Safety Tips to Discuss with Your Kids, Courtesy of Mspy.com

With the recent discovery of Amanda Berry, Gina De Jesus and Michelle Knight, many parents of children that are still missing are feeling a little bit of hope. However, the story behind the captivity of these once missing women is still unfolding. So far, there are several gruesome details that have been released. At this time, these details are only lessened by the fact that these three women are still alive. But what will the future hold for them? Will they ever be able to trust another person? Will they be able to form meaningful relationships? Will they be able to move on after 10 years in captivity?

The world we live in is not as safe as many of us would like to believe. Unfortunately, it is full of dangerous people. In fact, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, three children go missing for every two minutes that pass in the United States. As parents, we need to be vigilant in protecting our children. Safety starts with education. Ensuring that you talk to your kids about the true dangers that exist may just save their lives. Below is an infographic that you can use to discuss the topic of strangers with your children. This particular infographic also discusses guns, so do take the time to talk to your kids about those as well. Education and planning are essential to keeping your children safe and there’s no better time than now, while your children ARE safe, to talk about this.

 

kids_security Source:mSpy

Please share this with all those close to you!

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Massive Mother's Day Giveaway

Are you ready for the Massive Mother’s Day Event?

Semmes Savers and Moms Living Thrifty have put together a fabulous Mother’s Day Event for our readers, but it wouldn’t be so awesome without the help of our wonderful sponsors!

Be sure to check out all of the great gifts for mom on my gift guide and don’t forget to check out Semmes Savers’ Gift Guide as well!

Teleflora

Offering beautiful flower arrangements for any occasion, Teleflora cleverly combines their creative ideas with fragrant fresh cut flowers to deliver bouquets that mom will adore! Don’t miss the Celebrate Mom Bouquet review – because if you choose this bouquet for mom, it comes with a free download of Lady Antebellum’s hot new chart topping song, “Downtown.”

Mia Mariu

This vibrant young company is changing the face of beauty with perfectly formulated mineral makeup and skin care products. Learn more about their microdermabrasion alternative in my review of RestauraCel-C and be sure to check out their extensive product line to find a wide array of gifts that mom is sure to appreciate!

Hot Buns

This hot “As Seen on TV” product is definitely a must have for moms of any age. Very few of us have the time, let alone take the time, to do anything fancy with our hair. It’s hard when we’re trying to corral little ones all day! This product makes styling your hair quick and easy. Check out my Hot Buns review to learn more about this product and how easy it is to use!

Bake a Bone

Not all moms care for human babies. Many have furry friends as their children of choice, but they are mothers nonetheless. For those moms, we’ve chosen Bake a Bone. This clever appliance will help you to bake your four legged babies delicious, healthy treats in just minutes! Check out my Bake a Bone Review to learn more about this amazing product and how it benefits your babies.

RewardTab

If there’s one thing that a mom always needs it’s a gift card! Who wouldn’t enjoy having a reason to shop? Because gift cards are so widely purchased as gifts of choice today, Reward Tab has developed their site to reward you when you purchase them. Pretty cool, right? Check out my RewardTab Review to learn more about the process and how you can earn additional gift cards just for making the purchases that you’re already making!

Sibu Beauty

Discover the beauty secrets of the Sea Buckthorn with the gentle products of Sibu Beauty and shower mom with lavish skin care products that will make mom feel like a brand new woman! Cruelty-free and completely Vegan, this company provides all natural skin care and supplements for today’s Earth-conscious consumer. Learn more about the products they offer by checking out my Sibu Beauty Review!

Ssh-oes

Ever get tired of hearing the clickety-clack of your heels? Maybe mom does, too. Ssh-oes are the stylish, remarkably quiet and amazingly comfortable heels created by founder, Mary Arnett, who hopes that women will be seen for their talents and presence, instead of just being heard by the clickety-clack of their heels. Check out my Ssh-oes Review to learn more about these amazingly comfortable heels!

BestMark

Want to make some extra cash for sharing your opinion?  Do you post reviews on websites like Yelp?  If you do and want to get compensated for it check out BestMark Mystery Shopping.  BestMark and its clients want your perspective. BestMark has 40,000 mystery shopping jobs each month in over 15,000 cities across the US. Great for moms to earn a little extra money for the things they do anyway!

