Your kids are probably getting excited at the thought of all the trick or treating candy, but they are probably planning their costume, too. Costumes can get expensive with some as high as $100. That’s a lot of money for some families to spend on something your child will likely wear just once and then outgrow. But don’t worry. There are a number of great frugal Halloween ideas that will keep your kids happy without spending the money you are saving for Christmas.
Child Savings – More Than Money in the Bank
How early is too early to start saving?
Warren Buffett’s multi-billion empire arguably started at age 6, when he bought packs of gum at his grandfather’s grocery store and spent his evenings selling them door-to-door in his neighborhood. The successful gum enterprise soon led to selling six-packs of Coca-Cola, which led to delivering the Washington Post and later to magazine subscriptions. Throughout his childhood, Buffett challenged himself to earn more and save more. By the time he was 11, he had saved $114 (or about $2,000 in 2018 dollars) and invested in his first stock. The rest, as they say, is history.
5 Fun and Affordable Fall Family Vacations
Many schools give the kids a fall break and it’s the perfect time for a quick getaway. You probably don’t want to dip into your Christmas money, and you don’t want to break that piggy bank. Here are 5 fun ideas for family vacations on a budget — and a few free things you can do too!
Expecting a New Family Member? Discover These 5 Strategies That Will Prevent You from Racking up Debt
When you’re expecting a new family member, one of the first concerns that comes to mind is finances. From diapers and baby food to checkups and babysitting fees, there are not just heavy expenses but several expenses that add up quickly. Are you financially prepared?
How To Care for Your Elderly Parents
As you know, Kids Ain’t Cheap normally talks about young children and finance. However, as children grow up, they sometimes find themselves in the parenting/guardian position. In somewhat of a role reversal, older parents often end up needing assistance from their children. So, we felt this was an important topic to talk about.
Once your parents reach Social Security retirement age, Medicare becomes a significant part of their lives. The program provides them with a certain level of medical insurance, ensuring more manageable expenses. This is especially important once parents are no longer working. You, as the adult child, may have to play a major role in this process. Here’s how to care for your elderly parents via Medicare coverage.
Tamila McDonald is a U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, including five years as a military financial advisor. After retiring from the Army, she spent eight years as an AFCPE-certified personal financial advisor for wounded warriors and their families. Now she writes about personal finance and benefits programs for numerous financial websites.
School Is In Session! Protect Yourself From Scams
Beware of Back-to-School Credit Card Fraud
With the school season starting again, education is job number one for students and parents alike. A proper education includes an education in personal finance, and one of the best ways to start is to learn how to protect yourself against scams.
The Costs of Being a Dad — What It Costs to Raise a Child
Playing Safe This Summer
Summer is fast approaching.
It is time to start making our plans and finalizing booking for accommodations.
Does last years bathing suit still fit?
Is car tuned up?
Does everyone have there designated duckie floaty?
Yes, even mom can enjoy a duckie floaty.
Most summer activities take place outdoors, so reasonably that is what we need to be prepared for.
Will you go to the beach, lake, water parks, backyard, or a city park?
One of our biggest concerns is, how can we stay safe and keep our family safe while having the most fun?
Preparing yourself
Many babies are born during the summer and it can be exhausting on the expecting mother carrying extra weight in the heat and the extra heat your body produces.
It is critical if pregnant to have all doctors, emergency information, hospital locations, and in case of any birth emergency having the contact information for CPR Law in Philadelphia readily available.
If you are not expecting, you still need to make sure you are ready for the energy level children (and yes a husband) have when entering into a fun situation.
This means taking care of yourself so that you are not sick, tired, and ready to paste sunscreen on little noses.
Preparing for the family
For on the go summer fun have a safety bag in your car, a mini go bag.
Some items that I keep in mine are all doctors contact information, a copy of insurance cards, first aid kit,
sunscreens, aloe vera, pain medicines, small amounts of normally taken medicine by any family member, benadryl, towles, compact beach blanket, water, non-perishable snacks, or anything else you feel your family might specifically need.
Associates
So now your car is ready and you have a destination in mind but then what about association?
My husband and I are very close.
My friends are his friends and he knows what friends we have that may be crazy, kid friendly, the family with 6 kids that at least one gets a broken limb a year, or just not right for the adventures we are going to have.
We are the family that all goes together, with the father who plays along with the kids and keeps games safe and fun.
With kids it is good to always be prepared as they are full of the unexpected.
I am know as being “the woman who always has everything’’ and it has literally saved lives.
Enjoy Summer!
Many Millennials Have No Savings
What’s in your savings account? If you’re a millennial, there’s a decent chance that there’s nothing in your account but IOUs and promises. [Read more…]
Jackie Cohen is an award winning financial journalist turned turned financial advisor obsessed with climate change risk, data and business. Jackie holds a B.A. Degree from Macalester College and an M.A. in English from Claremont Graduate University.
5 Free Things To Do That Your Kids Will Actually Enjoy
Life can be stressful enough when things get financially tough, but when you have kids, especially of the younger variety, that stress can get a whole lot worse. What’s more, the usual home entertainment never seems to cut it when it matters most. While same day lending is available in the case of a financial emergency, keeping the kids entertained when you’re short on money is an art that parents are eager to learn. Here, we’ve pulled together a list of five free things to do with your kids that they will actually enjoy.
- Make The Most Of Your Garden
If you have a garden, front or back, then make the absolute best of it that you possibly can. Whether it’s breaking out the gardening equipment and teaching the little ones the art of perfect planting, or you set up the sprinklers during the hotter days and watch them jump around while you eagerly sip a cold drink, you can ‘spruce up’ your garden easily. If all else fails, set up a picnic in the garden for a fun way to enjoy your lunch! The fresh air will be good for them, and you get to spend some time together as a family.
- Conduct A Science Experiment
Science is cool, right? Whether you actually agree with that statement or not, your kids will – at least, they will when you break out the science experiments. Mentos and Coke is a classic. Any kid will love to watch as the coke fizzes up and spurts everywhere! For something a little cleaner, you could build parachutes for toys from paper or plastic bags to see which float and which don’t. There are plenty of experiments you can find online with things you’ll have right there at home, and your kids will love watching the reactions!
- Cook Something
There’s nothing better than mixing up a cake, eating half the batter, then cooking the rest and getting to eat all of that too – and don’t even get us started on the icing. If you have kids who love being in the kitchen with you, why not get them involved? Whether you opt for something simple like cakes or biscuits, or you get them to help with dinner, there’s plenty you can do to teach them about nutrition too. Why not get them to make up their own pizzas, or have more choice over what goes in their burger?
- Take Them To An Animal Shelter
If your children are fans of animals but you can’t afford a pet of your own, you could visit your local animal shelter! Most animal shelters are always happy to accommodate anyone wanting to look around and play with the animals for a while, but always check before you go! You’ll need nerves of steel, though – just think about all of those literal puppy eyes looking in your direction, including your kids.
- Set Up A Movie Night
As fun as a trip to the cinema can be, it can also be expensive. While the tickets might start off cheap, the transport, snacks and more can add up quickly and turn into quite the expensive trip out. Instead, why not set up a movie night at home? You can set up pillows, blankets, snacks and drinks and put on some of your kid’s favourite movies to keep them occupied for a while. It’s valuable family time and valuable quiet time!
Keeping your kids entertained doesn’t have to be as much of a struggle as it may initially seem. Finding something they actually enjoy is a battle worth fighting, and hopefully our list has given you a good place to start.