3 Kids and Us

Top 5 Golfing Destinations in the UK

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If you love golf then tying that activity in with some travel seems to make perfect sense, not only can you experience somewhere new but you can also try your hand at a range of different courses. Throughout the UK there are hundreds of destinations and courses which you can chose from and each course offers its own unique challenges. from links courses to courses which have been used on the British and the PGA tour, here are our top picks for holiday destinations for the perfect golfing break with excellently priced hotel offers.

Celtic Manor

Following the Ryder Cup in 2010 golf in Wales has become even more popular than it was before and one of the most prestigious courses to play is Celtic Manor, the location of that year’s competition. Celtic Manor is set in beautiful Newport in the south east of Wales. The destination is set alongside the River Usk and it is very close to the coast. Green fees at this world-famous course vary from month to month and can be anywhere between £89 -£139 depending on which month you chose to go.

Macdonald Linden Hall

This golf and country club is set in the heart of Northumberland and is situated on 450 acres of private land. The views from the hotel here are spectacular, gazing across the rolling Northumberland landscape, and the club itself has won numerous awards for its hospitality and for its dining experience. The golf course isn’t bad either, it was designed by Jonathan Gaunt and is a 72 par parkland course. Even the par 3s here are challenging and the design of the water hazards and bunkers will test your ability.

Dalmahoy Hotel

The Dalmahoy hotel can be found just outside Edinburgh city center and it offers far more than just a golf course. From the hotel you will have spectacular views of Edinburgh castle and the Forth Bridges, and on-site there are more than 200 rooms which are steeped in history. There are two courses here, the east and the west, and the east course was built back in 1927 by James Braid and it is a par 73 with perfectly cared for greens. The narrow fairways on the west course can challenge even the best drivers and smaller greens make this the most challenging course of the two. Green fees here run at between £74-£123 depending on what time of year you decide to go.

Marriott Hanbury Manor

This hotel and country club in Hertfordshire is one of the UKs finest resorts, it offers 5-star dining and has a spa which has won multiple awards. Beyond the golf course you’ll also find gyms, steam rooms, a pool and a tennis court on the premises. The golf course was actually designed by the son of golfing great Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1990. To complete this challenging course you need to have a range of abilities including long drives, carefully picked shots on the fairway and an eye for putting on these pacy greens.

The UK has plenty of great golfing breaks available, why not give one a try this year?

3 Fun, Simple and Powerful Ways to Teach Young Kids About Money

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For parents, the message and motivation is simple: if you don’t take the time to teach your kids about money, then something or someone else will — and those lessons are likely to be financially costly and emotionally painful.

What’s more, unlike talking about that other subject (yes, you know the one — birds and bees and all of that stuff), discussing money doesn’t need to be uncomfortable or awkward.

Instead, talking to your kids about money can be fun and interesting — not just for them, but for you, too. Here are three suggestions:

1. Take your kids food shopping and make them part of the process from purchasing to paying.

Understandably, most parents who take their young kids food shopping have one clear goal in mind: get in and get out as quickly as possible, and with a minimum amount of whining, complaining, and “if you don’t start behaving right now then no TV for a week!” threats.

However, one way to get kids interested in the experience and boost their budding financial literacy, is by coaching them to be part of the process. Help them understand how similar products have different prices, and why some products like milk and butter are cheaper than others like imported fruits and pine nuts. And when it comes to paying, help them see — or better yet, let them handle — the transaction, so they can start understanding how the system works.

2. Use rewards and incentives to help kids pay themselves first.

In the financial world for grown-ups, a new and better way of looking at saving these days is to “pay yourself first”. In a similar sense, you can help your kids appreciate this fundamentally important aspect by using rewards and incentives for them to save more and spend less.

For example, if Santa Claus had your child on the good list (even after that “incident” with the grape juice) and handed him or her a $20 bill at Christmas, then you might offer to match their savings dollar-for-dollar after two or three months. Or, if your child has their heart set on something that costs more than they have available — like a new bike — then you can offer to help them reach their goal if they take the lead by being a smart, diligent saver who pays themselves first.

