Kids Ain't Cheap

But They Sure Are Worth It

Why Fish Are the Perfect Starter Pet for Children

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fish for petsIf you are looking for a first pet for your children that is easy to manage, but can still enthuse them, then you need to seriously think about investing in a Fish Tank and as many, or as few fish as you would like to put in it.

It’s fair to say that fish do get a bit of hard time when it comes to recognising them as ‘proper’ pets, but this really shouldn’t be the case. Granted, they perhaps aren’t as ‘hands on’ as a cat or a dog but what they may lack in physical interactivity they more than make up for in other areas, so what exactly makes them the perfect starter pet for a child?

A Wealth of Choice

Perhaps the best aspect is the choice you can offer your children when you involve them in the selection process. This can be both a great bonding experience, as well as simply an enjoyable family time when you choose the size of the tank, the accessories within it, and of course the fish themselves. Thanks to the huge variety offered by reliable retailers like All Pond Solutions you can essentially provide an entirely bespoke pet that you can’t otherwise get with different animals.

Hassle-free Care and Educational

Another benefit as a parent is you don’t have to worry about any allergy issues with your children, nor are there the dangers that come with the waste and mess you get with cats and dogs. If you have slightly older and more responsible children they can easily learn how to clean fish-tanks and feed their fish and you can use this as means for them to earn their pocket money and learn about responsibility.

Furthermore in regards to the educational element, if you invest in more exotic and unusual fish from different climes you can help your children learn about other cultures and the science behind why fish need the water a certain temperature.

Aesthetically Pleasing

The final advantages come from a design point of view; a fish tank can really add a fresh and interesting look to any room in your home, particularly when backlit. On top of this, a fish tank can have a calming and almost hypnotic effect that can help you and your children relax and unwind.

So there you have it, if you are looking for a first pet for your children, fish are the perfect choice for you.

How to Teach Your Kids About Dental Hygiene

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teaching kids dental hygieneIt’s so important to develop good dental hygiene habits at a young age but as a parent I’m sure you know that’s easier said than done!

When it comes to dental hygiene many kids are resistant and seem to think brushing their teeth in the morning is the end of the world. Trust me, I’ve been there!

If you’re having trouble getting your child to form good dental hygiene habits here are some options for you to try.

Teach Them the Consequences

You already know that having a toothache is one of the worst forms of pain, but your kids probably don’t know that.

Sit your children down and teach them what happens when they don’t take care of their teeth. Show them pictures and tell them stories from your own experience. You can also show them videos on YouTube of children teaching children how to form good dental hygiene habits.

Kids don’t realize the importance of keeping up great dental hygiene until they understand the consequences.

Make It Fun

Whenever I try to teach my kids anything I always put a big emphasis on making it fun.

My daughters like to brush their teeth the same time as I do, always mimicking what I’m doing. We’ve also sang songs while they brushed and used timers to make sure they were brushing long enough.

Look for ways to make your dental hygiene routine fun. This is especially important to do in the beginning. After a little while your kids will get into the habit of taking care of their teeth and mouth and you won’t have to spend any more time making this a fun experience for them.

If you make dental hygiene a little less boring and set a good example, your kids will follow.

Get The Right Products

Do you know what really gets my kids excited about dental hygiene? A new toothbrush and toothpaste.

Right now they’re both enjoying brushing their teeth every morning with a light up, timed Hello Kitty toothbrush. They’re also both very particular about what toothpaste they use so I make sure I keep a good stock of their favorites.

You can click here to visit Chemist Australia and check out some fun dental products for your kids.

Conclusion

By teaching children the consequences of bad dental hygiene, making learning fun, and giving them products catered to their age group, you’ll have a much higher success rate of having your child develop good habits.

These three tips are easy to implement but can make a world of difference!

Skateboarding for Kids: Safety Tips for Parents

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skateboarding for kidsSome parents dread the day that their little boy or girl asks for a skateboard or leaves the house in their older sibling’s BMX. There are some sports that some – or many – parents aren’t so keen to encourage, but whether our little monkeys decide to be a ballet dancer or a parkour runner, we have to be supportive in every way we can.

Skateboarding has become extremely popular in the last few decades, so it would be no surprise for our little ones to show an interest even from a young age. Off-shoot sports such as longboarding and mountain-boarding are also growing in popularity. So if your son or daughter decides that they want to give an extreme sport a go, and you’re fully supportive of it, here are some safety tips to make sure they stay as safe as possible.

