Budgeting Tips for Parents

The excitement of enlarging your family comes with the panic of managing the budget to include the baby and their growing needs. Studies show that delivery and first year could run as high as a year’s salary, at about $32K. Moreover, it does not stop there. Being a parent means joggling with money for years to come. The only golden rule is “Think ahead and don’t panic”.

Budgeting basics

Even if the expenditures will rise exponentially and the income will fluctuate as well, sticking to tried and trusted budgeting rules would help you overcome most challenges. Don’t neglect savings even if sometimes stretching your income for that too seems a bit too much.

A simple strategy is to split your income in half. The first half goes towards mandatory payments including mortgage, food, and immediate expenses. The other half should cover your wants and savings. Try to redirect at least 15% towards savings. If you have any high-interest credits, like payday loans, do your best to eradicate those first.

Don’t stress if you need a bit more than half of your budget for immediate expenses that is totally fine for mid-income families with small children. Just be sure that you are tracking your expenses and not swiping the plastic without thinking about it.

Make tracking your finances a game with your spouse and reward your small victories.

Stick to financial priorities

Being new parents makes you dream about the future and motivates you to get the best for your child. However, saving for college while they are still playing with large wooden toys is not the smartest financial move. You will always find college loans, but there are no retirement loans available.

First thing first, set aside some cash, anything between $500-1,000 for unexpected emergencies and then define your financial roadmap following the next landmarks.

Retirement funds. Even if in your late twenties or early thirties you are not thinking about retirement you should set aside at least 10-15% of your income for this purpose. It might sound like a lot, but taking into consideration inflation and other negative financial influences it might be just enough. If your employer is offering a 401(k), IRA or another type of plan, be sure to take full advantage of it.

Pay off debt. Not all debt is bad, but that with an interest rate well over 15% should be checked off your list as soon as possible. Do your best to pay off and payday loans first. Then, try consolidating the remaining debt, if you have multiple student loans, you might get a better rate at a professional service like Crediful.

Think about the future

If you are left with a couple of spare dollars each month, you can think about college savings through a 529 plan a tax-free way of saving money which will also be tax-deferred if used for qualified higher education.

Downsize at least for a while

Having children can mean a hit for the budget, at least in the short term. Maternity leave or taking a break from work entirely can leave the family budget seriously skimmed. If enlarging your family is a planned event, try downsizing a few months in advance to get used to the new situation and avoid emotional stress caused by having less money. Also, you can use the extra cash to set up a fund for the parent who will stay at home.

The steps

If you have no idea about how expensive it is to be a parent, you can try this cost of the baby calculator. Of course, you should adjust those numbers according to your lifestyle and the cost of living in your area.

If it seems too high, think about ways to reduce the cost. First, add your child to one of your health insurance plans, you can never be too careful with healthcare expenses. Next, be practical and think about reducing unnecessary spending on clothes. Your child will outgrow them in months, so getting second hand is actually a wise idea. Reusing from older siblings is also an option.

You should not be ashamed to ask for necessary items at your baby shower. This includes many costs to first-time parents such as crib and stroller.

Sometimes as new parents, you just need more money. When that happens, you need to cut on some expenses and find new ways of enhancing your budget.  The stay-at-home parent can get a part-time job or a work-from-home gig on the Internet. The one who kept their job could ask for a raise. Together, you could decide on downgrading your car or cutting some expenses like a gym or other subscriptions you might not use in the immediate period.

Never be afraid to take advantage of your new status as a family. You will be amazed how many companies have products, services, and discounts explicitly designed for people just like you.

Kicking Off With Football Alternatives

As much as we love football, and we’re not ashamed to admit that this is more than our wives would like, there are times when going out and playing or watching a game is just not on the cards. Whether through injury or cost, distance or weather, there can be an enormous amount of reasons that going out into the world for the real thing just can’t happen. With that in mind, we thought it would an interesting idea to look at a few alternatives.

They might not quite be the real thing, but you might be surprised at just how much some of these game stick with you. We know we were.

