Summer is finally here and that means that life is going to get a little crazy!

If you have kids, they are going to be getting out of school for the summer very soon (if they’re not out already.)

And soon, your schedule is going to be full of graduations, family reunions, weddings, backyard barbecues, and weekend getaways.

Finding the time to blog is going to be a little hard! But don’t worry – you can survive the summer, and so can your blog, by using these tips:

1. Write extra posts now, and then post date them throughout the summer

2. Find guest bloggers. Have them send you their posts, and you can publish (and post date) as necessary.

3. Recycle Your Old Posts – Create new posts based on a theme, and link back to your old posts. For example, if you have a crafty blog, your theme could be “Best Summer Craft Ideas.” If you have a parenting blog, it could be “Keeping Your Kids Busy This Summer,” or if you have a cooking blog, it could be “5 Easy No-Cook Recipes.”

4. Use Pre-Written Blog Posts! I have quite a few packs of pre-written blog posts that you can download and post on your blog. They are ready-to-use and super easy!

You get 10 posts per pack, and for a limited time, when you buy 1 pack, you will get one free! That’s 20 pre-written blog posts for only $10.

I have blog posts on all types of topics – from organic gardening to planning a wedding to online marketing and more!

To see the full list of blog post packs and to purchase them, visit: Pre-Written Blog Posts

Until Next Time….

There are few things more annoying than calls from collection agencies. They hound you and harass you without any care for you or your situation. But there is a way to get the people you owe on your side and get yourself out of debt.

If you’ve been getting collection calls, you’ve probably figured out that dealing with the company you owe is a who lot easier that dealing with the debt collectors. And if you agree, there’s good news. In many cases, there’s no need to deal with the collection agencies. Depending on how your debt is being handled, you may be able to call the company and work with them directly. And they’re usually going to be a whole lot nicer and easier to deal with.

Sometimes, debt collection agencies will buy your debt from your debtor. In this case, you’ll have to work with the collection agency.

Often the agency will collect for the company you owe money and then take a portion of what they collect as their fee. If this is the case, you can still work with the original company. In fact, they would prefer you work with them because then they don’t have to pay a fee to the collection agency.

In a third case, collection agencies will go “fishing”. They will call loan companies and ask if anyone is behind on payments. They will then call these people trying to collect money, even though you haven’t actually been sent to collections. In this case, dealing with the original loan agency is by far the better option.

So how to you tell the difference? Don’t ask the collection agency. In most cases, they don’t actually know or may even lie about it. Call your loan company directly. If they are still legally allowed to work with you, they will.

So, you’ve gotten a hold of your credit card or loan company and they’re just not budging on how much you should pay or even your interest rates, what do you do now? There are several options you can look to for help. Debt managers will take your payment and use it to pay the money you owe. In many cases, they will also work out lower debts or interest payments. You can also go to a debt negotiator who will go to the people you owe and work out a decreased debt amount for you.

If you don’t want to go through a third party, there is a method to negotiate your debt on your own. This, like working with a debt negotiator, is only advisable if you cannot pay your bills and desperately need to find an option. If your credit card company won’t take less money, don’t give them any. Take what you’re able to pay them and put it in a savings account.

After a few bills and some harassing calls, call your credit card company again. If they think they might not get any money at all, they’re much more likely to deal. Once you get what you want, then you can give them the money you’ve been stocking away. While this will adversely affect your credit score, it is not as detrimental as declaring bankruptcy.

If you’ve willing to work on it and put in some time, there are options for working with debt collectors to get yourself out of trouble.

From when you wake up in the morning, to when you go to sleep at night, you are overloaded with hundreds of advertisements, flashy products, and other more subtle marketing techniques. When you’re trying to live on a budget, these things are your enemy.

Here are some tips to avoid the urge to overspend.

Make a list. And stick to it. Many times when we intend to make a shopping list, we end up getting in a rush and running out the door. And we also end up buying a lot of stuff we didn’t intend to and probably don’t need. The easiest way to write a list is to keep a notepad in your house and write and item down when you run out or realize you need it. Then, when you get to the store, only buy what’s on the list. If you want to try new things, search for freebies online to find out if you need it without paying for it.

