Serendipity Mommy

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How to Successfully Save Money for Bigger Goals in Life

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Most people are so caught up with their short-term goals that they forget about the bigger picture. Do you find yourself saving money to buy the upcoming iPhone or other gadgets? Or how about, saving up this month’s salary so you could buy a very nice bag or shoes next month? Most of the times, it’s always about short-term goals. How about saving up money so you have money for a down payment for a house? It is time to also think about the future.

In this article, we will give you tips to save money for long term goals like buying a house. To be able to be qualified for a home loan, whether fixed rate home loans or variable rate home loans, you must have money for down payment and of course, enough savings for lenders to know that you are eligible to pay.

It is time that you look into your spending and saving habits to get closer to your dream of owning a house. Here are some tips to consider:

  1. List down all your expenses –do you know where your money is going or do you find yourself surprised every month that all your money is gonealmost before the next payday arrives? Well, this is exactly why many people find it difficult to save money. They spend without any plan or direction. They spend their money as long as they have it. Well, it is time to change this habit. It is best to list down all your expenses from rent, credit card bills, phone bills, food, shopping, up to the smallest detail. This is good so you know where you are spending your money and if there’s a way to remove some items from the lists.
  2. Come up with weekly and monthly budget –once you’ve identified all your expenses, it is time to create weekly or monthly budget. You should come up with a reasonable budget plan and then do your best to follow it. Make sure that your expenses are a lot lesser compared to your income so you still have money to save.
  3. Have a separate savings account –it is advisable to have a separate savings account for your bigger goals. Then be sure to put specific percentage of your income to this account every month. Treat this as your obligation so you get closer to your goal of buying a house.
  4. Plan your shopping –it is time to avoid impulsive shopping and instead make sure that your trips to the malls are always planned including the budget. This teaches you to become more responsible in spending your money. You can still buy things that you like but make sure to plan it so you can save money for it without hurting your savings.
  5. Avoid use of credit card –lastly, it is best that you avoid using credit cards and instead, settle for paying cash for your purchases. Credit cards are temptations – they make you believe that you can buy things that you don’t actually afford. And the ending is usually bad – you crying over debts for your purchases.

It is fun to buy new clothes, shoes, bags and gadgets but it is so much more fulfilling to be able to achieve big goals in life like a house. Thus, it is best if you start saving money for real.

Why the World Needs More Female Entrepreneurs

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More and more women entrepreneurs are popping up, and the world should be backing them strongly. Here’s why the world should support women entrepreneurs.

Did you know that 20% of million-dollar business in the United States are owned by and predominantly operated by women? Women-owned business in the United States employed nearly 9 million people and generated $1.7 trillion in sales last year.

Female entrepreneurs are a total powerhouse!

They provide necessary and unique perspectives, social roles, and insights into entrepreneurship. But, women often hesitate to enter into the world of business. And those who do face a lot of obstacles.

Why is that and what can we do to change it?

Read on for reasons we need more women in business and how to support women entrepreneurs!

Women Make More Innovative Entrepreneurs

Don’t believe it? We can prove it!

Research presented at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development found that business run by women were more innovative than those run by men.

There are a lot of theories to explain this. But regardless of “the how”, it’s a fact that women in business not only measure up to their male counterparts but often surpass them.

Simply put, female entrepreneurs are successful in business. And characteristics of successful entrepreneurship (view here) are not exclusive to men.

Women In Business Are Good for the Economy

Male-dominated industries (think tech and business) pay higher than female-dominated industries (like food and beauty). Helping women enter male-dominated industries decreases the wage gap between men and women.

90% of a woman’s income is reinvested into her family and her local community. Therefore, an investment in female entrepreneurship is an investment into the future well-being of your community.

Whether she contributes to the overall household income or is the primary breadwinner, helping a woman enter the business field will benefit the economy.

Female Entrepreneurship Targets Global Poverty

Supporting women in business is a great way to help treat extreme poverty in the world. By removing obstacles women can gain access to income that can help support themselves and their families.

Many women in developing countries aren’t able to access credit or funding, can’t own property, and don’t receive comparable education and training to men.

Supporting programs that fight to break down these barriers can help promote global well-being.

