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Securing a Financial Future for Your Children

01.24.22

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Securing a financial future for your children is among the most significant responsibilities as a parent. Unfortunately, around 50% of people don’t consider savings, even for emergency funds. There are many reasons for this, and everyone’s situation is different. But you can ensure your kids have some money available when they get a little older using various money-saving methods.

Investments and Trusts

Anyone can begin an investment portfolio, and you can invest in pretty much anything. However, your available funds will limit how much. Today, one of the most popular investments is a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin and another blockchain tech such as ChainLINK. You can use Swyftx to buy LINK and other cryptocurrencies. Trusts are also an excellent way of securing future funds. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are the easiest. You buy a portion of a property with a REIT rather than the whole building. Be aware your money is always at risk when investing.

Life Insurance Policies

None of us like to think of our death, but it happens to everyone. You can leave a substantial amount to your children when you pass away with a life insurance policy. Life insurance companies typically recommend six to ten times an employee’s annual salary as a reasonable amount. Alternatively, you can multiply your yearly salary by the number of years left until you retire to calculate how much life insurance is needed. Payment might be withheld in specific suspicious circumstances, but around 98% of insurers pay out what they should.

Savings and Equity

A lifetime of savings can go a long way to helping your kids. College funds, a downpayment for a new home, or even a much-needed car will help them out. And saving money isn’t as challenging as you may think. Considering the average US salary of $56,000 annually, 20% per month over 18 years equals $198,720. A rather sizable sum that will pay for almost any college course many times over. Additionally, you could liquidate any assets for their accrued equity over 18 years. Your investments can add a substantial amount to savings for your kids. 

Estate Planning

Your assets might be large or small. However, no matter the size, you may want to decide what to do with your things after you are gone. A family member could do this for you should you have little to leave behind. But it is recommended you consult with a qualified estate planner or attorney. Using this method, any complex legal work is taken care of, so your will is executed precisely as you wish. An estate planner will also apply their skills to minimize inheritance tax. Hence, your money and left behind estate go a little further for your family. 

Teaching About Finances

Of course, you should pass on your financial knowledge to your children. Since accounting isn’t taught in school, your kids must understand and respect the value of money. For instance, you don’t want to hand over your savings only for them to blow it. Instead, you can control the amounts they receive using a trust. Still, they also need to understand how to use money responsibly. For example, teaching your children to prioritize buying groceries over frivolous items will instill some responsibility. Also, it is helpful to teach them about savings, investments, and trusts so they can do the same for their children when the time comes, and so on.

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How to Give Your Home’s Exterior a Fresh New Look

01.21.22

Your home is your castle, and you should want to make sure it looks the best it can at all times. Luckily, enhancing your home’s exterior look is easier than you might think! This blog post will discuss some simple tips that will help you improve your home’s appearance without breaking the bank. So read on and learn how to enhance your home’s exterior look today!

via Pexels

#1 Give some attention to the front lawn

The front lawn is the first thing that people see when they look at your home, so you want to make sure it looks good. If your lawn is covered in weeds or dead grass, then take the time to fix it up. Mow the lawn, trim the bushes, and lay down some fresh sod if necessary. 

It would be best if you also considered adding a few plants or flowers to add some color. In addition, you should make sure that the driveway and sidewalks are in good condition. If they are cracked or faded, then consider repairing them or applying a fresh coat of paint.

#2 Replace the garage door

The garage door is another vital part of the home’s exterior look, and it’s often neglected. If your garage door is old and faded, then consider replacing it with a new one. There are many different styles and colors to choose from, so you should be able to find one that matches your home’s style. If your garage door is in good condition but just needs a coat of paint, then go ahead and give it a fresh coat. A new coat of paint can make an old garage door look like new again.

#3 Repair the driveway and sidewalks

The driveway and sidewalks are another important part of the home’s exterior look, and they should be in good condition. If they are cracked or faded, then consider repairing them or applying a fresh coat of paint. This is also a great option when considering what needs to be pressure washed on the outside of your home. If you live in a cold climate, then you might also want to consider adding some salt or sand to the driveway and sidewalks to help keep them from freezing over during the winter.

