Tag Archives: Planning

November 10, 2018 · 12:38 am

5 Practical Ways to Save in the New Year

With the new year just around the corner, you might find yourself thinking about resolutions. Is financial freedom part of those resolutions? If so, having a well-defined savings plan is one of the surest ways for you to reach your short or long-term financial goals.

Even with the best intentions, saving money is not as easy as it sounds. How many times have unexpected expenses popped up and depleted your savings?  Having a solid savings plan and sticking to it, will enable you to realize your goals effortlessly. Here are some expert tips to help you create a savings plan for the new year.

Set Your Goals

It is hard to succeed without a goal. Knowing your destination before embarking on a journey helps you avoid distractions and arrive on time. This is also the case with saving. The first and major step towards saving is knowing what you are saving for.

Maybe it’s the latest TV, tropical vacation or that gourmet kitchen you have been dreaming about. Perhaps you need to save for retirement or your child’s college education. Clearly stating these goals, will give you the vision and motivation to save.

When defining your goals, it’s possible to end up with a long list of things you want to save for. No worries, just go over the list and prioritize them. The best way to do this, is to categorize them according to their urgency. Then, separate long-term goals from short-term goals. When this is done, it will be easy to know what to start saving for first.

Set the Amount and Deadline for Your Goals

You already know what you are saving for, but that’s not all you need to get started.  If you are not sure of the cost of your goal or fail to set a timeline, you may be setting yourself up to fail.

Imagine saving money for your dream vacation only to find out you underestimated the cost. What a huge disappointment that would be to learn you now have to wait months or more longer.

Eliminate any unpleasant surprises by finding out what your goal will cost right after you set it. Having this information will enable you to come up with a specific amount of money that needs to be deposited in your savings account weekly or monthly to reach your goal.

For example, let’s say you want to purchase a car that cost $23,000 by the end of the year. If you want to save monthly, you would need to save about $1,917 per month for the next 12 months to reach your goal and get your car. Knowing the cost of your goals and setting a deadline helps you plan and save more efficiently.

Evaluate Your Current Financial Position

You can’t save what you don’t have. Doing a through analysis of your income and expenses will give you a clear picture of what you are able to save each month. If you have a substantial amount of money left after you pay your necessary expenses, saving will be almost effortless. However, if you are living paycheck to paycheck, saving will be almost impossible.

Make Changes 

If you find yourself discouraged due to the fact, you have little to no surplus money to save, there are some things you can try.

  • Reduce the cost of your target goal; take the car for example, you will need to find a different vehicle , one that will fit your budget.
  • Extend the deadline of your goal; if you are set on that car,  you will have to extend your deadline. If you increase your timeline to 2 years, the amount you need to set aside each month, is cut in half.
  • Change your spending habits; do away with unnecessary expenses.

 Have an Emergency Fund

You never know when an urgent and unavoidable financial need might arise. Setting aside some money to deal with such issues will help you stick to your savings plan.

Sometimes when people are faced with emergency financial needs, they prefer to dip into their savings rather than take out a loan. They will argue that loans from high interest short-term companies like lend up, net credit , cash net USA or  nation21loans.com  will result in more expenses, unlike the savings. When this becomes routine every time an emergency arises, it ends up depleting their savings and forces them to abandon their savings plan.

To avoid this pitfall, try setting aside some funds that are to be used specifically for financial emergencies, so you can stay on track with saving for your goal.

Automate Your Savings Deposits 

It is unlikely for you to spend what you do not have in hand. “Pay yourself first” is an idiom that you might have heard before. It means that you should deposit money in your savings before you spend it on anything else. However, you might find it is harder to do when you have that money in your hand.

A great solution is to set up direct deposit of funds into your savings account. When you do this, you put your savings plan on auto pilot and ensure you stay on track to reach your goal.

Get SMART

The tips above will let you create a SMART new year’s savings plan (Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic and Timely).

  • Specific: You have set a goal and know what you are saving towards.
  • Measurable: You have determined and know how much your goal will cost
  • Attainable/Realistic: An evaluation of your current financial status confirms you can save for the goal.
  • Timely: You have set a deadline for your goal.

With a solid savings plan, you are on your way to achieving your financial goals and attaining financial freedom.

This is a collaborative guest post. The views and ideas do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.


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October 31, 2018 · 9:50 pm

Tips For Planning a Fun Beach Vacation in Phuket with Kids

No matter how experienced a traveler you are, and regardless of how many miles you have trekked as a solo traveler, traveling with kids is an entirely different ball game. It takes planning way beyond your standard travel planning, and you cannot pack as light as you otherwise would. In addition, you have to be very particular about choosing your travel destinations. Interestingly, no matter how well planned your trip is, you should never expect everything to work exactly how you imagine when you are traveling with kids.

