1. Get Several Quotes

Remember: just because you have insurance now doesn’t mean that you have to stick with your current company. Get online and look at several insurance companies and use their free quote features. You may find that one company is significantly cheaper than another, for the exact same coverage.

2. Discounts

Many insurance companies offer discounts for teen drivers. The good student discount is by far the most popular. If your child is in high school or college and is maintaining a B average, you can expect to save anywhere between ten and 20 percent on your premiums.

Some insurance companies also offer discounts for any driver’s classes that have been taken beyond basic driver’s ed. Look for insurance companies that offer discounts for defensive driving courses and sign your child up. Not only will you save on your insurance premiums, but you can feel better knowing that your child is as prepared as possible for the responsibility of the road.

3. Which Car?

Talk to your insurance agent before you add a teen driver to your policy. Find out if your current company will assign drivers to specific cars. You may own one vehicle on which you can insure your child relatively inexpensively and another that will send your premiums through the roof. Be warned though: not all insurance companies will allow you to assign a driver to a car.

4. New Car

If you are considering purchasing a new or used car for your teenager, talk to your insurance agent first. Some cars are very expensive to insure and others are quite reasonable. You can expect to find the most cost-effective to insure cars in the mid-size, family sedan range. It might not make your teenager look “cool”, but it will save you from spending a hefty chunk of your salary to insure them.

5. Consider Lowering Coverage

You never want to skimp on coverage for the vehicle that your teen will drive, but you may be able to lower coverage on a vehicle that they will not have access to. Consider lowering your coverage on any vehicles that are paid off and that only mom and dad will be driving. This isn’t going to lower the cost of insuring your teen, per se, but it can help make up the difference.

Don’t procrastinate when it comes to insuring your teen driver; should he or she be involved in an accident, your insurance company may or may not cover them. If they do cover them, they may raise your premiums retroactively. With the proper amount of research, it is possible to insure your teen driver without going broke.

Author’s Bio

Christopher Jensen is a writer and car enthusiast offering advice on how to get an auto insurance comparison for different rates offered by various arizona auto insurance companies.

1. Working for Wages

One of the best lessons you can instill upon your child is that they must work for a paycheck. Start with toddlers and continue the lessons, expanding upon them, as your child ages. Give your child small chores that they must complete for free. Chores like making their bed, picking up their toys or even putting their dish in the sink should not earn an allowance. Anything your child does above and beyond their chore list does earn a bit of spending money.

The point here is to teach your children that everything they do in life will not earn a paycheck. There are certain things that will be expected of them that no one will be paying them for. When they put in extra work, that’s when they will be paid.

2. Saving and Giving

As you establish an allowance for your child, use the opportunity to teach them about both saving and giving. While it may seem silly to charge your four year old tax on their allowance, you can teach them that a certain amount must be saved and a certain amount must be given.

Allow your child to choose a favourite local charity and take ten percent of their allowance for the charity. Start a donation jar: let your child decorate a jar and put their ten percent into the jar each week. Once your child has saved $50, take the jar and let your child give it to the charity.

3. College Fund

When your child is small, start a college savings fund and let them contribute to it along with you. You can use another ten percent of their allowance while they are young and, as they grow, increase the percentage of their income that they will put into the account. Never force your child to put holiday or birthday money into this account; that money should always be theirs to do with as they wish.

4. Prepaid Debit Card

When your teen begins to drive, purchase them a prepaid debit card. Allow them to have complete control over the card with the understanding that once they have run out of money, there will be no more until next month. Require that your child use the card for dates, make-up, clothing and any other items that aren’t needed to sustain their health and well-being.

Sit down with your child when you give them the card and create a budget. Doing so will show them where there money should be going and then help them to make good financial decisions. Expect some stumbling at first; it’s completely normal. Your child may burn through their money in as little as a week; it will only serve to teach them a lesson, provided you don’t hand them any cash for the three weeks following!

5. Credit Cards

Sit down with your child before they leave for college and explain the ins and outs of credit cards and credit card debt. Many young adults are never talked to about credit cards and quickly find themselves in financial trouble. Explain to your children the various terms associated with credit cards and debt and give them a few lessons on how to manage their plastic. It may seem simple to you, who has had credit cards for years, but don’t you wish someone would have talked to you about using cards wisely when you were a kid?