#4 Paint your home’s exterior

One of the easiest ways to enhance your home’s exterior look is to paint it. There are many different colors and styles to choose from, so you should be able to find one that matches your home’s style.

If you don’t have the time or money to paint your entire home, then consider painting just the trim around the windows and doors. This will make a big difference in the overall appearance of your home.

These are just a few simple tips that will help you improve your home’s exterior look. So if you’re looking for a way to give your home a fresh new look, then try some of these tips! They won’t break the bank, and they’ll make your home look great!

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Easy Ways to get Creative With the Family

11.24.21

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It’s that time of year when the weather is crummy outside and it’s hard to keep the kids entertained in the home. What better way to engage their minds and creative talents than with fun activities for all the family. Read on for some creative inspiration for the winter months. 

Make a creative space 

When it comes to interior design we’re very good at identifying the needs of the home. Everyone needs a home office these days, everyone needs a gym, but what about a creative space. Without a dedicated creative space, you will have to double your living room up. 

Creativity can get messy especially when you have young children using paints; still, the creativity of your family is so important. It’s important for mental and emotional development as well as just having some fun. Making a creative space in your home is an excellent idea.   

Build a fort 

It’s the weekend and you and the kids are bored. They’re bored because you’ve enacted all the best movies on Netflix and you’ve run out of ideas for imaginative games with the toys. Now is the best time to build a fort to spend the weekend enjoying treats and some TV time.  

Building a fort is a fun and creative way to entertain the family on the weekend. All you need is a few chairs and some sheets that can cover the chairs and make a cozy space. Overall, you don’t need much, just a sense of fun and your imagination – don’t forget the snacks. 

Make jewelry 

Both children and adults enjoy making jewelry, some people even take it a step further and sell their jewelry on online marketplaces or use the craft to lead them into more serious artistic pursuits. Making jewelry is both fun and constructive, so what have you got to lose? 

If you’re interested in learning how to make jewelry why not take a class in jewelry making, there are plenty to choose from online and they can even mail you the items you need to make the projects. If you prefer a more hands-on approach then consider a face-to-face workshop.   

Art workshops 

Art workshops come in all shapes and sizes, one of the best ways to find a new creative pursuit is through art therapy classes. While art therapy is mostly designed for people recovering from trauma and life setbacks they are also a great way to try something new without any pressure. 

That said, if you do need some therapy for your life situation art therapy classes are also a perfect match. In an art therapy class, you can redirect your attention to the issue and work with it on a deeper level. Consider seasoned injury lawyers to help you get some compensation.

Paint things 

Painting things is an excellent way to get creative with your family. Whether it’s eggs or clay pots painting things is a chance to get out the paints and make a mess – let’s face it, that’s what it’s really all about! But there’s method to the madness, painting things is both fun and creative.

Sometimes it’s fun just to go at it and paint things randomly to see what happens, other times, it’s a good idea to set a theme to give your children something to work with. A theme works a little bit like a painting by numbers, giving them some perimeters for their painting efforts.    

Collect things 

There’s nothing better than emptying out a large bucket of buttons, string, paper rolls, felt, and another randomness and then set to work on a creative project. This creative pursuit for the family challenges them to think about an idea and create it using random objects. 

But there’s another benefit to this activity, it means you can spend the rest of the time looking for random objects to include in the big bucket. Collecting things is a fun way to spend your time and a way to occupy the minds of your children when you see they’re starting to get a bit bored.  

Make tie-dye t-shirts 

Tie-dye t-shirts might have had their moment in the sun a long time ago but that hasn’t stopped them from sticking around and making their presence felt in the summer months. And, there’s a reason tie-dye t-shirt making is so good for the family, it’s easy, creative, and enjoyable. 

To make tie-dye t-shirts you will need a plain white t-shirt and basin of various dyes that you can buy online or from a hardware store. Put the colors you want in the basin and submerge the t-shirt, take it out and wring it then hang it up to dry. Voila, an instant color explosion.