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Joanna Greenberg

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4 Ways to Start Saving for your Child’s College Education

It’s way too easy to put off saving for those future college bills, but starting early is the key to making the grade. According to The College Investor, parents who start saving $50 per month when their child is born could end up with over $21,000 for college, while parents who start saving when their child is nine can put away twice as much per month and still wind up with less than $15,000. If you’re convinced that starting now is important, but you’re not sure how to find the savings, here are some tips for you.

Small Amounts Add

Go through your bank statement for the last few months looking for small monthly expenses you can eliminate. Maybe you’ve signed up for an online service you don’t need but never bothered to cancel. Maybe you’re still paying for that gym membership you never use. Spend an afternoon canceling those expenses, and then set up an automatic monthly transfer into your child’s college account for the total amount you’ve saved. Also, set aside a bank to collect your change and $1 bills at the end of each day. A piggy bank with a narrow slot is too fussy; make it easy for yourself by using a jar with a wide mouth. Decorate the jar if you’re crafty or keep it simple.

Sweat the Big Stuff

Look for ways to trim your biggest monthly expenses. Maybe you can refinance your mortgage at a lower rate, save big on your heating system, trade down to a more affordable car, or find some other way to trim your expenses. Anything you can do that shaves even $20 off your monthly expenses takes your child one step closer to an education.

Just Do It

High-income couples are often the last to set aside savings for college. Why? Because of the assumption that they will always have enough income to afford whatever they decide they want. But that’s a big risk to take when your child’s future is depending on you. Many things in life are unpredictable. What if your company goes out of business, the industry you’re qualified to work in becomes obsolete due to legal or technological changes, or you or your spouse becomes disabled or seriously ill? If you have enough money to set some aside, do it now.

Pay Your Child First

Your expenses will always expand to take up your available income, so you have to put money in savings first and resolve never to touch it. It’s easy to postpone making a savings deposit when money feels tight, but if you do it first, you will always find some way to pay your bills. Set up an automatic transfer to savings, and if you think you’ll be tempted to dip into that savings account for non-college expenses (or if you’ve already done so), move the funds to a 529 Plan or other dedicated savings plan to keep the money safe from yourself.

Saving for college isn’t especially difficult, it just takes commitment on your part. Set up a plan, make it automatic, and watch that account grow.

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Home

6 Ways Parents Can Keep Their Home Safe for Their Children

Nobody wants to see a child get injured in the home. Fortunately, you can keep your kids safe in your house by following a few simple strategies.

Child Proof Accessible Areas

Make a child proofing checklist and hit the local hardware store. Start with parts of your home that your children can reach, such as power outlets, cabinet doors, drawers, table corners, and windows. Remove anything that dangles from a wall or other fixture, such as window blind cords or drapery holdbacks, and install doorstops to keep kids from pinching their fingers.

Remove Harmful Substances

Kids are naturally curious, so don’t give them a chance to sample cleaning fluid, medicines, or other products that could cause them harm. Consider storing medicine in a bathroom cabinet that your children cannot reach. For cleaning supplies and other chemicals, the top cabinets in your laundry room or pantry could work. Alternatively, store them in a child-proof box.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

Poor indoor air quality can lead to respiratory issues, skin problems, and other negative consequences. Kids and the elderly prove particularly susceptible to IAQ issues, so consider improving ventilation in your home. Focus on the wet areas, such as your kitchen and bathrooms, to start, but consult an HVAC expert to learn about other places that lack proper ventilation. Additionally, change your air filter regularly and use natural products when you can.

Install Fire and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Did you know that you can’t see or smell carbon monoxide? It’s a dangerous gas that can cause serious illness and even death, so don’t settle for a simple smoke detector in your home. Instead, upgrade to units that detect both smoke and carbon monoxide. Install them in your kitchen and living area. You’ll also want one in each bedroom so the alarm will wake you up if the system detects danger. Check the batteries at least twice a year so the units remain operational.

Select Experienced Babysitters

Babysitters can give you a much-deserved night off from the kids, but you don’t want to leave your children with someone who doesn’t know how to properly take care of them. Look for babysitters via a referral from a friend or family member. If that doesn’t work, interview several candidates and ask for several references for each of them. Consider using a babysitter with First Aid and CPR certifications.

