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Lifestyle

A Guide To Moving Overseas With Young Children

by Guest Contributor September 24, 2019

Would you be willing to move overseas with your young family? Many families have toyed with the idea of uprooting and moving overseas, but when children are added to the equation, many decide against doing so. Whether you’ve been offered an exciting job opportunity, or whether you just want to experience a new way of life, there are many different reasons to take the plunge.

As with any move, there will be a large element of stress involved, but if you’re set on moving overseas with your children, we have created a guide to make the process and painless and as exciting as possible.

Although it’s true that children need stability during their early years, if they are not yet in full-time education, then the transition will be much easier to manage. Younger children find stability in their parents, so if you reassure them and work to make them feel at ease during the process, then they will respond much better to the change.

Look into local education systems

If your child is not yet in full-time education, then it’s important to consider whether you are going to homeschool your child or place them in private or public education. Depending on where you are relocating to, there are private expat schools that are available for your children to attend.

If you’re moving to a non-English speaking country, then it’s important to ensure that your child will be in a school that accommodates to their needs, for example, an English-speaking support teacher. If you are moving country because of work, many companies are able to provide education funding for your children, which will cover the costs of private-sector education.

If you choose to homeschool your child, then you can either hire a full-time tutor and nanny or choose to do this yourself. Be sure to look into the syllable of whichever country that you are moving to and tailor this to your own child’s needs. If you want your child to quickly integrate and form friendships, then sending them to school is the best start, as this will allow them to interact with children who are their own age.

Be sure to research the visas you need

When you’re moving to a new country, you will have to apply for a long-term visa, which can take some time to finalise. If you’re relocating due to work, many companies will help to sort out a workplace visa, however, this does not always cover your family.

For example, if you are moving from the US to the UK on Tier 2 Visa, your child and partner may have to apply for a Family Visa in order to move over with you. Non-EEA countries will most likely require a visa, so it’s important to do your research and to potentially speak with immigration lawyers who will be able to guide you through the process.

Research the local area

Moving to a new country should be a really exciting and nerve-wracking prospect. Amongst the stress of it all, be sure to research the local area of the place you are moving to. This will help you to get a sense of the local culture, where to go for food, drinks and shopping and everything in between.

Researching the local area can really help you to get into the mindset of living in a new country and will also mean that you don’t feel entirely lost when you get to your new home. Before you make any life-changing decisions, it’s equally as important to take a few trips out to visit the area. Be sure that you like where you are moving to before you move there.

About the Author

Natalie Wilson is a freelance wellness and lifestyle writer. She loves researching and writing about new wellness trends and topics, as well as keeping up to date with the latest news. When not writing, you can find her taking long walks in the countryside with her dog or browsing her nearest bookstore. You can connect with her on Twitter @NatWilson976.

Fitness

Lose Those Love Handles With These 5 Exercises

by Amber King September 19, 2019

written by Amber King

Love handles. We all have them, and despite the fun little name we give them, we all hate them. I’m a big advocate for body positivity, and while I firmly believe that every shape is beautiful, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to blast those stubborn suckers off my sides. Believe it or not, it is possible to both love your body and want to lose fat. And if you’re like me and about a million other women, the fat around your middle is a good place to start.

The trouble with our love handles is that not every ab exercise will do the trick. A lot of women think crunches are the key to burning that fat, but that’s not exactly true. The fat in question actually lies on top of the obliques. These are the muscles on either side of our abdomen, and they stretch from your lower ribs to your pelvis. To get rid of that fat, you have to target that area specifically and keep at it.

Here are a couple exercises you can do right from home to break down your love handles.

1. Russian Twist

Don’t ask me why these are called Russian twists, I have no idea. The twisting part is pretty obvious, but you’ll have to use your imagination for the rest. Vodka is what comes to mind first, but that might just be me.

To do a Russian twist, sit on a mat and lean back so you’re balanced at about a 45-degree angle. Bend your knees slightly and lift your legs from the floor. Next, grab a weight if you’re ambitious. If you’re a beginner, you’ll be fine simply holding your hands in front of you.

Once you’re balanced on your booty, twist your torso until you can touch your weight to the ground. Try not to fall over, and engage your obliques in the process. Repeat that motion back and forth. Voila! A Russian Twist.

2. Bicycles

love handles

Before you grab your helmet, this oblique exercise does not require an actual bicycle. All you do is mimic the motion of pedaling a bike all while giving your obliques a good workout.

To start, lie on your back with your hands behind your head. Remember not to pull on your head or neck during any kind of ab exercise. Your hands should just barely be touching your hair and not pulling your head forward. For this love handle exercise, squeeze your abs as you peel your shoulders off the ground. Next, move your right elbow toward your left knee. Bend your knee until your elbow and knee meet somewhere in the middle of your body. Hold that for just a second before releasing and doing the same thing on the other side. Once you get going, the motion should feel like you’re pedaling a bike. Switch sides at a continuous rate, but don’t go too fast. You want your bike moving at a steady pace, but not a sprint.

