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Raising Money-Smart Kids
"Money doesn't grow on trees!" Parents have said this to their children for generations, but the key is to back it up with information that shows how money does grow. Experts say teaching children the value of saving money is crucial to future financial stability. Saving also helps develop other good habits like discipline, goal setting, planning, and delayed gratification.
- Start with a simple piggy bank (or any type of container) that enables young savers to see how coins and dollars add up in real time.
- Check out money-saving apps that use graphics and gamification to teach kids about earning and saving money.
- Establish guidelines for how much children should save from earned income and monetary gifts.
- Encourage saving by creating opportunities to earn money doing household chores.
- Educate children on comparison shopping, saving and using credit wisely.
Overall, it's wise to discuss age-appropriate money matters with your family to foster healthy, lifelong relationships with household finances.
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How To Get Compensated for Flight Issues
Do airlines have to compensate you if they delay or cancel your flight? Are you entitled to hotel or meal vouchers? Answers can vary, so be sure you understand your rights before you fly.
Find out what to do if your luggage is lost or you get bumped because of overbooking, mechanical problems or weather delays. You can find up-to-date information on the Department of Transportation's new Airline Customer Service Dashboard at Transportation.gov.
Consider buying your tickets with a credit card that covers flight cancellations and service interruptions. Be aware of airline policies before purchasing tickets so you know what to expect in the event of a problem.
Pro Tip: Invest in a luggage tag with GPS tracking.
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Tips To Lower Your Monthly Bills
Finding ways to reduce expenses isn't always easy. But with some planning and creativity, you may discover surprising ways to revise your budget and lower your monthly costs. Try tracking your spending for several weeks, then prioritize needs and wants. Use this information and these tips to save on major expenditures.
Mortgage
If your mortgage payment is too high, think about moving to a more affordable home. You can also explore additional options, such as raising the deductible on your homeowner's insurance policy or bundling your home and auto insurance.
Utilities
Ask your cable, internet and cellphone providers for their best promotions. Research other utility options and switch to low-cost alternatives whenever available.
Transportation
If it's practical, consider using public transportation. Refinance or trade in your car for a less expensive model. Look for a better deal on car insurance, and be sure to request all available discounts.
Food
Shop weekly grocery promotions, and buy only as much produce as you can use before it spoils. Cook at home more often and prepare enough food to save for leftovers.
Entertainment
Audit your streaming, subscriptions and other memberships for redundancies or little-used entertainment services.
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4 Ways To Be More Productive on Your Phone
Instead of scrolling through social media when you have time to kill, why not get something done? Try these tips and tricks to boost your productivity no matter what kind of smartphone you have.
- Put thoughts, ideas and drawings in a simple journal or notes app. Keeping all stray bits of information in one place is a productivity game-changer.
- Dictate thoughts, ideas and reminders using your phone's built-in microphone.
- Purge, consolidate and organize things such as notes, emails, contacts, apps, texts, files, and photos. You may be surprised by how much unnecessary data you've accumulated.
- Add shortcuts for frequent tasks on your home screen so they're easily accessible.
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