FarmRich

Nothing starts off a great family dinner better than FarmRich appetizers! Gather the whole family around the table to celebrate mom and enjoy some great conversation. The best part about FarmRich? You don’t have to slave for hours to make these delicious little appetizers. So why not impress mom with a tasty meal? Learn more about FarmRich and their products in my FarmRich review.

CorsetChick

It’s hard to feel sexy when you’ve got a toddler hanging off your leg, but that’s exactly what mom needs! Give her a reason to get her sexy back and make dad smile, too, with the gift of a beautiful corset from CorsetChick! You can learn more about this company in my CorsetChick Review. Trust me, mom will appreciate having a reason to get all dolled up again!

Misses Dressy

Perfect for the mom who loves to attend galas, cocktail parties and other fashionable events, Misses Dressy offers a wide array of designer dresses in a broad range of styles. The go-to choice of many, this company offers high class style in a variety of price ranges. So get mom dressed up this year. Go out and celebrate her and all of her accomplishments – including you! Check out my Misses Dressy sponsor spotlight to learn more about all this company has to offer.

Aurorae Yoga

More to come…

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

5 Safety Features You Must Have in Your Car for Family Travel

Every year some six million car accidents occur on American roads, injuring around three million people annually. Do what you can to ensure your loved ones don’t become statistics by choosing a car with the following key safety features.

Lap-Sash Seatbelts Keep the Whole Family Safe

Lash Seatbelts Keep the Whole Family Safe

 

Image Via Flickr by Tim Samoff

New cars have been legally required to have seatbelts by for more than four decades, so you’re not likely to encounter a vehicle without them. However, the type of seatbelts your vehicle has matters.

Many family cars have just a lap belt for the person sitting in the center back seat. While these belts will stop the passenger from being thrown from a serious accident, they don’t provide adequate protection for the head, neck, backbone, or internal organs. Look for cars with lap-sash or shoulder seat belts for all passengers, and ensure everyone wears theirs at all times. With seat belts reducing the risk of crash injuries by around 50 per cent, their importance can’t be overstated.

Anti-Lock Brakes Stop the Skids

You needn’t worry about your wheels locking up with anti-lock brakes, or ABS for short. As ABS prevents skids, they’re perfect for driving safely in treacherous wet or icy conditions. These clever brakes come as standard on most modern vehicles, but you can also have them installed in used cars.

Electronic Stability Control Keeps You Upright

Electronic Stability Control, or ESC, is relatively new technology but it’s a clever addition to any family car. This system uses sensors and microcomputers to monitor your steering. If the system feels your vehicle will travel in a different direction than you intend, it applies brake pressure to the wheels you need to help you stay in control. It can even reduce engine power to keep your car upright. Studies suggest that ESC reduces the risk of deadly single-vehicle crashes by 49 per cent, and the risk of fatal multi-vehicle crashes by 20 per cent.

Airbags All Round

Airbags are now standard for the driver’s seat of all new cars, as they protect the motorist’s head and neck from hitting the steering wheel or dashboard. But don’t forget about your beloved passengers. The safest cars have airbags for all the passengers in your family car. Look for vehicles with front and side air bags for both passengers in the front, and side airbags designed specifically for travelers in the back seats. These airbags, often known as rear airbags, will help protect your loved ones in the case of a side impact or rollover.

Child Locks Keep Little Ones Safe

Child safety locks prevent mischievous little ones opening doors, so they can’t fall out into the traffic or take off when you reach your destination. You typically activate the system using a small switch on the side of a back door, which is inaccessible once this door is closed.

If you have an especially stubborn escape artist, you may also like to employ window locks. These make sure rear windows can only open three-quarters of the way, enough for ventilation but not enough for a getaway.

You can breathe easier knowing that you’ll find the features to keep your family safe in the cars from the Buick GMC dealer Albuquerque, NM pitrebuickgmc.com.

 

Author Bio:

Lauren Katulka is a happily married freelance writer living on Australia’s Central Coast. When she’s not playing around with words she loves spending time in the kitchen, watching indie films and cuddling her Devon Rex cat, Gizmo.