3. Side Planks Reach Through

love handles

To be completely honest, these side plank reach throughs are not my favorite. It took me a few tries to get the motion down, and I still feel a bit shaky after doing a few in a row. But with that said, they are great at blasting away love handles. They precisely target the oblique muscles, and you don’t need to do that many to feel the burn. Yes, that’s a good thing!

The exercise starts simple enough as a side plank. Lie on your side and lift yourself up with your right hand on the ground and your feet stacked. If you’re having trouble supporting yourself, lower yourself down to your elbow. You want your body to look like a straight line–no drooping at the hips. When you’re steady, hold your left hand up toward the ceiling.

Now here comes the part that’s going to take some balance (aka your oblique muscles). Lower your left hand and bring it around your front and through the gap that’s between your hip and the ground. You’ll have to twist a little, but try not to twist too much. You’ll only mess up your feet and probably fall over. I’ve fallen countless times doing this exercise, so no shame if you do too.

4. T-Rotations

Now that I have you in the plank position, let’s talk about T-rotations. Aptly named for the body position you’ll end up making, this exercise focuses on your abs with a special spotlight on the obliques.

Start in a push-up position with your arms fully extended (but don’t lock your elbows). Hold that plank for about three seconds and then rotate into a side plank. Don’t forget to engage your abs! At this point, one hand should be on the ground, your feet should be stacked, and your body should be facing sideways. Hold your free arm out so that your body makes a T. Hold this side plank for three seconds, and then rotate until you’re back in your push-up position. Repeat this rotation a few times to bust up those love handles.

5. Bird Dog

Try not to think too hard about the name of this exercise. It kind of makes you look like a dog trying to fly, but the important thing is that it’s great for your obliques. And even better, it’s pretty simple.

The first step is to get onto your hands and knees. Make sure your hands are directly under your shoulders and your knees are directly under your hips. Use your abs to simultaneously lift your left arm and your right leg. Hold them out fully extended for around 10 seconds. Lower your limbs slowly, and you can either repeat that motion a few times on the same side, or switch sides.

Once you have these five moves down, focus on consistency. You’ll only make progress if you commit to blasting those love handles on a regular basis. And don’t be discouraged if you don’t see amazing results right away. Fat loss is always a marathon, not a sprint.

How to Get Outside With Your Kids This Fall

by Jennifer Landis September 17, 2019

written by Jennifer Landis

During the summer, it’s easy to get the kids outside. As soon as that fall air rolls in, though — and brings with it cold temps and rainy days — it can seem much harder to do so.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this colorful season with your children, both inside and out. If you need fresh air but don’t know how to get it, read on. We have five ideas for getting your brood outdoors this autumn and beyond.

1. Color Walks

As we know, fall has plenty of colorful foliage to stare at for hours on end. So, grab your kids and take them outside to check out the leaves and all the other eye-catching plants that grow during this time. Don’t just call it a nature walk — consider this stroll to be a color walk. Choose a particular hue, or let your child choose the shade they like best. Then, as you walk around, have them point out everything they find that’s that color. If you have a digital camera and trust your little one enough to use it, then they can take pictures of everything they see for even more color-walk fun.

2. Leaf Jumping

This one’s a classic, but it’s so much fun that it’s worth mentioning. Have your kids help you gather up the leaves in your yard. Not only will they burn off some energy doing so, but they’ll also help get the job done quicker. Having a few helpers will make the task simpler on you.

Once they’ve built a giant pile of foliage, let them go wild. Jumping in and out of the leaves just never gets old — join them for a few leaps and see. You can mix things up by fashioning your leaf pile into another interesting activity. For instance, some have built a leaf slide. They place their foliage mound at the base of a slide and zoom into it. You can also use your leaves to outline a small backyard maze. Regardless of how you play with the leaves, one thing’s for sure — your kids will love it, and they’ll never forget it.

3. Playground Games

When you play outside in summer, it’s often too hot to do anything but splash in the pool or run through the sprinkler. In the cool fall air, though, you can have your kids play and run in the yard. So, take advantage of the cooler temps and set up a group game. You might want to rely on some of your playground favorites. Something as simple as tag, kickball or red rover can do the trick.

There are so many benefits to organizing a playground-style game for your kids. Little ones who spend all their time indoors may be more susceptible to obesity, which remains an epidemic across the country. On the other hand, if they play outside, your kids will develop healthy behaviors that push them to exercise throughout their lives. Plus, such playground games give them the chance to build teamwork and social skills.

4. Orchard Visits

Fall brings us gorgeous foliage, but it also brings a slew of new fruits and veggies to be harvested. In some cases, farmers will open up their fields for the public to pick their own produce to bring home and enjoy.

For instance, a local orchard might allow people to come in and pick apples directly from their trees. You might hop onto the back of a tractor or pickup truck to visit a pumpkin patch. There, you and your kiddos can select the perfect gourd for your front stoop. All the while, your kids can run around and explore the farmland around them. At the same time, you’ll all be taking in some much needed fresh fall air.

5. Scavenger Hunts

What bits of nature can you find in your backyard or at the local park? Let your kids answer that question. Start by drawing up a list of common fall finds, such as pinecones, acorns and leaves — one in each color. See how many items your kids can knock off the roster.

