Sheree

  • Shopping for the Best Travel Credit Card

    Although it’s wise to pay off all your credit card debt, it’s also practical to have one or two good credit cards.

    When you travel or want to order something online, it makes good sense to have a credit card. Plus, using your card responsibly will positively contribute to your credit score.

    But which card is the best? The answer can be found in which one best meets your own personal needs. The best credit card for someone else may not be the best one for you.

    Use these strategies to help you determine which card may best meet your needs:

    Choose a credit card that has no monthly fee

    Never pay a monthly fee just to have a credit card. Ever. I’m all about minimalism in every aspect of my life INCLUDING money/budgeting. With the plethora of options out there, there is no need to pay fees. (Unless you travel a crazy amount and the fee of the card would be sufficiently covered in savings)

    Avoid a variable interest rate credit card

    A variable interest rate credit card has fluctuating interest rates over which you have no control. Make an effort to get a credit card with a fixed interest rate.

    Also, be leery of any cards that advertise 0% interest for the first 12 months!

    Find out what the interest rate will be after the initial interest-free period. You may find the interest so high that it’s simply not worth it to get the first year at 0% interest. Plus, know what can trigger the end of your 0% interest – you might not even enjoy it for one year!

    Related: Understand Travel Exchange Rates The Easy Way

    Read the fine print

    Even though the fine print “legalese” is difficult to decipher, it’s important to be on the lookout for hidden fees and charges.

    • Read the terms and conditions of the card at home when you have plenty of time.
    • Highlight any areas of the terms that you have concerns about or need to clarify.
    • If you’re unable to get answers to your questions or receive clarifications for a better understanding of the card issuer’s policies, walk away. You’re wise to say ‘no’ as opposed to getting stuck with extra fees.

    See what’s in it for you

    When you’re selecting a credit card, focus on those that either give you cash back, credit toward travel awards, or reward points toward free items – whichever perk you feel you would get the most benefit or enjoyment from.

    The cashback cards are, in essence, reimbursing you with “free money.” Some cards issue cardholders one check per year for a percentage back on specified purchases. Receiving a check in December between $1 and $1,000 based on your credit purchases is a nice perk.

    If you’re a traveler, you might prefer receiving points toward your next flight, car rental, or hotel.

    The third type of rewards credit card awards you points in relation to the amounts charged on the card.

    The points can be cashed in to purchase various items such as stereos, portable DVD players, kitchen pots and pans, dishes, and a variety of other items.

    Shopping for the best credit card takes time and patience. Protect yourself and your financial life by taking every precaution when selecting your credit card. Discover the freedom of using just one good credit card, paying it off monthly, and enjoying its rewards.

    Shopping for the Best Travel Credit Card 2

  • Christmas Traditions For Family Travelers

    Christmas Traditions For Family Travelers & Expats

    What do you cherish and remember most clearly about Christmas during your own childhood? Was it the food the carols and music going to church the Christmas tree? When we look back at our childhood we don’t remember the gifts that we were given, we would call the things that we did as a family that created the most long-lasting memories.

    Family Christmas traditions that adhere to year after year during the festive season are an important part of childhood and often free or don’t cost much.

    Here are our 8 best memory-making traditions for families to enjoy this Christmas

    Send Homemade Christmas Cards

    Go old school and send some homemade cards. In the modern era of e-Christmas cards this is a traditional way to make your Christmas celebration special. Making homemade Christmas cards can involve the whole family. Sit down with some glitter, stencils, stickers and colored paper. Play Christmas music to get you in the morning your kids and you will have great fun making the cards and then and giving them to friends and family.

    Make An Advent Calendar

    Make or buy an advent calendar that can be reused each year. Instead of putting suites or toys in it put a note for each day about all the different things you love about your child there would be a full-scale riot in my house if there were in a small present or treat in the calendar each day so you may want to consider adding the notes on top of a little present!

