3 Kids and Us

Pay Off Your Debt Early in 6 Easy Steps

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Debt is a common burden in today’s society, and one in which many people are even encouraged to take on in certain circumstances, such as mortgages, student loans, car payments, and even for credit card rewards. However, all debt must be repaid eventually, and if you do not pay close attention to your spending habits, such debt could quickly add up to a high amount, especially when interest comes into play. If you have accrued a lot of debt, do not worry – there are programs and companies that can help you manage and decrease your debt as quickly as possible. Here is a list of six things you can do to pay down your debt as quickly as possible.

  1. Consolidate Your Debts

There are companies that will give you a “debt consolidation loan,” which means they combine all of your debts into one loan so you only have to pay one amount every month. This makes the debt much easier to handle and pay off. This is a great option if you have a lot of different kinds of debt, so make sure to look into this option first. If you happen to live around Sydney, search for companies offering debt consolidation Sydney residents are hiring.

  1. Make Payments Higher than the Minimum Amount

If it is at all possible, try to make payments above the minimum amount every month, or at least as often as you can afford to. Oftentimes, the minimum payment goes mainly towards the interest on the loan, so it is difficult to pay off your actual balance by only paying the minimum amount. If you pay even a little bit more than absolutely necessary every month, you will pay off the principal amount much faster, which in turn will lower the debt much faster.

  1. Prevent More Debt

When you are trying to get out of debt, it is very important that you prevent more debt from occurring. If you cannot help but spend money with your credit card, cut it up. Do not buy other expensive items like new cars unless it is absolutely necessary. Once you take on more debt, it will become even more difficult to pay off your debts, so do whatever is necessary to not take on any more.

  1. Make a Budget and Stick to It

This is a very important step, because some people do not truly know where their money goes every month. Print out your bank statements for the past three months and write down exactly what each dollar was spent on. Then, create a budget – and stick to it! When you do this, you will have much more money to put towards your debts.

  1. Cut Out Unnecessary Expenses

When trying to get out of debt, cut down on eating out, going to movies, buying concert tickets, and everything else that is not food, lodging, and other essentials.

  1. Earn Extra Money

Consider picking up a part-time job or side hustle to earn a little extra income. Then, use that extra income to go ONLY towards your debts. This will quickly make a difference in the amount you owe!

Hopefully, this list will help you get out of debt as quickly as possible so you can begin to spend your money more wisely and save up towards the things you want. Debt consolidation is a great option, so find out more information today.

How to Make Your Child More Independent

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Children seem to grow up so fast, but there comes a time when you can use their help with some of their jobs. Getting dressed, making their breakfast or brushing their teeth are just some of the things you can let your child do as they grow older. Teaching them that they can be more independent can be tricky as they might like you doing things for them. Here are a few tips on making your child more independent.

Give Your Child Warning

To start, you don’t want to spring the idea of doing things on their own as this may make them anxious and feel as if they have done something wrong. Tell them a few days in advance that you think they are ok to start doing a few things by themselves. Start with one job at first and when they have mastered that, move onto the next one. Soon, they will be doing many different things.

Make a List

Think about what things they can do on their own as they grow older. This list can include more complicated things, but at first, you just want to give them easy jobs. It is also a good idea to ask your child what they would like to do on their own; it will make them feel part of the process and give them the encouragement to do it.

Make Time

When your child starts to do things for themselves, especially at the beginning, they are going to take more time then when you do it for them. For this reason, you need to allow more time for them and try not to rush them, if you do, they will get upset and might not want to do it again. See how much time it takes them to do certain things and build that extra time into your morning routine.

Don’t Expect Perfection

Your child will not be good at the things they do in the beginning, they may spill their cereal or not brush their hair properly, but that’s ok, allow them to make mistakes and try not to clear things away while they are still around. You can help to make things easier for them by trying to adapt areas such as the sink and the kitchen counter so that they can reach more easily. The website parent.guide has many ways that you can help your child adapt to their surroundings.

Offer Praise

Try not to tell them if they have done the job wrong, instead, praise them for doing it in the first place. You can then guide them about the way they did it so that they get it right the next time. By doing this, they will feel proud of doing things on their own and be eager to try again next time.

