Family Friendly Financial Foresight Fixes Festive Fuss

It’s that time of year again when everyone embraces the festive merriment. Christmas is a wonderful time of having, giving, receiving and sharing. For helping those less fortunate, and enjoying what we have. And it’s important to have as wonderful a time as it’s possible to have. But this will mean that you need to spend money to achieve this as well.

So, you need to understand the sorts of costs you’re going to be facing at Christmas time. As a family, you may be facing an expensive time at Christmas. That's why it’s really important to keep on top of your finances and do as much as you can to make your money stretch further. The way to do this is to make sure you have a bit of financial foresight so that you will prevent problems as Christmas forays ever nearer. In this post, we are going to explore the ways in which you can make better financial decisions to help you over the festive period that little bit more.

How Are You Doing Christmas?

It’s important to think about how you are going to do Christmas this year. There are a lot of options you may have that will help you to reduce the cost and expense over the festive season. It’s just important to think about what you are planning for the festive season. Will you host, or are you going to some else’s house? Is it going to be a family affair, or would you rather spend it together just you guys? This is something you have to figure out first because it is going to dictate other costs. The best thing to do is to consider what you want to get out of this Christmas, and who you will be spending it with. Then you will be perfectly placed to be able to sort out a budget and get to grips with how much this is likely to cost you as a family.

Be Sensible About Presents

Yes, Christmas is a time for giving, and you want to get presents for the family. But you also need to be sensible about it. Don't be one of those parents who spends hundreds of dollars on presents for your kids every year and then wonder why you're struggling financially. Christmas doesn't have to cost the Earth, but a lot of that comes down to the approach you choose to take. Consider what the kids want for presents and then make decisions based on that. You don't have to get them everything on their list. In fact, you don't even have to get them anything that's on the list. It's more important to think about what will make good presents that are also affordable. You could even get creative and consider making presents to curb the costs, and you should certainly set a limit.

Money Saving Ideas

Money saving ideas are the best way of making sure you can enjoy an affordable family Christmas. So, let’s look at some of the ways in which you can save costs over the festive season. Well, for one thing, you should consider getting yourself an artificial tree. This is cost-effective as it can be resumed again and again, and will cost considerably less than a fresh one. The cleanup job will also be less intense and strenuous! You could make your own decorations for the tree as well, and this can turn into a fun family project for the kids. It’s a cost-effective way of personalizing the home a bit more and having the whole family involved too. You may also want to consider shopping the sales and going for bargains as much as you possibly can. Charity gifts are a good way of saving some money, and you also need to think harder about who you are giving gifts to. Regifting is always a clever way of saving money as well because it means you don't have to buy a new gift.

Saving

As well as making savings on your Christmas you also have to bear in mind that you need to start generating savings. And it’s important to do this now! You don't want to get bogged down in the financial problems that come with an expensive festive season. So, you need to make sure you are careful with your cash, and that you start to save up any disposable income. There are plenty of savings tips that you can apply to everyday life in general, but you also need to think about the Christmas period. Consider why it’s important to generate savings and have a financial safety net. In fact, you might actually have money saved up already, in which case you can choose what to do with it. It might be a good idea to give some of this away to charity or do something good with the money. Out, you could save it for a rainy day so you can start the new year off on the right sort of financial footing.

DIY a Lot of It

One of the best ideas you can employ to save money over the Christmas period is to DIY a lot of it. We've already talked a bit about making presents and decorations, but you could really make the most of this. It’s important that you consider the best ways to enjoy a DIY Christmas. Hopefully, you will have a lot of Christmas related bits and pieces at home already from previous years. It’s time to take out the tree, decorations and gift wrap and use them, as opposed to buying more. You could make a lot of the Christmas food or snacks from scratch. Decorating the home yourself and going for DIY presents and refreshments is always a great way of saving money. You might choose to make Christmas cards to hand out as well. A DIY Christmas might seem like quite a lot of work, but this financial foresight can really help the family have a stress free Christmas period.

Secret Santa

A great gift idea for Christmas is to come up with a Secret Santa system. This may not be the right approach if you have young kids. But it works if your children are grown up, and it’s perfect between friends as well. You basically implement a Secret Santa approach to gifts. That way you don't have a scenario where each person has to buy something for everyone else. This can be problematic because people will often be stifling financially, and will feel obligated to buy a lot of presents. With Secret Santa, everyone will receive fewer gifts, but you will find that it is a fairer way of doing things, and more cost-effective. Using Secret Santa will save you a lot of money over Christmas, as well as making things much less stressful and intensive.

