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3 Mental Health Tips for New Moms

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Becoming a new mom can be one of the most joyful experiences, yet it is also challenging and overwhelming. With so many changes happening in their life, many new moms struggle to maintain positive mental health. From lack of sleep and stress to adjusting to unfamiliar roles and responsibilities, motherhood brings many obstacles that can take a toll on your mental health. If you’re feeling overwhelmed since becoming a first-time parent, here are some top tips for managing your mental health as you adjust to this exciting transition into parenthood!

Prioritize Time for Yourself

In the midst of our busy lives, it’s crucial that we take a little time for ourselves. Even if it’s only ten minutes daily, these precious moments can make all the difference. Whether you meditate, journal, or simply listen to calming music, taking time for yourself is an excellent way to reduce stress, unwind, and connect with your inner self. In fact, studies show that practices like meditation and journaling can help improve focus and mental clarity and promote feelings of well-being. So next time you’re overwhelmed, remember to carve out a few minutes for yourself – you won’t regret it!

Connect With Other New Moms

Being a new mom can be exciting and overwhelming. Having a support system to share your experiences and advice is essential. Connecting with other new moms is a great way to find that support system. You can bond over similar experiences, share tips and tricks for feeding and sleep, and talk about the challenges and joys of motherhood. Finding a community, whether online or in person, can make the journey of motherhood feel less lonely. Don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with other new moms in your area – you never know who you might meet and the friendship that could blossom!

Take Care of Your Physical Health

It’s easy to overlook the importance of caring for our bodies when busy with daily life’s demands. However, eating healthy meals and getting enough rest is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A balanced diet of nutrients can boost energy levels, support healthy brain function, and even improve mood. On the other hand, not getting enough rest can lead to fatigue, irritability, and a weakened immune system. By prioritizing our physical needs and undergoing necessary medical treatment like mis bunion surgery, we can improve our overall wellbeing and be better equipped to tackle whatever challenges come our way.

 

Meal Planning For A Family On A Budget

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Meal Planning For A Family On A Budget
Meal planning is the holy grail of the kitchen. The most organized of moms have weekly meal plans prepped somewhere between chaperoning their kids to a myriad of extracurricular activities. You can’t help but wonder how they do it? How do they meal plan for a family on a budget.

But every time you try to pull a meal plan together, it seems more expensive than when you wing it. You’re on a budget, so you need to stick to a reasonable cost per meal, and you’d like some leftovers for lunches. You know there has to be a better way.

Five Tips to Help You Meal Plan For A Family On A Budget

1. Start By Cleaning Out Your Fridge

Before you start your meal plan for the week, open up your fridge, freezer, and pantry. Notice what leftovers you have and plan a meal based on those items. You’ll probably find you have all or most of the ingredients you need for an entire meal. 

This process kills three birds with one stone. One, it allows you to clean out your fridge. Two, you’re less wasteful of the food you’ve purchased. And three, you can save on your weekly grocery shopping. It’s a win-win-win.

2. Rotating Menu of Quick Meals

Make a list of 4 or 5 meals that your family likes and that can be made super quick. For example, every member of my family will eat pizza, anytime, anywhere. As such, there are always 4 or 5 frozen pizzas in our freezer. Other quick and easy dinners include spaghetti and meatballs, grilled cheese and tomato soup, chicken alfredo, and cheeseburger casserole.

Once you have your list complete, always make sure you have the ingredients for these meals on hand. The best practice is to buy them in bulk when they go on sale. Rotate one or two of these meals into your meal plan for the week for an easy, budget-friendly option you know your family will eat.

3. Change Your Life Chicken

The first time I read about Change Your Life Chicken from Kendra Scott of The Lazy Genius – I didn’t think I’d like it. But it seemed so simple that I decided I’d give it a shot. And guess what? I not only liked it, but I loved it.  It’s now a staple on the rotating meal plan in my house.

It’s inexpensive because it uses chicken thighs, it’s easy to make, super simple to clean up, and uses up any leftover vegetables in the fridge. Another good thing about it is the ability to change it up based on what your family likes, or to add variety from what you had last week.

Check out the recipe here and incorporate a version of Change Your Life Chicken into your meal plan once a week. It’ll change your life!

4. Breakfast for Dinner

Who doesn’t love pancakes and bacon for dinner? Breakfast for dinner is a great budget-friendly meal to incorporate into your meal plan once a week. It’s also a good meal for your kids to help out with. They can mix the pancake batter, or whisk the eggs for omelets.

