Kids Ain't Cheap

But They Sure Are Worth It

5 Home Improvements to Make Before Bringing Your Baby Home

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Home Improvements for newbornIf you’re expecting a new baby, you need to be sure that your home is ready for them. Apart from making the house safer both for you and the baby, you’ll make the house a lot more convenient to be in.

Read on to see five good ideas for the home improvements that are best for you to make before you bring your baby home so that you know what to get started with.

1. Add Storage

One thing to know is that a new baby comes with a lot of items that need room in the house. This means that you need to expand your home’s storage so that you have ample room for your baby. This applies to the kitchen, the bathroom, and, of course, their nursery. You’re bound to have a much easier time getting these projects done long before the baby gets home because, this way, you’ll ideally have already planned for where to keep each one of their items. Even if you’re bringing home one of the around 135,000 children who are adopted every single year in America, according to PBS, you still need to be sure that their items all have a designated spot in your home.

2. Update the Floors

Another important project that you need to work on before you bring a baby home is the flooring. That’s because old, worn-out flooring with gaps and cracks poses a safety hazard to the entire family. While the baby won’t be mobile in the first few months of life, you should know that they grow up extremely fast. This means that they may soon be crawling away as fast as they can, running the risk of getting cuts or splinters from a floor that’s not in the best shape. Note that in 2021, spending on home improvement increased by 19%, according to BigRentzs. You can be sure that flooring upgrades were one of the most common items that got work done in this case since people understand well the implications of a home’s floor.

3. Remodel the Bathroom

It’s also a great idea to remodel the bathroom before the baby gets home, so you improve both safety and convenience. You don’t want to end up not knowing where to bathe your baby because the lights or plumbing in the bathroom don’t work. That said, this is a project that you ought to complete with your new needs in mind, such as expanding the storage.

4. Handle Roofing Repairs

Roofing repairs done in advance are essential. While you may wonder how the roof could ever affect the baby, the answer is that it may not do this directly. That said, roofing repairs are often extremely loud and can take an indefinitely long time to complete. This means that if the roof were to fail or need repairs while the baby is home, everyone would have an extremely hard time, leaving the only option being to find somewhere alternative to stay while the roof is completed.

5. HVAC Renovations

Last but not least, you need to get work done on your home’s HVAC to make sure that it’s in good shape. Failure to do this could leave you in a terrible spot if the weather takes a turn for the worse and your air conditioner doesn’t work. Take consideration of the season to find the best appliances to have on standby if the weather is normally bearable in the area where you live for the whole year. In this case, you may want to get a 500 CFM fan system for hotter seasons, which can run on a normal household current without any special considerations made for the electricity.

Making these five home improvements can make things easier, safer, and more comfortable before you bring your newborn home. Look for good experts in your area to work on them. This way, in case of an additional issue, you’ll have an easy time calling them to do checks.

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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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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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Is Your Teenager Ready to Own a Car?

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Every parent is proud when their teen passes the driver’s test. Nevertheless, driving remains one of the most dangerous things, thus it is crucial to ensure your teenager is ready for the road before putting them out there or allowing them to own a car. These pointers can help you decide whether your teenager is ready to own a vehicle or even drive without supervision.

Discipline

Discipline involves more than the ability to follow instructions. It’s also the subconscious will to think of others and do what is right, even without supervision. Parents can identify such traits early in their kids’ lives. If your child does chores on time, looks out for their siblings, and generally respects basic home rules, they most likely will obey traffic rules and remain on the safe side of the law. Most kids- including teenagers- are guilty of breaking speed limits, driving under the influence, or even texting while driving. While all these no-go zones often sound thrilling, a disciplined child understands that rules and laws are established for their safety.

Responsibility

If your child remembers to complete simple tasks like cleaning their room, packing their books, and clearing the dining room table, they will probably remember to service the car, keep it clean, or even come home on time when they get their own. Additionally, your teen should know to look out for other road users, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, and prioritize their safety. While your child may be responsible, they will likely meet reckless individuals and bullies. Responsible teenagers do their part and are prepared to handle various situations without endangering their lives and those of others.