    Give Them a Christmas Eve Box

    Treat your kids to an early gift with a special box that contains festive pajamas to wear in a Christmas film to watch If you want to spend less, you could include a festive book or art and craft activity so that they can make a special Christmas Eve decoration for the tree

    Prepare a North Pole Christmas Breakfast

    An amazing way to welcome the festive season is by preparing a North Pole Christmas breakfast for your family on the first day of December. Get the kids involved in designing the menu and making the decorations. Many families combine on North Pole Christmas breakfast with the elf on the shelf who joins them for a meal. He then appears every morning doing something mischievous until Christmas Day. I think most parents either love or loathe the elf. I’ll let you decide!

    NOTE: If you loathe the elf like moi, then a suitable alternative is Melk the Monkey!

    Grab him here & then shoot me an email for a special gift when you do!

    Leave Food Out for Santa & His Helpers

    Leaving food out for Santa and his friends is another lovely tradition for Christmas Eve. Don’t forget to prepare the reindeer food out of dried oats and biodegradable glitter and have your kids scatter it in the backyard or lawn on Christmas Eve. You can also go out and gather greenery like Holly and ivy from a garden to decorate the mantel pieces or other areas in your house.

    Make a CHRISTmas Supper

    Opt for a special dinner (using whatever native ingredients are available to you. Totally okay if itis different every year!) and family prayer night. Spend time giving thanks to the One that sacrificed everything for us.

    Download your FREE Christmas gratitude list here (TIP: Laminate it & write on it daily)

    Say Cheese!

    Many families forget to take a family photo on Christmas Day. So, make time to capture a photo with your family each year in front of the Christmas tree striking the same pose. It will be interesting to document how you change each year. Then, you could put the photos into a special album!

    Go To a Carol Service

    Even if you are not generally a churchgoer, going to a service at your local church on Christmas Eve is a lovely thing to do with your children. Seeing carols and listening to the story of the nativity is sure to put everybody in the festive mood and it’s good to take some time to remember the origins of Christmas.

    Wrap It All Up

    Enjoy the special festive memories you make with your family. Your children won’t stay little for long, and it’s great to remind them that Christmas is about being together and not just about presents and treats.

    mistletoe christmas lights family

  • Guide To Communicate With Your Baby

    A New Parent’s Guide to Communicating with Your Baby

    Your baby is learning to speak long before they say their first words. Talking with your child and giving them loving attention will strengthen the bond between you and help them to develop academic and communication skills they’ll need later in life. Plus, you’ll both have a lot of fun. A famous study in the 1990s coined the term word gap to describe how children in lower income families hear about 30 million fewer words by the age of 3 compared to their wealthier peers. More recently, a Stanford University study found an intellectual processing gap emerging at around 18 months. Create the word-rich environment your child needs to learn and thrive.

    Try these tips for communicating with your baby.

    Communicating with Babies from Birth to Three Months

    As you know, crying will be your baby’s main way of communicating for a while. While individual timelines vary greatly, many babies start using their voice at about 2 months to coo and gurgle. They may also start making some simple vowel sounds. Use these strategies for greater communication with your infant:

    Use baby talk

    It’s a myth that baby talk will hold your baby back. In fact, babies pay more attention to sing-song style speech with a higher pitch and warmer tone. At the same time, it’s beneficial to gradually introduce them to adult speech too.

    Hold them

    Physical touch is part of communication. Bond with your baby by holding and carrying them.

    Make eye contact

    Looking at your baby shows them that you care enough to pay attention. Even if you don’t understand their message, they’ll appreciate the effort.

    Related: What a Postpartum Mom Really Wants

    Think about body language

    Gestures and facial expressions are a big part of your baby’s communications. Exchange smiles and copy each other’s movements.

    Mimic sounds

    Imitating your baby’s sounds is helpful too. Gurgle back at them and add your own noises to make your chats livelier.

    Start reading

    Begin your storytime traditions with picture books. You may also want to find some titles with sound effects and textures.