Give Something Back

A lot of people like to give back at Christmas time, and why not?! After all, it’s the time of goodwill and generosity, and a lot of people have it tough around Christmas. You may want to give something back, but you could feel as though you don't have the finances to do that. Well, with a bit of financial planning you could actually do some real good without spending a lot, or anything. One idea you might try to implement is a unique twist on the advent calendar. Rather than buying traditional chocolate calendars you instead get a box. And each advent day adds something to the box by way of food or clothing. Then at the end of the process, you can take it to a homeless shelter or food bank. The great thing about this approach is that it helps you to do some good without costing too much. You can select a lot of food and clothing from home to add to the advent box.

Do You Really Want to Take Out That Loan?

Many people make the decisions to take out loans to get them through the Christmas period. And this is something that might even have crossed your mind as well. If so then you need to think hard about whether it’s the right choice for you. As a family are you going to benefit from taking out this loan, or is it going to lead to further long-term problems. Many people find themselves falling foul of high interest rate debt as a result of taking out loans. So this is something that you need to consider carefully and with a great deal of caution as well. Loans can seem like a good idea, and a way out of trouble, but can often prove to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Make sure you think a hard about whether you really want to take out the loan.

You have to make a lot of important financial decisions over the festive period. And if you can plan in advance and be practical you will have no issues with your money. Hopefully, the ideas and advice on this post will work wonders for you. Christmas should be a time of year that everyone can enjoy and in order to do that you need to get your finances in order. So these are some of the most effective ways you can go about achieving that.

4 Changes To Your Home As You Grow Older

As you get older, it is often not as easy to do certain tasks as it used to be. If you have had an injury or a surgical procedure that limits your abilities, then your inability to engage in various activities can often be enhanced. If you want to enjoy a safe and healthy life as you get older, then it helps to have some tools installed that make it easier for you to get around in your home and avoid the most common home injuries.

New Showers

The idea of a shower can be dangerous for people of any age, let alone elderly people who are limited in their mobility. There are plenty of elderly showers you can install in your home that allow you to enjoy the full benefits of a shower, but without the possibility of injury. Shower floors can be slippery and it can often be difficult for the elderly to stand in a shower for long periods of time. An elderly shower eliminates all of those issues and makes showering safe for everyone.

Wider Doors

It is not uncommon for people to require assistance walking as they get into their golden years. If you want to make it easier for you to get around in your own home as your get older, then consider having your doors widened. Wheelchairs, walkers and even canes are much easier to use when your doorways allow you to pass through without having to turn sideways. Wider doors in your home will make sure that you can navigate your home with no problem.

Chair Lift For Stairways

Many people insist on living in their family home even after they can no longer navigate their stairs. If you want to enjoy the home you raised your children in as you enjoy bring a grandparent, then have a chair lift installed on your stairways. With a chair lift, you can safely and easily go up and down your stairs whenever you want.

Sometimes life can become a bit more challenging as we get older, and that can make certain household activities difficult to do. Instead of having to move and alter your life as you get older, you can make some changes that will allow you to live safely and comfortably in the space that you have come to call home.

Gift-Wrapping, Shopping, Sickness etc.

This year seems to pass rather quickly to me, I can't believe the 2016 is almost over.  For the past few weeks, I am so busy and occupied with husband and  children getting sick then trying to finish some DIY projects that we have been doing at home. I feel bad that my husband is still in pain caused by the Cervical Disk Disorder with Myelopathy that was recently diagnosed him with.  A condition that happens when a nerve in the neck is pinched or bruised by a slipped (herniated) disk or by arthritic changes in the bones of the cervical spine . The doctor told him that the pain is going to get worse as he get older.  The bad thing is there's nothing that can be done to  resolve the issue.  Now, other people told me that it can be addressed with certain therapy and another told me she had hers  resolved with acupuncture treatment.  

 On a lighter note, I was able to finally get to shop for gifts. I am bummed I wasn't able to take advantage of the Black Friday deals but still glad that I found some affordable gifts for the family. I got this At-A-Glance weekly-monthly calendar/planner  from Shoplet.  