Immunity to Distractions

Irresponsible habits are a major cause of accidents. In a recent statement, it was reported that more than 40% of car accidents that led to death or injury were caused by drivers using their phones while driving. Most teenagers are culprits as they are attached to their phones and other devices. Making them understand the importance of paying attention while driving is crucial to minimizing the risks of accidents.

Another common distraction is the car radio. About half of Americans aged thirteen years and above listen to the radio while on the road, driving or not. Subtle background music can help in reducing stress while enhancing relaxation. On the other hand, music (usually loud) can also be distractive as it may affect the driver’s cognitive focus on the road. Navigating the entertainment system is also a huge distraction to point out to your teenager.

Ability to Maintain the Car

Since a car is a machine, something is bound to fail every once in a while. It is up to the driver to remain keen on these signs. For example, vibration from a vehicle’s undercarriage is the number one indication of a bad drive shaft. While you may need to catch up with whether or not your kid’s car is in perfect shape, you can teach them the basics, so they know when to see a mechanic. Start by showing them how to change a flat tire, jump start a dead battery, look for the oil warning light, and other common troubleshooting techniques.

Ability to Make Reasonable Judgment

When it comes to a teen’s ability to make good judgments, maturity plays a huge role. Some children mature faster than others. Therefore, you can trust them to make sound decisions. While most people began driving in their teens, others also began drinking around the same age. As a parent, you cannot control everything your teenager does, but paying attention to their behavior and company can help you determine when to give them a vehicle. If your child follows or tries to please everyone else, you might have to think twice. Most teenagers fall into peer pressure due to the urge to impress, often leading to mistakes. Your child should understand the value of independence before owning a car.

For most kids, driving is an essential rite of passage that ushers them into society. The bottom line remains, your kid’s character can significantly help you decide when they can own a car. Parents must set strict boundaries and thoroughly evaluate their children’s strengths before entrusting them with vehicles. This is an integral step to ensuring that they nurture mindful, reliable, and responsible adults.

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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8 Reasons Why Children Are Priceless

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Reasons Why Children Are Priceless

There seems to be a lot of discussion, constantly, about how expensive children are. While yes, you do have to be financially responsible about having a child, they do not need to be anywhere near as expensive as some ‘studies’ would have you believe. This is a topic I’ve already written about, so today we’re going to chat about the reasons why children are priceless.

I’m not trying to make it seem like having children is all sunshine and roses, because it’s not. It’s far, far from it actually, but having a child will change your life in ways you couldn’t imagine until it happens.

Reasons Why Children Are Priceless

They Inspire Deep Love

You may think you knew what love was before you had a child; trust me I did. I love my husband, my family and my friends but the love you have for your child is something you will have never experienced. The love you have for this tiny little human is indescribable. It changes and shapes every other relationship in your life.

The love you have for your child grows. Though I instinctively wanted to love and protect my child as soon as he was born, the love I have for him and my other two children, is so much different, and intense, than it was on the days they were born.

This idea is best epitomized by Elizabeth Stone’s statement, “Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”

They Spread Happiness

I am truly happy when I am with my children and they are in good moods. You simply cannot be in a bad mood when your happy toddler smiles up at you or when your tweens tell you silly jokes. Their emotions are raw, and you can’t help but feel it with them.

They Teach You Patience

You may be an impatient person, but once you have a child, that has to change.  If you show impatience and anger with your children, they will likely shut down or cry.  Instead, you must gently encourage them so that they can succeed.  (This can be extremely trying when you have to wait by the door for your toddler to slowly put on his shoes by himself because he’s refused your help or when he unbuckles his car seat for the fifth time in one car trip.)

Children will, by their very nature, teach you to be patient.