I typically make breakfast for dinner on Sunday nights. We always nap after church so don’t like to eat a heavy meal in the evening.  Breakfast for dinner is is a fun, light meal to whip up together as a family and close out the weekend with.

5. Purchase Budget Meal Plans

If you’re not a creative cook and struggle to pull meal ideas together, consider buying one. Meal plans for sale are are crafted with intention. They pull together similar ingredients so are often budget-friendly and the cost is typically minimal because they’re prepared by seasoned experts.

Some of my favorite meal plans are $5 dinners, MyFreezEasy, and Momables. If you’re interested in taking an online course, I highly recommend Erin Chase’s Grocery Budget Makeover.  I personally took this class and was able to immediately apply some of the concepts to my budget. (contains affiliate links)

Do you have any tips for planning your meals on a budget? Share them in the comments below.

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Where to Find Financial Support for Single Dads?

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Financial Support for Single Dads

When you think of single parents, you likely think of single moms struggling to raise their children and working full-time to support their families. While it’s true there are more single mothers than single fathers in the United States, the number of single fathers is growing. According to Statista, “In 2020, there were about 15.31 million children living with a single mother in the United States and about 3.27 million children living with a single father.” Yet, many of the support programs such as WIC are dedicated solely to women and their children. What financial support for single dads is available?

Where to Find Financial Support for Single Dads

Unfortunately, single dads don’t have specific financial programs for them as women do. Yet, 25% of single dads live in poverty and need financial assistance (Fatherhood). Thankfully, resources are available for any parent living at or below the poverty line.

Food Assistance

One of the most important needs for single parents is providing their kids with enough nourishing food.  These programs can help.

National School Lunch Program

You can sign up for the National School Lunch Program at your child’s school. If your household income is below 130% of the poverty level or you receive SNAP or TANF (more on those later in this post), your child qualifies for a free lunch every day. If your household income is 130% to 185% of the federal poverty line, your child qualifies for a reduced-priced lunch.

Summer Food Service Program

This program is run during the summer when school is out and children no longer have access to free lunches. ANY child 18 and under can receive a free meal. No registration is required. Food distribution sites are typically at your local school district. You can go here to find a location near you.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP provides money for low-income families to purchase approved foods. To qualify, you must apply at your local state office. Generally, SNAP qualification is based on your income (gross income must be below 130% of the poverty level), your assets, and the number of people in the family.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

TEFAP is another safety net that provides food at no cost to eligible recipients. If you qualify for and receive SNAP, you automatically qualify for TEFAP. If your gross income does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level, you also qualify.

To apply, you must go to your local TEFAP distribution site, bring your driver’s license, and answer a few basic questions.

Food Pantries

Financial Support for Single Dads
Photo by Aaron Doucett on Unsplash

Another place to go when you’re having trouble providing food for your family is a local food pantry. Most food pantries are allowed to give one family food once a month or sometimes twice a month. Many families take advantage of this when they have a week or so left before they get their next month’s SNAP benefits and they are running low on food at home.

Soup Kitchens

Don’t forget that you can also get a hot meal at your local soup kitchen.  Incidentally

Medical Assistance

Medical care is expensive but should not be neglected. These agencies can help provide financial support for single dads when it comes to medical costs.

Medicare

Medicare is typically for individuals 65 and older, but if you have a disability or your child has a disability, you or your child may qualify for Medicare. (You can learn more about qualifying here.) If you are under 65 and receive Social Security Disability, you are qualified for Medicare.

Medicaid

Eligibility for Medicaid varies based on which state you live in. Medicaid provides coverage for low-income families, qualified pregnant women and children, and people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). To learn more, go to your state’s Medicaid website.

Other Assistance

Besides food and insurance expenses, a single father may have other financial needs depending on his income and family size. These programs are also available to eligible recipients.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Depending on your location, winter heating bills or summer air conditioning bills can cause financial hardship. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program tries to fill that need. However, the earlier you can apply, the better. When the program runs out of money for the year, even qualified applicants do not receive funds. On average, 20% of the people who qualify receive the funds.

The applications are accepted and reviewed through your local LIHEAP office. Some offices automatically qualify people who receive SNAP, TANF, or SSI. Others do not, so you’ll need to contact your local office to determine what you need to qualify and how much relief funds you may receive. Some offices also set aside funds to help you with weatherization, so you’ll pay less in the future.

