Quick Ways To Get Cash Without Borrowing

Life somehow manages to throw us a curveball when we least expect it. And that curveball often throws us off balance in a big way! A broken-down appliance, a big utility bill, or even getting sick will drain our financial resources in a second. But if you don’t have enough to cover an essential cost, you may find you need to borrow some money to get you through the tough times.

You might not need to borrow. Those of us with a bad credit rating would find it difficult to find an affordable loan in a hurry anyway. Fortunately, there are several alternatives that may suit you better. The first is to find the solution to some quick cash in your own home. Start by sorting through items you never use. This unwanted clutter can be sold to raise the cash you need. It might include unworn clothes, LPs, or even gadgets. You can learn more from Cards2Cash about how to raise some much-needed funds from unused store gift cards too.

It’s best not to sell anything that holds sentimental value. You simply can’t put a price on that. Jewelry may offer a lot of cash, but you may never get the piece back. Instead, you could put your art and craft skills to good use. Selling your own hand-made accessories and jewelry could raise much-needed cash. Of course, you may need to factor in the time it takes to make them.

This photo courtesy of 401kcalculator.org at Flickr.com

Could you live without your car? Most of us can comfortably walk a distance of 2 miles in about half an hour. If there are public transport routes that serve your commute, or you have a bicycle, why not sell your car? Cars cost a fortune in parking, maintenance and fuel. Not only could you raise some cash in a hurry but you may be able to save ongoing too.

If you have the time, and there’s one available, a second job could be ideal. Pick something that pays weekly so you can get your first paycheck in hand quickly. Alternatively, you may be able to ask your boss for a pay advance. This may leave you short for the rest of the month, though. Be sure you can afford to pay your bill this way. Why not offer to do some odd jobs around your neighborhood? A little cash here and there can soon add up.

Selling your hair or blood plasma is another option you might be interested in pursuing. Of course, this can feel quite invasive if you’re not entirely comfortable with these options. Taking back recently purchased items like gadgets, appliances and unworn clothing could help bring in some cash in a hurry too. Refunds are sometimes refused so check your terms of sale first. Did you know that metal is a valuable commodity? If you have anything ready for the scrap heap, try to sell it at the scrapyard first.

Earning or selling are the easiest ways to raise much-needed funds in a hurry. Borrowing can be expensive and unpleasant. How have you raised cash in the past?

Fun And Educational Home Activities To Keep The Kids Amused

When you have five kids at home like me, it's pretty challenging and expensive to go out all the time. That's why it's vital to do some fun activities with the kids at home as well. Activities at home are memorable and fun too. Read on for some great ideas on how to keep your little ones amused and out of mischief :-)

Peer-led teaching

The first activity is fun for the older kids, and the younger ones alike is a peer-led teaching exercise. That mean that the kids teach each other. There is no better way to learn something thoroughly, than having to explain it to someone else. So not only does the child being taught get the benefit, the one doing the teaching does too.

You can do this on any subject that you fancy. It might be better to assign topics so there is no arguing or the little ones don't end up picking something they already know lots about. Then you can be sure that they are using their trading and research skills. Good examples of how this can play out include asking the kids to find out five facts about a topic, or how something like a vacuum or a light bulb works.

You can get them to present their findings verbally, in pictures which they explain or even in a song or video format. Use whatever catches their enthusiasm. Then those that are listening can score the presenter on their facts, presentation style and question answering.

Quizzes

Another great activity for the whole family is a quiz. There are a few ways of doing this depending on how much time you have. The first is to download a ready-made quiz with answers from the internet.

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The second is to come up with your own questions and answers. You can theme these around a certain topic, which works well for assessing their learning. Or you can make them about particular holidays like Christmas and Easter.

The last way of creating a quiz is to split the kids into two teams and get them to research and write a quiz for the other team. This is a magnificent way of getting the maximum amount of time and entertainment from one activity. To really up the ante you should offer trophies and awards to the winners. This will help to motivate the kids to do well and help them get into the spirit of friendly competition.