They Give You a Second Chance at Childhood Joy

Reasons Why Children Are Priceless
Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash

By the time you’re in your twenties and thirties, you likely have lost much of your childhood joy.  You may no longer take joy in driving around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights or the first snowfall of the season.  Once you have a child, all of that changes.

As you watch your young children grow excited for Christmas, you do, too.  When your child gleefully opens the presents under the Christmas tree, you will likely feel a spark of excitement again.  When you bundle your child up to go out in the first snowfall, you will suddenly delight in building a snowman and making snow angels.  Children give you a second chance at childhood joy.

They Are Brutally Honest

Kids are honest. Kids force you to be honest. Honest about yourself and about your life. When your child is born you are suddenly hyper aware of every detail in your life. From your financial life to the mess on your bedside table. Children inadvertently have a way of forcing us to be honest about our lives.

It was having a child that forced us to finally get serious about getting out of debt rather than living with it in limbo.

They Are Humbling

Becoming a parent is one of, if not the most, humbling experience in the world. No amount of research, parenting book reading or doctors appointments can ever prepare you for your child and the experiences  you will go through as a parent. I think being humbled is an important trait for people and if you’ve yet to experience it, having a kid will do it for sure.

They Make You Less Self-Centered

Before you have children, you may not realize you’re self-centered, but you are.  You likely have your own routine, your own rituals, that give you joy.  Yet, when you have a child, all of that discipline and focus on yourself and what makes you feel good is upended.  You get much less sleep in the baby stage, and your life and schedule suddenly revolve around the baby’s.

Reasons Why Children Are Priceless
Photo by Adrià Crehuet Cano on Unsplash

When your kids get older, your life still centers around your children and their education and their activities.  Sure, as kids get older and become more independent, you will be able to do more things for, and spend more time on, yourself.  However, you don’t get your life back as truly your own until your kids move out.  By then, you won’t want to go back to the self-centered years before you had kids.

They Give You Perspective

Having a child puts your life in a whole new perspective. Suddenly everything else in life is so much less important. You wonder what you did with your time before, and you wonder how you possibly lived your life without this person in it.

For the rest of your life, your children will shape and change your world, and that’s a beautiful thing.

Final Thoughts

Having a child is the hardest, yet most rewarding thing you can ever possibly do in your life.  Yes, they are expensive, but don’t believe that kids are as expensive to raise as the experts would have you believe.  Besides, what they give back in their love and the way they make you grow as a person are some of the reasons why children are priceless.

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Editors Note: If you’re interested in checking out an up and coming new personal finance blog, consider reading kidwealth.com.  Its got several articles similar to this one.

Costco LEGOs Q & A: The Best Deal In Town or Not Worth the Trip?

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Costco LEGOs

Costco can be so beneficial for families. You can often find quality products at a great price. Their various organic food selection is an example. But, what about something like toys? More specifically, what about Costco LEGOs?

Worth the trip to find a deal or keep on looking?

LEGOs have been one of the most popular toys for boys and girls since their start in 1932. The colorful, interlocking bricks give kids a chance to put down their screens, engage their minds, and unleash their imaginations.

The problem is, buying new LEGOs can get expensive quickly. Sets that follow a certain theme, like Star Wars or Harry Potter, charge more than normal for the affiliation. If Costco is known for its competitive prices, then are Costco LEGOs the best deal?

Let’s do some Q & A and find out:

Costco LEGOs Q & A: Best Deal In Town or Not Worth the Trip?

Q: Does Costco sell LEGOs?

A. Yes. There is often an assortment of LEGO products available at Costco, although it does vary. You can also shop online at Costco.com. Overall, you will see considerably less variety than a place like Walmart, Target or Amazon.

Q: Why does Costco have less selection than other stores?

A: According to Costco’s Wholesale Disclosure:

Costco operates membership warehouses based on the concept that offering members very low prices on a limited selection of products will produce high sales volumes and rapid inventory turnover. This rapid inventory turnover, when combined with the operating efficiencies achieved by volume purchasing and reduced handling of merchandise enables Costco to operate profitably at significantly lower gross margins than traditional wholesalers.

