admin, Author at 3 Kids and Us

How to Help Your Teen Have a Great Future

August 26, 2020 by admin

Helping your teen navigate some of the most emotional and pivotal years of their life can be a challenging task at times. Many parents struggle with finding the right balance between giving advice and telling them what to do. You know that your teen needs to be able to figure some things out on their own, however you might also feel like you know what is best for them in certain situations. While this may be true, allowing them to find their own way with your guidance, as opposed to control, is important.

The fact of the matter is that your teen is going to have an exciting future ahead of them. If you are looking for ways in which you can help them achieve all that they can and enjoy that bright future, here are a few tips to bear in mind.

Learn to Listen

When it comes to helping your teen to have a great future, one of the most important things you can do for them is to learn how to listen. It is only by listening to your teen that you will be able to better understand the vision that they have for their own future. By learning to listen, you can offer them all the assistance and guidance that they need in order to achieve the future they are after.

Listening is also the only way to know where your teen is at right now emotionally and mentally speaking. Your teen might be dealing with struggles that haven’t been apparent to you up until now. You should pay special attention when they reach out to you and try to read between the lines when they share things with you. Many teens find it difficult to be honest with their parents about the things they are dealing with, but if you let them know that you are there to listen to them then they will be more likely to open up.

If you do find that your teen is in need of more specialized help, you can then bring them to a rehab center for teens. You will never know if such a step is necessary, though, unless you learn to listen.

Help Them Plan

In order for your teen to achieve the bright future that they envision and that you want for them, they will need to take definitive steps towards it. This means that you will both need to be on the same page about what that future looks like and what needs to be done in pursuit of it.

If your ten has a specific career in mind, what sort of degree and experience are necessary to be qualified for such a career? If they don’t know yet what they want to do with their life, are there certain areas of interest that they can explore? You might consider having them shadow a professional who is already working in one of your teen’s areas of interest.

Whatever their future holds, they will need your help to plan out the right path to that future.

The Staple Pieces That Should Be in Every Moms Wardrobe

August 26, 2020 by admin

Whether you’re a new mom or have been a mom for thirty years, you know that your kids often take priority. You’re likely more concerned with your child’s wardrobe than your own, and being so busy means not much time for shopping for yourself. You’re always on the go and need a wardrobe that supports your lifestyle. That said, you also deserve to have some fun with your clothing. It needs to be easy for you to throw on and go, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look fabulous.

By stocking your wardrobe with these four pieces, you won’t have to fuss about what to wear, and you’ll always be comfortable and stylish.

1. Supportive bra

If you’re going to be running around all day, you need undergarments to support the girls. Invest in a few good quality bras that fit correctly to ensure they are comfortable and functional. Wearing the wrong size bra can do more harm than good, but a bra that fits can help keep your girls looking perky and reduce back pain. Get something with a little bit of lace to make you feel extra pretty. Even though no one can see it, you will know, and that’s all that matters.

2. Flattering jeans

Every woman, whether they are a mom or not, needs a well-fitting pair of jeans. They are the most versatile piece of clothing that you can dress up or down without giving it too much thought. You can wear them to run errands, go for brunch with the girls, or out for dinner with your husband. Since you’ll be wearing them so often, it’s worth investing in a high-quality pair from a reputable retailer like Old Navy. You want them to be durable and withstand all the wear and tear they will inevitably get. You can help save on the costs by using an Old Navy coupon when you make your purchase.

3. Cute flats

A pair of cute flats are essential for a mom’s wardrobe. You don’t always want to wear running shoes since they won’t go with dresses, skirts, trousers, or other cute outfits. Flats are a happy medium because you can get some that are stylish but still comfortable. You need something that you can walk around in all day without getting blisters, or pain in your feet, legs, or back. There are supportive options of just about every style and color you can think of to choose from, and you can wear them with anything in your wardrobe.

4. A layering cardigan

A cardigan is a staple wardrobe piece as it’s quick to throw on and pulls any look together. A neutral color like black or beige will make it extremely versatile, although you can let your personality shine with fun patterns as well. You can layer it over tank tops, t-shirts, dresses or jumpsuits, allowing your other wardrobe pieces to transition into the colder seasons. Cardigans are lightweight and can easily fit into your baby bag, meaning that you can throw it on whenever it gets a bit cool instead of taking bulky jackets or sweaters everywhere.

How to Make Your Money Stretch Until Payday

August 25, 2020 by admin

We’ve all been there. Funds are low, payday seems years away, and in that moment, you feel like you might not make it. Waiting for payday can make your days feel grey and dull, or it can make it feel like time is at a standstill, especially if you’re struggling financially, or have debt that needs to be paid.

Thankfully, there are ways to make your money go further and to help make those last few days before salvation a little bit more bearable and less stressful. Here are some of the top ways to make your money stretch as you wait till payday.

Set a Spending Allowance

One of the first things that needs to be done when trying to last till payday is to take stock of your current finances and figure out how much you have left. Once you have that, you should be able to work out how much money you can spend each day. Now with this limit in place, you need to prioritise the essentials that you need to spend it on. Food will be your main concern, so make sure you budget that into your allowance, as well as bills and utilities.

When following an allowance, it’s vital that you stick to it and avoid unnecessary payments. It is always best to underspend one day and let the leftover funds rollover to the next than it is to overspend and find yourself trying to cut down on the next day.

To help keep you on track, it may be worthwhile keeping a record of everything you’re spending with a spending diary, so that you can be held accountable. By having these records, you can more clearly spot patterns and spending habits that you should try and break.

Use Discounts When You Shop

If you do have to go shopping during this time as you wait till payday, it’s important to try and get the best deals you can find. Shops usually drop sales between Wednesday and Fridays, so it’s always good to shop then and be sure to go towards the end of the day, as there’s more chance there’ll be produce in the reduced aisle that the store wants to get rid of.

