Kids Ain't Cheap

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Archives for January 2014

Use Chippmunk to Reduce Your Valentine’s Day Costs

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Valentines DayValentine’s Day is right around the corner.  While it’s a time to show your love to that important person in your life, it can also be a very expensive day.  The traditional Valentine’s Day might include a meal out at a nice restaurant, perhaps a movie, and don’t forget gifts for one another.

Besides the expense, if you opt for this route, you’ll be spending a lot of time simply waiting.  If you eat out on Valentine’s Day night, you  may wait several hours just to get a table.

Instead, consider having a quiet Valentine’s Day at home.  You can have a romantic dinner in and give each other gifts.  Better yet, use a site like Chippmunk to get nice gifts at a deep discount.

 

What Is Chippmunk?

Chippmunk is a unique site.  Rather than simply looking for coupons or coupon codes that can save you money, Chippmunk first asks you to choose your budget and what you are shopping for.  Then, the site chooses coupons for you based on your budget.

If you enter a department that you’re looking for such as “chocolate”, the site will find you the retailers who have the best deals.  You might be thinking of buying Fannie May candy, but you might find a better deal for Godiva Chocolate or Cherry Moon Farms.

Say you want to spend $30 on chocolate for the sweet in your life.  Fannie May Berries can give you 25% off boxed chocolates.  Or, you could save 20% off your order of $29 or more from Shari’s Berries.

Not sure which retailer you want to go with?  Chippmunk also offers ratings measuring the customer experience provided by the store.  In the above example, Fannie May Berries earns 4 out of 5 stars while Shari’s Berries earns 5 out of 5 stars.

In addition to searching by department, you can instead choose to shop by retailer.  If your significant other loves Lindt Chocolate, for example, you can search by that store.  There is currently a coupon there for 50% off.  That sure beats paying retail!

 

Other Chippmunk Features

Chippmunk also shows what discounts are available if you spend a bit more.  For instance, in some cases, if you spend $50 instead of $30, you’ll get free shipping or be able to unlock a bigger discount.  You’ll have to do the math to see if increasing your budget is worth your while.  Sometimes you save more when you enter a larger amount to spend.

Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to show those in your life such as your spouse and kids how much you love them.  However, you don’t have to wait 3 hours for a table or rob your wallet to do so.  Plan a romantic meal at home and take advantage of deal sites like Chippmunk.  You’ll have a fun day, and you’ll be glad you didn’t have to fork over so much money to have a good time.

What other tips do you have for a frugal Valentine’s Day?

How to Ease Back Pain During Pregnancy

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planning for a babyPregnancy is such a wonderful time. The happiness you feel about carrying your unborn child is hard to put into words.

However, along with the good side of pregnancy also comes the less desirable side: pains and aches throughout your body, especially in your back.

If you’ve been experiencing back pain you need to let your doctor know. With your doctors consent here are five things that may help ease your pain.

Don’t Sit or Stand Too Long

Many women work throughout their pregnancy or are taking care of other little ones at home.

If you fall into one of these two categories then sitting or standing for an extended period of time can take a toll on your back. Try switching up your routine. If you normally stand at work ask your boss for a chair. If you sit in an office all day take a walk every couple of hours. If you’re looking after little ones then you need reinforcement. Ask a friend or family member to pitch in when your back pain spikes.

Rest When Needed

Women have the tendency to want to do it all. But during pregnancy this train of thought should be prevented.

If you’re in pain don’t worry about the house being a mess or the dishes needing done- rest. If you have other children ask your spouse to pitch in. You need to take care of yourself and your baby. Pregnancy can drain you of energy. Pair low energy levels with sharp back pain and rest is required.

Consider Physiotherapy

Contrary to popular belief physiotherapy is not just for those recovering from an injury. Physiotherapy can be used to treat many different types of pain.

If your back pain is becoming unmanageable ask your doctor about physiotherapy. Physiotherapists can design a program specifically for you to help relieve the back pain you’re feeling during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor and get recommendations. A physiotherapy clinic like Canadian Back Institute Operating LP can work with you to help relieve your pain.

