The Rules of Taking Children Abroad'

Believe it or not, it isn’t always as simple as you think to be able to take your children away with you on vacation. There are a few little traps that some parents face when they plan to take their children abroad. A lot of parents don’t start to realize that this is something that could be an issue whether you are planning a quick trip abroad or a long trip away. One of the things is that consent is needed from both parents if you are separated parents. So there are a few different things to think about. 

So, if you are planning to take your children abroad, then you might need to check a few things before you. You might need the help of a child custody lawyer if you are their other parent are separated, so it isn’t something to take lightly. Here are some things to be thinking about.

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Different Surnames

You may have a different surname from your children, which can happen for a variety of different reasons. You and their other parent could not be married or you might still have your passport in your maiden name. This is something that can be checked up on by immigration officials, so it is important to think about, even if it hadn’t crossed your mind before. It is a good idea to think about having some ID documents with you, such as their birth certificates or your marriage certificate, for example. This is going to be very needed if you are traveling alone with the children, without another parent. You could even think about getting a letter from the other parent, if that is easy to get. Just an extra thing to be thinking about when you plan your vacation.

Relocating abroad with your children

There are a lot of things to think about if you are thinking about relocating with your children to a different country. Both parents, together or not, need to be involved in the decision to relocate with the children as it is something that can mean a large disruption to their life. It can really mean that they are going to be far away from one parent on a long-term basis, if their parents are separated or divorced.

When you need to take children on a vacation, it is actually against the law to remove a child from the country on a permanent basis without the consent of both parents. So no matter what dreams and plans you have, it won’t be possible without full consent from the other parent. You could look into going to court in order to do so, but it can be a long process. 

If you have some questions about taking your children away on vacation, especially if you parents are divorced, then it is a good idea to seek some help from a lawyer if needed. You don’t want to run the risk of anything happening, so ask the questions and get prepared ahead of time.

Taking Your Newborn On Your Travel Adventures?

Just because you’ve got a new addition to your family, doesn't mean you have to pitch your tent. You can still travel to your heart’s content, but you’ll need to be ready to take on some challenges. Newborn babies are inherently fragile, but they’re not so fragile that you can’t travel with them. You just need to be mindful of the usual things, such as skin rashes, restlessness, loud places, flashing lights, and hot and cold temperatures. The only concern is, some of these issues can be exacerbated when you’re traveling. You never know what kind of condition your hotel or motel is going to be while on the road. Packing certain items with you will allow your newborn to stay comfortable and allow you as the parents, to adapt to almost any situation. Some of the issues will be minor and others will be major, but if you follow these guidelines you’ll be right as rain.

Sleeping soundly

While on the road you should seek to give your newborn a sleeping environment that is as close to home as possible. The reason for this is, you don’t want your baby to always be confronted with a new setting. Changing rooms and locations can be stressful for adults and children, let alone a newborn child. Therefore, it's in your best interest to look for a travel cot. These portable cots offer a similar sleeping environment that you would find at home. Some of the best travel cots are enclosed, made with mesh so air can freely flow through, and use a fabric that is both waterproof and windproof. They are portable but to varying degrees. Some are easily folded up and others you’ll need to give a bit more space to not damage the structures by excessive bending. Overall, travel cots aren’t that heavy either as the weight should be around 2-3kg. You may also want to buy earplugs for your baby. This way, the sounds of the room and outside environment can be drowned out. This is going to help your baby get a good night’s sleep if you’re in a busy city that never slows down, like New York. 

Germs attach easily

While traveling to new and wonderful places, we must be aware of germs and bacteria that might be lurking around. We’re so transfixed with the amazing sights and views, that we forget we may not be used to the germs that are floating around. Your baby’s skin is especially vulnerable to these things. This can cause acne for your child as dirt and debris, mixed with natural oils create a messy concoction. But don’t worry because it's not difficult trying to treat this. Here are a few ways of overcoming baby acne. Using cleansing water is one way to gently rub the irritation and clean the area without much pressure. Don’t rub the area with a piece of rough fabric. Keeping all kinds of clothing away from the face is advised. Using creams and lotions will only add to the problem. The skin is overly oiled and thus, the germs are able to be transferred around easily. Whatever you do, don’t pop the spots. You have to be patient and allow the inflammation to slowly die down of their own accord. 

