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| Photo by Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush from Pexels
Do you feel like there’s never enough money at the end of the month? As a parent, keeping your
finances ship-shape can be a particular challenge. If you’re looking for ideas for some changes you can make, read on. Building a budget
We’re not taught budgeting in school, so it’s no wonder most of us struggle with it. But creating
a realistic budget is vital, especially as a parent, since families can have a lot more outgoings. Scrutinise your bank statements to see what your income and outgoings are, and where most of your money is spent. You might find it helpful to put all this information into a budget tracker.
Consider how you can reduce the money you spend each month. Sometimes it’s simple things
like cancelling a subscription you don’t use or switching to a cheaper utility provider. Lots of families save money by changing shopping habits, such as buying more in bulk and choosing own-brand products. It’s surprising how much these savings can stack up!
As a parent, you could also check that you’re claiming anything you might be entitled to. If you
have young children, check if you are eligible to receive support towards childcare. All 3-4-year-olds in England are entitled to 15 hours a week of free childcare with an approved provider, and for some that will go up to 30 hours. If your children are school-aged, you could check if they are eligible to receive free school meals. Some parents will be able to get tax-free childcare. All of this can help to stretch your budget further, so if you’re eligible, why not apply? Share your concerns
Money is such a touchy subject for many people, but it doesn’t have to be. If you feel able to
open up any financial worries you have, it can be beneficial to talk to a trusted friend or family member. You never know, they might have experienced the same thing. Talking about finances doesn’t have to be a taboo, and you don’t have to feel alone.
Everyone understands that raising a family can be tough financially. You could also speak to
your bank to see if there are any products you could use to make your situation more comfortable. For example, they might be able to offer you a current account with some added benefits, or savings account with a higher interest rate, so your money works harder for you. Investing for the future
As a parent, you may feel too stretched to save for your future. But even if you only have a
little income, with careful budgeting you may still be able to save for your future.
Certain people entitled to working tax credit or receiving universal credit are eligible for a
Help to Save savings account. This is a government-backed scheme to help people on a low income to save, and savers get a bonus of 50p for every £1 they save over four years.
Another option is to set up a cash-ISA, which allows you to save tax-free and earn interest
on your savings. Interest rates can vary between banks, so it’s a good idea to do your research to get the best rate for your money.
If you have some extra income, but still struggle to save, you could try automating it. Once
you’ve worked out how much you can afford to save each month, set up a direct debit that goes straight into your savings account. Having this set up to go out automatically each month means you can save your cash before you even get a chance to spend it.  Dealing with debts
As a parent with lots of outgoings, it’s easy for finances to get out of control. If you are in debt,
you’re not alone. Most people have some form of harmless debt, often in the form of student loans or a mortgage. But it’s different when you have debts that have spiralled out of control.
Many people struggle with this and find that they can eventually get their finances in much
better shape. Read up on ways to reduce debt, including how to get out of your overdraft and how to pay off credit cards.
You have the right to check your credit report for free, so you can see what state your
financial health is. Once you can be realistic about how much debt you are in, you can start making plans to reduce it. This includes proper budgeting, cutting your outgoings, and finding ways to boost your income. If your debt is affecting your mental health, make sure you speak to a professional. The mental health charity Mind might have some useful resources for you, too. Looking into loans
Sometimes you might need a loan, whether that’s for a smaller purchase like a holiday or a
larger one, like a house extension. There are a few different types of loan available. Personal loans are usually for a smaller amount and aren’t tied to an asset. For larger, more risky loans, some people need secured homeowner loans, which require an asset, like a house, for security. Loans can be complicated, so it’s a good idea to speak to a financial advisor to explore all of your options. Planning for your pension
If you’re not working outside the home, it can be more challenging to save up for that
all-important pension. But even as a stay at home parent, you can still be saving towards your retirement. If you’re receiving child benefits and your youngest child is under 12 years old, you should be receiving national insurance credits. To receive a full state pension, you need to have 35 years worth of credits by the time you retire. You can use the pension age calculator on the DWP’s website if you’re not sure where you stand.