Safety Gear Should be Mandatory

It should always be mandatory for kids to wear safety gear when they are taking part in sports such as skateboarding or mountain biking. This should be encouraged from the beginning, with serious discussions about the consequences that they could experience if they were not to follow safety rules. Safety gear should include a helmet, safety pads (elbows, knees and wrists), the right skateboard shoes and mouth guards for beginners. Padded jackets are also available if you worry about your child falling over. 

Take Part in Skateboarding Too

The best way to encourage safety in sport is to get involved too and show your little ones how it’s done. Show them that you take an interest in what they love to do by taking part and you can learn the sport together. You can  also lead by example and show them the importance of wearing safety gear.

Buy from Trusted Brands

If you are shopping around for skateboards and safety gear, make sure you research the different brands out there. Price isn’t everything but some of the better brands have been around for many years, and are trusted by many extreme sports stars. Brands such as Santa Cruz, Sk8 Mafia, Enuff, Bullet, Baker Skateboards, Element, Flip, Plan B, Real Skateboards, and Heroin Skateboards are all available from reputable retailers such as Skatehut.

Know Where Your Child Is Riding

This is extremely important. If your child is old enough to go riding with his friends, it’s not always easy to keep a track of exactly where he or she is at all times. Research the skate parks and bike trails in your local area and make sure you check out each of these spots before you allow your teenager to ride there. Don’t be afraid to set rules about where he/she can go and always tell your child to keep their skateboarding within designated skate parks. To locate the nearest skate parks anywhere in the world, use this locator from Thrasher Magazine.

Baby or Career: Which Should You Choose?

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Obviously, this is a highly subjective question. However, we need to realize the fact that there are many factors of importance that we simply have to take into account. There are various interesting options that are available and that we tend to dismiss in life when it comes to the career because of the fact we want a baby. The exact opposite also applies.

Take a look at the stats that are included in the infographic presented. You will quickly see that there are some things that you did not know anything about. The infographic may help you to make that final decision you have been postponing for a long time as you were confused: baby or career?

Gumtree infographic baby versus career
Gumtree infographic baby versus career is an infographic that was produced by Gumtree

How to Get By On a Low Income

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how to get by on a low incomeSurviving on a low income can be difficult, especially if you have family members who are depending on you to provide for them.  To help you relieve some of the stress and help you manage your finances, here are a few tips from LILA for single parents and families to help make finances a little easier.

Budgeting

If your income is limited, it is important that you maximize what resources you have and eliminate unnecessary expenditures.  Creating and maintaining a budget will help you track what you earn and how you spend it.  Here are the basic steps to get you started:

  1. Make a list of all income, debt, and monthly expenses.
  2. Create a budget based on necessary expenditures and a plan to build savings.
  3. Track monthly spending to help you recognize your spending habits.
  4. Review your budget on a regular basis and make adjustments as needed.

Take Advantage of Entitlements 

The government offers a variety of programs that provide financial support for low income earners.  Depending on your financial assistance, you may be eligible for certain programs or entitlements.

  • To determine if you are eligible for government benefits, child support, or income support payments, contact via phone or visit the website sponsored by the government, looking at both state and federal.
  • If you are supporting a family, visit the state government website to see what they can do for you.

Shop Around for the Best Bank Account or Loan

Every institution offers a variety of financial products and services that cater to a wide income bracket.  The fees will vary greatly depending where you go, but if you are shopping for a basic savings or checking account, look for:

  • Accounts with no keeping fees
  • Free or online monthly statements
  • No required minimum deposit
  • No overdraft fees 

There are also several charitable organizations that help people make a financial plan to reach their savings goal.  If you are in need of immediate cash for vital repairs, services, or household items, then you may want to consider a FDIC cash program. These initiatives are designed to help low income earners and those receiving welfare benefits access the credit they need with no interest fees.

Get Control of your Bills

Debt is one of the greatest obstacles facing low income earners.  In order to stay ahead of your bills, here are a few suggestions to keep you out of debt.

  • Mark your calendar so you know exactly when your payments are due.
  • Build your savings by setting aside a small amount of money from each paycheck in case of emergencies or special expenditures.
  • Ask your utilities provider about “bill smoothing” to set up an installment payment plan.
  • If you receive benefits from the government, ask about personal finance assistance options, such as direct-bill paying service to help you manage your monthly bills.

Ask for Help

If you are in over your head or simply don’t know where to start, ask for the financial guidance you need to get back on track.  There are financial counselors who provide free services for those facing financial hardships.  These experts can help you establish a budget and prepare for the future.

No matter what circumstances you are in, there is always help available.  You do not have to face your financial difficulties alone.  There are people and services available to help make life easier and create a brighter financial future.

