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Having Fun with the Kids for Less

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Is the family home getting a little cramped? You might have considered moving to a bigger home. That, however, can be pricey especially when you have a family. You want to save money for a down payment, but at the same time still have fun with your kids.

Here are some creative ways to still have fun with your kids without breaking the bank.

Staycation

A staycation is like a vacation, but instead of going somewhere exotic, you enjoy your vacation right from home.

Just because you aren’t going somewhere warm and sunny, doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time. There are still plenty of fun things you can do if you live in a big city. For example, you could go to the museum or science center.

If you’re looking to save even more money, you might even decide to have a picnic in the park (weather permitting). Get creative and most of all have fun!

Public Library

Having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card! Have you visited the local library recently? The public library is a great way to keep your kids entertained. Best of all it’s completely free (as long as you return your borrowed materials on time).

If you haven’t been to the library in recent years, you won’t believe what you’re missing out on. The library is a lot more than just books these days. The library has everything from books to movies and in between. There’s really no reason to spend money at the movies when there are plenty of movies you can watch for free at the library.

Arts and Crafts

Are you someone who’s creative? If you’re looking to tap into the right side of your brain and get your kid’s creative juices flowing, you might try something artsy.

Arts and crafts are the perfect activity whether it’s a nice warm and sunny day outside or it’s raining cats and dogs. There are plenty of books in the library that can help you with arts and crafts. Likewise, there are videos on YouTube you can watch as you play along with your kids.

Fun with Food

Another fun activity to do with your kids is baking. Again, there are plenty of recipes available online and in the library. Choose a recipe that’s both nutritious and delicious to get the most out of it. Instead of buying cookies from the supermarket, why not make your own? If you’re not much into baking, you might consider buying cookies that are already made where all you have to do is put them on the baking sheet.

Something else fun to do is make fruit faces. Fruit faces are faces made of fruit. The smile can be a banana, the eyes can be strawberries, and so on. You get the picture.

Save money, have fun, and buy your dream home sooner.

Brought to you by Sean Cooper

Antibody Library Technology Market

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The global Antibody Library Technology Market report scrutinizes the market behavior and the manner in which the market has been performing and responding to various situations. Along with the usual market taxonomy, the report encloses growth rate comparison, current and future lookout, and year-on-year progress. All of the market insights are presented in terms of volume and value (MN/BN USD). [Read more…]

Teach Them Young: 3 Key Tips to Help Your Kids Learn About Money

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finance for kids

Do you have little ones? Maybe your eldest child is reaching the stage of their development where they are starting to understand the value of money. If this is the case then you may want to start teaching them about the rights and wrongs of spending. But teaching finance for kids can be tricky in this ever-changing world of bitcoin crypto-currencies and digital banks like Revolut and Monzo.

[Read more…]

5 Emergency Loan Options for Parents With Bad Credit

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Emergency Loan Options

Less than half of Americans have enough savings to cover a $1000 emergency. Dealing with an unexpected bill for yourself is bad enough. Moreover, if you’re a parent and you’re faced with an emergency for one of your kids, you’re going to be in a tight spot.

To be prepared for any emergency, there are various money-saving hacks for parents to try. But till you’ve saved enough to cover a major financial shortfall, you may have to count on certain lending options. If you’re in debt because of an unexpected emergency, an attorney at Wilkie Puchi LLP can help you settle for less.

So, let’s look at 5 emergency loan options if you’ve got bad credit and need money now.

1. Secured Loan

A secured loan means you’re putting up some sort of collateral as security for the loan. If you don’t repay the loan, the lender gets to keep the security.

If you have investments or other assets that you can’t quickly convert to cash but have a stable value, you may be able to use them as security for a loan.

2. Credit Union Loan

Credit unions are often more flexible than banks when it comes to lending money. If you already deal with a credit union and have been a long-time customer, they may be willing to work with you even if your credit score isn’t the best.

3. Mortgage or Line of Credit

If you own your home or other real estate and it has positive equity, you may be able to get a mortgage or a home equity line of credit. This is another type of secured loan since the equity in your home is being used as security for the mortgage.

Be careful when choosing this option though. If you can’t repay the loan for some reason, the bank or other lenders could foreclose on your property, leaving you out in the cold.

4. Title Loan

If you own a car or other vehicle, it may have enough value to qualify for a title loan. Once again, this is a specific type of secured loan that uses the value of your vehicle as security against the loan.

Keep in mind that your car could get repossessed if you aren’t able to make the loan payments. That might not be quite as serious as foreclosure but it could still present problems.