Child Care Subsidies

Child care can be a family’s most expensive bill, often even more expensive than monthly rent or mortgage payments. To assist with this need, the federal government gives each state money to subsidize child care. Go here to see what your state offers.

This program mainly helps low-income families where the parent works full-time but earns less than 165% of the federal poverty level, teen parents enrolled in high school or GED programs, people currently living in a homeless shelter, and those who are unable to work due to a disability.

Final Thoughts

Being a single parent isn’t easy! Thankfully, there is financial support for single dads, but you will have to apply to many different agencies to get the variety of aid available. Educate yourself about what is available and apply as early as possible, so you have the best chance of getting aid. Also, don’t be afraid or embarrassed to take advantage of the available services. Remember, your financial situation may be temporary. In another few years, you may have a much better-paying job and be able to pay for more of your needs on your own.

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How Two Teens Are Financially Responsible in Different Ways

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Teen girl with her arms stretched out standing in front of a yellow wall.

My daughters are 13.5 and 15 years old. Last summer, I decided I wanted them to begin to learn how to manage money in preparation for leaving the nest someday. I created a new chore chart for them, increased the amount I paid them, and told them they were responsible for buying all their clothes. (The increase in chores and pay was enough to cover the cost of their clothing—if they did their chores each week.) Now that this experiment has played out over a year, I’ve discovered they’ve both become financially responsible in different ways.

Daughter #1

My oldest daughter diligently does her chores. She saves her money and tries to buy clothes when they’re on sale. Sometimes she does extra chores because she wants more clothes or spending money. This child works hard and then carefully spends her money—but she does spend.

Daughter #2

My younger daughter hates doing chores. She will go weeks doing very little and, subsequently, earn very little. Then, for one or two weeks, she will have a spurt of energy and do all her chores plus some extra.

However, not doing chores hasn’t impacted her fashion because she’s a shrewd bargain shopper. For instance, their homecoming is a few weeks away. She went to the store, shopped the clearance racks, and found a homecoming dress she loved in her size that was marked down to $14. When we checked out, we discovered the dress was a further 50 percent off, so she got her homecoming dress for $7. She continually finds bargains like this, so she doesn’t pay much for her clothes.

My Parental Frustration

My objective for this experiment was that my daughters would learn that work equals money to save and spend. If you don’t work, you miss out because you don’t have money.

My oldest daughter has learned this lesson. She works hard and carefully spends her money.

My second daughter has circumvented the system. She only works when she feels like it or needs to replenish her dwindling funds. Instead, she’s learned to be an impressive bargain shopper. She’s also learned to limit her wants so she doesn’t spend much. Her freedom from work is more important than buying things.

At first, I thought I had failed my younger daughter, but now I realize she has learned important lessons—she makes her money stretch, so she’s not beholden to a job. I’m guessing many of us adults wish we had the same ability to only work when we need to or want to.

I’m not sure how this philosophy will work in adulthood, but clearly, she’s learning money management, just in a different way than I envisioned.

Final Thoughts

If you have teens, I encourage you to try this experiment. If your kid is constantly hitting you up for spending money, make her work for that money and give her enough money, but not too much, so she learns to allocate her money properly. You may discover, as I have, that teens learn financial responsibilities in different ways, but they ARE learning responsibility.

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4 Types of Vehicles to Consider Purchasing for Your Family

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A vehicle is one of the biggest and most important investments that most people will ever have to make in their lives. That’s because it can help make things better for you and your family. With this being the case, you should make sure that when you buy a car, it’s the right one for your family and it can meet all your needs. Here are four of the vehicle types that you should think about buying with your family in mind, so take a look at them and think about which one would be the best.

1. Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

The first type of vehicles that you should consider buying for your family are those that have amazing fuel efficiency. This way, car expenses are bound to be manageable and not end up costing you a tidy sum while you have other expenses to cater to. With great fuel efficiency, you’ll be comfortable driving anywhere your family needs to go and therefore enjoy the whole convenience of car ownership. On this note, keep in mind that a modern car may be more fuel-efficient than its older counterparts. This is based on the fact that modern vehicles can typically be driven 5,000 to 7,500 miles between oil changes.