With help and encouragement, you can help your child to develop the skills to do things for themselves. That will make them more independent and able to do more things for themselves as time goes on.

How to Avoid the Pain and Misery of “Computer Elbow”

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If you’re a regular visitor to 3KidsandUs.com, then you hopefully know that it’s run by a family of go-getters who said goodbye to the corporate jungle and embraced life as digital nomads (and teach others to do the same!) Indeed, all we basically need is a laptop and access to the ‘net, and we can be as productive as folks in Fortune 500 enterprises — and much, much happier.

However, just like any other lifestyle choice, there are rewards and risks. And when it comes to the latter, one thing that almost everyone has to watch out for these days — but especially fellow digital nomads who spend hours a day typing and clicking — is a condition known as computer elbow.

Like it’s more familiar cousin tennis elbow, computer elbow is marked by the onset of pain in the fingers, hands and/or arms; especially (but not exclusively) the elbows. The bad news is that for a lot of people, computer elbow to some degree is unavoidable since they type and click all day — and sometimes, all night!

The good news, however, is that in most cases computer elbow can be reversed over time. Here’s the game plan:

  • Take a break! Yes, trust me: I know this is easier said than done. But time is the greatest healer, and your weary, aching fingers, wrists, forearms and (of course) elbow will thank you. Heck, even jet airplanes need rest from time to time.
  • Loosen up your taught, cold muscles and tendons prior to heading onto the digital landscape. Try this: extend your arm in front of you, and place the back of your hand against the wall (with fingers pointed to the side). Then, straighten your elbow and press against the wall. Hold this pose for a minute. This is a great way to stretch out your wrist. Just remember to do this gently, and immediately stop at the first sign of pain. It should feel good!
  • Use ice to reduce swelling and diminish pain. You can also alternate between hot and cold to increase blood circulation (about 5-10 minutes of cold, then 5-10 minutes of hot, repeated 2-3 times or as desired).

What’s more, your gear — or lack thereof — may be part of the problem. Don’t raise the back of your keyboard, keep your shoulders relaxed as you type, and use a wrist pad. Yes, I know it’s not all that convenient to lug one around, but it’s the lesser of two evils if it helps keep computer elbow at bay!

Some Final Advice

If the pain in your fingers, wrist, forearm and/or elbow persists — and especially if it worsens — then don’t ignore it: it’s not going to get better, it’s going to get worse. Speak with your doctor, who may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon for a deeper look.

3 ways to motivate your kids by using the internet

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There is no end to the horror stories about letting your children use the internet. Keeping kids safe online has become a constant source of worry for parents, with many deciding that the risks are too great and as a result, many are unnecessarily restricting access. This can be a bad move for all concerned. While the internet should not be taken lightly, it is also a vast resource that can benefit your children in a number of ways, and by being overly protective, we can unintentionally make their present and future less successful, less adaptive and even less fun. Here are some great ways to use the very best of the internet to give your kids a positive experience and a solid foundation upon which to build their confidence online.

Homework can be cool

No matter how old your child is, they are very likely to be unhappy about the volume of homework that they have to complete. This is a constant source of irritation for kids, but there are ways to get them interested to the point where they might actually look forward to that next assignment. Obviously, a key element here is to be involved with their workload, so that you remain a part of their education. However, for those that fail to use the best tools that the internet provides, homework can be a tedious chore that ends up badly due to lack of interest. If your daughter is studying Greek myths, show her online articles about the kick-ass women of that time, and you might see a difference in enthusiasm. If your son is creating a presentation about space, then sit together and explore the NASA website, which might just ignite some eagerness for the subject.

Make a Channel

We’ve all seen those YouTube videos of kids unwrapping the latest toy trend, and have no doubt looked on in astonishment at the money they are able to earn doing something so simple. If your children have the confidence, there’s nothing to stop them creating their own YouTube channel, and with that comes some impressive advantages. Not only do they get to explore their interests (whether that’s a video about bugs in the garden or a discussion of the latest superhero film), they can also learn some basic branding tips that will come in handy in the future. Having a personal brand is becoming more and more important in the digital age, so it’s never too young to start. Teach them the importance of shareability and the best way to use a YouTube thumbnail editor, and you give them some key skills that they learn by using.

