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Kids Ain't Cheap

But They Sure Are Worth It

How to Raise a Family and Avoid Falling Prey to Excessive Debt

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Raising a family is expensive. There are so many things that children need and they grow fast, which can put a dent in anyone’s wallet. However, if you establish a budget and are willing to shop around and become resourceful, you can keep the focus on the enjoyment of having a family and avoid the money pitfalls that can follow.

Borrowing Money

When first starting out with young children, many people initially have a tight budget, wherein if anything out of the ordinary comes along like a hospital bill or a car repair; it can upset its delicate balance. Luckily, you can contact your local bank and apply for a personal loan to help you climb over the hurdle. Unfortunately, if you’ve made even a couple of your monthly payments late, a traditional bank may not be a viable option. The good news is that there are many other places you can go with less stringent guidelines for borrowing money such as online personal installment loans, Or better yet, try borrowing money for the short term from a family member and avoid the interest entirely.

Saving Money on Children’s Essentials

Children grow at a very fast rate during the first few years and because of this they go through a lot of clothing, outerwear and shoes. Finding the best deals on children’s clothing and finding high-quality items is important. Lucky for you, the internet provides you with an easy way to shop around for new and gently used items at the best prices. Take the same approach with their furniture. If you have a tight budget, check out a consignment shop or go online to sites like Craigslist where often people just want to unload things they no longer need and are willing to sell them very cheap.

Ways to Save on Your Monthly Bills

With the deregulation of utilities, you now have the option of shopping around for your gas and electric suppliers. Take your bills out and review each one. Then, look up other companies in the area and check their rates.

Cable and cell phone service are two of the most expensive supplements to a household budget. A cable bill on its own can run over a few hundred a month. If you need to trim your bottom line, this is a great place to start. Thankfully, there are other ways to enjoy many programs using other services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, for a fraction of the cost of cable. Your cell phone is important and necessary especially in the event of an emergency away from home. The good news is that many companies are now vying for your business, and this is a good thing for you.

Saving for Big Ticket Items

There’s nothing wrong with wanting nice things. However, taking on additional debt to buy them is not something that’s in your best interest. If you want a new television or a new bed, save up for them the old-fashioned way and pay cash. This way you won’t have another obligation each month and you won’t pay any more than the actual cost of the item. It’s a win across the board.

Paying Down Debt

It’s easy to rack up debt when you raise a family. So, it’s also important to keep your debt in check. Avoid putting anything on a credit card or taking out an unnecessary loan for things you don’t need. For example, if you have accumulated debt on credit cards focus on paying off the one with the highest interest rate first. If you have a car loan, consider refinancing to reduce your monthly payment.

Raising a family is a wonderful time for parents with many joyful moments. By living within your means and shopping around for the best deals, you can keep the focus on enjoying the time with your family and not stressing about your finances.

Taking Care of Your Children and Your Wallet

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When it comes to raising kids, it’s safe to see you’ll have your hands full. Kids are the living embodiment of the saying “a blessing and curse.” After all, while they might be the best thing that’s ever happened to you and a beautiful dream, they’re also a list of worries for their parents. There are countless things that can, and often will, go wrong, and it’s your job to prevent as much of these tragedies as possible and do damage control in case something slips through the cracks. This can often cost you a lot of money, and that, in and of itself, could be another problem to add to the list. That’s why we need to find ways to take care of them and save money all at once. Here are some tips to help you out.

First and foremost, let’s talk fitness. There’s a health epidemic these days, and it’s a tricky one to avoid. Essentially, we have it too good. We spend too much time sitting and inactive, and it creates several problems. That’s why we need to be more active. And, that’s why, as a parent, you need to get your kid into an active lifestyle early. For starters, consider yoga. Despite its reputation, yoga is a surprisingly hardy workout, but it’s also much easier than some other comparable, but more traditional, workout regimens. In other words, it’s perfect for kids. Take this Manduka coupon and save on the gear you’ll need to share the benefits of yoga with your child.

Next up, there’s diet. The modern American diet is all too rich in processed foods, and for good reason. After all, these items are cheap and convenient, the perfect storm for many of us, especially kids and their parents. However, they’re also chock full of fillers and preservatives that rob them of much of their nutritional value, so you’ll want to indulge in them sparingly, as an afternoon snack or for a special treat. Otherwise, try to stick to home cooked meals made with fresh ingredients. Again, you’ll want to get your kid into the habit of wanting and choosing the healthier alternative whenever possible.

Fears About Screen Time – And Why They Aren’t True

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Keeping children occupied while you’re working can often be a challenge.  For a lot of parents, the answer is screen time. That said most parents know instinctively that putting kids in front of a screen can have negative outcomes including obesity, decreased emotional regulation and learned violence.