 I decided to  give this to my daughter's teacher because she has been such a wonderful mentor  for her.  She always encourages   Rylie with everything.  I know this isn't much but I think she can use this for her next year's goals, appointments and  other things.  She is a cancer survivor so she could truly use this planner for her  schedules in schools and other things. The monthly tabs for reference and quick navigation.

  I love that it's a  larger size and the classic medallion design is given a twist by pairing it with the vibrant colors.The fun, die-cut durable poly cover is great for both work and home.

 I also love that it has  a holiday list at the back.  You can get this for $14.24 at Shoplet.

 I also bought this conceptum notebook for my son's teacher .  This can be a good one to put her notes for her class.

 I wrapped some gifts yesterday including the gifts for my children's teachers.

 A lot of times, I wish I could give more for the teachers because  they don't get paid a lot especially at my  children's school.  Their pay is not that much and  I don't think they get  benefits that public school teachers get.  I respect and admire them tremendously for  their dedication in molding our  children and for patiently honing their  skills.  

Shoplet is a one-stop shop  for all your need in your home office or business.  They have  Office Supplies,   Medical Supplies, Cleaning Supplies and many more.

Disclosure: The owner of this blog was NOT financially compensated to write this review.  I was provided with the product/s mentioned  to help me  facilitate this review but  opinions are my own.

Artistic Desktop Organizer #ShopletReviews

Having an organized desk is a must for me.  I can't seem to think straight when my  desk is piled up with things like papers and other things.  This is sometimes a big  issue when my kids are using my  desk because  they are so messy.  They are learning how to be organized now because I show them  the example of working easily without things laying around in the  working space/area.    "A cluttered space is a cluttered mind (at least for me)", I always  tell them.

I love this lift-top desk  pad that I got from Shoplet.  It has a non-glare  surface that reduces  reflection.  What I love the most is that, it has a protractor and inch and metric rules so  if you want to mark a paper that you want to cut it is easier.  Let us admit it, no matter  how we try to keep our things in our desk, kids tend to use it and  leave it somewhere ( that drives me crazy).  

This Artistic desktop organizer has a cushioned writing surface for comfort and the clear overlay keeps papers in view, as you can see, the photos are visible clear. I also love the fact that it has a durable and washable surface so maintaining it clean is not an issue.

The protractor feature  reminds me of my highschool days when I took my drafting classes.  This desktop organizer could have been helpful.  My  daughter is very intrigued with the protractor.  Anyway, you can buy this desktop organizer  through the link I have provided above.  

I don't have to worry about my  bills  getting lost as I  put them under the lift-top desk pad.  I wish I can win the lottery so I can pay off the mortgage and enjoy life without big bills such as this one.  

Shoplet is a one-stop shop ans e-tailer for all your need in your home office or business.  They have  Office Supplies,   Medical Supplies, Cleaning Supplies and many more.  You can check out Shoplet's social media outlets: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest/, Blog, and Youtube.  

Disclosure: The owner of this blog was NOT financially compensated to write this review. I was provided with the product/s mentioned to help me facilitate this review but opinions are my own.

Sonatina

I am  so happy of the progress that our daughter has made  in the past few years with her piano skills.  She love playing and practices her songs without anyone telling her to do so.  However, she is the hard critique of herself, she wants to  play  every song right but  it is hard to do especially when she is just learning it.  She hets frustrated at time but  what I love about her is that, she nver gives up until she do it right.  Below is one of  the songs she practices at home lately.  No need for a fender rumble 200 just raw piano playing.  The title of the song is Sonatina.  She kind of messed it up at the very end but I thought she did well which of course she said, still needs some polishing to do.  

🎶 Practicing my newest song.. Needs work 🤔🎹 • #pianist #piano #music #musiclover #piano🎹 #sonatina #pianolover

A video posted by Rylie Cottrill (11) (@ryestein_) on Sep 24, 2016 at 9:15am PDT

Mother of Pearl Furniture

The theme of our  family room is Asian so  when my husband saw these Mother of Pearl furniture at a flea market, he thought it would be perfect  there.  I love the details and it's in great condition. All of the three have claw foot legs that add to the sturdy construction of these functional pieces. We got the coffee table, endtable, and a cabinet.

