Keeping Your Teens in the Right Path for Financial Success

March 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Everyone wants to give their kids the building blocks for success in many areas, such as health, career and financial success. Out of all of these, none is as important as financial success.

Financial success now and in the future can actually affect a young adult’s health and career status. One of the number one stressors in an adult’s life is financial stress, and stress affects health.

Employers are looking at credit scores increasingly as a means to determine employment status. Here are some tips to help keep your teen on the right financial path.

Allowance

It is a good idea to give your teen an opportunity to earn an allowance. This not only helps instill good work values, but financial responsibility as well. It should be decided what exactly the allowance will be and what responsibilities are to be given. Will he be working for his everyday spending?

Credit

Teach teens to use credit responsibly and why their credit rating is important. Young adults are bombarded with credit card offers even while they’re still in high school. Teach them to use credit wisely and responsibly. Explain what should and shouldn’t be financed on credit cards. Educate them about carrying a credit card balance and how to build their credit ratings.

Financing

If your teen has the means to pay a loan, let them finance something small such as a used car so they understand what it’s like to fill out a loan application. Let them see the importance of making payments in a timely manner or see what the consequences are when you finance something and the payments do not get made.

Emergency Situations

Help them know where to seek help in an emergency situation.  Plain Green Loans is providing personal loans to help people out of a tight jam. Advise them of the importance of saving for emergency situations.

Budgeting

Involve teens in the budgeting process for the household. Let them see what every day household expenses may cost, such as electricity, water or groceries. This helps avoid so-called sticker shock when they get out in that real world.

As financial times get tougher and tougher for the average American, it is becoming more and more important to teach good financial strategies at home.  Teach your teens habits that will set them on the right path for financial success in their future.

Image via Wikipedia

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: , ,

Four Ways on How to Secure Affordable Apartments in Sacramento

March 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Image Courtesy of Flickr

Getting a great apartment is only the first part of your work to become established in a city the size of Sacramento. When you start out, you may not have a lot, but you want to make sure you have a strong base to keep what you do have. Your safety and the security of your possessions are of paramount importance. The following are some ways to keep your person and property safe from harm.

Require Good Locks

When you shop for Sacramento apartments, pay careful attention to how many doors and how many locks keep any passing person from getting to your potential place. No matter how affordable an apartment might be, it’s not worth your time and money if the landlord doesn’t care about security. Don’t be afraid to go elsewhere if the place’s locks and doors aren’t up to snuff.

Be Aware of the Area

As much as your apartment’s locks are important, the neighborhood you live in is even more so. Two different neighborhoods separated by only a few blocks can have massive differences in their crime statistics. Before you even move into an apartment, you have both the right and the responsibility to know what you’re getting yourself into. Some neighborhoods are great, some are good and some might give you pause. Knowing which one you’ll potentially be living in is an important step.

Meet Your Neighbors

Being a friendly and outgoing neighbor is about way more than just borrowing things and having people to hang out with when your friends are busy. A good neighborhood means that every neighbor watches out for each other. While you might be the world champion at karate and have a gun that you’re a crack shot with, those things won’t do your apartment any good if you’re off visiting relatives or you’re at work. Neighbors, on the other hand, can call the police the moment anything suspicious happens.

Be Insured

Do you have a lot of tech toys, nice clothes and other goodies that you’d like to keep? No matter what you do, sometimes theft happens. The easiest way to sidestep this problem is to make sure you have plenty of renter’s insurance. It isn’t expensive, and it can help you regain everything you’d lose if your apartment were ever broken into by some crook. If you have a decent laptop, protecting it alone is worth several years of having renter’s insurance. Plus, how much is a little peace of mind worth to you?

Your apartment is your base. You need your base to be a safe, secure place for yourself and your things. Every avenue you can take toward making it safer and more secure is worth trying. Go ahead and try all the good suggestions above.

Filed Under: Safety / Security Tagged With: , ,

How Can Asian American Teens Adjust to Different Environments?

February 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Image via Wikipedia

Growing up in two different environments may be difficult for an Asian American teenager. The home environment and the school environment have various social and cultural demands; although some may overlap, the majority will be a stark contrast to one another.