2. Vehicles with Safety Systems

Next, safety is an important consideration for you to make while shopping for a family car. This means that it’s a good idea for you to look out for vehicles that have robust safety systems built into them. From blind-spot warning devices to improved parking sensors, there are many details that come together to make a car safer for your family.

Some of these safety features also help you secure the safety of other road users sharing the roads with you. This is an important consideration to make when you think about the fact that up to 75% of motorcycle accidents involve a collision with a vehicle. In these cases, riders wearing helmets suffered from fewer neck injuries when compared with those who didn’t have helmets on. If you have proper vision all around you while driving your car, you have a lower chance of colliding with other road users.

3. Vehicles with Ample Cargo Room

Remember that you may want to take a road trip as a family at one point or another. For such events, you need to be prepared by having a reliable vehicle for the event. The best vehicle is typically one with ample storage and cargo room. This includes the ability of the vehicle to transport sizable cargo from one place to another.

Keep in mind that some cargo, like snowmobiles, may not fit inside the vehicle. If your family enjoys snow-based sports, you may be interested to learn that each year, the average snowmobiler spends $2,000 annually on recreation related to snowmobiles. By eliminating the need to pay for additional transport whenever you head out to have fun somewhere far from where you live, you’ll be saving.

4. Vehicles with Modern Technology

Finally, you should give your family the benefit of making the most of technology while they ride around. There are many improvements to the current technical details in vehicles that didn’t exist some years back. Among these are charging ports and pads, features that can help you operate your mobile devices in hands-free mode, onboard vacuum cleaners, and more. When you ensure that your family has access to such conveniences while driving somewhere, they’ll be quite content.

These four types of vehicles may help your family enjoy a much better time whenever you drive somewhere. Search to see how many options you can find that meet these specifications. Take your time so that you can be sure you’ll be happy with the decision that you make.

Preventing Major Costs by Making Informed Purchases

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When you have a family to take care of, it becomes even more important to make the right decisions with your finances. This may seem hard to do, given the fact that this is the point at which you’ll generally need to make more purchases than you ever did before. That said, you can make informed purchases and prevent major costs as a result of doing so. This article will take a look at some of the purchases you can make to prevent major costs.

Plumbing Repairs

The first cost that you can undergo in order to safeguard your family finances is to get plumbing repairs done. This will involve looking for a good local plumber to come and take a look at your home’s pipes. This is especially important if you’ve noticed your water bills getting steeper with no seeming explanation.

If you notice other signs such as strange smells coming from your home’s drains and gurgling noises emanating from your pipes, you should act with even more urgency. That’s because all of these are signs of a potential issue with your plumbing, such as leaks and clogs. It’s important to look into this given the fact that the average family of four uses 400 gallons of water each day in America, according to Comfy Living. You should get this issue handled as soon as you can so that you save money and keep living a sustainable life.

Home Insurance

The next important purchase that can help you keep your family safe and secure your finances is purchasing home insurance coverage. It’s important to consider the area you live in and the common issues you may face when considering coverage options. That’s because varying climates and environmental conditions pose different hazards. Talk to a local professional and find out what the right coverage for your home is.

If you live in an area that’s prone to experiencing hurricanes, keep in mind that Category 1 hurricanes possess winds ranging between 75 and 96 miles an hour, according to the National Weather Service. That’s enough to do serious damage to your home. In such a case, it’s much better to be safe rather than sorry. Discuss your options with your insurance provider and take the time to learn about other ways you can protect your property.

Professional Cleaning Services

Don’t forget that living in a clean home can impact many areas of your family’s life, especially their health. That said, you should invest in the services of professional deep cleaners for your home every so often. This should leave you with a manageable home before they’re due to come back for their scheduled cleaning. Deep cleaning will involve cleaning any soft furnishings, including rugs and carpets that you may have in your house. Keep this in mind if yours is part of the 79% of American homes that have at least one rug, according to Statista.

Family HealthCare

Finally, you need to invest in comprehensive family healthcare. This is especially true in terms of preventative care. Some of the steps that you can take to this end include going to your doctor’s appointments as a family to have a scheduled checkup done. Don’t forget to also get your vaccinations so that you give your immunity a boost. When you get regular health checkups done, you’ll find out if anything is wrong and work with your doctor to develop a plan to treat it affordably and effectively.

When you make these informed purchases, you’re going to save yourself major costs as a family. The more proactive you are in addressing issues and checking for problems, the simpler it may be for you to manage them. Be sure to reach out for support in order to ensure that these issues are effectively handled.