 

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

Teleflora Review – Perfect for Mother’s Day or Any Other Occasion!

Teleflora Review - Celebrate Mom Bouquet

Looking for a great gift for Mom? Teleflora’s “Celebrate Mom” bouquet makes a great impression!

I was given the opportunity to review the Celebrate Mom Bouquet from Teleflora – and let me tell you, this bouquet is just gorgeous! Packed with lilies, pink roses, Baby’s Breath and other lovely flowers that I don’t know the name of, the bouquet itself was a breathtaking sight that I imagine any mom would be more than happy to receive. I know I was very happy with it!

The quality of the cut flowers was nothing short of amazing. In fact, this pic was taken 2 days after I received the flowers and they still looked just as perfect as the day they arrived. I added fresh water after the third day and the flowers lasted nearly a week and a half before I had to toss them out…which was just yesterday. So, for those of you that can’t be with your mom on Mother’s Day and would like to send flowers, mom should get at least a good week of enjoyment from them!

Teleflora Celebrate Mom Bouquet

What you can’t see very well in my picture is the gorgeous vase. You can see it better in this image to the right, taken from the Teleflora website. I love it and can’t wait to reuse it for many years to come!

An amazing array of Mother’s Day bouquets are available from Teleflora

Teleflora offers a huge array of beautiful bouquets that are perfect for almost any occasion. But, with Mother’s Day coming up, you should definitely check out the Celebrate Mom bouquet! It’s no secret that they won this mom over with it! Of course, they have a wide array of beautiful Mother’s Day bouquets available and ranging in price from $29.95 to $122.95, so if mom likes flowers, be sure to check them out!

You can keep up with the latest from them on Facebook, go tweet with them on Twitter or pin their gorgeous creations on Pinterest.

You can also enter for your chance to win the Celebrate Mom bouquet in our Mother’s Day Giveaway, which will run from May 1 – May 14, 2013.

 

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

The Magic School Bus is Kickin’ Up a Storm at The Magic House!

The Magic House

What’s fun and educational, all wrapped into one? The Magic House, of course!

I love having the ability to take my kids to do something that isn’t just fun, but a learning experience as well. In fact, that is one reason I am happy to live in the St. Louis Metropolitan area because there are so many wonderful places that I can take the kids to see and each provides a unique learning experience that you won’t find anywhere else. With absolutely awesome children’s museums, the zoo and so many other fun activities for kids in the St. Louis area, it’s kind of hard to be bored.

One of our favorite places to go is The Magic House. If you grew up in this area, then you know exactly where I’m talking about. If you are a new transport to the area with little ones at home, then you definitely have to check it out. We’ll be going Friday to see the Magic School Bus Exhibit and my son just can’t wait! He’s been asking me all week, “Mom, how many more days until we get to go to The Magic House?” But the truth is that I’m just as excited to go as he is!

The Magic House Magic School Bus Exhibition

A Little About the Magic School Bus Exhibit at The Magic House

The forecast calls for rain, snow, sleet, sunshine and every type of weather imaginable when The Magic School BusTMKicks Up a Storm exhibit makes a stop at The Magic House. Museum visitors can hop aboard The Magic School Bus which has been magically transformed into a “flying” Weather Observatory and join Ms. Frizzle and her class on an adventure in weather. Kids can experience a whirlwind of weather related activities as they measure lightning distances and discover what causes those brilliant flashes, experience extreme weather, create their own unique snowflakes using ice crystals.

The Magic House Magic School Bus Exhibit

Visitors are also invited to breeze into Ms. Frizzle’s Classroom and checkout a flurry of fun hands-on science projects such as Ralphie’s Hot Air Balloon Race, Carlos’ Air Blasters and Wanda’s Water Cycle Wheel. The Magic School BusTM Kicks Up a Stormexhibit also includes a field trip with Ms. Frizzle’s class to the Walkerville Weather Center where museum visitors have the opportunity to go “on-location” as a reporter dressed for the weather, get the inside scoop on weather terms and vocabulary, see footage of tornados and other cool video clips and much more.

Interested in taking your family to The Magic House?

