Navigating the various insurance policies can be a little more than confusing. It’s essential to sift through varying coverage options to ensure your family is covered in the case of any emergency or disaster. Consider incorporating these insurance plans into your financials and keep your family protected no matter what comes your way.

1. Life Insurance

Every family needs to have life insurance, on both spouses regardless of employment status. Should the worst happen, and death occur prematurely or suddenly, your family will feel the loss of income in the years to come. Generally, an estate planning lawyer would recommend appointing a financial durable power of attorney, so you want to be sure you are appointing someone who is familiar with you and your assets, and who has the financial acumen to properly manage your financial affairs. While Life insurance is an important estate planning tool, without certain protections in place, there’s no guarantee that your spouse or children will receive the benefit of your purchase of life insurance. In the end, the payout can be put towards daily living expenses, education funding, and more, and luckily, there’s no federal income tax on any life insurance benefits. Whether you have children or not, you don’t want any dependent struggling financially in the case of your death.

2. Burial Insurance

Burial insurance is a lesser-known option for coverage, but a worthy one to consider. Funerals are getting more and more costly, with the average funeral costing upwards of $10,000. If you don’t have an existing life insurance policy, burial insurance can be a lower cost option to handle the burial and funeral expensed. Burial and funeral insurance can be used to pay for your funeral by itself, or put towards final expenses that may be outstanding after death, including medical costs, legal bills, and even credit card debt. If you have no savings dedicated toward funeral expenses, and don’t have life insurance, your family will be saddled with huge expenditures, so having burial insurance can protect those you love most from heavy monetary burdens during a hard time. Setting up a burial insurance policy could see you making small, affordable payments that help your loved ones immensely when the time comes. Check out www.burialinsurance.org to consider your insurance options.

3. Health Insurance

Health insurance is essential for every member of your family. Medical, dental, and vision insurance all play a large role in overall health maintenance, and insane hospital costs and bills could see your family suffering from monetary struggles for a lifetime if you’re not covered. Many health insurance policies bundle catastrophic medical insurance and normal coverage in one package. The first is essential in case the worst happens—just a single week in the ICU could cost you upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars, very often slipping into the million dollar mark. The second handles visits to the doctor, prescriptions, and the like. It’s important to find an affordable plan that will ensure you can see the medical professionals you need to when necessity arises. Check out PremiumHealthQuotes.com to find a plan that works for you.

4. Disability Insurance

There has been an influx of individuals choosing to purchase disability insurance. According to Social Security, “one in four of today’s 20-year-olds will become disabled before reaching age 67.” While the SSA offers disability benefits, these often aren’t enough to cover the cost of living that you may have enjoyed previously. With scary statistics like this, disability insurance has become more tempting. Instead of losing out on a few months of income or living on a slashed portion of your paycheck, the right disability coverage can see you maintaining your quality of life, and keep you safe should the worst happen and see you sick or injured and unable to work.

5. Renter’s Insurance

If you own a home, you’re required to have homeowner’s insurance through your mortgage company, unless on the off-chance you paid for your home with straight cash. However, if you’re renting, insurance is an entirely different story. Renting has become the norm; more Americans are renting than purchasing these days, for a variety of reasons. Renting provides more flexibility for families who may be growing or on the move, some saturated markets make purchasing a home a financial impossibility, and the amenities often offered through rentals are enticing. If you are one of the millions that is choosing to rent a home for your family to live in, you absolutely must purchase renter’s insurance.  Many landlords are now making it mandatory, and for good reason. Renter’s insurance is generally inexpensive, and covers all of the belongings found within the building; the house itself is covered by a landlord’s insurance. It’s always a good idea to have the peace of mind that your family’s belongings are protected, and should the worst happen, you’ll be assured that you can replace anything damaged or lost.

Family vacations are memory makers. According to a recent AAA survey, two-thirds of Americans say spending quality time as a family is the most important part of taking a family vacation and more than one-third are planning to take a family trip in the next year.

