Top Investment Tips for Parents

Safeguarding your future and the future of your children becomes very important when you are a parent. Time flies when you are having so much fun with the kids. Before you know it, they’ll be ready for college and you have to start dealing with the costs of sending them to the university of their choice.

It is even scarier to think that the future goes beyond that milestone of the children going to college. Having a strong financial future is crucial and it is never too late to build one. As a parent, however, you can’t just jump into investments like you would when you were single. There are a few things you need to know first, and we are going to review them in this article.

Define Your Goals

As mentioned before, it is never too late to start investing in your financial future and the future of your kids. Even when you are starting later in life, you can still hit the objectives that you want with the right investments made at the right time.

Before you can continue with planning for those investments, however, you have to first understand the goals you want to achieve. This means listing all the future big expenses you’ll have to absorb, the kind of lifestyle you want to maintain in your retirement, and other things you want to achieve financially.

Don’t hesitate to go into details when defining your objectives; in fact, you should be as detailed as you can. The more you know about the goals you want to achieve, the easier it will be to determine the kind of investments you need to make.

Save Immediately

Before you can start investing, you also need to have the funds to invest. Don’t wait until you have a clear investment plan to start saving. Save immediately so that you have sufficient funds to start investing by the time you have a clear plan in mind.

Saving isn’t as difficult as you think, but it does require some sacrifices here and there. For example, you can save more by eliminating non-essential expenses from your monthly budget. You can actually save quite a lot when you stop buying coffee on your way to work or when you cancel the subscriptions you no longer need.

Every penny counts. Never consider an amount as too small to save. Saving $1 here and another $1 there can actually lead to a substantial amount at the end of every month. The longer you save, the more you will have to invest once a clear plan is formulated.

Make Big Leaps

Starting late means you have to work a little bit harder to achieve your goals on time. Fortunately, you also have more things you can do and a wider selection of investment instruments to use. You can enter the financial markets, invest in rental properties, or even get into real estate flipping to generate sufficient revenue and more money to invest.

The latter is actually quite interesting. A lot of parents are now in the house flipping business for a number of reasons. For starters, the market is perfect for beginners who want to try flipping houses for profit since there are fewer barriers and obstacles to get around.

You also have a number of risk management tools at your disposal. If you need to sell a house quickly because there is an emergency expense to deal with – or a new investment opportunity to grab – you can turn to companies like BiggerEquity for a quick exit. View here to learn more about how BiggerEquity lets you sell your house or the house you are flipping quickly.

Go Long-Term

Making big leaps is great for obvious reasons. The big investments you make are more likely to generate big revenues and help you achieve your financial goals faster. That said, you shouldn’t forget to build a strong portfolio that generates long-term gains and residual revenues.

Going long-term is still necessary for two reasons. First, you are not just working towards achieving short-term goals but also towards securing a better, stronger financial future for yourself. Without long-term investments, achieving the latter is not possible.

The second reason is balance. Short-term, high-gain investments usually carry more risk. Long-term, gradual-gain ones, on the other hand, offer better security. By balancing the two, you can have a much stronger portfolio in general.

Turn to Specific Products

There are a lot of products and investment instruments designed to help you achieve specific financial goals. If you want to be able to pay for your children’s education, you can use products like insurance policies and college funds to achieve those specific objectives quickly and effectively.

Products designed for specific purposes are great additions to your existing (and growing) portfolio. You know you are saving and investing towards a specific goal, so you have more energy to focus on other parts of the portfolio and expanding your wealth further.

With products like life insurance and retirement accounts, you also get flexibility. You can determine the number of investments to make, the kind of financial goals you are trying to achieve, and the time you have to achieve them. The more you can fine-tune these instruments, the sooner you can secure a better financial future for you and your children.

Manage Your Risks

One last tip to remember when you are getting started with investing is managing your risks. There are always risks associated with every investment you make. It is up to you to identify those risks and manage them the right way.

The stock market is a great place to earn short- and long-term gains, but every stock you buy comes with a risk. The forex market is just as appealing, but you also risk losing as much money as you can potentially gain. As you can see, the risks are everywhere.