Now is a great time of year to go! Here in the Midwest, Spring is peeking around every corner, but we all know that the weather can change at the drop of a hat. So whether it’s raining, windy or just too chilly to play outdoors, The Magic House provides tons of fun activities for kids in the St. Louis area. Plus, they are offering an exclusive coupon for US Family Guide bloggers like myself to share with our readers! Yep, they have a  – Buy one, get one 50% off coupon that you can take advantage of right now, so be sure to print your coupons prior to visiting!

When was the last time you visited The Magic House? I’d love to hear about it!

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

SuperJeweler Review – Amethyst Bead Hand Knotted Necklace

SuperJeweler.com Amethyst Bead Hand Knotted Necklace

 Looking for Beautiful Jewelry at a Reasonable Price? Check Out SuperJeweler.com!

I recently had the opportunity to review a piece of jewelry from SuperJeweler.com. Exciting, right? Sure it is! I love jewelry, but as a mom, I rarely go out and buy any new jewelry for myself because I’m always worried about making sure the kids have new clothes or new shoes, a new coat, a new book bag, etc. So in my eyes, this was not only something fun, but something that was just for me. Yes, that fact alone was exciting! Moms, you know what I’m saying.

Before I get to the actual jewelry review, I want to mention something I noticed right off the bat. See, I was provided with a few different options to pick from, so of course I went and checked them out to see which would best fit my personal style. As I was checking out those products, I noticed that there were actually quite a few eye-catching pieces that I just couldn’t help but click on…the whole time thinking, “I’ll never be able to afford this, but since I’m here anyway, I’m going to dream.”

But you know what? I was really surprised by the low prices! They have several pieces I saw that are absolutely gorgeous and the prices on them were nothing short of amazing.

Review of SuperJeweler.com’s Amethyst Bead Hand Knotted Necklace

For all of you that didn’t know it, February is my birth month, so I’m naturally drawn to beautiful Amethyst jewelry and this necklace was no exception. The second I saw this Amethyst Bead Hand Knotted Necklace, I knew that was what I would be reviewing because I instantly fell in love with it’s classic beauty. I had also been looking for something to help add some color to my wardrobe and this piece made it so simple.

Now, I know I mentioned pricing above, so let me give you an example of what I’m talking about. SuperJeweler shows the regular retail price on every piece, along with their price and any clearance or sale pricing that they are currently offering. This particular piece generally retails at $199.99, but SuperJeweler offers it for $149.99 and had it on clearance for $49.99. That’s an instant 75% savings!

When the product arrived, the very first thing I did was examine it. The quality was amazing. It seems to be very durable, so I don’t see the strand breaking anytime soon. You can clearly see the knots when you look closely, but they aren’t noticeable without a careful examination. I also want to mention the bead color – truly mesmerizing, deep purple beads that almost glow with perfection. Yes, I thought that they were that beautiful!

And just look at how great it looks on!

SuperJeweler Review - Amethyst Bead Hand Knotted NecklaceSuperJeweler Review - Amethyst Bead Hand Knotted Necklace - Tied

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s nice to have some color to brighten up a dark outfit or even offset the glare of a bright white top, so this was perfect for me.

Another thing I loved? The necklace came in a cute little mesh jewelry bag. I thought this was a nice touch and I personally adored the color contrast when the necklace was in the bag. I’m not a big fan of the typical cardboard box packaging that most jewelry comes in. It’s just another thing to have to throw away. This bag, on the other hand, is something I’ll keep because it doesn’t take up a lot of space and it’s adorable.

SuperJeweler Review - Amethyst Bead Necklace in Pouch

What I Didn’t Like About the Amethyst Bead Hand Knotted Necklace

In truth, my only complaint about this necklace was that I couldn’t double it up like they did in the top picture (on the mannequin bust). I would blame it on having a big head, but that’s not it. It’s just not long enough to double up like that without having some type of clasp to allow it to unfasten. That said, I REALLY wish that it had a clasp because I would have loved to have been able to wear it as shown in that first picture. Instead, you can see that I tried to get creative and knot the Amethyst Beads Necklace myself. I have to admit, it’s not my favorite look, but I like it better than having it just hang plain.

