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Top 5 Frugal Family Travel Tips

Summer is the time of year when people choose to travel the most often. But when you’re taking the entire family along, understandably, your expenses can really start to add up. Just what it costs for four people to go to dinner and a movie can easily run you a couple of hundred dollars.

That’s why we wanted to provide you with a few frugal family travel tips. That way, you can still go on vacation and have a great time, but you won’t have to go over budget in the process.

Plan ahead. There are a lot of people who end up spending more than they need to on things like plane tickets and hotel accommodations all because they didn’t take the time to do some thorough planning beforehand. If you book travel and lodging 4-5 weeks in advance, you are sure to find some pretty good discounts (sometimes as much as 25-40 percent off).

Go all-inclusive. If you’re planning on going to another state, overseas or take a cruise, look for all-inclusive packages. Although you may be able to find some on your own by going to your favorite search engine and putting “all-inclusive travel packages” in the search field, we recommend that you consider going with a travel agent; they are professionally trained to look for the best deals, plus they tend to have already established relationships with various companies and vendors.

June 25, 2013

Family

5 Games That Help Teach Kids The Value Of A Dollar

Children don’t automatically become expert financiers as soon as they learn to read and count; in fact, many children don’t learn the true value of a dollar until they’re out on their own. Learning money management skills early in life is extremely beneficial, as it teaches children from an early age how to be responsible with cash in their pockets. Games can help make the process both educational and fun, and these are some of the best games for teaching kids the value of a dollar.

Payday
This fun classic board game plays out on a format that’s designed to imitate a calendar. As the players move from start to finish, they encounter both gains and losses in their own personal finances. Kids might win the lottery or receive a work bonus on one turn, only to run into unexpected expenses moments later. This teaches kids to make smart decisions with their money and to plan for the uncertainty of the future; these skills will go a long way in their lives.

April 8, 2013

Family

5 Tips For Designing A Kid Friendly Backyard On A Budget

Kids are sources of endless energy, and they need to be able to play and exercise in their formative years. Many parents have neither the time nor the energy to make all the outdoor trips that would benefit their children, but you can make a great play environment for your children by bringing the world home. You can make your back yard more kid friendly and give them a place to play without spending a fortune on expensive equipment.

Make the Most of Your Space
How much free space do you have in your back yard? If you enjoy gardening or grilling outdoors, you’ll have to figure out how to make the most of your space and accommodate a play area for the children. In general, play areas and sitting areas shouldn’t overlap too much. Think about what you want in your yard, as well as what your kids want. A swing set can be great fun, but will also take up a lot of room in your yard. Think about how much space you have, and decide how to best utilize it.

February 28, 2013

Family

5 Tips For Purchasing Life Insurance For Aging Parents

Conversations that most people do not look forward to having are the ones surrounding making preparations for death. That’s why there are so many people who don’t have a living will and haven’t purchased life insurance. It’s simply a topic that they would prefer to completely avoid. If you can relate, while we certainly understand where you are coming from, the reality is that all of us will pass on one day and so it’s actually a sign of great care for the ones we leave behind to take out a life insurance policy beforehand.

So, what if you’re not getting one for yourself, but for your parents? Well, being that they are older than you and there’s a greater chance that they will die within your lifetime, that can make it all the more uncomfortable, but also all the more necessary. If you would like some tips on purchasing life insurance for your aging parents, we have enclosed five that should make the entire process much easier for you:

Know that it’s needed. Sometimes people are tempted to procrastinate with getting a policy. Then, when a loved one passes, they are stressed out with trying to figure out how to pay for funeral costs. So that you won’t have the added financial strain of paying to bury your parent(s) and so there can be an estate left for you and your siblings, it’s best to get a policy as soon as possible.

February 23, 2013

Family

Unexpected Costs That Come With Having Kids

There are all kinds of expenses tied up with starting a family, such as the medical bills inherent in gestation and delivery, the cost of childcare if both parents work, and the price of diapers for the first couple of years. And as they grow older, attendant costs only increase, with clothing and toys becoming more expensive as the years pass. But it all culminates in college, which will cost parents a pretty penny if they want to send their kids to some of the top rated schools. The thing is that none of these costs is totally unexpected. While you might have to run the numbers on some of the items associated with raising a child, you at least know that these expenses are on the horizon. Unfortunately, there are also a number of costs that could spring up and catch you totally unprepared. But knowing the possibilities could help you to sock some money away just in case. So here are a few potential expenses you may have to contend with where your offspring are concerned.

You know that kids have to be fed and clothed, but did you ever consider that they will put an added strain on every single one of your household expenses? You might think that adding an adult resident to your home will have an impact on the utilities, but chances are you won’t expect your water, power, and gas to go up when you bring home your little bundle of joy. And yet, when you consider all of the concessions that infants require you can see where the added expense comes in. For example, babies need frequent bathing (although not in a full tub). But the larger issue is the increase in dishes and laundry you’ll have to do, especially if you opt for cloth diapers.

February 16, 2013

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