Teaching your children about money when they are young can help ensure that they are better prepared for the financial world when they are out on their own. It’s never too early to start money lessons with your kids; find age-appropriate lessons, follow these five tips and you’ll not have to worry about your child’s financial status when they leave the nest.

Author’s Bio

Sheila Barnett writes on personal finance and budgeting for www.financialcalculator.org, a site with helpful details and financial tools such as an investment calculator, a millionaire calculator, and even a brand vs. generic calculator!

What causes this behavior in children? What is the best approach? Let’s draw upon specialists’ knowledge and experience.

Psychologists explain that at that age (1-3 years old) children have very limited control over their lives. Part of growing up is searching for ways to obtain more control. Toddler’s age is connected with a big life change for kids – learning to say “no”, starting making choices, having individual preferences. Eating is the ideal opportunity for them to practice this newly recognized right or skill. It’s also a perfect way to punish parents who have disappointed them with something.

Don’t underestimate children’s ability to experience frustrations of their own – not letting them to stay longer at the playground, not letting them play with something they find attractive, going to work and leaving them with someone else, or just being bored by you. On one hand, as a caring parent you should try to satisfy their needs for variety and attention but on the other – it’s inevitable that they have to learn gradually to cope with frustrations. Learning that you can’t have every desire satisfied is a painful but unavoidable lesson – it’s part of life. Again balance is the key.

Children need to find a way to release this tension and protest in their own way. Refusing to eat can be such a protest and the more you force them to eat, the more stubborn they will become. They see how upset you are by their refusal and this is a hint how to punish you when they are angry.

Plus, from psychological point of view associating food with force might develop an unhealthy approach to food in the future. Food should be considered as a tasty way to satisfy hunger. If you let you child decide when to eat, they will adopt that healthy concept naturally. The psychologist Madlen Algafari suggests that you make sure your kid gets enough water and leave the choice to them to ask for food when they feel hungry or see there’s no need to be on strike as there’s no pressure exerted on them. She says she herself refused to eat at that age and her mother followed the advice of a doctor to give her the freedom to decide when to eat. She didn’t eat for 3 days!!! But after that she stopped that kind of protests and her parents solved the problem for good.

Furthermore, too much emphasis on the quantity of eaten food as a way to kids’ happiness and health is actually unhealthy. Focus on the nutritious properties of food and other ways to make a kid happy. There are numerous mental benefits of exercise, communicating and playing games with the child.

Other useful techniques to deal with problem include:

• Make sure that the child can choose between different foods. You yourself have personal preferences so why would you assume that your child doesn’t?
• When you’ve cooked something they’ve told you they want to eat and then they refuse to eat it, don’t get angry. Let them realize that they can take part in deciding what meal will be present on the table but you can’t satisfy every change in their desires.
• Leave a plate in a place which is approachable to them so they can eat when they feel hungrier or when they give up trying to “beat” you in the battle for power. They won’t starve to death, and as long as food is there they will eat when they want to.
• Give children some time to adjust from one activity to another. If they are engaged in a game, calling “The table is set. It’s time to eat” doesn’t mean that your words will have an immediate effect on your child. You know how you can get so involved in something interesting that you need some time to give your hunger attention and interrupt the current activity. Ten to fifteen minutes before setting the table, tell that after a while the food will be ready.
• Don’t have family arguments at meal time with your spouse or your kid. When a person is nervous, their digestive functions are affected badly. Make sure that your child associates eating with a serene and pleasant atmosphere.

Author’s Bio:

Maria Dimitrova writes for anotherway.org, a site where you can discover the most efficient solutions to problems in different areas and useful information like the best web browser, why the cost of gold has surged or how to invest in precious metals.

1. It’s all about the hair. If you are raising girls, this tip is probably very familiar to you.  The way your kids wear their hair makes all the difference. Younger girls will appreciate hair bows and other cute accessories.  Flowers made specifically for the hair is a hot trend for girls both young and old.  Older girls may want to explore with highlight.  The perfect hair completes the perfect outfit.