We got all three  for $425 which isn't bad because  if you buy  the brand new coffee table alone, it is over $500.   I wasn't going to buy it for that much but my husband  told me it's a rare find around here so he convinced me lol.  Besides, it was free delivery so it's all good.

 Right now, we still need some sitting  furniture  in the family room whichwe won't be able to   buy until the sale of our  old house is finalized.  The set date for the closing is next month  and we still have things to do a there as requested by the buyer.  We were actually surprised that we got  an offer that is higher than we were hoping for so if this sale goes smoothly, we won't be hurting financially  anymore.  Paying two mortgages is no fun especially that only my husband has the  stable income.  My income fluctuates so it is  not reliable to sustain our finances.  

We still have a lot of project to do at this house but  we will do it slowly as  money  becomes available.  I told my husband that this is it, I don't want to move ever again lol.  But life is so unpredictable s we never kow what the future holds.  

Enter Shoplet's Giveaway to Support Your Local School

Shoplet is one of my favorite stores when it comes to office supplies. Being a work-at-home-Mom (WAHM), I keep my office organize and full of stock of the things I need and my kids need for their school stuff.   I am very excited to announce in this blog that Shoplet is engaging the community with their new campaign by hosting a   giveaway where teachers and school can win  a $5,000 worth of supplies.  This is Shoplet's way of  giving back to teachers who are doing their best to educate our  children but constantly  battles with budget cuts.

My children goes to private school and they don't get full funding from the government.  I feel bad for the teachers  because they don't get paid  very mu0ch and they don't even have a retirement program benefits.  Teacher is a noble profession and  to get paid very low is  discouraging.  It would be nice if St. Joseph the Worker will win this giveaway.  

 
Here are some of the great prizes.

We’re talking over 1000 Pilot and Schneider pens, 2 huge cases of Neenah and Georgia Pacific paper, over 100 boxes of Ticonderoga pencils and assorted Lysol cleaning products. We also have 3 large cases of Lion, C-Line And Roaring Springs folders, 30 packs of various Avery products, 1 case of teacher planners and 24 world maps from House of Doolittle. One classroom will also receive 1 massive whiteboard from Iceberg. That’s enough to make lots of teachers and students very happy!

Enter here for a chance to win and support your local school.  The giveaway is open from September 19 - October 3.  You can also check the  giveaway via Shoplet's Facebook Page.  If you  want to  shop, here is a 20% just for you, just use the coupon  SHOPLETFORSCHOOLS20 upon checkout.

New Containers, Shelf Liner, and More

My husband and kids love cereal so I wanted to get some containers that would hold a big box of cereal.  I found these Good Grope pop container at TJMaxx.  They are a bit expensive but I bought it any since I need it.  They were  $14.56 each.  I love that it really seal so that's a good thing.  You don't want your cereal to be stale.  To open and close the lid is easy with the push button in the middle.  

 Since we can't afford to buy new cabinets yet, I bought some more shelf lining so I can cover the  shelves.  

 I also bought a new pitcher for  lemonade.  We have been drinking lemonade ever since the summer have began so this one is perfect.  

 On the other note, I have been trying to get rid of things that we no longer need.  We hauled a CRV full of baby stuff to Goodwill last month and we still have a lot to give there.  Some of the things though, I am selling them through Facebook online garage sale groups.  I recently sold  a microwave, and this grill and tomorrow, someone will be picking up the  bunk bed.  

It's nice to get rid of  old stuff and once in a while find new things as well.

Back to School Shoe Shopping

Back to school is always the busiest time  with kids.  They constantly growing up so the constant need for new shoes, new clothes and more.    There's no denying that  yoi will buy your kids shoes  every six months or so as their feet  grows continously.  You might get away from buying the   taylor swift acoustic guitar that they want  but you can not get away from buying shoes.  Time flies and our children grows really fast as well.  My husband and I always  makes every moment with our children special.  We want them to have a great childhood memories with us. 