These 4 Signs Might Mean It’s Time for a Doctor Visit For Your Child

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One of a parent’s biggest concerns is failure to notice when something is out of place and their kids need help. This can be quite a challenge when you think about the sheer number of possible issues that a regular child goes through while growing up. Thankfully, not all of these issues warrant an immediate trip to the emergency room. That said, the four outlined below might mean that you need to take your child to their doctor for an evaluation so that if something’s wrong, remedial action can be taken fast.

1. If Your Child’s Teeth Are Misaligned

The first reason why you may need to seek medical attention for your kids is if you notice their teeth to be misaligned. This may be in the form of having an underbite or an overbite, or the teeth being too crowded together or spaced out unevenly. These are all symptoms of an issue that can be corrected with orthodontic treatment.

The earlier the treatment is started, the higher the chances of success. Similarly, the less pain, discomfort, and issues with self-esteem that your child is likely to go through. Keep in mind that about 3.9 million children in the United States are orthodontic patients. This means that if your child is put on a treatment like braces, they’re likely to find a few other people undergoing the same treatment, and therefore they may not be too self-conscious about it.

2. If You Notice Signs of TMD

Another reason to head to the doctor with your kids is if you notice signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders. These include difficulty opening and closing the mouth, jaw fatigue and pain, ringing in the ear or ear aches, pain and swelling around the areas of the temporomandibular joint, and jaw asymmetry. The more of these signs you notice in your child, the more likely it is that they need to see a doctor and get a diagnosis so that they can begin treatment.

About 10% to 15% of the population is affected by TMD, according to Scientific Reports. While this may not sound like many people, it’s a condition that can cause your child to experience a lot of pain. This means that it’s best to have it ruled out as early as possible, or diagnosed and treated.

3. If You Suspect a Pest Infestation

If you suspect that there are pests in the house based on rashes and other issues with your child’s skin, it’s important to make an appointment with their doctor and pest control services. While most pests are harmless to people and merely cause discomfort, young children or people with sensitivities can develop allergic reactions to bug bites and stings that can turn out to be quite serious. Keep in mind that annually, more than one million cases of bed bugs are treated by pest control companies in America, according to Pest World. Clearly, pests are a common issue around the nation, but that doesn’t mean that you have to put up with them.

4. If They Develop a High Fever

Finally, if your child develops a high fever, it’s a good idea to take them to the doctor. There are many things that can cause a fever in kinds, some of them more serious than others. Rather than wait and find out that it was something serious, it’s best to get any serious issues ruled out by making a trip to the doctor. It’s especially urgent to see the doctor if the fever is accompanied by other signs like disorientation, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.

Keep your kids safe by learning about basic childcare. Remember that if something seems serious to you, and you have no idea what it might be, it’s best to head to the hospital right away. This can make a massive difference to the outcome.

6 Fun Money Games for Kids

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money games for kidsMore parents are realizing how important it is to teach kids about money. How can we teach them in a way that’s both engaging and educational? There are several money games for kids designed just for that purpose. Here are some ideas for money games.

6 Fun Money Games for Kids

Dollars and Dice

This is a simple money game that will have kids polishing their math skills without even realizing it. Using a single die and a variety of coins, kids roll the die to earn one of the following values:

1 = a penny

2 = a nickel

3 = a dime

4 = a quarter

5 = a coin of their choice

6 = lose a turn

The first person to collect exactly one dollar wins. If a player is close to hitting the dollar mark but goes over, they lose their turn.

Escape From Barter Island

This is a fun, interactive online game from the Federal Bank of Cleveland. Each player has to learn how to barter his or her way to a new sail for their boat. Navigating through the signs, they learn how to trade up using items they already own. If they trade right, they’ll eventually get their new sail so they can get home.

Play Escape from Barter Island.

Hide and Seek

Yes, your kids can play hide and seek and learn about money at the same time!

First, parents gather several coins of multiple values. If you have younger kids who are still learning to count, use pennies only. Then hide the coins in various places around the house. The kids are then set loose for a preset time period to find coins.

When the time is up (or when all coins are found – parents’ choice) kids count up their totals. The player with the highest number of coins (or the highest value total) wins!

Mad Money

The PBS Kids website has a great money game called “Mad Money”. The game starts out by giving players a choice of several items to save up for. Players are given a weekly allowance, but the allowance has to cover items on their shopping list.