Translation: Costco sells hand-picked, quality brands faster and with fewer employees than supermarkets.

After speaking with an administrative representative at my local Costco who declined being named for this interview, he explained that Costco doesn’t carry any particular product year-round. Their mission is to find the trend, buy it early, mark down the price considerably, and sell it at the peak season.

Q: How can I save the most money on LEGOs at Costco?

A: Knowledge is key. Costco’s LEGO selection is very limited during the first two-thirds of the year. Your best bet during those months is to glance at the selection online and keep in mind other options like Amazon or Walmart.

The best ways to save money in general at Costco are:

  1. Browse your monthly Costco flier. It’ll come to you in the mail right before the beginning of a new month and includes every sale, including toys.
  2. Sign up for email offers. You’ll receive exclusive coupons and deal alerts from Costco via email.
  3. Follow deal hunting blogs like Krazy Coupon Lady to receive the most up-to-date information about Costco products. For example, KCL created this detailed post on every LEGO toy available during the Christmas shopping season of 2016. Many of the LEGO products were discounted significantly!
  4. Sign up for an Executive membership.  If you don’t have a Costco members, definitely get one. By doing so, you’ll receive 2% cash back on every qualified purchase. At the end of year, you receive a check in the mail – redeemable only at Costco – for all the money you earned back.  Costco also has a ton of deals on travel, food and kids furniture.  You can get a Costco membership here, or you can click on the button below:

Get Your Costco Membership Here

In Conclusion

Is Costco the best place to buy LEGOs? Not until the holidays, and not if you’re looking for a wide variety.

If you just want to buy some new LEGOs within your price range, then I suggest using some of the money-saving techniques mentioned above.   The great thing about Costco is that you can’t loose, their return policy is outstanding. If you find a better price on LEGOs, and want to return them at Costco, they’ll probably take them.  So, keep your eyes open for a deal, follow a blogger who’s going to do the leg work to keep you informed during the holidays, and go find yourself a great deal.

What’s your favorite thing to shop for at Costco?

Image Credit: Roger Ahlbrand (Creative Common)

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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?

Read More

Costco Legos Q & A: The Best Deal in Town or Not Worth the Trip?

Why a Costco Membership Is Beneficial to Our Family

How to Save Money on Birthday Parties (and Still Have a Good Time)

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.

How to Get Teens Excited About an International Trip

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Picture of a shoreline with rocky beaches

My husband and I have traveled internationally, but never with our kids. Now, our children are 19, 14, and 13, and the time has come to take a trip to Asia to visit my husband’s family. Our kids are a bit nervous and reticent, so here’s how we’re trying to get teens excited about an international trip. After all, this is an expensive visit for our family, so we want to make it as enjoyable as possible for the kids.

A Little Background

Admittedly, this trip would have been easier to take when our kids were younger. Now that they’re teens, several factors are leading to their worry and discomfort:

They’re Leaving Behind Friends

For teenagers, their friends are their most important priority, and leaving them, even for two weeks, is difficult. Our kids worry that they’ll miss something fun with friends when they’re gone and that they’ll miss their friends.

They Don’t Know the Language

Knowing that they’ll be immersed in a culture where they don’t know how to communicate is difficult. Their grandparents don’t speak English, so my husband must serve as a translator, which is challenging for him.

They’re Worried About Being Immersed in a Complete Foreign Environment

Along with the language barrier, they’re also worried about not understanding the new environment and being overwhelmed because it’s so different from the United States.

How to Get Teens Excited about an International Trip

We recognize why they’re nervous, so we’re trying our best to help ease their discomfort before we go. Here are the strategies we’re trying.

Find Activities They Want to Do

We combed through activities to do and made a list of the ones we thought most people would enjoy and fit our schedule and budget. Then, we sent the list to the kids so they could look through it.