While it may not be a tough decision to take a vacation, deciding on a destination that is fun for both parents and children can be tricky.  Here are 5 sure-fire hits for family vacations:

San Antonio, Texas

If you are looking for pleasant weather and something other than the beach, think of the Lone Star state for your next family trip.  San Antonio is one of the most popular tourist attractions because the city offers so many things to do. The colorful Riverwalk is a family favorite with wonderful hotels, restaurants and shops peppered along the river.  San Antonio is also home to kid favorites’ Sea World and Six Flags amusement park. They say everything is bigger in Texas and that includes the family fun.  

Washington, D.C.

Do you have some history buffs in the family? Washington, D.C. is one of the most fun, yet educational, family destinations out there.  Bring your child’s history text book to life by letting him or her see actual artifacts of American history at any number of free Smithsonian museums.  Tour the White House, Lincoln Memorial and other monuments and take in the history together.  A visit to our nation’s capital should be on the top of every family’s list.

A Celebrity Caribbean Cruise

Want to explore the Caribbean with your family? Then cruising is the way to go. Children’s programs allow parents to have a chance to relax and have alone time. There’s a reason why cruising is so popular — with over 24 million vacationers sailing the seas: They are convenience and package a lot of family fun in one.  Cruise lines have made it a point to have something for literally everyone on board – all with the luxury of only unpacking once, while seeing multiple destinations.  

Las Vegas

When you think Vegas, you probably think flashing lights, slot machines and adult-themed shows. What many parents don’t realize is that Vegas is a great family vacation destination as well.  From the fountain show in front of the Bellagio, the roller coaster rides at the Stratosphere, to the Cirque du Solei shows, your children will have the experience of a lifetime.  Don’t fret that taking kids along means you won’t be able to pick up more roulette tips at the casino.  There are multiple well-vetted babysitting services available so that you can leave the little ones for a little while and participate in some adult activities while on the strip.

Boston

Boston is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the country, which is why it is a wonderful place to vacation with children.  The city is known for its outstanding children’s museum and aquarium as well as history, architecture and everything Irish. Mom, dad and the kids are guaranteed to have a wonderful time exploring,

Where will you take your family this year?

Check out the Get the Facts! Get Checked! Get Healthy! PSA Campaign starring Paul Rodriguez and Gloria Garayua to learn more about organ donation, getting the facts on staying healthy, and all things Fixing Paco!  The Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation (MNITF), a public non-profit with a mission of advancing the science and practice of organ transplantation and end-stage organ disease therapies through research, education, and innovation, offers information about kidney disease and prevention, organ donation and kidney transplantation at http://www.fixingpaco.org

Want to make a difference in the life of someone who is suffering from kidney disease or kidney failure? Text the word KIDNEY to 21000 where you can make a tax-deductible donation of any amount to MNITF!

This wonderful holiday dedicated to all mums around the world has just passed, but I really have a good reason to write about an ideal Mother’s Day Gift, in case you need some fantastic options for next year. Listen up ladies as well as gentlemen, because you never know when you’re going to need this. Rob found something so charming, I had to beg him to share the secret, so we can do a review on it. This Mother’s Day was very special, because I’ve been surprised with the best bundle of flowers I have ever seen. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t even blink if there were no flowers, but at the very first look of the flowers, I wondered how Rob suddenly developed such a keen eye for flowers.

It wasn’t him, it was all A Better Florist. This fabulous florist had just what it takes to craft flowers that are going to shoot happy tears from mums eyes. It was the exact balance between achieving the right sentiment, with the right gifts, from the right people.

Now, what is so special about this florist? Well, first of all, as my husband so vaguely hinted, they are as affordable as you can imagine. And if you don’t really decide based on the price, here’s another perk for you. The arrangements are visually appealing, different, unique and they definitely know how to craft bouquets to show the right sentiment. It’s not about the pure visual beauty; it’s about the meanings of flowers and what you want to show with your bouquet. This kind of careful and caring thinking is what I really appreciate, especially when it comes to businesses that are popular to this magnitude. Just take one look at their social media, and you’ll realize how many people discovered their genius craftsmanship.

Mother’s Day Flower Deliveries in Singapore are usually not the fastest, as it’s one of the busiest and most hectic days for most gift shops and florist. A Better Florist still guaranteed a fast delivery, and they obviously didn’t fail. Thank you for making my Mother’s Day fantastic, and I would highly recommend everyone to grab blooms from this florist, as they are unremarkable in every aspect of their business. I know where I’ll be getting my Mother’s Day flowers from next year, do you?