Some people also contribute to a private pension scheme or open up a lifetime ISA,
which you can open if you are under 40 years of age. With this type of savings account, you put in up to £4,000 each year, until you’re 50. The government will add a 25% bonus, to a maximum of £1,000 per year. The issue with the lifetime ISA is that it’s not very flexible: you can only withdraw the funds if you are buying your first home, aged over 60, or terminally ill. Any other circumstances mean you pay a 25% charge.
Hopefully, this article has helped you to feel more empowered to keep your finances in
working order, so you can feel more relaxed and in control.
**Collaborative Post**
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Saturday, 22 June 2019
How to Keep Your Finances Healthy When You Have Young Kids
Monday, 17 June 2019
Living Arrows 2019 24/52
Welcome to Living Arrows post 2019! If you haven't heard of the linky before, This was set up by Donna at What the Redhead Said and the name comes from the poem by Kahlil Gibran "You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth" Each week I post one photo of James and one photo of Freddie and share what they have been up to that week!
James had a great week at school and Beavers! If the weather is ok, then mummy will let him scoot to school then mummy will take the scooter back home after dropping him off! For one of his badges he needs to make a camp blanket, so mummy ordered the bits he needed from the scout store online so we could make it together! It meant mummy had to unpick two badges off his jumper as they had "expired" aka they had run their time on the jumper!
Freddie had a great week at playgroup! Mummy had his parents information meeting for the school nursery this week! It really only seems like yesterday mummy was at the same meeting, in same hall, with same staff for James starting! Freddie was so exhausted after playgroup on Monday that he passed out on mummy's shoulder!
James had a great week at school and Beavers! If the weather is ok, then mummy will let him scoot to school then mummy will take the scooter back home after dropping him off! For one of his badges he needs to make a camp blanket, so mummy ordered the bits he needed from the scout store online so we could make it together! It meant mummy had to unpick two badges off his jumper as they had "expired" aka they had run their time on the jumper!
Freddie had a great week at playgroup! Mummy had his parents information meeting for the school nursery this week! It really only seems like yesterday mummy was at the same meeting, in same hall, with same staff for James starting! Freddie was so exhausted after playgroup on Monday that he passed out on mummy's shoulder!
Saturday, 15 June 2019
Siblings Project 2019 - June
Welcome back to the 2019 Siblings Project!
We are now into June and the boys have been so loving towards each other lately!
This month James has been loving
* Swimming
* Dippy the Diplodocus
* Being at Nana and Gaga's house
Freddie has been loving
* Swimming
* Borris the Fingerling Hug
* Dippy the Diplodocus
The boys had a fantastic time going to see Dippy at Great North Museum at the start of the half term holidays! They then spent a brilliant week at Nana and Gaga's house!
In this months photographs the boys were pretending to be Dinosaurs while we were visiting Dippy!
Tuesday, 11 June 2019
Freddie's Free From Top Three!
Over the last few months we have been cooking more meals from scratch with are "Free From" meals. Freddie has finally been diagnosed as Non Ige Allergic to Dairy, Soya, Wheat and Bananas. For us this means his reaction is not an instant reaction like a rash or breathing problems, his are a gradual reaction meaning they develop over a few a few hours or days. His quickest reaction has been around half an hour and his longest has been around 6-12 hours.
Because of this we keep a cupboard of "safe" snacks. So in this post I'm going to show you are top 3 go to snacks for Freddie that can be eaten in and out of the house!
I have tried these and I cannot really tell the difference between them and the wheat variety! These are free from all Freddie's allergens so they are the perfect snack for him to have when he comes in from playgroup. He also takes them in his pack lunch to playgroup.
Because of this we keep a cupboard of "safe" snacks. So in this post I'm going to show you are top 3 go to snacks for Freddie that can be eaten in and out of the house!
First off we have the Tesco Free from Digestive Biscuits. These are our main go to when Freddie wants a quick snack. You get ten in a packet so you can imagine how many packets we go through in a week (normally its around 3!).
I have tried these and I cannot really tell the difference between them and the wheat variety! These are free from all Freddie's allergens so they are the perfect snack for him to have when he comes in from playgroup. He also takes them in his pack lunch to playgroup.