Work on Your Posture

When you’re pregnant your center of gravity shifts. Along with weight gain and stress this can be the culprit of your back pain.

Work on your posture – stand up straight and roll your shoulders back. Resist the urge to slouch. If you pay attention to your posture during your entire pregnancy you’ll be able to minimize back pain.

Do Prenatal Exercises

If your back pain is mild doing prenatal exercises can help you manage or eliminate the pain. During pregnancy there are a few basic exercises and stretches you can perform. Ask your doctor for a list of recommended exercises. You might also want to look into therapeutic massage in Lexington, KY or other areas for a prenatal massage that can help reduce joint pain.

If the pain doesn’t subside or worsens consult with your doctor. You may need to have a physiotherapist develop a custom plan for you.

If the pain doesn’t subside or worsens consult with your doctor. You may need to have a physiotherapist develop a custom plan for you.

Get Support

Pregnancy is different for every woman. Some women breeze right through never feeling an ache or pain. Others deal with aches and pains throughout the entire pregnancy. No matter what position you’re in make sure have a good support team who can help you out when needed.

When you need to take a break, do it. If you’re dealing with constant pain consult with a doctor to see what options you have.

Seven Things You Should Prepare For With Your Pre-Teen

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PreteenAs a parent of a pre-teen, you should be congratulated for making it this far. Many achievements have already been attained on your child’s journey through life. Now your pre-teen is about to embark on a new leg of the trip to adulthood. Though the teenage years are often feared for the challenges this time brings, these coming years will supply many milestones and should be embraced. Help ease the transition by preparing with your pre-teen now for the changes that are to come tomorrow.

Hormones

An unavoidable side effect of becoming a teenager is the surge of hormone production. Your pre-teen’s body already is undergoing physical transformations associated with puberty. Learn more about what to expect and you will be better equipped to help your child understand what he or she will experience.

Attitude

Associated with physical changes are shifts in attitudes. Chances are your child will develop a defiant streak, will sulk and shout, and will exhibit unpleasant behaviors as part of the coming developmental phase. Try to understand the possible attitudes you will encounter and attempt patience to weather the storm.

Independence

Your child likely has already begun expressing a desire for increased independence. Prepare him or her for the responsibilities of independence, slowly granting more privileges as he or she demonstrates the ability to handle them appropriately. Show your pre-teen how trust must be gained in exchange for little freedoms.

Driving

In a few years, your child will begin driving, begging to borrow your car for a date. To prepare for when your son or daughter gets a driver’s license in the near future, set a good driving example now and be sure he or she completes driver’s education courses. Also, start saving for another car. Do your research and find an affordable auto insurance policy for your new young driver.

College

If college might be an option in your child’s future, then encourage him or her to enroll in appropriate preparatory courses and to partake in extracurricular groups and activities. You should increase your deposits into a college fund, and begin searching for scholarship opportunities.

Employment

As a teen, your child can enter the workforce. As a pre-teen, prepare your child for entry in the workforce. Assign chores in exchange for pay. Instill the importance of work ethic and the values of commitment and doing a good job.

Anxiety

Anticipate that anxieties will surface, both in your pre-teen as he or she becomes a teen and in you as you watch your child grow up. Your child faces an exciting time period that represents a time of growth but also symbolizes an end to the comforts of childhood. He or she likely worries about the unknown and fears possible failures and pitfalls. You might worry about the coming empty nest, in addition to sympathizing with your child’s anxieties. Awareness of both sides’ anxieties allow you to be better prepared to conquer them.

Enjoy each moment with your child, including the awkward and unpleasant times as well as the remarkable ones. Plan ahead, prepare now, increase your savings, and be aware of possible changes. Perhaps most importantly, embrace your pre-teen as often as you can, as together you welcome the teen years.

How To Effectivly Clean Your House In an Hour

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cleaning the houseIf my house is disorganized, the rest of my life will be too, I guarantee it. Your day starts at home so really sets the tone for how your entire day will be. 

