Education - Parenting Healthy

Get the Classroom Ready with the Big Class Calendar

I am a planner! Looking at my calendar is a daily task between appointments, work, not wanting to muss special occasions or birthdays and finding blocks of time to book travel. I work at our local high school so I also have to keep track of events and special schedules. The Big Class Calendar is brilliant! I can use it at my office to keep all school events front and center. It keeps my desk more free from planners and notepads with dates.

The calendar comes with printed months/dates for a specific year and starts with the month of July which is perfect as a class/school calendar. It also comes with dry erase markers in a few different colors and markers that fit the square space to highlight your most important dates or use to fit more notes on a particular day.

The Big Class Calendar measures 48” (width) x 36” (height). It keeps all of those important dates in your face on a wall and is easy for others to spot as well. This makes a great gift for anyone in the education profession – shop for your 2024-2025 calendar now.

Education

Tools to educate your child about money and savings

July 10, 2024July 10, 2024 Erin Sluka

If you have a tween or teen in school, perhaps you have noticed a shift compared to when you were that age when it comes to what is being taught iin the classroom. I had home economics and math classes that touched on basic finances in high school and that seems to be missing in school’s today. Your child will learn algebra and geometry skills in class, but how to spend money out in the real world or tip, save and calculate interest comes from what we can teach at home and with real life experiences. Our teens need exposure and there are tools to educate your child about money and savings.

Exposure

As young as 13 years old, most banks offer checking accounts for you child that gives them access to a debit card and app access to manage their money. As teens, their accounts are linked to a Guardian so you can also monitor them. Opening them an account, helps them visually see a balance move up or down depending on deposits or debits. Most of these accounts can be set up to deny transactions if the real money isn’t there so they are not overdrafted. If you have a teen without a debit account yet, consider getting one with them and guiding them to all of the features they have in that account.

Games

I put games ahead of real-life exposure because some games available on the web offer skills training like cash register operation, counting change back, figuring out tax amounts, etc. If they can play such money games, then they can head out to stores and restaurants and be given the task to pay, understand their change and see how prices flex once tax or tips are added. I mean, they still think money grows on trees at a young age!

I like the money games at mortgagecalculator.com/money-games. Their games are so simple, free and safe to play. They offer money games as simple as counting coins in the Coin Saver Challenge for the younger age to games for the older ages, such as calculating tax and tips with Percent Puzzle. This website that teaches money skills with games even offers simulation games such as ringing up groceries or building a city with zones and taxes. Games are a very engaging tool for learning.

Real World Experience

After you get some game play under their belts, take them out to stores and restaurants. Kids love eating out- show them the bill and show them how you figure the tip out. Do you take the tax and double it? Show your teens and they will see that costs always add up and that dinner out was not cheap! Perhaps if they want something bad enough, they will relate when you suggest they buy a few less coffees or demand to eat out a little less to save for that item. Tools like money games and calculators will help calculate tax and tips on the spot.

My teen completely understands when I say, “if you have no fast food stops this week, you could have an extra $25 or so for that item…” He has his bank account, he sees those debits and can instantly justify where to save and spend responsibly. Give them the tools and education because they don’t get ahold of it in your average math class. As parents, we have them for the outings and spending moments, so make it a lesson plan.

Education

Taking control of your Budget using calculators and planning

October 16, 2023October 13, 2023 Erin Sluka

When I think back 10 years and 20 years ago, what a difference it has been when it comes to money, finances and where I stand with my budget. 20 years ago I started dating my ‘now’ husband and we both entered the relationship with so much debt. Today we are on track with little debt and a good outlook on our retirement future that is within 15 years away between the 2 of us. My long-term goals are to not have a mortgage payment and we are definitely on track for that by retirement age and to travel-lots of travel!

We had to be strict with our spending and wise in our credit choices when we started attacking our debt. We made decisions on how we spent money on bills, fun, blending credit accounts to pay them off which meant consolidating and how to begin retirement savings and choose medical plans. Budgeting is not simple and even in a tech world, I rely on online calculators or trusty apps.

A lot has changed in 20 years in regards to technology as well and planning is so easy much easier today with online tracking apps, including my bank app where I can customize notifications and keep up on what is happening in my accounts right in the palm of my hand!

There a few things you can do to start tackling debt and creating a realistic budget plan. If you are married or share finances with a partner, the first step is communication and coming to compromises and common goals. I frequently check my bank apps to see what notification options I have and how to set certain alerts. Consolidating smart and choosing to tackle one debt at a time (like getting rid of the high interest debt first) can help you feel like you are making progress. In our debt relief journey, I would have never guessed that I could actually become a tad obsessed with wanting to pay things off at any sacrifice because it is such a great feeling to clean up the budget.

You can always find online tools, such as card comparison calculators from calculator.me. Sites like these allow you to type in your budgets and see your options and goal results. If you have not started the budget talk lately, it is time to start again, especialy as we near the Holidays.

Education

Is Being a Travel Nurse a Good Career Option for Parents in Illinois?

April 11, 2023April 11, 2023 Erin Sluka

Travel nursing is a unique and rewarding career that allows healthcare professionals to work in various locations and explore new settings. For parents in Illinois, the prospect of becoming a travel nurse may seem daunting, especially when considering the challenges of balancing work and family life. However, this career path can be an excellent fit for parents, offering flexibility, good compensation, and opportunities for growth. In this blog post, we will discuss why being a travel nurse can be a great career option for parents in Illinois and how companies like AdvantisMed can make the experience even better.

The Benefits of Being a Travel Nurse for Parents

One of the most significant advantages of travel nursing is the flexibility it offers. With assignments typically lasting 8-26 weeks, parents can choose when and where they work, allowing them to plan around their family’s needs and priorities. Travel nurse jobs in Illinois from AdvantisMed provide parents with a unique opportunity to enjoy the benefits of working in different healthcare facilities while staying relatively close to home.

Working with a reputable staffing agency like AdvantisMed can also help parents find the right balance between work and family life. Their team of experts understands the unique needs of parents in the nursing profession and can help them find assignments that align with their priorities and preferences.

Higher Earning Potential

Another reason why travel nursing is an appealing career option for parents in Illinois is the earning potential. Travel nurses typically earn higher hourly wages than permanent staff nurses, in addition to other financial incentives such as housing stipends and travel allowances. This extra income can be helpful for parents trying to provide for their family, save for their children’s education, or plan for a secure financial future.

Building a Diverse Skill Set

Working in different healthcare settings offers travel nurses the chance to develop a wide range of skills and expertise. Parents can gain valuable experience in various specialties, work with diverse patient populations, and learn from professionals across the state. This diverse skill set can lead to increased job satisfaction and career advancement opportunities, making travel nursing an attractive career path for parents in Illinois.

Opportunities for Personal and Professional Growth

Travel nursing allows parents to grow both personally and professionally. As they navigate new work environments and adapt to different healthcare teams, travel nurses can develop their problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills. Furthermore, travel nursing offers a chance to network with healthcare professionals in different locations, opening doors for future job opportunities and career advancement.

Balancing Family Life and a Travel Nursing Career
One of the main concerns parents might have about travel nursing is balancing their career with their family life. While it’s true that travel nursing can require time away from home, there are ways to mitigate the impact on family life. For instance, parents can opt for assignments closer to home, allowing them to return on weekends or during their time off. Additionally, some families choose to travel together, turning the nursing assignment into a family adventure.