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Why You Should Commit to the Carry-On and Tips for Making it Easy

Why You Should Commit to the Carry-On and Tips for Making it Easy

The world is divided into two different kinds of people: overpackers and underpackers. If you fall into the first category, don’t turn away yet! Give me a few minutes to try and convince you that there is a better way to travel.

As you might already suspect, I am an underpacker. My measure of a packing fail: Coming home with even one thing in my suitcase that I did not need, use or wear during my trip. I do fail sometimes, but not often anymore.

Here’s how to pack lighter – all lessons I learned the hard way.

Start with an Attitude Change

It helps that I don’t really care how I look. I don’t mean I would travel in ripped or dirty clothes. But I don’t need to be the glammed up center of attention. In fact, when you’re traveling, the more you can blend in, the better. You’re less likely to be targeted by pickpockets and local scammers.

Spend a little time researching what the locals wear and try to pack like that. This is the lesson I learned when I wore my electric blue winter coat to Romania, a former Soviet block country where there were two colors of winter coat: grey and black.

So if you simply must be a fashion plate, try to pare down the clothes to a capsule wardrobe of items you can mix and match and pieces that will do double duty.

Use a Packing List

These printable packing lists will give you a feel for the things you’ll need. If the list includes something you don’t think you’ll need, don’t pack it. If there is something missing, make a note on the printed sheet so you don’t forget it.

Check the Weather Forecast

I make this recommendation because I live in Chicago. We like to say, “If you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes.” Here, the calendar might say May, but the thermometer might say March. Or July.

So check the forecast for your destination. It will tell you whether to pack a raincoat, sunhat, shorts, or sweaters.

Start Packing Early

If you have a spare bed, room, couch or some other spot to hold the things you want to pack, start a week early and put everything on the bed that you think you might want on your trip.

Then walk away.

Come back the next day and look it over. Is there anything missing? Is there anything you think you might not need on the trip? Make adjustments accordingly.

Then walk away.

Come back the next day with the intention of making choices. If you have two pairs of pants on the bed, take away one pair. If you have four shirts, take away two. And so on, until you have cut in half the things on the bed.

Then walk away.

The next day, it’s time to pack. Start with the pieces of clothing you absolutely MUST have with you.

If you run out of suitcase before you run out of clothes to pack, you get to make a choice: Leave something else behind or pay $40 or more to check a bag.

Buy Packing Cubes

I resisted buying this travel essential for years. Now I can’t believe I ever traveled without them.

Packing cubes are flexible pouches with a brilliant zipper system. You pack them with the clothes you want to take, and zip them shut. Then – this is the brilliant part – you zip a second zipper to compress the insides flat. (Think of it like your expandable suitcase, when you open that second zipper, it gives you an extra inch or two of suitcase space. When you zip it shut, everything inside is compressed.)

As a bonus, the clothes you lay inside the packing cube are much more likely to stay wrinkle free. I don’t know why. But it’s true.

Stick with One Basic Color

When I head to a Caribbean resort, that color will be white. But most of the time, it’s black – black pants, a black skirt, a black dress. Then I add color in the tops I will wear with the pants and skirt. Finally, I pack a few scarves and funky costume jewelry to dress everything up or down and add more color.

Wear the Heavy Stuff on the Plane

There are plenty of TikTokers and travel hacker influencers who will tell you to wear layers and layers on the plane to save suitcase space. Or to pack a pillowcase with your stuff and pretend it’s a pillow, not a suitcase, so it doesn’t count as a carryon.

While that might be useful info for travelers on uber-budget airlines that charge for anything that doesn’t fit under your seat, you really don’t have to go that crazy. Just use a little common sense.

If, for example, you’re flying from Florida to Colorado, you know you’ll need your winter coat, hat, gloves, hiking boots and heavy jeans. Wear the jeans and hiking boots on the plane, stuff the hat and gloves in the coat pockets and carry the coat on the plane rather than packing it in a suitcase.

I do this anyway because I’m always chilly on a plane. I’m always surprised when I see someone boarding a flight in shorts and flip flops. I would be blue by the time I landed!