The catalog project

An incredibly fun and practical task that you can do with the kids is budgeting using a catalog. The idea is that you set them a scenario, like moving house or redecorating their bedroom. Then you get them to search through a catalog to find all the things they would like and need.

They then cut these out and stick them on a piece of paper with the price underneath. The aim of the game is to not go over the budget you have set them. Its teaches them all sorts of skills like budgeting, selecting and weighing up pros and cons. It also helps them to get to grips with the real value of money, which can be tough for children.

Outdoor Spaces: Why Summer In A House Beats Apartment Living

In the eternal battle of what is best - simple apartment living or having a house - there are so many differing viewpoints. Those of us who favor an apartment point out that it's more self contained. You're more insulated from the outside. And if you live in a high-rise, you're way above all the noise. Meanwhile, Team House will point out that they don't share a mailbox and their sitting room isn't up some stairs.

Pressing home their advantage, House people will point out that they have gardens. Feeling they've spotted a glaring error, Apartmenters will say "Good! I don't want to have to weed, plant, water and mow. I win!". And if you're a House person, you might momentarily agree. Until you reach into your bag and pull out the winning card. "Summer", you say with a grin. And you have won. Summer in an apartment sucks. In a house with an outdoor space, it's wonderful.

Social Life: Garden Parties Make Summer Worth It All

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If you've hosted an event in an enclosed space in summer, you'll know how quickly a party can become a hellscape. A lot of bodies close together means body heat. An enclosed space means it accumulates. C&C Music Factory may have announced they were "gonna make you sweat", but they should have admitted that's not a good thing. Take the party outside, however, and as the sun goes down it gets cooler. You can party for longer if you aren't dehydrated.

Relaxation: Better If You're Not In A Big Glass Box

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We all like to take time in the summer to just sit and enjoy the sun. In an apartment you can throw the windows open and maybe let a breeze in. Then you realise it's just recycling warm air, and your apartment still feels like a furnace. Meanwhile, in the garden, you could be reclining in a chair reading a good book with a glass of something cold next to you. With a parasol, you can even get a bit of shade.

Working: Fresh Air Makes Everything Better, Even Work

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Being hunched over a laptop in the summer, you start to think unreasonable things. Like "my grandparents worked twelve hours a day in a factory, but I bet they were never this uncomfortable". Yes, we've all been there. We're wrong, but the heat does things to people. Take your laptop out on to the porch, and with help from The Rocking Chair Company you can enjoy the breeze and shade. If you're in an apartment? No porch, no fun.

Sure, sometimes the garden will feel like it's the source of more stress than it's worth. Having an outdoor space can mean more tidying to do, as people's litter has a way of finding you. But in the summer months, sitting rocking outside or welcoming friends for a party, you'll be glad you have it. With the right furniture and accessories, getting out of the house in summer can be bliss. And it doesn't mean you have to lose the comforts and convenience of home.

Is It Ever Too Early To Plan For The Holidays? Shopping For A Big Family Made Simple!

I know what you’re thinking. It’s summer. But before we know it, the temperature will drop, the afternoon sun will vanish, and we’ll be on a Christmas countdown. When you’ve got a big family, time management is everything! If you’re eager to get ahead of schedule, here are some holiday shopping and planning tips to prevent last-minute meltdowns.

Budgeting

If you don’t already draw up a monthly budget, now is the time to start! Budgeting is a useful way of keeping track of your finances and helping you to save. Some months may be more costly than others. You can adjust your budget accordingly, and plan ahead. With the holidays not far away, sticking to a budget is even more important. Work out how much you can afford to put in the pot each month in the run-up to the festive period. You may want to save and then do your shopping closer to the time. Alternatively, you could start putting gifts away now. Planning ahead enables you to spread the cost, rather than taking a massive financial hit in December.