Though you may not know it at every given moment in our house, my husband and I are neat freaks. My entire life is better when my house is clean and, better yet, organized. We’re both very type A personalities so thrive on organization and neatness. There is a big difference between messiness and dirty. Though you may walk into our house on Friday afternoon after working all week and find laundry piled up (something I’m making an effort at not allowing), toys scattered around and dishwasher full, our home will be clean. Sure things need to be put away but among the toys, the floors will be washed, bathroom clean and fingerprints cleaned.

When I* have the time to do a good clean after kid is in bed, usually done on the weekend, I find myself doing the same routines so I thought I may share in my experience how I’m able to effectively clean our house in less than an hour.

 

Landing Spots

Landing spots are key. If you’re pressed for time searching high and low for everything will just infuriate you. If we don’t have time to organize and put everything away we at least put everything in a common spot where we can be sure to find it. For us, I use our dining room table, a small box in the living room and the bar top in the basement. At least once per week everything from these spots gets put away but it’s the first step in getting stuff cleared away.

I clear the kitchen counters off and everything that doesn’t immediately go away (like some glasses from the dishwasher that belong in the basement bar or recyclables) get moved to the table. Kiddos toys get picked up and put away however if it’s mid day and she’s still playing or has gone to bed and I don’t want to disturb her sleep, I pick everything up and place in a box sitting in the living room. When the basement gets tidied, again, everything that doesn’t have an immediate home goes on the bar top and the next time someone goes upstairs brings a load of stuff that belongs upstairs.

Having designated landing spots contains clutter and mess. It concentrates your search for misplaced items and is easier to put stuff away.

 

Laundry

Each bedroom has their own laundry basket. While ours is out in the open and sort of fashionable, the kids is hidden in her room so is just a generic small plastic basket. The main linen closet in the house holds a general ”household” laundry where after shower clothes and towels go. I’ve been trying to get in the habit of completing at least one full load of laundry per day (completing=wash, dry and put away!). I miss one day and it seems as though my scrubs are missing, kid has no socks and our mornings become 100% more chaotic. Having designated laundry spots means no searching for dirty clothes, grab the basket and wash.

 

Junk

I have one small ”junk drawer” in our house. It’s small and needs to get cleared out more often than I’m currently doing but I need to have a generic ”junk” space, as long as it’s contained. I keep pens, paper, cat stuff, junk in it. Stuff I need but doesn’t have a home. Keep it clean and don’t let it get out of control. Spend five minutes and go through it.

 

Kid Space

One thing is for sure. Kids 100% rule a household and their toys can easily take over your entire house. We have a young child but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a neat and tidy adult friendly home. She has three or four larger toys which stay in the living room (think rocking horse size) but are tucked away into a corner, everything else goes in her room when she’s done playing and we have access to the rest of the space. Same with basement, though the rec room is more family/lounge friendly we contain her stuff with a toybox a designated space. At the end of the day when she’s done playing, toys and books go back to their space and we can relax without Elmo starting at us all night.

 

Bathrooms

Honestly, doing one good deep clean of your bathroom and maintaining it really isn’t hard. Scrub your bathroom clean, and I do mean get on your hands and knees with a toothbrush sort of clean, then just maintain it! I do the deep clean probably once per month but daily wipe the counters and tub clean. A few times per week wipe the toilet down, empty any garbage and sweep.

 

Kitchen

Do the dishes. It is the biggest cause of messiness. Load the dishwasher if you have one, but at the very least just wash and dry the dishes. Having dirty dishes around eats my soul. Maintain a clutter-free countertop and keep your fridge clean and organized. Make sure any leftovers that didn’t get eaten are tossed and stay on top of produce so it doesn’t spoil.

Having a clean and organized home allows you to have more time to do fun stuff and have the rest of  your life run smooth.

Any cleaning or organizing tips?