8 Quick and Cute Halloween Costumes for Children

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Quick and Cute Halloween Costumes for Kids!Halloween is a special time of year, the streets are framed with fluttering golden leaves, Jack-O-Lanterns perch on every windowsill, and there is an air of excitement as people plan their festive costumes. However, the thought of Halloween can also make parents anxious as fashioning a full Halloween outfit can take up a lot of precious time and money.

Savvy parents have a few tricks up their sleeve to quickly put together an amazing Halloween outfit. Read on for eight quick and cute Halloween costume ideas for children.

Wicked Witch

A Halloween classic is the witch costume. It is possible to purchase some wallet-friendly outfits that will leave you with more cash to spend on Halloween treats. Some costumes even incorporate things like pretty twinkling lights for a modern twist on the traditional witch outfit. Many of the pre-made costumes will include all of the accessories that you need to quickly transform your little one into a wicked witch for Halloween, such as an oversized pointy hat and a fun broom.

Pirate

Little boys will absolutely adore dressing up as a pirate for Halloween. With a pirate get-up, eye-patch, and a fun plastic sword they will be sure to steal the show. The great thing about a pirate outfit is that it can be quickly thrown together last-minute with ready-made costumes, plus outfits are available for all ages from toddlers to teens.

Duck Dynasty

One of the most hilarious Halloween outfits this year is the Duck Dynasty inspired outfits. You can now dress your baby up in an Uncle Si themed costume which comes complete with a camouflage vest and hat, gray wig, beard, and glasses! A Willie Duck Dynasty outfit is also available with a wig, American bandanna, and a cute detachable beard.

Spooky Ghost

If you’re really strapped for time then try out the old classic of being a ghost. A simple outfit can be put together in minutes by using a trusty sheet. To add a little pizazz you can customize with a cute Halloween inspired trick or treat bag and themed goodies. These Halloween costume ideas on Pinterest might help to give you some inspiration.

Elsa from Frozen

It’s been the Disney hit of the decade, and little girls all around the world want to look just like pretty Princess Elsa. Purchasing a replica of Elsa’s infamous dress along with all the accessories will probably cost more than investing in a complete ready-made outfit. To finish the look, style your child’s hair into a cute side braid, add a tiara, and sprinkle on some glitter.

Clown

There are sweet clown costumes that include colorful clown coats and tops, some silly oversized clown shoes, and a bright wig. A clown outfit is sure to get some laughs this Halloween.

Elegant Brides

Little girls love to play dress up and you will often find them trying on a pair of grown-up shoes or badly attempting to apply lipstick. Their dress-up dreams will come true when they get to be a beautiful bride this Halloween. Special bride costumes have been made for children, and some even come with bride accessories like bouquets, veils, and tiaras.

Turning a beautiful bride into a freaky bride of Frankenstein is easy too. All you have to do is apply some pale face and body paint, wear a messy black long-haired wig, and splatter the dress in some fake blood! Teens are more likely to go for a spooky bride option.

Mask of Zorro

For older kids, why not try the Mask of Zorro outfit? This costume features a slick black cape, black eye mask, studded belt and gloves. Teens will love looking cool in the all-black ensemble which makes for a great Halloween outfit.

For some more Halloween inspiration check out some of the great value for money and unique outfits from Mr. Costumes. Many of these ready-made costumes come with fun accessories to save you time, hassle, and money this Halloween. Happy Halloween!

Image via Flickr by lobo235

5 Ways to Keep Young Kids Healthy

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a7edc980c8984f26adca9365dea5ca5aThe imagination, curiosity, and innocence of young children is captivating. They’re sweet and inquisitive yet stubborn and determined. Being a parent to a young child is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding jobs in the world.

And as a parent you want to make sure that your kids stay healthy. That’s why you need to start structuring routines that encourage good nutrition and exercise at a young age.

Here are five tips to get you started.

Be Generous with Fruits and Veggies

If you start feeding your children a generous amount of nutritious food at a young age they’ll be much more likely to stick with those habits.

Right now my kids enjoy eating lots of fruits and vegetables. They actually think eating salad is a treat!

If your kids are reluctant to eat their veggies get creative. Make faces out of carrots and peppers. Or cut up some veggies and let them use a veggie dip.

Get Flu Shots for the Family

Young kids don’t have fully developed immune systems. Without vaccinations you’ll find that you’re constantly battling some type of cold or flu.

In fact I’ve found with my kids that a cold or flu can be passed around the family for more than a month. Every time someone gets better another family member gets sick and it creates a vicious cycle.

