Luke Douglas

Even though the times of strict patriarchy are long gone and the world has made great strides to make equality an essential element of a modern household, the father still remains a key supporting figure in the lives of his family members. Whether you are the sole provider or are sharing the financial burden of raising a family with your significant other, your top priority should be to secure the financial future of your home, your kids, and your spouse.

Naturally, this is a cumbersome goal that cannot be achieved solely with determination and wishful thinking. Rather, it requires careful planning and meticulous execution in order to come to life. Here are the five essential tips you need to follow in order to secure your family’s financial future.

Leave no debt hanging over their heads

It might sound a bit counterintuitive, but the first thing you need to think about is yourself. You need to resolve all outstanding financial issues in order to reduce debt and prevent it from falling on the shoulders of your loved ones when you’re gone. What’s more, it’s essential that you start planning for your retirement.

Creating a retirement plan will allow you to preserve your financial independence in your silver years, and thus alleviate the financial pressure of caring for your well-being off of your children and other family members. Remember, as a father and a man, you need to be able to take care of yourself in your old age, or at least pay for professional care – don’t expect your children to carry the burden.

Setting goals should be a priority

If you don’t know what you’ve set out to achieve, then you’re never going to achieve it, simple as that. Raising a family and maintaining a solvent household in the process is a difficult task, but it becomes downright insurmountable when you lose track of your finances or if you don’t know what your mid-term and long-term financial goals entail.

With that said, it’s time you set some S.M.A.R.T. financial goals in order ensure your family’s happiness while being able to withstand all financial difficulties in life. From home remodeling to sending your kids off to college, these are all goals you need to plan for well in advance.

Build a financial legacy for your family

One of the most essential elements of a financially-stable household is insurance. Your home needs it, you need it, and your family members need it. There is no way around it – you can never know what tomorrow might bring, and you need to be able to meet all financial challenges head on.

Most importantly for a modern father, you need to make sure your family will be taken care of in the unlikely event that you’re no longer able to. Life insurance is the foundation of family budget planning as it allows you to plan your future without fear, knowing that should you perish, your financial legacy will keep your family solvent for years to come.

Diversify your income stream

Another important thing to remember is that there is no guarantee that you will be able to keep your job over the years, nor that your earnings alone will be enough to support your family through its numerous milestones in life. If you want to establish true financial independence, you will need to diversify your income stream.

In essence, you need a side hustle that won’t take up too much of your time, preferably something you can establish as passive revenue that requires minimal daily effort on your part. Consider online freelancing jobs, something close to your primary skillset and knowledge base that you can monetize in a short timeframe.

Establish a financial fund for every goal

On a final note, consider creating a financial fund for every major milestone in your life and the lives of your family members. Allocating a certain amount of financial resources every month towards a goal is an excellent way to keep yourself accountable and actually reach it, no matter if you’re saving up for your kids’ tuition fees, an emergency fund, or your retirement. Make a fund, and make it a priority to contribute every single month.

Conclusion

Creating a financially-stable future for your family is not something you can achieve overnight. This is a cumbersome project that will require a sound battle plan and a determined mindset, so follow these essential tips in order to pave the road to long-term solvency for yourself and your loved ones.

Inflammation is a natural process that our bodies require in order to function properly. It’s perfectly normal, and necessary for our immune system to flare up when we’re under attack by a virus or a bacterial infection, and inflammation is a normal immune response to vigorous workouts.

However, those are samples of acute inflammation, while the chronic, perpetual kind is the one we need to nip in the bud. It’s this chronic sort that wreaks havoc on our and our kids’ health and is considered one of the key culprits of numerous diseases, from diabetes, Alzheimer’s, to heart disease, to name a few. By teaching your kids to eat well, you’ll help them develop healthy habits that will protect their health and wellbeing for the rest of their lives. Among many foods, the following ten are favorites among nutritionists and experts when it comes to tackling inflammation.

1. Strawberries

In all likelihood, this will not be a difficult task to inspire your little ones to munch on strawberries, especially if you dip them in a bit of dark chocolate. Fun fact: strawberries are not fruit, but a kind of a rose, so perhaps this might make them even more interesting for your youngsters. Packed with vitamin C and K, and they are a great source of antioxidants, which are vital in fighting inflammation.

2. Garlic

Definitely not as tasty as the previous entry, garlic is a tough sell for youngsters, even though it’s loaded with compounds that have proven medical properties, one of which is warding off inflammation. Add it to their omelet, a green smoothie, or your spaghetti sauce, if they won’t eat it raw with an occasional meal.

3. Salmon

Or any other fish that’s rich in healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids, which are an excellent addition to any diet that focuses on reducing and preventing inflammation. A perfect way to introduce them into your kids’ diet is to make salmon cakes or fish sticks, they’ll love them!

4. Turmeric

A sumptuous, earthy spice used in many Indian dishes, turmeric contains an anti-inflammatory ingredient called curcumin, which is a marvelous choice to spice up your kids’ morning omelet as well as smoothies. It’s known for its healing properties and used both in the form of a spice and as a healthy supplement. It might be a taste they’ll need to get used to, but their health will be all the better for it!

5. Whole grains

As wonderful sources of fiber, whole grains such as rice, oats, and quinoa are easy to prepare, incredibly versatile, and they keep your kids’ bellies full for longer. Their fiber and mineral content makes them a great choice for healing inflammation, so don’t be shy when it comes to enriching your youngsters’ meals with whole grains. Oatmeal is a great start as a breakfast loaded with healthy ingredients.

6. Cinnamon

A winter favorite and a perfect spice for desserts for your little ones, cinnamon is actually rich in inflammation-fighting molecules. Pick the Ceylon variety for its healing properties, add it to your apple desserts, and let this delicious spice improve their immune systems one tasty treat at a time.

7. Beans

Packed with protein, fiber, as well as various minerals, beans are a true power-house of anti-inflammatory ingredients for your little ones. They are surprisingly versatile, you can use them to cook hearty lunches with meat, or prep delicious, yet healthy desserts such as brownies. Talk about all the ways you can infuse this healthful ingredient into their diets!

8. Greens

Kids may not be crazy about broccoli or kale, but all green veggies are their best allies when it comes to preventing and treating inflammation. Brimming with vitamins and antioxidants, green vegetables are your absolute best choice, and you can infuse your smoothies with spinach, for instance, without your little ones figuring it out. However, try to vary between steamed veggies, mashes, and smoothies, to hopefully let your kids develop a taste for these greens.

9. Apples

The old saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away rings true when it comes to inflammation, so you can use it as a healthy, yet sweet treat for your kids that will double as an anti-inflammatory agent. However, make sure to serve your kids apples with skin, as it contains the highest portion of the fiber of the entire fruit. Pair it with some cinnamon, and you have a dream team that will keep your kids healthy and their immune systems strong!

10. Tomatoes

Another great veggie choice that comes with a slew of ways to be prepared, tomatoes are tasty, juicy, and easy to serve in salads, cooked in sauces, and added to meaty meals. In addition to fiber and vitamins, tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant which is a known inflammation-buster. Add it to your kid’s pizza, or a summer salad, and they’ll reap the health rewards in no time.

While it may be a challenge to get your kids to eat absolutely every healthy grocery on the list, your goal should be to teach them to eat diverse foods. Show them how they can make delicious, yet healthy treats, and replace processed sweets with these home-made nutritious goodies, and they’ll be on the right track to develop strong, healthy habits for the rest of their lives.

About Luke Douglas

5 Essential Tips for Securing Your Family’s Financial Future