3 Kids and Us

How to Make Your Money Stretch Until Payday

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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.

Tips to Reduce Your Car Insurance Costs

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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.

Boys’ pyjamas sizes explained

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The how-to guide for picking the right size for boys’ pyjamas. What you should look out for when purchasing your boy’s nighttime clothing. Here are some pointers to help you will tick all the boxes, from the eczema-free item to a pyjama drawer full of various styles for your little one to try out.

Long before your little cub throws his first pyjama party, he’ll have set ideas on what to wear to bed. Your job is to offer a few sets of fitting nightwear. Sounds easy, right? It will be, with just a little bit of extra thought. Think comfy, safe and practical. What you don’t want is to put your son through a contortionist act each night to get his pj’s on. These few tips will help make bed time a snug wind-down moment he’ll cherish.

Growth chart

The contents of his wardrobe may not rotate as quickly as when he was a newborn, but still. You will have to keep his growth curve in mind for pyjamas too.

Read the care label for an age guide and an indication of the exact size in centimeters. Then match the garment to your child’s actual height.

From the UK-World Health Organisation chart you’ll see that boys typically grow between 5 and 10cm each year. If your bambino is a couple of centimeters under the size indicated, it’s best to choose the next size up. This is so the pyjamas still fit by the time you have them washed and ready! If however you realise the item is way too big when you get home, don’t hesitate to exchange it for a tighter fit.

If that sits nice without gaping at the ankles or squeezing the forearms in, you can safely grab a couple more for handiness.

Shrinkage

Say you are hesitating between a 110cm and a 116cm boys short-sleeved pyjama and fitted pyjama bottoms. The size indicated should take into account the shrinkage of the fabric after wash. Therefore even a cotton fabric in 110cm will fit your 107cm four-year-old. And that’s despite cotton shrinking more than polyester fibre.

The pitfall of too large a piece is that your child’s movements during his sleep will swish the fabric around and over his delicate skin. This can quickly lead to rashes. Any mum of an eczema-prone bambino will thank tight-fitting nightwear for cosy, itch-free nights.

Four seasons

If your little one is quite the sensitive type, it is always best to go with 100% cotton boys’ pyjamas. If you haven’t noticed any reaction to polyester clothes he wears during the day, you can of course opt for this fabric for his nightwear. This will lend extra warmth to the long cold winter nights, as polyester retains body heat. Better still, a mixed fabric garment in polycotton can give you the best of both worlds.

Other than that, you can of course stick with 100% cotton and play with the length of the sleeves and bottoms according to the season. Shorts, tube leggings or a jumpsuit will provide the right warmth at different times of year and will be fun alternatives for your child to change into.

However alluring some prints and offers can be, always keep a close eye on care labels, garment composition, size and finish. Then you can go for several designs and lengths. Your boy’s pyjamas will eventually go through some serious mixing and matching once your mini man decides to run the show. Who said bed time routine was boring?

Sports Are Good For Children—But Injuries Can Happen

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A Clear Tradeoff

There are many positive benefits for children involved in sporting events. For one thing, they learn to work toward a goal. For another, they learn how it’s necessary to function as a team to achieve that goal. They learn discipline in the form of regular practice so certain aspects of the sports become ingrained at the subconscious level. This also involves exercise.

With sports like ice hockey, a new skill must be learned just to play the sport—you can’t play ice hockey if you can’t skate, and you can’t ice skate well enough to be a valuable team member unless you practice. Getting the balance right involves “growing” new muscles. You’ve got to have stronger ankles and leg muscles, and you get them through skating.

Image Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/child-soccer-playing-kick-613199/ 

It may take a whole season for a young child to learn skating well enough they’re able to be a valuable part of the team; that’s one of many reasons it’s good to start children on hockey early if there’s an interest, or you want to see them get good by the time they’re teenagers. But hockey isn’t the only sport which requires those who play it to learn new skills.

Swimming is similar, and many swimming sports exist. Singular sports like biking or hiking, more appropriately athletic activities, also require new skills to be learned. But regardless of the athletic activity your young ones are getting involved with, increased physicality naturally expands the risk of injury. So there’s a clear tradeoff. But as a parent, how do you manage it?