If you don’t have enough variety in natural elements, then combine your scavenger hunt with a walk through the neighborhood. Make sure to add other autumn finds to your list. Some fall scavenger hunt lists for kids will include pumpkins, scarecrows, bales of hay and other decor. They may not come from nature, but your kids will have a blast scoping out their neighbors’ homes in search of the must-sees on their scavenger hunt list.

Fall in Love With the Outdoors

It’s cooler outside, and you might not be able to get out there every day. However, the above five activities will make your outdoor pursuits even more fun for both you and your kids. In fact, such memorable moments will remain with you for years to come — and we bet your kids will beg to do the same activities every year. You and your family will fall in love with the season and the time you spend outside together.

Career Lifestyle Motherhood

5 Quick Relaxation Methods For Working Moms

by Guest Contributor September 9, 2019

written by Guest Contributor

The pace of modern life sometimes leaves us little room to just sit back without constantly having tons of to-do lists and worries rushing through our head. No wonder that in these circumstances, stress is a leading health issue affecting 75% of people in the US. However, the consequences of this can be quite bleak. In fact, studies have shown that even mild stress compromises our health in the long term, which means it is in our best interest to change our lifestyle to fight stress as much as we can. To give you some of the best ways to create a daily routine that will relax you, here are a few ideas.

A little bit of exercise

To take action against this worldwide health threat, many people leverage exercise. About half of surveyed Americans incorporate regular physical activity in their routines in order to fight stress. You don’t have to become a gym rat and spend hours on end on a treadmill to get there – a little bit of movement every day will not interfere with your schedule but you will feel the difference immediately.

For instance, even a brisk walk will help your brain get those important neurotransmitters that are going to shield you not only against the negative effects of stress but also from anxiety and depression creeping up on you. Keeping your body physically active will also help you get a good night’s sleep, which will also help you feel light and relaxed.

Relax your body

Sometimes, when we come home from a long and hard day at work, we can feel all our muscles being tense. This is why it’s worth introducing a few things in your daily routine that will help relax your body and feel refreshed the next morning. For instance, yoga is a great tool to fight stress this way. Not only does it stretch and relax your muscles so that you can say goodbye to backache but the breathing exercises involved also help slow your heart rate.

Another way to help relax your tense muscles is by taking a bath. You can create a relaxing atmosphere in your bathroom by adding a couple of scented candles. If you want to get the wellness centre feel, consider getting some aromatherapy oils and diffusers. You can always change the scents depending on the mood.

Put on your headphones

Music is a powerful tool that can influence our mood in the blink of an eye. It can even help us cope with stress by listening to our favorite tunes both before and after stressful situations. So, it’s obvious that turning to music therapy and creating your own relaxing playlist is worth your while. As a rule of thumb, slow, instrumental music is the best to lower your heart rate and relax your mind, but each of us has different tastes so find what works for you if you’re not a fan of relaxation music. One thing is for sure, though, which is that listening to music on a daily basis will improve your mood and only benefit your mind. Note that listening to music entails actively listening, not just using it as background noise while you’re doing something else.

Socialize

No matter if you prefer spending time alone, socializing and spending time with your friends and family members should be an important part of your daily routine. We, humans, are social beings after all, and just talking a little with others helps us relieve stress and feel happier. Not only will you be able to talk about what’s bothering you and receive support from the people you love and trust the most, but spending time with friends is guaranteed to involve plenty of laughs, and laughing is certainly the best stress-reliever.

Organize yourself

It might sometimes seem impossible to even remotely organize all the mess around us. Countless tasks waiting to be finished, bills waiting to be paid and promises waiting to be fulfilled. In these cases, it’s worth taking a step back and reevaluating your priority system. First of all, you have to learn the power of saying “no”. You are not obliged to agree to every single favor asked of you only to get overwhelmed and stressed out, which diminishes your efficiency to even get the most important ones done. So, learn when it is advisable to put yourself first and say no.

Secondly, try to organize your to-do list every day. This little routine will take you far as you will be able to sleep soundly, not worrying about forgetting something important and already knowing where to start the next morning.

Conclusion

Of course, there are other ways in which you can lower your stress levels too, but these five little lifestyle changes are a good first step towards a more relaxed life where stress is not what controls your every move. So, get some exercise, relax your body, listen to music, talk to your friends and keep your priorities organized, and you will feel less stressed amidst the chaos of the 21^st century. Good luck!

About the Author

Emma Williams is an Australian writer with a master’s degree in business administration, who has a passion for anything lifestyle and design related. She spends most of her time redecorating and participating in house projects. As a great nature lover, her biggest pleasure is spending time in a small cottage by the river.

Find her on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/EmmaWilliams204

Food Healthy Eating Keto

Keto Food Pyramid: What To Eat On A Keto Diet

by Guest Contributor September 4, 2019

written by Guest Contributor

Food pyramids are diagrams showing optimal servings of each food group to eat in a single day. They’re meant to be visual illustrations of how you should eat to stay healthy. The most well-known food pyramid was created by the US Department of Agriculture in the early 1990s. It had grains at the base and fats and oils at the very end. Well, turn this pyramid upside down and you’ll get what is essentially a keto food pyramid.

