Financial management for mom's

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According to US Census Bureau research, women earn 80 cents for every dollar a man earns.  This gap in paychecks is made worse because women take time off work to have children, which means over their lifetime there are less able to save as much as men can. This can have a significant effect on their lives, and for some women who have to struggle on their own because of divorce, for example, the long term consequences can be financially disastrous.

A stay-at-home mom could suddenly find herself single because of the breakdown of a relationship or because they become a widow. The main wage earner could be seriously injured or become unemployed, but even if she goes back to work, the mom will not earn as much as a man in the same job.

Insure The Main Wage Earner

It is best to make sure that the main wage earner in the household is insured. They should be covered for disability in case of an accident or illness and there should be life cover in case of a death. The insurance will help to replace the income of the primary wage earner if a disaster happens.

Protect Yourself

If you are not married to your spouse, it is important that you protect yourself in case your relationship ends, getting a cohabitation agreement, or some kind of legally-binding document that lays out exactly who is entitled to what should the worst happen is the sensible thing to do for you all.

Consider Family Finances

The way couples handle their finances varies greatly. Some leave one spouse to pay all the bills and others have an agreement that specifies who will pay what. There are couples that have joint accounts but some prefer to keep their money separate. All this is a matter for the couple to decide, but it is important that they both understand the household finances, including the details of any debts and any investments.

If a financial advisor is involved both parties should be involved in any meetings and decisions so that if the occasion happens where the mom finds herself on her own, she will be aware of the families financial situation. She can also consult with Financial planning services from Curo (or other financial advisors local to her), to help put a safety net in place for both her and any children.

Earning Potential

Whichever partner stays at home to raise the children, they could have some potential to make some money by working from home.  This can help to keep them up to date with the line of business they have always worked in. It could be as a freelancer or by finding a job that lets them work remotely.

More and more moms are starting to to get some hints and tips and advice to start their own online businesses as they have realized that they can make some cash when the children are at school or in bed in the evenings. Some of them have been very successful and apart from the money they have earned, they have found the experience personally rewarding.

Moms who have been out of the workforce for a while can lose their confidence when it comes to getting a job. Technology and new innovations have made the workplace a different world. There are online resources where they can hone their skills though, and this will help to give them their confidence back.

Most moms do a grand job raising their children, but there are times when finances can be a problem for them and then they should ask for help and advice if they need it, as friends and family will always be there for them.

Fighting the good fight: we should engage our children in conflict from time to time

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We all want a healthy relationship with our children, but at the same time, we can struggle with the conflict of, well, conflict. While we may want a quiet life, we still have to lay down the law so our children know what is right and wrong, but this means we've got to learn how to say no to our kids. And in life, there are some big conflicts that we will have with our children, but we have to know that these little battles will benefit our relationship with the kids in the long-term.

Starting Them Young

We can feel tempted to give up with something as banal as teeth brushing. After all, they say that you don't really have to worry about your children's teeth until they turn 3, but if you can take advantage of the situation when they're young, and get them into the habit of brushing their teeth, even if it's a superficial practice, this gets them into the habit of brushing and you can then focus on making their skills better in this department. Sometimes, it's about certain concessions, especially if we are in a rush in the mornings, and while we can feel that we don't have to worry about this when they are toddlers, it's this attitude that we'll have difficulty breaking. Making it a habit now, even if it is just a quick brush and some fluoride varnish, will at least ensure that their teeth are healthy to an extent. And brushing their teeth should be a twice-daily habit, so this is the perfect opportunity to start engaging our children in those battles that we could be so tempted to give up on.

Not Following The Herd

As your children get older, they will come home from school wanting a specific brand of product, no matter how expensive it is. Once we give in to this, they start to push it further and further until we demand the need for a quiet life, and placate them with these presents. But, the buck stops with us. In life, it's easier to say yes, but at the same time, we don't want our children to feel intimidated by other kids in school because they haven’t got a certain item. This is where compromise comes into play. You don't necessarily have to say no, but it's about seeing it from their point of view, and then seeing it from yours, which is something we don't always address with our children. This is especially true for those parents that say no, and further clarify this with a “because I said so”. This is not a justifiable reason!