Risks are also manageable. You can hedge your investments to minimize the risks you face. You can be more cautious when investing your money and invest more time and energy into learning more about the markets to limit your risks. The more you invest, the better you will be at keeping your risks in check and your profits high.

Tips For Feeling Like Your Best Self

Everyone knows them - those gloomy days when we are not sure how to pick ourselves up. But what do you do when you find yourself sad, or imbalanced with a lack of those well needed good vibrations? Most people think that to feel fit and well-balanced, they need sun, holidays and blissful lounging. But let's be honest: sometimes even small changes in everyday life are enough, and you feel better. These simple everyday tips will help you get out of your low mood and get back on your life.

1. Take Part In Fun Activities

In the stress of everyday life, we only do the things that make sense, and that makes us feel that we have been productive. We forget the joy of life, which is so much more important than a complete to-do list.

Whether you buy colors and start painting pictures, join a dance group, treat yourself to a massage every week, or discover your passion in knitting, it does not matter. Do something that makes no sense except that you enjoy it - and do it regularly.

2. Eat A Healthy Balanced Diet

There are a thousand reasons why you should be nice to your body. Unfortunately, we often do the opposite: the constant stress, a non-existent or hectic breakfast, and a ready meal at noon, which we eat in front of the computer; it's no wonder that our diets run wild. The solution is quite simple: do not stuff so much trash into you, but pay attention to your diet. Cook yourself up a healthy meal as often as possible and use fresh ingredients. Eat vegetables and fruits several times a day, preferably whole grain foods and eat more often vegetarian. You really should not take your health lightly. Your diet is the key to keeping you fit and feeling good.

3. Get Beautiful

A great way to feel good is to make yourself look and feel beautiful every day. Having a new haircut, buying some new clothes, getting braces such as Invisalign helps to resolve any feelings of insecurity.

4. Date Yourself

The highway to self-love starts on a date with yourself. Always have fun with you all alone and go after what is good for you. A hot bath with a good book, a beauty regime with your favorite music, or a sunbath on the lawn with your diary - these are just a few ideas, but the important thing is to turn off your phone, as you're busy and unreachable.

5. Take A Weekend Trip

It does not always have to be on long trips to exotic destinations. Even a weekend trip to the next big city or friends brings you out of your everyday life. The change of location causes you to live in the day and open your eyes to the beauty around you. When you come home, you will feel the same way you feel after a long journey: relaxed and full of new impressions.

6. Explore Your Own City Like A Tourist

Rediscover your city as a tourist. Take a little time, walk around your neighborhood without a precise plan, turn into streets and paths that you usually leave to the left, and take a close look at each corner.

7. Spend Time In Nature

We are always surrounded by four walls or tall houses, with headphones in our ears and our eyes on our smartphone. Rarely do we come into contact with nature, with which we are more closely connected than we can feel right now. A walk in the park or forest around the corner, with sharp eyes and ears, opens our perception not only of the beneficial nature and its seasons but also for ourselves and our thoughts and feelings.

8. Make Something Completely New

And best of all every day. It does not have to be significant. Try a new tea. Do a trial lesson in a yoga school next door. Meet someone for the first time. Sit alone in a coffee. Combine your clothes differently than usual. The list is endless - and each time you feel more alive.

9. Switch Your Phone Off

We are a static society. At work, we sit in front of the computer, on the way home we are engrossed in our smartphone and when we arrive home, we sit in front of the TV. So much static activity can mean that we become sedentary without even realizing it.

We lose the connection to our body and thus the balance; thus, it can do so well to switch off the phone and feel the body more clearly. Try it and move. Just an hour of sports - no matter which one, the main thing is he's fun - and you know what I mean.

10. Meditate

At first, it seems strange to sit down and hold still to feel more alive. But once you've tried it for a while, you'll find that meditating will make you feel your body more clearly, get to know yourself better and make your life more conscious.

11. Share Your Feelings.

Being cool and happy is a good thing these days. Unfortunately, this leads to the suppression of one's own feelings. If you are doing great, show your joy. But don’t be scared to also share sadness when feeling down. And if you love someone or are grateful to them, share. At first, this honesty scares many people because it also makes them feel vulnerable, but it also makes you more genuine, lovable, and ... more alive.

