Browsing: Family

Start great habits early. Teach them to save and spend wisely.

Rainy summer days can be a challenge for moms and kids alike. You dread hearing that infamous phrase of “Mom, I’m bored!” or incessant whining. This summer, ward off rainy day blues with these six fun and festive ideas that will keep your kiddos entertained for hours. You might even find yourself looking forward to the creativity and family time that naturally spring from these activities. Make a Blanket Fort (or Ship or Covered Wagon) This retro idea may be a throwback to your own childhood, and you can pass the fun on to the next generation by building forts…

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In many households, the idea of children coming, whether from the delivery room or from friends and relative visits is both scary and intimidating. Too frequently, the idea of making houses kid friendly is reduced to child proofing against falls down the stairs, electrocution, fires and access to ingestible small pieces and chemicals. However, making a house kid-friendly is more than this. It requires a consideration, not just to their safety but their interests and comforts as well. You have to consider not just what will keep them safe, but also what will make them feel at home, relax and…

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Today’s college degree is yesterday’s high school diploma. Every parent dreams of sending their kids off to college someday. However, college can be expensive, and it may be cost-prohibitive for your kids if you are unable to contribute a healthy sum of money toward their education. College savings requires an effective plan as well as regular effort through periodic contributions. Whether you are just getting started with your college savings effort or you are wondering if you are doing enough in this area, you can easily follow these steps to create an ideal plan or to improve your existing plan.

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It is so important to spend time with your kids to create a lasting bond that the two of you will have for the rest of your lives. Unfortunately, a lot of families don’t know of many ways to have a blast with their children without spending a ton of money first. Sure, going to the zoo is a great idea and can be a day full of excitement, but it can also be costly and your budget will take quite a hit. Amusement parks are wonderful but are notoriously pricey and even going the cheap route by getting season…

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For many new parents, adjusting your budget to accommodate caring for your little one can be a true shock. Everything from diapers and clothes to toys, baby gear, formula and more can cost a small fortune, and in many cases, the expenses are enough to demand a lifestyle change. You may also initially think about saving for college, and you may have heard that college expenses are astronomical. What you may not think about, however, is the cost of childcare. The reality is that child care costs in many markets actually cost more than college tuition at a public university.…

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Most of us have made financial mistakes in the past. From bad decisions with credit when we were college students to waiting too long to start our retirement funds, we all have a few financial regrets in our histories. For this reason, most of us want to teach our kids how they can do better and avoid so many typical financial blunders. The truth is that most parents wait far too long to start teaching their kids about how to be smart with money. Very young kids are actually quite responsive to lessons about finance, especially simple principals like using…

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