2. Jewelry is a must. Both boys and girls will be fashionable wearing the latest trend in jewelry.  Jewelry for boys can be limited to bracelets and necklaces. Girls, however, have a wide range of selection.  Bottle cap necklaces are a popular trend at the moment.

3. Earrings add class. Along with necklaces and bracelets, many girls enjoy wearing earrings.  For younger girls, studs are the perfect option. Older children may want something with a little sparkle or dangle.  Dress your little girls up with earrings to add a little class.

4. Concentrate on comfort. While you want your kids to look hip and trendy, you also want to make sure that they are comfortable.  As a rule of thumb, don’t buy it unless your child is comfortable wearing it. Don’t force your child to be uncomfortable in an effort to make them fashionable.  Comfort should be the key when buying clothes for them.

5. Shoes should match the season. If you want your child to be fashionable, make sure his shoes match the season.  Wearing flip flops during the winter is a big no, no.  A popular trend during the winter are boots.  Make sure your child is clad in boots each and every winter.

6. Winterizing the wardrobe. Shoes are not the only thing that needs to match the season.  Your child should have separate wardrobe for winter and summer.  As the temperature gets cooler, begin to store away clothing that he can no longer wear.  Winterize his wardrobe in an effort to keep in fashionable and in style.

7. Hand-me-downs are great! Be sure to save clothes that you spend good money on for your other children in the future.  This can help you save tons of money.  While a few things may “go out of style” there are other clothing items that will always be classic.  Jackets, pants, and sweater are all things that you can save over time for your other children.

8. Buy clothing out of season to save the most money. If you want your child to be fashionable but are on a tight budget, you may have no other option but to buy clothing out of season. When the summer ends, pick up clothing that your children will be able to wear next year.  You can catch the higher priced, better quality clothing on sale at the end of the season.

9. Let your child get creative. While you want your child to dress in style, you also want him or her to get creative and choose clothing that he likes to wear.  Don’t try to control every single thing your child wears.  Let your child have the opportunity to find a style that is unique to him.

10. Clothing essentials. There are certain things that are essential for every wardrobe.  These include undergarments, t-shirts, pajamas, and turtle necks. Make sure that your child has  the clothing essential that he needs to complete his wardrobe.  You can’t be fashionable without the essentials.

Use the fashion tips above to help your kids fit in with all the others.  What your children choose to wear can be an opportunity for them to show their personality.  Help them be fashionable while also giving them space to make their own decisions as to what they want to wear.  How fashionable are you children?

Author’s Bio

Kathy has written this article for 1001Shops where you can shop for specialty products like decorative Venetian mirrors, tiffany floor lamps, wall clock, etageres and lot more.



Going Green

Moms to be are increasingly going green — and not with envy. Nope, they are just living by the motto to “reduce, reuse, recycle!” Baby shower can be as green as they like. If the mom-to-be requests a green shower, the shower hostess should try to find secondhand or borrowed decorations.

Expecting mothers can request that guests gift them “gently used” items as gifts. Chances are, guests have hand-me-downs from their own kids that are still it great condition. They can also find some at Goodwill or other thrift or secondhand stores. Alternatively, they can also choose to give a gift card to one of these stores—and that $20 will go a lot further at a thrift store than a popular commercial chain. Be careful, though; some things are safer to buy new, such as car seats and pacifiers. The folks at www.looklovesend.com recommend putting all of your expectations out to your guests first, and also being open to feedback.

Boy/Girl Surprise

If a mom-to-be is an adventurous type who’s into surprises, this could be the shower for her! Instead of finding out her baby’s gender at an ultrasound appointment, the discovery can be made at a big party where she’ll be surrounded by loving family and friends. Plus, this is pretty easy to pull off. The expecting mother should have her technician, instead of telling her the baby’s gender, write it down on a card and seal it in an envelope. This can be passed to the shower hostess, who can arrange for the big reveal.

A great way to announce the surprise is to have a cake that is neutral on the outside, but for the middle layer of frosting has either pink or blue frosting. Have the mother cut into the cake and reveal if it will be a girl or a boy. Or the hostess can let the other guests know the baby’s gender and ask them to bring gifts specific to the gender but wrapped in neutral paper. Then there’s an added element of excitement to unwrapping gifts!

