admin, Author at 3 Kids and Us

Strategic Options for Emergency Expenses

July 7, 2017 by admin

It’s easy to say you should save money for emergencies. It’s even a really great plan, but it isn’t always possible. However, when you have the emergency situation under control saving as little as $10 a month can go a long way to preparing you for the next emergency. But what if you need the money right away?

Savings in Hidden Places

You may already have savings that you haven’t even thought about. There are several financial products you may have which you can tap into. If you have a life insurance policy, you may be able to withdraw a portion of the accumulated cash value of the policy. The amount which is available will depend on the policy size and the length of time you have been making payments towards the policy.

Other options include retirement accounts, private IRAs, and even college savings plans like the 529. If you have ever put money into any of these types of accounts you can probably withdraw at least a portion of the money. This should really only be considered as a last result, however, because it will almost certainly result in a tax penalty.

Installment Loans and Credit Cards

If you don’t have access to any type of savings but you do have a job, you may want to consider an installment loan. These are smaller loans that are available more quickly than a traditional loan and they are available to people who don’t have perfect credit. In the past, many people only had the option of a payday loan but these have a bad reputation for making financial difficulties worse.

Financial lending companies realized this and created small installment loans to give consumers a better option. If this is something you’d like to consider, get more info about the types of products and eligibility requirements in order to make a truly informed decision.

Another option may be to secure a credit card. This is a solution that requires a bit more forethought. You will need to obtain a credit card and then keep it set aside only for emergency use. The only problem is, most credit cards take several weeks to arrive in the mail which may be longer than you have in a true financial emergency. If you need money immediately the installment loan may be a better option.

Leverage the Gig Economy

The gig economy presents a fantastic opportunity for those who find themselves in need of emergency funds. If you have a special skill or reliable transportation you are well on your way to having the ability to make money quickly if the need arises.

There is always a high demand for people who are able to tutor students. If you have experience in a subject field and access to a computer, it is likely you can make some extra cash tutoring in your area of expertise. There are a large number of websites which are devoted entirely to helping students find tutors. Some of these offer direct employment and will take more time to begin earning money. Other sites offer the ability to complete the exchange between two individuals. Using free video conferencing and electronic payment methods such as Stripe or PayPal will allow you to begin tutoring foreign students in English almost immediately.

Writing is another career which allows people the freedom to take only the work they want and be paid upon completion. There are many companies who keep a pool of writers on hand to complete work as it comes in, signing up for one of these is an excellent way to establish yourself and have access to emergency funds. Alternatively, there are bidding sites that allow people who have a writing project to find freelance writers for single assignments.

If you don’t feel comfortable teaching or writing or even working online, there are plenty of gig opportunities that can be completed in person. Uber and other ride services allows almost anyone to turn their reliable mode of transportation into a money-making taxi. Other services allow individuals to deliver food, groceries, and complete other tasks for immediate payment.

When you need money quickly for an emergency it is always reassuring to have some hiding in savings. When that isn’t an option securing and installment loan or relying on a credit card are good options. Alternatively, having a fallback gig that brings money in quickly may also work. Ideally, you will cultivate a combination of methods so you have multiple options in an emergency.

Travelling to Los Angeles Just Got Easier With Blacklane

June 30, 2017 by admin

So, you’re planning a trip to Los Angeles? Are you daunted by the idea of getting out of the airport and getting around the city easily? Well, fair enough. LAX Airport is one of the largest and busiest in the world, with millions of people travelling through it on a yearly basis. Let’s face it, with kids, it’s extra hard getting around peacefully. Fortunately, there’s Blacklane; a reliable airport transfer and city transport service. It brings a little luxury to your travels and that is something that is difficult to refuse. Read on to find out how Blacklane can make your trip to Los Angeles a little easier!

What is Blacklane?

Catering to 236 cities across the globe, Blacklane has quickly grown to become one of the most sought-after transport services for city-goers. It provides for easy and reliable airport transfer from LAX, and you have all the power in terms of how you book your ride. Via their user-friendly app, you can request a time of pick-up and a vehicle of your choice. Your driver will be sure to wait for you at the arrivals gate with a personalized sign to welcome you. They will also help you with the heavy lifting with regards to handling luggage. Also, if your flight is delayed, your driver will be notified via their flight tracker. To make it even more convenient, you get a free hour of waiting time so that if customs or baggage claim is running slow, you won’t have to rush through. For Blacklane, it’s all about convenience and making the chaotic experience of getting out of the airport easy.

Here’s a quick listing of some of Blacklane’s additional perks:

Professionally-licensed drivers
Modern, safe and luxurious cars
No surge pricing
A choice between three classes of cars based on your needs
A choice between three different service offerings based on your needs

What Other Services Does Blacklane Offer?

Blacklane is also available for customized limousine services in the event you want to show up to a set location in style. Considering you’ll be roaming around the city of the rich and famous, you might just want to take advantage of this particular service offering. Moreover, you can also hire a private driver on an hourly basis so that you have your own chauffeur for specific outings. Your private driver will also be knowledgeable on all things Los Angeles related so that you can get some helpful tips on where to go and things to do. The vehicle is also up to your choosing, depending on whether you want to go with Business Class, Business VAN/SUV and/or First Class.