Everyone has at least once experienced the painful aftermath of tooth decay. Though it’s a common experience, tooth decay can be prevented. If it happens too often, you actually risk losing your pearly whites. Tooth decay is a problem that affects both adults and children. And the methods for prevention are similar for all age groups.

What is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay occurs when the enamel, the white and hard outer layer of teeth, is destroyed by acids produced by bacteria. A sticky layer of bacteria called plaque forms on teeth regularly. It is what you brush off each morning. The bacteria in plaque digest foods we eat, especially sugary ones. A byproduct of this process is acid that seeps through the plaque into the enamel of teeth leading to cavities.

Tooth decay and cavities can be forced by gum disease as well, where the roots of teeth are infected when gums recede. This is a condition more common in older adults. On the plus side, tooth decay is preventable. Good dental hygiene practices can normally prevent tooth decay.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay

There are several preventative measures you can take to prevent the destruction of enamel in your teeth. Here is a list:

Brush Your Teeth with Fluoride Toothpaste

The mineral fluoride is known to be capable of stopping tooth decay from getting worse. It may even be able to reverse the condition. That’s why dentists highly recommend the use of fluoridated toothpaste. It’s recommended to brush teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to keep tooth decay at bay.

Drinking fluoridated water is also known to promote dental health. About 74 percent of community water systems in the U.S. are fortified with fluoride. However, do not take fluoride without consulting with a doctor. Excess fluoride in your body can lead to death.

Don’t Eat Sugary or Starchy Foods at Night

Sugar and starch are the favorite meals of bacteria in the mouth. When you eat sugary foods and go to bed at night without brushing teeth, oral bacteria produces more acids that may accelerate tooth decay. So avoiding consumption of excessive sugar and starch is good for your health.

Get Sealants from a Dentist

Dental sealants are thin, plastic films that are applied to the surfaces of the back teeth most likely to come into contact with food. Dental sealants prevent food and bacteria from getting stuck on the uneven surfaces of back teeth, thus reducing the risk of getting cavities. You can think of dental sealants as a form of barrier that protects the enamel of your teeth. You can obtain dental sealants from a reputed dentist in your area. Dental clinics like Vibrant Dentistry specialize in high-quality sealants. Costs may differ depending on the area you live and your age. What matters most is having dental sealants applied by a reliable dentist.

Following the above steps are important for keeping cavities at bay. Also, you should regularly visit a dentist to have your teeth checked for cavities or gum disease. A dentist will be able to spot a potential decay problem in advance and prescribe treatments.

Your kids may be looking forward to a summer break from school, but as parents, the prospect of three months with the little ones at home can be less than exciting. Keeping the kids busy on those hot summer days can be tough. The first weeks few weeks may go well, but by week three, your little ones have likely come to you with this complaint: “Mom/Dad I’m bored!” By having a few activities and habits planned out, you can help your kids have a full, productive, and happy summer, and save yourself some frustration. Consider these fun ways to fight boredom and make this a summer to remember for every member of your family.

1. Get Crafty

Keep your kids’ minds active with a new craft each week. Cultivate your little one’s artistic side with fun painting projects, macramé lessons, or even crochet activities. While art supplies can get a bit pricy, there are a few ways to avoid breaking the bank while encouraging your little Picasso in the making. Grab Craftsy coupons and buy awesome art supplies and courses for a fraction of the price. Frugal and fun? That’s something every parent can get behind. The right crafts can help them foster creativity and use their imagination. Plus, you’ll have plenty of new décor to hang around your home.

2. Keep Up Their Writing Skills

Start a weekly habit of journaling with your kids. Give them a prompt and have them sit and write for at least 30 minutes. It could be something as simple as “What’s your favorite summer activity?” or “What would your dream house be like?” Keeping their noggins working all summer long is important and leaves them better prepared to enter school in the fall ready to learn.

Looking for ways to prevent boredom this summer? Keep your kids smiling and laughing from June to September with these boredom fighters. Whether you opt for family picnics or set up a tent in the backyard, these activities will make for memories you’ll always cherish.