* I say I but my husband is a huge help and we make a conscious effort to keep the house clean together 🙂

5 Natural Ways to Boost Your Immune System

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larch herbal supplementYou’re working too hard, drinking too many sodas, and grabbing fast food to stave off the hunger pangs. When the weekend rolls around, all you want to do is kick back with a few beers. But did you know your lifestyle is lowering your immune system? Modern habits can take their toll, but you can boost your immune system with these natural remedies.

 

Asian Mushrooms are Tasty Immune Boosters

Asian medicine men have long known the powers of native mushroom varieties including shiitake, maitake, and reishi. They all contain beta-glucans that help your body fight off infections and reduce allergies.

Purified mushroom extracts are available, but you can also enjoy their effects by eating fresh mushrooms in stir fries, pastas, and risottos. In contrast, processed foods impair immune function, so it’s an easy choice when you’re looking for an immune-boosting meal.

 

Lean Protein Protects Your Body

Make room on your plate for other lean proteins, including lean meats, seafood, nuts, and beans. The mushrooms are a good source of protein, but these other ingredients will give your meals an added immunity boost. The antibodies that fight diseases are actually made of protein, so eating extra protein makes a lot of sense.

Many protein-rich foods also have other elements that assist the body’s immune response. For example, lean beef, oysters, and beans are rich in zinc, which aids in the production of infection-fighting white blood cells.

 

Larch Arabinogalactan Wards Off Colds

It’s got a very long name, but larch arbinogalactan is one you should become familiar with if you hope to boost your immune system. People who take this fiber, sourced from the wood of the larch tree, have 23 percent fewer colds.

Take larch arbinogalactan to reduce your chances of getting the sniffles and the more serious conditions that can result, including bronchitis and pneumonia. If you develop these serious illnesses, you’ll need to buy Levaquin or a similar drug to beat them. Choosing a supplement with the ingredient “larch resist-aid” at your local pharmacy or health food store will help you ward off illness, too.

 

Oregano Oil Improves Digestive System

Did you know about 70 percent of the body’s immune system lives in the gastrointestinal tract? So if you want to boost yours, you need to improve your digestive system’s health. Taking oregano oil is a great way to get yours back on track, as it eliminates the bad bacteria that can take hold.

Scientists investigated the link between oregano oil and the immune system when they fed the supplement to nursing pigs in 2011. Their study found the pigs that took oregano oil had more white blood cells in their milk than the control group.

Taking 200 mg of oregano oil, three times a day, will improve the health of your digestive system and boost your immune response.

 

Exercise Helps Immune System Work Better

In 1960, half o fAmericans held jobs that required moderate physical activity. At the turn of the last century, that number had fallen to just 20 percent. That means most of us are sitting at desks all day long. We then sit behind the wheel of a motor vehicle to return home, where we sit in front of a television until bedtime. This sedentary lifestyle isn’t just making us fatter; it’s also compromising our immune systems.

In 2006, researchers studied the effects of exercise on the immune systems of 115 obese and sedentary post-menopausal women. Half of the ladies were told to stretch once a week, while the other half undertook 30 to 45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five times a week. Over the year-long study, the stretchers had three times the number of colds.

It makes sense, because exercise encourages antibodies and white blood cells to move throughout the body faster. This helps them detect and start fighting illnesses sooner. This increased circulation is also thought to trigger hormones that tell immune cells that intruding pathogens have entered the body.

Just make sure that you don’t overdo things. High-intensity exercise can decrease your white blood cell count and leave you more susceptible to illness. A brisk walk, swim, or cycle is perfect.

All of us indulge in a few bad habits now and again, but they don’t have to lower your immune system if you use these natural immune boosters.

Do you use any of these natural immune boosters?

Pros and Cons of Separate Checking Accounts for Couples

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couple financesLearning to manage money together is an important step for married couples.

Financial matters can get complicated and messy. Partners should decide as early as possible how they are going to handle their finances. No two couples are identical in their attitudes to spending which means that no single solution is guaranteed to work for all.

Couples can choose to open up a joint checking account online from which they both can draw, or they may choose to have separate accounts as a means of maintaining their independence; some couples opt for a combination of the two. It is important for couples to decide which solution works for them as poor handling of finances is among the more common sources of friction in relationships.