While there is no official keto food pyramid, most illustrations showing how the keto diet should look like are essentially the same with small variations. So, how does the keto food pyramid look like? Find out below to learn how you should eat on a keto diet.

The foundation: fats and oils

The keto diet is a high-fat diet, so fats, oils, and fatty foods should provide most of your calories on this diet and you’ll find them at the base of the keto food pyramid. Examples of such foods include:

Cold-pressed oils (olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, sesame oil)
Butter and ghee
Heavy cream
Lard
Bacon
Avocados
Coconut
Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, trout, herring)
Fatty cuts of meat (minced beef, ribeye, pork belly)

While it may seem like a lot to base your diet around these foods, keep in mind that you will have different portion sizes on a keto diet than you would have on a regular diet. Fat provides 9 calories per gram, whereas carbs and protein provide only 4 calories per gram [1]. That means you’ll need a smaller serving of fat to get the same number of calories you would from the other two nutrients.

Besides that, you will get a combination of fat and protein from other foods you eat on a keto diet and which will contribute to your daily fat intake.

The middle: protein foods

The keto diet is also a moderate-protein diet. Moderate usually means getting 20-25% of your calories from protein or to eat 0.8-1.2g of protein per kg of body weight. Protein foods you’ll find at the middle of the keto food pyramid include:

Red meat (fatty cuts)
Fish and seafood (crab, octopus, shrimp)
Eggs and full-fat dairy

You’ll notice that legumes are not listed as a source of protein on the keto food pyramid. That’s because most legumes contain starch in addition to protein and they can, therefore, lead to overeating on carbohydrates.

The reason protein intake needs to be moderate rather than high on keto is that protein can kick you out of ketosis – the goal of the keto diet. During ketosis, your body is not only converting fat into ketones; it is also converting a portion of the protein you eat into glucose. This process is known as gluconeogenesis and it helps keep blood sugar levels normal [2]. However, too much protein can raise blood sugar levels that will stop ketosis.

Next Level: Vegetables, Nuts, Seeds

You still need to eat some amount of carbs on a keto diet. Ideally, these carbs should come from low-carb vegetables as well as nuts and seeds. Examples of low-carb vegetable include:

Cruciferous (cauliflower, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage)
Leafy greens (spinach, kale, lettuce, arugula)
Non-starchy vegetables (zucchini, peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, asparagus, mushrooms)

Of course, the list of vegetables allowed on a keto diet is much longer than this. To know which veggies you can and should enjoy on a keto diet, you can either use diet apps, online nutrition databases or choose vegetables listed on ready-made keto meal plans and keto food lists.

Keto-friendly vegetables provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants while helping you stay within your daily carb allotment. It’s recommended to have 3-5 servings of vegetables a day to stay healthy [3].

Besides veggies, nuts and seeds also have a special place on the keto food pyramid. Most nuts and seeds are high in fat and low in carbohydrates. There are a few exceptions, however. Chestnuts are mostly composed of starch while cashews are higher in carbs than other nuts, so try to avoid these. Otherwise, a handful of nuts and nut products a day can keep your diet on track.

The Very End: Berries

Government food guidelines typically recommend eating up to five servings or 2 cups of fruit a day [4]. The keto diet is different in this regard, and fruit intake is kept to a bare minimum. The only fruits recommended on a keto diet are berries such as:

Blueberries
Strawberries
Raspberries
Goji berries
Blackberries
Cranberries

Berries are lower in carbohydrates than most other fruit and it’s easy to keep your intake of berries low due to their small size. Keto dieters typically use berries to flavor and sweeten smoothies, shakes, desserts, and as decorative food.

While fruit definitely provides a host of health benefits and is rich in valuable nutrients and fiber, it still is nature’s candy for a reason – it’s high in sugar. A medium apple, for example, can provide around 25g of carbohydrates.

What Else?

There are foods and ingredients that may not be in the keto food pyramid because they’re not essential. Still, these foods can contribute to the keto diet in many other ways. Examples of such foods are:

Herbs and spices
Condiments
Non-nutritive sweeteners
MCT oil
Protein supplements
Multivitamins

Another ingredient not listed on the food pyramid but that is, nonetheless, essential is water. Water intake paired with adequate electrolytes intake is just as important as sticking to your keto macros.

Summary

The keto food pyramid is like your standard food pyramid turned upside down. It completely excludes grains, which are the cornerstone of standard food guidelines and places oils and fats in their place. The keto food pyramid can help you visualize how your keto diet should look like, but keep in mind that good keto nutrition is much more complex than that and not everything about the keto diet can be illustrated with a pyramid diagram. Still, you can use it as a rough guideline if you’re a beginner.