My Overall Review of SuperJeweler – Hit or Miss?

Overall, I would have to say that the Amethyst Bead Hand Knotted Necklace from SuperJeweler is a hit. I love the beautiful color, the quality work that went into making it and the way that it sets off dark and white outfits. Even though I would have loved to have been able to double it up and wear it as a dual strand, I’m happy with the piece as-is. The product also came with SuperJewler’s Lifetime Enduring Quality Warranty, which gives customers peace of mind and shows that the company backs their products. Because the majority of the jewelry that I looked at on the site is very reasonably priced, I would definitely recommend SuperJeweler.com to anyone looking for quality jewelry on a budget. Think holidays, birthdays, special gifts or just because – because the quality and prices definitely make this company and their products a winner!

Be sure to show some love to SuperJeweler on Facebook to get the heads up on coupon codes, giveaways and new product offerings. You can also find the same by following SuperJeweler on Twitter!

I know that you all love coupons as much as I do, right? Well, if you see something you just have to have on SuperJeweler.com,  be sure to use promo code: superfab1 if you place an order between now and 4/20. This coupon code will get you 15% off site-wide (some exclusions apply).

Want a Chance to Win Some SuperJeweler Jewelry of Your Very Own?

SuperJeweler has graciously offered to sponsor a giveaway. The prize? A pair of 1 ct. diamond hoop earrings! Yep, you have the chance to win them right here! The giveaway begins on 4/3/13 and ends on 4/18/13, so hurry up and get those entries in!

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

Even a House in a Great Neighborhood Needs Security

Home Security is Needed Even in Good Neighborhoods

If you live in a bad neighborhood that constantly faces crime, then you obviously need a security system to keep thieves at bay. If you live in a good neighborhood, then you might consider yourself safe enough without a security system. While it’s true that certain neighborhoods have a much lower chance of being robbed, the fact is that no neighborhood is completely free of crime. There are many reasons why you should invest in a security system right now, regardless of your neighborhood.

Safe Until Disaster

What exactly is a good neighborhood? Most people characterize it as a place where there is no theft or home invasion. The truth is that a good neighborhood is nothing more than a place where theft hasn’t occurred yet. There’s a first for everything, and you don’t want to be the house that burglars pick when they start invading your area.

Living in a good community, even a gated one, will just reduce the likelihood of you being robbed. It doesn’t completely guarantee your safety. A security system will further reduce the likelihood of burglars choosing your house from all of the others.

Guilty Family Members and Workers

Most people think of robbers as shadowy men with masks that have no connection to the people they are robbing. While this certainly does characterize some burglars, the truth is that many family members, maids and other people that you willingly allow into your home will steal from you. Some families have members that don’t usually abide by the law, but your kind sibling that would never hurt a fly may also steal from you.

“Another thing that you must realize is that burglars have many ways of entering a house” says Jennifer Anderson a maker of Safe, Sound Family Security Systems.  They don’t just break through a window or sneak through some crack. They will often disguise themselves as utility or shipping workers to reduce suspicion. No one will bat an eye when a utility worker is walking around your house.

A security system will be able to monitor both the inside and outside of your home so that you can catch anybody doing something illegal.

Gated Community

If you live in a gated community, then you currently have a security system. The gates and guards will reduce the likelihood of anyone successfully sneaking in and stealing from somebody. At the same time, having your own security system is still a good idea.

As stated above, many thieves wear disguises. They can do this to get through guards. Not only that, but the uncomfortable truth is that the guards might know about the thieves. They just want a cut of whatever is stolen. You also have to worry about family members stealing from you.

A gated community is definitely safer, but nothing is completely safe. Security systems are all about making your house harder to steal from and deterring criminals. Having more security is always better than not having enough.

Fire and Other Dangers

Security systems are best known for deterring criminals, but most of these systems will also help if other disasters occur. For example, your house catches on fire and you can’t reach the phone. Your security system might be able to alert the proper authorities so that you can get the help you need as soon as possible.

A good neighborhood might have less crime, but fire, water and the other elements don’t care about your neighborhood.

Minimize Loss

While a security system is supposed to keep people out, there are some criminals that are so desperate that they will still go into your home and rob from you. These types of thieves are often hard to stop. If there isn’t a security system, then they will keep taking stuff until they can’t carry any more.