Father’s Fiesta

Why not give the dad-to-be a chance to party, too? While he may not be into sitting around with his friends adoring tiny outfits, eating cupcakes and gossiping, you can plan a party that’s more his speed. It can really make him feel like a baby is something that he gets to celebrate, too. See if he’d like a “Father’s Fiesta,” which could be an opportunity for his friends to come and congratulate him and squeeze in some guy time before the baby arrives. A Mexican theme with chips and salsa, cigars and cerveza would be perfect. The father to be can sit around, drink some beer and play some poker or video games. If guys want to bring gifts, make it a no-brainer — ask them to bring diapers and simply drop them at the door.

Most of the fun baby shower ideas can also work as baby announcement parties too. Send out your birth announcement cards, and have fun!

They are considered super sexy and even comfortable to wear, which is one of the best features of maternity clothes in general. Whether you’re entering week 8 pregnancy or week 16, you’ll be glad to know that style has never been sexier in maternity fashions. Looking good while feeling comfortable is the aspiration for 2011 fashions and lots of designers have nailed that aspect perfectly.

Some women start to worry about all of their body changes and their appearance being altered around week 8 pregnancy, the perfect time to go shopping. With all of the new trends and funky styles that are now available, looking chic while being pregnant is no longer something to fret over. Some of the hottest looks and styles for pregnant moms are listed here for your review before you hit the shops.

Chambray Skirts

An inexpensive addition to your wardrobe is the chambray skirt. It goes with multiple tops, has a wide, stretchy waistband for growing room, and features a ruffled-circle design for femininity. Above-the-knee and super cute, it can be coupled with a beaded tee or a silky camisole. Chambray skirts will undoubtedly become an item on the list of the top maternity clothes of 2011.

Capri Pants

These pants are slated to become one of the top maternity clothes for spring. Capri pants can go from casual to dressy by simply changing your shoes or top. Mix and match capris with short sleeves or no sleeves, a simple tank top, or three-quarter length sleeves to look perfect for any occasion.

Leggings

Making their way out of the 80s and into the top maternity fashions of 2011 are the stretchy pants called leggings. They can be worn with almost anything you choose from a long tee to a short dress.

Tunics

Tunic tops will be one of the most versatile pieces in your maternity wardrobe. Many different looks can be achieved with a tunic, from hugging your beautiful body to loosely accentuating it. They come in various material choices and designs. From casual to dressy, you can opt for the popular men’s shirt styles to the simple little tank look. This top fashion can be an excellent choice for skirts, business slacks, Capri pants or leggings.

Floral and Colourful Dresses

Sleeveless, cap sleeve or spaghetti strap dresses for spring can include long or short lengths. The popular long, maxi dress is one of the top maternity clothing choices for 2011 thus far with optional floral prints or solid colours. An empire cut waist literally exudes femininity and style. Some feature high, round necklines and some entail a drop V, though they are all super sexy for spring. A low scoop back and an elastic bubble hem are two designs creating excitement for a more sensual look of pregnancy.

Floral designs give you that springtime feeling as soon as you put them on, whether you are around week 8 pregnancy or farther along. Which of these fashions will you be wearing in 2011?

Author’s Bio

Christina Jenkins (fondly known as Jenkies) is a stay at home mom who has recently turned to blogging on her favorite topics to keep her sanity in this new era of her life. She’s extremely interested in design, blogging and tech. Her Twitter is @OhJenkies

Consider breastfeeding your baby.  First and foremost, breastfeeding has many healthy benefits for your baby.  Secondly, doing so can actually help you to lose weight faster.  Women who breastfeed often lose more weight in a shorter amount of time after pregnancy than women who do not breastfeed.  You will be able to burn off more calories when breastfeeding since you will continue to share nutrients with your baby.  And it takes energy from your body (and thus burn more calories) to provide your baby with milk.

You must also eat a healthy and well-balanced diet if you are breastfeeding.  Having a good diet will make it easier and more likely that you will start to lose weight.  You should also avoid foods that are high in fat or sugar while you are breastfeeding.  This is just another thing that can help you to drop pounds.