Safeguarding Children And Preserving Positive Sporting Benefits

The benefits of sports events outweigh the potential hazards; but those hazards certainly can’t be ignored. Especially with a sport like ice hockey, between “checking”, the hardness of the ice, general clumsiness, fast-flying pucks, high tempers, and general clumsiness, it’s a greater surprise if young ones sustain no injury whatever, than if they get scuffed up a bit over the regular course of the season.

What makes sense is securing the trustworthy services of a local sports medicine physician. The thing about injuries is, their recovery may require a lot of time or a little; but there are definitely best practices. Sometimes your child will pull a muscle, or dislocate something. While they’re in definite pain, with a slight adjustment they can return to practice.


Image Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/quarterback-american-football-sport-67701/ 

Other times, a given injury might be at a level where it’s going to take a few months for the young one to recover, and then there will be physical therapy to consider. For such situations, it makes sense to secure the services of a trusted orthopedic surgeon at Ocean County; or wherever you happen to be.

When you’ve got orthopedic or sports medicine options available prior to the start of the season, recovery happens quicker, you get the right medical attention sooner, and you can probably reduce associated costs in either surgery or therapy right off the bat. You’ll know what the doctors charge, and you’ve got time to shop around—if you prepare beforehand.

Your Child’s Sports Experience Benefits Through Preparation


Image Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/heart-health-family-tree-strong-3306996/ 

So there’s a mild dichotomy to consider here. On the one hand, you want to provide your young ones the best possible opportunities as regards development. Athleticism, new skills, team building, socialization, long-term planning and preparation—sports provide such outcomes in a natural, organic way that’s fun for everyone. But injury potential exists.

You can diminish associated injury impact through acquisition of proper medical professionals from the outset. Doing things this way allows you to shop around for the best medical options, preserving your bank account by helping you avoid the emergency room when possible, while simultaneously setting your children up for success in sports.

Moving House With Your Cat The Stress-Free Way

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Most cats develop strong bonds with their environment so house moves can stress them out. If cats could choose, they would prefer to stay put at where they are comfortably settled in. Making the transition as stress-free as possible for your pet cat can have immense benefits, including reducing the risk of anxiety-based house soiling, excessive meowing and crying, hiding, escape attempts and aggression.

While a move is a big change for your feline companion, it is possible to reduce the stress your pet feels. This is a list of things you can do for your cat before the long drive and throughout the move.

Get your cat to get used to traveling in the car – The easiest way to do this is to start going on drives — begin with short trips around the neighbourhood then go a little longer leading up to the move. Ensure that your cat is riding how he will be during the move: either in a harness, carrier or crate.

Introducing the carrier – To get your beloved cat familiar with his carrier, put it somewhere he likes to hang out and open the door. Place a few treats inside to lure him in. After he has ventured into the cage several times for treats, start feeding him in there, slowly moving the food bowl from the door entrance to deeper inside.

On moving day – ensure that your cat is safe and placed in an empty room that will not be disturbed. If this precaution is not taken, your cat would be in danger by getting into open boxes or in the way of movers. It also prevents them from hiding and not being located when the time has come for them to be moved. Also, place their toys, food, water, and bedding in their temporary room for comfort.

At the new home – Upon arrival, confine your feline to just one room until unpacking is completed and the movers have left. Place a sign on the door to ensure that no one lets him escape. Put his bedding, litter tray, food and water in with him to give him some familiarity.

If you are moving interstate and overseas, it’s important to check quarantine regulations long before the trip is planned. The cat may need to spend some time in quarantine or proof of vaccinations may be required.

Cat Transport Services

If you cannot transport your beloved cat to or from a location yourself, this is where cat transportation services can offer their services. However, finding the best cat transport service is not always easy, with a lot of time needing to be spent researching services and requesting quotes individually.

You can book a Shiply cat transportation service and quotes will be sent to you via email. It’s hassle-free and no phone calls are required. All it takes is to fill out a simple online form and the quotes will be emailed to you. There are numerous cat transportation services on Shiply’s platform who are ready to bid on your job, often at up to 75% less than typical rates.

May these tips help your move go smoothly and safely for both you and your beloved pet cat.