Treat Yourself to a Luxurious Staycation

 

Everyone loves going away on an exotic vacation, but sometimes there’s nothing quite like staying home and taking a few days to relax. After all, when you have a luxurious residence, you don’t need to stay at a five-star hotel to treat yourself. If you’re ready to escape your daily stress without having to pack your suitcase, here are a few tips for the ultimate staycation.

Call the Cleaners
Whether it’s for a week or a weekend, you want your house to be looking it’s best when you start your staycation. Have the cleaners come do an extra deep clean so that it practically feels like a hotel. You might even want to take some time to declutter and organize beforehand, because nobody can relax in a messy environment. You’ll thank yourself later.

Pamper Yourself
This is the perfect time to pick out a few products to upgrade around the house, like bath salts that you can enjoy while soaking in the tub or fine linens for your bed. A plush, new bathrobe or fluffy set of towels might also be in order.

Make Reservations
The staycation is all about planning ahead and splurging a little bit (and you don’t have to feel bad about it because you’re already saving money by not booking hotels and plane tickets). Book yourself a day at your favorite spa and get a few treatments, then be sure to make a special dinner reservation. If you want to go to a play or concert, get your tickets ahead of time so that everything is in order.

Stock Up on Your Favorite Foods (and Drinks!)
Of course, you’re not going to want to go grocery shopping while you’re taking your staycation, so make sure you have the pantry filled with all your favorites. Everyone eats well when they go on vacation, so it’s perfectly fine to indulge in your favorite sweets.

Family Activities
Plan out a few activities that the whole family will enjoy, like going apple picking or taking a day trip to a nearby attraction. In the evenings, it’s always fun to spend time cooking together or playing a board game.

Top Money Skills to Teach Your Children

 

Raising your kids to be adults who can successfully navigate through life is the end goal of parenting, and a big part of that responsibility centers around teaching them about money so that they’re financially independent as they transition from childhood to adulthood.

Here are some of the best money skills to teach your children:

Explain that everything costs money. This basic concept is one that some people forget. Everything you buy costs money, whether you pay for it now with cash or later with a credit card or loan.

Thirty-eight percent of U.S. households had revolving credit card debt in 2018, according to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Revolving credit is debt that’s moved from month to month and paid off over time with interest and possibly even late fees. This is in direct opposition to credit card users who pay off their purchases each month and avoid interest charges.

Take your children shopping with you—for groceries, clothes, furniture and everything else—and show them that things cost money.

Teach them to save. A clear jar for spare change can be a simple way to show children how to save money as they can physically see the money increase daily.

When they get money for birthdays or earn an allowance, open a savings account in their name and show them how to deposit money in it regularly. If they’re old enough to understand it, teach them how compound interest works and how regular deposits and interest paid on their account can increase their savings.

You don’t have to go over the numbers with them but explain how you save money each month for retirement, emergency expenses, vacations and other long-term goals.

Give them the opportunity to work for an allowance. Set up an allowance—usually equal to their age—for weekly chores. This will help show children that they can get paid for working, then use that money to buy things or save for something later.

If you don’t think an allowance is a good way to get your child to do chores, take the time to explain the importance of everyone contributing to how the house is taken care of and how important it is that everyone work together to get chores done.

Teaching them some responsibility, whether with an allowance or not, can help them learn skills they will undoubtedly need as adults.

Show them the importance of a sound budget. If you don’t have a household budget, having kids may be a good incentive to start one. You can show them your monthly expenses, as well as income, and explain how both should be equal to make your finances work well.

Make sure your children understand that not having a sound budget that can be adhered to may cause them to go into debt in order to pay some bills, or having to cut costs because they can’t afford everything they want. If you don’t want to show your children your income, at least explain how your bills work.

Can You Reopen a Homeowners Insurance Claim After You Received Payment?

 

If you submitted a claim to your homeowners insurance company and received a payment, the company most likely sent you a letter stating that your claim was closed. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the issue has been completely settled, however. The insurer might reopen your claim, even if it has already sent you a payment, if you present evidence that the company didn’t adequately compensate you for your losses or introduce new information that wasn’t available when you initially submitted your claim.

How to Get Your Insurance Company to Reconsider Your Claim
If your claim is complex, consider seeking professional help. For a relatively simple case, you might be able to handle things with the insurance company yourself.

