Financial Benefits of Marriage

I'm  single parent. I've been a single parent since my youngest son was born more than five years ago. I enjoy being a single parent. I enjoy it so much I have no intention of remarrying at any point. Because of this, I can sometimes come off as anti-marriage. I'm not. I even enjoyed most of my marriage. But I do understand that when I write about single parenting, it might come off like I'm promoting it. I'm not. I promote whatever works best for you. So when a reader asked if I could write about the benefits of marriage, I agreed. I even agreed when she suggested the first of these articles be on the financial benefits of marriage.

Marriage brings with it many benefits and involves sharing many things. One of these things is finances. Combining the income and expenses of two people almost always results in more money available, but this isn’t the only financial benefit of becoming legally married. Some of the benefits are obvious. Others are less so.

Living Expenses

Many expenses that can cripple a single person are much easier to manage for a married couple. The mortgage or rent is easier to manage as a couple, as are utility bills, car payments, and other monthly expenses. A married couple only needs one of many items, such as furniture. In addition, it is actually cheaper to buy food as a couple than it is for two single people to feed themselves. Buying food in larger quantities is inevitably cheaper and there will be less waste.

Car Insurance

Insurance agencies view a married couple, especially a married couple with children, as less of an insurance risk for a variety of reasons. Married couples gain a significant discount when they combine their plans into a single policy.

Health Insurance

It is usually more expensive to maintain two single health plans than it is a single plan to cover both parties. One policy can usually provide for an entire family, including children, at a fraction of the cost of individual policies.

Financial Stability

Two incomes simply make for a more stable financial reality. It enables the couple to afford a higher standard of living, save more money for emergencies and future luxuries, and weather financial disaster with greater ease. If one partner loses his or her job and must begin receiving an unemployment check, the second income can mean the difference between bankruptcy and scraping by. A second paycheck also enables one partner to take parental leave in the event of a baby. This is much more difficult for a single parent surviving on one income.

Credit Scores

When two people marry, their credit scores do have some effect on each other. This means that someone with a lower credit score may be able to recover their credit faster by marrying someone with a higher credit score. The partner with the higher credit score may suffer slightly, but in the long run both parties will be better off, assuming that both parties are responsible about their finances from the point of the marriage onward.

Obtaining Credit

Lending institutions such as banks are more comfortable lending money to a married couple. There is more security in lending to a two-income family, but this isn’t the only reason. Banks often feel that a married couple is less likely to default and disappear than single people with no attachments. A married couple also usually has more assets, which again reassures potential lenders. Married couples are even sometimes offered a better rate on borrowed money.

Assets

Assets are usually greater in a marriage. And though no one likes to think about divorce, in the event that the couple decides they must go their separate ways, assets are normally divided equally between the couple. Without the protection of marriage, it is more difficult for one spouse to claim some of the assets of the other.

Social Security Survivor Benefits

For a couple that has been married in excess of ten years, social security survivor benefits can be claimed in the event of the death of one spouse. If this death occurs before the required ten years have passed and there are children of the marriage, these children become entitled to receive social security survivor benefits.

Tax Benefits

For the most part, a married couple is able to claim more tax deductions than single people. There are also deductions available for couples who have children. Many of these deductions are available for single parents, but some are very specifically intended for married couples who have children either through adoption or birth.

The financial benefits of marriage are immense. They allow a couple to be protected through the birth of a child, unexpected death, retirements, or even divorce. While this should not be the deciding factor when it comes to marriage, it is certainly something to consider. Your future financial security may depend on your decision.

Board Games to Teach Children Math

Board games can be used to teach children many skills, and they’re entertaining enough to engage kids while they’re learning. Children can learn verbal skills, creativity, cognitive thinking, and math skills from a variety of board games. Almost any game will teach these skills to some degree or another. However, if you’re looking for games that will help your children understand math and apply to their daily lives, there are five games you should consider investing in: Aggravation, Candyland, The Game of Life, Math Animals Game, and Monopoly.

On the surface, Aggravation may not seem to teach math skills beyond the average board game. However, this game, featuring marbles, requires that the values of the dice are added together, teaching addition and counting. In some cases, subtraction is also involved. Aggravation also teaches some strategic thinking, which is an important problem solving and math skill. This game appeals to all ages (and parents will love it too), so it’s a great game for the entire family.

Candlyland is generally a game for younger children. It teaches simple skills such as taking turns and basic counting. It is an excellent game to start with and can be fun for parents and children. Try enjoying this game with your young children and see how much they learn from such a simple game.

The Game of Life teaches many skills that are necessary in real life. It involves spinning a spinner, counting spaces, and dealing with money. This exciting game is good for the whole family and introduces children to concepts such as addition and subtraction, counting, and simple money management. There is even some basic multiplication involved in The Game of Life.

Math Animals Game is designed for children over the age of 5, but younger children often enjoy it as well, with a little help. This game involves rolling the die, moving around the board according to the number displayed, and landing on the highest number. All of this teaches children basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, and even multiplication.