Pros of Having Separate Checking Accounts

Some people see separate accounts as a sign that the partners are not fully committed to their relationship. This is not the case; in fact, separating finances can help a relationship by eliminating all of the problems that come with joint accounts. The benefits of separating finances include:

  • Shared Burden
    With a joint checking account, one person is usually in charge of managing finances. This includes making sure that shared bills are paid on time and tracking all expenses. With two accounts, this work is split between the partners.
  • Privacy
    Spending habits are kept private. Some people are uncomfortable sharing their spending habits with their significant other. Separating accounts keeps them from having to justify spending money in a joint account.
  • Security
    Separate accounts provide financial security as one partner’s spending does not directly affect the other. This is especially important when partners have dramatically different attitudes to the handling of money.
  • No Loss of Independence
    The loss of independence that comes with a joint account may make some people uncomfortable. While married couples will have to share some expenses, separate accounts can make the transition from single life to married life easier.
  • No Shared Debt
    Separate accounts make sense when one partner enters the relationship with significant debts or poor credit. A partner can protect their credit as well as their funds by keeping their money in a separate account. Protecting credit is important for borrowing money such as via a home equity line of credit.
  • Less Drama
    Keeping finances separate can eliminate many of the money-related issues that can plague a relationship. Joint accounts can lead to conflict regarding how to save and how comingled finances are used. Some couples find that keeping things separate prevents disputes.

 

Cons of Having Separate Checking Accounts

  • Lack of Convenience
    A shared expense like payments for a home equity line of credit can be a hassle with separate accounts.
  • They do Not Require Communication About Finances
    Whereas joint accounts require partners to communicate about money, separate accounts may mean that money matters do not get discussed regularly. Without communication, a couple may have an incorrect view of their financial situation.
  • Makes Financial Collaboration Difficult
    The work of managing finances is doubled and collaborating to buy a home, vehicle or other expensive item becomes a far more complicated proposition.

Flexibility is essential as no particular method is guaranteed to work; if a method does not work, the couple should be willing to try something else. The key is to find the solution that works for their particular relationship. Just because joint accounts are traditional does not mean that finances have to be handled that way. What is important is that whichever method a couple chooses, they should make sure to communicate and be honest with each other.

Sensory Integration Strategies for Children with Autism

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sensesA classic symptom of autism in children is the difficulty they find in processing and integrating sensory information. When occupational therapy is linked with sensory integration, there is a significant improvement in the child’s ability to function in daily life. As parents increase their demand for this successful combined strategy, the need for occupational therapy assistants has also increased.

The autism spectrum is so broad, of course, that not all children benefit from such therapy, and some may not need it at all, but an educated therapy assistant will make the therapy engaging for the child and helpful to the parents.

 

Extreme Sensitivity

Many autistic children demonstrate extreme sensitivity to sensory stimulation. They show extreme sensitivity to touch, loud noises, bright lights, quick movements, and background noises. The sensory input overloads their systems creating stress, panic, and confusion. They often appear unfocused or distracted, but such behaviors are defensive. Likewise, some demonstrate obsessive behaviors or self-stimulating behaviors to manage the sensory overload.

 

Sensory Processing

You process sensory impacts all the time. Stimuli impinge upon your physical senses, reporting and interpreting your surroundings. Your system delivers messages to your brain and to your central nervous system where integration and interpretation occur simultaneously. If those impacts are too strong, frequent, or loud, you can be overwhelmed and express emotional or psycho-physical symptomatology. Likewise a 3-year old may be “short-circuited” by an assaultive environment like an amusement park. This mechanism is analogous to that endured by the autistic child, but the disconnect between sensory sensitivity and integration/interpretation can be enormous.

Children with autism apparently have a dysfunctional sensory system; for whatever reason, the senses over- or under-react to stimuli. For example:

  • Visual stimuli may prompt children to spin repeatedly or avoid eye contact.
  • Auditory effects cause autistic children to cover their ears or runs with anxiety from noises.
  • Tactile input may present itself as fear of being touched or failure to react to pain.
  • Taste may provoke refusal to eat certain foods.
  • Smell may show in child’s refusal to use public restroom.

