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9 Pro Tips on How To Use Credit Cards Wisely to Avoid Debt

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How To Use Credit Cards Wisely

Credit cards can be a great financial tool for everyday expenses and building a healthy credit score. Sometimes it can be a tool of financial independence or an instrument of debt. This depends on how you use them. Here, we will explore some pro tips on How To Use Credit Cards Wisely to Avoid Debt.Many credit cards offer rewards, cash back, and miles on purchases that make people spend more and more.  However, this convenience of credit cards leads to debt quickly. According to Nerdwallet's annual report, around 47% of U.S. households have outstanding credit card balances. :: pexels

Credit cards can be a great financial tool for everyday expenses and building a healthy credit score. Sometimes it can be a tool of financial independence or an instrument of debt. This depends on how you use them. Here, we will explore some pro tips on How To Use Credit Cards Wisely to Avoid Debt.

Many credit cards offer rewards, cash back, and miles on purchases that make people spend more and more. 

However, this convenience of credit cards leads to debt quickly. According to Nerdwallet’s annual report, around 47% of U.S. households have outstanding credit card balances. 

In this blog post, we’ve covered some pro tips on how to use credit cards responsibly to take advantage of all benefits while staying debt-free. 

 

 

1. Create a Budget (Master the Mindset)

Before considering a credit card, it is very important to create a monthly budget and stick to it. This will help you in tracking your income and expenses. This budget will be your financial roadmap of expenses and savings. Try to manage funds for everyday expenses like rent, groceries, utilities, or travel. Never spend more than you earn. Once you determine your financial needs, you get a clear picture of how a credit card fits in your needs. Remember, a credit card is not a money machine. Use it carefully to avoid debt. :: pexels2

Before considering a credit card, it is very important to create a monthly budget and stick to it. This will help you in tracking your income and expenses. This budget will be your financial roadmap of expenses and savings. Try to manage funds for everyday expenses like rent, groceries, utilities, or travel. Never spend more than you earn.

Once you determine your financial needs, you get a clear picture of how a credit card fits in your needs. Remember, a credit card is not a money machine. Use it carefully to avoid debt.

 

2. Pay Your Balance in Full (Avoid Minimum Payment)

Paying your balance in full each month is the best way to use a credit card wisely and avoid extra charges every month. But, make sure you are able to pay the payment in full each month. This will not save your money but also put a positive effect on your credit score. In case, if you leave a card balance, try to keep it under 30% of your credit limit. This is because minimum payment is a trap of temptation. However, it seems manageable, but over time it becomes an iceberg of debt.  If you keep paying only minimum, this can accumulate years of high-interest payments turning your small purchases into larger expenses. :: pexels3

Paying your balance in full each month is the best way to use a credit card wisely and avoid extra charges every month. But, make sure you are able to pay the payment in full each month. This will not save your money but also put a positive effect on your credit score.

In case, if you leave a card balance, try to keep it under 30% of your credit limit. This is because minimum payment is a trap of temptation. However, it seems manageable, but over time it becomes an iceberg of debt. 

If you keep paying only minimum, this can accumulate years of high-interest payments turning your small purchases into larger expenses.

Pay Your Balance in Full is the best way to use a credit card responsibly.

 

3. Don’t Skip Payments (Set Up Payment Reminders)

Do you skip payments or have a large credit card balance to pay? Paying you balance on time is the best way to use a credit card responsibly. If you keep skipping payments, it will ruin your credit score. Build a debt repayment plan and pay as much as you can each month and don’t use your credit card until you pay off the whole balance. You should not carry a balance.  You can take advantage of balance transfer of any 0% intro offers to pay your debt faster. You can set up automatic payment reminders for your upcoming credit card bills. This will ensure you never miss a payment and keeps your credit score improving. :: pexels

 

Have you ever thought about What Happens If You Stop Paying Credit Cards?

Do you skip payments or have a large credit card balance to pay? Paying you balance on time is the best way to use a credit card responsibly. If you keep skipping payments, it will ruin your credit score.

Build a debt repayment plan and pay as much as you can each month and don’t use your credit card until you pay off the whole balance. You should not carry a balance. 

You can take advantage of balance transfer of any 0% intro offers to pay your debt faster. You can set up automatic payment reminders for your upcoming credit card bills. This will ensure you never miss a payment and keeps your credit score improving.