About the Author

Sofia Norton

Dietitian Expert, Kiss My Keto

Driven, dedicated and team-oriented professional with more than 6 years of experience providing wellness and nutritional support in various capacities. After Sofia learned about “food deserts” as a kid, she became determined to devote her life to like to making healthy foods accessible to everyone, regardless of income or location. Sofia has traveled around the world, teaching nutrition to communities in extreme poverty. In her spare time, Sofia loves long bike rides and exploring local farmers markets.

References:

Family Recipes Food Healthy Eating Recipes

9 Veggie-Loaded Kid-Friendly Meals

by Guest Contributor August 29, 2019

written by Guest Contributor

Let’s talk about veggies, mommas! Are your kids eating enough vegetables? I know, getting kids to eat broccoli can be a challenging task to some parents. I hear you! The nine recipes below are going to help you add more vegetables to your children’s diets, and they are going to actually enjoy them. These recipes have been tested by parents and approved by kids.

Including vegetables in your kid’s diet is very important. Veggies are rich in nutrients and antioxidants, which boost your health and immunity. You may think your kids don’t like vegetables, but maybe you just haven’t tried the right recipe. Cauliflower may taste boring steamed, but it takes on a whole new shine when you turn in into fritters.

Let’s give those fritters a try, shall we?

Let me know if you have any questions! Have a great day!

CAULIFLOWER FRITTERS

Simple and very tasty, this kid-friendly Basic Cauliflower Fritters recipe is a must-have for everyone. You will not be able to stop at one!

Recipe here: https://cooktoria.com/basic-cauliflower-fritters/

POTATO CARROT PANCAKES

These delicious Potato Carrot Pancakes are healthy, very easy to make, and kids love them! This recipe requires only 5 ingredients and 20 minutes of your time.

Recipe here: https://lifeasmama.com/the-potato-carrot-pancake-recipe-thats-fast-healthy-kid-friendly/

CORN FRITTERS

These easy Corn Fritters are sweet, delicate, and filling. They can be prepared with fresh, frozen, or canned corn. Simple recipe – great taste!

Recipe here: https://cooktoria.com/corn-fritters/

BROCCOLI FRITTERS

These light, golden-brown Broccoli Fritters make a delicious vegetarian dinner or lunch — and kids love them, too! Ready in less than 30 minutes.

Recipe here: https://cooktoria.com/broccoli-fritters/

VEGETABLE FRITTERS

These Vegetable Fritters are truly the best! Made with zucchini, carrot, and corn, they make a great lunch or snack, and you will not be able to stop at one!

Recipe here: https://cooktoria.com/vegetable-fritters/

POTATO PANCAKES

So simple, yet unbelievably tasty, these Classic Potato Pancakes are not to be missed! Follow my simple instructions and make this easy treat today!

Recipe here: https://cooktoria.com/classic-potato-pancakes/

SWEET POTATO HASH BROWNS

Made with only 4 ingredients, these Sweet Potato Hash Browns are easy to make and very delicious. Learn how to make perfect hash browns with my step-by-step photo and video instructions.

Recipe here: https://cooktoria.com/sweet-potato-hash-browns/

MASHED POTATO CAKES

These Parmesan Mashed Potato Cakes are so addictive! A crunchy, cheesy crust is hiding the soft, velvety mashed potato filling. They make a perfect side dish or a filling vegetarian meal.

Recipe here: https://cooktoria.com/mashed-potato-cakes/

ABOUT TANIA SHEFF

Tania is a creator of food blog called Cooktoria, where she shares quick and healthy recipes with Mediterranean twist. All of her recipes include step-by-step photos as well as instructional videos, which is very helpful. She can’t wait to become friends with you!

Did you like this article? Then pin it!

Finances Lifestyle

8 Habits You Can Develop That Will Improve Your Finances

by Guest Contributor August 19, 2019

written by Guest Contributor

When it comes to finances, we could all use a little help. Many American high schools don’t teach a course in basic financial literacy, and many of us don’t pick up tips from our parents. Instead, we are left to learn how to manage our money when we are out on our own for the first time. Oftentimes, we’ll end up figuring things out only after we have made mistakes.

Despite whatever mistakes you make, there’s always plenty of room for improvement, whether it’s saving a little more money or paying off debt. There are plenty of habits to develop that can lead to better finances overall. You don’t have to be a financial guru to make daily choices that lead to better financial health.

Image by William Iven from Pixabay

Here are a few basic habits that can improve your finances.

1. Set Clear Financial Goals — and Update Them Regularly

A great financial habit to get into is setting financial goals and milestones. How can you improve your finances if you don’t have any end goal in mind? You need to know what you want, which is the first step to figuring out how to get there. Each month, take a look at your finances and decide on some goals for that month.

For example, if you have debt, you could resolve to make a larger payment that month, or you could try to save 5% of your paycheck that month. If you accomplish your goals, you could try to ramp it up next time – save 10% of your paycheck! You can have longer-term plans, like saving for retirement or paying off half of your student loans. Just be sure to do a self-check regularly to make sure you’re on track.

2. Pay Off High-Interest Debt First

As a general rule of thumb, high-interest debt will cost you more. The higher the interest rate, the more you will pay in interest on that debt. It may also take you longer to pay off the debt. If you have any debt (and most people do), then you should try to prioritize paying off the accounts with the higher interest first.