But, are these fears really true?  Not so, says Sara DeWitt.

Below is an interesting TED talk given by DeWitt in April of 2017. Essentially, DeWitt is saying that the content the child interacts with matters far more than screen time itself.

For more of our great articles, consider reading:

Best Black Friday Shopping Apps and Websites

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Black Friday is closer than you think, so make sure you’re prepared. The worst thing a Black Friday attendee can do is to show up without a game plan.

Everyone knows shopping centers and malls are pandemonium on Black Friday, so don’t get caught up in the commotion. Make the most out of your Black Friday experience. Find the right coupon shopping apps.

We came up with the list of the best Black Friday shopping sites and apps available. Find toys, clothes, kitchenware, electronics and so much more. The countdown to the big day has begun!

Black Friday Mobile (BF!)

There’s probably no app more devoted to black friday than simply BlackFriday.com. Available on the app store or Google Play, you can find Black Friday deals before heading to the store. Be the first to get coupon ad alerts and find the best black friday deals before retailers run out.

They make it all easy with their Wishlist. This is a section of the app where you can save your favorite deals all in one place. That’s not all. You can organize your deals by which store they come from or by certain category.

BF has over a million followers on Facebook, so make sure you’re included in getting first wind of great deals!

BFAds

BFAds has one mission and one mission only: to keep you updated on the hottest Black Friday deals.

The website updates regularly and features articles about big name stores and what they’re offering this year. BFAds also flaunts their “leaked” deals to try and keep users in the know of secretly planned Black Friday deals.

Unique to shopping sites that only let you know what deals are around, BFAds offers their own giveaways. They recently gave readers a chance to enter into a contest in which a winner could receive the much anticipated Nintendo SNES Classic.

 

Black Friday Ads

Find rare Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals with Black Friday Ads.

Ads for BlackFriday.fm will start popping up in November, so you’ll have to stay tuned. Shop the best Black Friday deals from Kohl’s, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, The Home Depot, Macy’s, Sears, Bed Bath & Beyond, and more.

You can search by brand or category. Categories include appliances, food & wine, sports & outdoors, cellphones, baby & kids, general electronics, among others.

Retail Me Not

Retail Me Not is great all year round, but Black Friday is their time to shine.

Retail Me Not is a popular discount shopping app dedicated to promotions and discounts. This app helps companies get the word out about their brand, and it help customers find what they’re looking for.

This convenient shopper app is popular among clothing shoppers. They can find sweaters, boots, purses, and other Fall favorites.

TGI Black Friday

Another Black Friday shopping website is TGI Black Friday. Receive push notifications and frequent updates on Black Friday news to stay in the loop during the entrance into the holiday season.

According to their website, TGI Black Friday has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, and the Wall Street Journal.

From Black Friday to Cyber Monday, you don’t have to worry about missing a thing. Sign up for the mailing list on their homepage to get notifications when they start emailing deals.

The Black Friday

Though Black Friday deals are not released yet, The Black Friday offers information on current sales. Check their shopper app or website and you’ll find pre black friday deals from places like Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and more.

The Black Friday also gives insightful information like each store’s top picks and recent news. For example, when clicking on Toys”R”Us, you’ll find updated information about the bankruptcy the major retailer is going through and how it will influence their performance this season.

DealNews

Deal news is similar to the other trusty Black Friday shopping websites on this list, but what Deal News also offers is Black Friday predictions. For example, Deal News predicts that K-Cup machines will be selling for as little as $50 this year.

They also have a shopping blog on their site that is fun to read. In the blog, you’ll find helpful shopping related articles. One of the blogs is titled “10 Ways to Save Up for a Black Friday Doorbuster. In this article, you find 10 interesting ways a shopper can save cash and prepare for the big spending day.

Find DealNews on an Android phone or iOS iPhone.

SlickDeals

SlickDeals is also another unique coupon shopping app. It’s like Yelp for deals.

Users can rate and review coupons, so you’ll know what you’re getting into and if a coupon is legit. Users can also share coupons they’ve found with others.

There are forums where people can get together and talk about anything related to online deal hunting. In these forums, consumers work together to sniff out fake or sketchy deals.

This online community of bargain shoppers is changing the way people save money. It’s a wonderful place for people to look out for each other and to avoid getting scammed.

Similar to other discount shopping websites, SlickDeals has a blog where you can find shopping advice and news. One of the most recent blogs features the best things to buy in the month of October.

