Showing posts with label money tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label money tips. Show all posts
Unexpected Children Expenses
This past year I did something different when it came to saving money for the children's immediate expenses. I chose to put coins and dollars aside from shopping trips; rather than give them money every time a holiday or a request was made. Instead, I added the money to separate accounts I had made for them in the past. Once an unexpected need came up, I took from that money rather than from bill money.
Those unexpected expenses were not the large kind, just those little annoyances. Like the event in school, the needed school supply, or some thing that suddenly came out of nowhere like some needed tutoring materials. Talk about save for a rainy day. By cutting down on the gifts during the holiday season, rewarding less (that too was breaking the budget) and turning the children down on many unnecessary requests, money was being saved for those unexpected expenses. I can tell you that for far too many years I had been worried over not being able to get certain things for household, children and me, because I spent every dollar up on something that I or they only wanted, but didn't really need.
Consider saving some money for yourself too, but for wise future decisions. Those unexpected expenses can come out of nowhere for you too! Turn yourself down sometimes when you find yourself just wanting another bottle of perfume, lipstick, household gadget, or fast food meal. Save that money for the pressing need that will come later, and trust me, it will come most likely sooner than later!
So if you haven't done something like this already for the children, here's a simple to-do list:
1. Visit a site like Ing Direct and make separate savings accounts for the children.
2. Name the accounts.
3. Have an automatic deduction each month go into each account from your main checking account or some other account.
4. Take change from store visits and put away in a place that doesn't advertise that you have money (ie. change jar, envelope).
5. Add cash once a month to your change jar. This way you have cash on hand as well as monies in the bank for those unexpected expenses.
6. Consider putting a set amount of money on a pre-paid card for older children.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO CONSIDER:
7. Teach children to give at least a dollar away to a non-profit group or someone in need.
8. Allow children to handle their own money when they show they are responsible. However, limit responding to their requests for more money.
9. Set up a chore list.
10. Find other ways to reward them for helping out and doing well in school that doesn't break your budget.
Nicholl McGuire Author of When Mothers Cry
Those unexpected expenses were not the large kind, just those little annoyances. Like the event in school, the needed school supply, or some thing that suddenly came out of nowhere like some needed tutoring materials. Talk about save for a rainy day. By cutting down on the gifts during the holiday season, rewarding less (that too was breaking the budget) and turning the children down on many unnecessary requests, money was being saved for those unexpected expenses. I can tell you that for far too many years I had been worried over not being able to get certain things for household, children and me, because I spent every dollar up on something that I or they only wanted, but didn't really need.
Consider saving some money for yourself too, but for wise future decisions. Those unexpected expenses can come out of nowhere for you too! Turn yourself down sometimes when you find yourself just wanting another bottle of perfume, lipstick, household gadget, or fast food meal. Save that money for the pressing need that will come later, and trust me, it will come most likely sooner than later!
So if you haven't done something like this already for the children, here's a simple to-do list:
1. Visit a site like Ing Direct and make separate savings accounts for the children.
2. Name the accounts.
3. Have an automatic deduction each month go into each account from your main checking account or some other account.
4. Take change from store visits and put away in a place that doesn't advertise that you have money (ie. change jar, envelope).
5. Add cash once a month to your change jar. This way you have cash on hand as well as monies in the bank for those unexpected expenses.
6. Consider putting a set amount of money on a pre-paid card for older children.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO CONSIDER:
7. Teach children to give at least a dollar away to a non-profit group or someone in need.
8. Allow children to handle their own money when they show they are responsible. However, limit responding to their requests for more money.
9. Set up a chore list.
10. Find other ways to reward them for helping out and doing well in school that doesn't break your budget.
Nicholl McGuire Author of When Mothers Cry
Tips for Relieving Newborn Constipation
A couple of years ago I needed some tips for relieving newborn constipation when my niece asked me to keep her infant daughter while she returned to work. I never had any children so her mother had to tell me what to do when the baby was constipated.
Since then I’ve asked some mothers how they dealt with newborn constipation. I learned that one of the reasons for infant constipation is the iron contained in infant formula; some babies don’t need the additional iron. Some babies have allergies, usually to formula, which can cause constipation, although one woman shared that her son was actually allergic to the water she was using to mix his formula with.
In no particular order, here are some of the best tips for relieving newborn constipation:
Fruit Juice
Diluted apple or prune juice is one of the more popular methods for relieving infant constipation that I heard. However, it shouldn’t be used for infants under 3-4 months, and should always be diluted. The acid content of some fruit juices can contribute to diaper rash unless diluted with water.
Karo Syrup
Another of the more common cures for newborn constipation is Karo corn syrup. Some used the light or dark corn syrup, while others insisted that only the light corn syrup should be used. Mix 1-3 tablespoons of the syrup in a bottle of warm water. NOTE: Since corn syrup has been linked to obesity, you may want to limit its use.
Applesauce
Once the baby is taking baby food, applesauce will usually keep them regular, and they also enjoy the flavor. If the baby is too young for baby food, try mixing a little applesauce with rice cereal and diluting it so it can be drunk out of a bottle.