If you’re not used to budgeting, there are loads of tools you can use. You can download templates online, or use spreadsheets. If you’re a fan of old-fashioned techniques, you can get a pen and a notepad out. When you’re doing your budget, write down all your usually monthly outgoings, such as bills. Add any one-off payments you’re expecting, such as birthdays or vacations. In another column, jot down everything you’ve got coming in. Work out how much you have available once you’ve done your sums. This will help you to determine how much you can spend.

If you have a large extended family, have a chat about gift budgets. Are you buying for your kids, as well as siblings, parents and nephews and nieces? If so, this can be incredibly expensive. To make life easier for all of you, you could set a limit or create a Secret Santa style system? You could buy for one sibling each and then join forces for your parents, for example.  

Image credit https://www.flickr.com/photos/teegardin/5913014568

Making savings

All of us want to make savings wherever possible. Christmas begins early in the retail world, so look out for offers and deals. If you spot potential gifts, hang fire. Sign up for mailing lists and register your email address with discount websites. If you’re on the mailing list, you’ll receive offer codes, coupons, and news of flash sales. When you’re catering for a large party, or buying a lot of gifts, the odd saving here and there soon adds up.

At Christmas, we tend to push the boat out when it comes to food and drink. If you shop at the same supermarket, make sure you take advantage of loyalty offers. Are you enrolled in a scheme? Do you collect points every time you go to the checkout? Are you receiving the coupons you’re entitled to? You may also notice that as the holiday season approaches, popular items are offered at lower prices. If you buy the same things every year, make sure you take advantage of deals. If there’s a half-price offer on, or a 2-for-1, stock up.

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Coming up with gift ideas

Finding the best gifts is perhaps the most important goal for every parent at Christmas. You want your kids’ little faces to light up when they tear off the paper on Christmas morning. If you have lots of kids, buying gifts requires thought, organization, and imagination. If you’re looking for ideas, here is a mini gift guide to get you thinking.

Gifts for babies

Buying for babies can be tricky. They don’t really have any concept of what’s going on at Christmas, but you still want to make a fuss. Classic toys are always a good idea. They never go out of fashion, and children can play with them when they get a little older. Soft toys, train tracks, and books are popular options. As babies grow, they become more responsive to noises, lights, and colors. Look out for sensory toys that will stimulate them. Bath toys are another good option. If your baby is starting to get up and about, try and encourage them to crawl and walk by buying push-along toys and ride-ons.

Buying for toddlers

Toddlers usually have a pretty good idea of what they like, so use their interests as inspiration for your search. Do they love animals or are they crazy about dinosaurs? Is space a big hit at the moment, or have you got a mini racing driver on your hands? Toddlers to be very active, so invest in games and outdoor toys. Many toddlers also enjoy engaging in role play. Fancy dress outfits and toy kitchens, houses, and shops are all fantastic choices. These kinds of presents promote imaginative play. They’re also great for encouraging bonding between siblings. If you buy a house, for example, you could ask your family and friends to buy furniture or accessories to go with it.

Presents for older kids

As kids get older, they tend to present you with a ready-made list of things they want. This can make shopping easy, but it’s always good to throw in a few surprises too. For older children, buying presents can be challenging. Why not add a personal touch to make your presents extra special? You could invest in a personalized t-shirt or a backpack, for example? You could buy initialed jewelry, or design a sticker for a skateboard? You’ll find some amazingly unique gift ideas online.

Ideas for teenagers

Teenagers are notoriously difficult to buy for. Many just ask for money, but it’s nice to have something to open on Christmas Day. Think about your teen’s interests and hobbies when you’re tracking down gifts. Do they love sport, or are they a massive fan of computer games? Do they collect gadgets or spend all their time watching YouTube makeup tutorials? Think about what they spend their money on and listen out for hints!

Family gift ideas

Sometimes, it’s lovely to treat the family as a whole to a gift. There may be something you’re all desperate for at home, such as a new TV or a tablet. You could buy some new board games to play together or update your DVD collection. Alternatively, why not spend some quality time together? You could book a weekend away or a day out somewhere. Go camping, take a trip to the beach or visit a theme park. Time flies and time together is often much more precious than material presents.