 

 

4. Understand Rewards Programs and Benefits

Most cards come with rewards programs that offer reward, cash back, points, miles, and other perks. Check the reward benefits and choose a card that best matches your needs. Credit cards that offer rewards may help you save. If you spend a lot, you might get cash back and can build wealth from it. You can transfer your rewards as savings automatically deposited in a checking or savings account Your credit card network can also be a great source of income as sometimes it refers you to special offers. This can be a smart way to use your credit card.  :: pexels

Most cards come with rewards programs that offer reward, cash back, points, miles, and other perks. Check the reward benefits and choose a card that best matches your needs. 

Credit cards that offer rewards may help you save. If you spend a lot, you might get cash back and can build wealth from it. You can transfer your rewards as savings automatically deposited in a checking or savings account

Your credit card network can also be a great source of income as sometimes it refers you to special offers. This can be a smart way to use your credit card. 

 

 

5. Monitor Your Statements Carefully (Like a Hawk)

Checking your monthly credit card statements is very important for any fraud transactions, suspicious activity or billing errors. Regularly check your monthly for unauthorized charges, unusual spending or any fraud purchases from your credit card. To monitor your credit card statements regularly, you can set up purchase notifications in your credit card mobile app. This can help you in spotting the transactions that you don’t recognize. :: pexels

Checking your monthly credit card statements is very important for any fraud transactions, suspicious activity or billing errors. Regularly check your monthly for unauthorized charges, unusual spending or any fraud purchases from your credit card.

 

To monitor your credit card statements regularly, you can set up purchase notifications in your credit card mobile app. This can help you in spotting the transactions that you don’t recognize. 

 

6. Keep a low Credit Card Utilization Ratio

If you are unable to pay your balance in full each month. But, try to keep a low credit utilization ratio. Generally, the credit utilization ratio is the percentage of the credit amount currently in use. For example, if you have a credit limit of $1,000 and you spend $500 on purchases, then you have a 50% credit utilization ratio.  If you use a high percentage of your credit limit, it can be harder to pay off debt. If you skip payments, it can negatively affect your credit score. Plus, you will keep paying more and more interest over time. So, keep your credit utilization ratio below 30% of your credit limit.  :: pexels

If you are unable to pay your balance in full each month. But, try to keep a low credit utilization ratio. Generally, the credit utilization ratio is the percentage of the credit amount currently in use. For example, if you have a credit limit of $1,000 and you spend $500 on purchases, then you have a 50% credit utilization ratio. 

 

If you use a high percentage of your credit limit, it can be harder to pay off debt. If you skip payments, it can negatively affect your credit score. Plus, you will keep paying more and more interest over time.

So, keep your credit utilization ratio below 30% of your credit limit. 

 

7. Limit the Number of Credit Card You Have

Many people prefer to keep more than one credit card because many credit cards offer attractive benefits, but keep in mind that applying or opening too many accounts of credit at once will open our doors for debt. Also, this will negatively impact your credit score. So, try to limit the number of cards you have. Only apply for cards that you can manage responsibly. :: pexels

 

Many people prefer to keep more than one credit card because many credit cards offer attractive benefits, but keep in mind that applying or opening too many accounts of credit at once will open our doors for debt. Also, this will negatively impact your credit score. So, try to limit the number of cards you have.

Only apply for cards that you can manage responsibly.

 

8. Negotiate Interest Rates

If you have a large balance, multiple cards, and are struggling with high-interest rates, try to negotiate about interest rates with your credit card issuer. They may lower your interest rate, if you have a positive payment history.  :: pexels

If you have a large balance, multiple cards, and are struggling with high-interest rates, try to negotiate about interest rates with your credit card issuer. They may lower your interest rate, if you have a positive payment history. 

 

9. Beware the Cash Advance Trap

However, cash advance is tempting, but it is a shortcut to debt. Because, the cash advance always comes with high interest rates and charges.  It seems like a quick fix, but the high charges will make you fall into a debt trap. Use cash advance facility if you are facing a real financial emergency, otherwise avoid cash advance at all costs.  :: pexels

However, cash advance is tempting, but it is a shortcut to debt. Because, the cash advance always comes with high interest rates and charges. 

It seems like a quick fix, but the high charges will make you fall into a debt trap. Use cash advance facility if you are facing a real financial emergency, otherwise avoid cash advance at all costs.  

 

Conclusion on How to Use Credit Cards Wisely

it is very essential to learn how to use a credit card responsibly to manage your expenses. It can prevent you from debt and help you in earning rewards and other perks. By implementing above said strategies, you can master the art of using credit cards wisely.  To use a credit card wisely and avoid debt, don’t skip payments, make payments in full and reduce credit utilization ratio, etc.  Remember, credit cards are a financial tool, but like any other tool, they require responsible use. :: pexels

It is very essential to learn how to use a credit card responsibly to manage your expenses. It can prevent you from debt and help you in earning rewards and other perks. By implementing above said strategies, you can master the art of using credit cards wisely. 