Bubble Football

Not the most seriously competitive alternative, but still one which we would recommend every time the opportunity presents itself. Players in this game are encased in the inflatable bubbles known as ZORBS, and otherwise, the rules are much the same. That is, except contact, which is not only permitted, but encouraged.

It can be a bit tricky to track down enough of these for full teams but, luckily, party rental services like Zorbing Hire will often have you covered. Great for parties and stag dos, we would never recommend combining this game with a few drinks, but we sure are thinking it loudly.

Car football

If you think bubble football was chaotic, then take a look at the Top Gear inspired game of car football.

Not for the faint of heart or light of wallet, this is a game which thrives on carnage, though, in this case, we do seriously recommend keeping any amount of liquor out of the equation. While there aren’t any strict rules to follow in this version of the game, as players can only really be expected to the best with whatever used car or flat-out junkers they have, it’s a very good idea to go dressed in safety gear before giving this a go.

Every group has a Steve, and Steve, as you well know, can hardly be trusted behind the wheel.

Rocket League

Going digital with this one, the now extremely popular game of Rocket League is essentially a digital version of car football, only with rockets. A lot cheaper than the real-life alternative, Rocket League is available over most major platforms, including PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch, with cross-play even allowing friends to compete over different devices. Though, it should be noted that the PlayStation version will not be playable in this way until early next year.

We hate to drone on, but we can’t really undersell the popularity of Rocket League, which even has considerable earnings to be made for skilled players in the eSports arena. Even major online betting services like Betway offer odds on major events, making this closer to real-life football fun than almost any alternative.

Footvolley

The name for this one really gives it away, as a combination of both football and beach volleyball. Footvolley was invented in Brazil by Octavio de Morales in 1965, according to the Footvolley website, and has remained popular ever since. Originally starting out as 5v5 game, over time, the skill of the players would become so great that this number had to be reduced to 2v2. It’s difficult to score if nobody ever makes a mistake, after all.

Played only with feet, Footvolley has spread to beach-cities all over the world, with many major events held in Portugal, Thailand, Greece, and beyond. Of course, playing this game requires not only a decent beach but also great weather, which can be more than a little tricky to find where we live. At least it could work well on a holiday.

Don’t Underestimate the Alternatives

Some of these might seem silly, but then that’s also the opinion which the uninformed or uneducated can have on football itself. Even as a spectator sport, we would recommend the likes of bubble and car football especially, as the amount of laughter on offer makes for a great night of watching with a few friends.

We can’t promise that success in any of these will give you the chops as being a real football star, but it’s enough to rub in your friend’s faces and, really, isn’t that enough?

Is Your Business Prepared for a Cyber Attack? 4 Tips That Work

Businesses have to be extra alert to the variety of ways hackers can break into sensitive online data. This is increasingly necessary since customer data protection is a prime factor in business reputation management and customer confidence.

According to available statistics, small businesses are targeted in 50% of all cyber-attacks. This could be as a result of inadequate security measures which are uncommon in big businesses.

So what can be done to help improve your cyber security and protect your online privacy? It is as simple as establishing strong security protocols and habits, and making sure that these measures are strictly adhered to by all personnel.

  1. Ensure that all employees make use of a strong password: every employee must make use of a complex password that would be very difficult to decipher. The passwords should be a combination of alphanumeric characters, with a mix of lower and upper case letters, and punctuation marks. They should be at least eight characters long and must not match any existing personal passwords. It is also important to change the passwords regularly. By having a strict password policy, your business will be more likely to evade an attack.
  2. Back-up all sensitive files: there are cases where malicious parties hack into online data and remove or lock up files so that they cannot be accessed until the business pays a ransom. This is what is known as ransomware attack. By keeping a secure offline backup of all files, ransoming can be rendered ineffective to a reasonable extent. Regular back-up of all files on a remote server or hard drives is one security discipline that must be observed. Some independent cloud organizations, such as Iomart, also offer innovative solutions and disaster recovery services.
  3. Invest in strong anti-malware software: malware is any piece of software that is written with the sole purpose of doing harm to data, devices, or establishments. There are various forms of malware which include Trojans, viruses, ransomware, and spyware. Some malware are designed to feed on sensitive data so as to defraud the business or its customers. Obtaining a reliable anti-malware is not something to take lightly. Cost does not matter here as trying to save costs would be a typical case of false economy. See to it that all external hard drives, systems, and USB devices are fully scanned.
  4. Staff training: Cyber-security is the responsibility of every staff member. For instance, phishing is a form of malware attack which any employee can fall victim to. Fake emails, text messages, or even phone calls from malicious agents that seem genuine can lead to the release of sensitive files, which can be used to hurt the business or its customers. It is therefore important to continuously train staff on cyber-security, especially those who have admin clearance and who handle sensitive data. Also keep in mind that not every member of the business team should be given full access to certain data. This would help to maintain accountability. Access to certain databases, software applications, etc. should be restricted to only those employees who are responsible for them.

