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Tamila McDonald

10 Free Things to Do With Kids to Close Out the Summer

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free things to do with kids

As summer draws to a close, many parents want to spend some extra time with their kids. After all, the start of the school year is approaching quickly, and families may not have the flexibility to run off and have some fun. If you want to do something with your children before summer closes out, here are 10 free things to do with kids.

1. Head to a Street Fair

The warm weather makes summer the ideal time for street fairs. Many towns host arts or cultural events, and many are entirely free for the public. In some cases, they may even have fun activities for kids that relate to the street fair. For example, your child might be able to create something during an art fair or try their hand at a historical skill during a cultural fair.

2. Check Out Cultural Institutions

Some museums, zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens are always free to the public. Others eliminate the cost of admission on specific days or during a particular set of hours. Research your local cultural institutions to see which ones are free and consider making a trip before summer ends.

3. National, State, and Local Parks

In many cases, local parks are always free to the public. Some states also have free parks, or at least host fee-free days regularly, allowing you to come in at no cost to you.

For national parks, consider making a trip on August 25, 2019. The National Park Service has an entrance fee-free day each year to celebrate the agencies anniversary, so you don’t have to pay a dime to get inside.

Once you enter the park, you might have a lot of options for activities. Hiking and biking opportunities are usually plentiful. In some cases, you might even find places to swim or horseback ride. Bringing a picnic lunch is typically an option as well.

4. Volunteer

If you want to teach your kids the value of giving back to the community, consider finding a volunteering opportunity. Many local organizations could use some extra hands all year-round, and it allows your child to do a good deed before summer ends. Consider contacting area animal shelters or nursing homes if you aren’t sure where to start.

5. Head to the Library

Whether you want to escape the summer heat, avoid being outside during a storm, or want an educational experience, the library is a great place to bring kids. Along with summer reading programs, many libraries have story time hours. Plus, your library might host a range of events for children, all of which you can enjoy for free.

6. Check Out a Farmer’s Market

A farmer’s market can be an engaging and convenient destination. Your child can learn more about local farms and foods, and you can get some shopping done along the way. It’s a great way to introduce your child to agriculture, particularly what is grown in your local area. Plus, there are plenty of healthy snacks available at many of the stands too, as well as a few sweet treat options if you want to indulge.

7. Go to the Beach

If you live near a public beach, spending the day on the sand and in the surf is a great way to close out summer. Everyone can burn off a little energy or simply relax on the shore, making it ideal for a high-energy or low-key excursion. Just make sure to bring some beach-friendly toys along, like buckets and shovels, if your kids are younger. That way, they can keep themselves entertained with ease.

8. See the Sites

Many historical landmarks are in public areas, allowing you to enjoy them without having to pay a fee. If you live in or near cities like Washington DC, New York City, or Philadelphia, the options are particularly plentiful. However, nearly every city, big and small, has some historical sites, so don’t overlook what your immediate area has to offer.

9. Sign Up for Home Depot Kids’ Workshops

If your kids enjoy making something with their hands, consider checking out the Home Depot Kids’ Workshops in your area. Often, your children will get to take on a creative project and learn about using various tools safely, giving them a chance to build new skills in a controlled environment.

10. Take a Factory Tour

Many large factories that make some of the nation’s most popular items offer free tours. If your child loves finding out more about how things are made or is a fan of a particular product, the experience can be very enlightening and engaging. Plus, many food-oriented factories provide free samples along the way, which is a nice bonus.

Ultimately, all of the options above are great for families who want to spend some time together before the end of summer. Plus, most of the activities are appropriate for kids of all ages. Consider doing more than one before the school year starts, ensuring you are able to close out summer on the best note possible.

Do you know of any other free things to do with kids before the end of summer? Share them in the comments below.

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What Age Should You Start Drawing Social Security?

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drawing social security

Deciding when you should start receiving your Social Security benefits is a critical part of retirement planning. If you choose to draw Social Security before you reach full retirement age, you get a reduced benefit. Opting to wait beyond the age where you cross the threshold comes with higher payments. It may also mean you might need to delay your retirement if you don’t have other sources of retirement income. Regretfully, there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to when you should draw Social Security. However, it is possible to examine the situation and make a decision that is right for you. Here’s how.