Love this Tabletop Air Circulator with Adjustable Oscillation for my Office

This year's summer would be the most agonizing for my husband when it comes to dealing with the summer heat here in our new home.  We don't have  an air conditioning unit installed yet in the first floor  so  it is hot for them.  The heat doesn't really bother me because I grew up in the tropics so I am used to a warm climate, the temperature we are having right now is  just normal to me.  For my husband, it is way too hot to handle, he said he is melting every time he stays here at home.  Gladly, he is at work mostly half of the week so it is quite alright.  We will eventually  install an AS unit here to keep the downstairs cool during the summer but we are still  waiting till the  other house is sold.  We accepted an offer  already and we are still waiting for the result of the  inspection, hopefully it goes smoothly then we can finalize the sale.  

Working from home is such a blessing.  I am very thankful to my husband that he allow me to do what I love even if it means that a little sacrifice on the finances is involve on the finances because  it is an unstable income.  I am grateful that he is supportive even if  I contribute less financially.  It is however an advantage  being a work at home Mom because I  get to take care of our children and I everything is taken care of at home.  

Having said that, I have to have a   comfortable work station which is why I am glad we have moved to a new home because I get to have an office.  At our old house, I only used  part o our living room to  set up my  office so we couldn't really claim any expenses  during the tax season.

I love this tabletop air circulator with adjustable oscillation desk fan that I got.  It is perfect to keep my office cool during  the intense heat of that sun this summer.  It has a remote for easy operation and it is really quiet.  What I love about this is, it is small so  you can either put it on top of your desk or you can put it under your desk.  It oscillates up and down so  there's no issue of just colling  just the bottom  but it also reaches the top.

You can get this Ozeri Brezza Oscillating 10" High Velocity Desk Fan via  Amazon for $25.30

Disclosure: The owner of this blog was NOT financially compensated to write this review.  I was provided with the product/s mentioned  to help me  facilitate this review but  opinions are my own.

Western Shop and Thrift Shopping

I am guessing that this  shop sells  anything  with regards to horse, horse riders and all that kind of stuff.  This was somewhere in Pennsylvania.  I thought of taking a photo of it  while we were on our road trip.

On the other hand, I want to share to you the  quick thrift shopping trip that my daughter and I did to a nearby thrift store here in our area.  We are literally  living a block away from Goodwill now so we can just walk and see what they have from time to time.  My daughter  was looking for some cute decors for her room and some picture frames for her  arts.  Unfortunately, the  frames available there is  as expensive as  the ones from the store and they are not new!  Sometimes, I find it ridiculous how they price their items, they are donated so  they should sell it for less.  You have to really dig through their things to find good deals.  

 Anyway, I found some good stuff  such as a new photo album, a new shirt, new pairs of socks, and a very good looking lamp.  My daughter only bought some books.  

 I love this lamp that I found, it only cost $6.  I am not sure who does the pricing but this one is priced just right if not under priced.  It's a very  good  lamp and it is very stylish.

 I originally bought this  for my son but  I  remember I had that lamp that I reviewed from Shoplet before for him so I just use this  in my office now.

For all of this, I only spent $16.90 which isn't bad.  My husband does not like going to a thrift shop but I like it because sometimes, you can find neat things for less.  He is very skeptic in bringing pre-loved  things because he is worried it has a bad energy to it.  That's the result of watching those paranormal shows lol.

Applying Sunscreen To The Body

In order to provide the best protection from the sun, you need to know how to properly apply sunscreen to the skin. You want the best broad spectrum sunscreen that is water-proof so that it stays on the skin while swimming or doing activities that cause you to sweat. Make sure the SPF level is high enough to provide protection for your skin type. Children should have a higher SPF coverage because their skin can become burned easier than adults.

Don't apply sunscreen right before going outside. It takes about 30 minutes for the sunscreen to settle into the skin. You want to apply the product about half an hour before you get in the sun. Once you're outside, you should reapply the sunscreen every 30 minutes depending on how much moisture is on the skin.

Before using the product, you want to shake the bottle so that all of the proper chemicals that provide protection are blended. You don't want to use a sunscreen that has a lot of water at the top of the bottle as this will be what you put on the skin, which offers little to no protection. At times, the sunscreen might have clumps around the top of the bottle. These should be removed as they won't be of any benefit to the skin. A sunscreen that is sprayed on the skin is often better so that there aren't any issues with clumps or having the liquid blended together.