Start off by reviewing your homeowners insurance policy so you understand your coverage, exclusions and limits. If you aren’t sure why the amount of the payout was lower than you expected, review your claim and settlement letter. If the insurance company cited an exclusion, check the language in your policy to see if it fits the specifics of your claim. 

If you need clarification on anything, contact your insurance company and ask questions. Keep written records of each person you speak to, when you spoke and everything you discuss. If you talk to someone on the phone, send that person a follow-up email summarizing your discussion to avoid any disagreements or misunderstandings.

Send a letter via certified mail to the claims adjuster explaining why you disagree with the company’s decision. If you think the adjuster missed some damage or underestimated its scope, ask the adjuster to reinspect your home. You can also ask a local contractor (and/or an expert in water damage, smoke damage, mold, etc., if applicable) to inspect your house and submit an estimate to the insurance company. Don’t threaten to hire an attorney at this stage. Try to resolve the issue amicably. 

What to Do if Your Homeowners Insurance Company Won’t Budge
If these measures don’t persuade the insurer to reconsider the amount of your settlement, you can file a complaint with your state’s department of insurance. If there is a disagreement on the scope of the damage, you and your insurer can each hire your own appraiser to try to reach an agreement. Another option is mediation, although the insurance company wouldn’t be bound by the decision. As a last resort, you can hire an attorney and file a lawsuit against your insurance company.

Your Insurer’s Decision Isn’t Necessarily Final
When people receive a letter from their homeowners insurance company stating that a claim has been closed, they usually think that’s the end of the road, but that’s not always the case. You have the right to question the insurer’s settlement. Sometimes companies backtrack and pay out more than they initially offered when homeowners provide additional information from professionals. If you’re not satisfied with the amount you received, explore all your options to get the compensation you deserve.

Money Mistakes to Avoid After a Divorce

 

A divorce can be one of the most difficult things to go through in life. Financial mistakes after a divorce don’t have to be on that list.

Here are some money mistakes to stay away from so you can bounce back and move forward with your life:

Not Budgeting
With your income likely being cut in half after a divorce, it’s a good time to set up a budget and adjust your lifestyle.

Start a budget and keep track of how much money you’re spending and how much you’re bringing in. You may have to pay alimony, which should be included in your new budget. You may also want to go back to school so you can get a better job and earn more money, or switch to full-time work if you worked part-time while married.

Using Retirement Savings for Living Expenses
Divorce is expensive, costing $15,000 per person on a national average in 2019. Your expenses may also rise after a divorce. You’re now responsible for paying an entire mortgage or monthly rental, so your housing costs could double.

While these money problems won’t last forever, it can be tempting to pull money out of your retirement accounts to pay for them and other daily living expenses. Withdrawing money from most retirement accounts comes with a 10% tax penalty. Even if you pay the money back, you’re still losing interest during the time you take the money out.

Keeping Joint Accounts Open
Married couples often have all kinds of accounts open together. Bank accounts, credit cards, retirement accounts, loans and a home are some of the things they own jointly.

It’s best for both of you to decide who is now in charge of each debt and to remove the name of the ex-spouse no longer on the account. If your ex is an authorized user on your credit card, remove them so they don’t buy a lot of stuff without intending to pay for it.

For loans, you may have to refinance the loan in one person’s name only. Bank accounts can be easier to deal with. Divide the balance and close the account.

Not Dealing With Taxes
If you were married most of the year, each if you may have to file tax returns separately. Your tax status is based on your marital status on the last day of the year. So, if you’re legally divorced by Dec. 31, you’ll file as a single person or head of household.

Changing your filing status affects the capital gains you’ll pay on the sale of your house. As a married couple, you both avoid paying capital gains tax on the first $500,000 from the sale. If single, the exclusion drops in half to $250,000.

3 Ways to Eco-Clean Your Fridge

 

Suffice it to say that no kitchen appliance gets more traffic than the refrigerator, and all that use means it’s prone to mess. The next time your fridge is due for a cleaning, consider using eco-friendly agents that are just as effective as some of the harsher products you’ll find at the store. The best part? They’ll save you some serious green!