You can eliminate much of this and protect your little ones from the flu by getting the entire family flu shots.

Get a Good Multivitamin

Your kids are growing like crazy. And since so much development is happening in those earlier years it’s important that your children are getting all the vitamins and minerals they need.

Getting a good multivitamin from a place like Chemmart Pharmacy can help your kids stay and feel healthy.

Encourage Plenty of Activity

We’re in a different world than we grew up in. Instead of kids playing outside they’re playing on Mom or Dad’s smart phone or tablet at super young ages. Physical activity isn’t as prevalent as it used to be.

Make sure your little one stays active. Take the gadgets away and go play outside.

Teach Good Hygiene Habits

Young kids are germ magnets. Most don’t care about getting dirty and consequently don’t care about getting clean. That’s why it’s important to start teaching good hygiene habits at early on in life.

But sometimes you need to get creative.

For instance, when I ask my youngest to brush her teeth you would think that I was trying to pull one of her teeth. In order to get her to practice good dental hygiene we’ve created a song to sing. As long as someone is singing the song she’s more than happy to brush her teeth. Nothing else works.

All kids are different. So while teaching basic hygiene is important sometimes it’s necessary to develop your teaching to the individual needs of the child.

Conclusion

Start implementing healthy routines while your kids are still young. What you teach them now is likely to stick with them for life!

Best Ways to Stop Your Kids From Making In-App Purchases on Your Mobile

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Tips to stop your kids from making in-app mobile purchases Smart phones are truly amazing. Your very daily existence is defined by a hub of activity that emanates from your fingers and onto the digital senses of your mobile friend. Calls, text messages, social networking, news, games and books are just some of the uses you get out of your smart phone during an average day.

With so much of your day consumed by this device, it’s unsurprising to learn that a recent study found that a smart phone user will check their phone nine times an hour on average. Unfortunately, along with the joys that a smart phone brings to your life, you also have to be wary of certain pitfalls. One of the potential issues that you should be aware of is leaving your phone unattended, particularly if you have children.

Much like adults, children love to constantly play with smart phones and tablets, and with hundreds of apps available, these devices are an invaluable way to keep them entertained and even educated for hours. However, the tendency of children to play with their parent’s smart phone devices unsuspectingly has started to land some people in murky financial waters.

Recently, some parents were face with large iTunes phone bills, as their children had unwittingly downloaded apps and in-app purchases. This ongoing issue resulted in Apple agreeing to fund at least $32.5 million (about £20 million) to those parents that had accrued enormous bills though in-app purchases in the US, as part of an agreement to settle a complaint from the Federal Trade commission. In this settlement, Apple was required to change its billing practices in order to help prevent the above mentioned scenario from reoccurring in the future.

If you have an Apple device, there are steps you can take to prevent your children from unintentionally purchasing unwanted apps on your phone and running up high bills. You’ll have such peace of mind once you’ve followed these steps, which you can even get Euro Palace on your Mobile and not worry about other family members playing online games without your knowledge.

Here are useful tips:

Enforce better restrictions

You should be aware that, when you enter a password on your Apple device, the password will not have to be entered for another 15 minutes. During this period, children could accidentally download expensive in-app purchases.  To prevent this from happening, go to Settings, tap on General, and then on Restrictions. Change the Require Password setting to Immediately. This will ensure that your children will have to type in a password before any in-app purchase is made.

Restrict or turn-off access to apps

You can also ensure that your child doesn’t download any apps by going to the Restrictions menu and changing the Installing Apps slider to off (will turn from green to white). You also have the option of turning off in-app purchases completely from this menu, by looking for the on/off slider towards the bottom of the restriction options.

Turn on device pass codes

Children can inadvertently purchase apps from any website. It is therefore advisable to set up general device pass codes that will prevent them from being able to access the phone at all. To set up this pass code, you simply need to go to Settings, tap on General, and then tap on Pass code Lock and Turn Pass code On.  Slide Simple Pass code to off and you’ll be able to type a word rather than a default 4-digit number.

Create a new Apple ID

If you have children over 13, Apple recommends that you should create an individual Apple ID for them. This will ensure that your child’s Apple ID does not have a credit card on file, which means that there won’t be money in the first place for them to spend.

4 Tips for First Time Home Buyers

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first time home buyersBuying your first home is an exciting time. The thought of looking at houses and finding that one house that you love is an amazing feeling.

But soon after you start your home search you begin to realize that being a first time home buyer comes with many responsibilities. And since buying a house will probably be the biggest purchase of your life you need to do things right.

