Years ago, it was not possible to choose your own energy supplier. The government literally had a monopoly on the energy provider industry. Many people are so used to things the way they are, that they do not take the initiative to select their own energy provider. Here we will discuss the process of switching to a new energy provider.

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Sometimes, families need to relocate to find a fresh start. In fact, about 35.1 million Americans move each year, bringing their belongings, their pets, and their kids along with them. If you’re looking to sell your house in the process, know that the moving process may not be as quick as you think. In many markets right now, the average house move takes six to twelve months to sell, so it’s best to be prepared and start the process early.

Though moving on your own or with a partner can be exhausting, moving and parenting at the same time can be downright chaotic. Young children especially may not adjust well to changes in their location or their routine.

Whether you’re moving into a downsized Chicago apartment or to a huge suburban home, Moving with kids doesn’t have to be a nightmare. For a less stressful relocation and a quicker adjustment, try using the following moving tips:

1. Get Kids Excited – It is a big psychological and emotional adjustment for kids, so it’s a good idea to try to establish positive feelings about the move as early as possible. Let older children make plans for their new bedrooms as a way to get excited and feel like they have some control over the relocation. Considering that almost 40% of remodeling activity is minor alterations/additions, letting your older children DIY some aspects of their new space could be an excellent creative (and cost-effective) opportunity. You can also let kids tour the new home once you have the keys so that they know what to expect. Try to speak of your new home as a new adventure, and they’ll follow your lead.
2. Try to Uphold a Routine – Kids, and younger children especially, feel comforted by regularity. Even though packing is hectic, Child Mind Institute recommends trying to eat meals and go to bed at the same time every night to help young ones adjust to changes. Regular sleep and meals will also help prevent crankiness and tantrums. Once you’ve moved, try to unpack familiar toys and bedding as soon as possible to show children that their new space is still safe and comfortable.
3. Say Goodbyes – Saying goodbye to a home and to friends is an important step for emotional closure. Young children will better understand that they won’t be coming back to their old house or community if you say goodbye to the house and to neighbors. Older children will also benefit from the chance to say farewell to friends, so consider hosting a “see you soon” party so teens can swap phone numbers and make plans to visit.
4. Ask for Help – Did you know that the average American home has 300,000 things in it? Packing all of that stuff is a huge task for any single person alone. If you can, ask friends and relatives nearby to either watch the kids or help with packing and moving. Sometimes, a little adult company can go a long way for managing your stress and lifting the burden of doing several jobs at once.
5. Give them Time – Even if you successfully move with few catastrophes or tears, it can still take several months for kids to adjust. Expect moodiness from kids of all ages. Once you’ve settled, give children a chance to relax and sort through their feelings. As the Washington Post points out, making a new home your home takes time.

Moving is rarely a simple task! Setting out for a new place can be emotional even for adults. Be sure to use these tips to help get the move done, and to help kids cope with changes. With patience and good planning, you can help your kids get excited about their new home.

Only 42% of U.S. adults currently have estate planning documents such as a will or a living trust. Without these documents, your family’s future is essentially up in the air. 

“Whether it’s a super basic plan like drafting a will or putting powers of attorney in place all the way up to complex trusts et cetera, they’re really important,” said Michele Francisco, partner and senior relationship manager at RMB Capital. “Because… regardless of your wealth, you want to have a voice in the decisions made on your behalf.”

Thankfully, National Estate Planning Awareness Week is wrapping up. From October 15 to October 21, the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC) is putting on the 10th annual National Estate Planning Awareness Week to help the public understand what estate planning is and why it’s such a vital component of financial responsibility.

The top three reasons people engage in estate planning are to: avoid probate (59%), minimize discord among beneficiaries (57%), and prevent children from mismanaging their inheritances (39%). Though Americans in their 50s, 60s, and 70s certainly need to draw up a will and set up their estate plans if they have not done so, younger Americans can benefit from focusing more on their financial future, as well. Roughly 78% of millennials (between the ages of 18 and 36 years old) do not have a will. Approximately 29% of those without a will said that it’s because they “don’t have enough assets to leave anyone.” That’s a common misconception, however, and shining a light on the importance of estate planning during a national awareness week can help clear up some of those issues for millennials and elder Americans alike.

Here are some common estate planning mistakes that you should avoid at all costs:

• Not naming a contingent beneficiary — Perhaps the most common estate planning mistake is not naming a beneficiary. If no contingent beneficiary is selected, there will be no stretch individual retirement account (IRA), which is a valuable tax break that enables someone who inherits an IRA to draw out distributions over his or her own life expectancy — if the original beneficiary has died.
• Not updating your estate planning documents — If you go through a divorce, lose a beneficiary, or any other major life-changing event, it’s important to update your documents as soon as possible. These situations can be extremely difficult, but you’ll feel much better if you stay on top of your estate planning and keep everything updated.
• Not having a trust in addition to a will if your estate — “[People] hear trust and they think, ‘I need to have lots and lots of money,'” added Francisco. “But you technically don’t. It’s a much more private and seamless administration of things after you pass.”It’s important to note, however, that if you do have “lots and lots of money,” you certainly do need a trust. If your assets are in the six-figure range or higher, it’s recommended to have a trust in addition to a will in order to help minimize estate taxes and avoid probate.