Avoid crowded places

You may want to go and visit Times Square, but with a newborn baby in your hands, that’s not the wisest thing to do. You can travel with a newborn, but going to crowded areas is not recommended. You don’t want to put your child through undue stress. The whole time is going to be challenging. First off you may need to use public transport to get to such areas of interest where there are lots of people. This means you’re in confined spaces with hardly any room to breathe most of the time. Thus, you will be putting your baby through a lot of stress. Your baby will also be crying when there are too many things happening at once. Overloading their mind is going to make newborns scared and frightened. 

If you are going to travel to places where there are lots of people, it's best to visit them at a distance. Instead of going to the inner city of New York, you could visit the suburban neighborhoods where there are fewer people but much the same vibe. Not taking public transport is a given, so booking a rental car or hopping into a taxi is something to consider.

Energy at the ready

While you’re traveling the world, your newborn should never be hungry. That’s why packing baby food that won’t necessarily go off so easily, is highly recommended. Fruit purees are at the top of the list. Due to their acidity and other ingredients, they remain edible for a long time. They’re also sealed so no air can filter into the bottles. Fruit purees have a long shelf life without the need to have any chemicals inside them. Boiled vegetables are close to the top because they offer your baby a lot of nutrition and aren’t that complex to digest. You can buy local vegetables wherever you are and boil them in your hotel room. The boiling temperatures will kill any germs, making local produce safe for consumption. You don’t need to add anything to the vegetables either, as they will be naturally sweet and flavorful. Oatmeal is simple, easy to make and highly inexpensive. Oatmeal is naturally soft when cooked right, thus there’s also no choking hazard. Add a little sugar and milk, and your baby will have a full meal in no time at all. The great thing is, oats can be stored almost indefinitely. Since they are dry, they won’t go off and you can use how much you want whenever you want.

Traveling with a newborn baby is challenging but it's not impossible. Your life doesn't have to stop when you bring your child home. Just be warned that having a portable cot with you is going to save you many sleepless nights and aggravated early mornings. 

Why Canada is the Perfect Place for a Family Vacation

Pixabay - CCO Licence

From vibrant cities to rural, rugged landscapes, Canada has everything to offer. If you’re looking for a family-friendly holiday destination, this sublime North American country should be top of your list. No matter what your interests, you’ll find a wide range of attractions, excursions, and expeditions.

The Calgary Stampede

For an authentic Canadian experience, it’s hard to beat the annual Calgary Stampede. If you’re vacationing in July, be sure to plan a visit to ‘The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’. As well as world-class shows, you’ll have fairground rides and stalls to explore. The carnival-like atmosphere is ideal for families and the wide range of exhibitions, shows and attractions mean there’s always something new to see. 

When you’re planning your trip to the Calgary Stampede, you’ll want to arrange accommodation well in advance. With a handy hotel in Airdrie, Alberta, you can base yourself close to the venue and near to other attractions too. Amenities, such as indoor pools, fitness centers, and saunas mean you’ll have the perfect place to relax after a long day at the Stampede. Over 1 million people visit the Calgary Stampede each year and it’s one of the most popular events in the country, so be sure to plan your trip in advance and book your accommodation early.

Calgary Zoo

Home to over 1,400 animals, Calgary Zoo has impressive facilities and enclosures that are designed to mimic the animals’ natural habitats. With bears, hippos, tigers, gorillas, pandas, penguins and much, much more, it’s easy to spend an entire day wandering around this fantastic environment.

Routinely described as one of Canada’s top family-friendly attractions, there are interactive exhibitions for children of all ages and regular events too. Throughout the festive period, the Zoo runs the ZOOLIGHTS program, which is filled with activities, such as Wizarding Wednesdays and Potions Class. If you’re planning a winter break, it’s an ideal venue for families and young people. 

Canada Olympic Park

Now open to members of the public, the whole family can enjoy themselves at this spectacular Olympic Park. Winter events include the Acura Tube Park, ice skating, skiing, snowboarding and hockey and you can also try summer bobsledding, zip line tours, free falls, skyline luge, mountain biking and mini golf throughout the summer. 

Designed to be a family-friendly experience, there are activities aimed at all ages, and you can even book lessons or courses to hone your skills. Whether you want to explore the outdoor slopes, take a scenic ride on the chairlifts or free fall from eight stories up, the Canada Olympic Park has it all. 

