3 Kids and Us

Before Kids, I Had Money!

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Financial planning for growing your family doesn’t have to be ramen noodles and antenna t.v.–there are plenty of ways to budget and save.

The timeless proverb “if you saved enough money to have kids, you’d never have kids” will always ring true for most Americans.

After all, kids “cost” roughly $250,000 to $745,000 to raise from birth to age 18–and that’s before college, whether you pay for it or help them make the payments. For most couples, this isn’t even a thought before lamaze class and putting together baby furniture. But when that baby comes, you’re going to realize just how much everything costs!

Your eighteen-year plan

Having children provides every lesson there is to be learned about preparation and moderation. Whether you’re budgeting how many diapers you have left before a box store run or cutting back on monthly expenses that are already cut back too much, your future is going to be there when you show up. Have a financial plan involving which parents are going to work or stay home, a monthly savings plan taken out of your paycheck, and selling off or eliminate long term financial commitments and get out of a timeshare contract or lease for the latest model car.

Consider moving–even if it means finding a new career

Yes, everything is cheaper somewhere–but at what cost? Consider several places you could move if you had to, and what kind of support you would have regarding day care, family visits, and personal happiness. Moving somewhere just because you can afford a house there won’t help your marriage or parenting if you’re miserable. But moving to a more affordable location near family could just be the best thing to save your wallet and junior’s college savings plan.

Renegotiate your debt as much as possible

Settling credit card debt and paying down college debt are two of the biggest factors in your credit score. Whether you’re buying that family van or moving into a bigger space for that second child, debt is going to follow you for the rest of your life if you don’t take charge now. You’re not going to win the lottery, and you may be making less in ten years, depending on the economy and the job market. So consolidate and pay off your debts now, whether you think your credit score will be affected or not. As soon as that baby comes, all of your time, energy, and money is going to providing for and protecting that child at all costs–and be sure that it costs!

Whatever your plan is, have a financial vision that is reasonable, fair, and one that always looks to the future. You’ll be thanking yourself in the future–and so will your kids.

How to Make the Most of Your Next Travel Destination

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When you are a nomadic family, the anticipation of visiting your next destination is something that can’t be beaten, until you get there. With new cultures and languages to learn about, there are many educational benefits that shouldn’t be missed out on. However, making the most of your time there can be a struggle when you have work and family commitments every day. There is luckily nothing to say that you can’t make the most of your next destination. In fact, there are numerous tips you can follow which will help you find a home there, where both you and your children can make the most of your surroundings.

Learn some of the language

When you are staying in a location for a few months at a time, it’s wise to learn some of the native language of the country. Not only does this show respect to the people that live there, but it can be a great benefit to add another language to your repertoire. Learning an entire language in this time is unrealistic, but having basic phrases and some understanding of how to hold a conversation will be helpful. Apps like Duolingo are perfect for when you want to learn on the go and are ideal for younger family members who want to start learning, too.

Immerse yourself in the culture

It can be both exciting and overwhelming to be thrown into a new culture. Like most things, it is unlikely you will reap the most benefits unless you delve into it as deep as you can. This can be another educational experience in and of itself. There are many ways to fully immerse yourself, such as adopting the local food into your diet and practicing native customs. In your first days there, you should take the time to learn about the history of your new destination, moving on to enjoy fun activities during your time there.

Enjoy some fun activities

Some countries will offer fun activities that you can’t find anywhere else. For example, authentic yoga practice in India. However, it is natural to want to enjoy some home comforts when you are traveling across the world. Activities like camping and attending the cinema are some of the most popular, but there is nothing better than seeing a musical act you love perform live in a place you never expected to see them. Finding where your favourite act is performing next and buying tickets from a trusted site like ticketsales.com will ensure you have the most enjoyable experience.

Live like a local

There are many parts of a new location that regular travellers may not get to see on a whistle-stop tour. The advantage of living somewhere for a longer period means you have more time to find hidden treasures and make some amazing memories. The key to doing this is to live like a local. Asking the local people where the best spots are for exploring means you may often see some impressive scenery or learn something new for free.

Chennai: The bearer of the South Indian Heritage

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Chennai is a metropolitan city based in India and it is renowned for being the capital of Tamil Nadu. It is a hub for education and technology mainly for the South Indians. It has also been ranked 36th in the largest urban area by population in the world. Chennai is frequented by health tourists but apart from that, it is also the home for the Tamil film industry. The city also holds the colonial history in forms of buildings and other architectural places. A huge part of the industrial sector is dedicated to automobiles and so Chennai is often called the ‘Detroit of India’.