Never shop hungry?or sad, or angry. We’ve all heard that you shouldn’t shop hungry. And if you’ve ever decided to hold off eating to go food shopping, you know why. But hunger isn’t the only thing that can alter your spending habits. Many people are more likely to spend money when they are emotional as a compensation to make themselves feel better. While you can’t always control when you need to go shopping, try to hold off on your trip if you’re having a really bad day or are just really emotional. And always remember to eat a snack before heading into the grocery store.

Never buy a product simply because it’s on sale. If you can get virtually the same product for a lower price tag, go ahead and do it. But if you never buy frozen dinners, don’t buy one just because it’s on sale. You end up leaving with a lot more than you meant and increase your spending.

Buy only what you need, especially if it’s perishable. Often, stores offer sales only if you buy larger amounts of a product. Sure you get each one cheaper, but you end up spending more money in the end. And if the item is perishable, it may end up going to waste. If the item isn’t perishable, you still need to look at how the extra purchase will affect your budget. Saving a few dollars may not be worth it if you have to go without something else you really need or overdraft your checking account.

Also, take a closer look at the policies of the stores you shop at. Stores like Wal-mart may put up at “2 for $10″, but if you only buy one, you still get the $5 price tag.

Prioritize. Occasionally, even people on a budget can spoil themselves with little treats or even a large splurge, the key is not doing it all the time so you can stay within your budget. Make a list of all your expenses and prioritize them based on your wants and needs. Take care of each need in order. If you have money to spoil yourself when you get near the bottom of the list, then you know you can afford an extra purchase. Just remember to include a savings account near the top of your list in case of emergencies.

By watching yourself and using a little control, you can keep yourself from going overboard.

If you ask someone whether or not they want to be in debt, you’re probably never going to hear them say no. Everyone wants to live within their means, but when it comes to actually doing it, it can be a little more difficult.

The first thing you need to do to live on a budget is to set one. Follow these simple steps to get started.

- Make a list of everything you spend money one.
- Prioritize your list from most important to least important.
- Track your current spending. The easiest way to do this is by using debit cards and looking at your statement. But you can also write how much you spend and what you bought whenever you make a purchase.
- Compare your current spending to your budget to see what you can cut out ($5 for a cup of coffee?) and what you need to keep.
- Set a realistic number to spend on the high priorities on the list based on current spending
- If your total budget is still above what you have available, research ways to lower the important costs, like lowering interest rates on loans, being more energy efficient, and buying lower priced items.

Have a “fun stuff” account. You may think that you’re going to cut back completely: not go out to eat at all, not go to the movies, not take vacations, but that’s not realistic at all. Eventually you’ll probably break down and spend way too much on something you didn’t need because you’re so stressed out from not having any fun. Instead, figure out how much you can afford to “blow” on fun things and put it aside. You can have a schedule, like “we can go out once a month” or you can do occasional small things and save up to a larger vacation or large purchase.

Remember that savings is just as important as paying off debt. Imagine you’ve worked and worked and finally paid down your debt. Then you have a major accident or lose your job and are immediately back into debt and back in trouble. Try to set aside some savings to keep yourself protected in case of severe problems in the future.

Don’t forget to budget for the unexpected. None of us want a car tire to blow or a doctor’s visit but these are things that happen time and time again. If you’re budgeting every penny, don’t forget to factor in the things that can’t be specifically budgeted for. If you budget and nothing comes up, you can put the money in savings to be used to a later surprise expense. The more you can keep in savings, the safer you are.
While living on a budget is an ideal thing, many of us have failed repeatedly when we try to do it. The key is figuring out what budget works for you.

Parenting a child with ADHD can be a difficult task to undertake but it can be a rewarding experience for both the child and the parent. Children seek out boundaries and look to the parents for rules to follow. This is true for children with ADHD as well, but for them the structured rules of family life are harder to abide by.

