Unfortunately, every 22 minutes a child loses a parent. Despite this, only 50% of UK parents have cover in place to protect their families financially if they were no longer around.

Without adequate life cover, your family could be left in financial disarray at an already very challenging time.

• Could your partner afford the mortgage repayments alone?
• Would they have to increase their working hours?
• Could this mean additional childcare costs?
• Could day-to-day living costs be met?

Depending on your family’s financial stability, this could mean your loved ones would not only have to leave their family home, but also undergo a complete lifestyle change.

However, there are various options available to minimise the financial burden experienced by your family should the worst happen to you.

Let’s take a look at these options.

Life Insurance

The most well-known type of cover is traditional life insurance.

Generally speaking, this involves paying a monthly premium for a set period of time, (known as the term). If you pass away during the term, the pay out of a predetermined amount is made to your loved ones.

There are two main types of life insurance, each one suited to cover different aspects within your life.

Level term – Premiums are paid on a monthly basis and if you die a lump sum is paid to your loved ones.

Decreasing term – Premiums are paid on a monthly basis and if you die a pay out is made to your loved ones, however, the value of this sum reduces over time. For this reason, decreasing term tends to be cheaper than level term.

What it is you are looking to cover will determine which type of policy you would choose.

The reducing pay out value of decreasing term life insurance makes it more suited to covering a repayment mortgage as the pay out sum can be set to decline in line with your remaining balance.

However, perhaps you are looking to provide your family with an inheritance too, allowing them to afford a luxury holiday or even just to cover the cost of your funeral so they don’t have to foot the bill. In this case, term life insurance is likely to be more appropriate.

When deciding which type of life insurance is most suited to your situation, the key questions to ask yourself are:

• What is it you are looking to cover?
• What type of pay out would your loved ones benefit from the most?

Family Income Benefit (or FIB)

Life insurance is great for covering large one-off costs, but it can require a lot of discipline and money management skills when used to cover day-to-day living costs such as rent, utility bills, food and hobbies.

Family income benefit offers monthly tax-free payments which can mimic the income of a salary.

As with life insurance, monthly premium payments are made but during the application process, you specify how much it is you would like your loved ones to receive on a monthly basis.

Your policy again lasts for a specified amount of time and if you die during this period, monthly payments will be made to your family for the remainder of the term.

Family income benefit tends to be significantly cheaper than level term life insurance.

This is because, like with decreasing term life insurance, the overall amount you will receive out of the policy will decrease over time in line with the remaining term.

Life Assurance

There is a third option Life assurance.

Unlike life insurance which pays out if you die, life assurance pays out when you die.

Premium payments are made for the rest of your life and when you die your loved ones are guaranteed a pay out of a predetermined amount.

However, for parents of dependent children, it is unlikely this will be a cost-effective solution.

It is likely that if your children are still financially dependent, you are also of a younger age Ð Potentially in early adulthood or middle age.

Because premium payments must be made for the rest of your life, the longer you pay into the policy, the higher the likelihood that you will pay more into the policy than your loved ones will receive out.

For this reason, life assurance is more suited to those in later life or in poor health.

Life insurance vs FIB

There are pros and cons with both life insurance and family income benefit and it is likely it will quickly become clear to you which is the best-suited option for you once you determine what it is you are looking to cover.

• Life insurance is great for covering big one-off costs but requires more money management when used for daily living expenses
• Family income benefit is well suited to covering daily living expenses but can make significant expenses such as funeral costs more difficult to cover
• Generally speaking, decreasing term life insurance and family income benefit are significantly cheaper than level term life insurance, although all three types have very differing purposes.

When deciding on which type of cover to take out, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• What am I looking to cover?
• How much can I afford to pay on a monthly basis?
• Which financial areas would experience strain if I were to die?
• What level of money management would my family need to undergo with this type of cover?

Getting the best deal

Regardless of the cover type you choose, it is always beneficial to compare quotes from numerous insurers as pricing can vary significantly.

There are three ways of doing this:

• Carry out independent research, although this can be very time-consuming and frustrating
• Use a price comparison site. These are quick and simple to use but often only compare a small panel of insurers and can often contain a lot of legal jargon
• Use an independent FCA registered life insurance broker. These services are usually free to use, will decipher all legal jargon for you and are completely unbiased, providing you with all the information you need to make your own informed decision.

