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Best Travel Crib for Twins

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Best Travel Crib for Twins

Traveling with babies and toddlers is always interesting.  First, you have to plan the actual trip.  How will baby do?  What can you do as a parent to make baby more comfortable and able to pass the time while you’re traveling?  But then there are other considerations, namely, all the gear that you have to pack so you can travel with baby.  Think playpens, strollers, portable changing tables, etc.  If you have twins, the planning is likely double.  However, if you choose one of the best travel cribs for twins, you may get a lot of your travel gear in one purchase.

Best Travel Crib for Twins

Now that more people are having twins, the market has exploded.  Lucky for us as buyers, that means there are many choices available.

Joovy Room²

Hands down, the best travel crib for twins is the Joovy Room².

This product comes with a thick pad for the bottom as well as a soft, fitted, waterproof sheet.  This playpen can accommodate children from newborns to those 35 inches tall, which means you’ll be able to use it for several years.  (The manufacturer asks that you discontinue use when the child can climb out.)

Pros

There are many pros with the Joovy Room².

Spacious

This portable playpen is bigger than standard pack n plays, which makes it ideal for twins.  In fact, it’s nearly 10 square feet in size and can easily accommodate two children.

Additional Features

The Joovy Room² has wide mesh on all sides, so you can more easily see your children.

It also comes with a storage bag that you can use when traveling with the Joovy.

Finally, it has two wheels on the bottom to allow you to easily move the Joovy Room².

Twin Nursery Center Bassinet Playpen Accessory

For newborns and infants, you can purchase the Joovy Twin Nursery Center Bassinet Playpen Accessory.

Best Travel Crib for Twins

This handy accessory turns your playpen into the perfect portable crib for twin babies.  It includes:

  • Bassinet,
  • Bassinet divider (so each baby has their own separate space to sleep in), and
  • Changing table (which sits on top of the bassinet area)

For convenience, the changing table flips to the side when not in use.

The bassinet holds up to 30 pounds, which means the twins can use it until they weigh 15 pounds each.

Cons

Although twin parents love the Joovy Room², it does have some drawbacks.

Heavy

Because it is large and comes with a high quality, thick mattress, some parents say that it’s heavy.  A few even say it’s too heavy to travel with.  However, that is a minority of parents.

Bunching Sheet

Other parents complain that after the sheet has been washed a few times, it has the tendency to bunch and not fit as snugly as when it was new.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for the best travel crib for twins, consider adding the Joovy Room² to your baby registry or buying it.  This product will continue to serve your family for several years.

Read More

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The Best (and Worst!) Baby Shower Gifts

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baby shower gifts

Baby showers. Some love them, some hate them. While I love buying things for little people, I dislike attending baby showers. Nothing against the expecting family, I really just hate everything about traditional baby shower games. I’m at the age where there is a stark increase in the amount of showers I get invited to, though.

Between the number of showers I’ve attended, and the ones I’ve been on the receiving end of, I feel like a bit of a baby shower expert, and I’m here to give you my opinion on the best, and wors,t baby shower gifts.

Best Baby Shower Gifts

There are some baby gifts that are more useful than others.  These are the ones that almost every new parent will appreciate.

Large, Expensive Gifts

First time parents will likely welcome large, expensive gifts that they have on their registry such as a stroller, crib, playpen, and rocking chair.  These gifts are usually too expensive for one person to buy on their own, so feel free to chip in with other people and give a group gift.

When we were expecting our first, my co-workers went together and bought our stroller/car seat combo.  I was so glad that we didn’t have to buy this ourselves because our money was tight then.

Baby Carrier

baby shower gifts

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Some babies are only consoled when their parents hold them.  This can lead to both tired arms and frustration.  Getting anything done around the house is difficult when the baby fusses as soon as she’s put down.  A baby carrier can be a fabulous gift because it gives parents the opportunity to keep the baby close AND get things done around the house.

Restaurant Gift Certificate

No matter what kind of birth you have, the perfect natural drug free delivery or complicated c-section, no new mom, experienced or not, feels like cooking in those early days. Life is chaotic and having a gift certificate or two to fall back on is a huge help!

Clothes the Kid Can Grow Into

Too many people will show up with exclusively newborn clothes.  Sure, they’re cute, but they’re also impractical.  All three of my babies were nine to ten pounds at birth.  They never fit in newborn clothes, and they only stayed in size 0-3 month clothes for about the first four weeks.  Had I gotten many outfits in those sizes, they would have been wasted.