If you are planning a vacation with your kids, a beach getaway may be the perfect choice. Beaches are not only meant for sun worshipers and honeymooners, they can be a fantastic destination for kids, since they love sand and water. Phuket would be a great place to head to, since it is renowned for its beaches and is family friendly.  You wallet will be happy too, since Phuket is affordable. Here are some tips that will help you pull off a memorable beach vacation in Phuket.

Plan in Advance

Planning is essential and it cannot be stressed enough that when traveling for kids, this is something you just cannot skip. Plan your itinerary, make a list of supplies that you want to pack and consider your children’s sleep and meal patterns when making your travel plans. Remember that once you arrive, everyone will need to adjust to the time zone change, and how that will affect your sleep schedules.

When traveling changes in times are not the only thing your kids will need to adjust to. Changes in their diet must be considered, especially if you have picky eaters. Finding out about what types of food is available and taking along some foods they like is important. If you have an infant who is still on baby formula, make sure to pack enough as it probably will not be available in Phuket. Scheduling a visit to your child’s pediatrician is imperative, as they can advise you of any important medical issues when traveling abroad.

Do Not Compromise on Accommodations

As a solo traveler, you might not be as finicky about your lodging. In the past you might have accepted almost any type of room or even a bunk at a hostel to crash for the night.  However, it is different with kids, and you should not mind paying slightly more to get a proper hotel room. This does not mean that you need to book some extravagant suit at The Hyatt, but it should be something clean, comfortable and with the necessary amenities at the very least. You can find many three star resorts that will easily fit your budget while providing you with comfortable accommodations so you and your family can rest easy.

Phuket Beach Vacation

Say No to Long Day Trips

Your focus on a beach vacation should be on relaxing and chilling out, rather than being in a rush with exhausting schedules. Day trips sound fun, but they can be a nightmare with kids, especially with the younger ones. Most Phuket excursions will require you to leave very early in the morning, travel long distances, explore the area and be back later in the evening. The whole schedule is very rigorous for younger children who need to rest, nap and eat on time. It is certainly not something to pursue unless you like dealing with cranky, tired children. If you are taking long excursions such as the Koh Phi Phi tour, consider making it an overnight stay rather than a day trip, so your kids can rest and relax.

Phi Phi Island Tour

This is a collaborative guest post. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Mommy Ramblings.


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July 26, 2018 · 4:56 pm

Traveling with Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Most of us enjoy traveling, especially during the summer months. Even people who are not in the best health like to get away, and take a trip. Travel may even do them well, because taking time to relax on a vacation can have a restorative effect. Not to mention, a change in scenery can do wonders to lift the spirits and even promote healing.

Just a few decades ago, someone who was elderly, prone to ill-health or infirm would not have dreamt of traveling far. This was understandable, after all, most airports did not cater to their needs. Getting on a plane was an exhausting nightmare that most people could not cope with.

Beyond air travel, many people  worried about what would happen if they got sick while they were away. Up until fairly recently getting comprehensive travel insurance if you were not in good health was all but impossible.

Fortunately, things have changed. Several insurance firms now offer a good level of coverage for the sick, elderly and infirm. An example is the united healthcare pre-existing conditions policy. Provided your condition has been stable for 6 months, you can get a quote from them. In many parts of the world, for example in Europe, the law states that assistance must be provided at the airport and on the plane for disabled or infirm passengers.

As you can see, two of the major hurdles that faced travelers with pre-existing conditions have now been removed. As a consequence, people are  taking advantage of this fact, and traveling more. With a little extra preparation, you can do so too, even if you are not in the best of health. There are just a few extra things you need to take into account.

Travel insurance

When it comes to travel insurance, there are a wider range of policies available now. However, it is very important that you do your research before buying a policy. You need to understand exactly what is covered and what is not.

It is very important to fill in the application form accurately. Failure to do so, can easily invalidate your policy. You also need to understand what you have to do should your condition change between the date you book your vacation and when you actually travel. Normally, you will still be covered, but not following the notification rules, could leave you without proper coverage.

Save The Contact Numbers

Remember to add your travel insurance contact numbers to your phone. Calling  them is a good way to make sure they get put into your mobile correctly. Once you know you have got through to the right place, you can quickly and politely end the conversation. Double-check that you have included the area code and that the numbers are the ones that have been set up so they can be dialed from abroad. It is also worth making a photocopy of these numbers and keeping that in a wallet or purse.

Pack Your Medications

Make sure that you have enough medication to take you through your entire holiday. It is wise to take at least an extra week supply with you. That way if you get delayed, you will not have to worry for a few days.