To use a credit card wisely and avoid debt, don’t skip payments, make payments in full and reduce credit utilization ratio, etc. 

Remember, credit cards are a financial tool, but like any other tool, they require responsible use.

 

 

Is Cash App Safe? 6 Steps to Protect Your Money From Scams

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In 2022, Cash App experienced a data breach which affected more than 8 million users. It is nearly impossible to completely remove risk when conducting electronic funds transfers regardless of the use of cutting-edge encryption and fraud detection technology that Cash App implements to keep users’ funds safe from scams and other fraudulent activity.

From data breaches to Cash App glitches, here are 6 steps to take to reduce the likelihood of being a victim of fraud or any kind of unauthorized access:

  1. Regularly monitor your Cash App account. Stay vigilant by regularly checking your Cash App account for any suspicious activity or unauthorized transactions. Report any discrepancies or concerns to Cash App’s customer support immediately.

 

  1. Use two-factor (2FA) or multi-factor (MFA) authentication to add an extra layer of security to your account. This will require you to verify your identity using another email, a phone number, or another form of verification method you agreed to.

 

  1. Create strong passwords. Do not use weak passwords that can be easily guessed using your public personal information.  Avoid using the same password for multiple apps and email accounts.

 

  1. Keep the app updated. Turn on auto updates if you do rather not check for updates on a regular basis.  Missing updates containing security and bug fixes may leave you vulnerable to security breaches.

 

  1. Don’t fall for phishing scams. Look out for attempts to trick you into disclosing your personal information. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing even basic contact details to unverified sources.

 

  1. Do not install apps from unknown sources. We often go down a rabbit hole looking for an app to execute a unique task or add a feature to our smart devices. You can use Google Play Protect to checks your apps for unusual behavior.

 

How to Report a Cash App Glitch or Unusual Activity 

If you encounter unusual activity or suspect that your account may have been compromised due to a scam, report the issue to Cash App’s customer support immediately.

To report a glitch, visit  the Cash App support center within the app or visit their official website. Provide a detailed description of the issue, including any error messages or unusual behaviors you experienced. Attach relevant screenshots or transactions to support your claim.

 

Is your Cash App Balance FDIC Insured?

For your Cash App balance to be FDIC insured up to $250,000, you must have a Cash Card, or are a sponsor of any active sponsored account. Cash App also states that Bitcoin and investment balances are not insured by the FDIC.

Keep in mind that being FDIC insurance does not mean your account is protected from fraud on individual transactions. FDIC insurance covers your funds up to $250,000 in an event where Wells Fargo, the bank holding your Cash App balance, goes out of business.

There are other avenues for holding individual cases of fraudulent activity or scams.

Self Inc also offers a FDIC insured Credit Builder Account which allows you to build your savings and credit score at the same time by reporting your monthly deposits to the 3 big credit bureaus; Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

 

Is Cash App Safe?

You may be wondering whether or not Cash App is safe considering the large number of scams out there as well as the possibility of a security breach. Rest assured that Cash App is relatively safe and there is a very low chance of you being a victim of a Cash App exploit if you take the 7 steps above.

Block Inc, formerly Square Inc., and owners of Cash App, meets the international standard for managing information security as indicated by their ISO 27001 certification. They also utilize industry-standard cryptographic protocols and message formats such as SSL/TLS and PGP to transfer data.

However, safeguarding your Cash App account data as if it was your very own bank account add an extra layer of protection.

 

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My 30th Birthday: Reflections

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30th Birthday Reflections

My 30th birthday is this Sunday. Many people see this birthday as a big milestone. A lot of people don’t look forward to 30 because it seems like you are supposed to be meeting so many goals and reaching them seems daunting. Others, like myself, try to take the day in stride. After all, turning 30 is better than the alternative.

That being said, I am always reflective around my birthday. I’ve been thinking about everything I’ve accomplished over the last year and the last three decades. I’m proud to say I’ve come a long way.

Remembering What’s Important

One of the things I have grown to focus on in the last year is remembering what’s really important in life. A lot of the time, my anxiety tries to take over and I have to take a deep breath and remind myself that it isn’t the end of the world.

More importantly, I need to remember why I work so hard, and why I do anything. I want to be able to provide a spectacular life for myself, my baby, and my family as a whole. So, when things start to get heavy, I’ve started to unplug and focus on the most important people and things in my life.