Growing up in an Asian American household means adopting specific social etiquettes that may be acceptable or preferred in the home, but will appear strange in a different environment, in a way that makes them feel comfortable in both environments. For example, Asian Americans often take their shoes off at the entrance of their homes and do not wear shoes around the house. While this small custom is hardly noticeable for Asian Americans, it becomes very apparent if he or she visits the home of a non-Asian American whose family does wear shoes around the house. Other customs, such as eating rice and using chopsticks, are even more noticeable if time is spent at school or at a non-Asian American’s home.

How does one adjust to these different environments? Asian Americans learn to adapt to different environments simply by imitating their peers. What may seem strange at first becomes normal after continuous repetition. Never used a fork before? Practice every day and you’ll get the hang of it. One simply needs to put effort in understanding and realizing the changes, and in no time, Asian Americans will be able to adjust to the different environments. Famous Asian Americans have constantly had to adjust to their environment and learn society’s way of doing things, whether they are in business, media, fashion, sports, or law. For example, fashion designers such as Alexander Wang have adapted an American and European style to cater to his audience’s preferences.

It is one thing to adjust to an environment, but a totally different thing to feel comfortable in both. The most important part of adjusting and adapting to different environments is the continued education, growth, and acceptance. Do not reject one environment in favor of another. Instead, embrace both environments and cultures. Asian Americans are both Asian and American, so it is natural to feel a tie to both cultures. Similarly, because they are both Asian and American, they should also be able to accept both dimensions of their characters. Being open to different possibilities gives individuals a greater understanding of the people around them. Empathy, sympathy, and connection stem from understanding other people and their predicaments. Asian Americans are special because they have the best of two worlds, something not all Americans may have access to.

Filed Under: Personal Development Tagged With: , ,

Most Affordable Air Travel for Teens

January 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

There are many ways to travel; traveling for business, flying from one destination to another to conduct business with partners or investors. There is travel for fun, vacations, visits with family or friends you have not seen in a long time. Even young people travel a lot, whether it’s for school or for leisure. Air travel is a convenient mode of transportation when they go on academic trips or school breaks, whether it’s local or abroad. It is easy for their parents to make the arrangements for them or for the whole family. This is why the traveling teen is a growing trend in recent years.

 

Image via Wikipedia

Today’s teens have such a sense of independence. They no longer want to visit their relatives with mom and dad during their down time. They want to go with their friends, who have found some desirable teen destination where their peers are vacationing. Wanting to be with friends and not family is not really surprising; it has just been made more obvious because of all the technology available today. What will never change is that it is up to mom and dad to figure out how to send their teens on their vacation even when they’re not around.

 

Image via Wikipedia

The worries begin to bundle. Where are they going? Who are they going with? How long will they be there? How do we pay for this? If flying, where can we find cheap airline tickets?

The teens themselves have done their research. They know where they are going, having been on the Internet and talked with their friends about the hot vacation spots for teens. It is now time for mom and dad to come up with the travel arrangements. A bit of searching and homework is involved, but this is to find the best deals for the air travel. The airlines are looking for your business. In this economy, the deals are in your favor. Many airlines are now catering to groups of teenagers, a fast growing group of travelers.

Saved frequent flyer miles can certainly help. If an immediate family member is a seasoned traveler, their frequent flyer miles can be used by anyone in the family, making the trip for the teen easier on the wallet for mom and dad. Search the web, one of the best places airlines or travel sites list the deals they offer. With the help of search engines, you can conveniently list and compare prices to get the best deal possible.

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: , ,

Resolving Your Teen’s Money Problems

January 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Image by Tangolarina via flickr

Nowadays, teenagers have expensive taste with regards to the newest clothing, music, technology, food and entertainment, making them the perfect target for market. Adding to that, teens today have this pay-later attitude. Some of them are fostered to become financially responsible, but that’s only possible if they got proper nurturing in terms of financial management.

Teaching your teen to manage money may seem like a daunting task, but an informed approach to money management can help you and your teen cross this crucial hurdle towards a life of financial success and stability without the tears.

Encourage your Teen’s on Part-Time Work

Understanding the value of money is the foundation of sensible spending and saving. Helping your teen find a part-time job at a local store or restaurant will empower him or her to make special purchases for themselves, encouraging independence, self-reliance and confidence.  This will also teach them the how to manage time by balancing school and work, discipline on time and the trouble with taxes.
Earning their own income, teens will learn relate the money in the bank to their hard worked hours, encouraging more practical and informed decisions about leasing that brand new gadget or picking up that much-coveted designer hand bag.