When online shopping, you can also get great discounts through coupons. These can reduce the prices on your goods and some can also be used in conjunction with each other to stack deals and reduce the price even further. Also keep an eye out for free shipping, as this can drastically reduce the prices of online goods.

Try Free Activities

When some people are low on funds, they feel they’re unable to have fun and enjoy themselves, as socialising is usually a costly pastime. However, it’s important that we remain active to boost our mood and general wellbeing. That’s why it’s a good idea to do free activities.

There are plenty of free things people can do, too, depending on where you live. You can always go to the local park, hike in a forest or other nature reserve, check out some free museums or even just have people round for movies and snacks. You don’t have to break the bank to have fun and see friends and doing this can really help make the days till payday pass quicker and become more bearable.

Reasons Personal Information is Key When Choosing Hampers for Christmas

August 20, 2020 by admin

Studies show that giving a wrong gift can hurt your relationship. But how do you ensure that your intended recipient will love the present they get?

As Christmas approaches, many people tend to prepare a gift list for the festive season. You have to choose who will get a present, how much you are going to spend on it, and, more importantly, what you are going to get.

In Australia, people spend hundreds of dollars on gifts to show their love for family and friends. Although giving a gift makes you happy and shows the recipient that you care, presenting an undesirable item can hurt your relationship.

For instance, if you are in a romantic relationship, choosing the wrong gift is risky because it shows that you don’t have anything in common with your partner. Psychology experts also say that unwanted presents can affect the recipient’s perception of the relationship’s future.

It is worth noting that purchasing an expensive gift is not a guarantee that the receiver will like it. Since you don’t want to disappoint the recipient, here are some tips to help find a gift they will find desirable.

Ask Them What They Want

If you are unsure about what to gift a person, ask them what they want. Research shows that people are more appreciative of presents they ask than random ones. You might want to surprise the other party, but knowing what they wish to precisely get is better and less likely to end in disappointment. This is the primary reason why knowing personal preferences is essential when shopping for a Christmas gift hamper.

However, there is a notion that useful gifts are supposed to be a surprise. Asking an individual what they want is taboo and shameful in most societies.

Buy Based on Shared Interests

Another way through which personal information helps in gift-giving is that you go for something you both like. Instead of using your preferences when deciding, focus on what you have in common and pick a gift from there. For instance, if both of your love tea, you could gift them the Wedgewood Tea Hamper.

People prefer choosing items for themselves. If you have things in common with the receiver, it is likely that they also like what you like.

To get more appreciation from the recipient, go for a gift that they can experience, such as a movie ticket, a subscription to online classes, and so forth. Studies show that experiential presents strengthen the bond between the giver and the recipient, even if the former doesn’t share the experience.

Avoid Overthinking

When purchasing a gift, avoid overthinking since people rarely complain about gifts. Unless someone has their issues, they are likely to appreciate whatever you get them. Remember that people always get thoughtful of you whenever you present a gift to them. Moreover, they are inclined to think more of your intentions if they consider the gift undesirable.

If the receiver feels like you took your time to select a particular gift, they will appreciate the effort. During such thoughts, the recipients feel closer to you.

Conclusion

Gifting is a widespread practice in Australia and across the globe, especially during the festive season. Giving presents makes you feel good and shows the other person that you care. To avoid giving an unwanted gift, ask the other party what they want, go for something you have in common, and avoid overthinking.

Tips to Reduce Your Car Insurance Costs

August 12, 2020 by admin

There are different factors which can affect what kind of car insurance you can get. Age, gender, what type of car you have, what city you live in, driving history, how long you’ve been driving, and many other factors affects what kind of car insurance you will get. Each state varies, but most Americans are paying on average $129 per month on car insurance. In some states like California, drivers are paying $147 per month. There are ways to reduce your Root Insurance costs. These are just a few tips on how to lower your car insurance.

Choose Your Car Wisely

The more luxury and expensive cars are going to cost more to insure. Minivans and SUVs are going to be less expensive to insure than the flashy cars. Car insurance quotes will vary depending on what kind of car you have. Also, driving slowly and safely will help lower the cost of insurance because getting traffic tickets and getting into accidents will increase your car insurance. Another tip is to drop the parts of your insurance that isn’t necessary.

Improve Your Credit Score

Your credit score will affect how much your car insurance will cost. It might be best to improve your credit score before you get a car so that your insurance isn’t too expensive. Some tips for that is to make loan and credit card payments on time, keep the credit card balances low, and don’t apply for too many credit cards as this can affect your credit score.

Usage-Based Insurance

Some people may not be using their car too much, so usage-based insurance is another option. Usage-based driving is like a pay-per-mile type of program. The rate is based on how well you drive and also how many miles you drive. It can measure and keep track of it because of a small device that you install inside your car that will send the data and mileage use to your insurance company. Then, you get a discount for having a low mileage use. It can only be used in some states. Some insurance companies have them while others do not have the usage-based insurance.

Insurance Coverage

Another tip on reducing your car insurance costs is to only pay for coverage that you need. Everyone needs liability insurance so that if someone gets injured from a car accident, and if the cars involved in the accident get damaged, then it is covered. There are other coverages on insurance plans which include collision, comprehensive, medical costs, and more. Changing your insurance package to only coverage that you feel you need is one way to cut the costs of car insurance.

Other Tips on Reducing Car Insurance

There are other ways to cut your costs of insurance as well. One tip is to look around at other insurance companies and see if there is a better deal. If you are a young driver, you might want to consider keeping good grades as you might get a discount on your insurance. If you are an older driver, there might be a discount for that as well. Having a good credit score, looking around at different car insurance companies for the best quote, and using any discounts that may apply are the best ways to reduce the car insurance costs.