Oatmeal
One woman found that her baby’s constipation would be eased when she fed him formula to which oatmeal baby cereal had been added.
Massage
Massage can be accomplished in two different ways. The first is to use a bit of baby lotion and use the tips of your fingers to gently massage the belly and lower abdomen. The second method is to bend the baby’s legs so the knees press gently against the belly. This can be done with both legs together or one at a time in a “cycling” motion.
Glycerin suppositories
Glycerin suppositories will work when all other methods have failed. That is actually what my niece had me use on her daughter. The suppository would be gently inserted into the rectum, then her legs would be “bicycled” placing light pressure on the lower belly. Usually within a matter of one or two minutes she would have a bowel movement.
One of the most important tips for relieving newborn constipation was the necessity of seeking medical attention should home remedies fail to work. There may be something more going on and failure to get medical help could result in long-term problems.
by C.L. HENDRICKS
Since then I’ve asked some mothers how they dealt with newborn constipation. I learned that one of the reasons for infant constipation is the iron contained in infant formula; some babies don’t need the additional iron. Some babies have allergies, usually to formula, which can cause constipation, although one woman shared that her son was actually allergic to the water she was using to mix his formula with.
In no particular order, here are some of the best tips for relieving newborn constipation:
Fruit Juice
Diluted apple or prune juice is one of the more popular methods for relieving infant constipation that I heard. However, it shouldn’t be used for infants under 3-4 months, and should always be diluted. The acid content of some fruit juices can contribute to diaper rash unless diluted with water.
Karo Syrup
Another of the more common cures for newborn constipation is Karo corn syrup. Some used the light or dark corn syrup, while others insisted that only the light corn syrup should be used. Mix 1-3 tablespoons of the syrup in a bottle of warm water. NOTE: Since corn syrup has been linked to obesity, you may want to limit its use.
Applesauce
Once the baby is taking baby food, applesauce will usually keep them regular, and they also enjoy the flavor. If the baby is too young for baby food, try mixing a little applesauce with rice cereal and diluting it so it can be drunk out of a bottle.
Oatmeal
One woman found that her baby’s constipation would be eased when she fed him formula to which oatmeal baby cereal had been added.
Massage
Massage can be accomplished in two different ways. The first is to use a bit of baby lotion and use the tips of your fingers to gently massage the belly and lower abdomen. The second method is to bend the baby’s legs so the knees press gently against the belly. This can be done with both legs together or one at a time in a “cycling” motion.
Glycerin suppositories
Glycerin suppositories will work when all other methods have failed. That is actually what my niece had me use on her daughter. The suppository would be gently inserted into the rectum, then her legs would be “bicycled” placing light pressure on the lower belly. Usually within a matter of one or two minutes she would have a bowel movement.
One of the most important tips for relieving newborn constipation was the necessity of seeking medical attention should home remedies fail to work. There may be something more going on and failure to get medical help could result in long-term problems.
by C.L. HENDRICKS
Now that the Children Got Almost Everything...
So they got almost everything that they wanted and now you are faced with a bill you would rather not face. Never fear the Internet is here to help you get back on track and prepare for the next Christmas season.
First things first, total all the bills you now owe.
Second, take the smaller bill and pay that off first while paying about $10-$20 above the minimum of your other bills.
Third, create a plan on how much you are able to pay toward your next highest bill once the other is paid off as well as how long you think it will take to pay it off.
Fourth, don't accrue anymore debt. If you don't have the cash to pay for it, don't do it!
Fifth, birthdays will have to come and go. So what that someone thought of you and the family and bought you something nice! Listen if you could do it, you would, but you can't so you won't. If you allow yourself to feel obligated to pay someone back, then you are adding unnecessary stress to your already hectic life.
Sixth, if it isn't on sale, don't bother.
Seventh, observe your lifestyle. What could you absolutely live without? Then sell it, get rid of it, or reduce it. Examine how your children live and do the same for them, sell it, get rid of it, or reduce it.
Hope these simple tips help get you on your way to reducing your debt and spending this year!
For more artciles by Nicholl McGuire, visit www.associatedcontent.com/nichollmcguire
First things first, total all the bills you now owe.
Second, take the smaller bill and pay that off first while paying about $10-$20 above the minimum of your other bills.
Third, create a plan on how much you are able to pay toward your next highest bill once the other is paid off as well as how long you think it will take to pay it off.
Fourth, don't accrue anymore debt. If you don't have the cash to pay for it, don't do it!
Fifth, birthdays will have to come and go. So what that someone thought of you and the family and bought you something nice! Listen if you could do it, you would, but you can't so you won't. If you allow yourself to feel obligated to pay someone back, then you are adding unnecessary stress to your already hectic life.
Sixth, if it isn't on sale, don't bother.
Seventh, observe your lifestyle. What could you absolutely live without? Then sell it, get rid of it, or reduce it. Examine how your children live and do the same for them, sell it, get rid of it, or reduce it.
Hope these simple tips help get you on your way to reducing your debt and spending this year!
For more artciles by Nicholl McGuire, visit www.associatedcontent.com/nichollmcguire
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