Having a few outfits/PJ’s in larger sizes the kid can grow into is always appreciated. Kids grow fast, so they’ll get into that cute outfit sooner than you think!  They’ll likely stay in the larger size outfits longer, too.

Burp Pads/Wipes

Newborns make an insane amount of mess. They vomit and spit up everywhere, all of which requires being cleaned up. No mom can have enough burp pads/wipes/bibs for kids since they will go through about 25,721 per day. They also get stained beyond recognition and eventually tossed, so don’t spend too much money on them.

Diapers

Kids need diapers in many sizes. Find out if the parents plan on using disposable or cloth before buying, though.  Even if they get a lot of diapers, it is a gift always well appreciated.

Worst Shower Gift Ideas

And then there are the gifts that well meaning friends and family give you that are, honestly, worthless.

Nursing Bras

Unless you’re in the change room with the new mom, there is no way you’ll get this right. If you think it’s a gift mom would like and want though, get a gift certificate instead.

Expensive or Impractical Baby Clothes

baby shower gifts

Photo by Luke Michael on Unsplash

Babies, especially newborns, are messy. They do not need fancy, expensive and fussy clothes! You are literally wasting money when you buy these clothes, no matter how cute. Same goes for newborn shoes. Unless the kid is walking (usually past 1 year), they don’t need shoes with proper soles. Even in the winter, small children don’t need them; most baby snowsuits will take care of foot coverage.

Likewise, avoid impractical baby clothes.  When I was expecting my first baby, a co-worker bought me a towel and a baby bathrobe.  Sure, the set was cute as can be, but how practical is struggling with a baby to put on a bathrobe only to dry the baby off and put on his clothes?  I returned that gift before I even had the baby.

Non-seasonal baby clothes

Find out when the kid (should) be born before buying seasonal clothes. If the child is born in December there’s a good chance they won’t still be in newborn size swimwear come July. Pay attention to sizes when buying such items.

A Word about Baby Registries

If the parents did create a registry, look it up. Chances are they spent time to figure out what would work and what they need for their family. Sometimes, showers aren’t the best time to be reinventing the wheel, so-to-speak. If they took the time to research a monitor they liked, for example, don’t bother buying a different one because you liked it more; there’s a good chance it will end up getting exchanged.

One More Thought on Gifts

It’s not to say new moms think of everything, though. As a mom myself, there were things I received from experienced friends and family that I never would have thought of and was so appreciative of.  If you go this route, just make sure to include a gift receipt so they can return the item if it turns out not to be something they would want.

Final Thoughts

If you are invited to a baby shower, keep in mind some of the best baby shower gifts to give.  I still remember which of my friends and family gave me the gifts I most appreciate and found  most useful.  Now, when I attend a baby shower, I try to do the same for new moms.

What is your favorite gift to give for a baby shower?

Read More

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After the Shower: How to Save Money with a Young Baby

5 Printable Baby Shower Games

 

What Is the Financial Responsibility of a Step Parent?

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Step Parent Financial Responsibility

Many second marriages now come with the bonus of additional children—step children.  As a step parent, you’re expected to provide support and understanding for your “bonus children.”  But what other responsibilities do you have?  Namely, what are the financial responsibilities?

Financial Responsibility of a Step Parent?

Your financial responsibility is largely determined by your step child’s situation.  Did his other parent die?  Are his parents divorced, but the other spouse is paying child support?  Was he abandoned by his other parent and receives no visits or monetary help from that parent?  Do you have your own kids that you bring to this marriage?  If so, what is your financial situation with your ex?

All of these variables come into play when you decide what your financial responsibility is as a step parent.

Do You Want to Adopt?

One of the first questions before you tie the knot is to determine if you want to adopt your step children.  Of course, this isn’t an option for everyone, especially if the step children’s other parent plays a role in their lives.  However, if your step children have an absent parent or their parent has died, you may want to adopt them, especially if they are open to the idea.

There are many advantages to adopting step children.  Most importantly, you will then be able to have a legal say in their lives.  Likewise, if your new spouse becomes incapacitated, you are recognized by the law as your step children’s parent.

Talk to a Financial Planner

Step Parent Financial Responsibility

Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash

After you’ve made that crucial decision, the next is to consider talking to a financial planner.  When merging a household, there are many financial decisions to make.

When it comes to taxes, will you file jointly with your new spouse?  If so, will you be able to claim the children on your tax return, or will their other parent?

When it comes to money management, will you merge finances or keep them separate?  If you decide to keep them separate, what will be your financial obligation to your step children?

