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The Editor's Desk - From Beneath the Clutter
Feature Article - Why Women Should Worry About Retirement More Than Men
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Guest Article - How To Have A Happy And Healthy Back To School
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Have your kids started school yet? Ariel starts preschool at the end of the month. She's only going 3 hours a day, two days a week since she's only 3 years old. I'm more or less looking forward to it (don't I sound enthusiastic?). It means more working time for me.
Check out the discussion boards in the Family Friendly Freebies section this week. There's an offer for a free child abduction video; you just pay shipping, which is $4.95 for the default option. The offer goes through September. This is an important topic yet one that can be difficult to discuss clearly with children.
What a week it's been. I changed hosts, and due to some difficulties, I'll be changing again. I can't use every program I use on this site on the new host, so I'll be changing. However, I think I'll keep the account for some of my other sites whose needs are less demanding. The hosting company is highly reputable, so I'm not ready to just dump them when I'd been looking for hosting for some of my other sites anyhow. I'll be moving to the new new host shortly; the account is set up and I just need to make sure everything goes smoothly this time!
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Women earn an average of 76 percent of men’s salaries. Does that shock you? Yes, even in 2005, women are still way behind the earning curve in corporate America. But rather than get into a discussion of the fairness or unfairness of it all, let’s concentrate on just what women can do to ensure that they aren’t left out to dry in their retirement age!
After all, because women typically live seven years longer than men, combined with the skyrocketing divorce rate, many women will find themselves alone in their older years. (Statistics show that most women are alone by age 56!) And the figures show us that if a woman took out any time from her career to have children (about seven years) she will pay for it later with only 50% of what her male counterparts will receive in retirement benefits.
Sigh.
So, what can a woman do to ensure that she can retire in style? Start by taking a look at some of our suggestions below.
Save More
Most experts advise us to save about 10 percent of our income in order to have a sufficient amount to retire one, but if you are a woman, you should be saving closer to 12 percent. Because of the reasons listed above, you simply won’t receive the same amount in retirement pensions. What’s more, the way that social security figures your monthly payment is based on the top 35 years of your work history. But guess what? If you were out for seven or so of those years having children, they will be counted as “O,” and the overall amount will be reduced.
Invest Wiser
Since you will need to save more by retirement age, you will have to more careful with your investments. Know your risk level, and then don’t exceed it under any circumstances!
Join the Team
Many employers offer investment and savings strategies such as 401K plans and savings matching programs, and if you are a woman, you should plan to participate in all of them that you can.
Use Cash, Not Credit
An alarming number of Americans today are in serious financial trouble. This was made evident recently with the passing of the new bankruptcy bill that will make it more difficult to file. A record number of people filed for bankruptcy in anticipation of it.
It’s easy to get into debt when people today spend an average of $1.21 for every dollar they earn, but don’t be tempted to fall into that trap. Instead, plan to put as much money away for the future as you can.
Don’t Go It Alone
While it is important for all women to step up to the plate and get serious about their finances, it’s equally important for them to get advice from professionals. Talk to tax planners, investment specialists and budget planners to get all the advice that you can.
This article provided courtesy of http://www.penny-stock-guide.com
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It's the time of the year that most kids have been avoiding; Back To School!
Going back to school can make some kids anxious. Some are starting kindergarten and others are transitioning from elementary to middle school or from middle school to high school. Help your child keep things in perspective by helping them to realize that this new experience is exciting. Encourage them to have a positive attitude about the experience. Back to school can be frustrating and stressful due to poor time management, organizational and communication skills. Start off the school year by leading by example. Set the standards for a responsible, independent, and successful child by living by the core life values you want to instill in your child. If you are always running late or making excuses, your child will assume that this is the attitude to take towards life.
Nutrition
Preschool: Make sure your preschooler starts the day with a healthy breakfast. If you have a fussy eater, try variations of their favorite foods. Give them a piece of their favorite fruit, but do not force your child to eat something. If you are concerned about their vitamin intake, offer them a supplement. A good one to try is Childs Life Essentials. For great recipes, check out: Healthy Food for Healthy Kids by Bridget Swinney .
Elementary/Middle School/High School: Kids in this age group need to have healthy eating habits as well as a fitness regimen. Serve your children healthy snacks and involve them in grocery shopping and the preparation of food. Try a new snack for lunch each week. If you're stuck on what to serve your children, check out http://www.yourkidsandnutrition.com. Make sure your kids get adequate exercise each day. A great way to stay physically active and distress is Tae Kwon Do.
Sleep
Preschool: Your child needs 10-12 hours of sleep per night. Develop and be consistent with a bedtime routine. Have your child engage in quiet activities before bedtime, such as reading a picture book or completing a puzzle. Avoid liquids close to bedtime. If you have a little night owl, try placing a few drops of pure lavender oil on a tissue paper and place it by your child's bed. Check out: http://www.sleepforkids.org
Elementary: Encourage your child to develop a routine of falling asleep and waking at the same time, even on weekends. After a summer vacation, it can be quite difficult to get into the habit of falling asleep early. Have your child start sleeping an hour earlier and slowly transition into the appropriate bedtime. Avoid television and caffeine close to bedtime. Extra tip: Pay attention to any signs of stress. Ask you child questions to find out if they are anxious or feeling stress because of the new school year. Let them know you are available to listen, if they want to talk. For more information on kids and stress, visit http://www.kidshavestresstoo.org
Middle School/High School: Your child needs between 8.5-9.5 hours of sleep. Your child needs less sleep and less supervision. Advise your child to avoid computer games and heavy studying before bedtime. Make sure your child turns off the television before bedtime.
Time Management
Preschool: If you want to avoid being late in the mornings, wake up a 1/2 to 1 hour earlier and get yourself prepare. Lay out the clothes the night before or if you able to for the entire week. Have breakfast ready for your preschooler and make getting ready a game. Play a beat the clock kind of game with your child. Preschoolers are very competitive and like to win.
Elementary School: Show your child the value of time by how you prioritize and organize your time. Teach your child to be more independent and responsible by allowing them to pick out their clothes (within reason). Agree to a scheduled study time and support your child in being consistent with this time.
Middle School/High School: Avoid resentment and power struggles by setting reasonable guidelines. Help your child to approach time management with confidence. Instead of lecturing about the importance of time, show your child how to use their time more effectively. If they see you procrastinating, then they will assume it's acceptable for them to procrastinate. Create a schedule and a list of things to do together. Teach them to set and follow through on specific goals. For more tips, check out http://www.organizetips.com/chore2.htm.
Marie Magdala Roker is a Personal Development Coach with Smart Bee Coaching LLc. Her site Successful Child.com strives to provide valuable resources so parents can play an important role in the personal growth and development needs of their children. Visit her online at http://www.successfulchild.com
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