Financial Accomplishments And Beyond

Over the last year, our family has had a lot of changes financially. My husband got a full-time corporate job with benefits and it has changed our lives for the better. We were married to the idea that we both want to work for ourselves (and still do). However, holding down this job has made it possible for us to have the quality of life we want and deserve.

Slowly but surely, we are stacking up money for savings, paying off debts, and preparing to move into a new home later in the year (hopefully). Considering six years ago we were homeless and living in a motel, that is amazing! It still blows my mind sometimes when I sit back and think about it.

On top of that, I have accomplished a lot personally as well. I have stepped outside my comfort zone to make new friends, friends who have become important parts of my life. Throughout the year, I have also worked on communicating better and listening. These two things have served me well in various areas of my life.

Hey, 30 Isn’t That Bad

While I know I haven’t accomplished everything I’ve ever set out to do in my 30 years, it doesn’t matter. The things that didn’t work out weren’t meant to be. More than that, the sequence of events led me here – where I have a beautiful family, a fulfilling career, and everything we could need.

So, I won’t be having any breakdowns around turning 30. It’s not all that bad. In fact, from where I’m sitting, it looks fantastic.

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Investing in a Relaxing Space in Your Home

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As my birthday approaches, my husband has been asking more about what I’d like as a gift this year. Now, since my birthday falls so close to Christmas, I don’t usually expect much of anything. This year, I asked for his help in creating a relaxing space in our home where I can wind down and feel at peace.

After a while, I thought more about it. People don’t invest enough time or money into creating a home that brings them peace. Usually, they are trying to create a home that looks Instagram-ready (or even just company ready). However, investing in a relaxing space in your home and putting more stock into utility than looks can go a long way.

Why You Should Invest in a Relaxing Space

When it comes down to it, many of us work from home these days. It can be hard to escape from your desk and whatever work you might need to get done. Even if you don’t work from home, having a relaxing space that is meant just for you can make a world of difference.

As a mom and a wife, it is hard to feel like anything is just mine. I wind up sharing my water, my food, my bed, and my space. People living in homes with their families often feel that way too. So, again, having that space set aside for JUST YOU can be amazing.

Think about what you would put in this space and consider how much you’d need to do to make it relaxing for you. For me personally, I’d love a big comfortable chair with an overhead tall reading lamp. A side table with a few books within reach and a yarn bowl would complete it. It’d also be ideal to have that spot near a window in our home.

Overall, it will probably cost less than $500 to put together, especially if I stick to Facebook finds. The price will be well worth the peace it will bring me. Not to mention, I’ll be less tempted to run out and spend money if I have an amazing space to curl up in with my books.

Utility Over Looks For Your Home

All in all, I suggest utility over cosmetic desires when it comes to buying things for your home. Think about how you want your home to serve you and buy furniture, electronics, appliances, etc. that further that purpose.

This goes for everything from investing in your relaxing space or getting what you need for your kitchen. Buy what works for you and don’t pay any mind to what’s trendy.

Similarly, buy things even if they aren’t pretty, especially if they’ll fix a problem for you. Baby proofing is oftentimes ugly looking, but it is extremely useful when you have a one-year-old wanting to explore everything. A shoe rack might not meet the eye well, but it holds all of your water bottles so you don’t have a pack sitting on the floor somewhere. Things like that can make a huge difference in your day-to-day life.

At the end of the day, investing in a relaxing space and investing in making your homework for you is always worth it. You’ll look forward to crossing the threshold every day.

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4 Signs It Would Benefit Your Family If You Look for a New Job

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Looking for a new job may feel like a lot of work, given the process. This is on top of the fact that countless other people are also likely looking for a job at the same time. That said, it may be in the best interests of your family for you to look for another job. Read on to see four signs that should let you know that your family would benefit a lot if you got a new job.

1. You May Improve Your Financial Security

The first reason why you may want to get back on the market to hunt for a job is that doing so could improve your financial security. If you’re earning just enough to get by from your current job, you should think about looking for another job that pays better. When you do this, you may improve the financial security of your family and improve your future prospects. You may also lower the likelihood of having to file for bankruptcy when you get a better-paying job with good benefits. Note that a whopping 97% of bankruptcies are filed by individuals. This shows that you may end up having to file for bankruptcy yourself if you don’t take care. The best measure is to make sure that you’re comfortable with your expenses and cash flow isn’t an issue in your home.

2. You Could Improve Your Work-Life Balance

Your current job may be so demanding that you hardly have any time to spend with your family. In this case, it’s important to find a job that doesn’t leave you too tired and overwhelmed at the end of the day to take pleasure in your family’s company. Your family no doubt wants to spend time with you and build a strong bond, something that you’ll only be able to do if you can comfortably get some time off from work. To this end, your family could benefit immensely if you find a new job that allows you to spend more time with them, indulging in the simple pleasures of life.