Think Layers, Not Bulk

Thin layers are always the right answer, no matter where you are. Even a Caribbean vacation requires preparing for chilly evenings or overly air-conditioned restaurants. Layers are the answer to staying warm and packing light.

Make the Best Use of Your Under-Seat Bag

Finally, remember that you get not one, but two things to carry onto the plane – a bag that goes into the overhead and a smaller bag that fits under the seat in front of you.

Don’t waste the space in that second bag!

My go-to is a roomy backpack because I travel with a lot of electronics – laptop, Kindle, phone, ear buds and all of the cords and accessories they require. But those only take up two zippered compartments. That leaves two more compartments for other things – makeup bag, an extra pair of shoes, etc.

The other thing that works for me is a big striped bag that is super flexible. I can cram a lot into it and still stuff it under the seat. The downside of that is it is heavy to carry, unlike my backpack which easily distributes the weight across my shoulders.

Practice, Practice, Practice

I know. This isn’t easy. Especially if you’ve always been an overpacker. But practice will make perfect. Try it on your next quick weekend trip. That will give you a chance to see how it feels to only pack what you’ll need for 2-3 days, how much you like being able to lift that light carry-on bag and how happy you are not worrying about whether your suitcase will show up at the other end of your flight.

Just remember to pack one more thing: a credit card. That way, if you find you truly can’t live without something for a few days, you can head to the store to buy it.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are you an overpacker or an underpacker? What’s your favorite packing hack? Share with us in the comment section below.

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Free, Unbiased, Expert Medicare Advice: 9 Key Times to Get This Valuable Benefit from SHIP Counselors

Free, Unbiased, Expert Medicare Advice 9 Key Times to Get This Valuable Benefit from SHIP Counselors

SHIPs (State Health Insurance Assistance Programs) have counselors who live in your local area and can provide you with free, unbiased, expert advice on Medicare. The advice is:

  • free to you as a result of the federal funding the SHIPs receive from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources.
  • unbiased because the SHIP Medicare counselors are not affiliated with any insurance company. They do not sell insurance or any other product. They are employed by SHIP to provide objective guidance, not to promote any product.
  • expert as a result of the extensive, in-depth training in Medicare information that SHIP counselors have mastered.

Good advice on Medicare could save you money and time. It could also relieve you from stress and protect you from fraud and scams.

More About Your SHIP Medicare Counselor

You might think of your SHIP Medicare counselor like a reference librarian at your local library: highly trained, professional, and eager to provide you objective guidance.

Your SHIP Medicare counselor is also like a docent volunteer at your local museum: passionate with their knowledge, excited to share and help you become better informed. In fact, many SHIP Medicare counselors are indeed volunteers. They generously share their time and knowledge and are not paid.

The SHIP Experience Success Stories

Reflecting on her experience with SHIP, Tracey Stewart has said, “You know the older I get, the more I know that the best thing to do is just to go get advice from resources that I can trust… It’s great information. It’s free. It’s going to save you money and it’s going to help you pick the right program for you. That’s the bottom line.”

Talking about SHIP, Francine Dent has stated, “The training, whatever the training is they go through, it’s a good training. They really almost know automatically the questions to ask you to help you journey through whatever your concerns are or your needs might be.”

Offering strong advice, Mary Crandall has recommended:

“The Medicare counselors help you make that decision and get you the cheapest program, the program that works best for you… Number one, you have to have a Medicare counselor. You just have to. There are so many people that cannot pay for it, and then they are getting wrong information, possibly. They’re making wrong decisions… It’s so important. I felt much more confident in what I was about to do, the decision I was about to make.”

When to Use a SHIP Medicare Counselor

Here are nine key times when a SHIP Medicare counselor’s advice could be especially valuable for you:

#1: During Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

Your Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday. It is a seven-month period. It ends three months after the month of your 65th birthday. You could receive guidance, for example, on whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with Medigap plans would best fit your needs. You could also get help with enrolling in a plan.

#2: During the General Enrollment Period (GEP)

The General Enrollment Period is for folks who missed enrolling during their IEP. Each year, this period runs from January 1 through March 31. Coverage begins the month after enrollment during GEP. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you avoid missing out on this second-chance window.