Analyze Your Life Insurance Beneficiaries

Finally, analyze your life insurance beneficiaries.  You, your spouse, and your step children are now a family, and as such, you want to make sure that they will be able to function financially should the unexpected happen.

Unfortunately, some people forget to change their beneficiaries, so as soon as you’re married, make sure to change the beneficiaries to your new family.  Also evaluate whether you have enough life insurance after your new marriage.  You may find you need to secure more.

Final Thoughts

Each relationship is unique.  While there are no explicit rules about a step parent’s financial responsibility to her step children like there are with biological parents and children, you still want to make sure your new family is taken care of financially.  You can do this by considering whether to adopt, consulting with a financial planner, and updating your life insurance.

Read More

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Teach Your Child About Money – Free Savings Chart for Kids

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Free Savings Chart for Kids

One of the most wonderful gifts you can give your children is a healthy understanding of money. Not a craving for it or an assumption that it will lead to happiness. Instead, you have the privilege – the responsibility – to teach children about hard work, the power of saving, the dangers of debt, and the gift of giving. To help your children learn, we’ll also set you up with a free savings chart for kids.

How to Teach Your Child About Saving Money

Many people are in crisis mode, financially. It’s impossible to know what they learned or didn’t learn about money at home, but would America look different if more parents taught their children the principles I listed above? What if more parents led by example by communicating together about a budget, saying no more often to frivolous spending, and showing their children how to save up and pay cash instead of using credit cards?

It’s purely my speculation, but I’d go so far as to say we’d have less stress, less divorce, fewer addictions, more giving, and greater job satisfaction. Do you agree?

With the right steps, we can teach our children to live differently.

What About Student Loan Debt?

Free Savings Chart for Kids

Photo by Alexis Brown on Unsplash

You’re probably thinking, “What about student loans? I was just trying to further my education and now I’m overwhelmed by debt as a result.” Totally valid point. I remember approaching high school graduation and hearing everyone discuss their reasons for choosing one school over another. NOT ONCE did my friends and I stew over the debt load we’d receive from student loans. None of us saw what was coming.

In fact, according to StudentLoanHero.com, outstanding student loan debt reached more than $1.64 trillion in 2020.

How can we teach our children to save money in the face of such a burden of debt?

Start the Conversations

A great way to educate your young tribe about the dos and don’ts of spending is to create an open line of communication. Encourage them to ask questions. Show them the process of paying for your groceries or a meal at a restaurant. Take them to the bank and show them how you make a savings deposit.

Also, a conversation is a great way to tackle topics like:

  • Work ethic
  • Getting a job
  • Planning for the future
  • Saving for a major purchase
  • Saving for college (tell them about the ways you are saving for their college while they’re young)
  • Integrity
  • Greed
  • Envy
  • Contentment
  • Generosity

You don’t have to run down this list every night at the dinner table, but the more conversations you do have about these topics, the more seeds your planting in your child’s mind. You’re teaching her how to think about money, not what to think.

Put Them to Work

Free Savings Chart for Kids

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

We’ve covered the important step of talking about money. Next, it’s time to apply what your child has learned. If he’s old enough to hold a broom or to straighten up his room, your child is old enough to get paid for chores.

It’s important that he knows the money isn’t just for spending. Saving is a difficult concept for young minds, at first, unless they have something for which they’re saving. For example, if your daughter sees a Belle doll in the toy aisle and begs for you to buy it, you have some choices. You can purchase the doll, you can discuss the cost and why it’s not in the budget, or you can write down the dollar amount on a paper, head home, and help her calculate how many chores it’d take to save for the doll.

To aid in that endeavor, here are some free tools you can use with your child.

Free Savings Chart for Kids – and Other Great Savings Tools

Printable Savings Chart for Kids – via CouponsAreGreat.net

Downloadable “Share, Save, Spend” Chart for Kids – via iMom.com

Printable Savings Thermometer Chart – via Frugal-Mama.com

52-Week Money Challenge for Kids

Printable Play Money for Kids

Final Thoughts

Combine a free savings chart for kids with some great conversations and hard work around the house.  You’ll be setting the stage for great financial decisions, which will hopefully follow your children into adulthood!

Got some tips for teaching children to save money? Share one below!

Read More

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Teach Them Young: 3 Key Tips to Help Your Child Learn about Money

What Is the Greenlight Card for Kids?

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If you have kids that are in middle school and high school, you likely feel the need (as I do) to teach them financial common sense.  The hope is that eventually they will be able to move out on their own and be financially responsible.  However, this lesson isn’t quickly learned, and it requires a lot of parental oversight to do it right.  One tool that can help you is the Greenlight Card for kids.