Double-check that you can legally take your medications into all of the countries you are planning to visit on your trip. You usually can, but how much you can take may be limited. You may also need to carry your prescriptions or other documents with you.

It is also wise to find out what your medications are called in your destination country. Should you lose anything, replacing it should be a lot easier. If you take expensive medications double-check to see if your travel insurance covers replacing any that you lose.

This is a collaborative post. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Mommy Ramblings.


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June 13, 2018 · 8:18 pm

How Pre-Planning Your Child’s Summer Benefits Both of You

When your kids get old enough to start making decisions, it’s difficult to know when to step back and when to take over. No one wants to be the helicopter mom, but you want to make sure your kids are getting the best opportunities. Summer vacation is one area where you want to get more involved.

Here are a few ways pre-planning your child’s summer benefits you.

1. You can make decisions together

When you have to make arrangements at the last-minute, oftentimes, you’re calling the shots without any input from the kiddos. But if you give yourself a little time, you can talk things over. Sure, some things won’t be negotiable, but you can let your kids choose whatever activities they can.

As soon as the options are available, collect all the possibilities and discuss them with your kids. Make sure you keep any scheduling conflicts in mind. It may help to grab a pencil and mark up a calendar. If you have more than one child, this may be a process that takes some time.

2. Your kids will have more opportunities

All the popular summer activities sell out fast. So, if your kids are going to be going to camp or taking some extracurriculars, you’ll want to book them in advance. It could be the difference between adventure camp and knitting 101, so this is very important.

Stress the importance of choosing wisely because most activities cannot be changed after you make a deposit.

3. You can arrange more free time in the summer

Just like the activities, good childcare can sell out fast too. If you’re planning to put your kids into a program or book the most reputable nanny, you’ll want to pre-plan. And as a bonus, you may be able to book more date nights if you make arrangements with a babysitter early in the season. You can even schedule a night every week or every other week to get away with your significant other.

4, You can finalize your vacation

If you book your vacation before you plan your kids’ activities, you may regret it. For example, what happens if there’s a big soccer tournament the week of your vacation? If you had booked the extracurriculars first, you could have worked your vacation around the big events.

Plan your kids’ camps, sports practices and music lessons before you decide when to take your family vacation. This will also save you from spending money on weeks of programs you won’t be using.

5. You can plan for anything

When you know what your summer is going to look like, you can plan. For example, if you’re taking a road trip, you can pre-plan vehicle service. Things like this can easily get away from you, so try booking any important appointments as soon as you plan your summer activities. This may include doctors’ visits, dentist appointments or even haircuts.

Planning doesn’t solve every problem, but it can certainly help you get the most out of your summer. What are your best summer planning tips?

 

This is a sponsored guest post. The views and ideals expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Mommy Ramblings.


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April 5, 2018 · 11:07 pm

Rethinking the Way You Budget in Two Simple Steps

Learning how to put money aside for when you need it can often prove to be a difficult endeavor. Most people make saving a priority but that does not mean it is a straightforward path for everyone. If you make the same amount of money each month, you may feel like you do not have the extra cash available to save. While this might be true to the naked eye, a little bit of effort can reveal all sorts of appealing and practical tactics for saving money and still covering your monthly expenses.

Provide yourself with some useful tips by looking over some of these suggestions for how to save. By taking the right steps, you might find it is much easier to start saving money for your future than you had believed.

Step One: Your Car

Before you look at other areas of your budget, you want to start with your car. Most families own at least one vehicle in the current day and age. While your cars provide you with a sense of freedom and the ability to take on daily responsibilities with success, automobiles also eat away at a budget easier than most other investments. If your car is costing you more than you would like, it might be a good time to start thinking about how you can adjust the amount of money you spend on keeping it roadworthy.

For many, this comes down to changing insurance policies. When your car is costing you an arm and a leg, you want to slow down and look over how much you spend on your plan. Reaching out to another insurance agency for quotes can help you to learn more about your options. If you find that you can save more by switching providers, then you might want to take advantage of this option and see what type of impact it has on your budget moving forward. Speak with an agent and get a more well-rounded understanding of your choices.

Step Two: Your Lifestyle

How you live your life is also going to hold sway over how much money you spend daily. Some people work long hours which can lead to a lot of time spent away from the home. The more time you spend in the office, the less likely it is you are able to bring meals from home to eat when you get a break. Spending money on food is one of the easiest ways people waste money. Instead of buying lunch or dinner to eat at your desk, try to get into the habit of bringing it from home.

To stop extraneous spending, you need to take a look at your life and see where you need to do the most work. This is a long journey that will often require a lot of attention and patience from you. Following the above steps will help to give you a solid understanding of how to begin your journey. Once the ball is rolling, it will be up to you to make sure it gains momentum and helps you to save money for your future in sensible ways.