#3: While the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) Is Open

The Annual Enrollment Period, also known as the Open Enrollment Period, runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. In this timeframe, a SHIP Medicare counselor could help you make major changes such as:

  • move from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
  • move from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare.
  • switch Medicare Advantage plans.
  • enroll in, or swap Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
  • drop Part D coverage.

#4: At the Time of Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

A Special Enrollment Period is the eight months after an employee exits their employer’s coverage. Employees who work beyond age 65 and wish to continue coverage under their employer’s health insurance plan can delay enrolling in Medicare. When they stop working, they can avoid late enrollment penalties by signing up during their Special Enrollment Period. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you navigate this transition.

#5: During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs every year from January 1 to March 31. It is specifically for folks enrolled in Medicare Advantage. During the MA OEP, folks can make a one-time change to their coverage by switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan or returning to Original Medicare. They also can choose to enroll or not enroll in a Part D plan. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you sort out all your diverse options.

#6: Upon Receiving “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC)

The ANOC informs you of the changes in your current plan that take effect the next year. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you understand how these changes might affect you and whether it would make sense to change plans.

#7: When Comparing Coverage Documents

The Evidence of Coverage (EOC) documents for each plan can be more than two hundred pages long. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you figure out which parts of the document are important to you.

#8: In Case of Claims or Bill Disputes

A SHIP Medicare counselor could help mediate for you during a claim or bill dispute with your medical, drug or plan provider.

#9: Before Working with an Insurance Broker

By law, every insurance company offering plans in your local area must register those plans with government regulators. Thus, SHIP has information on all those plans. In contrast, insurance brokers get their information from the insurance companies. Brokers may have information on many plans, but rarely would they have information on all the plans available to you.

In summary, SHIP counselors live in your local area and could provide you with no-cost, objective, Medicare expertise. Please allow these valuable counselors to help you.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What has been your experience with a SHIP Medicare counselor? What are your primary sources of information on Medicare? Who are your trusted sources for guidance on Medicare? Please join the conversation.

Skin Care

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How to Make Your Own Essential Oil Blend for Mature Skin (Recipe)

A Basic Essential Oil Blend for Everyday Mature Skin Care

With all the wonderful natural facial serums on the market today, it can be a little overwhelming choosing the correct formula with safe, non-toxic ingredients, all at a reasonable price. The good news is that it’s easy and fun to make a quality product on your own using the miracle of nature – essential oils. 

When I started working with skincare formulas in 2003, one of the first products I was excited about making was an essential oil-based facial serum. My skin needs were changing, and a moisturizing oil made perfect sense for dry, maturing skin.

I decided to work with four wonderful healthy aging essential oils I had discovered: Lavender, Frankincense, Rose Geranium, and Carrot Seed.

The natural and highly effective nature of essential oils makes them perfect for skincare. When blended for their various properties and used with a carrier oil that matches your skin type, you can create a serum tailor-made for your skin.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are the essence of plants. Hidden away in many parts of the plant, like the flowers, seeds, and roots, they are very potent chemical compounds. They can give the plant its scent, protect it from harsh conditions, and help with pollination.

The benefits of essential oils on humans are diverse and amazing. Lavender flower oil, for example, contains compounds that help soothe skin irritation and redness, while the scent reduces feelings of anxiety and stress.

The beautiful Rose essential oil is hydrating to the skin and sometimes used to treat scarring, while the scent is known to help lift depression. 

There are many essential oils to choose from for specific skincare needs. I have used a myriad of different combinations but keep coming back to the tried and true blend from my very first serum.

The four essential oils used are the workhorses of skincare for mature skin, as well as being wonderfully uplifting for mind, body, and spirit. 

The Base Oil Blend Formula

Here’s what you’ll need:

Bottle

1 oz. amber dropper bottle. You can find those in pharmacies or online.

