Benefits of Purchasing Diaper Bags Online

August 23, 2019 by Leave a Comment

When it comes to your baby’s essential needs, the Internet is a great place to shop!  You can find everything you need, and get it delivered right to your doorstep.  Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on purchasing diaper bags online. `

Diaper bags are a blessing for any mother, but it’s especially important for those who love to travel with their baby. They help keep all the baby’s essential items neatly organized in one place.  Your wet wipes, or a changing pad, diapers, and cremes they’re all just waiting for you inside the diaper bag.

 

diaper bags

 

Why Should I Look for Diaper Bags Online?

 

There are several compelling reasons for purchasing diaper bags online:

 

The Basic Stuff

If you’re a first-time mother, you need to know exactly what you want to carry in a diaper bag.  These items will basically dictate the style, type, and size of the diaper bag that you need. You should also consider where and how you’re going to use the diaper bag. Are you regularly going to go out with your baby in a stroller?  If so, you may want to consider finding a diaper bag that can be affixed easily to the stroller.  Additionally, are you a fashion-forward parent? Then maybe fashionable diaper bags are on the top of your list. Using the Internet can help you narrow down the search on what diaper bag will answer these basic needs.

 

Extra Features

Many diaper bags come with extra features that you should also consider.  If you’re still bottle feeding your child, you might need a diaper bag that has insulated pockets to keep the bottle warm. If your baby is still wearing diapers, you definitely need a diaper bag that has a changing pad.  Or, a compartment for a changing pad.  You want to make sure you can include a changing pad so that you will always have a clean and hygienic place to change your baby’s diaper.

 

Filters Help Immensely

The problem with going to brick-and-mortar stores is that you tend to look at every diaper bag model.   If you’re on the Internet, many websites have search features or categories that can help you narrow down your choices.  What’s more, if you’re inside a store you’re limited to the stock that the store sells. If you’re browsing online, you can virtually look up any model or brand that comes to mind or you’re given more options.

 

Reviews Matter

If there is one source online that can be invaluable when it comes to feedback and reviews, it’s other mothers. There are so many forums, websites, and blogs that can help you choose the right diaper bag.  The reviews are based on honest feedback and reviews from mothers who have used the products before.

Many blogs contain affiliate links; however, most are based on reviews from actual product use.  Amazon also has a number reviews to consider.

 

 

diaper bags

 

Choices Galore

Once you’ve determined what type of diaper bag you need in terms of style, size, and features, making the selection can be fun. You can now treat the process of buying your diaper bag the same way you buy any other bag. Look for a color or pattern that’s trendy and stylish,  or one that goes well with your own aesthetic.

 

Cheap Doesn’t Always Equal to a Bargain!

When it comes to purchasing a diaper bag online, you need to consider this as a long-term investment purchase. Sure, you can easily find a bag that’s $20, but you will most likely get what you pay for.  Odds are the bag won’t last long before the straps snap, the stitches come apart, or the zipper breaks.  What if those things happen while you’re out while your baby? Now you’re stuck with having to carry everything!  Invest in your diaper bag, you’ll be using it regularly.

Look for a diaper bag that’s made from sturdy materials, has an ergonomic design, and has enough room and pockets to keep everything in a nice and organized manner.  It may cost a bit more, but when you consider the safety and convenience that the diaper bag offers, you know that it will be worth the price.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Financial Tips, Shopping Tips Tagged With: , ,

Financial Security for Single Parents

June 25, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on achieving financial security for single parents.  As a single parent, stretching your money can be a significant concern. Taking on lucrative side gigs can bring in extra funds to help make ends meet.  However, with smart money and time management, you can pad your financial cushion without giving up time with your family.

 

finance tips for single parents

 

 

Flexible opportunities – The gig economy is a haven for entrepreneurs, temporary workers and freelancers.  It offers the freedom and flexibility to take on as much or as little work as you want. Along those same lines, Entrepreneur points out gig work allows you to earn as much or as little as you need. By altering the level of intensity, difficulty and quantity of your workload you can adjust your income level and time commitment. You are free to take a light load on the weeks your youngster is performing in a play, or engage more work to pay for gifts during the holiday season. Side gigs offer opportunities for variety as well.  So, if you become bored doing routine tasks you can switch things up when things become dull.

 

Personal and financial growth. When you’re tight on time and money, your circumstances can feel limiting.  But, a side gig can be a long-awaited chance to get your foot in the door to a new career. For example, maybe you’re talented in graphic design.  But, you can’t get hired in a traditional role without experience. As Coople explains, a side gig can bring much-needed notches in your belt. It’s also a chance to put a hobby or skill to work in your spare time.  For example, doing things like pet care, bookkeeping or house cleaning. The income can be deposited into retirement savings, a vacation fund or just used to pay routine bills. No matter what you decide, it’s income that can be earned in a manner flexible and pleasurable to you.