Know Your Full Retirement Age

Reaching full retirement age (or “normal retirement age”) is often a factor people examine to decide when to take Social Security benefits. While the full retirement age used to be 65 for everyone. Now the age which that occurs varies depending on the year you were born.

Anyone born in 1950 or earlier is already at full retirement age based on the Social Security Administration’s definition. For individuals born between 1951 and 1954, 66 is the normal retirement age.

Starting in 1955, the full retirement age scales up in 2-month increments. For example, those born in 1955 qualify at age 66 and two months. If you were born in 1958, you have to wait until age 66 and eight months to be eligible for full retirement benefits. Anyone born in 1960 or later reaches full retirement age when they turn 67 years old.

Here’s an overview of when people reach full retirement based on their birth year:

Birth Year Full Retirement Age
1950 or earlier Already at full retirement age
1951-1954 66
1955 66 and 2 months
1956 66 and 4 months
1957 66 and 6 months
1958 66 and 8 months
1959 66 and 10 months
1960 or later 67

Choosing to draw Social Security before or after the ages above impacts your benefit. Before you select a different age to start, you need to know how it affects your retirement.

Drawing Social Security Early

You do have the option of drawing Social Security before you reach the full retirement age as long as you are at least 62 years old. However, it results in a reduced benefit.

For individuals with a full retirement age set at 66, your benefits are reduced as follows:

  • 25 percent reduction at age 62
  • 20 percent reduction (approximately) at age 63
  • 3 percent reduction (approximately) at age 64
  • 7 percent reduction (approximately) at age 65

Individuals with a full retirement age of 67 can still draw Social Security early once they are 62.  They must understand that the reduction in the benefit is larger. For anyone born in 1960 or later, the maximum reduction is capped at 30 percent.

It’s important to understand that the reduction is typically permanent. Although you can repay your Social Security benefits and set a new start date resulting in a higher benefit for the remainder of your life, it isn’t a plausible option for many retirees.

Drawing Social Security Late

While receiving Social Security benefits early comes with a benefit, waiting until after your full retirement age passes can also be beneficial. As you wait, you earn delayed retirement credits, which result in a boost to your payments when you decide it’s time to draw Social Security.

For every year you wait beyond your full retirement age, you receive a benefit increase of 8 percent. For example, if your full retirement age is 67, and you wait until you are 70 to claim your benefits, your monthly payment is 24 percent higher.

However, once you reach age 70, there is no additional increase for waiting. While you aren’t required to file for benefits at that time, delaying any further doesn’t give you any more increases, so you are simply missing out on money that could boost your income.

Figuring Out Your Benefits

Since knowing what you could receive from Social Security will play a big role in your retirement decision, you need to examine your account. Every person’s situation is unique, and your financial benefits are based on your past earnings and work credits.

You can receive a personalized estimate from the Social Security Administration through the mySocialSecurity portal. This will give you a clearer picture of where you likely stand before you request any benefits or do any additional planning.

Additionally, your mySocialSecurity account will also show you what your benefits would look like if you retired at age 62 or 70. Although it is based on some assumptions about your earnings going forward, it is a helpful tool.

Making the Decision

Once you have a solid understanding of your potential Social Security benefits. You can start figuring out what age makes sense for you. Usually, you want to examine your other sources of income, such as retirement accounts or work-related earnings, once you reach age 62 as a starting point. You should also reflect on your planned retirement lifestyle, as this may impact how much you need on a monthly or annual basis to live how you’d like.

If you have other retirement accounts that can sustain you or plan to keep working, delaying might be a wise move. It allows you to receive a larger monthly payment for the rest of your life, which may make it easier to live without a traditional income.

However, if the idea of retiring early is appealing (or necessary, such as for a health reason), you might want to file earlier. This may be a viable option for those whose expenses will be far reduced in retirement, might only want to work part-time, or need to leave the workforce and require a reliable source of income.