I hope this article has helped you establish which policy option is right for you.

Probably the most crucial task you will ever experience in your whole life is being a parent. There are tons of things you need to take into consideration as well as sacrifice in order to provide all the needs of your children. You have to be prepared being a parent, for it will never be an easy feat.

Parenting can be tough, but it is totally priceless. Nothing beats being able to raise your own children properly and seeing them grow and make their dreams happen. This is why you need to be present at all times and your guidance matters most.

One of the most essential things you have to put more attention to is your children’s education. It is important that you support and guide them all the time, especially when they reach college. You have to ensure that you are there throughout this journey of theirs. So, here are some of the major factors that will help them get through this phase of their lives:

Support

Keep in mind that the number one supporter of your children is you. In each endeavor they are going to face, you have to support and guide them. Always show your children that you are with them every step of the way. In case they want to pursue a certain course in college, you need to give your full support. It is one of the most critical things they look forward to when making decisions about their future, so better be there for them no matter what happens. This way, they can feel your love and that you believe in them.

Communication

When your children are already in college, you have to make it a point to communicate with them. In most cases, this is the stage when they leave home and start living alone. It is the time they finally learn to become independent individuals, but it is still necessary that you keep an open communication. Be sure to talk to them from time to time and update one another about everything. This helps them boost their confidence and assures them that you are by their side despite the distance.

Patience

Every parent knows how stressful and frustrating college can be. There are a lot of challenges that your children will face during this stage, so be patient. You will see them change at some point, but try to understand them because you have experienced this as well. You know how demanding some professors in college are. Instead of stressing them out and putting more pressure on them, it is better if you just encourage them to do their best all the time. Be willing to help them out whenever they encounter problems to make them feel that you care for them.

Without a doubt, parenting your children in college is tough. There is no shortcut in learning these things, but you are sure to nail it if you put your heart to it. Simply follow these things specified above and you will be on the right track. Also, do check out the IB schools in Singapore for high-quality education perfect for your children.

There is no doubt that moving your family into a new home is a fabulous time. The sheer excitement that you all feel at exploring somewhere new is amazing. When you add in the ability to make it your own with stunning interior design ideas, it is something that you will all love. However, this does not mean that there won’t be any challenges to face along the way!

At first, you may all feel a little unsettled. This can be especially true for any children you have who might find being somewhere new strange at the beginning. Children are very sensitive to change, so do not worry if this does happen – it is pretty common. When you think that you have all left behind your old house and familiar places for somewhere new, it is understandable.

By far the best way to make the whole experience as positive as possible is by settling everyone in as quickly as you can.

How can you get your family settled in the new home?

If you need advice on how to ensure that you all feel happy and at home quickly, then the below tips should do the trick:

• Sort out the children’s room first – a lot of what you will do around settling into the new home will involve your kids. The basic idea is that if they are happy, then you will also be happy! With this in mind, make sure to sort out their rooms first when you move in. Help them unpack and get all their familiar toys or photos where they want them. Take the time to make up their bed and spend time in the room with them so that they feel happy there.

 

• Use familiar sights and sounds – another great tip that the whole family will love is bringing familiar sounds and sights into the new home. Maybe you have a much-loved picture that always hangs in the hallway or a cuckoo clock that always goes off at certain times. Bringing these into the new home will really go a long way to settling you all down.

 

• Get some family photos up – as well as familiar objects or pictures, make sure to put up some family photos in your new place. Doing this will really make it feel like home and will give the whole place a feeling of warmth and stability. Kids in particular will appreciate this.

 

• Settle family pets in – most families will be moving with a much-loved pet, such as a cat or dog. These often play a central role in family life and can help a lot in settling you all into your new house. Of course, moving can also be stressful for them with new sights and sounds to take in! Make sure to let them explore the new family home so that they feel okay with it, and set up their own space as it was in the old home.

 

• Get to know your neighbors – once you have done the essential tasks of unpacking and settling into the house itself, you need to venture into your local neighborhood. Meeting your new neighbors is a great way to feel more at home and to settle down into normal family life. You should also take a walk around the local area together so that you all feel at home there and know where everything is.