Block the Stairs

While a tumble down the stairs doesn’t always result in a serious injury, you still want to avoid it if possible. Baby gates can help keep your kids safe around the stairs. Don’t forget staircases that lead to a basement. Until you can get a baby gate, consider blocking the staircase with heavy boxes or furniture. Additionally, block both the top and the bottom to prevent all types of falls.

Taking care of your children can seem overwhelming, but you’ll keep your kids safe in the home if you follow the above strategies. Each will minimize risks and help you focus on the more rewarding parts of parenting.

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Family Adventures

Pros And Cons of Vacationing in Orlando

Orlando is definitely a top tourist destination, and there are many reasons why. Let’s have a look at the positives and negatives from a tourist’s standpoint:

Positives:

1) Best theme parks, period.

No other city tops it. Orlando exists almost for this reason and few others, at least in the eyes of any tourist. It can get a little expensive, but there are ways to mitigate this. Discount theme park tickets can be had by the savvy shopper, for example.

2) Family oriented.

Orlando has it clear that they are trying to attract families of tourists as their number one class of customers. This is not nightlife and party crazy Miami, or Vegas with all its casinos, this is really for the family in every way.

3) Best airport, period.

Flying into and out of MCO is almost a joy. OK, all airports can be a bit of a drag but as far as airports go, MCO is a class act. It’s about as efficient an American airport post 9/11 can get.

Negatives:

1) Don’t go out of the theme parks.

This may surprise people, but outside of the tourist bubble, Orlando is actually not interesting, and it can get in some areas it can get more than a little dangerous. Just stick with the original plan.

2) Climate hell.

Unless you and the whole family really REALLY love the heat, don’t take your vacation here after the 1st of May or before the 1st of October. Really December to March is the best season here, with cooler temperatures prevailing allowing you to walk comfortably. Central Florida weather can actually be quite variable in the winter, so bring sweaters/jackets even just in case.

As you can see, the positives pretty much destroy the negatives, so don’t hesitate to pick Orlando as the destination for that next great big vacation.

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Family Adventures

Pros and Cons of Vacationing in Vegas

Many people still consider Vegas to be an adult-oriented gambling-oriented tourist destination only. This probably was never one hundred percent true, and is less true than ever these days. Let’s take a quick look at some pros and cons of modern-day Vegas:

Pros:

1) Entertainment

Hand’s down, Vegas is the entertainment capital of the country, and perhaps the world. This is where you will see some of the best shows you could possibly imagine. And they don’t have to be expensive either. Discount Vegas shows are there for those of us who know where to look.

2) Bang for the Buck

Vegas still remains one of the best deals out there. All year long you can get deals on hotels, rental cars, etc. The casinos help subsidize this, to be sure, but the trip doesn’t even have to include the casinos, to be honest. As a matter of fact, this brings us to #3 which is

3) Surrounding Area

This is the most underrated part of going to Vegas. It’s actually surrounded by incredible nature and several world-class national parks, all of which are definitely worth visiting. I would even say you should definitely put at least one day trip out of the city on your itinerary or you’re really missing out.

Cons:

1) Lines

Unfortunately Vegas is more crowded than ever, and that means lines everywhere. Be prepared to add an hour onto many things like getting your rental car, and even dinner at the buffet is going to be slow just because of the sheer volume of people.

2) Smoke

This could be looked upon as another pro by those of you who still like to light up, but most of us are disgusted by it. Hopefully city officials will get on board and start limiting the smokers so the rest of us can breathe a little better.

3) Climate

Vegas is best done in the spring or fall. Because this is the desert, in the summer temperatures will soar often way above 110 degrees f even. In winter they can go down well below freezing at night, which comes as a surprise to most non-residents. Also the air is dry and dusty, which means if you have any breathing problems, make sure you bring your medications!

It looks like the Pros beat the Cons hands down for this place. Vegas has a lot more to offer than many people realize, and should be seriously considered for your next family trip.

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Family Adventures

4 Romantic Cities to Visit With Your Partner

Traveling is a perfect quality bonding with your loved one. You do not always get the chance to travel with them, so when chances come, grab them. Traveling is an ideal way to keep your bond stronger and unwind from the day to day stress you encounter.

As a couple, there are a lot of ways to make your relationship grow. One good way is to travel with your partner to a beautiful place and enjoy your time together. Nothing compares to spending the days with the person you love the most.