Written by Ester K. is a content writer at Deepak Shukla and a sales and Public Relations (PR nerd), obsessed with research, sleeping in as much as possible, and listening to podcasts. When I am not at home with my fam I enjoy long walks through the beautiful city of Jerusalem.

Will Retail Stores Go Extinct By 2030?

In less than 15 years from now, retail as we know it, might no longer exist. The traditional brick and mortar stores where customers walk down the aisles picking out their goods will be the exception rather than the norm. With advances in technology and especially with the advent of online retailing, sites like Amazon have risen to fifth place in sales ranking, gradually displacing the conventional retail shops.

A recent article from Forbes magazine demonstrated that last year’s sales from physical retail outlets in the UK accounted for 91% of total revenue and there has been a growth of over 50% in the number of physical retail outlets. However, the undeniable evidence before us shows that online retailing is rapidly gaining the ground to eclipse the number of sales that are seen from physical retailers.

As of today, retail remains the single largest private sector employer in the UK, accounting for more than 1 in 10 people in the workforce. However with the advent of E-commerce, a major downsizing is going on in the traditional retail outlet and stores and retail giants such as Toys ‘R Us, have fallen under this onslaught. Surprisingly as these old giants fall, newer retail outlets are springing up to take their place.

Some would argue that the reason retail stores as we know them now may still be in existence years to come, is the customer experience and physical interaction they offer which cannot be found online. In actual fact, most of these newer outlets are combining physical shopping experiences with online shopping in a bid to keep up with current trends.

The phrase the customer is king has never been more apt as now, as newer technological trends such as AI are being used to monitor customer experience in both online and physical stores. For example, it can be used to find out which sections and products in a store customers naturally gravitate towards, with the intent to prioritize the stocking of these areas more popular goods and services.

Experts predict that the retail stores of the future will not be outlets for the displaying of physical goods for purchase, but media for advertisement and social interaction. Here, customers can go to immerse themselves in brand experiences and brands can gain useful insights from customer engagement. We’ve already seen Apple take big strides with implementing this concept.

The implementation of technology would lead to less physical purchasing of goods and instead offer customers the experience of immersion in virtual reality shopping. This might take the form of enabling them a variety of experiences from the comfort of their homes as good as or better than what they would have if they were shopping in a physical store.

In this era of digital revolution and technological advancement, the key to remaining relevant in the retail business is Innovation. Even with the proliferation of shop and retail insurance packages and other cushions targeted at ensuring that conventional retail businesses don‘t have to worry about failure, innovation is still vital. The intergration of technology and innovation into your existing business model is vital for survival.

Where Do You Go for Entertainment?

Finding the right entertainment for your life does not have to be a big challenge if you know where to look.

That said you should have some different options in front of you to keep you entertained for the most part.

Whether watching TV or movies at home, going out with family and friends or a day trip, you can keep busy.

So, where do you go for entertainment?

What’s Available to You at Home?

In looking for entertainment at home, here are a few options:

1. TV and movies – If you like watching TV and movies, you should have no problem finding plenty to entertain you. In fact, you can check out what is new on Netflix this month. The streaming service continues to attract viewers wanting both classic and original programming. You can watch such shows on your own or invite family or friends over. The nice thing about Netflix or other such services is you watch shows whenever. If you have children at home, there should be plenty of viewing hours for them too. This is good for keeping your children occupied when home.