 

 

financial tips for single parents

 

 

Monitor that money –  Obviously income is a driving force in your choice to pick up a side gig. Some experts point out that many people who participate in freelance work don’t do an effective job of managing finances. However, you need to keep tabs on your gig income because you will pay taxes on it.  And, tracking it can also help you learn market trends. For instance, if you decide to be a dog walker or sitter, you may notice you stay especially busy during the spring break season. Or if you’re cleaning houses, your busy season may be during the holidays. Setting up separate accounts can help keep your finances on track.  Furthermore, it will project when you will see increases in income and being busy.

Tracking your expenditures is another issue. You don’t want your personal money going into your business venture.  Also, you need to monitor exactly what you spend on your business adventures so you can make appropriate tax deductions.  A business credit card can simplify tracking your spending and alleviate bookkeeping headaches. It’s important to choose a card that supports how you’ll use it. For example, some cards are better suited to traveling, some are more accommodating if you lack credit history, and some offer cash back incentives. Another option is taking out a loan for your small business. Short-term loans usually work best if you have a new business and decent credit. Research your options before committing so you can make the best choice for your situation.

 

Engage tools –  With the growth of the gig economy, tools for effectively engaging in gig work are plentiful. One way to participate is through a platform. Platforms are websites that connect people desiring services with people providing services. For instance if you are a bookkeeper, you might engage an administrative professionals platform. Then busy entrepreneurs can go to the platform to hire you. The platform page typically vets the freelancers they list.  This in turn provides peace of mind to clients hiring help and validity to those offering services. As Forbes notes, engaging a platform website can be a way to find work in the gig economy quickly.

 

Side gigs help. If you’re a single parent and strapped for cash, taking on a side gig can be a boon. The flexibility makes it possible to enjoy family time while making ends meet. Use the tools at your disposal to manage your finances and business carefully.  Side gigs can provide financial security for single parents as well open a wealth of opportunities to you!

 

 

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4 Ways Parents Can Plan for Financial Emergencies

May 16, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Planning for parenthood can be filled with joy.  Especially, when you’re thinking of your future family, the adventures you’ll have, and the love you’ll share. However, some parts of planning are much more serious than others. In between looking at paint swatches for the nursery and touring preschools, parents need to examine their financial reality.

When it comes to organizing your finances, there is no predicting the future.  But, you can plan for it. This is especially important when wondering how to stay afloat during emergencies.  Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on how parents can plan for financial emergencies. 

 

 

Start Emergency Savings

 While most families have a savings account, all families need an emergency fund.  A savings account can help you with big purchases such as vacations, back-to-school shopping, or replacing the tires on your car.  An emergency fund is your family’s safety net during times where you face a much larger financial burden.  For example, if you or your spouse are laid off or you are looking at a long hospital stay.  A solid emergency fund is roughly equal to three months of your household’s income.  It takes time to plan for financial emergencies and build an emergency fund.  So, any time you get big payouts, like a hearty income tax refund, be sure to set it aside.

 

Prepay for Funerals

 It’s an uncomfortable and unpleasant conversation to have, but pre-paying for your funeral expenses is an important topic to discuss. Not only does prepaying guarantee that your family will honor your memory and celebrate your life in a way you want, but it also helps save your children cash and prevent conflict during one of the most emotionally stressful times in their lives.  After all, the average funeral sets families back between $7,000 and $9,000.  This amount is based on factors such as where you live, whether you want to be buried or cremated, and what kind of memorial service you choose.

There are several ways to pre-pay your funeral costs. You can purchase a pre-need insurance plan through a funeral home or a more general final expense insurance policy, which offers the option of coverage for outstanding bills beyond your funeral. You can also set up a joint savings account with your children that provides the financial support to make your final arrangements.

 

 

how to budget

 

Purchase Insurance

 Now that you have a child to consider, insuring you and your partner’s lives and well-being can mean a more stable life for your child should a crisis occur. You will help ensure they can maintain their lifestyle when you purchase life insurance, disability insurance, and homeowners or renters insurance. These three are crucial for helping your whole family maintain a low stress level during an unfortunate event. Disability insurance is important if your work relies on your body.  If a tragedy occurs, you could still have a cash flow even if you’re not working.

 

Work a Second Job

 If you really want to fatten up your finances, you can weigh the pros and cons of getting a second job.  It can be as easy as delivering pizzas or as complex as serving as a professional consultant. A second job is a great way to shovel money into your emergency fund, pay off debt or begin saving for child care. In today’s gig economy, many parents make extra cash driving for a rideshare like Uber, freelancing or working part-time online jobs. Unless you plan on working a second job forever, don’t count this incoming cash as part of your regular salary. Use it instead as a means to work on padding up your savings or paying down your debt.