If you want to see the world together, here are some of the romantic places you have to visit at least once with the love of your life:

Melbourne

Known as one of the most liveable cities in the world, Melbourne is also a romantic place for couples. This beautiful capital city of Victoria in Australia offers rich culture, astonishing gardens, and parks, great dining experience, as well as stunning museums and galleries. You will definitely have a great time spending your vacation here with your significant other. Also, the car rentals are cheaper at Melbourne airport this is the reason why it is better to hire one from here and then explore the city conveniently.

Marrakech

A perfect romantic getaway with your partner is made special in Marrakech. This major city in Morocco will never get you bored, for there are tons of different things you can do while here. It is home to romantic boutique hotels, mountain views, palm trees, and mosques. You and your special someone will absolutely have a memorable and one-of-a-kind experience in this city full of lovely and impressive Islamic architecture as well as artisan heritage.

Venice

When you say romantic place, Venice is always on the list. Apparently, it is the world’s most romantic city and you must visit it at least once in your lifetime with your favourite person. There are plenty of romantic things to do while here, such as cruising the canals by a quintessential gondola or water taxi, watching the sunset, and sipping one of the oldest hot chocolate recipes in town. Definitely, Venice is a charming destination that will make you fall in love over and over again.

Honolulu

More than just a tropical tourist spot, Honolulu is also a place for lovers. In case you are up for a thrilling water adventure, then this is the ultimate destination for you and your other half. It can also be the perfect honeymoon spot for newlyweds. A trip here is truly exciting, especially if you are an adventurous type of person. Never miss out on surfing at Waikiki Beach, snorkelling, jet skiing, or hiking to watch the sunrise or sunset.

One of the most important things you can share with your loved ones is your time. By spending your time together in a wonderful place like the ones mentioned above, you will surely have an unforgettable experience to treasure and this will make your relationship happier and stronger.

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Home

Renovating This Year? Check Out These Pro Tips

Ok, you know it’s time to renovate that run-down old place you’ve been living in. Your family and you deserve better. You have been saving up and planning this for a long time. Are you ready to finally do it? Let’s give you some last minute pro tips to help your renovation experience go as smoothly and as predictably as possible, and to have it turn out as close to exactly as planned as possible.

The first thing you should do is to properly research your contractor(s). Vet them thoroughly, make sure you get more than one good solid reference for each of them. And don’t ask them to give you references; do something like ask for a list of previous clients and call them up on your own. Don’t allow them to cherry-pick references because almost anybody can drum up a pair of good references this way.

After that, you need to get your mental hygiene game on point. In regular English, this means making all your major decisions regarding the renovation BEFORE work is started. I recommend to buy modafinil, a ‘smart drug’ that increases alertness and your overall brain’s processing power for the best decisions at quick times. You should have it committed to paper, signed sealed and delivered to contractors. And you should commit to it one hundred if not one thousand percent, period. No going back. There is no surer way to self-sabotage a project than to start second-guessing yourself once work is under way. Don’t do it. And if you make that mistake, remember it’s your own fault if there are any problems because of such a decision, so don’t start blaming the contractors at that point! But better yet, just don’t do it in the first place. Make a plan and stick to it.

Consider longevity as a core principal when planning a renovation. Some people balk at the high cost of certain materials, but you have to take the long view on projects of this nature. This goes especially for things like floors and kitchen counters. Is it really worth it to save a couple thousand now only to have to rip it out and start all over a few years later because you were too cheap to use the proper materials?

Also, a big one is, don’t live in the place while they are renovating. Move out. Most people are too lazy to do this, but you have no idea how much you are getting in your own way by not letting the workers operate fully and do their work properly. A lot of times it can actually be cheaper to move out and back in, so once again take the long view and don’t be afraid of front-loaded costs that save you in the long run.

Finally, don’t neglect bathrooms. Upgrade them as much as you can afford. Don’t go for your standard boring little old shower. Get something like one of these nice Insignia Steam Showers. Get the best toilets you can possibly afford. Consider heated floors.

With these tips, your renovation should go much smoother than you could have expected.

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General

Reasons for Investing in the Stock Market

By simply transitioning from a common borrower to an investor, interest payments automatically start flowing into your bank account. You get the ability to buy things that you need and desire with money you earned without working extra hours and sacrificing family time. As a bonus for earning an extra profit, vacations will start feeling sweeter, and travelling will become faster, swift and comfortable.