What Can You Do to Support Women Entrepreneurs?

We know why we need women in business! So how can we support women entrepreneurs?

The three biggest obstacles women face in business are funding, mentorship, and experience.

Here are a few ideas of what you can do to help women overcome those obstacles:

  • Volunteer with support programs that promote female entrepreneurship locally and globally
  • Patronize female-owned businesses
  • Advocate for reliable sources of credit and lending for women
  • Connect women with successful female entrepreneurs
  • Support educational programs and initiatives that encourage girls to enter into male-dominated industries like business and tech

It’s important to remember that you might not be able to do all of these things, so just start with one and work from there!

Conclusion

A woman in business is a force for good in the economy, community, and the world.

And together we can support women entrepreneurs.

For more financial advice, check out our finance blog.

How to Define A Good Day Care Centre

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As a parent, your choice of learning institutions is critical, as a day care centre should be much more than simply a safe place to leave your child for a few hours a day. It is natural for a mother to be very apprehensive when the time comes for their child to experience the outside world, and with that in mind, here are some important components of a suitable day care centre, which should help you to make the right choice.

  • The Vision and Mission Statement– Every learning institution should have a vision of how they see their role in the development of young learners, and if you are looking for day care in Sydney, there are some excellent venues that understand how young children best learn, and by finding one that understands and accepts that every child is unique in that respect, you are helping your child to better understand the world around them. The day care centre should acknowledge that there are different styles of learning, and would have experienced carers who know how to help a child identify their preferred style of learning.
  • The Right Learning Resources– In order to best cater for different styles of learning, a day care centre should have adequate resources. A soft room is the ideal environment for children that like to explore through activity and movement, and there should be lots of toys and other learning resources that would be kept in quiet corners. The best way to discover how a day care centre operates is to spend a few hours observing what happens, and most importantly, how the carers interact with the children. Typically, the day would be spent doing a range of short term activities, with no more than 10-15 minutes spent on any given thing, as young children have a very short attention span. To help you with your selection, there is an informative blog on what to look for in an early learning institution which should be a valuable resource in your quest for the ideal venue for your child.
  • Qualified Carers– Ideally, there would be several senior carers, people with many years of hands-on experience in helping young learners find their feet, along with some younger carers, who are under the supervision of their older colleagues. The principal would be someone who is respected in the local community, and would have very defined ideals about the best way to administrate the care centre. If you are looking for the right day care centre to take your child, spending some time with the principal should enlighten you as to the centre’s policies regarding young children’s education.

The Internet is a great source of information, and it can certainly help you to gain a clearer understanding of the ideal young learning environment, and by reading many articles on the best learning approaches to take, you will be better prepared to make your selection, and once you have done that, the World Wide Web can also help you source the best day care centre in your immediate area.

Learn How Some People Make/Save Money With Storage Units

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Storage units are all over the place, aren’t they? And when you’re dealing with a lot of different things that can come up in the midst of it all, you want to be sure that you’re doing everything possible to make the most of it. Have you ever thought about taking the time to try and make money through the use of storage units? Here are some tips that you can try.

Selling Auxiliary Items

If you’re near a place that offers self storage or you’re there a lot, consider offering auxiliary items that people may need in order to know that they can get things done with their storage units. For example, you may want to sell things like tape, boxes, shelving units, locks, and whatever else that you believe that someone may need in order to stay ahead and make sense of what it is that you’re going to need to purchase as well.

Going to Storage Auctions and Flipping (Yes, Like Storage Wars!)

Living near a self-storage place can be really advantageous. Why? Because it allows you to know when auctions are going on and when you need to go and look for them. By taking that time to check out the auctions at storage units Orange, you will often find that there are a lot of different things that you can purchase there with ease, and then you can flip them to make more money in the future too.

Investing in Their Own Storage Unit Property

Buying your own storage unit property is something that can be a huge deal when you’re trying to make sure that you can do whatever is necessary to make some cash. Look into the ins and outs of making that happen and figure out what it is that you may need to do in order to get a property that you can be proud to own.

Consider Putting Together a Community Unit

A community storage unit that is open to the people in your community can be a very big deal for those who may need a little help from time to time. Yes, this is a way to save money – if you have one available, people can donate items and then also take what it is that they may need from the unit when they need it. It’s a way to give back the community and to make sure everyone is provided for as well.