Starting a family costs money. In fact, it can cost more than $200,000 to raise a child in the United States. Smart parents plan ahead as much as they can from birth to death, and from preschool to college. While financial planning may seem like a joyless chore, you’ll have peace of mind and extra time with your loved ones.  So, the sooner you starting a plan for financial emergencies the sooner you can relax and enjoy life.

You may also like:  15 Signs That You’re In Debt

 

Filed Under: Financial Tips, Parenting Tips Tagged With: , ,

Easy Estate Planning Tips You Want to Know

March 28, 2018 by 2 Comments

When it comes to financial stability, many people think that means having enough income to get by every month. Additionally, they include paying bills, having a well-established savings account, and having extra for family activities.  However, an important step is to secure your children’s future when you pass away.  As sad as it sounds, it’s time to plan for the future. Knowing that you have assets and finances is an important aspect for your family’s well being.  Their financial stability will be impacted for years to come.  So, today we’re sharing parenting tips on estate planning.

 

 

estate planning tips

 

 

One of the things you can do to secure your family’s future financially is to plan an estate. Estate planning isn’t something only rich people should do.  It’s a concept that is very much open to anyone who has assets to be distributed.  Given the potentially-complex nature of estates, it’s understandable that some people might be overwhelmed.  However, knowing what to consider when estate planning may make life easier for you.

According to Forbes, those who file estate plans don’t need to live inside actual estates. Estate planning is simply a legal way to make sure the planner’s family is protected.  Additionally, it ensures that the estate is secure upon your death or you become incapacitated.  Here are a few estate planning tips you should know:

 

Can You Leave the Estate to Your Spouse?

One of the ways you can plan your estate is to just transfer everything to your spouse upon your death or if you become incapacitated.  This is useful if everything that will be involved in the estate plan is jointly owned between you and your spouse.

You can transfer everything to your spouse as long as the estate tax exemption limit isn’t met by your assets. Should you exceed this, you’ll most likely benefit from two revocable trusts to help reduce the taxes owed to the estate. These trusts can be divided between you and your spouse.

 

estate planning tips

 

How Do I Ensure My Kids Are Secure and Protected?

Certain states only transfer your assets to your children officially when they reach a particular age.  However, it’s impractical to give everything to a 21-year-old in the form of a lump sum. However, you are allowed to name someone who can be responsible for managing the assets and the funds you’ve left to your children.  Once they mature, the money can be turned over to them.

  • Furthermore, this person doesn’t necessarily have to be a relative or someone close to your children. It has to be someone you trust and someone who will follow your wishes.

 

Can I Create an Estate Plan After My Child’s Birth?

If you plan on creating an estate plan right after your child is born, you may want to hold off.  Make sure you fully understand the estate laws in your state.  Furthermore, try to review your documents every three to five years to ensure that everything is in place.  Especially, the designation of assets that will be distributed.

You have to be extra careful when naming your children as beneficiaries.  For example, if a child develops special needs, it might be helpful if their trust has some form of supplemental needs attached.

What If You Don’t Undergo Estate Planning?

One of our biggest estate planning tips is this one: if you don’t plan your estate, then you may end up in probate court.   Most financial professionals try to avoid probate court because it expensive.  Additionally, it’s time consuming.

  • In probate, the court will decide who receives what. So, the court will assess potential creditors and heirs.  From there they will divide your payments and assets to them.
  • You can avoid the probate process in a number of ways. One is to create something called a revocable trust.  A revocable trust allows you to give ownership of properties and assets to something known as a “trust.”  It lists exactly what you want to happen if you pass away or become incapacitated.
  • Another way to avoid probate is to start assigning beneficiaries to your assets. These include a tax-deferred account or a life insurance policy.  In the event of your passing, your beneficiary will be the one receiving your assets.  So, check with a lawyer about these assets, your bank account, home and other assets on hand.

 

Estate Planning Can Work for Your Benefit

 Hopefully, the above estate planning tips will give you a better understanding of estate planning.  Once you determine the assets and finances you want to secure, getting help with estate planning can be a good experience.  A lawyer or a legal professional can give you a more in-depth understanding of estate planning or litigation.  Click here for more information.

 

estate planning tipsAbout the author:  Kiren Manning

Kiren is an estate law writer who enjoys writing about real estate and law. He has written for a few blogs in the past, and enjoys sharing his knowledge with those who enjoy reading. In his spare time he enjoys spending quality time with those he loves.

Filed Under: Financial Tips, Parenting Tips Tagged With: , ,