Base (Carrier) Oil

As a base, you can use one of the oils below or a combination of several that meet your skin’s needs:

  • Jojoba oil is my base oil of choice. It’s incredible for most skin types: it’s extremely gentle and non-irritating for sensitive skin, moisturizing for dry skin, balancing for oily skin, ideal for combination skin, and offers a barrier of protection from environmental stressors. It also helps skin glow as it delivers deep hydration.
  • Rosehip oil smooths the skin’s texture and calms redness and irritation.
  • Argan oil contains high levels of vitamin E and absorbs thoroughly into the skin leaving little oily residue.
  • Avocado oil is effective at treating age spots and sun damage, as well as helping to soothe inflammatory conditions such as blemishes and eczema.
  • Olive oil is a heavier oil and the perfect choice if your skin needs a mega-dose of hydration. Just be aware that olive oil takes longer to absorb and leaves the skin with an oily feeling. This may be desirable for extremely dry, red, itchy skin.

Essential Oils

  • Lavender essential oil is very versatile and healing. It helps reduce inflammation, kill bacteria, and clear pores. Its scent is also calming and soothing.
  • Frankincense essential oil helps to tone and strengthen mature skin in addition to fighting bacteria and balancing oil production.
  • Rose Geranium essential oil helps tighten the skin by reducing the appearance of fine lines, helps reduce inflammation and fight redness, and offers anti-bacterial benefits to help fight the occasional breakout. The scent is also known to be soothing and balancing.
  • Carrot seed oil is a fantastic essential oil for combination skin. It helps even the skin tone while reducing inflammation and increasing water retention.

The Recipe

Let’s start with a simple recipe:

  • 1 oz. Jojoba oil (or carrier oil of your choice)
  • 10 drops Lavender
  • 10 drops Frankincense
  • 10 drops Rose Geranium
  • 10 drops Carrot seed oil 

Place the essential oil drops in the amber dropper bottle then fill with Jojoba/carrier oil. It’s that simple!

Applying Your Homemade Serum

Use this serum morning and evening as part of your regular skincare routine. Serums work best when applied after cleansing your face. You can cleanse with Coconut Oil or a mixture of oils for enhanced hydration (we will cover this in the next article) or use your regular facial cleanser.

Essential oils will not interfere in any way with your normal skincare products.

Keep in mind that the serum is concentrated. Use only a pea-sized amount, work it into your fingertips, and apply evenly over the face without tugging or pulling.

If your skin feels tacky, reduce the amount on the next application. Your skin should feel soft, not oily. Follow with your regular moisturizer if you like. 

Making your own facial serum is fun and rewarding! I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas on essential oils and making personalized serums and skincare.

What facial serum do you use? Have you made one yourself? What is your favorite essential oil for skin care? Please share your thoughts with our community!

Free, Unbiased, Expert Medicare Advice: 9 Key Times to Get This Valuable Benefit from SHIP Counselors

Free, Unbiased, Expert Medicare Advice 9 Key Times to Get This Valuable Benefit from SHIP Counselors

SHIPs (State Health Insurance Assistance Programs) have counselors who live in your local area and can provide you with free, unbiased, expert advice on Medicare. The advice is:

  • free to you as a result of the federal funding the SHIPs receive from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources.
  • unbiased because the SHIP Medicare counselors are not affiliated with any insurance company. They do not sell insurance or any other product. They are employed by SHIP to provide objective guidance, not to promote any product.
  • expert as a result of the extensive, in-depth training in Medicare information that SHIP counselors have mastered.

Good advice on Medicare could save you money and time. It could also relieve you from stress and protect you from fraud and scams.

More About Your SHIP Medicare Counselor

You might think of your SHIP Medicare counselor like a reference librarian at your local library: highly trained, professional, and eager to provide you objective guidance.

Your SHIP Medicare counselor is also like a docent volunteer at your local museum: passionate with their knowledge, excited to share and help you become better informed. In fact, many SHIP Medicare counselors are indeed volunteers. They generously share their time and knowledge and are not paid.

The SHIP Experience Success Stories

Reflecting on her experience with SHIP, Tracey Stewart has said, “You know the older I get, the more I know that the best thing to do is just to go get advice from resources that I can trust… It’s great information. It’s free. It’s going to save you money and it’s going to help you pick the right program for you. That’s the bottom line.”

Talking about SHIP, Francine Dent has stated, “The training, whatever the training is they go through, it’s a good training. They really almost know automatically the questions to ask you to help you journey through whatever your concerns are or your needs might be.”