Oust Odors
With varied foods stored inside refrigerators, it’s no wonder the appliances are susceptible to odor. To eliminate unpleasant smells, remove the offending item and place an open box of baking soda in the back of your fridge. Baking soda has absorption properties that neutralize odor to help keep your fridge smelling fresh, no matter its contents.

Banish Chemicals
To clean the inside of your fridge (and other areas of your home), mix up a large batch of non-toxic cleaner made of equal parts tap water and distilled white vinegar. Heat up the solution in a microwave-safe container to zap any bacteria and wipe down all shelves and drawers inside your fridge. Also, make sure you don’t forget to clean the sides.

Go Natural
Rather than using a commercial refrigerator cleaner, such as stainless steel sprays, combine warm water with a drop or two of natural dish soap. Store-bought cleaners often release chemicals that cause indoor air pollution, and natural soap won’t irritate sensitive skin. To remove fingerprints or smudges on your fridge, wet a soft cloth with the solution and wipe down the doors and handles.

These are just three eco-friendly ways to clean your home’s kitchen refrigerator. Check online for some more green cleaning tips that you can try for the whole household.

A 10-Point Guide to Healthy Meals

 

Most everyone knows a healthy diet is important for a healthy body. But eating the right foods every day might be easier said than done–especially with so much tempting junk food available! If you’re looking to improve your diet, start by making some small changes and learning the keys to healthy eating.

Try to include all the major food groups–fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy and protein–as part of your meals and snacks daily. You’ll also want to limit added sugars, saturated fat and sodium. For further guidance, check out these 10 tips from ChooseMyPlate.gov for building healthy meals and meeting your eating needs throughout the day:

1. Make half your plate veggies and fruits. Vegetables and fruits are full of nutrients that support good health. Choose fruits and red, orange and dark-green vegetables, such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes and broccoli.

2. Include whole grains. Aim to make at least half your grains whole grains. Look for food labels indicating the product is 100-percent whole grain or whole wheat. Whole grains provide more nutrients, including fiber, than refined grains do.

3. Don’t forget the dairy. Complete your meal with a cup of fat-free or low-fat milk. You’ll get the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk but fewer calories. Don’t drink milk? Try drinking soymilk or include low-fat yogurt in your meal or snack.

4. Add lean protein. Choose proteins such as lean beef, pork, chicken or turkey, as well as eggs, nuts, beans or tofu. Twice a week, try to make seafood the protein on your plate.

5. Avoid extra fat. Using heavy gravies or sauces will add fat and calories to otherwise healthy choices. Try steamed broccoli with a sprinkling of low-fat parmesan cheese or a squeeze of lemon.

6. Get creative in the kitchen. Whether you’re making a sandwich, stir-fry or casserole, find ways to make them healthier. Try using less meat and cheese, which can be higher in saturated fat and sodium, and including more veggies that add new flavors and textures to your meals.

7. Take control of your food. Eat at home more often so you know exactly what you’re eating. If you eat out, check and compare the nutrition information. Choose options that are lower in calories, saturated fat and sodium.

8. Try new foods. Keep it interesting by picking out new foods you’ve never tried before, such as mango, lentils, quinoa, kale or sardines. You may find a new favorite! Trade fun and tasty recipes with friends, or find some online.

9. Satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way. Indulge in a naturally sweet dessert dish—fruit! Serve a fresh fruit salad or a fruit parfait made with yogurt. For a hot dessert, bake apples and top them with cinnamon.

10. Remember that everything you eat and drink matters. The right mix of foods in your meals and snacks can help you be healthier now and into the future. Small, practical changes in how you eat can improve your diet and add up to big wins over time.

Cleaning: What Not to Do

 

Believe it or not, despite your best efforts, some of your cleaning habits may be doing more harm than good. Be sure not to do the following:

Closing the washing machine door. Closing the door after a load of wash is done seems like a no-brainer. In actuality, you should be leaving the washing machine door open when the laundry is finished. The airflow will actually help prevent mold and mildew from building up inside your machine. If your laundry isn’t smelling as clean as it should after washing and drying, that could be the culprit. When leaving the door open, take extra care if you have small children and pets.

Using paper towels to clean glass. When cleaning mirrors and windows, your best bet is a microfiber cloth. Paper towels will leave streaks and a trail of lint.