Make your travels to Los Angeles a little easier with Blacklane. There’s a lot to see and do in a city with so much culture and entertainment. It’s a lot easier to enjoy when you don’t have to worry about how you’ll get around. Try out Blacklane for a stress-free stay!

Revealed: The 10 Most Inspirational Celebrity Fashion Icons

June 27, 2017 by admin

Source

All over the world, women look for inspirations from celebrities in terms of their style. UK fashion retailer Bonmarche has completed a study to determine which women were particularly inspirational for those in their target demographic, being women aged over 45. They found that, consistently, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Anniston, Meryl Streep, and Joanna Lumley ranked in the top 4 across all age groups and geographical locations.

It is a universally accepted fact that woman always want to look their best. Often, women develop their personal sense of style by looking towards celebrity women for inspiration. UK fashion retailer Bonmarche has completed a study across women from all over the United Kingdom, aged 45 and over, to determine which women were their greatest inspirations. The full results of their study were:

That 19.2% of women were inspired by Helen Mirren.
That 16.3% of women were inspired by Jennifer Anniston
That 14.5% of women were inspired by Meryl Streep.
That 13.5% of women were inspired by Joanna Lumley.
That 10.3% of women were inspired by Nicole Kidman.
That 10% of women were inspired by Elle McPherson.
That 8.1% of women were inspired by Julie Walters.
That 5.9% of women were inspired by Jane McDonald.
That 5.4% of women were inspired by Salma Hayek.
That 4.8% of women were inspired by Ruth Langsford.

Breaking these numbers down into different age groups, they found that women between 45 and 54 followed them exactly. 19.2% of women cited Helen Mirren in first place, 16.3% picked Jennifer Aniston, 14.5% picked Meryl Streep, and 13.5% picked Joanna Lumley. When asked why, women said Helen Mirren’s sophisticated style was what they wanted to emulate, whereas it was Jennifer Aniston’s golden tan, lustrous hair, and healthy living habits.

Looking at the 55 to 64 age group, there were some changes. Mainly, Helen Mirren was cited as favorite by 20% of women, a slight rise. Jennifer Anniston held on to her second place position, but only 15.5% of women mentioned her. Meryl Streep and Joanna Lumley stayed in third and fourth place respectively.

A real change was noted in the over 65 age category. Here, 28.4% of women cited Helen Mirren as their favorite, and Jennifer Anniston made a dramatic drop to fourth place. However, the exception was seen in woman in Scotland, where the over 65s placed Jennifer Anniston in first place, with a whopping 27.8%.

According to Bonmarche’s online marketing manager: “As women grow older, their tastes and influences change, but one thing remains constant: a desire to look great”.

Bonmarche has been very impressed with the results of their study. For them, it shows that, once women reach the age of 45, they are quite consistent in terms of which women they feel look good. While there are some fluctuations in the top 4, the same four women are mentioned again and again. This information is invaluable for them as it helps them to drive their own stock. By monitoring the clothing of these icons, they can ensure that they have relevant items in store.

What they found particularly interesting, however, was that it was not just the clothes that made the woman. Women consistently mentioned their celebrity inspiration’s hair, skin, and healthy living habits. This would suggest that, for the modern woman, lifestyle is as important as fashion. This is something that Bonmarche feels should be celebrated, as it also demonstrates that women want to live long, healthy lives and not just look good from the outside, but from the inside as well.

After the breach: How Cyber Insurance can Help

June 24, 2017 by admin

Image Source: Infographic Created by Cyber Policy

Bathroom Remodeling Tips

June 23, 2017 by admin

The bathroom is somewhere that we spend a great deal of our time and although you may not realize it, the quality of your bathroom can have a profound effect on your day. We don’t just use our bathrooms for cleansing ourselves and when nature calls, it is also the sanctuary which we can go to, lock the door and be alone with our thoughts for a while. For these reasons it is important that when it comes to remodeling your bathroom, you do so with a great deal of thought and careful planning. If you are preparing to remodel your bathroom, here are some tips which may be able to help you out.

Subtle Themes

The best bathrooms are those which use subtle designs, colors and patterns to make the place stand out. Filling your bathroom with a variety of colors will only serve to make the bathroom feel chaotic, remember that this is a room which should be relaxing. In order to keep it simple and effective, why not consider a plain white, slate or black bathroom, and then add hints of color and design throughout.

Go Big on The Bathtub

A bathtub can really add to the overall impact of your bathroom and you should view it as a center point as well as something that is functional. For this reason it is important that you aren’t afraid to spend the necessary money on a tub that will not only look amazing in your bathroom but also can provide you with ultimate relaxation and comfort after a long day. There is a wide range of baths to choose from such as clawfoot bathtubs and freestanding bathtubs, depending on what you have space for and which you think suits you best.

Functionality

Whilst opting for a pretty bathroom is not such a bad thing, you must also make sure that the bathroom which you are designing is practical too. If you have kids then you are going to need a bathroom which is flexible and has plenty of storage space. If it is just yourself or you and a partner then perhaps you may want to focus on a bathroom which can give you maximum comfort and relaxation space.

Make sure that you put the time in to designing your bathroom, it is an important room in the house and one which you probably spend more time in than you would’ve thought.