Santa’s Bag

This shopping app is a little different than the other ones on the list. Santa’s Bag is a convenient way to help alleviate stress of Christmas. This Christmas shopping app is useful in that it helps you plan out Christmas gifts in a streamlined way.

Not only can you plan gifts for others through the app, you can send your preferences for the presents you want to receive this year.

You can also budget your gifts and keep track of how much you’ve spent on each person you’re purchasing items for.

Download it on iTunes and save yourself some time!

Get Ready to Save!

Black Friday seems intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! With all the ways you can coupon search and gift plan, shopping this year should be a piece of cake. The key is preparation. Get ready and keep up with the latest doorbusters by downloading these helpful shopping apps. Good luck, bargain hunters!

 

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Enjoy the Horse Racing and Win the Money!

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Do you like watching horse racing? Are you one of its fans? Horse racing is one of the primitive sports that until now still favored by many people. Seeing a group of race horses racing to be the fastest on the finish line is a thrilling thing, not only for horse enthusiasts but also speed lovers. Initially, horse races were often contested during the Roman Empire (Ben-Hur provides a complete picture for it). In addition, this horse race is also found in various mythologies in the European region.

The world’s horse race is divided into 2 major sections; Thoroughbred Race and Harness Race. Thoroughbred is a racetrack where the game is divided into 2 parts i.e. Flat Race (horse racing without hindrance) and Jumping Race (racetrack using obstacles). Thoroughbred Race is the most popular race in the world. The Harness Race is a horse race by train. Of course the train used has a size smaller than the Roman era train. Harness is mostly played in Canada and some European countries.

If you are a horse race fan then you can get more things from your hobby. You can earn not only “satisfaction” but also big money! You can try horse racing gambling games both conventionally and online. Of course the online version is more recommended as you do not need to race to monitor the horse of your choice. The winning money you earn (in case you win a game) can also be directly transferred to your personal account without going through a complicated bureaucracy. Not only that, you can get some bonuses even before playing the game!

The next question is how to choose the best gambling house. In gambling games you have to consider everything and the selection of bookies is one of the most important pillars. You can’t succeed in playing gambling if you deal with bad bookies. What you need is a quality book dealer that does business transparently to ensure there is no loss beyond what has been agreed upon. Of course “losing” in gambling is a natural thing but cheated by a dealer is something that can’t be tolerated.

We are a group of people who love racing gambling and we have been observing for years. From our observations we can conclude that there are only a handful of high quality online gambling bands, one of which is William Hill! By playing on William Hill’s field you can find out the game process in detail even horse racing results today – provided by William Hill. Be smart in choosing “the playing field.”

What you have to know before you play is how you can make a deposit on the bookies where you play. You also have to make sure they are really professional so that your personal data is in the right hands. Make sure also the payment method in case you win a game. Do not let you fall into despair to take what you deserve for.

Pet Friendly Homes

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There’s nothing like having a family pet. But, when welcoming a furry or feathered family member to your home, you must take extra measures to ensure they are living in a healthy and pet-friendly environment.

Just as having good indoor air quality is important to humans, it’s also important for your pets. You’d be surprised by how dirty your air filter can get, so change it regularly to ensure your air conditioner is blowing clean air in your home. Additionally, aerosol sprays are hazardous to birds, so never spray around them. Avoid using softwood shavings in your hamster’s cage, as they emit dangerous fumes that are deadly to your fur baby.

Many objects may look like toys to your pets, however, they can be dangerous — or even deadly. Store rubber bands, ropes, holiday lights, and medicine out of reach or in cabinets to eliminate curiosity and harm. While chocolate may be delicious to humans, it hazardous to dogs and cats, so don’t leave it out on the counter or table. You can also avoid nosy sniffers from getting into food by using childproof locks.

When it comes to the outdoors, we all love looking at a beautifully landscaped yard. However, be mindful of what you’re using to keep the grass green and weeds at bay, as fertilizers and plant food can be toxic to animals. If you’ve just fertilized, keep your pets inside. And once you’ve finished your yard tasks, store everything in sealed containers and out of reach.

Keep your precious animals safe by taking a few extra measures to ensure your home is as pet-friendly as possible.

5 Ways You Can Finance Your Business Idea

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Starting a new business usually requires money. For most aspiring entrepreneurs, self-funding is not a feasible option, so it’s up to them to find ways of securing funding.

Given today’s market condition, it may be tough to find financial support for your startup. It’s not enough to have a solid business model to attract potential investors nowadays. You’ll have to put in extra effort to search for people who are willing to invest in your business idea.

Do it the old-fashioned way via bootstrapping.

“Bootstrapping” means starting a business venture with only your existing savings and cash on hand. It’s similar to self-funding, except you’re not tapping into your regular income streams to power your business dream.