Image by Lucia Grzeskiewicz from Pixabay

This could mean a credit card with a high APR or a private student loan with a high rate. Make a list of your debts, and rank them by interest rate, highest to lowest. Start by making bigger payments on the high-rate debt while maintaining all low-interest accounts. Work your way down the list!

3. Set Up Automated Savings

Resolving to save more money is always an admirable goal, and you can help yourself do that with automatic savings. Most employers offer you the option to set up automatic electronic direct deposit paychecks, so you don’t have to go to the bank to deposit a check anymore.

Direct deposit allows you to sign up multiple accounts. Every time you get a paycheck, you can devote a percentage to your savings account, checking account, etc. If you set aside a decent portion of your paycheck to savings, then you can automatically save money without ever touching your accounts. You can do this while also depositing your spending money for the next two weeks into your checking.

Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay

4. Track Your Expenses

If you have trouble keeping track of your spending, accounts, and money in general, then consider tracking them automatically. Luckily, it is easier than ever with free apps and web-based platforms. Many of these will link to your accounts and track the activity automatically. In real time, you can see exactly where your money is going. That makes it simple for you to cut costs and retool your budget as needed!

5. Use a Cash-Only Budget for Random Expenses

If you struggle with impulse shopping or buying things that you don’t need, consider using a cash budget for those random expenses. There isn’t much to this idea: just set a limit on those expenses, like going out to eat or ordering takeout. Withdraw your limit in cash from your bank account. Use that cash to pay for those purchases. Resolve to leave your debit and credit cards alone if you’re doing this.

Limiting yourself to cash is great because you can help yourself spend less. It’s much harder to part with cash, and you can make it a challenge to save as much of that cash on a weekly or monthly basis. If you really curb your spending, then you can roll over that leftover cash and withdraw even less money for the next cycle. This will help you save money in your bank account.

Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay

6. Put Basic Monthly Expenses on a Credit Card – Pay Them Off!

Don’t get this confused with the cash budget, which is for random expenses. By following this advice, you are putting your essential, necessary monthly expenses on a credit card (expenses such as fuel, transportation, bills, etc.)

By using a credit card, your checking account can be left untouched until it’s time to make a credit card payment. Ideally, you’ve saved up one or two paychecks by now; then you can cover your credit card bill with money you would have spent up to that point anyway.

Making these payments diligently can help build credit over time, and it’s made easier because these are essential expenses that you would have made anyway. However, make sure you control your spending. Don’t spend too much on credit, and don’t miss your payments.

7. Check Your Credit Report on a Regular Basis

This is a pretty easy tip. Each year, you can check your credit report for free – 3 times per year. It’s important to review your credit in order to spot any discrepancies. If you stay on top of it, you’re more likely to prevent credit card fraud, identity fraud, etc. Each of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) allow you to request a report once per year.

Image by Sally Jermain from Pixabay

8. Find a Side Gig to Increase Your Income

If you want to supplement your income, don’t think that you’re limited to your full-time job and paycheck. Consider taking on some extra work to bring in some additional cash. There is a massive online market for freelancers with many different types of skills such as writing, photography, graphic design, and more. It doesn’t end there either, you could pick up a side-job and work part-time, or you could reach out to your community looking for all sorts of work.

While getting on top of your finances isn’t always easy, these habits can make a difficult chore a lot simpler. When they become routine, add more to increase your financial health — and your financial know-how!

Author Bio

Andrew is a Content Associate for LendEDU – a website that helps consumers from all walks of life with their finances. When he’s not working, you can find Andrew hiking or hanging with his cats Colby & Tobi.

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Health Kids Pre-Teen

Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit – What You Need to Know

by Guest Contributor August 17, 2019

written by Guest Contributor

Getting braces has become a rite of passage for children. Every year, millions of children in America get braces or some sort of an orthodontic treatment.

When your child is getting braces, it is a huge event for the whole family. Orthodontic treatment for children means that the parents also need to educate themselves on the treatment.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when it’s time for your child to get an orthodontic treatment:

Image by Wilhan José Gomes wjgomes from Pixabay

At What Age Should Your Child Visit the Orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first check-up with an orthodontist no later than age 7.

This is the age when a child’s permanent teeth start coming in. If your child is at risk of developing any orthodontic problems, they can be diagnosed at their earliest stages. This can help the orthodontist predetermine the plan of action if your child will need orthodontic treatment.

Prepare Your Child For Their First Appointment

Walk your child through what will happen on their first visit to make sure sitting in a dental chair doesn’t scare them off. Talk them through the process of how their first appointment will involve a pain-free examination.

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What to Expect From Your Child’s First Visit

The first visit to the orthodontist will be a basic examination of your child’s teeth, mouth, jaw, and evaluation of treatment options if the orthodontist spots a problem.

The orthodontist will also take X-rays of the mouth to see how the teeth are positioned, and whether permanent teeth are going to come in. The orthodontist will also take impressions of your child’s teeth with a mold which will be the exact replica of your child’s teeth. This will help your orthodontist decide which treatment options are best.