Get Their Opinion

We had a family meeting, and every child got to pick one activity they wanted to do. Then, as a family, we chose the rest of the activities. This required some negotiation, but ultimately, we agreed on the sites we planned to visit. Getting the kids’ input helped them feel more excited and invested in the trip.

Practice the Language

We also have been practicing the language. My husband has been talking to us in Japanese, and we’re working on learning the 300 most commonly used words so we can communicate at an elementary level.

Try the Food

We’ve always eaten some Japanese food, but now we’re eating more types of Japanese food, so we’re familiar with them before we get there.

Final Thoughts

Taking an international vacation is expensive, but it can also be a great way to build memories as a family. We’re doing all we can to help get our teens excited about the trip. Otherwise, if they’re grumpy and miserable, we’ve wasted a lot of money rather than spent an enjoyable two weeks abroad.

Read More

How to Travel with a Kid Who Isn’t a Great Traveler

Vacation Before Your Kids No Longer Want to Hang with You

4 Road Trip Tips When Traveling with Teens

When Should I Visit Urgent Care, the ER, or an Emergency Dentist?

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You may realize that to get appropriate care when there’s an injury, you may need to decide to visit urgent care or an emergency dentist. It’s helpful to understand the right time to visit urgent care, the ER, or an emergency dentist. This helps you ensure that you and your kids get proper care. This article gives you some examples so you can make the right choice when you need medical attention.

Visit the Emergency Dentist for Anything Tooth-Related

Dental emergencies can happen at unexpected times, especially in kids who are active and engaged in sports and physical activities. If your child experiences a dental injury or has severe tooth pain, it’s best to visit an emergency dentist. Many parents take their children to the emergency room with dental concerns. However, an emergency room may not have the proper skills or tools to help. Dental professionals are the best option because they have the knowledge to handle various tooth-related emergencies.

According to the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, sports cause 10 to 39% of children’s dental injuries, especially chipped and broken teeth. Contact sports like football or soccer have a higher risk of dental injuries. Most of the time, an emergency dentist can provide immediate care. They can also perform necessary procedures and reduce your child’s pain.

Visit Urgent Care for Minor Injuries or Infections

When you or your kids have minor injuries or infections that are not life-threatening, it’s best to visit urgent care. They are the best options because urgent care centers are able to handle a wide range of non-emergency medical conditions. They can also provide timely care without the long wait times that you often find in the ER.

A common condition that urgent care can address is ingrown hair. There are approximately 3 million cases of ingrown hairs each year, according to Cleveland Clinic. They can cause discomfort and localized infections. However, when you visit an urgent care facility, you can receive treatment like antibiotics to address the issue and prevent further infections or complications.

Urgent care is also ideal for minor injuries like sprains, cuts, or minor burns. You can visit them if you require stitches as long as the cut isn’t severe or life-threatening. These facilities have the resources and medical staff to provide prompt and appropriate treatment for these conditions.

Visit the Emergency Room for Life-Threatening Emergencies

When you have a life-threatening emergency, you need immediate medical attention. This is when you should visit the emergency room (ER). The ER has the staff and equipment to handle acute illnesses, severe injuries, and critical situations that require immediate attention. Accidental poisoning is a serious concern. Every day in the United States, over 300 children between the ages of 0 to 19 are treated in the emergency room for accidental poisoning.

When kids ingest harmful substances, show severe symptoms, or think they are in a life-threatening situation, you should take them to the ER right away. The ER has a staff of medical professionals that have the resources and the knowledge to provide emergency care and can save lives. Severe allergic reactions, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and uncontrollable bleeding are also reasons to visit the ER. A head injury or severe burns is another time you should also go to the ER.

Knowing when to visit urgent care, the ER, or an emergency dentist is essential for receiving appropriate and timely medical care for you and your kids. If you consider these tips and scenarios when making the decision about where to go, you should choose the right option. The last thing you want is to go to the ER and be turned away because your condition isn’t severe enough. When you make informed decisions, you and your family can get the appropriate care for your medical needs.

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