As parents of an ADHD child, it is important to set rules which are particular to your child and their behavior. Letting the entire family member know what to expect and how to treat the child is also recommended.

A child with ADHD may feel like they are at fault when they are disciplined, but if you explain the disorder to them and make sure they know what they are experiencing is beyond their control, you will create a better understanding between the both of you.

Always use a positive tone when speaking to your child, this reinforcement will help the child build their self-esteem and feel less like they are a problem. Don’t take it to the extreme though, children are smart and know when you are forcing the praise.

If there happens to be an issue with the child’s behavior, address the issue right at the moment the child does the action so you can address the consequence and make them understand that it will not be tolerated. Since children with ADHD are easily distracted, make conversation short and direct, so they can comprehend it.

Children look up to their parents always. No matter if they are getting disciplined or getting praised, they look to the parent for advice, help, love and support. Always be supportive and gentle in the way you speak to your child regardless if they have ADHD or not. The reaction they give is in direct response to your tone and demeanor.

Handling a child with ADHD can be extremely difficult and even the most patient of parents can be pushed to their limits. Handling discipline for a child with ADHD is very different that it is with a normal child. Children with ADHD and typical discipline don’t work well together; in fact, normal discipline routes can make the situation even worse.

One way to handle this is to provide structure and consistency for the child on a day-to-day basis. Don’t try to over-explain things or use too much logic based arguments or reasoning with an ADHD child. A child with ADHD loves to argue and they will argue with you until they wear you down and you relent to their demands. If you want your child to clean his room before he goes out to play, make sure this is something that is done on a daily basis and not every now and then.

This form of structure and consistency will make it easier for the child to accept cleaning his room without it deteriorating into a big argument.

You also need to make sure there are clean and define rules and standards about what is right and wrong. You can never get into a maybe situation with a child who has ADHD; everything has to be black and white. What is not ok to do one day, is not ok to the next day as well.

This makes it very hard on the parent because they have to be ever vigilant and constantly consistent with their standards. Give in once and the child will remember it and constantly go back to it, which will undermine your authority over the long term.

It may be hard at times to be so consistently rigid with a child who has ADHD but, over time and in the long run, it is best for the child. Because they lack the ability to hold back on their impulses at times, this type of consistent structure will only help them, as they grow older. It will also help in making home life better and less stressful for the whole family.

ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a disorder that is, oddly enough, treated with a drug called Ritalin, a stimulant. Now this may seem very strange that a child with a hyperactivity disorder would be treated with a stimulant drug.

Typically stimulant drugs increase the mental activity and physical activity levels on people who take them making them more alert and active. However, Ritalin, given in the smaller doses that are prescribed for ADHD, has the exact opposite effect.

Ritalin is a methylphenidate and these works by affecting a few of the natural chemicals found in the human brain. Specifically, it increases the levels and activity of two chemicals found in the brain called dopamine and noradrenalin and these can have an effect on controlling not only behavior, but attention levels as well.

Children do not produce these two chemicals as much as adults do and it is believed that the addition of the Ritalin into the system helps stimulate the production of these two chemicals. There is no full understanding why Ritalin works so well for many children who suffer from ADHD because they still don’t work for all children.

Ritalin does have some side effects such as:

1) Drowsiness or dizziness
2) Alcohol should be avoided – this would include medicines containing alcohol
3) After one month, if no improvement it noted, the medicine should be stopped and you should see the doctor again

There are other symptoms but, they are not overly common and are explained fully when a doctor is consulted.

Now, Ritalin is not used for all children with ADHD, it’s not a blanket pill that is a cure all for this disorder. Ritalin is used as a part of a comprehensive program to help treat and deal with the effects of ADHD not only for the child, but the family as well. Treatment normally also includes psychotherapy, counseling and behavioral management classes.

ADHD can be made manageable with the help of Ritalin and a good consistent regimen at home but don’t rely solely on the drug to help the child. The involvement of the whole family is needed to truly help the child with ADHD lead a normal life.

For parents dealing with a child who suffers from ADHD, trying to find anything positive about the situation is very difficult. The child lacks the ability to control their impulses due to this disorder and, in the most extreme cases, this completely blurs the line between right and wrong as well as safe and not safe.