If you want to visit Chennai from anywhere around the world, it is best to take a flight to the Chennai International Airport(MAA). It is connected to all major cities and destinations from around the world. You can definitely book Cheapest Dubai to Chennai flights or even tickets from any other Middle Eastern country to Chennai. Just make sure that the website is safe and secure.

After landing in the city you will get awed by the population and the culture of the people. We will definitely recommend you some places that you must visit without any fault. So, here are some of them:

  • Marina Beach: This beach is quite famous for being the second longest beach in this world. You will be greeted with white sands and a great roaring sea which is the Bay of Bengal. The beach is stretched over 13 kilometers and it is visited by more than 30,000 visitors on a daily basis. Occasionally you can also spot the olive ridley sea turtles that make nests in the shore. Definitely sip on the tender coconut and enjoy your crispy murukkus.
  • Government Museum and the National Art Gallery:Chennai has one of the oldest museums present in India. These places aren’t only for knowing Chennai. They also open up your knowledge about India as a whole. It has a nice collection of South India bronzes having its origins both in the ancient and modern times. Apart from that, there are rare marble sculptures which play an important role in knowing about Buddhism. The Art Gallery is famous for its collection of 16th and 18th-century paintings hailing from Rajasthan, the Mughal Empire and also from the Deccani school of art.
  • Sri Parthasarathy Temple:Religion has always been an important part of the Indian culture and the ancient people depicted it beautifully through their art. You can experience that in this temple that hails from the 8th It is based on the Pallava architecture and it is one of the most important Vaishnavites sites present in India. The renovation was done to it in the 16th century by the Vijaynagar kinds but as a whole, it still remains the same.

Chennai is a bustling city with a rising economy in India. We will always recommend you to roam around the city to learn about this beautiful place and engage in the culture of the Indian heritage.

Top 5 activities you must try out in Uganda

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Uganda, a place that shines like a pearl in the continent of Africa is finally coming out in the mainstream travel and tourism after being in the shadows. Uganda might seem small but it surely is packed with activities that have often reached out globally. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the many activities that the travellers are fond of. If you are planning a trip to Uganda then do follow our list of activities that we have suggested. Obviously, there are activities other than Gorilla trekking. So, how about we dive into the list of fun-filled activities that you’d want to look out for!

  1. Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

As mentioned earlier, this is one of the most sought-after activities in Uganda. The trek is offered at the Bwindi Forest which is home to half the global population of mountain gorillas. If you are patient enough to look out for other animals then you’d find primates such as blue monkeys, grey-cheeked monkeys, and chimpanzees. This place is also the home for almost 350 species of birds. This landscapes that melt into the mountain ranges is a sight to behold apart from game watching. The trek is also interesting as you would have to traverse along the rugged peaks and valleys with the occasional intrusion of waterfalls.

  1. Nalubale River Rafting

Who would’ve thought that river rafting is prevalent in Uganda since we have a generalized perception of how we know Uganda? To burst that bubble, give yourself the ultimate white-water rafting experience at Nalubale. Be sure to follow your instructor since they value your safety. The experience might be a bit rugged for the ones who have never done rafting, but you will definitely take this experience to your home.

  1. Day Tour to Ssese Islands

If you are trying to escape the loud city, then Kampala might not be the ultimate choice for you to be. So, instead of taking the usual Kampala tour, take a detour to this slow-paced island while taking a long walk along the sandy shores. This place is not your usual touristy spot, so expect the clandestine ambience that you were searching for. This can also be great for romantic getaways. Travellers often restrict themselves to Buggala Island which is the most accessible one from the lot. But for the souls hungry for some adventure, they can venture to the other islands like Bukasa or Banda (only at their own risk).

  1. Adventure-activities at Jinja

The source of the river Nile, Jinja has become the focal point for various adrenaline filled activities. For those who are looking for these kinds of adrenaline packed activities, it is advisable that they drop by Jinja. Activities may include river rafting, mountain climbing, mountain biking, bungee jumping et al.

  1. Chimpanzee Trekking

Another activity in Uganda which you must look forward to is Chimpanzee trekking. Although their kind thrives in over 21 countries across Africa, it is here in Uganda that you are sure to spot them swarming all over emerald wildness.  You can take a Chimpanzee safari through the twisting trails of the Kibale or in the Budongo forest. Kyambura Gorge also offers a good option here.