Make sure enough sunscreen is applied so that you have the best coverage. You don't want to apply sunscreen only to the face and arms while leaving the back and legs without any kind of protection. Don't apply a thin layer of sunscreen if you plan on being outside for a long period of time. A cream is sometimes best as you can see where the product is applied on the skin instead of guessing as to where it is, especially if the product is used on children. Use the sunscreen on all parts of the body, including the ears, forehead and the backs of the legs as these areas are exposed to the sun as well.

Take Your House From Good To Great With These Home Optimization Strategies

At some point, many homeowners decide that they're no longer satisfied with their house. If you've recently drawn this conclusion, don't worry. There are several home optimization strategies you can start implementing to take your property from average to incredible. Here are three of them:

1. Invest In Deck Services.

Having a great deck on your residential property can appeal to its functionality and visual appeal. As such, be sure to consider investing in deck services once you decide to optimize your home setting. Companies like Elevated Deck Systems are pleased to offer various components that will help enhance your property's appeal, including the bison deck. Some of the other applications offered by the company include pool decks, pedestrian walkways, and patio areas.

2. Hold A Yard Sale.

We are having a huge #garageSale today. Swing by at 231 Donnell St. Weirton. New items include the ones in the picture. We have lots of stuff that must go. Come #shop for #Christmas #gifts for less.

A photo posted by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Jul 23, 2016 at 3:31am PDT

Another great way to get the home optimization process underway is by holding a yard sale. This technique is effective because it provides you with motivation to get rid of old furniture and other unused items that are causing clutter or detracting from the aesthetic allure of your property. Another big benefit of hosting a yard sale is that you can use the money you earn to purchase new items for your living room, kitchen, or any other region of the property that is in need of sprucing up. To ensure that your yard sale is as successful as possible, make sure that you implement a top notch marketing campaign so everyone in your local area knows what's going on.

3. Hire An Interior Decorator.

These days, the rise of the Internet seems to have made DIY projects a big thing. This is because people can go online and find blog posts and web articles that provide instructions for the completion of numerous home optimization projects. Yet if you're not a home design and decor specialist, you may find that your do-it-yourself efforts backfire. To prevent this from happening, consider the value of hiring an interior decorator to optimize your living space. These individuals tend to have extensive knowledge and experience regarding this sector, thereby enabling them to enhance your property quickly and correctly.

Don't Delay: Start Optimizing Your Property Today!

If you want to take your home from average to awesome, now is the time to implement the changes necessary to see the results you want. You can use some or all of the home optimization strategies outlined above to get things going now! 

How Important Is it To Keep On Top Of Your Families Finances?

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In the current climate, it has never been more important to keep on top of our finances. But as a parent, this can be even more difficult. Not only does your money need to spread further, but you also have more people to care for. There are ways to make things easier for yourself, though, so have a read through our tips below and start making changes in your life today.

Set A Budget

No matter what your financial situation is, you should be keeping a monthly budget and sticking to it. They are the key to avoiding overspending and coming up short at the end of each month. Start off by working out what your normal monthly spends are, and divide them into categories. You may be shocked at how much you are spending on certain things, such as fuel and clothing. When writing your budget, you need to be practical and reasonable about how much you will spend, setting unreasonable targets will only lead to failure. Make slight adjustments and start of small, cutting takeaways to once a month maybe.

There are many spreadsheet templates available; some require you to log every individual purchase, while some are more simple.

Make Savings Where You Can

When you’ve got a budget set, it’s time to start savings in all areas of your life. Look for vouchers and coupons, and use them while shopping in-store and online. Be aware of deals and offers, but only use them if you really need the produce. Many deals can be created to entice you to buy an item you wouldn’t normally buy, just because it seems like a bargain. Make sensible choices and shop around for the best price.

Set a family meal plan, with healthy and varied meals. This will make shopping much easier as you can follow a shopping list which will cover ingredients for all the meals. Avoiding mid-week shopping trips can save you a fortune in the long run, and mean there is no last minute rushed meals put together.

If you find you are still struggling at the end of the month, there are secured debt consolidation loans available. Be careful to keep up with monthly payments with these, but they are very handy for smaller and short term loans.

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Put Money Aside For The Future

Building up your savings is something everyone should be trying to do. Try to set up a standing order to put money aside each month, and incorporate this into your budget. Savings will come in handy in case of emergencies and act as a financial cushion. If you are planning a holiday or more expensive month, such as Christmas or birthdays, your savings will cover additional costs.

