admin, Author at 3 Kids and Us

Managing the Family Budget

December 15, 2020 by admin

All parents need to organize the family’s finances, and sticking to a budget can be tricky. There are always some unforeseen expenses, whether it’s that the kids need something for school or you need emergency home repairs. While you can’t avoid these bumps in the road, sticking to the budget the best you can for the rest of the time is what will help you feel a little less concerned about your finances. Below are a few tips if you’re trying to figure out your family’s budget and how you can save even more.

Save for Christmas

As the holidays are just around the corner, it seems like they’re worth a mention, especially as this can be one of the most expensive times of the year for people. Getting involved in the festivities is part of the fun around Christmas, but if you are trying to stick to a budget seeing the funds deplete from your bank account is only stressful. To make things a bit easier and to allow you to enjoy the jolly season, open a separate saving account for Christmas or whichever holiday you celebrate, and put in a little bit each month from the start of the year. You could also do this for your family’s summer vacations too.

Meal Plan

Life is very busy, especially if you’re trying to balance a career with raising a family. Sometimes it feels as though you don’t get a moment to yourself, which is why a lot of people might end up going to the grocery store and picking up random things for dinner while they’re in a rush, or ordering take out. To avoid wasting food and to help you stick to your budget, take the time to plan your family meals before you go grocery shopping and only buy the items on your list. This will also help you to keep your family eating balanced meals throughout the week.

Use Coupons

If you’re trying to make some cutbacks on your spending but aren’t sure where you can, think about finding some coupons or taking advantage of discounts at the stores you like. They’re easy to find online and could end up saving you a lot of money; some even offer cashback promotions, which is even better. You can even make more money if you use this RobinHood gift card and invest.

Sell Old Stuff

Do you have things lying around in the house that are in good condition but you never use? Things like kids’ toys that are no longer played with clothes, electronic devices, etc. If you want to make some extra cash to help with your family saving plan, consider selling some of your unwanted possessions online. It’ll also help you declutter your home, so it’s a win/win situation.

Life can get expensive very quickly, and when you have a family to support, this only adds to the financial pressures. However, using some of these simple tips could help you manage the family budget a little easier and hopefully help you save up for the big things in life.

Eyelash extension – all your questions answered

December 9, 2020 by admin

The realisation that eyes truly are the window of the soul and taking care of what your eyes look like has an impact is not new. There is a lot of history behind enhancing the beauty and appeal of your eyes and their lashes. It will surprise most people to know that methods of elongating lashes were much sought after and written about as far back as the 1800’s. False eye lashes got a huge boost in the 1930’s when the influential Vogue magazine featured them, thus giving them fashions official seal of approval.

Materials science has come a long way since the early resin based false eyelashes of the 1960’s which, by today’s standards, were extremely limited in the options they gave for different looks. Standard practice was to always add one false or extension lash for each single original lash. Nowadays, of course, you have more options available. Many of the styles and designs focus on giving more volume to the lash, sometimes fanning out in different shapes and configurations. The application of lash extensions has become much more of an artform.

As the industry has developed and become more complex and demanding it has needed much more specialised skills and training to really do justice to an extension. Many technicians and practitioners are now members of various guilds such as the Guild of Beauty Therapists and the activities are overseen by regulatory bodies making sure that standards are met. There is intense competition as well with the top skilled in the industry vying for recognition and prestigious awards. Designer Lashes of London has been recognised at the Lash Festival and is a former winner of Eyelash Technician of the Year.

Before getting their first lash extensions there are several common questions and misunderstandings people have that are easily cleared up.

Firstly, getting your extensions applied does not hurt. In fact, it can even be a soothing and therapeutic experience being gently pampered.

Modern eyelash extensions correctly applied do not damage your original lashes. They are usually gently, semi-permanently glued on top of your own eyelashes one by one. They usually last for several weeks before starting to fall off and requiring a retouch. There are some standard tips and suggestions for looking after them to help the effect last.

Although you can shower with your new lashes it is best to wait till 24 hours after the application. Also avoid mascara that is waterproof, or oil based as the chemicals used can dissolve the glue that bonds the lashes on. You can even swim with your lashes on should you so desire.

Do not pick at your lashes or rub them overly. This is never a good idea. Do take extra care and be gentle when removing eye make up in the evening.

Your beauty therapist will have more care tips for you to help maintain the look that you have chosen. When it comes to that look as mentioned there are a whole host of styles but it is generally best to have a talk with the professionals about what would look best for you since there is a dizzying range of choices, you can even go for a completely custom look that is all just you. Whatever style you do wind up for the first one eyelash extensions add another powerful option to your repertoire.

4 Smart Spending Habits to Develop ASAP

November 23, 2020 by admin

When people talk about making smart financial decisions, they almost always discuss money-saving tactics. Of course, finding ways to cut back or cut down on expenditures can make it easier for a person to manage their debt and pay off bills. However, the reality is that developing smart spending habits can prove just as beneficial. Indeed, learning how to be a savvy consumer can do wonders for your long-term financial stability. With that in mind, today we’ll explore four smart spending habits that everyone should work to build right away. Check them out here:

Stay Patient

Have you ever felt compelled to make a purchase? Or have you ever bought something on a whim and then regretted it later? If so, then know that you’re not alone. While impulse buying is fairly common, it is nevertheless a bad practice –– particularly for people on a tight budget. Given that fact, it’s important for all consumers to exercise patience when considering their purchase options. Give yourself at least a few days to review serious purchases and never rush to buy a product or service you don’t need.