Using a spray cleaner on car windows. A spray cleaner will leave a pattern of drops and streaks on car windows, so opt for a foam cleaner instead. 

Microwaving kitchen sponges. According to studies from Real Simple, microwaving sponges to clean them is not as effective as once thought, so using them to clean kitchen counters, etc. may actually be spreading bacteria. The safer bet? Replace your sponges once a week, or use cleaning cloths that can be put through the washing machine.

Not cleaning your cell phone. Since our cell phones tend to go everywhere, studies have revealed that they may carry more germs than a toilet seat! So even if you’ve done a great job cleaning your home’s surface, every time you place your phone down is a chance for spreading bacteria. Follow safe practices for cleaning electronics, and make sure to regularly clean your mobile devices.

Make these few, quick adjustments to your routines for more effective cleaning and a healthier home.

Source: Real Simple

Cue Up Family Game Night With a Pool Table

 

If the game of pool brings to mind smoke-filled pool halls, then think again. Pool is relatively easy to learn how to play, yet very difficult to master, which makes it a fun activity for the whole family.

If your new home has a large space that would make for a good game room, then consider a billiard table as the focal point of that space. This guide to the basics of pool table buying can get you started.

Cost Considerations:
A pool table is an investment. Basic tables, which are commonly found in homes, cost about $1,500 and can last for 10 years or more if they are well taken care of. Mid-range tables can cost up to $3,000. They feature high-quality slate, wood and bumpers and are more decorative than other tables. If money is no object, you can consider a custom table, but that’s really an option for serious players.

Who’s Playing?:
When debating the size of the investment you want to make in a pool table, think about who will be playing. If you envision family fun, you may want to go with a lower-cost option because you don’t want to stress over kids damaging the table or ripping felt. If you’re serious about the game, then a more expensive table might appeal to you.

Find the Right Accessories:
You need more than just a table to play pool. You will need to buy balls, cues, a bridge and chalk to start. If you want your game room to look its best, you’ll also want to invest in a rack and proper lighting.

Other Games:
You can add to the family fun by adding an air hockey, foosball or shuffleboard table to your game room. If you want to take things to the next level, buy a big TV and bar to make this a destination for entertaining friends and family.

Don’t Ignore Your Table:
Now that you’ve become a billiard table owner, you need to take proper care of it. Keep it covered when it’s not in use, and there will be times when you need to call in a service expert to repair pockets and cushions or to level the table.

And then you’ll be set up for years of family fun—and some friendly competition.

5 Basics to Jumpstart Your Home Gym

 

We all know it; sitting is the new smoking. Everyday experts are coming out with new reasons for us to get our bodies moving to ensure long term health, but it can still be hard to get to the gym while accommodating your busy schedule. If you’re ready to make exercise a little easier on yourself by starting at home, there are a few items you should have to jumpstart your home gym and tackle those excuses.

Non-Slip Exercise Mat

Slipping and tripping is an easy way to set yourself up for an injury while you are just getting started. Prevent an injury while making your workout more comfortable by selecting a cushioning mat that will support you while you perfect your next moves. Bonus, if you are working out while others are in the home, these mats can act as a mild sound dampener during your next HITT session.

Adjustable Dumbbells

Dumbbells are useful for a multitude of exercises, and finding a set with various weights can make them a versatile powerhouse for building muscle. Opt for an adjustable dumbbell set that will allow you to add or take away weight as-needed. This makes it simple to swap based on your exercise routine for the day, and makes it easy to share with family members who may have different fitness regimens. 

Foam Roller

Supporting your health through exercise comes with its fair share of perks, but sore muscles isn’t one of them. While you can mitigate soreness by stretching after your workouts, foam rollers take the cake when it comes to relieving muscle tightness.

Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are perfect for beginners and experienced exercise enthusiasts alike. Their low-cost makes them approachable and they are easy to store without cluttering your space. Buy a set with a range of resistance levels to ensure you always have the right level of challenge for your goals.

Streaming Device

A streaming device is a vital tool for the home gym. Between instructional videos on Youtube, tv streaming applications you already have, and fitness-specific subscriptions options, you will be sure to find great workouts to follow.