Second we have Bear Yoyo's. Now these are brilliant! Both Freddie and James love them and we get through at least two boxes of these a week! Freddie again takes these in his lunch box for playgroup
Finally we have the Free From Flapjacks. Again these are free from all Freddie's main allergens, so are perfectly safe for him to eat! You get five in a packet so Freddie can get through quiet a few of them each week.
If you can suggest any more super snacks which are free from Wheat, Banana, Dairy and Soya then please drop us an email as we are still navigating the world of free from and always looking for things that we can buy for both boys!!
Monday, 10 June 2019
Living Arrows 2019 23/52
Welcome to Living Arrows post 2019! If you haven't heard of the linky before, This was set up by Donna at What the Redhead Said and the name comes from the poem by Kahlil Gibran "You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth" Each week I post one photo of James and one photo of Freddie and share what they have been up to that week!
The boys have been back to school now for one week and we have six weeks left till the school break up for the summer holiday and Freddie has six weeks left at playgroup before he moves to the school nursery in September.
James has had a great week with school and Beavers! He came home with a letter for his first school residential trip which is taking place in October at Kielder! Its only for one night but I think he will have a ball and he is already so excited! We are also completing a number of Beaver badges this term and mummy is waiting for a parcel coming to make his camp blanket!
Freddie has had a great time at playgroup! He is now calling everyone a saurus as he is dinosaur crazy so its been mummysaurus, daddysaurus, Jamesysaurus all weekend!
The boys have been back to school now for one week and we have six weeks left till the school break up for the summer holiday and Freddie has six weeks left at playgroup before he moves to the school nursery in September.
James has had a great week with school and Beavers! He came home with a letter for his first school residential trip which is taking place in October at Kielder! Its only for one night but I think he will have a ball and he is already so excited! We are also completing a number of Beaver badges this term and mummy is waiting for a parcel coming to make his camp blanket!
Freddie has had a great time at playgroup! He is now calling everyone a saurus as he is dinosaur crazy so its been mummysaurus, daddysaurus, Jamesysaurus all weekend!
Wednesday, 5 June 2019
(AD) Swimming with Swimfin
Welcome to our next post on Swimfin!
We've just had our school half term holidays and mummy and nana thought what better time to get the boys swimming! As mentioned in our previous post as James is going into Year Three in September, he will be starting to go swimming weekly and up until now the only real experience with swimming that the boys had was on holiday last year when they would splash around in the pools at the hotel and at the water park!
The pool we were going to originally take the kids to was closed for refurbishment, so we had to have a search around the local council website to see what other pools would be suitable for the boys. We eventually decided to take the boys to the new leisure centre in Ashington. The leisure centre was opened in November 2015, in fact it opened just a few days before Freddie was actually born.
Sadly the leisure centre has a no photography in the pool area policy so we were unable to take photos of the boys in the pool using the fins.
Freddie was very unsure of his and kept asking to take it off, but we left it on til he had left the pool. In fact Freddie spent most of the 45 minutes we were there sat on the side playing with pool toys and throwing them for mummy and nana to go fetch!
James on the other hand was fantastic! We found some arm floats on the side of the pool and he had one under each arm and by the time we left the pool he was actually swimming full widths of the small pool! The Swimfin was keeping his body in the right position!
The Swimfin is suitable for children from 18 months old and it is so easy to put on with two elasticated velcro straps that fit around the body. Larger straps can be bought to use the fin with older children, The standard straps that come with the fin are a perfect size for both James who is almost 7 and Freddie who will be 4 in November.
Swimfin say on their website "The most important thing about SwimFin is this: the more submerged it is, the more support it is giving. This means when the child is vertical, doggy paddling through the water, SwimFin will be almost completely submerged, giving maximum support. As the child’s body position becomes more horizontal, SwimFin comes out of the water giving less support. This means the child is swimming more for themselves with less and less assistance."
The boys had a brilliant time at the pool and actually asked if we could go back a few days later, which we did! We are now aiming to take them at least every other weekend if not every weekend!
We were also sent some of the Swimfin Funky Floaties pool toys, but on this occasion we forgot to take them with us, but next time they will be first thing in our swimming bag, although I think James has them earmarked for bath time!