Your child will not be getting braces on the first visit itself. The first visit is just an evaluation of whether braces are needed and if they are, what course the braces treatment should take.

What Will You Learn from Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit

The first time you take your child to see an orthodontist, you’ll learn whether they need orthodontic treatment and what braces treatment options are available and best suited for your child’s needs.

The options include:

Metal braces
Ceramic braces
Invisalign

If your child doesn’t need treatment to correct an improper smile, then your orthodontist will schedule periodic visits to make sure your child’s permanent teeth are coming in properly.

Image by Marc Thele from Pixabay

Explain to Your Child What Braces Treatment Will Involve

If your child needs to undergo braces treatment, it will be great for your child to understand how braces or Invisalign can straighten crooked teeth, imbalanced jaw structures, and improve the smile so that your child becomes more confident.

It might be useful for your child to talk to a peer who is also going through braces treatment and using braces to correct an improper smile. Your child might be more open to braces treatment if it is easier to relate with their peers and stay enthusiastic about getting braces.

If your child is going through orthodontic treatment, remember that dealing with your child’s questions and doubts with patience is the key. The earlier your child sees the orthodontist, the lesser time treatment will take.

Author Bio:

Creating perfect smiles is what Dr. Satish Pai is committed to. An orthodontist by profession, he believes that a perfect smile is a powerful part of a person’s personality. When he is not working hard on perfecting his patients’ smiles at Putnam Ortho, he is busy writing engaging articles about everything related to healthy and perfect smiles. His other passions include golf, yoga and surfing. Spending time with his family always brings a smile on his face.

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Lifestyle Motherhood

Time-Saving Tips That Will Change Your Life for the Better

by Guest Contributor August 14, 2019

written by Guest Contributor

Being a mom means being busy, and that applies whether you go out to work or stay at home. There’s never enough time to do the dozens of things that need doing, and that’s not forgetting those things that you do just to stay sane and avoid the dreaded mommy burnout. And don’t forget to include daily playing and bonding sessions with your kids on top of everything else.

All in all, every mother out there knows what it’s like to wish there were a few more hours in the day. Sadly, we can’t make that happen. But there is some smart advice which can help you to save some of that precious time.

1. Start riding instead of running

For some reason when people talk about cool gadgets which can help moms to save time they tend to focus on kitchen appliances, as if there’s nothing in our lives except cooking. Whilst it is true that modern tech can be a great help, there are also many recipes for delicious and quick meals you can make with only a sheet pan and an oven.

However, some gadgets can make a huge difference not only for your own time management but also your budget and the planet. Personal mobility gadgets are at the top of that list.

As a busy mom, you definitely don’t have the time to walk when running errands. Driving is the solution for many, but a lot of us live under budget limitations or in places where the traffic makes it rather hard to get to some places.

An electric scooter is an easy solution to this. It might not go as fast as your car and won’t be the ride you would choose if you need to go a long way out of town. However, when running errands in your neighborhood it is a fantastic option which saves time and gas. The abundance of different models can be confusing, but you should be able to choose wisely using a detailed guide to electric scooters which compares all the top models and explains every feature. This will help you determine which of the many versatile modern scooters will suit your own personal needs best. Many of them are very affordable, so anyone can buy one with a minimal amount of budgetary planning.

2. Stop multitasking

Think multitasking helps you to get more things done?

Well, time-management experts like James Clear say the exact opposite is the case. This is because multitasking means that you aren’t focusing on the specific task at hand. Thus your productivity goes down, and there’s a bigger risk of making a mistake. For a mom, those mistakes can be anything from mixing up times in your kids’ football training schedule to forgetting the dinner that’s in the oven, to messing up a report at work and thus having to stay late to fix it.

All in all, such issues can range from mildly irritating to life threatening. Therefore, you should stop multitasking not only to save time by completing every individual task more quickly because you are focused, but also to avoid potentially bigger problems.

3. Socialize during mealtimes

Can’t find the time to meet up with friends? It can be extremely hard to free up an afternoon or even a couple of hours during weekends. However, socialization is imperative for sanity and for happiness – science says so.

So do your best to socialize during mealtimes. After all, this is the time when others should be doing the same thing, so you only need to make sure you are at the same location and it will be much easier to fit meetings into your busy schedule.

Also, if being busy leads you to the bad habit of grabbing a sandwich and eating on the go, turning your quick meals into friendly catch-up sessions will have a positive impact upon your health. And you definitely should turn your family meals into more than just meals. Turn off the TV and drop your smartphone and tablet and enjoy instead a discussion of your day, your goals, or your dreams – or even the latest Netflix show. Never miss out on an opportunity to bond.

4. Make your home smarter

Electric scooters are great, but they aren’t the only gadgets that can help to you save time while improving your life overall. Turning your house into a smart home will assist in this endeavor just as much. There are a great number of gadgets that can help you, including:

Smart sprinklers
Roombas (smart robotic vacuums)
Smart plugs
Smart locks and security systems
Smart lights and thermostats

Not all of these will save you time directly, for example the seconds you save opening the door with a key or a smartphone app don’t really make much of a difference. However, having an opportunity to lock the door from a distance will help you if you forgot to do it as you left as you won’t need to waste your time going back. This is why smart plugs are a godsend for anyone who has ever forgotten to unplug the iron.