Planning your vacation to Canada

In a country that covers 10 million square kilometers, you’re never going to run out of places to visit. From the magical national parks to the urban life of the cities; you’ll find family-friendly activities in every location. If you want to keep toddlers busy or make sure teens are entertained, Canada is the perfect place for children of all ages, and grown-ups too.

Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception #WashingtonDC2019

My daughter's class had their field trip in Washington DC May 3-5, 2019.  We left the day after we got back from Charleston WV for the  championship of the WV History Bowl .  The last week of April and first week of May was a tiring  time for us physically (physically and mentally for my daughter).  I went together with other parents as chaperones.  It was exhausting but fun and educational.  It was my daughter and I's  first time  visiting Washington DC so we were excited.

We left Weirton by bus at 6 a.m. and was suppose to arrive around 11:45 in DC but  the driver missed one exit and we had to deal with some heavy traffic so our scheduled tours got  delayed.  We arrived at the Basilica  of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception  past noon so we missed to attend the 12:10 mass that we were suppose to attend.  

The front exterior of the shrine is beautiful.

Our tour  lasted for an hour.  There is so much to see and learn inside the church.

I wish that the tour guide that was assigned  to us  was a little lively so we could understand  what he was explaining but he was old and the voice was very low.  It was  putting me to sleep almost.

Anyway, these are just some of the  photos I took inside the  Basilica.

The Basilica of the Shrine is designated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a National Sanctuary of Prayer and Pilgrimage.  This great Basilica is our nation’s preeminent Marian shrine, dedicated to the patroness of the United States, the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception.

I can tell the kids were feeling it to have their photos taken as the sun was shining  in their faces but we managed to take some.

It would have been nice if we could have  catch the noon mass, it would have been a memorable experience  aside from the tour.  

On the positive side of  us missing the  exit was that  it might have  protected us from some sort of accident because  there was an accident where we suppose to  exit so it was a blessing in disguise.  God works in mysterious ways so I  always look at the bright side of things.  Anyway, if you are in Washington DC and looking for some things to do, try to see the Basilica Shrine, it's beautiful!

Discreet Options for Straightening Your Smile

If you've been putting off a straighter smile because of the disruption orthodontics could make in your routine, you need to know there are other options available locally. If you're looking for something, aligner trays can do the work of braces for moderate or minor adjustments. There are limits to the improvements they can make, but many if not most cases fall into that window. Since many adults who did not have the opportunity to address alignment issues in their youth put it off because of the visibility caused by braces, options for Invisalign Montreal need to be more prevalent in the public's awareness.

All Smiles:  Washington DC 2019

How Does It Work?

Aligner trays are removable, so when you need to eat they get out of the way. At the same time, though, they need to stay in place for 22 hours a day, so patients do sleep with them in. They're also removed for cleaning, though, and the fact that you can clean your aligners separately from your regular brushing makes it convenient. Recently, a teen version of Invisalign has come out with a colored dot that disappears when it's time to put the aligners back in, to help with self-monitoring. Many patients worry about the cost of the system and its drawbacks, but it really is comparable to other treatments, because while the up-front costs can be higher, other costs can be streamlined in some cases. In fact, the less expensive option sometimes changes from patient to patient.

Learning More About Treatment

If you're considering this as an option, you need to learn more about how it will meet your needs. For that, you need a professional consultation because a lot depends on exactly what is going on in your mouth. Generally speaking, though, people without major complications find this option quite accessible, and a consultation can also tell you more about whether your insurance covers this option. It can also be a good way to learn about financing if you are going out of pocket, so don't wait to learn more.

Eight Top Ways To Decide Your Next Family Vacation!

Are you finding it hard to decide on your next family vacation it’s a pain, isn't it? Especially when you have younger kids and older kids. Trying to find the right destination that suits people of all ages can be a difficult thing to do, and while there are plenty of conversations to be had, you also need to know where to be inspired. Your kids are going to help you to determine where you can vacation. For example, there’s no chance of an adults-only resort where there are white-sugar beaches, is there? Instead, you have to balance not having an adult place to go with not heading to Disneyland for the nineteenth time. 

