3 Kids and Us

How To Be Organized in a Crisis

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Your home is a safe place where you can relax, unwind and enjoy yourself undisturbed and in peace. At least that’s how it should work! Life never goes completely to plan all the time though, so the odd problem or crisis is bound to occur now and again. Knowing that something is inevitably going to go wrong at some point means that you can be prepared for such eventualities, and therefore avoid panic and helplessness should disaster strike. The key to preparation is organization, which will prevent many issues arising in the first place and make it easier to handle unavoidable issues that may arise.

Preventing a crisis

There are varying grades of problem, crisis, and disaster that can befall you, but all will have a degree of stress involved. How much any particular situation stresses you will depend on your ability to cope with it, so there’s no one size fits all solution to managing a crisis situation. The best approach is to prevent anything going wrong in the first place. Keeping your heating, hot water, plumbing and electrical systems and appliances serviced and well maintained should help prevent breakdowns and loss of facilities, so don’t neglect this important task. Plot all the dates for appliance and system checks on a calendar or wall-planner and make sure you get maintenance visits booked in plenty of time. You also need to have a regular schedule for carrying out home maintenance tasks like clearing gutters to prevent blockages and stop water getting into the house, or cleaning paths and patios to help avoid accidents from slippery surfaces.

Dealing with a crisis

Most importantly, don’t panic – it will do you no good and won’t help the situation. Identify the cause of the problem if possible, so you can explain to the tradesperson you contact. Depending on location you will need to find a local tradesperson, so research emergency plumber Toronto for example. If there’s anything you can do while you’re waiting for your help to arrive, don’t waste time thinking about it. Bailout or soak up any pooling water from a leak or overflow, for instance, so the risk of damage is minimized, and the working area is clear for the professional when they arrive. Have a list of contacts readily to hand so you can call the best person for the job rather than just ringing the first name in the telephone directory. It’s also a good idea to keep a store of batteries, fuses, light bulbs, torches and anything else that could prove useful if something goes wrong. Staying calm is your best defense in these situations, enabling you to focus on what needs to be done and who needs to be contacted.

It shouldn’t take too much time and effort to get a crisis situation plan developed, and if you have one, it can cut through indecision and uncertainty in the heat of the moment. You may not, hopefully, experience these crisis situations very often, but the reality is that trouble can and does happen, so being prepared will stand you in good stead long-term.

Exploring the Surroundings: Are Your Young Wanderers Safe on Their Adventures?

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Scooters are an excellent way to let your kids explore the surrounding. But as a parent, safety is always a consideration. You don’t want to let your boy or girl go out without ensuring that their adventure scooters are safe and all precautions been put in place.

  1.    What size are they riding?

Scooters vary largely in size and weight. Not all scooters are meant for kids. Be sure to confirm the weight & height restrictions of the one you’re buying for your prince or princess. Having one of the best scooters for kids is the first tip for safe scooting.

Manufacturers provide safety suggestions for different child ages assuming that most kids within then the same bracket can comfortably handle the same height and weight. But this is not the perfect way to get what fits your son right. In fact, it’s advisable to take your kid with you if you’re buying from a physical store.

  1.    Never let them go out without a helmet!

This is an overstressed safety tip for almost all riders. If you don’t go out on your bike without a helmet why then would you let your kid go scooting without one?

Head injuries are a big deal; it is no wonder most states have it as a requirement for scooting.  Let them choose their favorite color or style; it might be the motivation to have it on every time they go wandering.

  1.    Can they stop their Scooter?

Bunny hop and kick-out are tricks that they can learn later. Being able to stop the dime as fast as possible is a must-have skill. The ability to make quick turns is an added advantage.

You don’t want to let them wander in high traffic areas before they have these basic scooting skills. It can be quite risky. Don’t let them go to congested areas until you confirm they can comfortably control their scooters.

Keep them scooting around until you’re sure they can take care of themselves.

  1.    Are their Knees, Elbows, and Hands Protected?

These three parts of the body are obvious parts of the body to hit the ground in case of a normal scooter accident. Make sure to check if they have the pads for knees, elbows, knees, and hands before they go roaming the estate.

  1.    Shoes Matter!

When it comes to choosing shoes for scooting, fashion shouldn’t be much of a consideration. Instead, you should worry about the safety of your child’s feet. What would happen if the scooter wheels strayed? Can the shoes they have on protect them from anything that could cut, poke, or scratch their toes?

So, when picking shoes for a scooting adventure then go for close-toed shoes with thick soles and some ankle support.  And if the pair looks awesome, then that’s a plus!

Lastly, a rule of thumb for kids’ scooting is to let them wander out in numbers. Apart from making the experience unique and fascinating, it serves is a safety measure as they always watch out for each other. And the company doesn’t have to be siblings; you can let your daughter join her pals or neighbors.

How to Create Employment Pay Stubs for Your Team

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Whether you run a virtual team or have a brick-and-mortar business, there are ways to reduce your expenses. Making your own pay stubs can save you a small fortune in the long run. Follow these steps to create employment pay stubs on your own.