Just be aware that filing before your full retirement age means your benefit is reduced, so make sure to consider that before going forward. Additionally, if you retire early and continue working, you might have to deal with a benefit reduction. In 2019, if you retire before full retirement age, for every dollar you earn above the annual limit of $17,640, your benefit reduces by $1 for every $2 you make.

Ultimately, choosing when to start receiving Social Security benefits is a personal decision. You need to examine your financial situation and figure out what is best for you today, tomorrow, and well into your retirement years.

Do you already draw Social Security? If so, at what age did you start? If not, at what age do you plan on drawing Social Security? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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5 Circumstances That Make It Better To Rent

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Most adults dream of owning their own home. Being a homeowner comes with an air of stability. Plus, it allows you to have a space that is yours to do with as you please, which is enticing. However, there are situations where renting is genuinely the better choice. Here’s a look at five circumstances where it’s better to rent.

1. You Might Want to Move Soon

Buying a home locks you into that property to a degree. While selling may be an option, that can be a time-consuming process. There is no guarantee that you can find a buyer quickly. As a result, if you would need that money to move to another city, state, or country, you’re a bit stuck.

As a renter, you generally have more flexibility. If you might want to explore job opportunities in another area, travel to a new state for fun, or even just find a smaller or larger place, you can usually do that without much hassle. While you might need to contend with your lease agreement, that is often far less cumbersome than trying to sell a house so you can head off on a new adventure.

2. Renting Might be Cheaper and Less Stressful

When you become a homeowner, you are responsible for much more than just the mortgage. You also have to contend with property insurance, real estate taxes, and maintenance costs at the absolute minimum. And failing to handle those expenses can come with some serious consequences.

If you rent instead, you might actually be able to get out cheaper. While landlords often factor in all of the costs associated with the property when determining the monthly rate, you won’t have to worry about having to pay if the refrigerator stops working or the water heater leaks.

Plus, if anything goes wrong with the property, you can just call the landlord. Typically, it is their responsibility to handle things that break, so all you have to do is let them know.

3. Get Better Mortgage Interest Rates

Mortgage interest rates can fluctuate based on the actions of the Federal Reserve. However, even if they are moving up, that doesn’t mean you couldn’t get a better rate down the road than you qualify for today.

If your credit is less than stellar or you have a high debt-to-income ratio, focusing on improving your financial house could be a better choice. By raising your credit score, you could qualify for a rate that’s lower than you’d get today, giving you a chance to save over the entire life of your mortgage.

4. Easier Separation from Spouse or Partner

While no one wants to think that their relationship will end, it can happen. If you both buy a house together, you are giving yourself an asset that will have to be dealt with if you happen to separate or divorce. You could get stuck having to buy your spouse or partner out, have to refinance suddenly, or may even lose the property altogether if neither of you can afford it after.

Even if renting doesn’t save you from potentially having to move, it is usually a much easier situation to deal with than the alternative.

5. Housing Prices Might Not Go Up

Many people view buying a home as an investment. However, the market crash in 2007-2008 showed that prices don’t always go up, and you might be in serious financial trouble if you end up underwater on your mortgage.

If you’re purely considering buying a house as an investment, it’s probably best to pass. Housing markets can be volatile, so it may be better to rent until you actually want to settle down.

Are there any other situations where it’s better to rent than to buy? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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4 Steps to Furnishing Your New Place While Saving Big

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Whether you are moving into your first place or decided to upsize, filling your home with furniture is often a costly venture. According to For Rent, the average person spends $3,596 on bedroom furnishings alone. If you want to buy a new sofa, the average cost, according to Forbes, comes in at about $1,025. For many, spending thousands upon thousands of dollars to furnish their home just isn’t a realistic option. Luckily, it is possible to save big while outfitting your new place. Here are four steps to furnishing your new place that ensure you won’t break the bank.

1. Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops

If you are outfitting your home and need practically everything, thrift stores are a great place to start. Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, and Salvation Army stores are filled with useful household items for incredibly low prices. Plus, if you head to thrift stores near affluent neighborhoods, you might be able to find some high-end brands for cheap.

Consignment shops are also worth exploring when you need to furnish your new place. Like thrift stores, you are buying used items for lower prices. However, the costs can be higher, but the quality might be upped as well, making it a reasonable tradeoff.