Instead, you need new places to decide on. This means research, and the good thing is that there are plenty of things to look at that can help you to shortlist your next family vacation location. Are you feeling adventurous? Do you want a beach holiday? Are you up for camping in the wilderness? Either way, you need to decide on the vacation that your family will benefit from, and in the mean time you can read more camping tips here to decide whether you can really camp with toddlers! With all of this in mind, you need some clarity on where you can get some advice about the best vacation for your family and luckily for you, we have a bunch of suggestions that you’re going to benefit from! Let’s take a look:

Head To Social Media

Your friends are going to be invaluable to you at this time. You're connected to a bunch of worldly wise people and whether they go near or far, they’re going to have some inspiration for you in their photos online. Most people love the reviews of people they can trust when it comes to going to new places, and vacation places are no different. Not only can you get the best Airbnb recommendations, you may discover a totally new location you’ve never even heard of. Bonus points for those who have traveled with families, too!

Check Out UNESCO World Heritage Sites

We are blessed to live on a planet that earmarks special locations as being precious enough to preserve. From national parks to beaches, you can find plenty of untouched places in the world that will satisfy everyone in the family. Beach vacations have their positives as well as city vacations, and you can find them on the UNESCO website. There are places like Mostar in Bosnia that you may not have considered. How about Kinabalu Park? There are things to see that you wouldn’t get to when you’re close to home.

Check Your Local Newspapers

There are newspaper articles on travel and local things to see and do every single week. The thing you need to do most right now is actually buy the local paper and see for yourself! There are often reviews on the local camp sites, information about group tours of local towns and cities and, if you’re lucky, coupons and discount codes to go with them.

Take TV Inspiration

How many times have you watched Beaches and wanted to head to the beach there? What about FRIENDS? NYC has never looked more beautiful than with the wide lens shots of the city during the episodes of friends. Take your inspiration from your favorite shows and you can find a whole host of cities and countries to inspire you. There are whole channels dedicated to travel, and you can be on them today and booking your holiday tomorrow. You should see the way David Attenborough talks about the penguins and the kangaroos, and then pack up the kids and go in search of kangaroo parks that will let you stroke and feed them. There’s a whole world out there for you discover, and the TV can help!

Visit Far-Flung Friends

Do you have friends hunkered down in New Zealand? What about sitting pretty in London? If you are lucky, you’ll have friends and family who took advantage of globalization and have settled elsewhere than your home town. Make it a part of your plan to go and visit them, taking into consideration their locations and what’s surrounding them. They’ll be able to be your unofficial tour guides and keep you company during your visit, too. You can get a full experience of a new place when you know the local faces in the area.

Get School-Inspired

Do you remember the days of sitting in lessons and learning about new countries in Geography lessons? If your children are in school right now, ask them where they would be interested in going for the next family vacation. There is every chance that they will have seen some beautiful places come across their desks and they can help. You can make lists of places to go, from Spain to Andalusia, and allowing your kids the chance to give you some help gets them involved in the process.

Visit Travel Agencies

The role of the travel agent may be dying out in the face of the internet, but that doesn't mean that there aren't still knowledgeable travel agencies that can’t help you. Planning a huge family vacation isn’t easy, but with their help you can get your itinerary in order and go! You can figure out what your dream vacation is with their help.

Grill Your Friends

Other than the photos on social media, you are likely to have friends who have visited the places you’ve been desperate to see. So, ask them! Grill them about everything to do with the places you want to see, and get their insider knowledge. You need to choose places that will fit the entire family and they will have been there and can tell you how worth it those countries are. This way, you can build a full picture and possibly color your own rose-tinted glasses.

Phone Booth in Downtown Street of Charleston, WV

After we ate dinner at Pies and Pints, everyone suggested, we should get some ice cream before we walk back to the hotel.  My family was full from the food we ate that we  just decided to just wait for the rest while we  explore the streets.  While we were waiting, we hangout in the front.  I can't remember the name of the ice cream place but everyone says it's really good.

When you have kids, sitting is not an option which is good because we needed to burn the calories we  had at the restaurant.

While the kids  are having fun  exploring the telephone booth, I was also having fun with them.

I mean how can you resist  these energetic kiddos.  They give me life and make me want to stay stronger and healthier everyday so I can keep up with their energy.  I wish that this phone booth  isn't broke.  I was going to  let the kids  experience  how to use  this kind of phone and call a friend or family back home.

If you look at the picture, it seems like the phone has nothing wrong with it.

But my daughter is just  holding it together.  Someone have broken it in half and the wiring  is messed up too.  

It sad that some people can't help but destroy  things.  I wish  everyone has a sense of preserving things.  