This is a sponsored guest post that does not necessarily represent the views or ideals of Mommy Ramblings.

 


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September 24, 2017 · 11:31 pm

Tips For Planning A Community Charity Event

Are you planning to raise money for your community? Although some online platforms such as Plumfund.com allow you to raise money online, some people still prefer the traditional way of fundraising.

If you are one of those people, here are some tips that will come in handy when planning a charity event:

Choose Your Target Audience

Once you decide who your target audience is, the event type, venue, and theme options will fall into place. For instance, if you want money to help the homeless in your neighborhood, whom will you target? Is it a general event to which you will invite everyone or do you plan to invite a specific group of people only?

Set Your Goals

Once you define a specific project idea and decide to go through with it, you will need to set some clear goals. Make sure your goals are SMART –  specific, attainable, measurable, timely, and realistic. How much money are you willing to spend in organizing this event?

Choose The Event Type

When you know the type of people you want to invite, come up with an event that will resonate with your target audience. Start by doing some research to find out the events that have been successful in your community. Once you find some inspiration from previous events, you should be motivated to go a step further.

Find Collaborators

Find team members who will take over tasks before getting in touch with external vendors. You need to get in touch with caterers, wholesale bulk candy suppliers, and drink suppliers. Make sure you keep in touch with all these people to ensure they are playing their part.

Create A Budget

Once you have a list of external vendors and assign tasks to teammates, start coming up with a budget. Include the expenses needed to hold the event and consider your fundraising goal. When writing down the final number, leave some room for unforeseen costs.

Draw Up A Marketing Plan

If you already have a budget for the event, it is time to publicize the event so your target audience knows about it. Come up with some enticing ways to convince them to attend the charity event. You can use direct emails, social media, and flyers to let people know about it. Do not underestimate the power of word-of-mouth.

Create A Timeline

The deadline for making plans falls on the day of the charity event. Before that day arrives, keep yourself occupied with plans to make the event succeed. Coming up with a timeline will help you to keep things simple.

Follow Up

When the event is over, you need to get some feedback from the attendees. You can send an online survey to people who attended, asking about their thoughts on the event. Do not forget to thank everyone who helped you make the event a success. This is very important, especially if you want to maintain great relationships with your supporters and vendors. Thank the vendors even if you did not like their work; just make sure you find other vendors for your next event.

Organizing a charity event can be a challenging feat that requires a lot of effort and time. If you do not have enough time to plan it yourself, consider using an event planning software. When you do this, make sure you check in on the progress occasionally. Moreover, do not shy away from asking your friends and family for help.

This is a sponsored guest post, it does not necessarily represent the views or ideals of Mommy Ramblings. 

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November 9, 2014 · 8:28 pm

Care Conversations Makes Difficult Decisions Easier-#CareConvo

care-conversations

My parents were married over 60 years and together since my mother was a teenager.  When my mom had a sudden stroke and subsequently died 4 days later my dad was devastated.  He was 86 and had been in failing health so it was such a shock that my mom who was very active and full of life died first.  I lived on the same lake as my parents, so myself and children were a sense of joy for my dad through these sad days.  As we approached the anniversary of my mom’s passing, my dad was not feeling well and given his health history of colon cancer and having a pacemaker he ended up in the ER.  While at the hospital, we were told about a nursing service that would come every day to check on him and help him with his daily needs.   We set up the nursing service and it was due to begin on Monday.

Things took an unexpected turn as my dad had a fall that weekend and ended up cracking his tailbone.  He needed surgery and after that he would have to go to rehabilitative care to help him get his strength back and hopefully get him back home.  It was hard to think about the fact that maybe he would not be able to live on his own again, however it was reality and as a family we found a very good rehabilitation facility that we felt comfortable with  We did not know what the outcome would be and we really never got the chance to see since my dad went into cardiac arrest and passed away a day before the anniversary of my mom’s passing 1 year earlier.

It is hard to see your parents age and as the youngest of 5 born to my parents who were both in their 40’s, I faced these things at an earlier age than most with my dad.  It is hard to come to the realization that your parent may not be able to live on their own any longer but even harder to have those conversations with them about alternatives.  Care Conversations recommends getting certain documents in place to make the process easier. For example, Advance Directives ensure your loved ones have a say in their future care. If this is something you or someone you know is facing you can check out the Planning and Preparing section of CareConversations.org.  You may also want to view the video below on care planning.

There is a #CareConvo Twitter party with @Resourcefulmom on 11/12 at 8 PM ET. RSVP link: http://resourcefulmommy.com/14363/care-conversations-twitter-party/

Discolsure: This post was sponsored by Global Influence Network, as always all my words and views are 100% my own.

 


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