As far as engaging our children in conflict is concerned, we have to remember that this form of conflict can help our children prepare for the big wide world. And at the same time, it hammers the point home for us, that we don't need to say “yes” and give them what they want all of the time. Because we've all seen those children who get everything they want, and it's not pretty!

Health benefits of red wine you didnt know about

Great news – drinking wine is actually good for you! It should always be in moderation, of course. However, if you’re feeling guilty about having a glass of red wine with each evening meal, worry not. According to recent research, there’s an abundance of health benefits to drinking red wine every day. One glass a day for women and two glasses a day for men is the ideal amount. Here’s what you need to know.

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It’s an Antioxidant

Free radicals have long been linked to various types of cancer. One of the best ways to fight off free radicals is with antioxidants. Red wine is full of antioxidants and research is claiming a glass a day could help protect your body from a long list of diseases. Although white wine is higher in antioxidants, red wine has a significant amount and it’s packed with lots of other health benefits too.

Boosts the Immune System

Did you know that a glass of red wine a day can boost your immune system? It’s never going to be as good as a daily dose of Vitamin C, but when you’re rushed off your feet, the extra help can’t hurt. Enjoying a glass before bed is a great way to unwind and the wine has chance to enter your system as you rest at night. However, you should be careful of the amount you consume. Drinking too much can have the opposite effect, so stick that one glass per night.

Stronger Bones

Does osteoporosis run in the family? If so, a glass of red could keep you protected for longer. It’s a natural occurrence for our bones to become brittle as we age, but red wine is packed full of silicon. Silicon helps to increase bone density, allowing your bones to stay stronger for longer. Of course, you could always drink a warm glass of milk before going to bed, but why would you when you can just visit the online wine store and get yourself a month’s supply of red?

If you prefer to be a little more selective when buying that nightly glass, choosing an organic, sustainably produced Rioja Crianza can balance flavour with responsible farming. A medium-bodied Crianza typically shows juicy cherry and blackberry notes with a smooth vanilla-spiced finish and fine tannins, making it a relaxed match for a Sunday roast or a hearty moussaka. For an example that matches these characteristics and is produced without chemical inputs, try Terra Organica, which is also vegan-friendly. Picking wines like this lets you enjoy the tastes mentioned above while keeping sustainability in mind.

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Reduces Stroke Risk

Red wine is particularly good for reducing the risk of stroke- again in moderation. The wine contains phenols that act as a blood thinner, similarly to the way aspirin does. This happens thanks to the ingredient resveratrol which is found in red grapes. It has the best effect on the body when the red grapes are turned into wine. It can also help conditions like endometriosis where the lining of the womb grows thick in other areas of the body.

Lowers Cholesterol

Do you need an easy way to lower your cholesterol? Look no further than red wine. The procyanidins in red wine not only encourage lower cholesterol but also help to look after your heart too. It actively decreases bad cholesterol and protects your healthy blood pressure. It’s ideal for anyone with a history of heart disease in the family.

As far as red wine goes, it’s medicinal purposes have no end. From Type 2 diabetes to the risk of cancer, it can reduce your chances of many health problems when consumed responsibly.

5 Innovative Hotel Design Trends to Watch for in 2019

If you want your hotel to meet the highest standards and boost its ratings, then it’s high time to
investigate what the latest design trends are. What’s interesting, the most famous interior designers
from around the world have already presented their predictions for the year 2019, and we can’t wait to
share them with you. These will not only help you stay ahead of the competition, but will effectively
increase the number of guests coming to stay at your fine establishment. In order to help you transform
your existing hotel into a state-of-the-art one, we have singled out top trends for the upcoming year.
Let’s take a look and get inspired.

Personalized smart hotels
First things first, Scandinavian hotels have shown a great interest for creating a personalized experience
for each visitor. For instance, they are focusing on installing personalized smart home gadgets in the
rooms which will allow the guests to operate the lights, curtains and various appliances in the room per
voice. Additionally, hotels will even offer their guests high-end home entertainment devices with access
to premium streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video. Lastly, in 2019, we will also see a new
means of communication with the hotel’s staff that will allow the guests to voice their room
temperature preferences, manage food and drink orders and more via apps and smart cloud services.
This will allow the visitors to customize their experience at the establishment even when they leave
their room to explore the town.