Talk It Out: Financial Transparency

Be honest with your teens about what your family can afford.  Planning ahead is the best way to accommodate extra expense and little luxuries. At the beginning of the school year, sit down with your child and discuss the added incidentals that can be predicted for the year to come from formal gowns to movie tickets or new sport equipment.  Then discuss options for added income or ways to save within the existing budget from cutting out those $4 lattes on the way to school or applying for scholarships to balance out the cost of college applications and standardized tests.

Teach your Teen’s on how to Manage their Spending

Teenagers tend to be more knowledgeable about the use of money when they are thought on how to save and spend. If you are successful in helping your teen understand the difference between wants and needs, they can easily grasp the value of saving and planning for the future.

Teens should also be encouraged to compare alternatives, make decisions and take responsibility when it comes to dealing with debts. You never know when your kids will be put in emergency financial situations, so it’s best to introduce them on alternatives like payday advance online. Unexpected financial emergencies could eat away their budget no matter how careful they are, so it’s vital to give them a good option for support. Teach them on when and where to maximize those short-term loans and not just to squander it for personal luxuries.

Filed Under: Finance Tagged With: , ,

Enjoy More What You Already Enjoy Doing

January 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Loans are often a lifesaver for people who want to continue enjoying what they’re already doing. Often, sudden and unexpected events arise when you least expect it. Engine problems while on a road trip, motor problems while on a fishing expedition or weather delays at the airport that cost time and money for extra meals and a hotel room. These kinks in your plans don’t have to put an end to your finances.

Many companies offer an online application process for emergency situations. Once you’ve been approved for a loan, the money usually shows up in your bank account the same or the next day. The only caveat, especially for payday loans, is that the money should be paid back by the next paycheck in order to avoid late fees and other penalties.

The following are some tips on how to get personal installment loans for your benefit:

Image from Flickr

Online Approval Makes it Easy

No matter where you are, the Internet has made applying for personal installment loans simple. Just find the website of the company where you wish to apply for a loan, and then fill in the loan application process. If you’re approved, you should receive the emergency money within a short period of time.

Be Aware of Application Fees

Online lenders should be competing for your business. Therefore, if you find a site that charges an up-front fee, you should be wary and look elsewhere. You’ll find plenty of companies that are willing to loan you the money for emergency situations without charging you with any up-front fee.

Read the Fine Print

Before you agree to the loan transaction to pay for your urgent needs, read the fine print. Be aware of any late fees, penalties and the company’s right to adjust the interest fee on negligent payments. Always be aware of your rights and those of the loan company before agreeing to the loan terms.

No Credit Check

There are loan companies that will offer to bypass the credit check process in order for you to qualify for an emergency loan. You may choose this option if you’ve previously declared bankruptcy or if you have bad credit.

Be advised, however, that no credit check loans often come with higher interest rates and steeper penalties. If you really need the money for an emergency financial need, just be sure you can pay it back within the parameters of the loan agreement.

Securing personal installment loans can be a great way to overcome emergency situations like the medical bills for a sudden trip to the hospital after an accident. Just make sure that you don’t borrow more than you can pay back, and realize that if you do default on the loan, you can seriously jeopardize your credit rating.

 

Have you ever obtained an emergency loan while trying to enjoy what you’re doing? Share your experiences in the comments box.

Filed Under: Finance Tagged With: , ,

Keeping Kids Entertained on Airplanes

November 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Do you have a toddler, young child or even a teen who will be flying with you on your next trip? Keeping little ones entertained at home is hard enough; how will you manage occupying their attention in a cramped airplane seat for hours at a time? Here are a few tips and tricks for helping kids handle the plane ride well.

Watch Movies and TV Shows

Kids usually have favorite movies or TV shows that keep them entertained for hours. Bring a portable DVD player or other a tablet PC loaded with your child’s favorite shows.

 

English: A portable DVD player by Philips.

Image via Wikipedia

Have Snacks on Hand

Few things break up large chunks of time better than snack time. Bring a few different snacks that your child prefers. You can extend snack time by playing games with the food, such as counting cereal pieces or sorting candies by color. If you pack your snacks in sealable containers or paper bags, these can be used as toys later in the flight!

Play Self-Contained Games

Many traditional toys aren’t well suited to airplane rides. Avoid any toys with small parts that can roll under seats. Self-contained toys and games are your best bet. You can make a book out of old clothes that lets your child practice using buckles, zippers and buttons. If you don’t fancy making such a book yourself, there are many styles available for purchase.

