Archives for 2019

Counting down the hours until the new year can be exciting, as the world anxiously anticipates the adventures in store for the months ahead.

Celebrating the new year dates back thousands of years to the ancient Babylonians, who celebrated a new year come the first full moon after the spring equinox. The new year is now commemorated in various ways across the globe. According to History.com, one million people gather in New York City’s Time Square to watch the famed crystal ball drop each year. Across the pond in London, celebrants watch thousands of individual fireworks launch over the Thames River. In Sydney, Australia, roughly one million people line the shoreline each year to watch a fireworks show over the famed harbor.

To match the excitement of New Year’s festivities, each year party hosts and hostesses are on the lookout for innovative ways to entertain and ensure everyone has a blast. The following are a few ways to do just that as you and your guests prepare to close the book on 2016 and usher in 2017.

Go bowling.

New Year’s Eve probably isn’t a big league night, so it’s likely you can reserve a number of lanes. Book in advance to take advantage of affordable food and drink packages. Some alleys now offer more than just bowling, with live music or deejay entertainment as well. You do not have to be a professional bowler, either, as the goal of bowling with friends is to simply have some fun and make some lasting memories.

Try a “first.”

There is a first time for everything, and why not try something you have been thinking about doing for some time on the first day of the new year? Maybe you’re ready to tap into your adventurous side and try skydiving. Or, you may be looking to travel abroad to experience something you have longed to see, such as the Egyptian pyramids or the city lights in the romantic city of Paris.

Cheer for every time zone.

Thanks to the various time zones across the globe, “Happy New Year” is shouted multiple times throughout the night on New Year’s Eve. TimeandDate.com notes that, depending on how you define the time zone and if you include the International Date Line, there are 24 or 25 standard time zones. That gives revelers 25 opportunities to usher in the new year. Choose a country in each time zone, and then employ that country’s cultural traditions to celebrate the new year.

Design a scavenger hunt.

A fun activity for both adults and children, scavenger hunts can send guests in search of clues and answers based on things that happened over the previous 12 months. Include photos and other mementos when preparing clues.

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Holiday shoppers tend to fall into three distinct camps. There are those people who have completed all of their shopping and wrapping even before November ends. Others shop in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Finally, many people wait until the last minute, and such shoppers are the ones seen rushing from store to store on December 24.

Waiting until the last possible moment to purchase a gift may not prove much of a problem when shopping for birthday gifts, but come the holiday season procrastination may find shoppers picking over limited inventories and dealing with fellow frantic procrastinators. Here are a few ways last-minute shoppers can make the most of stalling this holiday season:

· Consider eGift Cards. Many retailers offer digital gift cards that can be emailed in a matter of minutes. Purchase the card from the online retailer and email the redemption code to the gift recipient. Time the email to arrive on Christmas morning or include all of the necessary information in a holiday card.

· Ship to Store. Some shoppers like the convenience of ship-to-store services. This enables a person to purchase a gift online but avoid shipping charges by having the item made available at a store location. In-stock items are typically ready the day of purchase, and this helps you avoid crowds and impulse buys, as online purchases are typically available at special pick-up locations in the store that allow online shoppers to skip long lines at the registers.

· Avoid Gimmick Gifts. Skip the “as seen on TV” aisle at the store or trendy infomercial gifts. Such gifts may suggest to their recipients that you waited until the last minute to buy the gifts and then really didn’t have any good ideas.

· Factor Extra Charges Into Your Budget. Procrastinating may work for your schedule, but expect to pay more if you shop online and require shipping. You will probably need to expedite shipping if you expect to have gifts delivered on time. Verify the delivery date before making any purchases. Paying more for shipping may outweigh the hassle of driving to store after store searching for gifts. Online retailers like Amazon may even offer selective delivery on Christmas Eve.

· Check Store Hours. Some stores offer extended shopping hours to meet the needs of last-minute shoppers. You may be able to visit early morning or late at night to skip the crowds. Certain department stores time sales with these extended hours, such as “early bird” or “night owl” specials, so you may even be rewarded for procrastinating.

· Shop Smaller Retailers. One way to avoid the hassles that often come with holiday shopping is to patronize smaller, independent shops. Chances are the crowds will be smaller at these shops and you may have access to a more unique selection of gifts than you would find at the nearby mall.

 

Smart shopping involves making budget-friendly purchases. Never paying full price is a mantra shoppers can follow to help keep their finances in check.

In addition to coupons and other discounts, shoppers can usually score deals based on which time of year they shop for particular items. Each year, various consumer resources offer advice on the best time to buy certain items.

The beginning of the year is often an ideal time to purchase certain items. Consumers who take advantage of sales offered at the start of the new year can save substantial amounts of money. Now that the holiday season has passed, consumers can begin to find deals on items for themselves.