Multi-functional spaces

Interior designers from Asia now predict that simple and lifeless lobby areas as we know them will
disappear and will instead be replaced by multifunctional spaces which can serve as workplaces, casual
restaurants and meeting places simultaneously. More importantly, experts specializing in the unique
Hong Kong interior design are focused on creating functional spaces in which ambient lighting, glass
exterior walls and high-tech amenities will serve to attract guests to come and stay. On top of that,
communal tables should be placed here with individual seating instead of the usual benches which will
both allow for a flow of communication and a chance for guests to work alone in an environment rich
with activities. Additionally, a Wi-Fi internet connection has to be made available for business and
entertainment purposes, as well as USB charging stations.

Dramatic colour schemes
Research shows that more and more hotels will have to switch to brighter nuances and vivacious colours
for their interior design if they want to attract more customers. The first reason for this is that nowadays
a large number of people read reviews and look at photos of hotels online. This means that if the
accommodation seems too sterile and mundane, their interest for it fades away faster. In order to break
the monotony, hotel owners are painting accent walls in contrasting colours. They’re additionally mixing
and matching upholstery designs and furniture styles to achieve the biggest wow effect possible. Most
importantly, lounge spaces and dining areas can be equipped with warm-coloured lights to create an
inviting atmosphere and to set the right mood.

Eco-friendly implementations

Another important trend currently practised by hotels in South Africa is the implementation of eco-
friendly practices. By honouring and caring for nature, modern hotels will be able to attract a bigger
millennial clientele while giving back to the environment at the same time. To start off with,
accommodations will reduce water waste by installing low-flow toilets, sinks and showers. Furthermore,
electrical consumption will also be decreased by installing energy-saving LED light bulbs in all rooms
along with smart motion sensors which will turn off the lights when the room is empty. Finally, high-end
furniture and cabinetry will be built from sustainable materials such as recycled wood, plastic and
natural stone. These materials can add a natural touch to each part of the hotel and make it look more
welcoming.

The boutique hotel effect
Last but not least, hotel chains in the USA are cutting down on homogenized looks for their rooms and
opting for a more natural and idiosyncratic style typical of boutique accommodations. By paying tribute
to local cultures in every suite with artisan crafts and art pieces from the region where they’re located,
hotels can provide their visitors with a powerful immersive experience. The same effect can further be
achieved by introducing flowers and plants indigenous to that region. Special attention also has to be
paid when designing the exterior so that it doesn’t convey the message of being “one in a series”.
Furthermore, boutique hotels boast with individually designed rooms in a quirky modern style where
traditional elements are balanced out with modern features for a timeless look.

As you can see, 2019 will bring a lot of fresh ideas to the way hotels are designed. By following these
changes closely and implementing them in your own design, you will be able to attract a wide range of
customers and meet all their individual needs. We wish you all the best in the upcoming year.

The shocking ways smoking negatively affects your health

Everyone knows that smoking is a seriously bad habit. It’s long been associated with lung cancer, but the health effects extend far beyond this. It’s one of the worst things you could possibly do with regards to your body and health. To help demonstrate this, here are a few shocking things that can happen when you smoke regularly:

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Smoking speeds up menopause

For women, this is a very serious health issue as it affects your ability to have children. All women go through a stage where they, unfortunately, lose the ability to have kids. But, this tends to happen long after you’ve already had kids, so it’s not so much of an issue. However, when you smoke, you can speed up the process and bring it earlier than scheduled. Women in their 30’s are going through early menopause almost exclusively because they smoke. If you’re yet to have children, then this is as good a reason as any to quit your bad habit.

Smoking has been linked with MS

Multiple Sclerosis is one of the worst diseases anyone can get. It affects your brain and spinal cord, causing issues with your vision, balance, and general health. Many things could cause this, but it’s strongly suggested that regular smoking increases your chances of contracting this life-changing problem. The problem with MS is that there are lots of different symptoms and various types of this disease. You can have a look on sites like Shift MS that contain forums for people with this condition as it will give more information on symptoms, what to look out for, and what to do if you fear you have this problem. If you smoke, then there’s every chance you could contract this condition in the future - so cut it out.