A security system minimizes loss because the thief knows that he or she only has a few minutes before the police come. You might still lose a few things, but the losses will be greatly minimized.

Conclusion

It doesn’t matter what type of neighborhood you live in. Every neighborhood can be affected by crime. Installing a security system as soon as possible, especially before any crime happens, will greatly reduce the chances of your home being invaded.

 

Image credit: seanabrady

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

Setting an Allowance for Kids

Setting an Allowance for KidsTeaching financial responsibility to children is important, and one of the best ways to do that is to set up an allowance. It helps them understand money management in an effective manner. Right from buying their favorite toy to saving up to buy their dad golf accessories using the GolfNow.com coupons – kids can use their allowance money for many things.

A lot of experts hold the belief that children should be given allowance starting as early as 10 years. So how much allowance should you give your children? Let’s find out in the following article…

1. Form a Budget

Before you go ahead and create an agreement with your kids on how much allowance you will be setting up for them, form a budget. This helps you know beforehand how much money you will be able to give them every Monday or any day of the week you choose. As a parent, it will be your responsibility to give them their allowance on time and live up to your promise.

2. Decide on Chores

Talk to your children and decide if you want them to perform certain weekly chores in order to get the allowance. It’s completely up to you whether or not you base the allowance amount on the chores you give them. In case you require your child to do chores for receiving money, then explain this to him or her so that they know that their hard work is being rewarded.

3. Decide on How the Allowance Will be Used

While you want your child to have the freedom to use their allowance to buy what they want, you can also have a savings account set up for them. Having a savings account will teach your kid the overall importance of saving money. For instance, when you’re shopping online for a sporting gift for your husband, you would want to get a discount using something like the GolfNow.com promo, because you ultimately want to save money. Similarly, your children should also understand how to save the money they get so that they can make better financial decisions in the future.

4. Give Separate Clothing Allowance

If your son or daughter is a teenager, then chances are that they want to spend money on clothes. This is an addition to the weekly allowance you decide for them. When and if you decide to give a clothing allowance, make it quarterly so that you can set a budget for the clothes shopping. This will make your kids better at money management, and they will realize that if they put all their clothing allowance in buying one expensive shirt, they’ll have to make sacrifices for other clothing articles.

By giving your children an allowance you’re basically giving them the freedom to make financial decisions at an early age. This will help them to learn how far they can stretch their dollar amount. Just see to it that you live up to your promise and give the allowance on time because if you don’t, it can create a negative impression on them.

 

Image credit: Hobbies on a Budget

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

Finance on the Move — Managing Money When Relocating to Dubai

Relocating can be stressful, especially when you’re moving to somewhere as far away as Dubai. As well as packing and boxing up items, making the shipping arrangements, tying up loose ends before you leave and saying all your goodbyes, you have to manage the financial aspect of things.

When you’re planning a long-term move to Dubai, one thing you should consider is arranging a home loan with HSBC before you head out. This is much easier if you do your personal banking with an international bank like them, who have branches throughout the UAE.

Of course, relocation generates a host of expenses, and you may find yourself turning to the bank to ease the burden. Here are some of the main expenses, plus tips on how you can save money while living in Dubai.

Be prepared

If you rent a property, you’ll have to pay several expenses up front. These include a whole year’s rent, a deposit (5% of the annual rent), agency fees (5 to 10% of the annual rent), and water and power. You may choose to cover these expenses by taking out a personal loan.

Moving into a new place takes time, so you’ll have to arrange temporary accommodation, whether renting or buying. If you’re relocating for your job, your employer is likely to cover the cost for you. But don’t take this for granted. Make sure you can pay for at least two months of temporary accommodation.

Learning doesn’t come cheap

Like anyone else, children need food, clothes, and a roof over their head. The other thing they need is education, which is expensive in Dubai. Depending on the school, private school tuition for expats ranges from 5,000 to 100,000 dirham (1,360 to 27,230 dollars) each year per child. You can save money if you send your child to a school that follows a UAE curriculum, but you’d have to pay for private language tuition for your child, as lessons will be given in Arabic.