    Communicating with Older Babies

    Most babies speak their first words by the end of their first year, and most can understand a few words by the time they reach 9 months. It’s usually not a cause for concern if a baby starts later. Speak with your doctor if you have any questions about your baby’s development and hearing. These techniques will help you communicate with your older baby:

    Narrate your day

    Create more opportunities for your baby to hear your voice by describing your activities. Talk through mealtimes, household tasks, and weekend plans.

    Related: Get Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night!

    Pause often

    Take a break between sentences so your baby can join in with their own remarks. They’ll start to become familiar with the rhythm of two-way conversations.

    Identify objects

    Help your baby to associate names with common objects and people. For instance, point to a cup and slowly say the word.

    Give simple directions

    Your baby can now start to understand some basic commands. Ask them to come to you. Say no firmly when you want them to stop eating the dog’s food.

    Sing favorite songs

    Small children enjoy interactive songs. Share your old favorites like I’m a Little Teacup or The Itsy-Bitsy Spider. Create some tunes of your own.

    Match them up

    By the time they reach four months, most babies are ready for some friends their own age in addition to your company. Look for organized groups in your community and stay close by to supervise and provide support.

    Your baby loves it when you to talk with them. Make them happy and encourage their language and social skills by having conversations, reading, singing, and playing games.

    Related: How To Survive Motherhood

  • Travel Affirmations For Moms & Kids

    Sometimes travel can be a scary thing for some people. I never traveled outside of my state as a kid because my mother didn’t drive and was mortified of air travel. Mel Robbins also shares the story of her fear of flying and what she did to overcome it.

    So, I want to help you break through any fears you may have about traveling. Let’s push past those mental blocks so you can reap alllll the benefits of traveling with your family worldwide!

    Don’t have time to read? Grab the travel affirmations printable FREE below (& a FREE journal)

    I am ready for new experiences while I travel.

    • I am ready and excited for the new experiences coming our way. I am eager to find opportunities in any mishaps, delays or troubles that may arise.

    My life is an open channel to new experiences on my trips. I am ready to embrace new ideas and challenges while I travel.

    • I will see new things, new perspectives, and traditions. I am willing to embrace everything with an open mind.

    I remain open to new possibilities in my world.

    • I will actively look for new opportunities and keep an open mind.

    Related: How To Pack Your Whole Life In One Suitcase

    My vacation is a wonderful opportunity to experience new adventures. Each day provides exciting new prospects and I avoid letting fear or anxiety stop my pursuit.

    • I get to choose and decide HOW I will feel about every experience. I am in control.

    New experiences are always within my reach while I travel, as long as I allow myself to try new things.

    • Nothing is off the list. Everything is possible for me.

    My choices affect what I experience, so I am careful about my decisions.

    • I will make wise and sound decisions.

    I can balance new ideas with my old beliefs during a vacation.

    • I will do my best to embrace new ideas.

    I embrace education from each new idea I find.

    • I choose to see beauty in everything.

    Related: The Best Way To Make Friends While Traveling

    Different cultures and languages provide valuable lessons about the world around me. I am enriched with this new knowledge.

    • I will return from my travels with a deep appreciation for others.

    I appreciate the different lifestyles I encounter while on vacation. I make new friends. I pick up new tips and advice. And I learn from their cultural backgrounds and histories.

    • I have the capability to embrace diversity.

    My travels help me appreciate my life at home too. I am grateful for my family, friends, and coworkers who are part of my normal routine.

    • I will continue to express gratitude to myself and everyone and every experience I have.

    Today, I am excited to be planning my next travel adventure! I am ready for new experiences.

    Related: Do This If You’re Afraid of Traveling

    Self-Reflection Travel Questions:

    • How can I prevent fear from stopping my enjoyment of new experiences?
    • What can I do to remain open to new ideas as I travel?
    • How can I learn to accept unexpected changes during my trips?

    Grab your FREE Affirmations Printable & Travel Gratitude Journal at the top of this post!

    Related: Meditation Techniques You Need To Try For Travel

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