3 Kids and Us

How to Choose the Best Car Insurance for Your Family

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It has that wonderful new-car smell, it comes with plenty of leg room for all your little ones, and it’s spacious enough to get all of your camping gear without feeling confined for a single moment. It’s a great feeling when you get that awesome ride for you and your youngsters, as you can already envision all the adventures that lie ahead. However, owning a car, especially when you use it to take your kids to school or soccer practice every day, let alone those lengthy trips, comes with a high level of responsibility.

It takes time to get to know your car, to learn how often you need to fill the tank, how well it handles weather changes, and how reliable it is on the road. But all of those factors aside, having a peace of mind means insuring your car properly and for all those specific family needs you’ll have. So, before you schedule your first test fishing trip ride, let’s see how you can pick the right insurance and enjoy your family car hassle-free!

Ask around

Much like with anything else you want to buy and use every day, and especially something as important as this particular safety feature, you want to see how happy other customers may be with any given insurance policy. Talk to your friends and family about their own insurances and see what perks they have, and if any of them are suitable for your own family.

On the other hand, talking to independent repair shops can be another way to learn useful information. They won’t benefit personally whether you go to one insurance company or another, and they have plenty of first-hand experience when it comes to people who have filed claims with many of them. You should always go for financially stable, reliable names in the business, even if some of their rates might be slightly higher.

Check for pricing options

Now that we’re on the topic of pricing, one could assume that the highest price always comes with the most perks, but since you have a specific situation, learning more about your price options depending on the package can make a difference in choosing the right policy.

The key here is not to be lazy or quick to make the call – use this time to get at least three or more quotes from different agencies, in order to evaluate which one fits your budget as well as your needs. Maybe the initial rate could be higher for a particular company, but they might offer reward programs for reliable drivers, or discounts on joint insurance for spouses. Check all the boxes with your insurance quotes before you eliminate your options.

Prioritize your needs

Every family is different, and as you get to know your first family car, you can already understand what you will need your policy to contain both in order to keep it affordable, and to increase safety. Have your car evaluated for its existing safety features and consider all the situations when you’ll be using it. What would an ideal policy ensure in addition to cost-effectiveness for your wallet?

Perhaps a fast-responding customer service for any of your inquires, or a more flexible policy that gives you more wiggle-room in case an unwanted situation occurs. Depending on where you live, you will see if it’s best to focus on fire and hazard protection, or burglary and theft. All these factors will affect the final price range, so make sure to cover your bases and discuss them with your insurance agent.

Know your insurance basics

We’ve already established that there is no templated solution for all family cars, and considering your own situation, you should also start a conversation by getting educated about the basics of each insurance policy. Make sure you know what the legal minimum is for your country, as having third-party protection often is the starting point for each policy. However, you should also protect your family and your vehicle with insurance that gives you access to a courtesy car in case your needs fixing, as well as a rescue service for those unexpected mishaps on the road.

Essentials such as windscreen repairs and replacements and lost or stolen keys are other details to keep in mind, but when it comes to your personal belongings, each policy comes with a different minimum rate they cover. All in all, education is key before you start a conversation with your chosen insurance agency, and it’s best to armed with information so that you find that ideal policy for your new family car!

How to reduce your household expenses

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If you are concerned about your finances, it is important that you act fast to resolve the situation. After all, it’s your best chance of getting matters under control before you are landed in an enormous amount of debt and forced to change your lifestyle drastically. Although it is important to keep living in the way you desire, there should be some areas that you can subtly adjust. Doing so will help you to free up some funds and to pay off any debts. Why not begin with your household expenses? There are so many ways that you can reduce them to secure impressive savings. Below are six suggestions to get you started.

Taking care of your animals

Owning a pet can be expensive. That is why you need to keep your eyes peeled for money saving opportunities. Make sure that you do your research before going ahead with any purchases. For instance, if you are a dog owner, you should think about the meals that you are providing for your pampered pooch. It will give you a chance to compare your prices and to make sure that you are getting the best dog food for the money you are handing over. Once you have made this purchase, you will need to weigh each meal to make sure that you are not overfeeding your pet and wasting precious resources. Another step is to try grooming your animal at home. You could set up a washroom and invest in high-quality products. Although this will be expensive at first, in the long run, it will save you from paying someone else to do this for you.