Create Good Habits

Breaking bad habits can take a while, but if you keep at it, then better habits will become routine. You may have to cut back on family treats and luxuries, but being more aware of your spendings will help everyone in the long run. Your children will pick up on your money management and carry this into their lives. Make them aware of what you are doing, and pass on your knowledge and experiences that you have learned.

Football Cleats

Our son have signed up for the  Junior Dons football this year.  They just got done with their football camp and he loved it.  Ge actually signed up last year too but I think he was too small or too young so he did not get to  do it.  This year however, he is stoked.  We bought him his gears including the cleats, socks, and a water jog.  

 These gears  are expensive, mind you.  At least for me it is.  It is good though that he is very interested in football, I am just scared that he would break  a bone or something, that's always my worry.

Anyway, as long as he loves what he does, we are there top support him.  

How to Get Better Feedback When Selling Online

Online auction and classified ad websites let you make money selling products that you have around your house and items that you source from flea markets and other places. Many of these sites now let buyers leave feedback for sellers, which is a great way for future buyers to see who to buy from and who to avoid. As an online seller, your reputation heavily depends on the feedback that customers leave. There are a few easy ways in which you can get better feedback and improve your overall seller's rating online.

Stay in Contact

From the moment the auction ends to the moment you ship out that item, remain in contact with your buyer. Send a quick message to let that individual know the total price of the item plus shipping and thank them in advance for prompt payment. You'll want to send a second message after the payment arrives that lists the estimated shipping date for that item. Once you get that package out in the mail, send out another message to thank the buyer again, let the person know you left feedback and explain that you look forward to receiving positive feedback too.

Ship Quickly

One of the biggest mistakes that buyers have when shopping online is how long it takes for their packages to arrive. If you work a full-time job and have other commitments, you might forget about dropping those packages off at the post office. You now have the option of weighing and packaging items at home, packaging each item and then sending those packages out with your regular mail. These ensures that your buyers get their items faster, which increases the odds of them leaving you positive feedback.

Pack Properly

If you received a broken or damaged item in the mail, would you leave positive feedback for the seller? Using the right packing materials ensures that your items arrive in perfect condition. If you pay extra for insurance through the post office and something breaks, the post office will not pay out unless you packed that box correctly. Use bubble tape or packing peanuts inside the box and packing or personalized packing tape around all sides to keep that box from flying open. Packing boxes properly, shipping quickly and staying in contact with buyers can help you improve your online rating and get more feedback from buyers.

How To Throw An Amazing 4th of July Party

Everyone loves the awesome summer holiday that celebrates the independence of America, the 4th of July. The only thing that makes the day better is to improve it by inviting your friends and family to a party at your house. Whether you invite 5 close friends or 30 of your neighbors, you can be sure of having a great time if you plan it well. Start now to make sure you get the decor, food, and activities that will make your party worthy of this holiday.

For decor, start with the patriotic colors of red, white, and blue. You can use this theme in all area of decoration, including balloons, crepe paper, streamers, and banners. You can also use it for your utensils, including forks, knives, spoons, plates, napkins, and cups. Really, you can use red, white, and blue for everything. You also may want to employ more general party decorations, including lights and displays.

The food you choose for your 4th of July party is entirely up to you. Consider the number of people attending and plan your food accordingly. Do you have a barbecue or grill to use? Would catering be easier? If you're also serving beer or other alcohol, remember to have snacks that go well with those flavors. You can stick to classic American fare like hot dogs or veggie dogs, or even order pizza. Just make sure you have enough food and everyone will be happy.

Finally, have some fun and things for your party patrons to do. Keep the mood patriotic by handing out hand held flags, like those available from Flag Store USA. Sparklers and other legal, safe fireworks make a great addition to the night time festivities. Add games like cornhole, horseshoes, or even baseball to keep the mood upbeat. Music, whether parade classics like John Phillip Sousa or more contemporary party hits, will keep everyone dancing through the night. You may even be able to see public firework displays from your own back yard.

Start now to plan your best 4th of July party and get ready to have a great time. By getting good food, decorating your home correctly, and planning fun activities for your guests, you will make sure everyone enjoys themselves. After all, it's probably the important holiday for celebrating the valuable history of the United States of America.