3. Stop giving allowances, and start giving commissions.

The time-honored practice of giving kids a weekly allowance is well-intentioned, but can actually be counterproductive if it encourages kids to believe that when they get older, a regular dose of money will magically appear.

To avoid setting your kids up for dismay and disappointment — and maybe some big financial losses later in life that are rooted in a sense of entitlement — stop giving allowances, and start giving commissions. For example, you can give out a basic amount for completing normal, age-appropriate chores (for 5-6 year-olds, this might be making their bed in the morning each day and putting away toys after play, for 7-8 year-olds it could be tasks like helping around the house, and so on).

It’s also important to tie commission to performance. If your child over-delivers and goes above and beyond, then boost the amount with a one-time bonus, or give them a raise if it’s something they’ve been doing for a while. Conversely, if they don’t meet a basic standard, then let them know that it’s going to cost them. Make sure that the message is consistent and clear, like a giant full-color banner from the Landmark Sign Company.

The Bottom Line

Teaching your kids about money doesn’t have to be difficult or full of angry statements like “money doesn’t go on trees!” Instead, it can be fun, interesting and most importantly: very profitable for your kids, and indeed, for your whole family.

4 mistakes every real estate investor makes which you can avoid

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The real estate industry is very lucrative only if it is done properly. It is possible to become rich in the market but it won’t be easy. Most real estate investors make certain mistakes that result in losses. Avoiding the following mistakes can help you make money in the real estate industry.

1. Overpaying

One of the biggest mistakes most first-time real estate investors do, is paying too much on a property. The essence of any investment is buying at a low price and selling at a higher price. Therefore, you will only make money in the real estate industry if you get a property at a good price. However, if you buy a property at a higher price, your investment on return will be significantly affected because the property will appreciate very little. In some cases, you might even make a loss

2. Lack of a good understanding of the market

This is another major mistake most real estate investors make. Understanding the market means more than just knowing the neighbourhood. You have to understand the underlying demand of the particular market you intend to invest in.

For instance, if you like investing in the off plan property in Dubai, you will not be successful if you don’t understand the market. If you want to resell, who are the potential buyers?  You should understand what the potential buyers are looking for.

The off-plan market is one of the latest trends in the Dubai real estate industry. Some of the top developers are getting involved in the off-plan market. For example, there are several Meraas off plan projects in Dubai such as Sur la Mer townhouses. If you are interested in completed projects, there is a rich selection of apartments for sale in Palm Jumeirah where you can invest and expect a high ROI.

3. Failure to do Due diligence

Before you put your money on any property, you must be willing to go an extra mile to perform due diligence. The failure to research on the property, the neighbourhood and the market in general is an intolerable error that may cause loses. However, it is a mistake most real estate investors make and they end up stuck with a property that is a money loser.

4. Lack of strategy

Having a transactional view of the real estate is another mistake some investors make. Like any other type of investment, you need to create a plan and stick by it. If you don’t have a viable investment plan, you might make a mistake of buying the wrong property just because you were offered a good deal.

City View or Sea View: Which is better?

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While some people prefer to live within the city, others like to live by the seaside. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages and the choice will depend on several factors. For instance, city lifestyle is more active and fast-paced. On the other hand, the seaside is less populated with a variety of water activities.

Advantages of living in the city

  • Opportunities

Most cities are vibrant and offer a wealth of opportunities for the residents. Even though the job market is competitive, there is a wide variety of opportunities. This one of the main reasons why most people prefer to migrate to cities.

  • Convenience

The convenience of city life is another reason most people prefer to live in cities. Almost everything can be accessed via public transport, a short drive or even walking. All the basic amenities and facilities such as banks, grocery stores, hospitals, etc. are located within reach. One such example is the Downtown Dubai area. There are a lot of apartments for sale in Downtown Dubai that are located in walking distance to public transportation and basic amenities.