2. Dinner parties – When was the last time you had friends over for a dinner party? Although it is some work on your part, having those you care about over for a nice meal can be a lot of fun. If you opt for such a thing, be sure to plan things in advance. Get a head count of about how many people plan on showing up. From there, come up with a meal plan. If you do not feel like cooking up a storm, you could choose to have the event catered. Don’t be afraid to ask those coming to bring a little something to help out with the meal plans.

3. Pool party – If you have a pool in the backyard, how about throwing a pool party? You want to take advantage of those summer months if you live in a climate where winters can be tough. That said set aside a weekend day and invite outside family and friends over. When you have kids at home, this is a great opportunity for them to invite some of their closest friends over. With any pool party, be sure to focus on safety. This is even more the case when children are around.

In looking for entertainment outside of the home, consider some options:

1. Day trip – When was the last time you were on a day trip? Getting away for a little R&R is always a good thing. Whether you go to a familiar spot or somewhere new, the time away gives you a chance to recharge your battery.

2. Sporting event – If you like sports, when was the last time you were at a game? A day at the park or arena gives you a chance to cheer on your favorites. If you have children, this can be even better. Having a sport or sports to share with your child can be a great thing as he or she gets older.

3. History – Whether close to home or making a bit of a drive, find some history to enjoy. You can be both educated and entertained at the same time when learning about the past.

No matter where you go for entertainment, find what makes you happy.

Does Your Family Need a Getaway?

Do you have to think for a while when it was your family last had a getaway? If you said yes, there’s a good chance it has been a while since your last trip.

With that in mind, is the time coming up where you and your immediate loved ones need to get away?

If needing a trip, where are you thinking of going?

Whether you stay close to home or go far away, a family getaway can be a lot of fun.

So, is it time to start planning?

Where Would You Like to Go?

In deciding where you and your family may want to go, first look at the options.

If money is a factor, you may want to stay closer to where you live. This can cut down on airline tickets, hotels, rental cars and more.

So, if you live in the Southern California area or not far away, would a day or weekend trip to Disneyland appeal?

One of the most famous theme parks going, Disneyland has entertained many over time. As such, it is not a surprise it remains one of the top attractions to this day.

Now, if money is an issue, don’t fret.

You can go online and search for Disneyland tickets at the right price for you.

With Disneyland, your children can enjoy rides, shows, characters in costume and more.

If you want to include Disneyland as part of your vacation, you could see a lot in one day. Remember, you can still go back at another point and time.

If thinking about a week-long journey, Disneyland and others could still be options.

For example, you may want to also get some beach time in or a trip to the mountains.

No matter where you decide to go, make sure fun is the order of the day (see more below).

Don’t Ruin a Trip by Stressing

When the time comes for you and your family to take your trip; don’t ruin it by stressing over different things.

For example, are you someone who has trouble getting away from your job? If so, the last thing you want to do is be thinking work when you are to be enjoying family time.

Do your best to get as much work done as possible before you head out on your journey. This will lessen the chances of you checking emails or phone calls to the office or clients on vacation.

If money tends to stress you out, do your best to leave those worries behind too.

When you take the time search for savings on your vacation, you have one less thing to worry about.

Last, get some ideas about your next vacation from the one you will be taking now.

See what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to how much you pay for theme parks, hotels, food and more. This will help you better plan your next adventure.

If your family needs a getaway to break the daily grind, what are you waiting for?

Jamaica is the Highlight of the Caribbean

Jamaica is one of the most exciting and desired island destinations in the Caribbean. It is a country with a storied history and diverse culture, and people that it has contributed to the world for centuries. For instance, today, Jamaica is the home to Reggae, one of the most popular forms of music in the world, Reggae; the country of Usain Bolt and Shelly Ann Fraser, fastest man and woman in the world, and their local food is regarded in many circles as some of the tastiest in the world.

This island country with a population of 2.8 million people, has a stable democratically elected government, is low in crime and prides itself on inviting visitors from all over the world.  Jamaica is the third most populated English speaking country in the Americas, after the US and Canada and it remains to this day, a British Commonwealth.