Greenlight Debit Card for Kids

What Is the Greenlight Card for Kids?

The Greenlight Card for kids is a debit card your children can use, but it comes with some amazing parental controls so you can help guide and influence your children in their money habits.

Please note that if your kids have smartphones, there is an app they can use which will show them their balance and chores and allow them to make requests.  However, the Greenlight Card for Kids can be used if kids don’t have smartphones, also.

Features of the Greenlight Card for Kids

This card makes allowances high tech.

Instantly Deposit Money

You can reward your children for chores well done by depositing money in their Greenlight Card.  Within the card app, children can set up different categories such as spend, save, and give.  They can also set up long-term goal categories such as saving for a car.

Parental Benefits

You can help your children manage their money with this helpful card.  You’ll be given real time spending alerts.

Teach your children about interest by giving them interest payments on their savings.  You decide how much you want to give them.

In addition, you can enable the feature that allows them to withdraw money from the ATM and set how much they’re allowed to withdraw.  Or, you can make withdrawing money off limits.

Features for Older Kids

Greenlight Debit Card for Kids

Photo by Stephen Phillips – Hostreviews.co.uk on Unsplash

If your teens have jobs, they can have their paycheck automatically deposited to the Greenlight Card for Kids.  The card can also be added to Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Safety Features

Each Greenlight Card is FDIC insured.  In addition, the card blocks your children from spending money for gambling or buying lottery tickets.  They also won’t be able to spend money at places like massage parlors and horse or dog races, and they cannot get cashback from a purchase.  You’ll get an alert if they try.

In addition, parents have the ability to turn the debit card on or off, should they need to.

How Much Does the Greenlight Card Cost?

The first month is free.  After that, you pay $4.99 for debit cards for up to five kids.  Should you need replacement cards, the first replacement cards are free.

Final Thoughts

The Greenlight Card for Kids offers a way to give your children financial independence while also providing parental oversight so you can help guide your children into financial growth.  This tool is an excellent way to exchange money between parents and kids while having features that let your children grow in responsibility as they grow up.

CIT Bank Money Market Account

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Free Printable Kids Money for Download

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Getting ready to teach your children or students how to interact with money? That’s fantastic! Not only will this building block help them learn mathematics like counting by fives and tens, but it will also prepare them for the workplace. Let’s take a look at a variety of free printable kids money available on the Web and ways to teach kids about money.

play money for kids

Free Printable Kids Money for Download

Monopoly Money

One of the most recognizable currencies for children (or at least this 90s kid) is the brightly colored money from the Hasbro game, Monopoly. These bills differ from U.S. currency in appearance but offer your children a chance to practice their counting, sorting, and hand-eye coordination skills.

Download your free printable Monopoly money here.

U.S. Coins

Are your children ready to learn coin values? Making change? Let’s take a look at some printable coin sheets for you:

Customized printable sheets of play money – At StemSheets.com, you can customize the number and denomination of play coins you need on each sheet. For example, you can print off 20 coins of each value (up to a quarter) on a single piece of paper. That’s 80 coins – in color – on one sheet.

Printable coins and coloring pages – Head over to EnchantedLearning.com to view printable images of quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. Also, view a myriad of coloring pages for your child to enjoy as they educate her about U.S. coins.

Printable coin math worksheets – Ready to test your child’s knowledge of counting and making change? These free worksheets are great tools for just that.

Bonus Read: “6 Fun Money Games for Kids“

U.S. Dollars

Got a bank teller in the making? Help your children or students identify the correct face on each piece of currency and count them in quantities of fives, tens, twenties, or even hundreds with these options:

Fake Play Bills – Looking for fake $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills for your kids? Here is a complete list of free and printable play bills. These can engage your young child in a myriad of money lessons like counting, sorting, and even practicing good habits like using the envelope system.

Realistic Bills – Add a Face – A great way to quiz your child on whose face belongs to which bill is to show him this realistic play money with no face in the middle. After printing out these bills by denomination, he can color in his own face for some added fun. No worries. It’s only a federal crime to deface U.S. currency when it’s not play money. 😉

Games and Play to Teach Kids About Money

In the preschool years, kids are just beginning to learn that money has value and can be used to buy goods.  In early elementary, they learn to distinguish between the various bills and coins and their value.  You can help your child become money smart at an early age by playing money games with them.  Consider some of the following:

Buying Groceries

Print, cut, and laminate these terrific flash cards to quiz your child on prices at the grocery store. For example, she can use her fake money to pay for a $2 bag of popcorn or $1 bottle of water or do the math to pay for them both.