Of all the board games involving mathematics, Monopoly is by far the best. There are few math skills that Monopoly doesn’t teach, and it’s a great game for any age, not simply for children. Younger children will learn to count and even add as they roll the dice and move around the board. Money management is the key focus of this game and helps children learn to deal with money is a straightforward and responsible way. Even multiplication is frequently introduced as players land on utilities and have to calculate rent. Problem solving is also an integral part of the game and will help children develop cognitive strategic thinking. In sort, Monopoly is a great game for teaching many mathematical skills.

There are many other games that will teach basic math skills to children. In fact, most games involve some math, even if it’s only simple counting. It is important to make board games a regular in your household to promote the development of many of the skills your children will need later in life.

Selecting Travel Toys for Kids

Traveling with children can be frustrating and sometimes a little frightening. The challenge of keeping children occupied for long periods of time in a confined space is not one most parents are eager to embrace. However, in today’s world, there will be times when it is necessary to travel with children. When this happens, it is best to keep a selection of toys particularly suited to travel. This can help keep your children occupied and entertained for the duration of your journey. But only if you pick the toys and games you will pack with care.

It’s going to be tempting just to grab favorite toys and games and throw them in the care. This may seem like a good idea, but in reality it’s the worst thing you can do. Familiar toys will be played with and discarded within the first few minutes of the trip. Instead, collect new toys that will only be played with during travel. Don’t give these toys to your children before the journey starts, and don’t give them all at once. Space them out, perhaps one new toy or game an hour, to give the children something to look forward to.

Another benefit of not taking favorite toys is that there is no risk of leaving something behind. There is nothing worse than getting home only to realize a special toy, game, or blanket has been left behind. Avoid the entire situation by leaving familiar toys and games at home.

What to Take on a Trip

The back seat of a car or even airplane seats are confined areas. Not all toys work well in such a situation. Choose items that are small and portable as well as entertaining. Consider allowing the children to color or doodle. Crayons and coloring books are cheap and easy to find. Older children might enjoy puzzle or activity books. Even blank paper can present the opportunity to be creative and quiet in the back seat. If you have a budding writer in the family, pack pads of paper and pencils.

For those children who love reading, books and magazines can be just the thing to make a long trip more bearable. Just make sure you pack age appropriate books. Infants and toddlers are best served by having plenty of picture books to look at. To save yourself a headache, choose cloth or board books that cannot be destroyed by simply tearing a page. Older children might enjoy short stories or even novels, depending on their age and interest. Have several new books waiting in the car for each trip. To reduce your costs, you might want to check a local used bookstore or even a thrift shop.

If you have children who love to play board games, purchase a few magnetic games. These are often advertised as “travel games” and feature magnetic pieces to prevent them from being scattered across the car. Read any age restrictions carefully, as the smaller pieces are not usually recommended for children under 3 years of age. Travel games have become quite popular in recent years and many different games are available. Look for favorite titles such as Snakes ‘n Ladders, Checkers, and even Monopoly. Some games even have multiple games in one package, so look for these as a way to save space and money.

Children love toys, so no journey would be complete without some toys for your children to play with. When games have been put away and the children grow tired of reading or drawing, they’ll appreciate the chance for free play with some new toys. Pack small groups of toys in plastic bags and dole them out when the children get restless. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get new toys. Check your local thrift shop or discount store for cheap toys that will entertain and amuse on your trip. Younger children appreciate anything new; they won’t care if these toys come from the thrift store.

When choosing these toys, think about your own sanity. Don’t purchase toys that make a lot of noise if you’re certain you’ll become irritated after five minutes. Remember that children make noise already, so loud toys will only increase the volume. Choose those toys that are quite but still have the ability to engage your children for at least fifteen minutes at a time.

Age appropriate toys and games can be the difference between an enjoyable trip and one that everyone remembers are torture. Keeping a selection of toys and games ready for your next trip can help ensure that everyone has a good time.

Basic Rules for Teenage Boys

Teenagers are tricky to handle at the best of time. There will always be inevitable conflict between a teenage boy and his parents. However, it is the responsibility of the parents to keep the child safe, even when that child is a teen and beginning to exert his own independence. This expression of independence is important as he begins to mature into the man he will one day be, but he is still a child. And children, no matter how big they’re getting, still need ground rules.

Determining these ground rules can be difficult. It’s hard to balance the control you need to exert as a parent with letting go. In order to avoid stifling your teenage son’s emotional growth, it’s best to stick to the very basics. Pick your battles, and most other things go.

The Rules of the House

Homes have rules, and your teenage boy is not exempt from these rules. Draw up a set of rules and expect that everyone, including your teenager, abide by them. These rules should include the appropriate use of language, chores, and other responsibilities that you want your son to have. Keep these rules simple, focusing on one or two things. For example, you might have the following rules:

• Make your bed
• Clean up after yourself
• Keep your room tidy
• No foul language

Choose those things that are most important to you as nonnegotiable. Don’t single your son out, however. Everyone should have to abide by the rules. If the rule is no one goes out until their chores are done, then that applies to your son, your daughter, your spouse, and even yourself. Respect runs both ways, and teenagers will rebel when they don’t feel they’re properly respected and listened to.