Think about a home warranty

Another great tip for settling into a new family home is to take out a home warranty plan on it. These plans help to give you peace of mind that any repairs needed to appliances or systems in the property are covered. They will not only help you relax into your new place more but also feel confident that no unforeseen circumstances could see you have to move out. There are lots of home warranty companies out there now, so make sure to check online customer reviews to find the best.

Settle in as quickly as you can

Moving home and getting unpacked the other end takes time – there is simply no getting around it. It is, however, worth doing it and getting the whole family settled after as soon as you can. This will allow you all to get back to your normal life and daily routines. It will also help everyone feel happy in the new place and begin to put down roots there.

A wedding anniversary is a special day for every couple and so for your parents. However, your parents may hesitate to celebrate their wedding anniversary on their own. So, it becomes the children’s responsibility to revive the love shared between their parents by doing something special on their wedding anniversary. So, if your parent’s marriage anniversary is around the corner and you are looking for some creative wedding anniversary gifts for parents, you are at the right place. Here are nine wedding anniversary gift ideas that are sure to make your parent’s anniversary a memorable one.

Anniversary Album

If you want to give your parents the gift of memory then, you can choose to give an anniversary album to them wherein you can put all the other old photos of your parents too. This gift will surely touch their hearts.

Tickets To A Vacation

Do you remember when did your parents went on a vacation last time? If the answer is a long time ago then, gift them tickets to a vacation so that they can relive the good old days again on their wedding anniversary.

Health Insurance

On your parent’s wedding anniversary, if you want to gift them something very meaningful then, it’s the health insurance of your parents or health vouchers for full body check up. This gift will be enough to convey all your love and care for them.

A Surprise Party

The most special anniversary gift for your parents will be the one that can leave them surprised. And, that can be only possible if you give them a surprise wedding anniversary party. Yes, it is not easy to arrange a party but a little help from your loved one’s will make it possible.

Flowers With Cake

Flowers and cake, both are ideal anniversary gifts for any couple. So, if you stay miles apart from your parents and can’t make it home on their anniversary. You can send them bunch of beautiful flowers along with a delicious cake and make them feel special.

Mr. And Mrs. Mugs

If you are looking for an extra-special way of making your parent’s anniversary a happy one then, gift them a set of Mr. & Mrs. mugs. You can also customize a set of beautiful mugs with different quirky quotes or lines.

Movie Tickets

Since you were born, your parents may not have go to watch a movie or go to a dinner because they were both busy in raising you. Now, that you’ve grown up, let them have some fun time. So,gifting movie tickets of a new release to your parents on their anniversary will be a great choice.

Then And Now Photo Frame

Photos are a beautiful way of capturing the most beautiful moments of life that one can treasure forever. So, if you want to give your parents a treasurable gift then, give them a ‘then and now photo frame’ which will revive the bond of love shared between them.

Personalised Champagne Glasses

Let your parents raise a toast to their wedding anniversary celebration in the best way with personalised champagne glasses. Yes, engrave your parent’s name on two champagne glasses (one for each) and gift them on their anniversary to add more excitement to their celebrations.

Now, it’s time to shop the best anniversary gift for your parents. So, make your choice wisely.

If you always look forward to getting into the holiday spirit and are interested in crafting your own DIY Christmas earings it’s well continuing reading to discover how to create your very first pair of DIY Christmas earrings.

DIY Christmas Earings:

1. Purchase earring hooks or plain clip on earrings

To create your own DIY earings you’ll need to get your hands on a few pairs of earring hooks or plain clip-on earings both of which you’ll be able to pick up at your local craft store. Better yet, you should be able to pick up a few pairs of hooks or plain clip-on earings for a couple of dollars. Which makes handcrafting your own Christmas themed earrings a cost-effective option.

2. Purchase Christmas colored beads to create Christmas themed earrings

One way to ensure that your DIY earings scream Christmas time is to purchase an assortment of red, gold and green colored beads which you’ll be able to use to create eye-catching drop style earrings. If you’re particularly lucky you may also be able to acquire little beads which are shaped like gold Christmas bells, which will instantly make you think of Christmas.