Uganda is a land which is culturally and biologically diverse and is packed with natural splendours that will baffle you at every passing moment.

7 Secrets To A Healthy Family Life

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Being together with our family should be sacred and comfortable especially after experiencing the stress that is associated with the day to day survival of life. However, being a family involves the coming together of two or more individuals for reasons such as companionship, love, understanding, and procreation. If you have a family, yet you are constantly feeling lonely, then it is time to find ways to bond with your family.

Having examined what a family entails, it’s safe to say the foundation for the secrets of a healthy family life will be discussed this piece. Out of the many secrets towards achieving a healthy family life, here are some of them.

Communicate Effectively

The bedrock of every successful relationship, be it with friends or family is firmly founded on understanding the other person’s peculiarity and constantly interacting or communicating about the interesting, good & bad of every situation.

The power of communication, when it comes to bringing people together should never be underestimated, especially in the quest for healthy family life. Good communication tends to result in a family with one voice if deployed, the differences every member shares is captured under an umbrella, and the greater good of the family is given more preference.

A family that communicates regularly is one that breaks every form of loophole or incursion from an outsider or a third party. Hence any kind of malice is prevented in a family; it’s vital to ensure that from the youngest person to the oldest person in the family, there are easy and constant means of interacting about likes, dislike, pains, worry, aspirations, action plans and the requirement to achieve success in all endeavors.

Eat Together As A Family

Even though everyday stress often barely permits eating together in many families, parental care should be taken to ensure that the whole family sits at table at least once a day to enjoy eating a meal together. In addition to satisfying your hunger, eating together daily is also the family gathering place and an important ritual for having a good time together. Joint meals break down the day and give it structure, which is especially important for children and also, dieting should be avoided.

Exercise Together

Computers, tablets, consoles – it is clear, so many things can keep us static each day. However, we must avoid leading a sedentary life. How do you do that? In the first place, you and your family must be active and make exercise and sports as a family an adventure that really suits them. Start working out in small ways together or you can make fun plans such as skiing or going to the pool, playing football or basketball or simply dancing for a while at home.

On the other hand, collective sports where you make friends and relate to people of your age are also a great idea for them to move without feeling obligated. In addition, this will help prevent obesity Childhood in your children, one of the main concerns of many parents who seek support from medical professionals to combat it. With good medical insurance such as the medicare supplement plan g, you can ensure your family health is well backed up.

Go On Family Retreats

Sometimes referred to as picnic, family retreats are a pivotal aspect of enjoying a healthy life as a family, as this type of relaxed moment usually occurs in a serene environment, free from the everyday hustling and bustling of the larger society or where the family resides. Hence, a family timeout is a good way to re-energize the family ties, depending on the financial strength of a family.

Taking a break for a family retreat at least twice a year helps to ensure the improvement of every aspect of the family; sometimes, the retreat could be for the couple alone, and at other times, it should include the children. It usually depends on the discretion of the family head.

Play Games Together

As every team does, it’s imperative for every family to ensure bonding, as this helps them to foster a relationship of understanding across the board and increase the chances of living in peace. Bonding can be in the form of playing outdoor and indoor games together, whether board games or sports, cooking together or planting trees in the garden.

While bonding doesn’t just happen in every family, it’s important to emphasize that it takes concerted efforts to achieve this feat, due to the difference in personality traits, behavioral shape and physiological makeup of each member of the family. It’s normal for families to experience trials; however, bonding stands out as one of the secrets to overcome such period and avoid unhealthy rivalry within a family.

Show Unconditional Love

An open display of love and affection is non-negotiable in the quest to achieve a family that’s united and unconditional. Love generally carries different meanings, as the love that is shown to siblings, children and parents and other members of the extended family are platonic, while the love displayed towards your better half is erotic or romantically inclined.

It’s important to state that a family where love is non-existent will be chaotic, unbalanced and might possibly not stand the test of time. Therefore, it’s important for every member of the family to ensure that a continuous and equal display of affection is shared amongst all.

Simple ways to show love include saying thank you, hugging someone that is upset and uplifting others with kind words.

Support Each Other

The foundation of a family is founded mostly on supporting each other; nobody can exist in isolation in a family. It’s almost impossible to cohabit as family and not support the cause of other members of the family. Support is a confidence booster from a father to his children or husband to his wife and vice-versa.

Again, showing support could include helping kids with their homework, helping mum prepare a meal, helping out with the laundry and other household chores.