Discipline is even more difficult; requiring even more specific attention on the child’s behaviors as well as setting up a distinct structured home life. There is no blurring the lines between what is proper to do and not and every day you, as a parent, have to be prepared to say no to your child until he or she understands the daily structures in place to help them.

How can you find something good in this whole situation? Well, one thing for sure is the time you need to spend with your child can be turned into a big positive. Many parents don’t spend as much time with their children as they would like but if your child needs constant attention and love, as those with ADHD do, you will be spending some serious time with your child.

Spending extra time with an ADHD child can be a frustrating experience at first until you lay down the ground rules both you and your child will live by. Once you have those things settled and the child, as well as the family as a whole, is in line with the special rules needed, spending time with your child can be wonderful.

A lot of parents would love for their kids to spend more time with them since they are normally off and doing this or that with their friends. Take this time to create a deeper and more special connection and bond with your child. Doing this you can become closer to your child and learn more about what his or her interests are.

This is also greatly beneficial to the family as a whole because you will, through the attention needed for the ADHD child, become closer as a family. This is, simply put, every mother’s dream come true especially when one child is an ADHD sufferer. Take this situation and make it a positive by really taking advantage of the extra time you can spend with your child.

Here are some things you can try:

The thing a parent needs to have most, is a wealth of patience with their ADHD child. Remember, ADHD affects the child’s ability to control their natural impulses and makes them prone to arguing because they usually have a very low tolerance for frustration. Never get into an argument with the child but work slowly and consistently and the child will become accustomed to specific behavior thus making everyone’s life better.

If you’ve hit crisis mode, sometimes you can’t worry about reducing your debt or increasing your savings. If you’re in a true crisis you just need a new way to make extra money fast. Whether it’s to buy food for your family or keep your utilities on. Here are some fast, easy, and legal ways to make some quick cash. They’re not going to get you rich, but they may just help you get by.

Sell your stuff. Most of us have spare stuff lying around that we don’t need or could live without. You can have a garage sale, or use a more modern technique. The internet is a powerful tool to sell your unwanted items for more money using online marketplaces like EBay or Craigslist. If you have a talent for making things, you can sell those as well.

Get a second job. If you have some extra time, you can use that to get a job to make some extra cash quick. There are several good options for making money fast.

- Temp agencies. They can often find you work quickly, and if you’re fairly competent, the people you’re working for will be more than grateful that you’re there. They generally pay right when the work is done, and if you do well you may get hired on permanently.
- Work online. If you have a service you can offer such as virtual assistance or content writing you may be able to freelance your services online. You’ll need a simple website and the will and hard work to find a few clients fast.
- Odd jobs. If you’re watching your kids, you can offer to babysit for others at the same time. If you’re handy, offer to help people do basic house, lawn, or car maintenance. There are plenty of easy jobs people just don’t want to do themselves. Try handing out flyers around the neighborhood or let the people you talk to know you’re available for work.
- A job that pays tips. If you need money fast, find a job that pays right away in tips. Serving food, bartending, and being a valet are all great options.

Medical Research. While it probably sounds like an episode of a TV sitcom, there are pharmaceutical and medical research companies all over who will pay you so they can do medical research. This is obviously a personal choice, but is a great way to make some money if you qualify. If you don’t want to do research, you can also donate plasma to make quick cash.

Find donated products and services. If you are in a true bind, you may be able to find people who will donate food, products, and services to your family. You can talk to utility companies, churches, and other organizations. If they can donate services, that will free up cash for you to use.

Take in a boarder. Do you have a spare room or a finished basement you’re not using? You can advertise to find a boarder to live in your house. If you’re worried about taking in a stranger, ask your friends if they know anyone looking for an inexpensive place to live. You can help someone else out by helping yourself.

Cash out. If you’re really desperate for money, you can cash out whole life insurance or take money early from your retirement plan. Just remember that what you take now you’ll probably miss later. Also be aware of penalties you face for cashing out of your 401k now.