Offering strong advice, Mary Crandall has recommended:

“The Medicare counselors help you make that decision and get you the cheapest program, the program that works best for you… Number one, you have to have a Medicare counselor. You just have to. There are so many people that cannot pay for it, and then they are getting wrong information, possibly. They’re making wrong decisions… It’s so important. I felt much more confident in what I was about to do, the decision I was about to make.”

When to Use a SHIP Medicare Counselor

Here are nine key times when a SHIP Medicare counselor’s advice could be especially valuable for you:

#1: During Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

Your Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before the month of your 65th birthday. It is a seven-month period. It ends three months after the month of your 65th birthday. You could receive guidance, for example, on whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with Medigap plans would best fit your needs. You could also get help with enrolling in a plan.

#2: During the General Enrollment Period (GEP)

The General Enrollment Period is for folks who missed enrolling during their IEP. Each year, this period runs from January 1 through March 31. Coverage begins the month after enrollment during GEP. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you avoid missing out on this second-chance window.

#3: While the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) Is Open

The Annual Enrollment Period, also known as the Open Enrollment Period, runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. In this timeframe, a SHIP Medicare counselor could help you make major changes such as:

  • move from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
  • move from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare.
  • switch Medicare Advantage plans.
  • enroll in, or swap Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
  • drop Part D coverage.

#4: At the Time of Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

A Special Enrollment Period is the eight months after an employee exits their employer’s coverage. Employees who work beyond age 65 and wish to continue coverage under their employer’s health insurance plan can delay enrolling in Medicare. When they stop working, they can avoid late enrollment penalties by signing up during their Special Enrollment Period. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you navigate this transition.

#5: During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs every year from January 1 to March 31. It is specifically for folks enrolled in Medicare Advantage. During the MA OEP, folks can make a one-time change to their coverage by switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan or returning to Original Medicare. They also can choose to enroll or not enroll in a Part D plan. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you sort out all your diverse options.

#6: Upon Receiving “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC)

The ANOC informs you of the changes in your current plan that take effect the next year. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you understand how these changes might affect you and whether it would make sense to change plans.

#7: When Comparing Coverage Documents

The Evidence of Coverage (EOC) documents for each plan can be more than two hundred pages long. A SHIP Medicare counselor could help you figure out which parts of the document are important to you.

#8: In Case of Claims or Bill Disputes

A SHIP Medicare counselor could help mediate for you during a claim or bill dispute with your medical, drug or plan provider.

#9: Before Working with an Insurance Broker

By law, every insurance company offering plans in your local area must register those plans with government regulators. Thus, SHIP has information on all those plans. In contrast, insurance brokers get their information from the insurance companies. Brokers may have information on many plans, but rarely would they have information on all the plans available to you.

In summary, SHIP counselors live in your local area and could provide you with no-cost, objective, Medicare expertise. Please allow these valuable counselors to help you.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What has been your experience with a SHIP Medicare counselor? What are your primary sources of information on Medicare? Who are your trusted sources for guidance on Medicare? Please join the conversation.

Read More

Connection Not Perfection: How to Forge Bonds with the Young People You Love

Connection Not Perfection How to Forge Bonds with the Young People You Love

One of the best parts of getting older is the opportunity to build new adult bonds with children, grandchildren and next generation friends in our lives. They keep us young at heart and introduce us to all things hip, cool and fun – stuff we wouldn’t have known about or experienced otherwise.

On the flipside, these relationships afford us the chance to flex lifechanging skills in supporting, coaching, mentoring and unconditional loving, gifts that will sustain our loved ones into their own Golden Years and beyond.

A Study’s Revelations

A January 2022 study from North Dakota State University called “Strengthening Grandparent/Grandchild Ties,” underscores the importance of this relationship.

“The role of grandparent is very meaningful in later life. Roughly 70 million Americans are grandparents and they may have this long-term role for half of their lives. Grandparenthood is often thought to be one of the most rewarding family roles. Grandparents can play a part in guiding and helping their grandchildren grow and develop, while typically having less responsibility and stress than the parent. Grandparents take great joy in watching a young child grow into adulthood and taking part in their various life accomplishments. Grandparenting has been shown to have health benefits, for instance, in fighting off symptoms of depression, encouraging physical activity, or helping to keep older adults mentally sharp,” the study introduction read.