To elevate your life status like this, you need to learn to trade and make well thought out decisions in your investment strategy as there are many factors that you need to consider when looking to invest. Among the various choices, some are more risky than other. Some of these investment options include savings accounts, the stock market, government savings bonds, treasury bonds, common and preferred stocks among others.

From this list, the stock market is less risky, has numerous benefits and easy to invest in since all you have to do is study the financials of a target company through quarterly, half year and yearly balance sheets before you buy their stock. Also, you should know its future investment plans, the total value of its market, the orders and its performance since its establishment among others. The reason for this is to avoid investing money in a poorly performing or collapsing company. Some of the benefits of investing in stock are highlighted next.

Capital gains on stocks are never due until the instrument is sold. This means that investors who hold stocks for longer get to enjoy the benefits of compounding for extended periods. This is because they don’t pay taxes despite their enormous wealth until they sell their shares.When it comes to paying taxes, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have paid very little because most of their stock is in their own companies and they only sell a few shares of their businesses per year. As a matter of fact, Mr. Warren may never pay taxes since he swore to donate it all to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Similarly, investing in stock exchange translates to fewer and delayed tax obligations for you when you efile.

Beating Inflation Leading to Enhanced Capital Growth

One of the main merits of investing in the stock market is the opportunity to grow your money. Most of the other investments do not provide enough returns to counter inflation or benefit. Moreover, the instruments of some other investments like cars decrease in value by the year. Besides, if, for example, you are looking to save for your retirement, the money you invest in treasury bonds today will only be worth a fraction of their value when you retire. However, the stock market has fewer risks and can beat inflation as well as put the odds in your favour.

Stock Allows Compounding Through Delay of Taxes

Capital gains on stocks are never due until the instrument is sold. This means that investors who hold stocks for longer get to enjoy the benefits of compounding for extended periods. This is because they don’t pay taxes despite their enormous wealth until they sell their shares.When it comes to paying taxes, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have paid very little because most of their stock is in their own companies and they only sell a few shares of their businesses per year. As a matter of fact, Mr. Warren may never pay taxes since he swore to donate it all to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Similarly, investing in stock exchange translates to fewer and delayed tax obligations for you.

Dividend Income

Certain stocks provide income in the form of dividends while others provide annual payments to inventors. These payments are delivered to shareholders even if the stocks have lost value. They represent earning on top of the profits that come from selling the stock. Dividends can be used for a retirement fund or to grow your investment portfolio.

Diversification

Stock market inventors who put money in diverse types of products enjoy the benefits of diversification; it spreads the risk since stock market prices fluctuate independently. Holding stock can assist in weathering losses to other investment companies. A firm of experts such as CMC Markets can help in identifying the right portfolio to keep. Moreover, stock adds risk to your portfolio as well as the possibility of large and quick gains, while helping shareholders evade risk-averse and extreme conservative investment strategies.

Ownership

Purchasing shares simply means taking on an ownership stake in a particular business. This means that every time you buy stock, you become one of the owners of the target company where you have the right to vote in directors, have a say in particular business decisions and receive annual reports to keep you updated on the operations of the company. Furthermore, buying shares from the company you work for can portray loyalty and is also a good way of tying your individual finances to the success of the whole business.

In conclusion, the value of a business’ stock at a specific time depends on its financial data, which includes assets, financial figures and the growth rate of the company. It is clear that these factors keep changing, but generally, there is consistency in the performance of the business. You can also conclude that well-administered companies grow significantly and continue to provide dividends and profits to their shareholders.

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Family Adventures

Find Happiness In Daily Life

How do your define happiness? There are number of explanations that researchers have come up with in the past century. It has all got to do with feeling positive emotions. But it is not the definition that worries us, for many of us the question is “How do I get happy?”

Strangely enough even when everything seems to be going fine, a little cloud descends on our minds and happiness evades us. So is it possible to blow away this gray cloud? Of course it is!