Here are four important tips for first time home buyers.

Save a Large Down Payment

Your number one goal in purchasing a house should be saving a large down payment. There are three reasons why:

  1. If you don’t put at least twenty percent down on a home you’ll be stuck paying PMI. PMI, or private mortgage insurance, is simply insurance covering the bank if you default on your loan. It’s an extra expense to you and you need to avoid it.
  2. Many banks won’t loan money unless you’re able to put a large down payment on the home.
  3.  The more you put down on the house the less you owe. That might seem like common sense but is often overlooked. In today’s economy where jobs are uncertain it’s important to be financially prepared.

Don’t skimp on saving. I know that you’re anxious to buy your first home but you need to be financially prepared first.

Get a Fixed Loan

When it comes to mortgages there are two common types: fixed loans and adjustable rate mortgages.

With an adjustable rate mortgage your interest rate, and therefore mortgage payment, will change. And since interest rates are currently at an all-time low, chances are your ARM will only go up.  Fixed rate home loans make planning payments easier and allow you to budget more effectively for the future by locking in a set interest rate for a specific period of time.

Check Insurance Rates as Soon as Possible

The property tax and home owner’s insurance need to be factored into the cost of your home. And I’ve found that first time home buyers are often shocked at the price of homeowner’s insurance.  For instance, if you are purchasing an older home that is not near a fire department your cost of insurance will most likely be high.

Check insurance rates as soon as possible. You don’t want to be surprised by the cost when you go to close on the home you chose.

Get a Home Inspection

Last, but certainly not least, you need to get a home inspection.

Just because a home looks sound doesn’t mean that it is. A home inspector can take a look at the house and find issues like electric, plumbing, or structure that you’re not going to catch.  Home inspections typically cost a couple hundred dollars but are worth every penny.

Conclusion

Buying a home is exciting. But if you want to make a smart purchase you need to be prepared. Start saving for your home well in advance and check on all the other costs like interest rates and insurance. The more prepared you are the higher your chances of being a successful first time home owner will be.

How to Talk to Your Family About Life Insurance

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life insuranceLife insurance is an important financial tool meant to protect your family in the event that something happens to you or your spouse.

And when you have kids to watch out for life insurance becomes a must-have. But talking about life insurance and the kind of coverage you need can be a tough topic to bring up. No one wants to think about leaving their family, but unfortunately that will day will eventually come.

There are too many times when a family loses a loved one who was once responsible for the financial well-being of the family with no life insurance. In these cases the family suffers not only mentally and emotionally, but also financially.

If you want to keep your family protected but need to figure out a way to bring up life insurance here are some ideas.

Talk About the Future of Your Children

As parents we all like to think about the future of our children. And as a responsible parent you can recognize that finances play a part in a bright financial future.

While you and your spouse are talking about the future of your children bring up the idea of a will and life insurance. Talk about what would need to be done if something happened to one or both of you. Who would take care of your children? How much money would you need to leave?

Calculate how much money would be necessary to cover all of your debt and to leave money for expenses, like your children’s college education.

Set Up a Meeting with Your Insurance Agent

If you feel like you and your spouse have a lot of unanswered questions then call your insurance agent and set up a meeting.

Your agent can answer all of your questions, provide you with quotes, and help you calculate how much money you need to stay protected. Talking to an experienced advisor can help your feel at peace with the decisions you make.

Bring Up Some Statistics

State Farm recently conducted a survey on life insurance with some pretty interesting statistics. For instance, when asked if life insurance has been an important part of their family’s financial plan for generations, almost half (48 percent) of Americans agreed and 22 percent strongly agreed.

Another interesting insight from the survey was that parents of children under 18 are more likely than those who aren’t parents of children under 18 to say life insurance is an asset (58 percent versus 47 percent).

You can find more results from the life insurance survey on Good Neighbors. These points can help you spark a conversation with your significant other.

Getting Protected Isn’t Hard

Unless you have a health issue life insurance isn’t terribly expensive. Regardless, it should be a line item built into your budget and looked at as an asset rather than an expense.

As a parent you shouldn’t leave the fate of your children in someone else’s’ hands. Life insurance can help you map out a plan for your family’s futures.

Have you made life insurance part of your family’s financial plan yet?

Disclosure: This blog post was written as part of a sponsored program for State Farm to raise awareness about the importance of life insurance. All views expressed are entirely my own, and were not influenced or directed by State Farm. You can learn more about this blogger program and life insurance at GoodNeighbors.com, PlantingMoneySeeds.com, and by following #StartLiving on Twitter.