Anyway, after  10 minutes or so, the gang is ready for a long walk.  The  restaurant is a bit far from our hotel but we all agreed to walk just so we could all explore and also have some  exercise while discovering the area.  I will be sharing the beautiful view of our route.  We also  seen some not-so-pleasant scene along the way.

3 Common Mistakes Parents Make When Moving With Children

Moving is a tedious and time-consuming task. Regardless if you’re just going to move within the same city, expect that you will still exert time and effort in scouting for the best moving company NYC. Moving long distance will require from you as you’ll have to look at several long-distance movers and compare your options. And while moving itself is already challenging, the task can become tougher when you’re doing it with kids. Fortunately, moving with children can become a breeze if you know what mistakes to avoid.

In South Korea - 2008

Aside from making sure that all of your valuables are properly packed, and you have properly budgeted for the move, as a parent, you should always look after your children. Just as how tiring a move is, the same can also be felt by your children. For your upcoming move, make sure to avoid committing the following mistakes:

1. You’re Not Bringing The Children Whenever You Visit Your New House

After choosing a home to move in, you will usually change your schedule and visit your new home weeks before the actual move. This is the time when you carefully inspect if the home is equipped with the amenities your family needs and if its neighborhood is suitable to your family’s lifestyle. You’ll have the free range to decide when to visit the new house. And because children can be a handful at times, most parents would opt to leave them home whenever they are visiting the new house. Most parents think that their children will not have any tasks on the new house, there’s no need to bring them. When you’re moving with your children, make sure that you don’t commit the same mistake.

Instead of leaving your children home, tag them along whenever you visit your new house. If possible, visit the new area during weekends so their studies will not get in the way. Bringing your children to your new house will allow them to adjust easily. They will know what the new house will look and better manage their expectations. Even if they are only children, keep in mind that they will still need to adjust when moving – and allowing them to personally see and experience the new neighborhood will enable them to do just that.

2. You Forget Communicating About Them

As mentioned, a move will require a lot of tasks from you and from other adults of the family. Aside from picking the right professional moving company to hire, you will also need to think about the expenses before, during, and after your moving day. And while it can be tempting to totally disregard the children in decisions and updates regarding the move, don’t do it. Neglecting to communicate with your children about the move can only make them feel isolated from the family. They will think that they are not part of the family, and as a result, they won’t show interest in helping with the move. In worse cases, they might even begin to rebel against you because you excluded them from the move.

Any updates about the move should be communicated to the children. Have you picked a new house? Is your moving date already scheduled? Does the family know why you guys are actually moving? Sit down with your family whenever there is progress about the move. This is a simple step that can keep the family intact, making it easy for you to assign tasks whenever needed. Don’t forget to ask for their opinions and suggestions, as well. You’ll be surprised how smart your children are once they provide effective packing and storage hacks!

3. You’ll Be Unprepared While On The Road

Children can want different things at different times. They might want to eat a bar of chocolate now and the next thing you know it, they’re looking for their favorite stuffed animal. To avoid stress when traveling on the road, prepare all of the things your children will possibly need and want. This means packing their favorite snacks, toys, and even sleeping essentials. The more prepared you are, the easier it’ll be for you to manage your children’s behavior.

Change Your Mindset

Instead of focusing on how tiring a move is, look at it in a positive view. Utilize the move as a time to bond with your children and know them better. If you treat the moving as an activity that can bring the family together, for sure, you’ll be driven to accomplish the task as soon as possible!

Morgantown, West Virginia #MarriottHotell

The  25th Catholic Schools Dinner was held in Marriott Hotel in Morgantown, WV.   We've never really explore Morgantown but we do drive by there often times when we do our road trip.  It was our first time to see a little bit of Morgantown.

Marriott Hotel was located by the river so the back of the hotel is quite relaxing.  I can imagine how beautiful it is during the Fall.  It  still looks dead  during the event but still a breath of fresh air to  go out from the  hotel and enjoy mother nature.

As I have mentioned in my previous post at the other blog, we suck at socializing so we kind of avoided the crowd and hang out at the back and  took some pictures.

Our son is not digging the pictures though lol.  Oh well, he will regret not smiling for pictures (I warned you, giggles).

The table outside served as our camera holder for a family picture.  I should have brought our tripod but it's inconvenient carrying it around especially to an event like this.

The cherry blossoms were  beautiful out there.  It reminds me of the annual  Spring Flower Festival we used to go to in South Korea when we were still living there.  In  Japan, cherry blossom festival is called Sakura festival but in South Korea,  it is called beot-kkot.