3. Layoffs Are Imminent

If you feel that there are potential furloughs or layoffs on the horizon, you’re better off looking for another job. Doing this can help you to maintain your family’s financial security. To tell if there are layoffs that could affect you, you should keep an eye open for signs like noticing your coworkers being furloughed. Other signs are if you seem to have a lot less work to do than you did before and your job’s major clients are either leaving or struggling with making payments. These signs show that things are unstable and you may be better off looking for another position. Do this bearing in mind that over 73% of job seekers in the current market are looking for a job passively. This means that if you put in the hard work, you may have a chance of getting another job, even in an unstable economy.

4. You Could Get Opportunities to Advance

Finally, if you feel as though you’ve reached the furthest point of your job, you and your family could benefit from you getting a new job. This is because the potential for growth is one of the most motivating factors for most individuals when they get employed. It helps that with the growth comes a higher earning capacity so you can be sure of improving your financial state. You may enjoy improved mental health as well, something that your family will also enjoy a lot.

These four factors should motivate you to look for a new job as soon as possible. You could improve your quality of life and get the opportunity to do more as a person as well as with your family when you do.

7 Financial Superstitions Many People Believe

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<p>It’s Friday the 13th, which many people consider bad luck. There is a bit of history behind the number 13 and Friday the 13th. However, it got me thinking about financial superstitions that many people still believe to this day. Here are a few you may or may not know.</p>::Pexels

It’s Friday the 13th, which many people consider bad luck. There is a bit of history behind the number 13 and Friday the 13th. However, it got me thinking about financial superstitions that many people still believe to this day. Here are a few you may or may not know.

Why is Friday the 13th Unlucky?

If you do some digging into the history of Friday the 13th, there are a number of theories as to why people consider the day to be unlucky. From The Scotsman:

The Christian belief that Jesus was killed on Good Friday appears to be the reason Friday is seen as unlucky.

There are also biblical references that are linked to fear, doom, and tragedy. In the Bible, it states Eve handed Adam the poisoned apple on a Friday, while it was a Friday on which Cain murdered his brother, Abel.

On top of that, the phrase “Hangman’s Day” from the United Kingdom is also associated with Friday. It was the day in which people who were sentenced to death would be hanged.

Additionally, famous rapper Tupac Shakur died on Friday the 13th. A number of flights have crashed on Friday the 13th over the years. Buckingham Palace was bombed during WWII on Friday the 13th and on the same day in 1940 a cyclone killed more than 300,000 people in Bangladesh. ISIS launched attacks in Paris on Friday the 13th. The list can go on and on.

Financial Superstitions

Because of that, there are a number of superstitions attached to the number 13 and Friday the 13th. Many people try to avoid doing anything considered to be unlucky on that day. There are a number of financial superstitions from all around the world. Below are seven that I’ve heard over the years.

#1 Itching Hands

Itching hands is one of the most well-known financial superstitions. If your left hand is itching, it means you’ll come into some money soon. At the same time, if you find your right-hand itching, it means you’ll probably come into money troubles soon.

#2 Tossing Money Into a Fountain

We’ve all tossed a quarter into a fountain and made a wish. Did it come true? Perhaps. This is another superstition that dates back hundreds of years to Europe. It was thought that clean water was a gift from the Gods. So, people left many people left money near the fountains to thank them.

#3 Sixpence in the Bride’s Shoe

Many people are aware of the superstition surrounding weddings – something borrowed, something blue, something old and something new. That last bit of that line has gotten cut off in more recent years but for a long time it was considered good luck to have a sixpence in the bride’s shoe. This was believed to help her have a prosperous marriage.

#4 Purse or Wallet on the Floor

In some countries, it is considered bad luck if you let your purse or wallet hit the floor. It is bad luck for your business and your finances altogether.

#5 Find a Penny, Pick It Up!

Another one of the better known financial superstitions pertains to when you find a penny on the ground. You are supposed to pick it up because it’s good luck. However, that is only if it’s heads up. Tails-side up and you should leave it be – it could bring bad luck.

#6 Spider in Your Pocket

I’d scream if there was a spider in my pocket, but this is another one of those pesky financial superstitions. Evidently, if you find a spider in your pocket, it means that you’ll be rich. So, maybe a happy scream would be in order.

#7 Don’t Gift Empty Piggy Banks

Last but not least, another financial superstition I’ve come across throughout my life is that it is bad luck to gift someone a piggy bank without putting money in it. When you gift someone a piggy bank, you’re supposed to put some change in there or a few dollar bills to wish them good luck with their finances.