Smart sprinklers and vacuums, on the other hand, will help save time and generally make your life easier. As tech continues to evolve, there will be more devices which will be able to improve your home.

About the Author

Bio: Kate Bregovic is a wife, mother, freelance writer and fitness enthusiast. She covers many topics – from business management trends to fitness regimes. When she’s not writing, she’s planning outdoor activities for her family, cooking or working out at the gym. Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrs.kate.bregovic

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Finances Marriage

6 Financial Things to Consider Before Marriage

by Guest Contributor August 14, 2019

written by Guest Contributor

Marriage isn’t just a matter of romance. Although love should be the main reason why you seal the deal with your significant other, there are other critical aspects to consider, if you wish to keep your marriage alive. Before even signing the papers, you should discuss important matters, like finances, assets, or retirement plans, with your future spouse. Here are six financial things you should cover before getting married…

Discuss your opinions about money

Different stands on money can break your marriage in the future. Seeing that most of us have strong opinions about money-saving and expenditure, not having the same views about the subject could tarnish your relationship. Some people are more secretive about their spending habits and like to hide where the majority of their money goes. Others are more upfront about it. Your spouse might want to put more money on the side, while you might be more casual about saving. If you don’t see eye to eye in this particular case, chances are it will start to bother at least one of you shortly. Most of the times, these habits are formed from our upbringing, and are not easy to get rid of, or correct. The safest way to approach this matter is to start recognizing your patterns of behavior and pinpoint those negative sides. Then, with the help of your spouse, you can slowly start changing the behaviours that are not benefiting your marriage.

Plan your estate

Planning far ahead is necessary if you wish to sort all your affairs, and leave a clean plate. That’s why estate planning is so important. Planing what will happen with your property and financial assets, and that your family is taken care of after you die is essential, if you wish to do right by everyone. Otherwise, unsorted financial aspects might lead to feuds of the beneficiaries of your estate if they fell they didn’t get what they deserved. So, have a talk with your spouse, and plan and update items like your will, life insurance policies or investment funds, and elect who will be the beneficiaries. This is imperative, even more in the case if there are more heirs involved, especially children from different marriages.

Prenuptial agreements

Prenups are not considered romantic, and just talking about them might kill the vibe, but in most cases, they are recommended. Many financial planners and accountants advise making these agreements, to avoid being sorry later, especially if you are bringing more assets than your spouse into your marriage. Research made with a thousand participants in Australia reveals that, although 74% of them thinks prenups are okay and justifiable, only 18% of them have such a contract. Such contracts are there to protect your interests in the case of divorce and are not anti-marriage. So, it is essential to talk about these matters before getting married, openly and honestly, without hurting anyone’s feelings. Your safest choice would be to hire experts, like the divorce lawyers from Sydney, who will guide you through this process, and have your best interests in mind.

The debt status of your partner

Make no mistake, you will share both the good and the bad when getting married. This means that all the debt your spouse has acquired over the years will become yours. So, before getting hitched, you might want to get a glimpse into what their liabilities are. If your partner has doubts about sharing this info with you or seems to dodge this issue, then you might have something to worry about. Give different, open-minded approach to this matter, without judging them. If they still don’t want to discuss this matter, you might want to reconsider your options. The basis of any successful marriage is honesty, and you should always be able to have an open dialogue about such issues. It is your right to have an insight into this, as it might strongly affect you in the future!

Financial and family goals

Setting the same financial course for you and your family is imperative for a healthy marriage. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss your attitudes about risk-taking and money. Most people have strong opinions about this, and it would be wise to make financial plans and goals for the foreseeable future. Only when you come clean about what you want to do with your money, you’ll be able to move forward. It is up to you whether you’ll invest your money in real estate, set it aside, or invest in the stock market. If you plan to start a family, you need to have a talk about what will it look like. How much money will you need? How many children? Will one of you stay at home to look after them, or will you pay for daycare? There are literally hundreds of questions you should talk about with your spouse.

Income source

Being fully aware of your spouse’s income source, or sources is one of the essential things to talk about before getting married. Whether they have a steady, nine-to-five job, with a fixed salary, or they are freelancing with unpredictable monthly income, you need to be informed about it. You need to know whether you will be able to meet all your monthly financial obligations together. Bills, mortgages, and food are all things you need to find the money for every single month. And even though it is perfectly fine to have an unpredictable source of income, you still need to make a long term plan on how you will deal with these issues in rough times.

Final thoughts…

Getting married means sharing everything with your spouse, whether you like it or not. Finances are often one of the main obstacles in a marriage, especially if you were not open about them in the beginning. To increase the chances of having a successful union, you should be clear about every aspect of your financial status, from indebtedness and retirement plans, to tax information and intent to sign a prenuptial agreement. Only then will your partner be able to trust you fully, and vice-versa!

About the Author

Find her on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/EmmaWilliams204

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