Completing your weekly grocery shop

Next, you should think about saving money on your weekly grocery shop. If you are going to reduce your household expenses, you can’t afford to be throwing money away. That is why you should never buy a product unless you absolutely need it. You can ensure this by creating a meal plan for each week. Then, you can write out a grocery list that will help you to budget your purchases and to stick to your plan. Instead of relying on a scrap of paper that could easily be lost or torn, you should download a useful app. That way, you have no excuse for wandering off course. You could even download an app that allows your family to add to your list remotely. Creating a list will save you from forgetting any essentials and wasting precious time on a second trip to the store. Although you should be sticking to your list, you should also be on the lookout for any chances to buy items in bulk and to secure a one-off deal. Why not set yourself a financial goal for each week?

Paying your monthly bills

It is likely that a lot of your outgoing expenses involve paying your monthly bills. Whether this is your electric bill or your heating bill, it is vital that you are cutting costs wherever possible. You can do this by getting off the grid and creating your own energy. Not only will this help you to save money, but it could also help to save the environment and to boost the value of your property. If you don’t already have solar panels, now is the time to invest. You could even end up generating enough energy to sell back to the government. You should also invest in comprehensive insulation solutions, as this will prevent valuable heat from escaping your property. Additionally, you should switch your regular light bulbs to LED alternatives and encourage your loved ones to turn off their devices once they have finished with them.

Managing your technology

When it comes to your technology, you should also be evaluating your television subscriptions. If your family likes to explore a wide range of channels, you may be facing a large monthly bill. It is one area where you could be making a huge saving. Firstly, you will need to make sure that you aren’t paying for channels that you don’t watch. You will also need to compare the prices that you could be getting with other providers. Understanding your options could help you to negotiate a better deal, as the company that you are currently with will have to compete for your loyalty. Another thrifty tip is to ask your loved ones to charge their devices in public places. You should also be leading by example and do the same. It will save the sockets in your home from being switched on all the time. Perhaps you could charge your smartphone at your favorite coffee shop or take your power pack along to the local library.

Cleaning your property

Cutting down on your expenses shouldn’t stand in the way of you being house proud. Instead, it should simply evolve your attitude towards cleaning. Instead of hiring outside help, you should establish a chore chart for the whole family to follow. You could also save money by creating your own cleaning products as an alternative to store-bought solutions. Finally, you should endeavor to clean your own car, as this is another brilliant way for you to claw back some extra funds.

Keeping your family entertained

If you spend a lot of money on keeping your family entertained, you should write a list of fun and free activities that everyone will enjoy. Embracing a thrifty lifestyle will help your loved ones to respect their money and to create their own entertainment. Why not hold a weekly family meeting and encourage everyone to bring along at least one suggestion? You could spend time outdoors hiking or walking along the beach. You could attend a cultural event such as an open gallery or a community theatre performance. Or, you could strengthen your family bond by taking part in a charity run or an outdoor team sport. The most important thing is that you aren’t relying on your wallet to have a good time. It may take a little while for you to get used to this change, but it won’t be long until you’re all having fun.

Risky Business: High-Yield Investment Options Only the Truly Brave Should Try

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Investors can either play it safe or go all out and take on a whole load of risk. The riskier an investment is, the higher your return yield could be. Nearly all investors prefer to take on these high-return investments, but cannot manage the risk either financially or emotionally, but if you are drawn to the thrill of this type of investment, there are several risky but potentially lucrative investment methods to consider. As always, investors should weigh the risk against potential returns. When seeking massive returns, investors risk becoming gamblers, therefore, understand the exact amount of risk you face if you continue to seek over-the-top returns.

Buying and Selling Stocks Daily

Playing the stock market every 24 hours, known as day trading, is a highly risky form of investing, however, savvy traders can have their lucky break and possibly even become millionaires overnight. Traders tend to have an infamous reputation because they are taking on massive amounts of risk when buying stocks. Selling off purchased stock is never a guarantee. Regardless of these problems, professional traders can enjoy massive paydays, so the practice remains popular. Anyone can become a trader if they know the risks and understand that they could lose all their money. That’s not to say that you would. But if a trade goes wrong, you should be able to withstand the loss financially and psychologically. Start trading with a set amount, such as $1,000, that you can easily earn back. Never buy stock with money you actually need.

Investing in Emerging Markets

An emerging market is a country undergoing rapid economic development after years of underperformance. The biggest emerging market in recent history is China. There are many such countries today that could be categorized as emerging markets for investors to fund. Investing in an emerging market can really pay off, as seen in countries like China and South Korea. However, this can also go the other way. A prominent example is Brazil, once lauded as a major world economy that has since fallen apart due to corruption and violence. Emerging markets exist in countries with young governments and a history of war and unrest. The drawback, however, is that these very problems could crop up once more, threatening economic gains. War and unrest are certainly not elements that draw in investors. Despite these obvious risks, investing in an emerging market can pay off if the country continues to be successful. Think China. However, there are inherent political risks that cannot be shaken off. You should invest in emerging markets only if you can take on unexpected political risks.