Then, players go throughout the town, looking to find deals on what they need and working to earn more money.  They win if they have enough money to buy what they need and pay for what they want.

Play Mad Money.

Bonus Reading: “5 Apps That Teach Your Child a Cool Skill”

Net Worth

Similar to crazy eights, Net Worth is a card game that will help kids learn to manage money. The different cards allow players to pay off debt, collect assets, and hinder other players’ finances. Players also learn to use strategy to protect themselves from financial setbacks such as job layoffs.

This game is a quick, easy play for kids age 8 or older, and very affordable.

Save Perry’s Pennies

This game from the U.S. Treasury has three skill levels in which players catch dropping coins for their piggy banks. But there’s a catch – players have to save the targeted savings amount within the specified time period. Be careful, though; if you accidentally click on a falling hammer all of your savings could be lost!

Play Save Perry’s Pennies.

There are also several board games that can help kids learn how to save and manage money. The Game of Life, Monopoly, Payday, and Dave Ramsey’s ACT Your Wage are all games that teach players money skills. By using games to teach children healthy money skills we can help them become financially responsible adults.

For more financial fun, check out “4 Creative Money Challenges for Kids.”

Do you have any favorite money games for kids to share?

Image Credit: David Lofink (Creative Commons)

Are you a stay-at-home mom? Make sure you bookmark or pin some of these resources for later!

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6 Super Easy Ways to Reduce Your Energy Costs This Fall

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Energy use is on the rise and has doubled in the last 20 years. As a parent who has to deal with electronics charging around the home, the TV being on, and running the washing machine frequently throughout the week, you know more than most how energy use can take a toll on your monthly budget. Fortunately, there are a few key ways you can keep your energy costs down this fall.

1. Fix Any Drafty Windows

You can see a significant increase in energy bills if just one of your windows has a draft. The Department of Energy says you can lose 25% to 35% of your warm air from such a draft. With winter right around the corner, you need to investigate now rather than later, or else you could see your gas bill skyrocket.

2. Take Care of Heating Problems

Heating problems can hike up your bills because your heating system is running harder to heat your home. Fixing those issues can reduce your monthly expenses almost instantly. A heater can have various symptoms that require repair or replacement. Strange smells are one symptom, and it usually indicates something is burning. Rapid cycling indicates a problem with the compressor. Inadequate heating might mean you have something blocking the airflow.

The age of your heating system can also make a huge difference. Consider replacing your system if it’s over seven years old because it might be on its way out.

3. Clean or Change HVAC Filters

If your HVAC filters are clogged, they can lead to inadequate airflow, which causes your home’s heating and cooling system to work twice as hard to deliver warm or cool air to your home. A contractor can visit and change out your filter if it’s the only problem. You’ll quickly discover that you can reduce your energy consumption between 5% and 15%.

4. Reduce Lawn Watering Frequency

More than 90% of Americans prefer to live on properties with grass lawns, but watering your grass too frequently can hike up your water and energy bills if you’re not careful. You can cut down on these expenses by developing a strategy that reduces the time you have to run your sprinkler. You can also invest in a sprinkler designed to use fewer resources. Speak to a sales rep at your local hardware store who can help you make positive decisions and invest in state-of-the-art technology.

5. Get Your Insulation Inspected

Have someone inspect your home for insulation problems. A lot of good air gets lost within the cracks of faulty insulation. Fortunately, you can schedule an appointment with an expert who can come to your home and check all your insulation in every room, especially your attic.

6. Turn Things Off

One of the greatest tips we can offer is to turn things off when you’re not going to use them. Many people leave electronics and appliances on or plugged up when they don’t need to be. These behaviors end up stripping those households of electricity.

Colder weather is right around the corner, which means now’s the time to nip your energy costs in the bud before winter arrives. Try our tips above to reduce your energy bills today.

Why Has Fast Food Become So Expensive?

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Why Has Fast Food Become So Expensive?

Our family hadn’t had our favorite fast food, Chipotle, since the pandemic began two years ago. When my daughter asked for Chipotle for one of her birthday meals this year, we happily bought it. But boy, were we surprised by the experience! We were shocked to hear our final total for four meals–$53! We were left wondering, why has fast food become so expensive? Our order total was significantly higher than when we bought Chipotle two years ago.

Why Has Fast Food Become So Expensive?

Fast food prices are increasing due to two variables.

