Insurance For You and Your Family
Thursday, January 26, 2012
A Future Doctor in the Family
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Have You Tried Online Casino Games?
Monday, June 7, 2010
Invest in Gold Buillion
Friday, May 21, 2010I'm sure when my retirement comes, this is one option that I would make when it comes to investing my hard-earned money.
How to Talk about Money
Wednesday, March 3, 2010Men are expected to be always stable, very reliable, the protector of the family. With such high expectations, this may be a source of conflict if financial difficulties arise.
What's important is not how couples disagree over money, but how they work things out. When a couple nurtures good communication habits on a day to day basis, they'll find it easier to stay together and face difficulties when they arrive. Where money talk is concerned, most couples need work.
Open communication channels --- constantly. Communication certainly begins way, way before. A husband and wife should be able to talk to each other about personal difficulties from the beginning. But it's not too late to develop this habit. The best thing a couple can do is talk to each other every day about tings that affected them that day. That way, when adversity arrives, it's simply natural for husband and wife to deal with this as a team effort.
Store financial records in one safe place. This gives both partners equal access to financial information when they need it. Better yet, this discourages either partner from feeling that the other is "hiding" something important.
Get to the root of what you are fighting about. Most of the time, it won't be about money. Psychologically, cases like this are often a manifestation of a deeper need. Insecurity, helplessness, anger --- money is often just a front for other irritants.
Stick to the plan. Don't make plans and change your mind midway. don't break any agreements made beforehand; live with the decision.
Take Control of Your Family's Finances
Tuesday, February 9, 2010Lead by Example
Going into debt or spending over one's means for toys or brand names in shoes, clothes, and accessories are a common thing nowadays. A leading bank reports a whopping 17% of loans go unpaid. A friend shared recently that he was surprised to see his secretary, who earns a modest income and supports two kids, with a new MP3 player, that she sheepishly admitted, she got through credit card.
So, how indeed, can we minimize our kids' (and our own) attraction to what is in, what is new, what is hip, and especially if it means going into debt to get it?
We simply pass on to our family the values we know and practice ourselves. If we teach them that persons are more important than possessions, and truly believe it, then laughing together at the dinner table is much more entertaining than eating while facing a huge flat-screened TV set Daddy just bought with his new credit card.
Here are six rules we can live by:
1. The purpose of family is "to grow people". With this in mind, when making tough decisions on whether yet another pair of rubber shoes is needed or not, ask oneself, "Will this help my son or daughter grow into a better person?" As a parent, usually know the answer.
2. Reward big goals with big-ticket items. Whether it's good grades, good behavior, or consistently great work at home and in school. Emphasize that you are saving for the item, so that there is a sense of value in the reward.
3. Don't espouse total deprivation. I tell my kids we split on the item; I pay 50% and the rest comes from their allowance. Usually, there is a pregnant pause after this statement, and an "Oh well, never mind, Mom. It's not so important."
4. Work on your own bad spending habits. You've heard it before. If you have too many credit cards, cut some up, literally. You will feel a liberating peace, much like that of sleeping without clothes between sheets.
5. Set goals together. If you want to go to Hongkong or the US as a family, you'll need to save a lot of cash for that, especially if you have more than one child. Remember, it's not only the tickets and the accommodation, it's the theme park entrance fees, the food and drink, the rental cars, the shopping you have to budget for!
6. Work on your and your kid's self-worth and self-esteem. Look into your own issues. Did your parents use gifts and toys to buy your love? Do you really need that expensive suit to look successful? Did you grow up deprived and not want your kids to ever be that way? Surprise. It's not so bad to be deprived when growing up. There is that impetus to do more, and to succeed where others give up.
Family Affair
Stewardship, simplicity and sharing: words we seldom hear these days. These are the activities of a happy, healthy family. Are they easy to practice? Yes, easier than we believe. Remember, you are growing people. Your kids are putty in your hand. But most of all, don't forget, they are God's putty, not yours. Impose His values on them and you won't go wrong.
Involve the kids in your saving and spending rituals: shopping, depositing money, budgeting. Take them to work to let them see how hard you slave at it. But usually, it starts with saying "No" to that bag that calls your name from the shop window, as it whispers gently to you, "use your card, zero interest, pay later."
Pay later? No. If you really have to, pay now, and pay in cash. That's the final lesson to teach your kids and yourself in our never-ending battle against debt and the temptations of this material world.
Is your home secured?
Friday, October 30, 2009Most of the time, my husband and I are out of the house, leaving our kids and my parents at home. We always worry about their security especially during the nights when my husband and I are out of town. That's why, with the ADT security system installed in our home, we are assured that our home is monitored 24-hour security, 7 days a week. This is really one less worry on our part whenever we leave our kids behind. And of course, we can sleep soundly at night without worrying about burglars that can enter our home while we are sleeping.
The home security packages that they offer are very affordable, and of course, we can never discount the fact that the security of our family is priceless.
Investing in Gold
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The benefits of credit repair services
A Specialty Store for the Whole Family
Monday, October 19, 2009As I was searching for ideas for gifts this coming Christmas season, I came across a website which offers lots of gift ideas for the whole family. Since I have plenty of nieces and nephews to give gifts to, I know the items found in this online store will come in handy. I'm also thinking of buying one of their jellycat items because I'm sure my youngest daughter would love to have it. And if only we still have a baby in the family, I would love to buy one of the barefoot dreams items that the store offers. These are just simply adorable! And although I don't have a baby anymore, I would still love to have this for my niece. The store's appaman line is also one of the reasons why I fell in love with it. What's more? the store offers free shipping for orders above $65, perfect for early Christmas shopping, don't you agree?