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How You and Your Family Can Save Money Around the Home

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With the current state of the economy, it’s important for every family to do their best to save money around the home. This can help secure their financial future and make it possible for them to weather the years ahead, no matter how tough things get. Read on to see some of the methods that you and your family can use to save money around the home. These are going to prove to be some of the most valuable lessons that you learn about money.

Insulate Your Home Well

A home that’s properly insulated is going to be great for the environment as well as your energy bills. This is evidenced by the fact that a typical family spends roughly one-third of its yearly heating and cooling budget, about $350, on air leaking into or out of the house via gaps and cracks that shouldn’t be there. That said, perform an inspection of your entire home, especially around your doors and windows. If you find any cracks or gaps, either find a way to seal them yourself or talk to an expert to come and do it for you.

Maintain Your Home

While maintaining your home may feel like an expenditure that you can avoid, this is not the right move to make. That’s because when you ignore making fixes around the home that are necessary, you’re only postponing an issue that’s inevitable and giving it a chance to get a lot worse. Keep in mind that homeowners will, on average, spend between 1% and 4% of a home’s value each year on repairs and maintenance. These tend to increase as the house ages, with a home worth $200,000 costing at least $2,000 every single year. As such, you need to include home maintenance in your budget and you may end up making your maintenance expenditure regular and predictable.

Get the Right Window Treatments

Your windows can also play a considerable role as far as your energy bills go. With inefficient window glass accounting for 25% of the energy bill of a regular home, it’s clear that you can make savings by getting better window glass. Pair this with the right window treatments, such as shades and draperies, which will make a positive difference when used the right way. Closing them to prevent excessive sunlight from filtering into your home, for instance, will help you keep your home cooler. You’ll also keep your home’s interior looking good for a long time since UV can fade colors on upholstery and the natural finish of the wood. As such, you should spare some time to make sure that everyone in your family knows when to open and close drapes or shades if you install some.

Turn Off Unused Appliances and Lights

Finally, there’s no need to leave lights and electronics on if they’re not currently being used. This is because doing so means that they’re consuming energy while no one is actually using them. Your entire family can thus benefit from forming the habit of turning off any electronics that they’re done using. Take the savings a step further and buy power strips. These will make it easy for you to turn off all unused electronics easily and do away with the power-leeching that takes place when they remain on standby. You could also change your home’s bulbs to LED bulbs, which are going to be better as far as energy consumption goes.

With these tips, you and your family can make your home more energy-efficient. It’s worth forming these habits early on as your children will grow up knowing what they need to do to minimize energy use around their own homes.

Checking In With Yourself After The First Week Of The Year

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<p>Can you believe that we’ve already seen the first week of 2023 come and go? For many people, this is a hectic week. You’re getting back into your work routine after taking a break for the holidays. Most of the time, it is the same week your kids are headed back to school. The traffic is crazy. Life is crazy. Yet, we put these additional goals and resolutions on our plates. That’s why checking in with yourself is the best thing you can do to stay on track with your annual resolutions.</p>::Pexels

Can you believe that we’ve already seen the first week of 2023 come and go? For many people, this is a hectic week. You’re getting back into your work routine after taking a break for the holidays. Most of the time, it is the same week your kids are headed back to school. The traffic is crazy. Life is crazy. Yet, we put these additional goals and resolutions on our plates. That’s why checking in with yourself is the best thing you can do to stay on track with your annual resolutions.

Why Checking In Is Important

There are a plethora of reasons why checking in with yourself is important, especially when it comes to goal-setting. Believe it or not, if you don’t check in on yourself, and your mental and physical health, you won’t reach your goals. More important than that, you can pinpoint why you set those goals and how the process makes you feel.

For instance, one of my goals is to lose weight this year, like many other people. In the past, I usually fasted, cut out large food groups entirely, and went about things in an unhealthy way. Of course, I started to try and do that again this year. After checking in with myself, I knew it would not be healthy to start the year out with an extended fast. Instead, I’ve focused my time and energy on making and eating healthy meals at home this week while cutting caffeine and sugar.

Checking in allows you to step back and assess everything from how you feel to how achieving your goals will make you feel. Most of all, it ensures that you are okay every step of the way.

How To Check In With Yourself

If you’re not sure how to check in with yourself, don’t worry! There are plenty of things you can do to check in and see how you’re feeling. Here are a few things I do to unplug and check on myself.