12. Invite All Your Friends

What do you think about bringing everyone together under one roof at a time and inviting them to your home for a relaxing evening? It feels so good and fulfilling to be surrounded by all the people you love. At the end of the evening, you know you are not alone!

13. Leave The Clock At Home

We are very much dependent on the clock. It's on our wrist, on our phone, on our wall. And we always have the next appointment in mind.

Banish all clocks from your field of vision for a complete weekend. Get up, go to sleep and eat something only when you feel like it. Spontaneously look for a cup of coffee with your friend without making an appointment, and enjoy how timelessness makes you feel right at the moment.

Four Steps to Take if You Suffer an Injury While on Vacation

Vacations are for relaxing, unwinding and just getting away from all of the stresses of everyday life, but they don’t always turn out that way. Sadly, accidents don’t take a break just because you are on vacation.

What makes vacation-time accidents even tougher to deal with is that they can be troublesome in so many ways. That’s why it is essential for people to know the proper steps to take should they unfortunately sustain an injury while on vacation.

Go To the Nearest Hospital For Emergency Situations

The first and most important thing to do is to ensure that you are okay, so if you feel any discomforts, don’t hesitate to take a trip to the hospital. Thrillist suggests informing the hospital beforehand, if possible, that you are on your way there for emergency treatment because this extra step helps to get around any language barriers that may have otherwise been present while also providing the staff with ample time to get ready.

Even if the injury you sustained is not serious, a trip to the hospital would still be advisable just to make sure things don’t suddenly take a turn for the worse.

Contact an Attorney in the Area

If you get injured while boating or biking in Tampa, the legal professional you should seek help from should be a personal injury attorney Tampa professional and not someone from your home state. A personal injury attorney Tampa professional has the in-state credentials and state-specific knowledge on policies and regulations for dealing with injuries sustained.

The reasoning behind consulting with a local attorney is simple. As noted by Man on the Lam, securing help from local attorneys is the wiser step to take because they are the ones who are more familiar with their respective state’s laws and they may also have connections in the area that may end up benefiting you in the long run.

Even if you have an attorney back home who you trust completely, it would still be best to go to a legal professional based in the same state where your accident occurred.

This is trickier if you’re in a foreign country, but consulting with an attorney is even more important in that situation as your unfamiliarity with the area could cost you dearly if something goes wrong.

Get the Authorities Involved

Now that you’re receiving care in a hospital and have consulted with a local lawyer, it’s now time to turn your attention to exactly what happened that got you into this mess in the first place.

Contact the authorities and tell them what happened. Doing this creates a record of the events that took place according to you and it can come in handy later on when matters concerning insurance and finances will be discussed. It’s best not to delay contacting the authorities if possible as it may become more difficult for you to accurately recall exactly what took place at the time of the accident.

Learn About the Cause of the Accident

The police will do what they can to figure out what transpired during your accident, but you would be well-served to know the facts yourself.

GESinjuryattorneys.com advises you to collect information regarding your accident by getting in touch with potential witnesses and other parties that may be involved.

By arming yourself with facts and evidence, you will be better equipped to handle the aftermath of what happened.

Getting injured while on vacation is just a wholly unpleasant experience. By following the steps outlined above, you can prevent a bad situation from turning into a horrific nightmare.

Author Bio: Adrian Rubin is a freelance photographer and writer based in Philly.

Yummy and Low-Calorie Dessert Recipe: Pink Stuff

Here is one of my favorite things to eat (the kids love it, too!) when I am dying for sweets but need to keep the calories low. So easy and the kids love it!

Take a container of strawberries, a small container of fat-free Cool Whip and a package of sugar-free strawberry Jell-O. Cut up the strawberries and mix it all together. That's it. Easy to double, and easy to change up using different flavors of Jell-O and different fruits. Canned fruit works fine too, such as pineapple or mandarin oranges. Go retro and toss in some shredded coconut!