Additionally, you’re going to need all the correct documents in order to successfully set up your future estate plans. Here are some of the essential documents you’ll need throughout the estate planning process:

1. Durable power of attorney (DPOA)
2. Advanced medical directives
3. Will
4. Living trust
5. Letter of instruction

The NAEPC’s goal is to work with affiliated local councils throughout National Estate Planning Awareness Week each year to assist and spread the importance of future finical and estate planning to every American citizen.

Event planning can be a struggle, especially when you’re already busy with work and family. What’s even harder is taking care of food on your own. Did you make enough appetizers for everyone? What about food allergies? When are you going to have time to make that many sandwiches? Hiring a caterer can help manage an incredibly tricky part of event planning, but it’s important to find the right one to suit your needs. Read on to learn a bit more about finding the best caterer for your event.

How Many People Are You Expecting?

Is your party going to be for close family, or are you inviting the entire office over for a celebration? While you don’t necessarily need to have an exact number for your event before scheduling your catering service, having a fairly accurate estimate will help make sure your caterer can handle your needs. The average party size that a caterer has is between 100 and 250 people, so your caterer should most likely be able to handle larger groups as long as they know in advance.

Check On Your Food Preferences

If there are going to be any specific dietary needs at your event, make sure you take those into account when searching for a caterer. Most caterers are able to plan for allergies and specific ingredients to avoid; however, if you have a large crowd of vegans or vegetarians, for example, you might want to look for a caterer who specializes in that. Also, keep in mind the type of people at the event; a wedding is going to have very different food selections than a kid’s birthday party.

Decide For Yourself

Make sure that you do your homework to see that the caterer’s quality is going to live up to your standards. There are a few main ways you can do this: checking online customer reviews, getting references, even scheduling a tasting for yourself. Be sure to check their certifications as well; all caterers should be able to provide you with proof of their health and safety certifications, and if they can’t, look for someone else right away.

Make sure you get the most out of your event by hiring a qualified caterer. A good catering service will be able to take care of providing you and your guests with delicious food, while also allowing you to relax on the day of the event.

Many parents’ fondest childhood memories come from sports. Bonding with teammates, developing skills, tough-love coaches, and “that one amazing goal” can all form life-long memories for sports lovers.

Parents who were sporty in their youth (or are still sporty as adults) often want their own children to share their love for the game. The desire to pass on sports knowledge isn’t always personal, either– with huge participation in high school sports like football (1.09 million), basketball (964,000), and soccer (839,000), athletics can seem like the “normal” thing for kids to do.

But what happens when kids just don’t like sports? Parents and educators alike worry that youths who don’t engage in athletics will lose both the physical and social skills necessary for success.

Fear not. There are plenty of ways to keep youths active, to test their limits, and to teach them confidence and discipline without forcing them to try out for a sport they loathe. Try some of the following steps to engage a non-sporty kid in activities that will benefit them for a lifetime:

1. Try Individual Sports
   Sometimes, it’s not athletics that kids dislike, but the pressure of performing on a team sport. Though learning to collaborate is important, consider letting a child learn teamwork in other environments. Encourage them to try an individual sport, such as ice skating, bowling, martial arts, or track. These sports still teach dedication and discipline, with the added benefit of learning to compete against oneself for constant improvement. Some kids don’t like worrying about disappointing other team members, or the confusion of a field full of other team members, so letting a more introverted child try individual sports might unveil an athlete you never knew you had.
2. Look for Alternative Collaborative Activities
   Though individual sports have their merits, some kids love the social team environment but just don’t like sports activities. Some youths also may not be able to participate in athletics due to medical reasons. In such cases, alternative team environments can be a great way to keep youths engaged in practicing skills and testing their limits. Consider drama club or theater groups, debate teams, cultural clubs, or even volunteering opportunities. Kids can still learn to perform and compete without ever lacing up cleats.
3. Encourage Physical Activity for Mental Health
   Children and teens who don’t participate in sports still need to be physically active to promote good health and development. Encourage workouts and other activities that get the body moving. Remind kids that taking walks, doing yoga, hitting the gym, or even doing chores is important not only for physical health but for emotional and mental health as well.
4. Meet Them Where They Are
   When looking for an activity that will engage and challenge youths, try to recognize what they already like. Does he love animals? Maybe horseback riding or a dog-walking business will get him moving and involved. Does she love video games? Look into e-sports teams or even paintball and airsoft gun tournaments to get your gamer away from the screen. Respecting your child’s individuality will help both of you find new ways to stay active and happy.
5. Resist the Quick Quit
   Finally, reluctant kids might want to quit a new sport or activity after only one or two days of participation. Consider requiring kids to stick with an activity for the entire season, or until a round of lessons are over. One or two attempts are rarely enough to know what a child will like or dislike over time.

By following this guide, you can ensure that even the most hesitant youths find activities that challenge them physically and mentally, and that they will love for years to come!