Clothing

 Post-Christmas sales are booming, and stores are looking to sell what’s left of their inventories to make room for spring and summer selections. As customers, it is note-worthy to comprehend from salesforce.com what a good sales pitch is, because ascertaining if the place you’re shopping from has a good sales pitch says a lot about the cloth dealer. Even though the weather outside is still cold, sweaters, pants, coats, and more are usually available at a discount come January. It may take some digging through the racks, but there’s an excellent chance to discover some great items.

Air conditioners

 If the warm-weather season was particularly steamy this past year, it might be time to revamp the HVAC system or invest in some new portable units. Bankrate offers that the first few months of the year are prime times to shop for air conditioners. While you may not get the latest model, it’s likely you can find a reliable unit at below-market cost.

Theater tickets

January and February are not especially busy seasons for theaters, which means there will be greater opportunity to get discounted seats for many popular shows.

Linens and bedding

John Wannamaker was a retail entrepreneur and had a few department stores in New York and Philadelphia. Wannamakers held the first “white sale” in 1878, and since then many stores have continued the tradition. January is a great month to buy towels, sheets, bedspreads, and more at a discount.

Motorcycles

Riding a motorcycle is a fair-weather hobby, and retailers are aware of this. The easy riders of tomorrow might be able to find great deals today.

Boats

Wintertime is boat show season, but it’s also the offseason for boaters who live in cooler climates. These factors combine to make it easier and less expensive to find a new boat. According to boat-buying retailer Boatline, consumers can probably get one of last year’s models at a good price.

Video games

Those who haven’t purchased their fill of video games for the holidays can benefit from post-holiday drops in price.

Furniture

Many furniture manufacturers begin to churn out new inventory in February, so last season’s items will need to move quickly. Shoppers can often negotiate some good deals now and upgrade their homes’ decor.

Couples who don’t mind the chilly weather can enjoy steep savings by hosting their weddings in January. Spring and summer are by far the more popular seasons to tie the knot, but reception halls, musical acts, florists, and other vendors may heavily discount their services in winter.

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One of the toughest first decisions I had to make as a new parent-to-be was finding exceptional daycare for my newborn. I had to go back to work six weeks after giving birth so I began my daycare search long before my son was born. I was thankful I did. Many daycares were full and had waiting lists. A number were simply not in our budget. Others did not take such a young infant.

Begin Early

Begin your quest for a daycare as soon as you realize that you will need it. Many daycares require a deposit to hold a place for your child.

If your child has special needs that will need to be addressed, inquire if the daycare can support you in this and whether you will be comfortable. You may want to explore hiring a nanny or an in-home provider.

Ask Those Who Know

I asked daycare-seasoned parents about the daycares they used before I began exploring daycare options. Their input was helped me to decide the environment I wanted my child to be in.

Determine what your parameters are: location, cost, hours and days needed, and in-home versus a church-based or commercial daycare center. Schedule a tour of any daycare that has made it on to your final list of options. Be sure to bring your list of questions with you.

Look for a Nurturing Environment

Children require nurturing to grow healthy minds and bodies. Observe the environment as you tour the home or facility.
What is the daily schedule? How are children treated? What is the caregiver to child ratio? How does the daycare “feel”? How do the daycare employees transition children into new rooms?

Be Comfortable with the Method of Discipline

Ask how the daycare disciplines a child. If you are not comfortable with their methods, walk.
I did not think about asking about discipline until my son, and only child at that time, was kicked out of daycare at the ripe age of twelve months for biting. I found another in-home daycare for him and tearfully told the caregiver the truth. She gave me a big hug and said, “Well, that’s normal!” My son’s aggression and biting disappeared within days because he was receiving more nurturing. She also had him potty trained at fourteen months. He stayed with her until he began kindergarten.

Pay Attention to Safety and Cleanliness

What are the security procedures? Does the daycare follow them?

Check out the bathrooms. Ask to see the kitchen. Check if the caregivers and other staff embers wear gloves when cleaning up bodily fluids. How are the rooms cleaned that your child will be in? Are cots disinfected? Is bedding washed or sent home with you on a consistent basis? Are the tables and other furniture appropriately child-sized? Are the toilets and sinks? What is the outdoor play area like?

Assess the Communication Style

How proactive is the daycare with communication? Will you get a summary of your child’s day, down to the number of dirty diapers and time and length of her nap? Will you be called immediately if there is a concern? Is the caregiver approachable for questions and discussion?

Understand Expectations the Daycare Has of You and Visa-Versa

Are you expected to pay for a full-time week over a certain number of days? How do vacations and holidays work? What hours is the daycare open? Will the daycare be able to take your child early or keep her late if necessary? If so, what is the charge of doing so?