I wish the  mountain isn't looking dull but the cherry blossoms kind of beautify  the view.

There was a greeter at the door of the hotel which I thought was nice.  I am not sure if he was part of the  event's organizer or an employee of the hotel.  I thought it was a nice touch to welcome the guests.

Exercise is Essential to Your Little Ones' Wellbeing

When we think of exercise, we tend to think of adults hitting the gym or fitness classes. Of course, exercise is important to adults. But it’s important for kids too! Luckily, kids do get a lot of their exercise organically. They tend to run from one place to another much more than adults do and they tend to engage in more physical play. But seeing as it’s recommended that kids get at least one hour a day of exercise, you might want to try incorporating routine exercise in too! 

 Of course, let your kids still engage in other activities they enjoy. Game consoles aren’t bad and neither are other more creative pursuits. But a little exercise is going to be good all round. A great place to start is team sports. Team sports don’t feel like exercise, because there’s such a social element to them. Your kids will be bonding with others, learning communication skills and teamwork at the same time as getting a physical workout. 

 You can also try individual activities. Alternative activities like archery, high jump, dance, and other exercise are all just as good for your kids and might appeal a little more to those who prioritize independence and freedom - wanting to work alone and at their own pace. 

 The infographic below by Cisco Athletic Uniform Manufacturers shows some common trends in youth sports participation. Take a look and make sure that you’re helping to contribute to positive trends - keeping your kids fit and healthy!

Infographic Design By Cisco Athletic Uniform Manufacturers

Travel Dining with Friends at Pies and Pints in Charleston WV

Dining while traveling is fun especially if you do it with family and friends.  Part of traveling adventure is exploring the food.  Sometimes you  find the food that resembles the food that you  ate at one place or it reminds you of your home cooking but most of the times, you discover something new for your palate.  During our adventures in Charleston, West Virginia, we explored the food with friends.

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Our first day in #CharlestonWV. We had our dinner at Black Sheep Burrito. #ExploringWV #AlmostHeaven #WVCapital

A post shared by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Apr 28, 2019 at 4:07pm PDT

We have experience with our family friends before but this time, we have  multiple families with us who also  participated in the History Bowl championship event.    Black Sheep Burrito was  a decent place to dine.

Pies and Pints was a great place too.  They have so many options.

The great thing about it is the experience that we all shared in  trying this new place.

We had our school principal with us  and three other families, it was a great time.

If you ever visits our state capital and looking for a place to eat, I highly recommend Pies and Pints especially if you like beer.  I am not a drinker so I dunno about  beer but I didn't know how many there are !  The place has a display of beer cans on their wall and almost all of them were so unfamiliar to me ha ha.  Traveling and dining with friends is a whole lot of fun for sure.

Surviving Financial Hardship

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Another day at the #dental 🦷 office for their #ToothFillings. Our former #dentist have retired so we have a new one.

A post shared by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Jul 11, 2019 at 6:02am PDT

Things happen — between the roof springing a leak to your daughter’s wisdom teeth needing removed, sometimes life throws unwelcome surprises at you. A loan can be a blessing or a curse and can only take you so far (click here if you’re interested), but it is an uneasy feeling to know that you are in debt.

Take it All In

The first step in managing your debt is to acknowledge it. You and your partner should both sit down together and open all the scary envelopes that you’ve been avoiding. It’s the opposite of a good time, but it needs to be done. Prioritize all your bills and decide what needs to be paid the most urgently (water, electric, etc).

• Sort by date and company, and use a highlighter to mark the amount due for each bill.
• Total up the amounts from every bill to get an idea of where you stand with each company.

Start Communicating

Once you know how much you owe to each company, you need to contact them as soon as possible. You might be surprised to learn that many companies are willing to work with you and want to help you out. Explain that you are in financial hardship and ask what can be done to help you make regular, but low enough payments.

• Usually you are able to set up payment plans with collection agencies. Believe it or not, being kind to these folks will make them more likely to work with you and an overall more pleasant experience.
• Sometimes you can get a lower interest rate on your bills by pleading your case. This helps to lower your overall monthly bill.

The nauseating, gut-wrenching worry that keeps you awake at night is not a good feeling. If you’re in financial crises, take a breath. Start with what you can take care of and take steps to get the rest under control.