 

Sensory Integration

A occupational therapy assistant will structure experiences for the autistic child that appear to be play. For example, the child may be tasked to balance on an exercise ball or sit among styrofoam popcorn in a tub. The games involve textures and/or physical pressure points that intentionally distract the child from obsessive concerns. The therapy structures and organizes the child’s sensory experience through focused exercises. The strategy creates routine and personal interaction.

 

The Role of The Occupational Therapy Assistant

Therapy services evaluate, intervene, and measure outcomes of therapeutic “games.” The therapist will work with child, family, teachers, and caregivers to learn, replicate, and measure the intervention and outcomes. The occupational therapy assistant will provide sensory stimulation in an organized, prioritized, and engaging way to model behaviors that organize the central nervous system. The therapy will modulate erratic behavior by balancing and integrating the sensory experience. And, the occupational therapy assistant will develop additive behaviors that organize responses to stimuli.

The strategic approach identifies and addresses the strength and nature of a specific sensory response, rather than not assume there is a standard behavior to train to. The strategy says, “One size does not fit all,” and adapts the therapy to that need. This adds to the engagement and student/child’s success. Children with autism display unique personal, social, and communicative relationships that follow paths specific to the child. Addressing those identified needs with relevant therapies remains the most effective strategy for helping the child navigate those waters.

Creating a Family Friendly Patio

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Family Friendly PatioA patio by definition is a paved outdoor area adjoining a house. That’s a pretty bland explanation for an area that can be turned into a lively eatery and lounging spot. Patios can be transformed to accommodate friends and family and neighbors you just want to impress. From modern, contemporary styles to rustic charm to traditional, shabby-chic you can create a wonderfully unique area to fit all of your patio needs.

Should picking a design that you love be affected by having kids?

The answer: No.

There are ample amounts of patio furniture that are kid-friendly; you just have to know what to look for when shopping.

Here are a few things to consider when picking out your patio furniture.

Durability

No matter your children’s ages, having furniture that isn’t easy to break is an absolute plus. Wicker, plastic, metal, etc. can be sturdy while staying classy at the same time. Glass, however, can be a hazard and harder to keep clean.

Style

Dark cushions and finishes handle stains better than the lighter tones will. White, beige, cream and the like are more likely to have marks and blemishes from the weather and outdoor elements. Also, wear and tear with darker furniture doesn’t show up as well as it would on pieces that are bright.

Versatility

If you have kids, betting on your furniture staying in the same spot isn’t practical. Having patio decor that can accommodate many while being able to be moved easily is a great feature. Buying bulky, heavy sets can be a pain when and if you need to rearrange or relocate them. However, purchasing something too light can cause problems like falling over or breaking under pressure.

Safety

Perhaps the most important attribute you should take into account when shopping for patio furniture is making sure what you buy is safe. That means stay away from pieces with sharp edges, glass, and anything that has small, detachable pieces that can be swallowed.

Even though you have kids, doesn’t mean you should skimp on getting the patio that you love. The Best Choice Products 7-Piece Modular Outdoor Sectional Wicker Patio Conversation Set meets all the above points. It is strong, not too heavy, and durable against the weather. The black and gray cushions make stains less noticeable while remaining stylish and sleek. Children can sit and run around each piece without worry of shattering or swallowing any parts while the adults can enjoy the set’s comfort. This collection comes with 2 pillows a coffee tables well. Get it at Amazon for $599.99.

Amazon

Creating an outdoor space that can be enjoyed by all ages in comfort, functionality, and style can be easy if you know what to look for when shopping. A set that is durable, styled correctly, versatile, and safe is the perfect combination for a family-friendly area.

So, now ask yourself, “Is my patio furniture family-friendly?”