Engage with Businesses

Modern businesses value customers that reach out and engage with them. In fact, they value customer interactions so much that they may be willing to pass along discounts or special offers to consumers who communicate with them. For example, pharmacy customers might be able to earn discounts simply by filling out a survey about their last shopping experience. If you’re looking for a good deal, don’t be afraid to speak directly with local businesses.

Become Brand Blind

Attachment to a certain brand could end up costing you hundreds –– or even thousands –– of dollars in unnecessary upcharges over a long period of time. Whenever possible, ignore brand names and advertising messages and compare products and services in an objective fashion. Often, you’ll find that the “name brand” is overpriced or over-hyped.

Maximize Positive Impact

Believe it or not, your spending power can go a long way. That is, provided you know how to stretch it. Whenever you’re making a purchase decision, be sure to consider how you can get the best bang for your buck. For instance, purchasing a piece of equipment might cost more than renting it. However, if you use that product on a regular basis, purchasing it will end up costing you less than renting it again and again. What’s more, consider how your purchases will affect others. Don’t ever forget that even a small act of charity can make all the difference for someone else. Keep that vital money lesson in mind the next time you’re faced with a choice of how to spend your hard-earned capital.

4 Methods From Talkspace to Discover Whether Online Learning Works for Your Child

November 10, 2020 by admin

Throughout the world, many students are experiencing school in a completely new way. Instead of students learning in a classroom, most educational facilities have begun online or distance learning. Other students are experiencing hybrid plans, combining both in-person and distance education.

Many students are dealing with new ways to learn. However, it’s also important to think about what these children’s parents are going through.

Determining Whether Distance Learning Works for Your Child

If you want to learn how your child is doing with distance learning, you can follow a few tips. Here are four great ways to learn more about how online learning works for your child.

Take a Closer Look at Their Problems

During this time, many children feel that online learning is like entering a new world. Because of this feeling, it’s understandable for children to feel like they’re struggling in certain areas. If you want to help your child, take a closer look at the exact issues they’re experiencing.

Work to Establish Educational Goals

Another important step to take is to understand your child’s goals. These types of goals can vary, depending on your child’s age and where they’re at in lesson plans. It’s also a good idea to ask your child’s school or teacher if they can provide you with copies of current lesson plans.

Focus on Your Child’s Mental Health

As people continue focusing on physical health issues, it’s sometimes easy to forget about your family’s mental health. When you’re used to attending school in person, remote learning sometimes causes mental health issues to develop.

Another way to help your child includes online therapy. Popular online therapy services like Talkspace enable children to speak with therapists. Plus, Talkspace has many therapists on hand who specialize in helping younger patients. Best of all, services like Talkspace are often more cost-effective than working with a local therapist.

Take Time to Speak With Educators

There’s another important group to focus on during this time, and that’s those teaching your children. Educators also have to make many adjustments to work from home. With that in mind, they know a lot about what you and your child might be going through. If your child is dealing with distance learning issues, it’s a good idea to schedule a time to speak with their teacher.

This type of meeting is helpful because it allows teachers to take a closer look at what issues your child might be dealing with. Unfortunately, it’s sometimes hard for teachers to spot what’s happening with one student in a remote setting. It might also allow your child to schedule one-on-time time with a teacher.

Parents Know Best

If things are going well with your child’s distance learning, that’s great. However, as a parent, you probably know the signs of a struggling child. It’s difficult to find children and parents who aren’t struggling with this new way of learning. Fortunately, the stress of this event is something we will all eventually put behind us.

Everything You Need to Know About Getting Sleep as a New Parent

November 6, 2020 by admin

Bringing home a baby is one of the greatest joys you will ever experience in life. You’ve just created a beautiful miracle and are ready to raise this baby with your values and happy memories. While you’re glowing in the glory of welcoming the new addition to your family, in the back of your mind you’re worrying about the lack of sleep you’ll have over the next few months.

It isn’t easy raising a baby, especially as a new parent. Luckily, there are great techniques and tips to help you get the sleep you need to take care of your newborn baby.

Sleep While the Baby Sleeps

It’s the oldest tip in the book for new parents, but it’s effective. Whenever the baby falls asleep you have the chance to grab a few good moments of sleep and relaxation. Even if you can’t fall asleep it’s a good idea to lie down and close your eyes for a bit to build up your energy again.

Create a Comfortable Sleep Environment

When you do have the chance to sleep, make sure it’s in a comfortable environment. Clean your bedroom and take out all of the clutter that can distract you and remind you of things you must do later. Your environment should be calm, dark, and sleep inducing.

Also create a comfortable sleep environment for the baby. Make sure he or she has a quiet room with a comfortable temperature to help them fall and stay asleep.

Practice Good Sleep Habits

Just like how we practice good habits in the shower and for our teeth, it’s important to have good habits when it comes to sleep. The three most effective sleep practices include:

No caffeine in the afternoon
No electronics an hour before bed
Create a sleep schedule

It’s important that you don’t rely on caffeine to stay awake. It dehydrates you and too much can increase anxiety.

Instead of scrolling through your phone, answering emails, or watching television, try reading a book or listening to a podcast before you go to sleep.

Lastly, while having a sleep schedule isn’t easy with a newborn, trying to stay consistent when you wake up and go to sleep can help you tremendously as a new parent.

Leave the Chores

You don’t have to be perfect. Every new parent is going to have all of their attention on taking care of their baby. If you leave a sink full of dirty dishes or a load of laundry in the dryer for tomorrow, nobody is going to judge you. Don’t over exert yourself trying to keep a clean house if it means sacrificing sleep.

Ask for Help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It isn’t easy being a new parent and you deserve to have some help. Whether you ask your partner, friends, family members, or even sign up for baby coaching lessons, getting the help you need is essential when raising a newborn. Getting help means you can focus more on your baby and create the best life possible.