5. Payday Loan

Payday loans are one of the most common types of emergency loan options but they’re also one of the most expensive. These services loan you money based on how much you earn and charge a higher interest rate and often other fees for the privilege.

They can also have a snowball effect. When you get your next paycheck, some of it goes to pay off the loan, leaving you short. If you need to take out another payday loan to make other payments, you’ll keep facing the same problem every payday.

Be Prepared When Applying for an Emergency Loan

Whatever type of emergency loan you choose if you need cash now, make sure you’re prepared ahead of time. Before applying, check your credit report so you have an idea of how likely you are to be approved for the less risky types of emergency loans. You’ll also see if there are any mistakes in the report that could be dragging your score down.

Gather your social security number, income details, photo ID, and other important personal information. You’ll need them when you apply for any of these loans.

Finally, shop around to find the best deal. It might be an emergency, but take the time to look at a few options so you know you’re getting the best deal possible on short notice.

Be sure to check out the rest of our site for more helpful financial tips for parents and kids’ product reviews.

Photo credit: Gotcredit.com

What High School Should I Go To? This is What You Need to Consider

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High school is an important part of any teen’s life. It’s a huge stepping stone for college and the world beyond that. You can’t afford to choose just any old school.

So, what high school should I go to? That’s a good question. There’s a lot of things to consider when making your pick such as programs, the number of students attending, teachers, and the graduation and college acceptance rates.

While you shouldn’t base your decision on these factors alone, if a school you’re looking at thrives in these areas, it’s a good sign. Keep reading to find out more.

[Read more…]

What Does Homeowners Insurance Look Like for a First Time Home Buyer?

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For many, insurance is a daunting topic. Understanding the types of coverage, terms and conditions of the policies, and balancing protection against value. Homeowners insurance intimidates many because it is comprehensive – covering both possessions and physical structure – along with providing protection against injury claims from accidents on your property.

Although it can be intimidating, one of the tips that we provide to first-time homebuyers is that they shop around for homeowners insurance policies before buying property, as many lenders require such policies. Even if it isn’t required, these policies are essential because a home is an investment that you can’t afford to lose. 

Those things in mind, below are a few answers to the primary things that homeowner’s insurance entails.

What does homeowner’s insurance cover?

Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover your possessions within the property, and during travel. It also covers the primary residence and other structures on the property such as detached garages, sheds, and in-law units. The third core component of these policies is liability coverage to cover medical and legal costs associated with injuries on your property.

While most of these policies have broad coverage for events such as fire, explosions, hail, and theft, you need to pay close attention to the associated exclusions. For example, homeowner’s insurance policies often cover water damage from faulty plumbing, but coverage for natural floods requires a separate policy.

Other common exclusions include regional-specific issues such as mold, landslides, government action, nuclear hazards, and general wear and tear. 

What are the most common homeowner’s insurance policies?

The primary types of homeowner’s policies on the market today include:

  • HO-2: A basic policy that covers specific problems such as fire, theft, riots, and other events/disasters that have clear definitions.
  • HO-3: A comprehensive policy that covers named and unnamed risks, except for specific exclusions set by the insurance company.
  • HO-5: A comprehensive policy that covers both the home and other structures on the property from loss, if it’s not due to what the insurance company excludes.

In addition to standard homeowner’s insurance coverage, you should also explore purchasing an umbrella policy. This coverage comes in handy if you have a claim that maxes out your standard policy. If your property has a swimming pool, for example, these policies can be invaluable

How much coverage do I need? 

The amount of coverage carried by homeowners is determined on a case by case basis. Some homeowners only need minimal coverage, while others choose to purchase comprehensive policies. You should consider the value of your home, possessions, and the chances that someone would file an injury claim against you.

Another consideration for property coverage is whether to purchase “replacement cost” or “actual cash value” coverage. The former means the insurance company would pay the full cost to replace a damaged item (within limits) without accounting for depreciation. On the other hand, “actual cash value” accounts for depreciation, but it often is more affordable. 

How to Make the Most out of your Business Profit for your Family

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maximizing business profits

Getting into business can be a great way to provide for your family when the children are growing up. Not only that, but if your venture turns out to be successful, it will also present a career opportunity for future generations who have a desire to take over the family business. Despite the potential for these things, there is a lot of risks that come with business as well. Business owners who don’t cover all the bases and aren’t savvy enough, may not actually be maximizing business profits. Doing this is absolutely essential if you want to give your family the best things in life.

[Read more…]

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