Food and clothing easy on the purse

Dubai may be opulent, but some areas cater for budget-conscious consumers too. In Bur Dubai, Deira, and Karama, you can find shop for food and clothes cheaper. Keep an eye open for discounts during sales periods: some clothes stores take off as much as 75%!

Take the time to learn about Arab cuisine before you go. Typical Arab foods cost less. Learning to prepare and appreciate them can save you money.

Hitting the road

The UAE is a cheap place to buy a car, one of the cheapest places in the world in fact. Fuel prices are also low, so you can drive the kids to school without worrying too heavily about the household budget. However, if you are worried about the costs of running a car, you can save money by renting one from a local car rental firm, by using taxis or by using the metro system.

Relocation has its expenses, but banks like HSBC offer good accounts for people who are moving to the UAE. Consider a home or personal loan with them, spend sensibly while you’re there, and you can manage the financial side of your relocation much easier. More importantly, you can make it much cheaper so that while Dubai is welcoming you, you can be welcoming extra dirhams in your pocket.

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. In most cases, products are provided to Moms Living Thrifty for review. All product reviews are written according to the writer's honest opinion, experience or beliefs. Your opinion may vary. To see more on our disclosure policy, please visit our Disclosure page

Gifts for Kids That Actually Last

Gifts for Kids That Will LastFinancial Gifts for Kids Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

If the thought of navigating the toy aisle in an attempt to find a cool and appropriate gift for a birthday boy or girl both bewilders and terrifies you, it may be time to try a new approach. Kids today are accustomed to being showered with gifts on birthdays, Christmas and any other time retailers can convince us to go shipping. Unfortunately, many of most desirable gifts are expensive electronics or cheaply made fad items with an absurd markup. If you’re willing to end the quest to give the coolest gift — which will likely be broken or forgotten in a matter of months — you can start concentrating on giving gifts that will last. Smart financial gifts will be valued for years to come. Here are five of the best gifts for kids to get you started and, maybe, help you build into a tradition.

Five Gifts for Kids That Will Mature as They Do

Savings Bonds

Savings bonds are pretty lackluster when it comes to curb appeal (so to speak) but in a decade or two they’ll be much appreciated. Cashing out bonds can help with defraying the cost of a wedding, increasing the down payment on a first home or any number of big life events. Cashing out bonds is simple, but it’s not so easy that the money can be accessed on the spur of the moment to be used frivolously.

Gold Coins

Gold coins are both interesting and guaranteed to increase in value. Throughout the history of the world, gold has been the most reliable standard of currency. Bank notes and semi-precious metals are interesting for collectors but rarely appreciate value. The US Money Reserve is one of the largest national distributors of government issued gold, silver and platinum coins. Just be sure they know these coins are meant for saving, not spending!

Stock

If you want to actively engage your young recipient you can make them a shareholder in a publicly traded company. Websites like Giveashare.com and Oneshare.com offer framed shareholder’s certificates to add a tangible aspect to the gift. You’ll also have something to talk about beyond the latest teen-pop sensation or must-have gadget. Learning about the economy is much more interesting and engaging when you have a stake in a company!

College Savings Contribution

Higher education is expensive, but necessary to build a healthy career in most fields. Contributing to a college savings plan can help defray that expense and limit the amount of student loans needed. One of the most popular savings plans is a 529 plan. Contributions must be used for educational purposed by the designated beneficiary. Investment earnings accrue tax-free and gift tax rules don’t kick in unless a gift over $13,000 is given.

Retirement Contribution

Anyone with an earned income can contribute to a Roth IRA. A limit of $5,000 or the total of their earned income (whichever is less) is the maximum yearly contribution. For teenagers with a job, then, you could offer to match their income to a certain level with the caveat that the gift is put into a Roth IRA. The gift of learning money management and savings is one that will keep giving.

Have other gifts for kids ideas that you’d like to see added? Leave me a comment below!

 

This post was brought to you by guest author Gretchen Deaver.

The branch manager of a banking institution, Gretchen loves to use new technology to carry business ideas and information globally. She recently led a conference on technology in the world of banking. She loves sharing ideas on how to save money and diversify portfolios.

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