The Rules of Dating

Most teenage boys date. As a responsible parent, you should allow your son to explore the world of romance, but it has to come with rules. You cannot control every aspect of your son’s various dates, but you can dictate some basic rules.

Start with a curfew. Explain that you understand that he wants to be out late with his dates, but that it’s inconsiderate to come home at 2am, waking everyone in the process. Set a firm time that he must be home by and ensure he sticks to it.

You’re not going to be able to control everything that happens once he walks out the door, so don’t try. Instead, make sure you know where he’s going and who he’s with. Make supplying these crucial pieces of information mandatory, and don’t let him leave without supplying them. Also have a conversation about how ‘romantic’ he can get on his date. This will probably involve some discussion of sex, so be prepared.

The Rules of Money

For most teenage boys, money comes up at some point. They want money, they want it now, and they want a lot of it. Whether they work or they get an allowance from you, they probably won’t be satisfied with the money they have.

You can’t really control what a teenager does with his own money. But you can limit how much money you give him. Establish some firm rules regarding how much money you give him and when you’ll give it to him. Also explain what the money is for. If you give him money for new jeans and he spends it on junk food, don’t run out and buy him new jeans. He made a choice that you couldn’t really control. But you can control when the money is doled out.

The Rules of Driving

There are few moments as frightening to a parent as when their teenager gets his license. As a parent, you have some control over this, but exercising too much control will only lead to resentment and rebelling. Instead of exercising control, exercise caution. Discuss driving with your teenager before you let him get his license.

Make sure he realizes that it’s a responsibility that cannot be taken lightly. Explain that once behind the wheel, he’s responsible for his own life, the lives of the other people in the car, and the lives of everyone on the street. If he doesn’t take this seriously, put off getting that learner’s permit for a few months. Make him understand that driving isn’t a right. It’s a privilege, and privileges can be taken away.

There are so many rules you could come up with to try to control your teenage son. However, in the end, you will have to realize that he’s growing up and will soon become a man. He has to learn to take responsibility for himself and his actions, and it’s your job as a parent to teach him this. Set the ground rules, impose consequences for not following them, and then let him grow up.

Hand-Painting Puppets: Techniques and Styles

Painting puppets by hand is exciting, relaxing, and a wonderful experience all at the same time. Children love it, but this delicate does require a measure of skill, patience, and practice. It’s not as easy as picking up a paintbrush and painting whatever first comes into your head. If you want to master the techniques and styles used to created hand-painted puppets, you’ll have to be prepared to take your time.

The hardest part about hand-painting puppets is not starting right away. You have to form an image in your mind, visualize the end goal as clearly as you can. You might want to sketch your ideas first just so you know what you’re hoping for. This will give you a final goal to work towards. This is particularly helpful for children.

Once you know what you want, prepare the tools you’ll need for your work. Pick your paint carefully. Acrylic is usually your best choice. It dries quickly and resembles oil paint, but it doesn’t stink quite as much. It’s also less toxic, though you should still work in a well-ventilated area. Acrylic also works on most mediums, including wood and paper machete.

Your paint will often determine the type of paintbrush you select. Check each paintbrush you’d like to purchase carefully, ensuring it is meant for the paint you’re using. Make sure you purchase many different sizes and styles, especially the smaller brushes. You don’t want to be mostly done and then realize you can’t paint the eyes because you didn’t buy a small enough brush.

You’ll also need somewhere to mix your paint. You could use a professional palette, large piece of plastic, or even cardboard. What you use doesn’t really matter, as long as you can mix the colors you desire. Also consider having an assortment of other items on hand such as sponges, rags, and anything you’d like to use for texturing. These items can usually be found around the house.

Once you have all your materials, you can begin to explore the techniques and styles for hand-painting puppets. How you do this will be based primarily upon what material you’re painting. Most puppets are built using wood or paper machete. Whichever material your puppet is made of, take the time to create the image of your choosing. Use the techniques and styles that appeal to you and will give you the results you desire.

One of the best ways to paint a puppet is to use layers. Start by using your sponge to create your base layer. Use the color of your choosing (or mix a unique color) and dab it onto the surface of the puppet. You can add additional colors to create something truly unique. From there, you can use your paintbrushes or other items to create the face and other details necessary to finish your puppet. Pay attention to the small details and don’t be afraid to be creative. A paintbrush may be your primary tool, but don’t limit yourself to that. Try toothpicks to paint freckles, a sponge to create texture, and a rag to smooth out rough areas.

The exact nature of your puppet will determine the specific styles and techniques you will employ. Out of necessity, painting a marionette will be far different than painting a hand puppet. Feel free to explore both established techniques and create some of your own. With time and practice, you will master the art of creating hand-painted puppets.