As your child gets older and masters this play game, you can take her with you to the grocery store.  Give her a certain amount of money and ask her to buy a few select things from your list.  This is a great time to teach her the difference between name brand and unbranded goods and the price difference between them.

Going to a Restaurant

Free Printable Kids Money

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Take advantage of your child’s love of play to play a game of restaurant.  Present children with a menu using one of these realistic free menu downloads.  Then, let your child choose his food, pay for the meal, and leave a tip.  This is an excellent time to talk about budgeting and staying within a budget when dining out.  Don’t forget to let your child switch roles and practice being the waiter.

Using Printable Play Checks

Is your child old enough to write? Then he’s old enough to learn how to write a check. Paper checks may seem archaic in today’s digital world, but it’s still a foundational skill from which your child will build his financial knowledge upon.

For example, give him a set list of chores to complete, then pay with a check using these free printable checks. Teach him how to understand the information on the check, endorse it properly on the back, and cash it. This will help him understand the role banks and employers will play in his life later, even if his paychecks are directly deposited.

Practicing Estimation

Another fun activity is helping your children practice estimation.  Fill a glass jar with coins, and let your kids guess how much money is in there.  The person with the closest estimate wins a small prize.

Collecting Change

Another idea is to save all your coins in a jar as a family.  Decide together what you’ll use the money for.  Maybe you’ll use it for a fun day out or for a donation to a charity you all agree on.

Teaching about Interest

For older elementary kids, teach them how interest works.  They can deposit money with you for their savings, and every month you can give them interest, at a rate you’ve determined, on their savings.  Your kids will likely be excited by this “free” money they’ve earned and want to save even more.

Final Thoughts

We all want our kids to be savvy when it comes to saving and spending.  Those skills should start being developed early, when kids are three to ten, through printable money and games with the kids.  The earlier you can start them understanding the value of money, the longer you have to teach them how to use money responsibly.

Bonus Read: “How to Teach a Child to Count Money“

Got any favorite ways to teach kids about money? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

Read More

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Games That Teach Kids About Money,

Free Apps that Help Kids Manage Their Pocket Money

How to Create a Digital Vision Board

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Digital Vision Board

Have you set goals for yourself?  Would you like to utilize a strategy to make those goals reality more quickly?  If so, a vision board may be just what you need.  Since most Americans are on their electronics most of the day, a digital vision board may be even more helpful.

How to Create a Digital Vision Board

Creating a digital vision board should only take an hour or two, but its impact should influence you for the rest of the year.

Determine Your Goals

The first step is to determine your goals.  What do you want to accomplish over the next 12 months?  What is working successfully in your life that you want to maintain?  What inspires you?

Make a list of seven to ten goals and items in your life that you want to maintain.

Then, it’s time for the fun—actually choosing the images for your vision board.

Choose Your Digital Vision Board Images

The next step is to find images that best visualize what you want to achieve in your life.  For instance, if you want to graduate from college, you may have an image of a woman in a cap and gown posing with her children.  If you want to cook at home more, you may have a picture of a luscious homemade meal or a woman cooking.

Pick at least one picture for each of your goals, though you can pick more if you’d like.

In addition, you may want to add in a few inspiring quotes to keep you motivated throughout the year.

Where to Find Images

When you’re looking for images, the best place to start is Pinterest.  Because there are so many pictures there, you can really find one that speaks to you and is unique to your own goals.  You can also find motivational quotes here.

While you’ll likely find all that you need on Pinterest, if you don’t, you can go to a place like Unsplash and find images there.

Digital Vision Board

Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash

Remember, you can also use your own personal photos.  If one goal is, “take a family vacation,” use a picture of the family on your last vacation as motivation.

How to Put the Digital Vision Board Together

Finally, to put the digital vision board together, go to Canva.  (It’s free!).  Once you’re in Canva, click on “Create a Design” and choose “Desktop Wallpaper.”

Next, upload all of the photos and quotes that you have chosen.

Click on “Elements” in the side bar and type in “grid.”  Then choose the grid pattern you would like and starting arranging your pictures.

Final Thoughts

For years, athletes have used visualization to help them perform better.  When you visualize something repeatedly, you’re more likely to achieve that goal.

By placing a digital vision board somewhere you will see it repeatedly throughout the day, say on your desktop, you’re subconsciously reinforcing the vision of your future and your likelihood of making that vision a reality.