  • Efficient transportation

One of the most significant benefits of living in the city is an efficient transportation system.  Train, buses and taxis are some of the efficient and cost effective methods of getting around the city. Also, most cities are bike friendly and therefore residents can cycle to their destinations easily.

Disadvantages of living in the city

  • Cost of living

Even though people living in the city can easily access most of the facilities they need, the cost of living is higher. Rent and other utilities tend to be high in cities than in other regions.

Advantages of living by the seaside

  • Ample recreational activities

Water activities are great for your physical and mental health. Those that live by the seaside, such as in the Emaar Dubai Creek Harbour neighbourhood or the Meraas Bluewaters Residences, enjoy easy access to activities like sunbathing, surfing, swimming, sailing, kayaking and more.

  • Soothing sea breezes

Apart from relaxation, research has shown that sea air can reduce symptoms of asthma. The sea air contains iodine; salt and other minerals that promote respiratory health improve allergies and skin problems and stimulate the immune system.

Disadvantages of living by the seaside

  • Costly insurance

Seaside property owners can expect the additional expense of specialty insurance to cover risks such as floods.

  • Salt damage

If you plan to live by the seaside, you should expect to see some damages on the exterior of your property due to exposure to sea salt.

Rewarding Kids For Their Effort and Commitment

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All children, regardless of their athletic ability, should be encouraged to participate in youth sports. Participating in youth sports has numerous benefits that can help children develop into healthier and happy children that are able to face challenges and overcome difficult situations. No matter how much skill or talent a player has in a particular sport, each child should be recognized for their accomplishments and their achievements. It almost goes hand-in-hand: sports and trophies.

The Participation Controversy

Many parents, athletes, and celebrities in the spotlight are questioning whether or not children in youth sports should be given a participation trophy. Many people may say that children should not receive a trophy for simply participating and rather only awards should go to the best and the brightest. This claim is not supported by research, and, in fact, research has proven the exact opposite. Recent studies have found that participation awards are great for children’s self-esteem and trophies are a great way to remind children that they were part of a team.

Benefits of Recognition Awards for Children

When a child wins an award or a trophy, they will likely place the trophy on a shelf, show it to all of their friends and family, and look at it for years to come. The trophy is a symbol of their accomplishments and their commitment to a team. Whether the trophy is a first place trophy or a participation award, it most likely means the same thing to a child participating in youth sports.

Winning a trophy has a large impact on a child’s self-esteem. While all children may not be athletically inclined, any child who devotes their time and learns the skills necessary to play a sport should be recognized for their effort. No child joins a team, goes to countless hours of practice, and then gives less than their best. When children put forth their best effort they should be recognized for it.

Whether children hope to become the next Phillies all-star or are just looking to be part of a team and try something new, each and every child no matter how much skill they have are going to learn the importance of teamwork. Youth sports is one of the best ways to teach young children the value of working together. Recognizing children for their ability to work together as a team and show each other support is something that all children should be rewarded for. Most adults cannot work as well on a team as many children do. For this, children should be given an award recognizing their ability to work as a team and show each other good sportsmanship.

Recognition awards allow children to see that hard work pays off and then when you put in effort people notice. Everyone wants to be recognized for the work that they do in their job, with their family, or while doing community service. Children are no different than adults and they too want to be recognized for a job well done. If children give each practice and game their best effort, cheer on their team and their opponents, show good sportsmanship and do not quit, they deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments.

Other Types of Recognition Awards

If you strongly believe that children should not just get an award for participating, you can work together with other parents and coaches to create awards special for each player. Some players can get an MVP or most talented award, and others can get most improved or best team player award. Other players can get awards that fit their personality and style, like most effort, always on time, or best hit or throw awards. Customized awards may take more time to create; however, they may mean more to each individual child. If children see customized awards being distributed, they may try even harder next season to get the award they want. If they are competitive and desire the MVP award, they may practice on the offseason to get better so that they have a chance of becoming the most valued player on their team in the future. Since these awards are going to be displayed in their room or throughout their house in a special place for years to come, it is important that the award means something special to each player.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!