Sleeping Issues From Newborn to Tween

Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for health at all stages of life. Insufficient good quality sleep can lead to mental and physical health problems, and even a few hours of lost sleep can make you cranky and tired. As with all aspects of childcare, kids will differ. Some children will sleep better than others right from the word go, and some seem to struggle to get to sleep and stay like it for more than a few hours at a time. When the teenage years roll around, the problem very often reverses, and you’re then struggling to get them out of bed! For younger children, there could be a variety of underlying factors as to why they aren’t getting the sleep they need.

Babies

Newborns and infants are the most notoriously difficult when it comes to sleeping for extended periods. There have been studies galore into why this should be so, with three factors coming out as the main causes.

·         Illness or discomfort: If the baby is crying or seems distressed, or is acting in any way out of the ordinary, you should consider whether they might be feeling unwell. They could be coming down with a virus like a cold, or it could be one of the common causes of discomfort and pain in infants such as colic or teething. Most of the time these are simple problems that can be home-medicated, but if the baby has a fever or becomes lethargic and hard to rouse, you should see a doctor. There are treatments for colic, acid reflux, and teething pain that are safe for babies, although sometimes it can be a case of trying each one until you find out which works! You can often get it right the first time if you make a note of every symptom they’re exhibiting and check it against a reputable medical source of information, like the WebMD Children’s Health Center website.

·         Hunger: Babies are best fed frequently throughout the day and night, as their systems are designed to be nourished this way. Some babies adapt well to a more rigid routine, and it’s possible to get them used to feeding on a less frequent basis. That means you are more likely to get a good night’s sleep, but on the other hand, many babies don’t adapt well and will grizzle and cry if not fed when they are hungry. It’s also amazing how much babies can consume! If you’re breastfeeding one of the worries frequently expressed is that you don’t know how much milk baby is drinking. If you’re concerned that baby might not be getting enough, the best approach is to feed them more often and use a breast-pump in between feeds. Doing so will increase the amount of milk you are producing so you can be confident you always have plenty for their needs. You can also supplement the breastmilk with formula, examples of which are detailed on websites such as Formuland.

·         Comfort: The psychological drives of babies are difficult to pin down precisely, due to the fact they have no way of communicating their feelings verbally. It’s also hard to conduct studies on babies due to the ethical issues involved, so the science behind the psychological needs of babies is far from complete. What is known is that physical contact is critically important for a baby’s development. If your infant is crying, they may simply need to be cuddled and comforted. Parents are often afraid that if they respond to a crying baby every time, the child will cry more often because it knows it is going to be picked up. The evidence doesn’t support this belief, in fact, babies who are always comforted when they cry seem to be less prone to this problem. The ultimate in close contact parenting is to keep the baby with you most of the time. Sharing a bed with baby is controversial, because of the risk of suffocation, but a bedside cot is a good compromise. Obviously, the demands of modern life may mean you can’t always be there for your baby, but trustworthy family members and friends, or professionals in child care will be just as effective in soothing a fretful baby.

Toddlers

Once your child starts to move about by themselves, they will be able to get out of bed and wander about, so your best bet is to use a cot or bed with extendable sides to keep them confined to quarters! Having a good bedtime routine will help prepare your toddler for sleep, and reading them a story once they are settled in bed will help them relax and drift off. If your little one persists in getting up and making a fuss, it’s time to be firm but kind. As long as they aren’t sick and there’s nothing wrong, they need to learn that bedtime is for sleep.

Older children

Nightmares and night terrors are the main problem for older kids. All children will dream, and some of those dreams may be nightmares, but they can become so real and terrifying that a child will wake up screaming and hysterical. They will need comforting and settling down to sleep again, which may take a while if they’ve been very distressed. Avoiding unsuitable TV programs, books, games, images, and conversations will help reduce the chances that nightmares will occur, but if they start to happen very regularly, it’s best to have a check-up in case there is an underlying cause. Bedwetting may accompany night terrors, or a child may just be experiencing trouble controlling their bladder overnight. Using sleeping underwear and waterproof bedding will help reduce the cleaning up, and you shouldn’t get mad at your child if they are taking longer to stay dry than their contemporaries. Again, if the problem persists, seek medical advice.

Every child will experience sleep disturbances of some kind as they grow up. Your role as their parent is to try and find the cause so you can address it, and be there to help them in any way you can to get the good night’s sleep they need.