Jamaica has a very interesting population. There is considerable mixing creating a very homogeneous society. This has caused very interesting culture, music and food in the country that is unique to the Caribbean.

Jamaica’s Weather

Jamaica has tropical temperatures meaning humid and hot weather at its lower altitudes and a more temperate climate at higher altitudes. The weather is hot year round, humidity is high with respite from the heat only after sun down or when the winds blow off the Caribbean Sea. There is a rainy season and the chance of hurricanes in the late summer and fall. The average temperatures are 75c Fahrenheit (24°C) in January and 82°F or (27°C) in August. Any time is a great time to come but the months of June through August are definitely the most crowded so if you intend to visit during these months book early.

Best Places to Visit in Jamaica

Jamaica has several high quality tourist areas and all are located right on the water. Each area has a wide range of accommodations for the very low end, to great resorts and at the top end in terms of quality are the villa rentals available on the island. A villa rental in Jamaica is surprisingly affordable and can likely accommodate your whole group.

Of the top vacation spots on the island each is set up to accommodate tourists with all-inclusive resorts, a great nightlife and lots of activities including water and adventure sports.

Montego Bay

On the northwestern coast of the island is Montego Bay, which is the country’s largest area of beach resorts. This is also one of Jamaica’s two largest ports for cruise ships.  Although many who come to Jamaica will select their resort and think about its location on the island later, many aim specifically for Montego Bay because of its vibrancy, abundant activities and non-stop nightlife. The city is filled with all levels of accommodations with of course the most beautiful being the private villas that can be rented for small or large groups.

There is great shopping in town and the town has the best food on the island along with non-stop music played everywhere. There is access to the best golf courses in the entire Caribbean, and horseback riding in addition to every watersport imaginable. There are also tours which includes Montego Bay’s most famous attraction, the Rose Hall Plantation which is supposedly haunted. Montego Bay has its own airport and most visitors will land here before they are off to their final destination city, but as mentioned that final destination is most often Montego Bay.

Negril

On the western tip of Jamaica the land is uncharacteristically dry. However, in this area is situated one of Jamaica’s most popular resort areas Negril. This area has become famous for its wild and free reputation. The area has several nudist beaches and attracts many young singles looking for lots of fun and sun. In terms of sun, Negril’s Seven Mile Beach is one of the longest beaches to be found anywhere in the Caribbean. Partying is the order of the day or night. The local food is excellent but not gourmet, and you will definitely leave the area with wild memories and one of a kind fun experiences.

Ocho Rios

The second most popular destination is Ocho Rios which sits on a beautiful deep water harbor and also offers a teeming set of beaches and other tourist area.  The North Coast where Ocho Rios is located has sharply sloping topography, the perfect scenery for panoramic public gardens and breathtaking waterfalls that pop up throughout the area. Ocho Rios certainly is a welcoming area but is smaller than Montego Bay and can get a bit crowded depending on the season. The area also has great Reggae concerts throughout the year. Many choose to say in nearby Runaway Bay because of it offers great beaches and is much less crowded.

Kingston

Ocho Rios is also a scenic drive from the country’s capital Kingston and the center of government, and commerce here. It is also the home of the legendary Reggae artist Bob Marely. Kingston is also the cultural capital of Jamaica and has many museums and galleries featuring the world of many famous Jamaican artists and writers. The nightlife in Kingston is also the best in Jamaica with several jazz and reggae clubs, upscale supper clubs and even English theater in town. You can visit Spanish Town to see older Jamaican architecture and experience the sleepier side of the island.

The Blue Mountains

If you are up for a beautiful scenic drive, just North of Kingston are the famous Blue Mountains. You can take winding roads that go up high in the hills and down in the valleys and are covered by lush and beautiful vegetation. This is where Jamaica’s famous coffee is grown. The best way to see them is to book a tour because the roads are in bad shape and getting turned around is easy.

Wherever you choose to stay on the island or even if you choose to travel around to several cities, you will enjoy the great hospitality and one of a kind atmosphere this unique island nation has to offer. Bring the entire family and have a great time in Jamaica.

What Do You Do for Entertainment?