If you aren’t already giving your employees pay stubs, you may want to consider making the change.

Employment pay stubs can be a vital part of everyday life.

Whether your employees are looking to rent a new apartment or trying to get a loan, odds are they’ll need to present a pay stub at some point.

Creating paystubs for your employees in-house may seem like a daunting task. But it can actually be a very simple process provided you have the right tools.

Creating employment pay stubs in-house can even end up saving your business a pretty penny in the long run.

Don’t know where to start? We can help you out.

Here’s everything you need to know about creating pay stubs for your employees.

Figure Out Employee Gross Income

The first thing you need to do when creating pay stubs is to figure out your employee’s gross income. That is, the amount of money they make before deductions.

Odds are you already have a system, such as a spreadsheet, where you keep all payment information in place. If you don’t, now would be an excellent time to create one.

For hourly employees, you’ll need to multiply the number of hours they’ve worked by their hourly rate. For salaried employees, just divide their annual salary by the number of paydays per year.

Remember to factor in any overtime or unpaid time off.

Calculate Taxes and Withholdings

Once you have your employee’s gross income, you’ll need to figure out deductions. This includes federal, state, and local taxes, as well as any extra withholdings such as Medicare and social security.

While you can look up any and all tax information online, you’ll want to double check with an expert in tax law.

Once you’ve figured out taxes, you’ll need to calculate FICA tax withholdings. There are a few different equations you’ll want to keep in mind.

To figure out Medicare withholdings, multiply each employee’s gross pay by 1.4 percent. Multiply their income by 6.2 percent for social security.

Remember, as an employer, it is your responsibility to match these amounts.

If you’ve set up any life insurance or 401(k) plans for your employees, you’ll want to deduct those amounts after taxation as well.

Net Pay

Your employee’s net pay is the amount they get to pocket at the end of the day. After all taxes and withholdings have been accounted for this is the number you’re left with.

This is the amount that will appear at the bottom of your employee’s pay stub.

Online Templates

Thanks to the Internet, creating employment pay stubs has never been easier.

There are dozens of websites that have pay stub templates already available. All you have to do is download them and fill them out.

But, if you’re looking for an even easier way to make fake paycheck stubs, try PayStubCreator.

Everything you need to create pay stubs is already on their website. All you have to do is have all your employee payment info on hand.

Creating Employment Pay Stubs

Now that you know how to create employment pay stubs, now all that’s left to do is to go make them.

It may be a little bit of a hassle — and a whole lot of math — but your employees will be grateful for all your hard work.

Looking for a little more financial advice? We have dozens of articles to help you whether you’re trying to create a family budget or saving for your next vacation. Visit us today!

How To Make Your Next Summer BBQ Your Best One Yet!

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There is nothing quite like the smell of meat grilling outdoors to really put you in a summer mood. Throwing a barbecue for your friends and family can be a wonderful way to enjoy a summer day, some fantastic food and good company. If you are someone who tends to throw a lot of barbecues in the summer, then here are some new ideas to help you take your summer 2018 barbecues to the next level! Just wait for a nice hot day, get everybody over, open a few drinks, and enjoy the sun!

Find Some Interesting Sides to Prepare

While the things that you cook on the grill are usually the main event when it comes to the food at your barbecue, by putting in some interesting and surprising new side dishes you can really make your barbecue stand out. Think about vegetable dishes that you can also cook on the grill such as stuffed peppers or onions, grilled mushrooms spiked with garlic or, of course, the classic corn on the cob, but also consider cold things that you can prepare in advance such as special coleslaws with additional ingredients to give them an interesting twist, or salads with delicious toppings such as Greek feta cheese, halloumi, and spicy chicken. Preparing some potatoes either as a salad or as a hot side dish can also be a good way to make your barbecue food more interesting and memorable if you look for recipes such as chipotle spiced roasted potatoes.

If you are not having your barbecue at home, then make sure that you can pack any of your side dishes in a refrigerated bag so they will still be cool when you serve things like your salads.

Mix In Some Seafood

Another way that you can make your barbecue a little bit unique is to include grilled seafood. This is quite common in some countries, such as in the Caribbean and the South Pacific, and also in Australia. The smell of grilled seafood cooking on your barbecue along with your meats will be a great mood setter, and even if you don’t live by the coast, it will give a nice seaside feel.

Just be sure that you are careful to understand the correct cooking temperatures for seafood and that you keep your meat and seafood separate.  Some things like cod grill very well on a barbecue, and swordfish or tuna steaks can also be a really good choice. You can also consider making cold seafood side dishes, for example, buying or making some sushi, or making shrimp or crab salads.

Use Novel But Practical Ways of Serving

Serving food outdoors usually means that you won’t be using your best tableware, however, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have an attractive setting for your food. Consider novel ways of serving things in single serving dishes, such as using mason jars to hold single serving salads or layered desserts. Read more about making cool single serving mason jar salads at Cinnamon, Spice and Everything Nice!

These are just a few easy ways that you can up your game when it comes to your summer barbecues this season.