Plan healthy meals ahead of time.  You should plan out your meals for the week.  This will help you to ensure that you are planing meals that are healthy and that will make it easier for you to shed extra pounds.  If you take the time to plan out meals, it will make it easier for you to find the time to actually prepare these meals.  You might even want to prepare some of your meals or parts of your meals in advance so that you have the time for healthy meals.

Make time to be active even when you are tired with the new baby.  It is important to always look for ways to stay active whether it be working out to an aerobics video or taking the baby for a walk.  You cannot stop exercising after you have a baby.  Get together with some other moms to find some fun ways to stay fit even when you have kids.

Take some time for you even though it is difficult to do so.  It is harder than ever to take a few minutes for yourself each day.  However, it is important that you take a few minutes to de-stress each day.  If you are under less stress, you are less likely to overeat.  Your body will be better able to metabolize your meals each day if you are under less stress.

The important thing to do after having a baby is to still take some time for yourself.  You need to take good care of yourself so you can remain healthy while also dropping those extra pounds.  With some effort and dedication you can become thin again in a relatively short amount of time.  Just take your time to be healthy so that you do not lose too much weight too soon after pregnancy.

Author’s Bio

This article was contributed by Sandra Stevens. When she’s not reading or flying kites, Sandra writes about careers in nursing on her CNA Training help blog.

Tight Sleep = Loose Pants?

At the beginning of fall, the media covered an article about recent research on the link between sleep and obesity in children. The research shows that the amount of sleep a child is allowed closely correlates with weight gain in small children and adolescents. In fact, the correlation is negative, showing that more sleep results in healthier and fitter children (=less weight). This unique survey followed the same U.S. children over a five-year time span, enabling the researchers to compare the conditions and results in the very same individuals, thus ruling out many sampling issues. In the end, the study showed that children who slept as much as 10 hours a day before the age of six had significantly smaller chances of becoming overweight later in their lives.

Even though there is correlation, we cannot distinctly declare a causal relationship. It is unclear whether the abundance of sleep influences hunger and appetite, metabolism, or some other hormone levels. Perhaps tired kids are less active and thus burn fewer calories; perhaps those who sleep just have less time to eat. All that said, my advice #1: Make sure you create the right conditions for your kids to be able to (and to want to) sleep long and soundly.

The Boon of Irrationality

Behavioural economists have long been observing and describing instances of irrational human behaviour. Dr. Dan Ariely, for example, wrote in his book Predictably Irrational about an experiment with candy bars and trick-or-treaters. Dr. Ariely did not miss an opportunity to test one of his behavioural theories during one Halloween. He decided to test the “candy-rationality” (or lack thereof) in any trick-or-treater who dared knocking on his door.

Dr. Ariely gave each kid three Hershey’s Kisses. Then, he proposed two deals to the first few visitors – either a mini-Snickers in exchange for one Kiss, or a full-sized Snickers bar in exchange for two Kisses. He found that most of the kids indeed accepted a trade, and the majority opted for the full-sized bar for two Kisses. So far, the kids’ reasoning was clearly rational. After a while, Dr. Ariely altered the terms, offering these two choices: a full-sized Snickers bar for one Kiss, or a mini-Snickers for free. While the large Snickers arguably outweighed its cost in terms of a Kiss and the mini-Snickers, children facing a decision to go with a free mini-Snickers were unable to make this comparison anymore and usually opted for the free mini-Snickers instead of the actual sweet-maximizing chocolate trade. Clearly, they were swayed by the fact that they could get something for nothing and their anxiety of giving something up shifted their judgment as well. This behavioural tendency is repetitive (and thus predictable), and even adults are subject to its power.

The lesson here (and my advice #2) is that people can be often influenced to make a certain choice if the right techniques are applied. Hence, to prevent your children from consuming too much fast-food or candy (read more about childhood obesity facts), you can use the tricks pointed out by Dr. Ariely and other behavioural economists and offer your children deals which are good for them but which they cannot turn down. Healthy adolescence can significantly improve your kids’ quality of life. They will have to deal with smaller medical costs, lower insurance premiums, and will likely be more active, creative, and vital in their lives. In the end, you will end up raising happy and healthy children who will be thankful to you for the sophisticated care you gave them. Good luck!