The Worldwide Database of Happiness collated by researchers in Rotterdam shows that everyone can be happy. Just follow the below tips and see for yourself:

  1. Live in the moment: Having too many goals and ideals can seem like a way to make yourself happy in the short term but it will only lead to unhappiness and resentment on a long term basis. The way to go is to have fluid goals and focus on your journey rather than the results. Have a positive mindset towards your future but do not let it overtake your ability to appreciate what you have today.
  2. Stay active: This does not refer to participating in stern physical activities everyday, though you can always do them if they make you happy. Being active means being involved in your everyday life actively instead of being a passive spectator. Make things happen and do the things you enjoy- whether it is playing bingo with promotions or reading a book.
  3. Remember that money isn’t everything: Having a ton of money will not automatically bring all the happiness. Research suggests that earning enough money to fully satisfy our needs brings happiness but running after excessive money can only cause stress.

Happiness is a broad concept and it is difficult to measure it accurately as it is widely subjective. But whatever happiness means to you, it is always a relief to know that you can attain it whenever you set your mind to it.

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Family Adventures

How Much Did It Cost to Build the Great Wall of China?

A colossal monument, a wonder of the modern world, a feat of engineering – no matter how you choose to describe the Great Wall of China, it fires imagination and awe inspired wonder at how a wall of this size and scale was built at a time when heavy machinery was not in existence.

Constructed over two millennia, the population of Leeds working on its construction at one time and an overall weight equivalent to 8m elephants, you cannot help but admire the ingenuity, science and technology behind the Great Wall of China.

What Was the Real Cost?

Admired the world over, its construction came at a cost both in term of finances over the 2,000-year construction period, and in the lives of the military and civilians who built it.

In the modern day, it begs the question what is the true financial cost building the wall? Would it still be needed or has the world changed beyond recognition from the times that the wall was built 770BC to the 17th century?

Why Build Walls?

The wall was built for two reasons: to protect valuable trade routes from invasion, and to protect land and provinces of tribes and lords.

These reasons, in the 21st century, may not be as defunct as we thought they would be. But at what cost?

NCC Home Learning’s infographic on the true cost of the Great Wall of China highlights little known facts about the great wonder of the world, that is today a tourist attraction that once kept invaders out and protected valuable trade routes.

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Family Adventures

Kayaking and Paddle Boarding in South Carolina

Known for being the eighth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, South Carolina has a rich history and an even richer scenery to view. There’s many things to love and adore about South Carolina; for example, a chain of tidal and barrier islands border its shores to create a beautiful landscape to take pictures of, and it has major lakes which cover over six hundred square miles.

That’s why South Carolina makes the list for one of the best states to go kayaking and paddle boarding. Below, you can find some of the best locations within South Carolina to enjoy the outdoors.

Charleston Outdoor Adventures

Perhaps one of the most fantastic things about this location is that Charleston Outdoor Activities provides both rental and guiding services to show visitors eco-tours that are absolutely to-die-for. The resort is equipped with naturalists who will provide you with the absolute best experience possible.

Not only this, but you’ll have the opportunity to experience the saltwater estuaries of South Carolina. For those of you who don’t know what an estuary is, it’s the area in a large river where the tide meets the stream.

If you’re going alone, or with a partner, then you can enjoy the beautiful sunset and sunrise on the water. With a two-hour full-moon kayak tour, there’s no way you can go wrong. If your into fishing, there are some excellent guided tours. Kayaks and paddles are provided and they even include fish finders so you are sure to have a good day of fishing.

Nature Adventures Outfitters

The very purpose of Nature Adventures Outfitters is to provide you with the best experience possible; in fact, it says so right on the home page. Here you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including, overnight camping expeditions, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing!

You can spend your time exploring Shem Creek and Crab Bank Island. Not only this, but you have a high chance of running into some dolphins and shorebirds while you’re out on your adventure.

Adventure Carolina

In the winter, you can visit for some of the best winter activities in the region. In the summer, you can enjoy kayaking, camping, paddling, fishing, and much more. You can even plan birthday parties here; so, if you have a friend you prefers outdoor activities to staying in and eating cake, then feel free to bring them so that they can have the most memorable birthday possible. In the summer, you can also book a trip to have a tour of the spider lilies, which are known to bloom in the area.

South Carolina is an ideal location for anything to do with kayaking and paddle boating. This is, perhaps, because of the both large number of lakes to be found in the state and the amazing scenery to be observed while you’re out on the water. The above three locations will no doubt provide you with a great day on the water. So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip to South Carolina and enjoy kayaking and paddle boarding.

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