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Dyper Review

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As a parent to a young child, nothing beats the convenience of disposable diapers.  Even if you feel inclined to use cloth diapers, which most parents don’t, you’re not always able to do so because many daycares only accept disposable diapers.  However, for eco conscious parents, disposable diapers may morally be tough to use.  After all, they take decades to decompose (some estimate as many as five hundred years!).  The decision to use disposable diapers is a bit easier if you consider an eco-friendly company like Dyper.

Dyper Review

Dyper Review

Dyper is an eco-friendly company that offers diapers and services unlike any other on the diaper market.

What Makes Dyper Different

There are many ways that Dyper is different from other diaper companies.

Eco-Friendly Diapers

Dyper’s diapers are made of bamboo.  Unlike other disposable diapers, Dyper’s contain no print or decoration; the diapers are solid white.  These diapers also are free of many chemicals found in other brands.  Specifically, they do NOT contain any of the following:

  • Chlorine,
  • Latex,
  • PVC,
  • TBT,
  • Antioxidants,
  • Perfumes,
  • Lotions, or
  • Phthalates

SOS Program

When you buy from Dyper, you sign up for a monthly delivery of diapers.  However, should you run short on diapers, Dyper has an SOS program.  This program, available a maximum of two times per year to active subscribers, will give you diapers within four hours (if you live in the 12 large cities currently offering this feature.)  Otherwise, diapers will be sent to you the next day.   Even better, they’ll be sent to whatever location you’re currently at, even if it’s at the beach while you’re vacationing.

Recycling Program

Dyper offers a ReDyper program (extra fee applies).  The company will send you eco-friendly bags, a shipping box, and prepaid label.  When you’re ready to empty your diaper pail, don’t put the contents in the garbage, which will go into the landfill.  Instead, put the diapers in the bag in the shipping box, seal and label and put it out by your front door.  Dyper will pick it up and recycle your diapers, keeping them out of the landfill.

This option is something that really sets Dyper apart from other diaper companies.

How Much Is Dyper’s Monthly Service?

A monthly subscription to Dyper is $68 a month.  The first month, you get 30% off, making your total $47.60.

The number of diapers you get per month depends on the size diaper that your child is wearing:

  • Newborn – 264 diapers/delivery
  • Small – 224 diapers/delivery
  • Medium – 184 diapers/delivery
  • Large – 140 diapers/delivery
  • Extra Large – 120 diapers/delivery

Dyper Review

Other Products Dyper Offers

In addition to disposable diapers, Dyper also offers

  • Training pants,
  • Cloth diapers,
  • Baby wipes,
  • Alcohol wipes,
  • Diaper cream,
  • Diaper pail, and several other products

Basically, Dyper has your diapering needs covered.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this review has helped you to see that if you’re looking for an eco-friendly diaper company, look no further than Dyper.  Their convenient subscription service saves you the hassle of making trips to the store for diapers, and their recycling program keeps disposable diapers out of the landfill.

Read More

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Loans for Stay-at-Home Moms – What Are Your Options?

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Borrowing money is as commonplace in today’s economy as choosing your next meal. Many use it in daily life – whether it’s choosing a vehicle, a college, or a purse. But is it healthy? Also, do loans for stay-at-home moms even exist? Let’s take a look at your options in today’s article.

Loans for Stay at Home Moms

Loans for Stay-at-Home Moms – a Breakdown of Your Options

I used debt regularly the moment I reached adulthood. My entire effort was to ultimately raise my credit score.

However, my focus on debt became one of my biggest stumbling blocks for becoming a stay-at-home mom, years later. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever make it because debt was holding me back.

I’m not saying you can’t ever use debt, but I want you to know what my experience taught me. Also, as a financial coach since 2013, I’ve seen the underbelly of loans and debt.

So let’s take a look at when it might make sense to borrow money and when it might not.

Can Stay-at-Home Moms Borrow Money?

It’s a valid question. If your income is $0, then what creditor will believe that you’ll pay them back? Here are a few options (none of which are guaranteed):

Consider Household Income

Find a lender who will consider your household income. Even with my decent credit score, lenders weren’t remotely interested in loaning me the money for our first house until they saw my husband’s full-time income. If you’re a stay-at-home mom, then you’re already living off someone else’s paycheck – likely your spouse’s. It’s best to go forward with any major financial decisions – particularly debt – together.

0% Interest Cards

Apply for a credit card with 0% interest. Try to find one that promises no interest for at least 12 months or more and read the fine print!  It’s especially important to look at what the transfer fee will be if you’re transferring old debt to pay off.  (Typically, transfer fees are 3 to 5% of the total amount you transfer to the 0% interest card.)  You will also want to consider what the interest rate will be after the introductory 0% phase in case you aren’t able to pay it off within that time.