Author’s Bio

Lorne S. Marr is an independent insurance professional, expert in life insurance and no medical life insurance in Canada. He is devoted fan of sport and active lifestyle.

These are our tips to help you have a truly unforgettable holiday – in a good way!

Travel in comfort

No matter if you are traveling by airplane, car, train, or bus, pregnancy will probably throw in some unexpected surprises. Calculate the length of the journey, and consider the conditions. Every mode of transport comes with its very own set of pros and cons. Air travel, for instance, has the advantage of being the fastest way to get around. Toilets are readily available on planes too, something you can’t say for your car! On the other hand, flying increases the risk of varicose veins, and there is a lot of waiting around at the airport before your flight too. Whatever you think is the most comfortable way to travel, go with that!

Get a good hotel

Comfort is at least as important during your stay as it is while you travel! Now is not the time for cheap hostels or camping. Get a good hotel that is comfortable with king sized beds, and with a spa on the premises if at all possible. Pregnancy signs like insomnia and back pain are bad enough without uncomfortable rooms or tents.

Be well-equipped

Wherever you go, take a change of clothes with you. Morning sickness can rear its ugly head at any time during your journey, and you never know when you will need another outfit. While exploring your destination always make sure to take drinking water with you, especially if you are going somewhere warm. Carry your relevant medical documents and identity papers at all times as well, and look into local hospitals or doctors before you travel, just in case.

Know what to avoid

Some popular holiday destinations require travel vaccinations that are not safe for pregnant women, so those countries are obviously out of the running. Also avoid lying in the hot sun for long periods of time, as this can cause the baby’s temperature to rise to dangerous levels. Skiing or other active holidays that carry a real danger of breaking bones are also not the most wonderful idea when you are expecting a baby.

Personalized Backpack Design (PakNak)

For tweens it’s all about finding their individuality and trying to stand out from the crowd. Paknak designs are a great and fun way for them to both express their personality and still allow them to switch it out when their personality changes next week! Plus it’s a great way for them to quickly identify their bag among the throng of similar looking bags.

Bouncin’ Around the Christmas Tree (Mega Moon Mood Hopz)

Get your tweens outside and active with Mega Moon Mood Hopz. Strap these onto their shoes and your tween will be bounding down the block like they’re walking on the moon! A fun and unique gift sure to delight the tweens, teens and dads alike!

Lunch in Style (Built NY)

This is not your grandma’s lunch box. Bringing lunch to school just might become bearable with Built NY’s selection of bold and unique lunch totes. Select from a variety of sizes, colours and styles to fit your tween’s personality.

Active Gaming (Hyper Dash Extreme)

Encourage your tween’s energy with Hyper Dash Extreme. This fast paced game is flexible enough to be played indoors or out and can be played solo as a personal challenge or with family and friends for high-paced, interactive fun. The difficulty level is adjustable ensuring years of fun that grows with your tween.

Gift Cards

While gift cards may seem like the gifting version of a shortcut, don’t underestimate the power of the right gift card for a growing tween. Not only is it money in their pocket, which they’re sure to love, but a gift card is one more way for them to feel like they’re growing up and independent. The novelty is even greater if the card is to a specialty store that they love and are rarely able to indulge in. Or, to the movie theater where they can get both a movie and a popcorn with friends and feel like an adult for a night.

Tweener Laptops (Netpal Netbook)

For a Christmas your tweens will never forget, impress them with their own Disney Netpal Netbook. This customized laptop, with dozens of parental controls already built-in, allows your tween to learn how to operate a computer and software as well as navigate the internet from the safety of a laptop built with their security in mind.

No matter what you decide, don’t forget it’s always a good idea to look at places like Offers.com before you buy and make sure that you’re taking advantage of online coupons, discounts and promotions. So relax, get your tween’s gift online today and enjoy the rest of your holiday season.

Author Bio

Christina Jenkins (fondly known as Jenkies) is a stay at home mom who has recently turned to blogging on her favourite topics to keep her sanity in this new era of her life. She’s extremely interested in design, blogging and tech. Her Twitter is @OhJenkies