  1. Journal. Writing things down is a great way to get them out of your head. For me, it is a good idea to write down the things that are on my mind or the things that are worrying me/weighing me down. It allows me to get those thoughts out of my head and onto paper.
  2. Practice self-care. My favorite form of self-care is a nice hot bath with a good book. This allows time to unplug and check in with my body. Plus, reading is a soothing activity for me.
  3. Assess whether or not I’m overwhelmed. I’m ambitious and I like to set a lot of goals for myself. However, this can be more detrimental than it is good. Sometimes I need to take a step back and assess whether I’m overwhelmed or not and decide right then and there what can be taken off my plate.
  4. Take it one day at a time. This is the best advice anyone can give you! Some days are going to be great, you’ll make fantastic progress and work on all the good habits you’re trying to build. Other days, it’ll be great to just get out of bed and feed yourself. That’s okay too.
  5. Do something that brings me joy. Whether it is hanging out with a friend, curling up with a good book, or just a mug of hot tea, find something that brings you joy and do that thing. It is a great way to check in and give yourself a good mental health boost.

How often are you checking in with yourself and making sure you’re okay?

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How to Plan a Virtual Baby Shower

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<p>The COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot of things for people. Mainly, it has changed the ways many of us interact with one another. Now, more than ever, there are virtual events taking place and people are “Zooming” in to join parties. If you’re expecting a new addition to your family like we are, you may be wondering how to go about planning a virtual baby shower.</p>::Pexels

The COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot of things for people. Mainly, it has changed the ways many of us interact with one another. Now, more than ever, there are virtual events taking place and people are “Zooming” in to join parties. If you’re expecting a new addition to your family like we are, you may be wondering how to go about planning a virtual baby shower.

Virtual vs. In-Person

There are plenty of pros and cons to having a virtual baby shower versus an in-person get-together. When you are considering which will be best for you, you should weigh each of the points below and think about what you’ll be comfortable with.

Pros and Cons of a Virtual Baby Shower

The main pros where hosting a virtual shower is concerned are reducing your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Although more and more people are getting vaccinated, it is hard to tell what is/is not safe. Additionally, if you have a number of family and friends out of town, it makes it easier for them to feel involved.

Cons of hosting virtually are more personal in nature, typically. You won’t get to take photos for your memory book or play any humorous games in person. It may also impact the types of gifts you receive. Many people tend to spend more when they are attending a shower in person.

In-Person Baby Shower Benefits and Disadvantages

There are not many cons to hosting an in-person baby shower other than potential exposure to the virus. You may also be concerned about the cost of hosting a shower. However, this is generally taken care of by a third party throwing the event for you. If you are more of an introvert, an in-person event may also cause you some anxiety.

The benefits of hosting an in-person shower are plentiful. You will get to see some of your close family and friends and celebrate the arrival of your new baby. It gives you a chance to play fun games with one another and truly enjoy the day. You may also find you receive more items from your registry (and more fun non-registry items) when you host something in person as well.

How to Plan a Virtual Baby Shower

When it comes to planning a virtual baby shower, you need to be creative. Virtual showers didn’t really exist until about a year ago, so ideas for games, activities, and what to do need to be thought up. Here are a few things to help you get started.

  1. Start an online registry. We started our registry on Amazon, which makes it easy for people to search, find what we are in need of/asking for, and send directly to our home. For folks out of town, this has been great! Target, Walmart, and other retailers also have online registries. Do some searching to figure out which one you like the most.
  2. Start a diaper fund. You can do this on Amazon’s registry fairly easily. If you aren’t registered on Amazon, consider creating a fund for diapers where people can contribute. In the first year alone, new parents will spend more than $1,000 on diapers. So, this is a valuable gift for people to give.
  3. Figure out who WILL be present. Even though you are hosting virtually, have a couple of friends or family over while you host the virtual event. This makes it less awkward when you are putting activities together, opening gifts, and easier for you to take those frequent bathroom breaks.
  4. Create a virtual invite. You can either do this via email or a Facebook event page. Have a way for people to virtually RSVP and a system for keeping track. Of course, there is less stress on the RSVP than if you were providing food and drink for everyone.
  5. Search for virtual games to play. This website has quite a few good baby shower game ideas that you can play virtually. One of the popular ones is “Guessing Baby,” which entails guessing the exact delivery date, weight, measurements, etc.
  6. Have a virtual message board. Allow your virtual guests to leave well wishes for the family and new arrival. Be sure you use a message board that you can readily gain access to. Some will even allow you to download the messages (which you may want to keep for your baby book).