Bootstrapping also involves finding cost-efficient ways of running business processes. Creating an online shop using free tools and taking advantage of social media platforms for marketing are some of the typical ways to keep operating costs cheap.

The obvious disadvantage of this method is relying on a limited pool of funds – at least for the average Joe. On the upside, however, you get to start manageably small and get to scale up at a controlled pace.

Consider applying for a business loan.

Banks and certain government agencies offer financial support to aspiring business owners. Look into getting a small business loan for your startup. Your personal credit rating will be taken into consideration for this method.

Instead of pitching your idea to a business investor, you’ll be facing a loans officer. Make sure your business model is solid and that the numbers add up. Work with your financial advisor and sort out the details so you can present an appealing case to the officer.

Check out crowd funding services.

Crowd funding services like Kickstarter and Indiegogo can be an interesting option for securing funding. Harnessing the power of the Internet and tapping into multiple “mini-investors” can work out well for your business, so long as you set a realistic timetable and achievable goals.

Carefully study these crowd funding platforms as they have various fee structures and rules to follow. There are plenty of horror stories regarding failed crowd funding attempts in various industries ever since the phenomenon started, so wade cautiously in these waters.

Connect with venture capitalists.

A venture capitalist is basically an investor that provides funding for new businesses or supports them by investing additional funds for expansion. These individuals usually have deep pockets but are very discerning when it comes to backing startups, especially those hatched by inexperienced entrepreneurs.

Make sure you have a rock-solid business plan if you’re planning to reach out to these venture capitalists.

Reach out to angel investors.

Like venture capitalists, angel investors also invest in newly launched businesses. These wealthy businessmen are more interested in boosting small businesses to profitability rather than earning a profit from their beneficiaries.

Angel investors typically don’t demand a lot of control in the direction of a business, unlike venture capitalists. With many startups vying for this type of funding, be ready to pull out all the stops when convincing angel investors.

It can be a challenge to get external funding for your startup venture, especially when you’re a newly-minted entrepreneur. Everyone’s looking to get funding for their business ideas nowadays, so it’s a crowded market out there. Don’t lose hope and keep at it – when there’s a will, there’s a way, after all.

Tips to Provide a Safe Workplace for Employees

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Workers have a universal right to work in safe conditions. It’s the duty of the business owners and their managerial staff to fulfill this right by prioritizing safety in the company’s day-to-day operations. There are plenty of ways to accomplish this, so finding the best strategies that fit the company’s profile is highly important.

Workers that are treated well and furnished with a good work-conducive environment are in their best condition for their jobs. Essentially, workers are the backbone of any business. If they’re in poor shape, the business naturally suffers.

Use clear signs and labels

The strategy might sound trivial, but having proper warning signs and labels in the workspace can contribute significantly to its safety and orderliness. This is vitally important for high-risk workplaces, like certain construction and manufacturing industries, as one small mistake can lead to a major accident.

The last thing any enterprise wants is a workplace-related injury or worse – death. Setting up the correct signage can be the difference between a prevented accident, or an injury sustained in the line of work. Workers need to be reminded regularly of the protocols and hazards, and signs are a great way to reinforce that task.

Devote resources to employee health care

An employee’s morale and health play a big factor in their productivity at work. Many scientific studies have come to the same conclusion that healthy workers usually make the best workers.

A practical way to approach health care is to provide regular medical check-ups for the workforce. It can be a cost-effective, preventive measure to ensure that the workers are always in shape for work. Screenings for work-impairing substances, via marijuana urine tests and the like, can also be employed to further improve workplace conditions.

Prepare for emergencies and conduct drills

Disasters like earthquakes and can’t be predicted, but they can be prepared for. Physically preparing the workplace for unpredictable emergencies is the first step to this end. Readying the workers through seminars and drills is the next step afterward.

The managerial staff must have properly crafted guidelines for employees to follow during accidents and emergencies. An evacuation plan should be part of these guidelines, just in case the worst case scenario unfolds.

Investigate accidents and keep records

Unraveling the causes of accidents is part and parcel of accident prevention. It’s important to find out the details of a particular incident and work on improving the workplace so that the chances of a recurrence are diminished.

Keeping records is also part of the investigation, and is a legal requirement for businesses in certain countries. For example, the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers with more than 10 employees to keep a tally of serious work-related injuries and illnesses. Minor injuries that can be handled with a first aid kit are not part of the record.

Wrapping Up

It’s the legal and ethical duty of a business owner to secure a safe working space for the workers. It’s also in the interest of the business to promote the safety and wellness of the workers. The most productive employees are generally the ones that are happy and healthy.