Learn a skill

There are a never-ending number of websites and videos that can teach your children everything from how to play an instrument to when to plant tomatoes, so whatever interest your child has expressed, there are tools available to help them explore their intentions. They could be learning a new language, planning their first gig or writing their first comic before you know it, using professional advice and experienced teachers. The sharing of knowledge is easier than ever, and your children will only ever benefit from the best the internet has to offer.

Stay safe and always be aware of what your children are doing online, but don’t forget the huge advantages that the online world has to offer. You might even find that your kids can teach you a few things.

How to Take Care of Your New Puppy

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Have you recently become a proud owner of a puppy? Congratulations! You made a wonderful decision. Your life will change for the better because you now have a true life companion. Puppies bring a lot of joy to your world but you also need to do your part. You need to learn a few things so that you know how to take good care of your new best friend. So, let’s jump right in!

Get your home ready

Safety is of utmost importance! Before you bring home your beloved puppy, we advise you to make sure that your home is as safe as possible. Just like toddlers, puppies like to explore and check everything out in the house. That’s why you need to protect your belongings from being destroyed by an adventurous puppy. Many call this act of preparation ‘puppy-proofing’. It is similar to toddler-proofing, but there are some differences. Place electrical cords, potential toxins and breakable items out of your puppy’s reach. Do know that ‘child-safe’ latches don’t work on curious and determined puppies. Secure lower cabinets and drawers with locks or metal hardware. It needs to be chew-proof. Invest in pet gates in order to keep your puppy away from certain rooms in your home. We believe that keeping your puppy away from the kitchen and the trash can is a good idea. Your puppy will be safe and you’ll have your peace.

Puppy essentials

Your little pooch will need various items from the very beginning. Some of these items are essential while others are quite helpful. The most important items include a leash, a collar with identification, food and water bowls and chew toys. A comfortable dog bed is recommended and a crate or kennel. Some of these items last for ages but as your puppy grows older, they will need to be replaced. Collars are adjustable but only up to a certain point. When it comes to chew toys, don’t be stingy, since it’s better for your puppy to chew those toys than your furniture. It would also be a great idea to get some chewables from NexGard for dogs, which prevent flea infestations and deter ticks. Considering that your puppy will be quite active and brimming with energy, walks and runs at the park will be common. Of course, your puppy will play on the grass and that gives ticks a chance to strike. So take every necessary measure to prevent infestations. Last but not least, brace yourself for the expenses associated with dog ownership. You’ll want to create a budget and stick to it. Have some extra cash in your budget for unexpected costs too. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

The puppy’s health

Since you’ll want to take good care of your puppy’s health, you have to find a good veterinarian. Within a few days of bringing your new puppy home, you need to take him to your vet for a general checkup. Make the trip to the vet’s office a good experience for your puppy. You don’t want your pooch to be scared of vet, since you’ll be paying quite a lot of visits during the first six months. Firstly, a puppy vaccine is obligatory. If you believe that your puppy should be spayed or neutered, make sure that you do that during that six-month period, too. A vet can identify any potential health issue early on, so establish a good communication with them. Another good idea would be to purchase pet health insurance. In some cases, pet health insurance covers up to 80% of your dog’s health care costs. That way you’ll keep your puppy’s expenses down.

Good food

Just like you choose only the best food for yourself, the same should apply for your puppy. Especially when you consider the fact that your puppy’s diet makes all the difference in his future health and well-being. Firstly, do your research before deciding on which dog food to buy. Consult your vet and fellow dog owners. You can always switch to another food if the food you initially bought does not fit your puppy the best. Fortunately, nowadays the choices seem endless. Some proud owners opt for premium foods while many other go for natural diets. Popularity-wise, homemade and raw diets are on the rise. Take into account the quality of the ingredients, the inclusion of proper nutrients and the taste while you are looking for puppy food. Choose a food appropriate for growth! The food needs to be healthy but your puppy also needs to enjoy eating it.

Follow our guide and you will be ready for the challenge. Just like you take good care of yourself, you need to do the same for your beloved pet. After all, you won’t find a better friend.