Saving Money While Traveling With Children

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Family VacationI previously wrote about how my family was getting ready to partake in a family vacation together. The event was a family reunion and our first vacation with our daughter. Even though she’s still quite young, I can already see how  the expenses are adding up with factoring more that just a plus one in your travel plans. Kids eat, sleep and partake in events just as adults do and costs add up!

 

Getting Ready to Travel

A key to saving with traveling is to prepare appropriately.  I like to prep for travel by trying to earn as many points as possible for my travels.  For example, with the TD Aeroplan Card, I can earn points faster, and they also have a 2-for-1 travel special.  Since my daughter is still young, she can fly on my lap.  And with this card, my husband and I can travel for the price of one ticket.  Then, you add in points, and we’re well ahead on our path to save money traveling.

 

Saving Money on Travel with Children

I don’t need to tell anyone that airfare is expensive. While bartering or negotiating posted airfare prices isn’t an option there are other ways to save on travel costs.

Most airlines don’t charge for children under two years of age so travel away with your babies! Younger children will often get discounted tickets as well. Another option for saving on additional ticket costs is to look into any rewards you may have through credit cards or point redemption programs. Even if you don’t have enough rewards for your whole family, having enough to help offset some travel costs will be beneficial on your travel budget.

While flying would have been a fast and convenient option for our family, we chose to drive. The cost of driving the 2800 km (1750 mi) round trip was significantly cheaper than paying for the airfare for our family and, in my opinion, much more fun. We made the road trip fun and apart of the vacation fun.

 

Saving Money on Events

The easiest way to save money on events is to attend events where kids are free or discounted. We didn’t attend a single event that we had to pay for our child. Even though she’s young (14 months), most places were free under six anyway. Only the professional sporting event would we of had to pay if she didn’t sit on our lap, an event well worth the money should we needed to pay.

Prioritize the events the family wants to do and come up with a budget that suites everyone’s wants.

 

Saving Money on Food

We saved money on food a few ways. One, we stayed in a hotel that had breakfast included. The hotel had a hot breakfast selection every morning which was great because it kept us well satisfied until late in the day. We often skipped lunch, opting for a snack instead and having a normal dinner. We also had the option of requesting a mini fridge and/or microwave in our room which made things quite easy. We were able to buy some foods at the grocery store and store in our room for the week. This was especially good for having a little one with us and being able to keep her favorite snacks and fruits on hand.

Like the event option, choose restaurants where kids eat free, or cheap. We went to one restaurant where kids ate for $0.10 per pound of body weight. I don’t know if they actually enforced the weigh-in and fee or if they had a generic kids price, but there was a discount for kids.

Travelling with children will be more expensive but with a little more planning you should be able to make it work. Vacations should be about making memories not stressing about money!

How do you make your family vacations more family/budget friendly?

Enjoy Sporting Events at a Great Price!

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seats at a sporting eventWe are a sports loving family! The boys’ nursery was sports themed — and now, their bedroom is pretty much the same. Once we moved them to their bunk beds, we did away with the baby stuff and gave their room a “little-big kid” update. We purchased their first baseball gloves when they were still infants — and my Aunt and Uncle made sure they had even better quality baseball gloves for their 1st birthday. Once my Uncle found out A. was a lefty, he promptly went out and purchased him a left-handed glove.

We don’t push sports on our kids but they are surrounded by it. They are still too little to play organized sports (they’ve had soccer lessons but nothing competitive). However, N does love to play baseball — and has grand visions of being a catcher one day.

My husband and I love sports. I’m a huge Bears fan and enjoy watching just about any sport live. My husband follows a variety of sports; baseball, football, hockey, basketball and now that Portland has a pro-soccer team — he might be converted to a soccer fan as well. The boys know all the right teams to cheer for. Although, I’m afraid when they go through their rebellious stage — they’ll, also know the teams they can root for, to drive my husband and I crazy!  I am also proud to say that the boys can recognize logos of quite a few sports teams – at least the important ones anyway. And if you are wondering — no, we don’t quiz them with flash cards.