Higher Priced Food Items

The United States is currently experiencing high inflation not seen in 40 years. The price of everything is going up including gas and basic goods like the food supplies fast-food chains rely on. When basics like lettuce, tomatoes, and meat increase, most fast-food chains have no choice but to pass those costs onto consumers.

Labor Shortage

In addition to higher food prices, fast food chains are experiencing a labor shortage, which has a ripple effect on the restaurants.

Shorter Hours

Some fast-food restaurants have cut their business hours because they don’t have enough staff. If the restaurant is open fewer hours a day, fewer workers are needed. However, the restaurant is then bringing in less money.

Fewer Items on the Menu

Some restaurants are offering fewer items on the menu to consolidate their business. For instance, Burger King is focusing on “menu simplification, removing low-volume items” (Insider). This streamlines the number of ingredients they need to buy and store.

Higher Wages

Finally, most fast-food restaurants have no choice but to raise wages to attract employees. Many chains have had to raise wages by 10 to 15%, which affects their bottom lines and requires them to raise food prices.

How to Combat High Fast-Food Prices

In our busy society, more and more families rely on fast food. However, if you no longer can afford fast food regularly, you have some other options:

Make Slow Cooker Meals

Why Has Fast Food Become So Expensive?

If you’re too tired to cook when you come home from kids’ activities or work, put a meal in the slow cooker in the morning before you leave. When you come home, a hot meal will be waiting for you.

Have Freezer Meals Ready

Another idea is to make meals to freeze. Thaw them the night before and reheat them when you get home. If you don’t have time for that, buy ready-made, family-size freezer meals from the store. They’re much cheaper than buying the whole family fast food.

Bulk Cook on the Weekends

Or, you could make several meals on the weekend. Then, during the week, reheat and serve. For busy nights when you won’t be home to eat, pack sandwiches and chips. It’s not fast food, but it is quick and easy.

Final Thoughts

Why has fast food become so expensive? The simple answer is that inflation is hitting all aspects of our lives. If you can no longer afford fast food regularly, you can try some other strategies to get a meal on the table quickly. Remember, inflation doesn’t last forever; eventually, you’ll be able to once again afford your favorite fast-food meal without such a punch to your wallet.

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Saving for Your Child’s Future: 8 Steps to Take

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Bringing up children is a costly endeavor. Don’t let anyone lie to you about that part. However, if you can consistently save even a tiny amount for your child, you can establish a good saving habit and a growing nest egg for your family. Here are eight steps to take to save for your child’s future.

1. Create a Children’s Savings Account

Look into opening a high-yield savings account on behalf of your child. Such an account is a wonderful place to put your child’s gift money from the holidays or for birthdays, as it can accumulate and grow over time. You can also assist your child in setting up a Roth IRA account if they have a source of income. As your child’s savings grow, you can use this money toward their college tuition when they get older and graduate from high school. This can be incredibly beneficial for their educational future and can help you avoid making future college-related mistakes.

2. Hack Housing Costs

Avoid getting into situations where you must pay for extensive and expensive repairs by taking a preventative approach. For example, plumbing issues like toilet clogs aren’t just messy.

They can be quite costly, so you must be careful about what goes down your toilet. Simply because a supermarket sells a toilet-friendly item doesn’t mean you should flush it. According to Reader’s Digest, flushable wipes are common culprits for blocked pipes and toilets. The best thing you can do is consult your local plumber.

Another way to save on housing costs is by renovating your current home instead of buying a new one when you need more space or a fresh start. According to Houzz, about 22% of homeowners will spend between $5,000 and $15,000 on remodeling projects. It’s way cheaper than purchasing or constructing from scratch.

3. Talk Saving and Budgeting With Your Kids

It’s not only parents who can benefit from learning how to save while raising a family. Regular budget conversations are a great way of including kids in the running of the home. You can discuss the fundamentals of spending and saving without delving into the specifics of your income and expenses. Ensure you make it fun so you don’t lose their attention when you say ‘budget.’

4. Adopt Good Dental Health Practices

Dental costs are quite high. With kids, trips to the dentist’s office are almost inevitable. While having insurance that covers these high costs is a good idea, it’s wise to start by instilling proper dental hygiene practices in your child while they’re still impressionable.

Swinney Dental estimates that 41% of Americans floss daily, while 20% never do. Don’t let your kids be part of those who don’t. Teach them how to floss properly at an early age.