You will still need to declare your household income to be approved, but this will likely give you a lengthier time to repay a debt (i.e. medical bill or personal debt).

Collateral

Ask about collateral. If your name is on something of value (i.e. a vehicle), you may be able to use it for a loan.  However, be forewarned that if you’re not able to keep up with the monthly payments, you can lose the item you put up for collateral, so in general, choose this option as a last resort.

Most importantly, make a clear plan for your budget to pay this debt off as quickly as possible! The average household has $16,748 in credit card debt. So many families let that final step slide and become buried. That doesn’t have to be you!

When Loans for Stay-at-Home Moms Might Make Sense

There are some instances where loans for stay-at-home moms make sense.

Mortgages

Loans for Stay at Home Moms

Photo by Colton Sturgeon on Unsplash

If you wish to buy a home but don’t have six figures in cash at the moment, that’s understandable. Taking out a mortgage does include its share of benefits:

  • Accrued equity
  • Resale value
  • Options for shorter and more accelerated payoff plans (saving thousands in interest)

Medical Payment Plans

Perhaps you’re an at-home parent facing a medical procedure that’s more than you have available. The billing company often provides structured payment plans (often interest free) allowing you to pay off that debt over time.

Debt Alternatives for Stay-at-Home Moms

While accumulating debt makes sense in some cases, often avoiding debt is the best thing to do.  As my husband and I began our journey out of debt, we had to find new alternatives to paying for every purchase. Here are a few primary habits we still practice today:

Adjust Your Standard of Living

If you’re used to buying nicer decor, vehicles, clothing, and vacations and placing them all on credit, then it’s likely snipping the card won’t be the only important step. You may need to reduce your clothing budget, take a staycation, or live with your current decor longer than normal.

Create a Sinking Fund

Loans for Stay at Home Moms

Photo by Naomi Hébert on Unsplash

This was a big one for us. Sure, it’s easy to say we’ll pay for things in cash, but putting in the actual work is difficult. For example, one day, you’re going to open your refrigerator and it’s going to feel like warm, sunny day instead of the icy Arctic. That’s an expensive fix, but also an inevitable one. By placing chunks of money into a savings account every month, you’re preparing for the cost of keeping that food cold again one day.

Build an Emergency Fund

Contrary to the sinking fund, the emergency fund is there for the big, ugly, unexpected moments. Your transmission may decide to self-destruct. Tragedy may strike an out-of-town friend or relative. You’ll want the funds ready to transport you quickly to your destination. An emergency fund has prevented my husband and me from going into debt, time and time AND TIME again.

A good way to start building your emergency fund is, frankly, to get a job.  If you like this idea, but don’t know where to get started, the savvycouple has a good listing of legitimate jobs for stay at home moms.

Your Takeaway

Knowing your options is one of your most powerful tools in your financial toolbox.

If you’re more inclined to choose a debt-free route for your family’s finances in the future but aren’t sure where to begin, Laura Harris has created a financial roadmap for moms just for that reason. “The Stay-at-Home Mom Blueprint” is an eBook designed to help anyone seeking the steps to financial freedom to spend more time with their family.

Paperback-Book-Small-Spine-Mockup

What’s included?

  • 150 strategies to slice debt, save money, communicate in healthy ways with your spouse, sell your household goods, earn a side income from home, and successfully develop a budget.
  • Harris’ story of overcoming debt and sloppy spending to become debt-free and achieve her dream of staying home.
  • Dozens of additional resources to equip you on your financial journey.

Ready to take a closer look at “The Stay-at-Home Mom Blueprint”? Click here for more info.

Join the Discussion: Do you believe debt is a useful tool to be used in daily life or as infrequently as possible? Do you land somewhere in the middle? Share your perspective in the comments below!

This post contains affiliate links.

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Looking for more stay-at-home mom resources? We’ve got you covered!

Or you can also check out this credit score tool online:

Side Hustles for Single Moms

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Sometimes money is so tight that the only way to stay afloat or pay off debt is to get a side hustle.  Years ago, side hustles meant working a second job somewhere outside the home.  For married couples with kids, this might work because one spouse could stay home with the kids.  However, for a single mom, sometimes a side hustle just wasn’t worth it because you’d also have to arrange additional child care, which may take up most of the money you make on the side.  But times are different now.  There are plenty of side hustles for a single moms that you can do from the comfort of your home while the kids are playing, napping, or sleeping.