Other Methods to Make Money

There are a ton of ways in which you can try to make some cash by using self storage units. By taking the time to see what you can do and by investing your money the right way, you will find that there are a lot of methods that are involved in helping you to stay ahead of everything. Look into what it is that you could get your hands on and see what works the best and, in the long run, that’s going to be what benefits you the most.

How to Maintain the Right Balance Between Work and Family

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Part of being a parent is that you often face tough decisions, and decisions usually center around work and family. Even though both parents try their best to work their schedules out between them, there are always going to be occasions when conflicts occur. Without a way to deal with these clashes, you and your partner might soon start to feel stressed which can affect you and your children. However, there are things you can do to try and maintain the right work-life balance.

Making the Conscious Decision

Trying to achieve a good work-life balance isn’t always going to be easy. There are times when you are going to have to make a conscious effort to keep that balance. It means that every action you take regarding work and family life will need to be assessed to see if it strikes a good balance. You won’t always be able to do it, and the times you fail, you will most likely get upset with yourself. However, the important thing to remember is that you tried and that you will keep on trying to make an effort.

Choosing the Right Job

Finding a job isn’t always that simple, and sometimes you must take a job because there isn’t anything else. However, if you do have the choice, then you should think about what you want from your career and what you want for your family. It is a good time to discuss with your partner the things you want to achieve. If you want to work your way up your chosen career, then you might have to expect some difficulties along the way. If you are just looking to pay the bills, then as long as those bills are being paid, you can make things as flexible as possible. Some people decide that the best way for them to get the balance right is to work from home. While these jobs are not easy to find, they can be a terrific way to work, especially if you have young children still at home. Another idea is to start your own business and base it at home. You can then put in the time you need and still be available for your family.

Involve the Family in the Process

It is important that you try to talk to your partner and your children to discuss how your work-life balance will work. It can be good to hear what your kids think about your work and how they feel it’s affecting them. It is also good for your children to understand that you have commitments at work that you have to meet. Hopefully, between all of you, there can be an understanding of each other’s expectations and needs. It can also be appropriate to let others help you if they are willing. Although you don’t want to put too much pressure on other people, they may be able to help you in exceptional situations. You should also think about you and your partner. You both need time together as well, for anniversaries or just to go on a date. After all, having someone who you can rely on can be beneficial for every family member.

Speak to Your Employer

From the beginning of your time in a new job, it is important that you are open about what you want from your work-life balance. Employers are supposed to be flexible when it comes to your home life, and you should be aware of your terms of employment to make sure they are not trying to get out of their obligations. You should also be aware of your treatment as an employee. Just because you have a family, or you are a particular gender, doesn’t mean you cannot achieve the same level as others. You can learn more about things such as sexual discrimination online.

Try to Have At Least One Day a Week Together

Making time to be together as a family is something which you simply cannot underestimate. You should all try to clear at least one day in the week when you can all do something as a family. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant; it can be a day in the garden playing games or going for a picnic. The time you are spending together is the most important thing and building memories as a family. It is good to remember that before you realize, your children will be grown up and having families of their own, so you need to make this time precious.

Keep Your Family Organized

You might wonder what being organized has to do with your work-life balance? The reason it’s important is that you need to fit things around your work schedule to ensure that you don’t miss those first performances at school. If your children are not organized, you might not know about any important events at their school in enough time to arrange the time off. It also means that if your kids want to have someone over they can tell their friends in advance when the best time will be. Just having a calendar in the kitchen with everyone’s commitments on it will be enough to keep things organized.

Don’t Forget About You

Achieving a work-life balance is not just for your children and your partner, it’s also about you. It is vital that you get to have some time to yourself to do things you enjoy. Choose a time when the kids and your partner are out of the house and just learn to relax and take a little time out. Not only is this good for your health, but it will also help you to be a more relaxed and energized parent for your kids.

There is no magic wand which you can wave to make your home and work life easier to manage. Unfortunately, there will be times when you cannot do everything you want to do. The most important thing is to cherish the times you have together and do your best to get the balance right.

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