 

Free Sports Events

Attending professional sporting events can be spendy but there are a lot of other options. For instance, our boys love going to any sporting event, especially ones where they can see their “big kid” friends play. These sporting events are usually free – or cost very little – to enjoy. These games may not have all the thrill and excitement of pro games – but for little ones – they will just love the atmosphere and some great bonding time.

We actually took the boys to their first little league game, when they were only about a month old. Of course they slept through the game  — but I could tell they were really happy to be there. They went to their first middle school football game when they were less than a year old. They liked it, until my friend cheered for her son’s team — which scared A. Actually, he cried through the rest of the game. I am happy to report that he had a much better time the following year — and cheered along with the crowd.

 

Low Price Sporting Events

Semi-pro teams are also a fantastic way to take in a game without spending a ton of money. We actually just took the boys to watch our town’s semi-pro basketball team. Total cost for 2 adults, 2 children, 2 bags of chips , and a bottle of water — $13. You can barely get one person into a movie for that amount of cash! The team plays at the local community college, and it’s a great time for the whole family.

They do free face painting, they are always giving away things, and they even had a station set up so people can make signs, to show the team support. The best part is, if the kids are having a tough time sitting still, or get too tired to be there — you don’t feel like you are wasting money if you need to leave early.

Check out your local area. You may discover a team you didn’t even know about (like we did last year–we had no idea our town had a semi-pro basketball team). Tickets to semi-pro baseball, hockey, car racing, etc. won’t break the bank and you’ll make fabulous memories with the kiddos!

Finally, if you want to really surprise your family or spouse, you can put together a sports package and go see a major sports team or sporting event.  For example, you could find a discount sports package through a service like RoadTrips, and you could get into a great event for a good price.  I’ve done this for my husband’s birthday, and we had a blast.

How do you work sporting events into your budget?

Major Illness/Injury: How to Protect Your Finances…

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Protect your family by protecting your finances from major illness or injuryIn the past six months, my dad has had an emergency quadruple bypass and an 11.5 hour operation to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm (look it up on Google – you’ll be shocked that he survived). Needless to say, he’s also been out of work for just about all of that time. However, they’ve managed to survive financially. Could you?

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The True Cost of Owning a Car

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new car true costThe American dream is a house with a white picket fence as well as two cars in the driveway.  In the American culture, two cars are often necessary because of the distance between your home and work or other events.  If you have children, you certainly need a car to take kids to school, drop them off and pick them up from extracurricular activities, and for the many errands that you must run.

But is a new car always necessary?

If you’re on a tight budget, and most families are, especially when one parent stays home, you might want to consider the thriftier alternative–buying a used vehicle.

I love to read Infographics, and I was surprised to read how much the true cost of owning a car can be.  Did you know that one hour after driving your new car off the lot, it loses 10% of its market value.  Ouch!  On a $25,000 car, that’s $2,500 for one hour!  Within a year, it loses 28% of its market value.

If you instead buy used, not only do you pay less out of pocket, but you let the first owner take the hit to the market value rate.  Why should you be the one to take out a large loan, pay interest, and be tethered to the payment for 5 years?  Why not buy a car a couple of years old, and get a much more modest loan from a company and only pay for 3 years?

There are other advantages to buying used, too.  Likely, your insurance rate will be cheaper because the car isn’t brand new.  This is especially important if you have younger drivers in the household. Plus, with the money you save on the cost of buying the car, you might even be able to invest in extra accessories or modifications, like getting automotive PPF wrap in Raleigh, that can give you the aesthetic and driving experience you’ve always wanted from a car.

If you worry that you’ll face many repairs if you buy a used car, rest assured that you can now buy certified pre-owned vehicles.  For the vehicle to receive this distinction, the first owner must keep detailed records and follow a strict schedule of maintenance.  You’ll likely face no more repairs than you would had you bought the vehicle new.

In an ideal world, we’d be able to get by with only one car per family.  However, in the United States, two vehicles are often a necessity.  There are steps you can take, though, such as buying a vehicle used, that will save you thousands of dollars on the cost of vehicle ownership.

Do you buy used vehicles or only new ones?

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