Side Hustles for Single Moms

Side Hustles for Single Moms

There are so many ways to make extra money in the Internet age.  What you decide to do just depends on your natural talents and proclivity.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Side Hustles You Can Do on Your Own Schedule

These side hustles let you set your own hours.  Prefer to work at midnight when the kids are sleeping?  No problem.  Prefer to work at 5 a.m.?  That’s okay, too.

Writer

There are plenty of writing jobs available.  You can work for brick and mortar businesses, or bloggers, or online businesses.  The hard part is getting your first writing job.  After that, you can let your samples speak for themselves.

Some places to look for writing jobs include Pro Blogger’s job board as well as Media Bistro.

In the beginning, when you’re still trying to get samples, you may need to take low paying jobs.  However, with experience, your rates will rise, and you’ll likely get word-of-mouth referrals, giving you more jobs.

Virtual Assistant

If you aren’t a writer, being a virtual assistant is another great side hustle that’s home based.  You can find a virtual assistant job working for someone like a real estate agent or a blogger.  You’ll likely be given a set of tasks to complete within a certain time frame.  I work as a virtual assistant and have specific jobs I have to complete by Sunday night, but I can do them any time during the week.  Being a virtual assistant often means you have a flexible schedule, though some people may need your services at specific times and specific days.

If you’d like specific training to be a virtual assistant, there are many online classes you can enroll in.  Another excellent resource is the book, The Bootstrap VA by Lisa Morosky.

Etsy Shop Owner

Side Hustles for Single Moms

Photo by Alex Jones on Unsplash

Are you creative?  Crafty?  If so, Etsy may be for you.  However, don’t just think that you’ll make a few items, set up shop and make sales.  It’s not that easy.  To sell on Etsy, you need to not only have professional looking items to sell, but also have a strong marketing plan, excellent pictures, and amazing customer service.

If you open an Etsy shop knowing all that it entails, you have a better chance of being successful.  I’d highly recommend speaking to other Etsy shop owners first.  In addition, there are plenty of web articles both for and against setting up an Etsy shop as well as YouTube videos that can explain what you need to know.

Side Hustles You Must Do at a Designated Time

In addition to side hustles that require you to maintain your own schedule, there are also side hustles that happen at specific times, though you do have a say in what those times are.

Tutoring

Photo by Adam Winger on Unsplash

With so many students still doing virtual schoolwork, the need for tutors has exploded.  Kids seem to have a harder time learning via Zoom, and tutors can fill in that gap.  I’ve even seen jobs advertised to help kids stay on schedule with their Zoom classes.

In addition to helping Americans, you can also find jobs teaching English to children in China.  A homeschooling mom of four I know went this route.  She did her tutoring from 4 to 7 a.m. PST.  She was finished working for the day when her kids woke up.  She worked for VIPKid and loved that the company had the lessons already made for her.  VIPKid does require a bachelor’s degree, but there are other companies that don’t.

Teaching on Outschool

My girls (12 and 10.5 years old) have recently discovered Outschool.  On this platform, teachers have free rein to develop whatever classes they have expertise in, no degree required.  These are high quality classes, monitored by Outschool.

My girls have taken classes on dance, Descendants trivia, and cat behavior.  They’ve also started to learn the Japanese language through Outschool and joined a recurring book club and social club.  Take a peek at Outschool; there are truly an endless array of classes you can teach.

As a teacher on Outschool, you’ll earn 70% of the class fee (Outschool takes a 30% cut).  You’ll be responsible for paying your own self-employment taxes.

Babysitting

Babysitting can be an excellent side hustle.  This job allows you to stay home with your own children while also caring for others’ children.  A single mother I knew ran an after-school program for five neighborhood kids from 3 to 6 p.m.  She charged $7 an hour per child.  Each week she earned $525, for a total of $2,100 a month.  Plus, she didn’t have to worry about after school care for her own kids.

If you don’t know where to look, consider advertising locally and by word-of-mouth.  A more organized option is to join Care.com or Sittercity.com where you can advertise your babysitting services.  When I needed child care for my kids, I found the sitters on Sittercity.com.

Final Thoughts

If you need to make some extra money, know that there are plenty of side hustles for single moms that you can do from the comfort of your own home.  I’ve been working online for over 10 years, and I love the convenience and the extra money I make for my family.  You can do this, too!

Read More

Four Legitimate Work from Home Jobs for Moms

Get Some Extra Cash: Nine of the Best Ways to Make Money from Home

3 Unexpected Options for Stay at Home Moms to Make Extra Money