What I’ve Decided to Do

While a virtual baby shower does have a lot of options, I’ve personally decided to hold one in person. We have a lot of local family and friends that will be excited to celebrate (and so are we). Of course, for our out-of-town folks, we will still be extending the invite and online registry so that they can be involved in the celebration if they can’t make it in person as well. It will be a day to remember with family and friends!

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How Much Does It Cost To Have a Baby?

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<p>There are a lot of expenses that should be considered when you have a little one on the way. Prenatal care, the cost of delivery, and then the cost of taking care of your child should all be factored into your budget. So, how much does it cost to have a baby and how can you prepare?</p>::Pexels

There are a lot of expenses that should be considered when you have a little one on the way. Prenatal care, the cost of delivery, and then the cost of taking care of your child should all be factored into your budget. So, how much does it cost to have a baby and how can you prepare?

Cost of Prenatal Care

Prenatal care is the first set of expenses you will face when having a baby. The costs associated with prenatal care can vary wildly based on your medical history, special needs, and choices you make throughout the prenatal phase. For instance, if you decide to have genetic testing done, it can increase the overall cost of your prenatal care. Similarly, if you are tested for gestational diabetes and need insulin to maintain your blood sugar, that will impact the cost as well. If you have a difficult pregnancy and require more care than others, this will also increase expenses associated with prenatal care.

Prenatal visits cost between $100 and $150 each and there are around 14 visits throughout your pregnancy. The average total cost lands around $2,000. Without insurance, you can expect to spend between $95 and $200 per visit. However, some appointments where lab work is performed can cost as much as $800. Most insurance companies will pay between 80% and 95% of these costs. So, if you have insurance, you may pay about $15 out of pocket for each visit.

The insurance I have only cover 60% of these visits though. At the end of it, I will be paying $1,060 out-of-pocket for my own prenatal care, possibly more depending on how the pregnancy progresses. If you’re in the same boat, don’t worry! Your doctor will likely have a payment plan available for prenatal care costs. I am paying $278 per month for insurance and $260 a month out-of-pocket directly to the doctor’s office.

Delivery Costs

One of the bigger expenses, of course, is the delivery of your new child. This is not included in your prenatal care costs. For patients without insurance, the cost of a natural vaginal delivery can range from $9,000 to $17,000, depending on your location. If you need to have a C-section or there are complications with your delivery, this can increase the cost to somewhere between $14,000 and $25,000. Other services that may add money to your total will be the induction of labor with drugs and whether or not you have a private room for aftercare.

Individuals with insurance may still have to pay at least a four-figure balance after delivery. The out-of-pocket costs can range from $1,500 to $3,000, but they can very well reach your out-of-pocket maximum for the year. For my insurance plan, the maximum out-of-pocket cost for the year is $6,000. I may very well reach that, depending on the cost of delivery and any unforeseen costs throughout the process.

These delivery costs only cover the cost of caring for the mother though. Your baby will also receive a separate bill. This bill will range from $1,500 to $4,000 for a healthy baby delivered at term. If your baby is premature or has any health complications at birth, this bill can increase significantly.

Cost of the First Year of Life

Beyond delivery and prenatal costs, you will need to think about the other “unseen” expenses of having a new baby. The average middle-income family in the United States can expect to spend about $12,000 on their child during the first year of life. By age two, this increases by about $500 annually.

In the beginning, you can expect to spend about $50 per week on diapers alone. Throughout the first year, this can rack up to an astounding $3,000. So, if you are invited to someone’s baby shower, they really do appreciate receiving those diapers. Oh, and new moms, if you find you have too many of one size, you can take them back. Huggies and Pampers will be accepted at any major retailer to exchange for a different size. If you receive store-specific diapers, you will need to return them there.

On top of the cost of diapers during the first year, new parents typically wind up spending $6,000 on other baby items such as the crib, strollers, car seats, and other big-ticket items to get ready for the new baby. Talk to experienced parents and get an idea of what you really need. You may be focusing on things that aren’t going to get all that much use, to begin with.

How Much Does It Cost To Have a Baby?

All of the costs above considered, to have a baby and get them through their first year of life, you could very well end up spending $50,000. Depending on your insurance plan, the help you receive from friends and family, and other financial factors, this could be dramatically less. There are also a number of resources you can use to decrease the overall cost of prenatal care and delivery. For instance, using a midwife instead of a gynecologist for delivery could save you about 30% of the overall cost.

Additionally, you can look for secondhand clothing, take hand-me-downs from friends and family, and do some bargain hunting when it comes to providing for your child. There are a lot of coupon programs and freebies you can receive that will help you deal with the cost of a new baby.

Readers, how much did it cost you to have a baby? What were the biggest expenses?

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