Businesses must be ready to invest resources into making sure these goals are successful. The cost of investment may not be trivial and can be a challenge especially for new enterprises. The rewards, however, of a stronger and more productive workforce can easily overturn the financial stake.

5 Ways to Save Money on Window Treatments

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Window treatments not only bring beautiful style to your home, they also offer necessary privacy. However, when you start looking for window treatments, you might find they’re out of your budget. If this is case, consider a few of these top ways to save money on your window treatments.

Turn Rod Pocket Curtains Into Grommet Curtains

Rod pocket curtains have sewn-in pockets at the top of the panel for the curtain rod. On the other hand, grommet curtains have large grommet openings where the curtain rod slides through. Although rod pocket curtains are often less expensive than grommet curtains, they’re also not as easy to open and close as grommet curtains. However, by simply attaching clip rings to the top of rod pocket curtains, you can pay less for your curtains and still enjoy the convenience of curtains that are easy to open and close.

Make Your Own Roman Shade

If you have a small window in your bathroom or kitchen, a Roman shade offers a sleek and elegant look. However, if you browse for Roman shades, you’ll likely find them ranging from $65 to $75. Luckily, it’s possible to make your own Roman shades with very little sewing involved. You’ll need fabric that’s about 2 inches wider than your window on both sides. You can create the hems using adhesive tape and use hot glue to attach ring tape. After you’ve threaded nylon cord through the ring tape, you can hang the shade using a header board.

Create Your Own Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains offer many advantages. They can block out streetlights so you get better sleep at night. Additionally, they can keep the sun from beating in your windows and making your HVAC system work harder, which increases your heating and cooling costs. Luckily, it’s very simple to make your own blackout curtains. You can either buy blackout panels that clip directly on your curtains, or you can buy black fabric and sew it on your curtains.

Consider Shutters

If you want something unique for your window treatments, consider installing exterior shutters on the inside. You can sometimes find old shutters at flea markets or antique stores. Brighten them up with a fresh coat of paint to match the interior of your room. Then simply attach them to the sides of your windows. If you’d like them to open and close like real shutters, all you have to do is hang them using hinges.

Get Creative With Your Curtains

The nice thing about curtains is that you can make them from nearly any type of fabric. You can pick up some drop cloths at the home improvement store and embellish them with paint or other fabric. To get a funky look in your kitchen, consider hanging burlap coffee sacks as a window topper. You can even sew long pieces of clearance fabric into panels to create a one-of-a-kind and inexpensive curtain.

With a bit of creativity, you can save money on your window treatments and create beauty and style that’s unique to your home.

The Cheapest Way to Qualify as a Teacher While You’re a Stay At Home Mom

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A lot of mothers who choose to stay at home when their children are young try to make plans for what they might do with their careers when their kids are older and in school. Teaching is an option a lot of moms find appealing, as it means they will be working at the same times their own children are at school, will have school vacations off to spend with their families, and can also learn some useful things to help them teach their own children and get them interested in their school studies.

Studying To Become A Teacher

If you already have a college education and are skilled and knowledgeable in an area you think you’d like to teach, then the best way to become a teacher is to qualify with a masters in education. However, going back to college can be an expensive business and you probably don’t want to spend a lot of money on this or incur student debt while you have the expenses associated with a growing young family. Luckily, there is a cheaper alternative that also offers stay at home moms a lot more flexibility. This involves doing your masters in education online.

Why Online Education Is the Cheapest option for Moms Who Want to Teach

A lot of very good schools like the University of Cincinnati offer an online masters in education course, and while these courses are not free, they cost a lot less than attending a college in a conventional way and paying full tuition. You can still get student loans if you need them to cover your course. However, you may find that an online course is affordable without doing this, helping you stay out of debt. This isn’t the only reason online courses are cheaper. However, you also avoid the costs of actually attending a physical university and don’t have to worry about things like child care, as you would if you attended lectures at your local community college.

Other Reasons Why Moms Can Benefit from Doing Their Teaching Qualifications Online

Price isn’t the only reason why online teaching degrees are a good idea for moms looking for more career options. By being able to view lectures at a time that suits you and work through the course at your own pace, you don’t have to worry about missing a lesson because your childcare arrangements fell through or your child is sick. You can simply work when your children are sleeping and postpone your studies if something comes up that you have to deal with. On a normal course, it can be easy to fall behind or worry about missing things when your family needs your attention more, but as an online student, you have no such problems.

If you love the idea of having a new teaching qualification when your child starts school and you want to return to work, then an online degree is definitely worth considering.