3. Wash the Car

Okay, okay, we know this might not be the most exciting suggestion at first, but you’d be surprised at how much fun the family can have suds-ing up the car. Outfit the kids with sponges, rags, and buckets of soapy water. Grab a hose and spray down the car (and your family) for some refreshing fun under the summer sun. Your car will be clean, your kids will be laughing, and the activity will provide the perfect opportunity for some family bonding—no electronics allowed when there’s water spraying, right?

4. A Backyard Staycation

We can’t always afford to travel, but there’s no reason you can’t embrace the feeling of vacation from the comfort of your home. Turn your backyard into a campground and make backyard camping a weekly occurrence with your kiddos. Grab some inexpensive camping gear from GearTrade.com and set up your yard into the perfect campsite. If you have a fire pit, roast marshmallows with the kids (or run inside for quick use of the gas stove). Lay back on the lawn and look up at the stars, tell campfire stories, and sing songs. This is one easy way to “get away” from it all—without the hefty price tag.

5. Park Picnics

Take advantage of the nice weather and head outdoors for some good old fashioned picnic fun. Drive over to your local park and set up a blanket and some lawn games that you and the kids can have fun with. Hook up with some other families and make it a picnic extravaganza—potluck style. This makes for easy playdates for the kids (and adults, too!) and provides everyone with some much-needed time outdoors.

6. Pull Out the Slip N Slide

The classics are considered such for a reason. Slip-n-slides have provided splashing fun for decades, and your kids are sure to love this addition to the back or front yard. Head to Wham-o.com  to grab all types of water slides. Your kids will love having their very own splash zone in the backyard.

Teen years and acne are particularly synonymous. It’s very common for teens of both genders to experience breakouts. However, some teens may experience severe acne, where breakouts can happen all over the face, chest, back or other parts of the body. It is important to make them aware of the consequences if the problem is left alone. In most cases, daily cleaning routines can be the solution for teen acne treatment. The sooner it will be enforced the better results can be expected. If the acne is severe, it’s important to receive proper medical treatment. Severe acne can last beyond teen years well into early thirties, which can cause serious self-confidence and body image issues for your child.

Why Your Teen’s Acne Needs to be Treated

There’s a common myth that acne needs to be allowed to run its course. If your teen is experiencing a single breakout once a month or so, that may be okay. Otherwise, you must get your teen to a reputed dermatologist like GunterMD Dermatology GunterMD Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center. If acne is not treated on time, it could leave the affected areas with dark spots and acne scars. Also, getting acne treated will make your teen feel more confident and boost his or her self-esteem.

Diagnosing Acne

There are different types of acne that affect teens. Going to a dermatologist is strongly encouraged to get a proper diagnosis. Dermatologists examine the skin of the patient first and then grade the acne on a scale of 1 to 4. The mildest acne is graded 1 and most severe is graded 4.

The dermatologist will then tell you what type of acne is affecting your teen. There are close to a dozen different types of acne that are classified as whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, and severe types like cysts and nodules. Severe acne like cysts has serious medical implications beyond appearance, so they have to be treated right away. The dermatologist in sun city west will determine the best course of treatment depending on your type and provide you medicine related to your problem. 

There are definitely over-the-counter treatments for acne such as face washes containing salicylic acid that may help clear mild acne. However, these common anti-acne products may not work for all teens. Those affected by severe acne will definitely require medical treatment.

There are a number of acne treatments dermatologists now prescribe. Doctors typically prescribe topical treatments for acne. Topical anti-acne treatments help kill bacteria that causes acne or may reduce oil on skin that blocks the pores. A dermatologist may prescribe topical antibiotics, prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide cream, topical retinoids, or salicylic acid treatments.

Some dermatologists also recommend oral antibiotics to treat acne. Hormonal treatments are also available, however, these are only recommended for adults and not teens. If your teen suffers from particularly severe blackheads, he or she may be able to benefit from acne extraction surgery, where a small metal tool is used to unclog blocked pores.

While acne treatments can work, dermatologists also advise parents to encourage teens to take steps to prevent acne. Acne cannot be completely prevented among some patients, but severity can be reduced by taking steps such as washing the face more than once per day. Tell your teen not to touch the face with unclean hands, which can transfer bacteria from fingertips to the face causing acne. Other tips include not scrubbing the face harshly, using gentle face washes, shampooing oily hair daily, and not breaking acne by hand.