Image taken from https://www.pexels.com/photo/gifts-christmas-surprise-23074/

Embracing online shopping

Does the thought of traipsing around busy shopping malls with heavy bags fill you with dread? Are you keen to avoid last-minute dashes to the store and queues of stressed-out shoppers? If so, there’s a solution. Internet shopping is a blessing for every parent looking to do their shopping with minimal stress. If you have a laptop, smartphone or tablet, you can buy everything you need from the comfort of your living room. You don’t need to worry about carrying heavy objects through the streets, queuing for hours on end, or moving through crowds at snail pace.

Shopping online is also an excellent way of saving money. If you have ideas, you can use search engines to compare prices online. You’ll often find that retailers sell the same products, but the prices vary significantly. If you save on every item you buy, this could make a massive difference to your total spend.

If you’re new to online shopping, it can take a bit of getting used to. But persist with it. Before you know it, you’ll be navigating the Internet with ease. Search engines will become your new best friend. From the search page, you’ll find everything you need just by typing in some keywords. You can browse to your heart’s content, or track down specific items.

The Internet is also an excellent resource if you’re looking for inspiration. You’ll find ideas for festive decorations, recipes or activities to do with the kids.

Image source: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=shopping

There are weeks to go before Christmas, but it’s always good to be prepared. If you have a large family, shopping can take ages and become incredibly stressful. If you start thinking about ideas now, you’ll save yourself time and effort. Before you start shopping, do some simple accounting. Set a budget for the next few months, and work out how much you want to spend on Christmas grocery and gift shopping. You can either set aside a sum each month or start shopping early. Collect vouchers and coupons, and use the Internet to find out about discount codes. If you see things you like, sign up for the website’s mailing list. The emails that you get often contain special offers. If you hang fire, you could buy the items you want with 10 or 20% off, for example. If you get to grips with online shopping, you can also find incredible gift ideas, and save yourself the hassle of braving busy malls.

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Don't Let Your Kids Drift Apart From Their Grandparents

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The relationship between your kids and their grandparents is a very special one. It teaches your kids how to respect their elders and lets them learn more about their family history. Your parents can also benefit from seeing their grandchildren. It can stop them from getting lonely, and their presence can make them feel young. Being part of their upbringing will also mean the world to them. But as wonderful as this bond can be, it can also be easy for your children and their grandparents to drift apart. So whether there are miles between them or not, here are some fun ways to keep their relationship strong.

Communicate via letters

Most kids might see letter writing as old fashioned. But it’s a brilliant way of corresponding with their grandparents. Your kids can draw pictures and inform their grandparents about school and their friends. Your parents can write back and tell your kids about their senior companion program or a hobby they’ve started. This is a fantastic way for them to learn more about one another by asking questions. Your parents might want to know what your son’s favorite sports team is. Or your daughter might want to ask what life was like when your parents were her age. The letters can also be used as mementos and keepsakes to look back on in years to come. Whether they write once a month or a week, it will give both parties something to look forward to.

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Introduce them to video calls

If your parents live far away, and your children don’t see them often, phone calls might seem like the only way they can communicate. While this is an option, video calling can be even better. If they don’t already have one, you could buy your parents a smartphone or tablet which they can use to video call your kids. You can organize for them to call multiple times a week during family activities. Your parent might want to help homeschool their grandparents by video calling during their lesson. Or your kids might want to them to read them a bedtime story. Video calling bridges the gap between relatives who live far away and helps everyone stay more connected.

Encourage them to start a project

Encouraging your kids and your parents to start a project is a fantastic way of helping them bond. This gives them a chance to learn a lot from each other. Your Mom could teach your kids how to sew or bake a cake. Or your Dad could help them build a treehouse or fort in your garden. Your kids could also teach their grandparents the words to a song or how to play a board game. During these major or minor projects, they have endless opportunities to talk and have fun together.

So don’t let your kids and their grandparents drift apart. Use these ideas or come up with some of your own to help build and maintain this special bond. Even the smallest activity can create a lifetime of memories that your family can treasure.