Connections Require Time and Persistence

These relationships, however, don’t come easily. With busy schedules and distance often separating us from the people we love, it takes hard work and persistence to connect with the young people in our lives.

The first step is to focus on connection not perfection. This is an important mindset. The goal is to develop a relationship, and relationships are rarely orderly or precise or perfect in any way. The best bonds are built organically and authentically, not methodically. Building relationships with younger loved ones requires an openness to the special qualities these folks embody, the unique circumstances in which they live and the special connection you will have with them.

With that mindset shift, the playing field becomes wide open for opportunities to advance these beautiful relationships. Here are a few suggestions on how to get started and keep feeding them:

Know Their Contact Information

Know how to phone, email and text grandkids or young loved ones, and how to find and reach out to them on social media. Be the first to make contact in these venues and do it often. Send encouraging texts or emails with frequency, celebrate the successes or events they post with loving comments or direct messages. Know birthdates and special occasions, tell them you’re thinking about them and love them.

Most young people today have access to communication devices from a very young age. While it may be thoughtful to inquire about them through their parents, gatekeeper access is not a requirement when you want to build personal relationships with younger loved ones. Reach out directly in ways that are meaningful.

Schedule Regular Outings, Meals or Events with Younger Friends if You Live Nearby

Regular meetups are wonderful occasions to build conversations and share thoughts. Any opportunity to get to know your children, grandchildren or friends a little better is time and money well spent.

Plan Trips or Excursions with Your People!

You don’t have to blow the bank to have a high return on an investment in fun, leisure or travel. Being in new places is fun because everyone learns a little something and makes memories for a lifetime. Memories and legacies are priceless and stand the test of time.

Invest in Your People

Whether it’s something extraordinary, like sponsoring their education, or buying them some socks from the Dollar Store (like my grandmother did for me each year), consider your capacity for gifting to the young people in your life and do it happily. This also builds a beautiful legacy and a sense of gratitude and connection.

Write Love Letters

Writing actual notes or cards and popping them in the mailbox is a lost art, but it’s one in desperate need of reviving! The notes my grandparents sent to me over the years are sustaining relics that continue to bring me great contentment and joy. Letters are a beautiful way to show support, love and interest in the young people of your life.

Find an Activity, Game or Hobby That Resonates with Your Youthful Peeps and Make Time to Engage in Them Often

The aforementioned North Dakota State University study also included some helpful suggestions for connecting with younger loved ones. Some of those tips for fostering stronger grandfamily bonds are to: “make time to connect by prioritizing communication and making time for conversations; express affection and discuss your feelings; share stories, life happenings and family history with one another; plan special moments and events together; remember and honor special days together; and to laugh together and celebrate the fun moments in life.”

Regarding communication tips, the study suggested the following strategies, which are all excellent and underscore some of the points we discussed earlier: “Be present and willing to listen; give advice when appropriate, but also be willing to listen and provide support; set a routine – consider scheduling weekly calls or check-ins; remember, even a quick message can let someone know you care and are thinking of them; send mail for special dates, but also just for fun; talk about family history and shared stories; and find ways to connect face to face – whether in person or using technology.

The bottom line is establishing healthy relationships with adult children, grandchildren and other youthful folks in your life is a most worthy pursuit. It not only advances our legacy, it creates new memories for all and provides a framework of support and love in our special communities.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How are you establishing meaningful relationships with children, grandchildren and other young people in your circles? What works for you? What are the benefits you’ve discovered?

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Why Teaching Grandkids About Money Early Matters

Why Teaching Grandkids About Money Early Matters

Did you know that only 17% of high school students are required to take a personal finance course? Unfortunately, most of us didn’t learn much about personal finance or investing at home or in school when we were growing up either.

The Gift of Financial Education: Money Skills and Financial Freedom

Teaching grandkids about money is crucial because money is an integral part of our daily lives. Planting seeds now is important, even while they are still riding scooters, swinging on monkey bars, or coloring with crayons.