Magazines can be another source of fun for kids. Create a scavenger hunt with the magazines or other printed materials the airline offers. Name something you see on the page, and have your child find it.

Create a few discovery bottles before you go. Fill an empty bottle with small toys and shreds of paper; the child will have to move the container around to uncover the toy. Alternatively, they may have to grab a magnet and use it to move cut-up parts of pipe cleaners around a plastic bottle. These discovery bottles are inexpensive to make yourself and can easily be packed in a carry-on bag.

Tell Stories

Tell your child stories about where you are going and who you are visiting. If you’re on your way to see grandpa and grandma, share memories about what you did the last time you visited them. You can also make up fanciful stories about what you will do on this trip.

As you’re preparing for your next vacation, remember that a successful flight with your child needs more preparation than simply searching for cheap flights. Make the flight an enjoyable experience for your child and less stressful for you, by following these simple tips.

Filed Under: Teen Milestones

Does Anyone Go to the Movies Anymore?

July 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you look at the numbers, movies are still big. Open weekends are breaking records and every movie is a blockbuster. But are people going to movies to see the movie or because they are afraid not to?

In the world of teens, movies and television dominate pop culture. And with all the cross marketing, movies become video games, breed hit songs, are the latest apps, and transform fashion trends. The movie itself almost becomes secondary to the process.

When the latest hit movie is decided upon, usually months before it opens, the studio machine starts to find every vein to tap into to make it more than just a movie. It’s an event.

The lifestyle of the teen is based mainly upon peer groups and relationships. With all the uncertainty that comes with that age, one of the clearest ways of defining oneself at that age is by pop culture trend. It becomes black and white: either you are part of the trend or you’re not. The quickest way to be part of a group becomes to become part of the event. If you miss the movie, don’t wear the clothes, don’t know the song, you become one of them instead of one of us.

Again, the questions, does anyone go to the movies anymore or are people just afraid of being defined as the one who doesn’t go?

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Consumer Trends, Financial Trends, Teen Milestones Tagged With: , ,

Mobile Devices – Not Just Phone Anymore

July 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
iPod vending machine

Image via Wikipedia

It wasn’t too long ago that an iPod and cell phone were considered the peak of status. They were expensive and not everyone could have them. Nowadays, the electronics world had again pushed us forward to the point where MP3 players and phones are considered just the beginning of the mobile arsenal.

Teens want the latest technology. Whether it’s a video game, the latest laptop or a cutting-edge phone, the best toys are the newest toys. Electronics makers are aware of the consumer want and are well equipped to feed the beast. The latest gadgets are designed to promote education and learning but often fall into the trap of jumping on a pop culture trend instead of innovating.

Devices like tablet PCs and smart phones which are still feats of technological genius are now nothing but places to show off the latest fashion trends and pop culture icons. But tides are turning and the fickle nature of tweens and teens turn trends into personal development. Financial considerations move teens out the instant gratification mode and into a consumer experts looking for the best deals.

Mobile devices continue to grow and the desire for new ones shows no signs of slowing.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Consumer Trends, Financial Trends, Personal Consumer Needs Tagged With: ,

Teen Milestones – 16 Sweet and Mobile

July 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Candles spell out the traditional English birt...

Image via Wikipedia

From tween to teen, every girl can’t wait to turn 16. Sixteen is the point where a girl starts to become a woman. This is where it’s all supposed to change. In reality every girl matures at a different pace but all the pressure is put on this one birthday.

School and education are the main source of a teenage girl’s world. Even at that age, school is an active social scene full of personal relationships and dominated by pop culture, fashion and the latest trends. The external peer pressure of everyday life is magnified by this birthday. The “Sweet 16″ birthday party is considered quite the social event and is sometimes used as a competition between girls and their parents. Too often the pure joy of another year and a celebration with friends and family is lost amid the pressure of turning sixteen.

Sixteen is also the age of the first driver’s license. Beyond home responsibility, learning to properly operate and safely drive a car is usually the biggest step taken up until this point in a girl’s life. Once licensed, a new world of freedom is opened up which will eventually lead to life on her own.

As a milestone, sixteen is a big one.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Consumer Trends, Financial Trends, Teen Milestones Tagged With: , ,
« Older Posts