5. Plan for Holidays

The holidays can get expensive for a family. Everything is on ‘offer,’ and the spirit of giving can make you go into a shopping frenzy. Set a spending budget for gifts, and keep a separate savings account for the funds. This way, you’ll always know how much you can afford to spend.

6. Don’t Shy Away from Secondhand

Considering how fast kids grow, you’ll realize buying new children’s shoes and clothes is a money-wasting mistake. Yes, you want to give them the best, but it doesn’t have to mean you have to spend a lot of money. Plus, kids don’t care much about the price or even the clothes themselves.

You can buy them the most expensive shoe brands new from a mall, and they’ll still play in the mud while rocking them proudly. Make yard sales, consignment shops, and thrift stores your friends. You’d be surprised at how much quality stuff you can get.

7. Focus on Food Costs

Grocery bills can quickly get out of hand when you don’t have some structure for your family’s eating habits. Make a weekly plan for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. This way, you can rely on your meal plan to ensure you only get what you need when shopping for groceries.

8. Keep Birthdays Simple

Your kids deserve to be celebrated on their birthdays. However, you don’t have to spend extravagant money to make great memories. Something as simple as spending a day at the beach with family and friends is low-cost but will mean the world to your youngster.

One of the best things you can do for your child is to secure their financial future. Doing so will give them the freedom to pursue their dreams with confidence. Use this read as a guide for steps to take to save for your child’s future.

Cheap Costco Desserts That Kids Love

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Cheap Costco Desserts That Kids Love

For some kids, a trip to the grocery store with mom or dad is B-O-R-I-N-G.  Yet, for many of those same kids, a trip to Costco is fun.  Why?  My guess is the free samples.  If you can get free, tasty food while you’re shopping, going to the grocery store is suddenly a lot more fun.  Even better, kids can try to convince their parents to buy those cheap Costco desserts that kids love (and grown ups, too!).

Cheap Costco Desserts That Kids Love

There are so many delicious desserts at Costco, almost all of which are reasonably priced.  Kids, in particular, tend to gravitate to these desserts:

Churro From the Food Court

Don’t buy your kids these unless you plan to buy them every visit.  The churros are that good!  Costco churros are a full 18 inches long and are fried and coated with cinnamon and sugar.  Best of all, they’re only $1!

Delizza Patisserie Belgian Mini Cream Puffs

Found in the freezer section, Delizza Patisserie Belgian Mini Cream Puffs can’t be beat.  There are 120 mini cream puffs in the container, making them perfect for parties or to just snack on after school.

These feature a light, flaky pastry filled with a decadent cream filling.  You should let them thaw for 30 minutes to one hour, but some people can’t wait and eat them right from the freezer.

They’re mini size make them the perfect kid-friendly dessert.

Costco Danishes

Who needs donuts for breakfast when you can have a Costco danish?  Found at the bakery, you can choose from several different flavors such as cinnamon, cheese, apple, and cherry.  Serve these for a delicious weekend breakfast or gently heat one up in the microwave for an after-school snack.  Cinnamon danishes used to be my favorite flavor when I was a kid.

Ice Cream Sundae

If you decide against the churro at the food court, you and your kids may want to opt for the ice cream sundaes.  These are $2.49, and you can choose between two different toppings—strawberry or chocolate.  These are the perfect treat after a summer shopping trip to Costco.  Even better, Costco is very generous with the toppings, which helps to elevate this dessert to a whole new level.

David’s Cookies 9-Inch Rainbow Cake

Cheap Costco Desserts That Kids Love
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

What’s better than bright, rainbow colors and sugar?  For a kid, the answer is nothing!  David’s Cookies 9 Inch Rainbow Cake will delight your kids.  Inside, you’ll find five thin layers, with white cream frosting in between each layer.  The layers form the color of a rainbow with red, then orange, then yellow, then green, and finally blue.  Your kids will likely be delighted when you serve this yummy, fun cake.

Final Thoughts

Your kids likely enjoy going to Costco with you because they can get free samples.  They’ll likely beg to go with you every time if you give them one of these five cheap Costco desserts that kids love.

Which Costco dessert do your kids enjoy most?

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Holiday Schedule For Costco 2023

Editors Note: If you don’t want to go to Costco, there are plenty of great dessert recipes available on the web.  For example here is very nice collection of recipes for Puerto Rican desserts – far better than the Churros at the Costco food court.

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