Interesting Electric Car Facts That Will Make You Want to Buy One

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As electric cars steadily become more and more popular, the electric car vs gas car debate heats up. Check out these electric car facts that will make think!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to use an electric car?

If you’re searching for a new car, an all-electric model might be just what you’re looking for. Over 48 million American households can meet their daily driving needs with an electric car.

Although electric cars aren’t entirely mainstream yet, the technology continues to improve. Drawbacks that turned potential owners away before–like a high cost, performance issues, long charge time, and limited range–are quickly fading away.

More and more manufacturers have been selling electric cars and sales have skyrocketed over the past few years. Electric vehicles offer a step up from the traditional gas-powered vehicle–like smooth acceleration, a quiet engine, and instant torque.

Electric cars aren’t just for the elite these days–anybody can own one. Some car companies are going as far to commit to converting to electric car only production in the near future. Even luxury car companies like Tesla are offering more affordable electric models for their customers.

Are electric vehicles poised to take over the industry? Check out these electric car facts that will make you want to run to your nearest dealership and get one for yourself.

Interesting Electric Car Facts

Electric cars are some of the most talked about vehicles in the automobile industry today. The market is booming–electric vehicles are behind the record-breaking number of new car registrations.

But as much as you might have heard about electric cars–how much do you actually know about them? Take a look at some of these facts about electric cars, and you can decide for yourself whether gas or electric cars are the future of the industry.

1) They’ve been around for a long time

Electric cars might be seen as an example of the changing industry in the 21st century, but did you know the first electric car was actually invented almost 200 years ago?

The first prototype was created in 1832, and in 1895 an inventor developed the first six-passenger electric car.

In New York City, all taxis were once electric vehicles. In the 1920s, the combustion engine and the expansion of U.S. highways led to the electric car becoming less desirable. Now, in the 21st century, they’re finally making a comeback.

2) They’re eerily quiet

One of the first things you’ll notice while driving an electric car is the silence.

Compared to a gas car, an electric car is virtually sound free. Even when pressing down on the accelerator, an electric car glides over the road with little engine related noise.

The silence has even made them dangerous around some pedestrians, who may not know the car is on and step in front of it while it’s in motion. In order to help, Nissan added a soft whining sound for all speeds below 20 miles per hour.

Driving an electric car means you won’t have engine noise competing with your music–and you can hear the sounds of nature or busy city life outside your car. With an electric vehicle, you can look forward to a future of peace, silence, and maybe even a song or two.

3) They’re a lot of fun to drive

Electric cars aren’t just good for the environment–they’re a lot of fun too. When you step on the accelerator, the car shoots forward almost instantly.

You can also use your brakes a lot less when driving an electric vehicle. Stepping on the brakes recaptures some energy to feed back into the battery. This helps you go farther without recharging and makes for an easier ride–all you have to do is lift your foot off the accelerator and the car will slow down by itself.

4) They put gas cars to shame

Never let it be said that electric cars pack less of a punch.

Electric vehicles take energy efficiency and engine power to a whole new level. They have extremely high torque power, which means that the pickup is fast.

In the electric car vs gas car debate, comfort is where the electric car rises above its competition. Riding in an electric vehicle is comfortable, smooth, and fast.

5) They have no exhaust

Unlike gas cars, electric cars don’t have any visible tailpipe exhaust. In fact, most vehicles don’t have a tailpipe at all.

With an electric car, you can actually see the difference that you’re making in the environment. By reducing gas emissions, you’re contributing to cleaner air and a reduced carbon footprint.

Regardless of how quickly electric cars develop, each new car bought and used is a good start to improving the environment and slowing down global warming.

6) They let you skip the gas station

Electric vehicles make refueling simple.

Instead of buying gas or changing the oil, all you have to do to recharge is plug into your charging station. Electric car charger installation in your home has never been easier–and you can recharge overnight before you go to work the next day.

Although charging at home is usually enough to get you where you need to go, there are over 5,000 charging stations across the country, and more are being built every day.

Up to 80% of battery energy in an electric car is transferred directly to engine power. In a gas car, only 14-26% of the battery energy is used.

7) They can actually save you money

When it comes to picking between gas or electric cars, the cost can be a big factor.

While the overall price of electric vehicles might still look expensive compared to gas-powered cars, it can actually save you a lot of money. Switching from gas to electric will be less expensive in the long run.

Electric cars can also save you money on maintenance–fewer moving parts mean fewer things that could break. You’ll only have to worry about changing out the battery, which lasts up to 15 years and usually comes with a warranty.

Owning an electric car can get you some perks too. Electric vehicle users are eligible for a tax credit up to $7,500, and some states offer bonus incentives.

The Bottom Line

While the electric car vs gas car debates still continues–these electric car facts might give you a little more insight on why electric cars are better suited for the rapidly changing technological world.

Whether you’re already planning on buying a new car or just looking around at your options, buying an electric car means planning for the future. You can make a difference for the environment–and get a smooth, affordable ride while you do it.