Smoking causes COPD

COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which is essentially a breathing condition. People with COPD will have severe asthma symptoms, and daily activities can be hard as you need an inhaler all the time. A shocking 80% of COPD cases are linked to smoking. It’s pretty much the number one cause of this disease, which is hardly a surprise when you think about it. After all, you’re inhaling toxic smoke into your lungs. It’s terrible for your breathing, so cut it out before you develop a disease that stays with you for the rest of your life.

Smoking raises your cholesterol

If you have too much bad cholesterol in your body, then it essentially clogs up your blood vessels and increases the chance of all kinds of heart problems. There’s a reason you see so many food products on the market that claim to lower your cholesterol - it’s not something you want a lot of! Smoking raises bad cholesterol and reduces the good one. This can cause so many illnesses that are so severe they may end your life early.

My whole point is that smoking is the worst habit you could possibly have. If you’re aiming to make 2019 a year full of good health and happiness, then cut out this habit!

Strike back against back pain

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Many people experience back pain in their lives. This could be anything from a small injury to a chronic condition. Whilst not all back pain can be cured, it’s always possible to relieve the pain, helping to make life more comfortable. Here are just a few ways to strike back against back pain.

Seek professional help

Getting professional help should always be the first course of action. In the case of an injury, you should see a doctor straight away. If it’s been a gradual problem, it could still be worth seeing a doctor to explore options when it comes to medication.

Other forms of professional help could also be useful. It could be worth seeing a chiropractor in the case of certain chronic conditions – such professionals may be able to use techniques such as a spinal adjustment to relieve or even cure the pain. In the case of sports injuries, a physical therapist could be more useful for helping to recommend exercises and stretches.

If you don’t have the money for these services, there may be ways to get financial help. In the case of injuries, it’s sometimes possible to get legal compensation with the help of a Colorado personal injury lawyer assisting you with any claims you may have. Alternatively, certain charities may also be able to provide funding.

 

Stay active

Doctors used to recommend resting in bed to cure a bad back. However, it’s now thought that this could cause more harm than good – physical activity can sometimes be beneficial by keeping muscles and joints active and preventing inflammation. Exercise can also release endorphins that in turn can provide short-term pain relief.

Obviously, you need to be careful of the types of physical activity you take up. Low-impact exercises are the best type of exercise to stick to as they generally won’t aggravate injuries – such exercises include walking, swimming, pilates and yoga.  

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Get a massage

Booking a professional massage could be worthwhile for helping to fight back pain. Massaging the area could help muscles to relax and reduce inflammation in most cases.

If you can’t afford a professional massage, then you may still be able to massage yourself. You could do this by buying a massaging armchair or by buying a foam roller which you can then roll against your back whilst lying on the ground.

Try herbal supplements

Ingesting certain nutrients can also help the body to fight pain. Herbs and spices such as ginger, cinnamon and turmeric all have anti-inflammatory properties. You can sprinkle these herbs onto foods or drink them in the form of herbal teas.

Also, you could try natural herbal products such as those offered on this website. Kratom is a herb from Southeast Asia and you can take it as a capsule or powder supplement to get relief from back pain. 

Try acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of holistic therapy that could also be worth trying out. It involves inserting tiny needles into pressure points in order to stimulate nerve endings. Many people with back pain claim that it works for them.

You'll want to find the best acupuncturist in nyc (or wherever you are) to ensure you're getting the best treatment possible. There are many other types of holistic therapy that could be worth looking into too such as hydrotherapy and acupressure.

Upgrade your bedding

You may find that sleeping with regular bedding makes your back pain worse. Harder mattresses tend to be better for supporting the back and alleviating pain. You could even consider investing in an orthopaedic mattress if you have a chronic condition.

Some people may find that sleeping with pillows for extra support also helps. This could include putting a pillow under the legs to alleviate lower back pain or placing pillows each side to prevent rolling in the night.

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Take a hot bath

A hot bath can also do wonders for back pain. The buoyancy of the water combined with the heat can help to relax tension in muscles and ease inflammation. Having a hot bath also provides us with an endorphin rush by stimulating every nerve ending in the body - this can have temporary numbing effects against pain.

Some people find that using bath salts can help to further alleviate pain. You can buy bath salts online.