It’s important to introduce them to the concepts of earning, saving, spending, and managing money wisely so they understand the value of a dollar. This helps shape good money habits and smart financial decisions as they grow.

Instilling positive habits teaches financial responsibility, builds confidence, and leads to better decisions, helping to prevent common financial mistakes later on, such as credit card debt, living without a budget, and struggling to manage money.

Why Parents and Grandparents Should Teach Kids About Money

Too often, parents avoid teaching their kids about money because they think their children are too young to understand, or they assume their kids will learn how to manage money when they’re older.

This is a big mistake. When left to learn about money on their own, kids may pick up both good and bad habits from friends, social media, or through trial and error. They also observe how their parents handle money, sometimes unknowingly adopting poor money habits that can lead to financial stress, paycheck-to-paycheck living, or debt.

It’s critical to break this cycle by teaching kids’ good money habits at a young age. This is where you, as a grandparent, can be of service. You’ve been through a lot in your lifetime, and you know the good, the bad, and the ugly of managing or mismanaging money.

Teaching Kids About Money Is Simple

It’s not hard to teach kids about money. Keep it simple, practical, interactive, and fun!

Teach them the basics in an age-appropriate manner. Real-life examples and hands-on activities are some of the most effective tools. The key is to start early, be consistent, and make it fun!

Age-Appropriate Money Lessons

Ages 3 to 7

Piggy Bank and Play Money

Young kids can start identifying coins and understanding that money has value. Introduce the concept of saving with a piggy bank. Encourage them to save spare change and let them see how money adds up over time.

Play Store

Let kids practice making choices, purchases, and counting in a pretend store setting.

Ages 8 to 12

Earning an Allowance

Let kids earn a regular allowance by doing chores. This teaches them about earning, budgeting, saving, and responsible spending. It helps them set savings goals for something they might want or need.

Grocery Shopping Game

Give them a budget and let them make choices within it. This helps them learn to make good decisions – and likely a few bad ones, too!

Ages 13 to 18

Savings Accounts and Compound Interest

Introduce them to savings accounts and explain how compound interest works. If you give them a debit card for purchases, link it to their savings account to teach responsibility with card usage.

Family Financial Discussions

Include them in discussions about household bills like the mortgage, rent, electricity, water, and groceries. This teaches them the real costs of day-to-day living.

Ages 18 and Beyond

Credit and Loans

Explain how credit and loans work (e.g., student loans, car loans, and mortgages). Teach them the importance of maintaining a good credit score and about compounding interest when saving and investing.

Fun Family Activities to Teach Kids About Money

Entrepreneurship

Encourage a lemonade stand or selling artwork/crafts to teach about earning, expenses, and profits.

Board Games

Games like Monopoly teach concepts of buying, selling, and investing in real estate.

Grocery Shopping

Teach decision-making, price comparison, staying within a budget, and the value of coupons.

How to Raise a Grateful, Respectful, Responsible, and Non-Entitled Child

This is one of the biggest challenges parents and grandparents face today. While a certain degree of “good spoiling” is okay, especially for grandparents, too much of anything – whether toys, clothes, gadgets, or electronics – can overwhelm and have negative consequences.

For example, too many choices can lead to overstimulation, fatigue, lack of focus, and diminished creativity. Toys are meant to enrich and teach children, but an overabundance can have the opposite effect. Kids thrive with fewer toys and benefit from simplicity – less is more.

Finding Balance

While it’s important to provide kids with what they need and enjoy, don’t give them so much that they don’t appreciate it or feel entitled. Striking this balance is essential if you want your kids to be grateful, not entitled.

Set Limits and Stick to Them

Say no to your kids often – and mean it. Teach them about delayed gratification. Have them do chores to earn money. Teach them to respect and care for their belongings.

Buy Fewer Things

Instead of buying more, spend more time with your kids. Create and enjoy experiences with them that will last a lifetime.

Teaching kids about money from an early age sets the foundation for lifelong financial success. By instilling good habits, fostering responsibility, and making learning about money fun, you equip your children with the skills they need to make smart financial choices as they grow.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What strategies have you found helpful in teaching your kids and grandkids about money? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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