Understand the Sick Policy

Most daycares are specific about what constitutes a sick child or an infection that will not be allowed to be in daycare. A child in my son’s daycare came down with the highly contagious conjunctivitis (also known as pinkeye). I was relieved the affected child was sent home immediately and could not return to daycare until a doctor said he was no longer contagious.
As a parent you hope the daycare will follow the policies they have in place. Understand that adhering to the policy is important not only for your child, but others as well.

By Judy M. Miller, a freelance writer and a mom to four children, all of whom have spent time in daycare when young. She is a Gottman Educator and the author of What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween and .

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There is no doubt the decision to end a marriage is stressful. A careful consideration of many aspects, many of which may not be obvious, can help to navigate a successful divorce, and thus a more positive beginning to your future. Anyway, you would need some legal advice. Check out www.fennellatlaw.com/ for attorneys that can guide you through this complicated process. Here are a few important terms to know if you are at that crossroad in your marriage:

Uncontested Divorce

Uncontested Divorce tends to be a more amenable process and often a less costly alternative. Couples resolve issues necessary to divorce without going to court. Mediators and Collaborative Attorneys are experts at helping couples facilitate the terms of their “no court” divorce.

Mediation

In mediation, the couple generally sets up a series of meetings to address financial and parenting issues. Couples can choose one mediator or co–mediators, where each party feels as if they have an advocate to assist in understanding the process and offering one-on-one guidance. The couple must be able to agree on substantive issues, and there can be no issues of domestic abuse. A trained mediator can help you work through disagreements so that the terms of your divorce are your own. Consult with an attorney whom you trust.

Collaborative Divorce

Collaborative Divorce is another “no court” alternative where parties retain independent collaboratively trained counsel. All parties sign an agreement stating negotiations are private. The parties agree any information utilized during the collaborative process will not be used in the event the parties cannot resolve their issues. In fact, the attorneys cannot represent the parties in the event the breakdown in negotiations results in the couple going to court. This is to ensure that all parties are committed to doing anything necessary to reach an agreement.

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Contested Divorce

Contested divorce is an adversarial process where one party sues the other for divorce. Often the dissension that has existed in a couple’s marriage has escalated to a degree where the parties can no longer constructively communicate with each other. With negotiations at a standstill, spouses seek help. Generally, each party has separate counsel. If custody is an issue, the judge may appoint a third attorney, who will be paid by the parents, to represent the children. Once you file a contested divorce, you are asking a third party to decide your future. Your entire family is the subject of a lawsuit that may require additional financial and or psychological forensic experts and you must accept the fact that the result may not be what you had hoped for. The process takes time and even after a hotly contested divorce goes through trial it may take up to a year for the Judge to issue a decision. The couple must understand there is an emotional and financial cost associated with going to court.

Do I need a lawyer?

Counselors in the practice of family law generally have a good sense on how to help a spouse get what he or she is entitled to while surveying the future to help avoid common pitfalls. Laws change! Changes in the law could have a significant impact on the terms of your divorce. Divorce is final–you need to know your rights. Family law attorney in Nashville TN can advocate for your rights while making the process as quick and painless as is possible given the circumstances.

What am I entitled to?

You must first establish your marital estate. The marital estate consists of all assets and debts that have been acquired from the date of marriage until the date of filing for divorce or legal separation. Any property acquired, pensions, Annuities/life insurance policies, and other valuables, whether held jointly or in an individual’s name may be part of your marital estate. There may be separate property claims that need to be addressed. All assets need to be considered when establishing the couple’s marital estate.

Spousal support

In January of 2016, New York enacted a maintenance statute. The new law provides a formula to determine the amount of support a spouse may be entitled to from the other spouse, and guidelines for determining the number of years they are to receive support.

Children

If there are children, find a reputable attorney in West Bend and iron out issues of child custody, support, and visitation must be determined. The Child Support Standards Act governs in New York and dictates the amount of child support. Child Support is for basic needs of children, including food, clothing, and shelter. It does not include additional expenses such as the cost of extracurricular activities, uniforms, private tuition, or birthday party gifts. It is important to note that an award of sole custody does not relieve the non-custodial parent from child support obligations. The sole custodial parent, however, must make a good faith effort to include the other parent in major childrearing decisions.

Conclusion

The goal of a successful divorce is one where both parties can accept the terms of the divorce. It is the intent of the parties at the time of divorce that needs to be materialized in the agreement so that outside influences cannot pay a role. Marriages end, people move on and build new lives. After all, isn’t that the point of getting divorced? Divorce should not be rectifying the past, but looking toward the future.

By Staten Island attorney Lisa Giovinazzo, of SI Divorce and Mediation Center.

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