I will keep everyone updated on James progress using his Swimfin in the run in to starting swimming lessons with the school in September!
**We were sent two blue Swimfin's and a set of Funky Floaties free of charge in exchange for this review! All views are our own!**
The pool we were going to originally take the kids to was closed for refurbishment, so we had to have a search around the local council website to see what other pools would be suitable for the boys. We eventually decided to take the boys to the new leisure centre in Ashington. The leisure centre was opened in November 2015, in fact it opened just a few days before Freddie was actually born.
Freddie was very unsure of his and kept asking to take it off, but we left it on til he had left the pool. In fact Freddie spent most of the 45 minutes we were there sat on the side playing with pool toys and throwing them for mummy and nana to go fetch!
James on the other hand was fantastic! We found some arm floats on the side of the pool and he had one under each arm and by the time we left the pool he was actually swimming full widths of the small pool! The Swimfin was keeping his body in the right position!
The Swimfin is suitable for children from 18 months old and it is so easy to put on with two elasticated velcro straps that fit around the body. Larger straps can be bought to use the fin with older children, The standard straps that come with the fin are a perfect size for both James who is almost 7 and Freddie who will be 4 in November.
Swimfin say on their website "The most important thing about SwimFin is this: the more submerged it is, the more support it is giving. This means when the child is vertical, doggy paddling through the water, SwimFin will be almost completely submerged, giving maximum support. As the child’s body position becomes more horizontal, SwimFin comes out of the water giving less support. This means the child is swimming more for themselves with less and less assistance."
The boys had a brilliant time at the pool and actually asked if we could go back a few days later, which we did! We are now aiming to take them at least every other weekend if not every weekend!
We were also sent some of the Swimfin Funky Floaties pool toys, but on this occasion we forgot to take them with us, but next time they will be first thing in our swimming bag, although I think James has them earmarked for bath time!
I will keep everyone updated on James progress using his Swimfin in the run in to starting swimming lessons with the school in September!
**We were sent two blue Swimfin's and a set of Funky Floaties free of charge in exchange for this review! All views are our own!**
Monday, 3 June 2019
Living Arrows 2019 22/52
Welcome to Living Arrows post 2019! If you haven't heard of the linky before, This was set up by Donna at What the Redhead Said and the name comes from the poem by Kahlil Gibran "You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth" Each week I post one photo of James and one photo of Freddie and share what they have been up to that week!
The boys are back to school and playgroup today after the half term holiday! We went and spent a few days at nana and gaga's house like we always do in the school holidays. The boys had a fantastic time, they really enjoy visiting nana and gaga's house and both especially like going for walks by the river to see the ducks!
While we were staying with Nana and Gaga, mummy and the boys went for a walk across to Amble and also a walk down into the village. James had a lot of fun chasing the sea gulls away from the ducks, who were sitting on the grass by the river.
We also went swimming twice, which was really good fun! James really took to it and by the end of the time in the water the first day we went he was swimming across the pool using arm floats and his Swimfin!
Freddie wasn't too keen on the pool the first day we went but by the time we left the second time he was loving it!! We are now looking to go back in the next couple of weeks on a weekend! While we were at Nana and Gaga's Freddie was such a bed hog! Poor mummy had to keep moving him so that I could get in on one side and James could get in on the other side!
The boys are back to school and playgroup today after the half term holiday! We went and spent a few days at nana and gaga's house like we always do in the school holidays. The boys had a fantastic time, they really enjoy visiting nana and gaga's house and both especially like going for walks by the river to see the ducks!
While we were staying with Nana and Gaga, mummy and the boys went for a walk across to Amble and also a walk down into the village. James had a lot of fun chasing the sea gulls away from the ducks, who were sitting on the grass by the river.
We also went swimming twice, which was really good fun! James really took to it and by the end of the time in the water the first day we went he was swimming across the pool using arm floats and his Swimfin!
Freddie wasn't too keen on the pool the first day we went but by the time we left the second time he was loving it!! We are now looking to go back in the next couple of weeks on a weekend! While we were at Nana and Gaga's Freddie was such a bed hog! Poor mummy had to keep moving him so that I could get in on one side and James could get in on the other side!
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