High Yield Bonds

High yield bonds can be issued by either governments or companies. These bonds have one characteristic—extraordinary returns. For these eye-popping returns, the investor would be taking on extraordinary levels of risk as well. The problem with high yield bonds is that nearly 10 percent of them are junk bonds—worthless at the end of the day. Investors may double the risk of principal capital loss if

Is Your Information Safe on IRS-EIN-Tax-ID.com?

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With all of the latest technological advances in the world today, it can be difficult to fully trust an online site that your information will be completely safe. IRS-EIN takes pride in providing our clients with a safe and secure website in which they can apply and keep tabs on their Federal Tax ID Number without worrying whether or not their personal and business information will be stolen.

When you apply for a Tax ID number on our website through the online application process, you can rest assured that your information is one hundred percent protected. We know and understand how hard you have worked to get your business and career to this point, and we want to keep that information protected at all costs. We use the latest in online security advances to make sure your information isn’t going anywhere without your permission.

In addition to information security, we also block any promotional ads from appearing while you are using our website, and we make sure that your information is only used strictly for your Tax ID number and nothing else. We are always keeping tabs on our security measures and learning more about the newest forms of online security on a regular basis so that we can keep our client’s information completely secure at all times.

We want our clients to have zero doubt that they can trust us here at IRS-EIN-Tax-ID with their business information. We pride ourselves on our security measures and helping our clients apply and keep tabs on their federal tax ID numbers, all while feeling that their information is safe from hackers and thieves. Visit our website for more information on how we can help your business with all of your federal tax ID number needs now and in the future.

Emergency-Proof Your Family Budget

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Source

In 2017, it was reported that 1 in 7 Australians has no savings at all. If a personal emergency were to occur, 2.6 million people in the country could not afford to cover the expense. For individuals and families who like to travel and explore, it is especially important to be prepared, as there are numerous expenses that could suddenly arise. Someone could get sick or break a bone. The family vehicle might break down. Any number of situations can occur that require the use of emergency funds. However, if you are part of the millions living paycheck to paycheck, you could be one minor emergency away from a bad financial situation.

Now is the time to ensure that your family’s financial picture is as solid as possible. Thankfully, no matter what your current situation may be, you can immediately begin to take actions that make your budget emergency-proof.

Have an emergency fund that you don’t touch

A recent report revealed that the average Australian saves $427 each month. If you find it difficult to put cash away, this is the first habit that you must build. Having adequate savings is the top way to ensure that you do not have to go into debt for emergency expenses. How much should you plan to save? While something is better than nothing to start, you should make plans to achieve a significant savings goal as quickly as possible. Experts recommend aiming to save at least 6 months of your income. This amount of cash will cover you for some of the most major expenses, and for extended periods of income loss.

Ensure that your credit score is in top shape

While it is ideal to have the cash to cover emergency expenses, you may be caught in a position where you do not have the necessary funds. Even the most financially responsible of individuals will find it incredibly challenging (if not impossible) to pay for large purchases (such as a new vehicle). In the event that financing is needed to accommodate an emergency expense, be sure that your credit score is in top shape. Taking the time to understand your finances and credit score can ensure that you get approved for needed financing, and ultimately save you thousands in interest. Is your credit not where you want it to be? In addition to building an emergency fund, make a plan to reduce and eventually pay off any outstanding debt. Always be sure to make your payment on time, and explore the possibility of lowering your current interest rate on credit cards and existing loans.

Maintain your property, vehicles, etc. to avoid emergency expenses

It is obviously impossible to prevent every emergency expense. However, being proactive in the maintenance of your property, vehicles, and other things you own can reduce the risk of a sudden expense. Create a schedule for yourself to be sure that nothing is missed. Take your car in for regular maintenance, such as oil changes and filter replacements. Have the heating and cooling system in your home routinely serviced. Do everything in your power to avoid the possibility of a preventable emergency expense.

For families who live an on-the-go lifestyle, it’s crucial to prepare for unexpected expenses. Make your budget emergency-proof by building a savings fund that you don’t touch, keep your credit score in top shape, and be proactive in avoiding sudden, preventable expenses. Spend more time enjoying life and less time worrying about what expenses await in the future.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!