2. Reselling Apps and Websites

Apps like LetGo and OfferUp allow shoppers to connect with local sellers who want to get rid of their excess stuff. You can find nearly any item imaginable, especially if you live in or near a big city, including furniture, housewares, and home décor items.

Similarly, Craigslist is still a popular option for people who want to sell items they no longer need, making it worth checking as well. Facebook also has thriving community marketplaces, usually hosted in groups focused on a location. If you need something and want a chance to get it for free, consider signing up at Freecycle as well as people are not allowed to charge for anything they offer up on the site.

Since people can list nearly anything for sale, the prices, quality, and condition can vary greatly. However, it does give you a chance to score some bargains if you are patient and vigilant.

3. Garage, Yard, and Estate Sales

If you don’t mind doing a little traveling, garage, yard, and estate sales can give you a chance to get some nice items for significantly less than retail. As with shopping the reseller apps and websites, the quality, condition, and price can vary. You also have to deal with the travel costs and understand that you could spend hours scouring sales only to find nothing that piques your interest.

However, you do have the option to negotiate to bring prices down further. This means that you could spot a bargain and get it for even cheaper than the usual sticker price.

4. Discount and Big Box Retailers

If the idea of having used furnishings makes your skin crawl, then focus on discount and big box retailers. Stores like Ross Dress for Less, TJ Maxx, Big Lots, and HomeGoods have new items at prices far below traditional retail, and you can actually check out the items in-person at the stores. Walmart, Target, and Ikea also have reasonably priced furniture and household items, and some may be on display, allowing you to get a closer look at a piece before you buy.

For those who don’t feel the need to try before they buy, Amazon, Wayfair, and Overstock could be worth checking out. While the prices can run the gamut, it is possible to score some deals here as well.

Ultimately, it is possible to furnish your new place without breaking the bank as long as you shop in the right places. Consider following the steps above and see if you can’t score some bargains while you outfit your new home.

Do you have another tip that can help people furnish their new place without spending a bundle? Share it in the comments below.

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Which of the Latest IPOs Are Best For Your Portfolio?

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IPOs have been making headlines throughout the first half of 2019. Lyft, Pinterest, and Uber are all huge names that have gone public this year. Many other large companies are working toward doing the same. But not every IPO is a great bet. For example, Lyft truly didn’t live up to the hype when it launched. So you want to be cautious. If you want to know which IPOs deserve your attention, here are a few worth exploring.

Okta

Okta is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company that helps businesses keep their cloud-based data secure. While Okta’s IPO date was in 2017, there is still a ton of potential for growth hear. Its customer base has climbed steadily each year. This includes in the $100k+ customer segment. Plus, Okta tends to become ingrained in its customer’s landscape. Which makes them less likely to make a switch once they hop on board.

Roku

Another company with an IPO date in 2017 that you shouldn’t ignore today is Roku. The Roku platform is an incredibly popular method for streaming to televisions and is increasingly being sold as a built-in system in TVs. Roku is steadily adding customer accounts and nearly 8.9 billion of hours were streamed through them in Q1 2019 alone.

Plus, Roku has a range of income streams, including cuts from streaming giants like Netflix, and popular rental and purchase platforms, such as Amazon. The new Disney streaming service is also going to be stream-able through Roku devices. These collaborations have created another connection to the entertainment giant. Roku even gets a cut of the ad revenue from YouTube videos people watch through the platform.

MongoDB

Since data is king for many companies, businesses that help them manage it are primed to make waves in the market. MongoDB. They had their IPO date in 2017. The company is a market leader in the data management space. Plus, MongoDB Atlas – a fully managed cloud-based database solution – has experience rapid growth (over 300 percent per year). This database solution will likely still be popular for the foreseeable future.

PagerDuty

With an IPO date earlier in 2019. PagerDuty began as a solution that helps ensure only the right IT personnel at a company ae “paged” when an issue arises that needs to be addressed. Over time, additional service options were added. With these developments, PagerDuty is gaining popularity. This is especially true for companies who are open to spending $100k+ to secure their services.

