the costs you will incur.

What else do you think about when your child is learning to drive?