If you suffer from vaginal dryness, as many women do, you will know the discomfort and problems it can cause. Well, you can now get some advice and help with regards to this condition by looking at the new infographic that has been released by the lubrication specialist, LubeZilla. The infographic is short but detailed, which means that you can gain some valuable information to help you with vaginal dryness.

One area you can learn about through the infographic is how to recognize vaginal dryness. Symptoms can vary but include pain during intercourse, itching or burning, developing UTIs, and lack of sex drive. You will also be able to learn more about the percentage of sufferers along with details about their age groups.

Another area you will be able to look at is what can cause vaginal dryness in women. The infographic details a number of common causes ranging from medication and emotional distress through to lack of foreplay and the use of certain medications. There are also some details on the more serious problems that can stem from vaginal dryness if the problem is not addressed or treated.

The final part of the infographic provides useful details on different ways you can help to relieve vaginal dryness. There are various solutions that are suggested, including stepping up your exercise levels, reducing your medication, using lubrication, and making use of more natural products rather than ones that may contain irritants.

Spending quality time with our kids is not only a vital and enjoyable part of being a parent, it can also be educational at the same time. When it comes to earning extra money for their college coffer, this gives us a unique opportunity to perform both of these tasks simultaneously and earn some extra money to boot. As an added bonus, during this process, children can learn from us about money handling skills, the importance of saving and fiscal responsibility.

So what are some ways we can earn some extra money with our kids? Check out five of these profitable projects and cash making activities that can add cash into our children’s college fund:

#1 – Hunting For Bargains & Reselling

There’s plenty of people who are making a decent amount of money listing and selling items online at garage sale-esque websites like Ebay – there’s even neighborhood-oriented sites like Bookoo. If you’re the type of parent that enjoys going garage saling on the weekends, bring your kids along and you can teach them things during this endeavor, pick up some bargains and resell them at a profit online.

For example, if you’re looking at a certain niche, like jewelry for example, you can educate your children about geology and recognizing certain types of gemstones. Sometimes people will casually cast off valuable jewelry believing they are “costume” or fake, even diamonds, which are an excellent investment even when purchased at or near their face value.

#2 – Tutoring Their Fellows

Older children, along with their parents, can turn to tutoring younger students either in home or on internet venues like tutor.com for $11 to $13 an hour average. Guiding others will help children to understand the importance of a good education and helping others.

#3 – Start a Small Business

Entrepreneurs are getting younger and younger these days, especially given the many online options available. But some kids are still using “old school” methods to earn some extra money. Whether it’s doing yard work or running errands, parents can be their chauffeur and guide them in their money management skills.

#4 – Take Advantage of Holidays

Think ahead to holidays like Christmas, which is still a long way off and imagine ways you can earn money with your kids during the holiday season. Selling mistletoe is one option, but what about offering services for those that can become overwhelmed during this time of year? Personal assistants who run errands are great for those who can afford them, but what about:

• Gift wrapping
• Labelling, stuffing and sending out Christmas cards
• Putting up Christmas decorations
• Baking holiday treats
• Photography services
• Making gift baskets
• In some locations, shoveling snow is an option

If this sounds like something that might interest you and your child, to make money year round, get your kid brainstorming on ways to earn more cash during other holidays.

#5 – Bending the Budget

Another way to teach children about the value of a buck, while this example isn’t actually earning money, it will teach them about the importance of budgeting. Be frank with kids about the cost of certain items that the family could possibly do without and put that cash aside for college.

For example, the average cost for a family vacation runs around $4000 according to some sources. For this year’s family outing, put the child in charge of an educational “stay-cation” including budgeting for inexpensive items during your homebound holiday. Perhaps they will plan for movie nights that include education, virtual destination to far-off, historic and sites.

BONUS: Do the Math

For the educational frosting on the “stay-cation” cake, give your child who is in charge of planning your household holiday the amount you had set aside for your annual outing. Whatever items they have on their agenda, like movie nights, game days or other choices, have them tally up the total of these activities, subtract them from the budgeted amount and deposit the difference into a savings or investment plan geared towards later tuition and other college expenses.

Being creative and flexible are also important lessons for both children and adults alike. See what you and your kids can do to earn, put aside and invest more funds towards their valuable future.