Remember this is just a jumpstart to get you on your way to the perfect home gym. Wait until you have created a habit with these essentials before buying any bulky equipment that you won’t commit to using.

How to Avoid Setting Your Children on a Path Toward Financial Problems

 

A lot of parenting is about setting a good example. In teaching children how to deal with money, how you talk to them at a young age about it can help them in the long run. 

Parents can also go the other way by teaching their kids bad financial habits. 

Here are some money issues parents should avoid so that their children aren’t sent down the path toward money problems later in life. 

Giving Them Everything
It’s common sense not to spoil children, but parents often do because they can afford to—and because they want to give their children the best of everything. This can lead to a misunderstanding of how choices are made with money when they start earning incomes of their own. 

Cars, vacations, education and houses are some of the biggest expenses that parents can help their children afford. For young children, it can be too much to say “yes” to every request they make. Instead, focus on giving your time and explain why you have to say “no” to some requests. 

Excluding Them From Big Decisions
Money lessons come up daily or weekly—consider a trip to the grocery store for an easy one—but even big family expenses, such as buying a car or planning a family vacation, can be lessons in the value of a dollar. 

Vacation planning can be a fun way to get children involved and allow them to work within a budget. Determining where you’ll go, if you’ll drive or fly and what activities you’ll do while on vacation can be a deep lesson in how much things cost. 

Paying for Everything
If your child doesn’t have a job, it can be unreasonable to expect them to buy their own clothes, for instance. But once they start high school, most children should be able to find some type of part-time work so that they have the funds  to pay for things like car insurance or a cellphone plan. 

If parents pay for everything their child has, it can leave the child without “skin in the game” and a chance to have a stake in what they want. 

Forgetting Money Basics
Even if your child is taking a personal finance class at school, you should be talking to them about credit cards, interest rates on loans, debit cards and how to save for college, among other basics of financial life. 

If you don’t know where to start, begin by seeking help at your local library, community college or bank. Helping your children become financially literate is a great way to set them on the path to financial success. 

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

 

Fire extinguishers can save lives and property, but many people might not know how or when to use the protection devices, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. To help ensure you’re better prepared for a fire emergency, the agency offers the following tips:

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher
There are five primary types of fire extinguishers, each designed to put out different kinds of fires:

• Class A. For use with ordinary materials like cloth, wood and paper. Often found in homes and businesses.
• Class B. For use with combustible and flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, oil and oil-based paints. Often found in homes and businesses.
• Class C. For use with electrical equipment like appliances, tools or other equipment that’s plugged in. Often found in homes and businesses.
• Class D. For use with flammable metals. Often found in factories.
• Class K. For use with vegetable oils, animal oils and fats in cooking appliances. Often found in commercial kitchens.

For the home, choose a multipurpose fire extinguisher that covers Class A through Class C for fighting all three types of common house fires. Most home improvement stores carry multipurpose A-B-C models. In addition to fire extinguishers, every household should have working fire alarms and a fire escape plan.

When to Use a Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers are designed for small, confined fires, not large ones that are growing. Before using an extinguisher, make sure the fire is contained in a single object, such as a pan or wastebasket. Alert others in the building that there’s a fire, and have someone call the fire department. Before proceeding, make sure you are physically able to handle the fire extinguisher, safe from the fire’s toxic smoke and have a clear escape route.

To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS:

• Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.
• Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
• Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

If you’re unsure about whether it’s safe to use a fire extinguisher–and for all other fire situations–alert others, leave the building, and call 911 from a mobile or neighbor’s phone. Safety should be the top priority, and it’s essential to follow your instincts and know when to get out. As such, it’s not recommended that children use fire extinguishers.

The Importance of Maintenance
To ensure fire extinguishers are ready in case of an emergency, make sure to regularly check them for the following:

• Easy access in an emergency. Be sure nothing is blocking or limiting your ability to reach the extinguisher.
• The recommended pressure level. Many extinguishers have gauges that show when pressure is too high or too low.
• Working parts. Make sure the can, hoses and nozzles aren’t damaged, dented or rusted.
• Remove any dust, oil or grease that might be on the outside of the extinguisher.
• Guidelines and instructions. Some extinguishers need to be shaken monthly, while others need to be pressure tested every few years.

If you would like fire extinguisher training or have any questions, contact your local fire department.