CrowdStrike Holdings

Another tech option is CrowdStrike. Before its June 12 IPO, the company was highly known in the cybersecurity space, partially for being the company that investigated the 2016 Democratic National Convention service hack. The company uses a variety of cutting-edge technologies. It’s share prices have been strong. With cybersecurity being a top concern for many, CrowdStrike is well-positioned to thrive.

IPOs Can Be Very Volatile

It’s important to note that IPOs can be particularly volatile, especially early on. Plus, just because a name is recognizable doesn’t mean it will garner success. Lyft and Pinterest have both taken dramatic tumbles even though nearly everyone is aware of them. So you can’t rely on name-recognition when cultivating your portfolio. Instead, consider your risk tolerance and only invest if you are comfortable.

Do you have your eye on any recent IPOs? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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National Ice Cream Day: 5 Best Ice Cream Flavors of All Time

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5 best ice cream flavors

July 21 is National Ice Cream Day, making it a great time to enjoy some of the tasty treat. An astonishing 96 percent of all Americans eat ice cream, according to a YouGov Omnibus survey. While vanilla ice cream is typically the best-selling flavor, that doesn’t mean it is everyone’s favorite. Many people prefer other versions of this quintessential way to cool off during the warm summer months, often considering vanilla to be a solid standby if their favorite isn’t available. Here is a look at the five best ice cream flavors of all time, based on their current popularity.

1. Chocolate

When it comes to favorite ice cream flavors, more people said chocolate was their go-to choice (based on the YouGov data) than any other option. A surprising 14 percent say that chocolate ice cream is the best, causing it to beat out second place by 1 percent.

If you examine internet search data, collected by software company WorkWise LLC, chocolate was the most commonly searched flavor in four states, putting it in a tie for third place on that list.

However, if you look only at searches for vanilla and chocolate ice cream, chocolate leads in 32 states and the District of Columbia (33 regions total), compared to vanilla’s 18.

2. Vanilla

According to the YouGov data, vanilla – possibly the most classic or traditional ice cream flavor – came in second place. Thirteen percent of the participants said that vanilla was their ice cream flavor or choice.

Vanilla also outsells every other available flavor, according to the International Dairy Food Association. While much of the sales could be attributed to consumers simply enjoying vanilla, it is also a popular flavor for a range of recipes and it is used as an enhancement on other desserts, such as apple pie or as part of a root beer float.

3. Butter Pecan

YouGov’s survey says that butter pecan is actually the third most popular flavor in the United States. It is particularly popular among the 55 and up crowd, with 17 percent of those respondents saying that butter pecan is the best flavor.

Butter pecan is even the most searched ice cream flavor in one state: Alabama. But that only puts the flavor in a tie for eighth place along with 14 other flavors when it comes to internet searches.

4. Cookies and Cream

If you look purely at internet search data, cookies and cream would actually be the most popular ice cream flavor in the country. Cookies and cream came out on top in 14 states when it came to internet searches, beating the next most-popular search, vanilla, which only reigned supreme in five states.

Cookies and cream also ranked high in a YouGov Omnibus study, with 8 percent of participants saying the flavor was their favorite. On that list, cookies and cream was in a tie at fourth when it comes to flavor popularity.

However, when you look at people between the ages of 18 and 34 alone, the study shows that cookies and cream is number one in that age group.

5. Mint Chocolate Chip

Another flavor that ties for eighth place when it comes to internet searches, only coming in as the most-searched in New Jersey, mint chocolate chip is still very popular. The YouGov data actually shows it is as popular as cookies and cream, putting it in a tie for fourth place according to their survey.

Other flavors did perform admirably. Chocolate chip cookie dough and strawberry got six percent of the votes each in the YouGov study, and secured one and four states, respectively, when it came to internet searches. There were also several unique flavors that showed up in the internet search results study, including beer ice cream being the most searched flavor in Connecticut and Pumpkin taking number one in Ohio.

The 5 Best Flavors Choice is A Matter of Taste

Ultimately, which ice cream flavor is best is a matter of taste. This National Ice Cream Day, consider heading out to get a cup or cone of your favorite to celebrate the occasion.

Do you think one of the flavors above is the best? Do you have another favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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