3. Search your local craft store for Christmas themed beads

Chances are high that your nearest craft store will also offer Christmas themed beads, such as miniature Santa Claus beads or snowflake shaped beads, which you’ll be able to use to create stunning Christmas themed earings.

4. Use clay or plasticine in order to create cute Christmas themed characters to hang from your earings

Imagine the compliments you’d get if you turned up to a Christmas party wearing Christmas earings which are shaped like Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Frosty the Snowman!

In order to create cute little characters to hang from your DIY earings simply visit your local craft store or art supplies store, in order to purchase clay or plasticine to bake your very own one of a kind Christmas characters. Which you’ll then be able to use in order to adorn your plain earings. Other examples of characters which you may want to create include angels, gingerbread men, and elves.

5. Consider using silver charms to create gorgeous Christmas earings

If you want your DIY Christmas earings to look classy and sophisticated you may prefer using silver charms to create gorgeous, Christmas earrings which are sure to turn heads when you walk into your upcoming Christmas parties.

As an example, if you like the idea of creating classic understated Christmas earings you may be more interested in crafting silver angel themed Christmas earings rather than bold red, green and gold Christmas earings.

6. Use wire from a coat hanger in order to create fun Christmas tree shaped DIY Christmas earings

Alternatively, you may want to consider using wire from an old coat hanger to create fun, festive Christmas tree shaped Christmas earings! Better yet, why not place a gold star at the top of each earring, to act as your Christmas trees’ stars.

So if you’re keen to spread a bit of Christmas cheer this holiday season, you can’t go wrong DIY crafting your first pair of DIY Christmas earings.

If you’re looking forward to throwing or attending an ugly Christmas sweater party, continue reading to discover a few fun ideas that may inspire you.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Ideas:

1. Offer a prize for the party guest who turns up to your Christmas party wearing the ugliest Christmas sweater

When you send out your invites for your upcoming party, encourage your guests to turn up wearing the ugliest Christmas sweater which they can find. Also make sure to let your guests know that there will be a special prize up for grabs, which will be awarded to the individual who turns up in the cheesiest, ugliest Christmas sweater.

On the actual day of your party provide each guest with a tiny piece of paper which they can use to anonymously vote for the individual who they think has turned up in the ugliest Christmas sweater.

2. Make sure to provide a couple of extra Christmas sweaters for guests who turn up without an ugly Christmas sweater

As it’s highly likely that at least a couple of your party guests will turn up to your party without a suitable ugly Christmas sweater, it’s well worth purchasing a few pre-loved Christmas sweaters, which you’ll be able to hand out on the day or night of your party.

3. Consider offering a craft table where your guests will be able to create their own Christmas sweaters

If too many of your guests complain about not having time to get their hands on an ugly Christmas sweater, you may want to consider organizing a craft table, where guests will be able to decorate plain black, red or green sweaters with Christmas decorations. Such as tinsel, pom poms and Christmas tree decorations such as stars and candy canes.

4. If you’re looking to create an eye-catching ugly Christmas sweater decorate a plain green sweater to look like a Christmas tree

You can’t go wrong purchasing a basic, inexpensive green sweater for a couple of dollars which you’ll then be able to decorate as if it was a Christmas tree.

5. Consider getting a retro Christmas photo printed on a plain sweater

If you really want to impress your friends and family members, you may want to consider getting one of your family’s retro Christmas photos printed on the front of a plain sweater. Especially if you can find a humorous or embarrassing Christmas family photo.

If you plan on attending a Christmas party with your family members or hosting a Christmas party that your family members will attend, you may want to get a bunch of Christmas sweaters printed. Each of which will feature a Christmas photo from a different year. To show how your family has grown over the years.

6. Sew plush Christmas toys onto your Christmas sweater

Alternatively, if you’re lazy and looking for a simple Christmas sweater idea, simply purchase a few cheap plush Christmas toys such as plush reindeer, elves and bears, which you’ll be able to sew or velcro onto your choice of Christmas sweater.

So if you’re looking forward to throwing or attending an ugly Christmas Sweater party, it’s well worth utilizing a couple of the ideas listed above.