Finding things to keep you entertained does not have to be the biggest challenge you face in life.

That said what forms of entertainment do you tend to go with?

From movies and TV to sporting events and more, you should have many things to select from.

So, what do you do for entertainment?

Do You Know what is on TV and the Internet?

If watching television shows and movies is a must for you, do you know what’s new on Netflix?

In the event you were not aware, Netflix has a whole host of offerings each month.

From some of the latest series to trips down memory lane, you can see some great TV shows streamed right to you.

If movies are your things, there are a whole host of movies waiting for your viewing pleasure.

No matter your choices, you will not find boredom to be an issue.

You can also watch such shows and movies on your mobile device. Doing so gives you some more flexibility as where you want to view the stuff.

Take time to see what Netflix has to offer. When you do, there’s a good chance you will want more.

Do You Get Out Often?

While watching TV shows and movies can be great entertainment, get out of your home on a regular basis.

With that in mind, do you get out all that often?

There are a myriad of ways you can find the entertainment you are looking for outside of your home.

Among some choices to ponder:

· Concerts – Look around to see which concerts are playing near you. You may well find a band or bands that you’ve wanted to hear for a while now. As such, you can look for tickets online for them. Once you have your ticket in hand, get set for an awesome show no matter who the artist is.

· Sports – If you like sports, about how many games do you get to each year? Baseball, basketball, football, hockey and more could be waiting for you at any moment. The earlier you get your tickets, the better chance you have of scoring the seat or seats you want. And if you have a rooting interest in one of the teams you are going to see, be sure to cheer them on.

· History – Going to see historical places can be quite rewarding. You not only learn about history, but you can pass such learning on to your children if you have them. Do some research to see what kinds of historical offerings there are near you. You can also consider such activities if you are traveling.

· Family – Last, do you ever stop to think that your own family can be quite entertaining in their own right? When you have children, they will serve up hours of entertainment. Sure, they may well get on your nerves at times, but this is an expectation when one is a parent.

In seeing if you do have enough entertainment in your life, will you be happy with the answer you arrive at?

3 Keys to Eating Healthier

With all that you have going on in your life, where does eating healthy rank when it comes to importance?

Far too many individuals end up grabbing whatever food at whatever time they can. In the process, their bodies fail to get the needed daily nutrients. When this happens, health issues can crop up.

That said there are steps you can take today to start eating healthier.

The question is, will you take those steps or keep meandering down the path of unhealthy eating you appear to be on?

Change Your Eating Habits Beginning Today

For you to get on the road to better eating habits beginning today, remember these three keys:

1. What is a typical day like for you? – First, what is a typical day like in your life? Do you set aside time to make sure you eat three healthy meals each day? If not, are you getting whatever food you can and hoping it will suffice? Take the time to make what you eat today worth your while. For example, did you have a good breakfast on your way out the door this morning? Too many individuals fail this all-important task. As a result, it can leave them sluggish and in for a long day ahead. Make sure you start your day on the right foot when it comes to food. Do the same on your lunch break to help you make it through the work day or school. Once home and unwinding, be sure to have a good meal. You may throw in some snacks during the day. While this is fine, do your best to enjoy some healthy snacks like fruits and nuts. The better you treat your body, the better in turn it will treat you.

2. Do you have time to prepare meals? – If your work life or attending school means you have little or no time to prepare meals, where does this leave you? For some, it can mean not eating the right foods. If this sounds like you, this is where it would be worth your time to have Blue Apron meals reviewed. Blue Apron and other meal delivery services help when you do not have time or expertise to make good meals. When you work with a meal delivery service, it can provide you with well-balanced meals. If you are a vegan or have special health considerations, a meal delivery service can work with you. If preparing meals is not something you do on a regular basis, letting the pros do it makes sense.

3. Steer clear of bad food – Although many folks do have fast food or junk food on a regular basis, do not make it a habit. With that in mind, do your best to avoid making fast food and junk food a daily staple of your diet. If you don’t, you could end up with different health issues. Two of the more common ones would be being overweight and having heart issues. 

In doing all you can to eat healthier, are you digesting what you need to do for a better diet starting today?