WANT TO SEE BETTER REPORT CARDS IN 2018?
Make Reading a Family Resolution
Every parent wants to see their child do well in school, and there’s one fun activity that benefits students of all ages: reading. In a world with so much stimulation, however, it can be difficult to motivate kids to put down a screen and pick up a book. New Year’s resolutions are the perfect opportunity to make reading a priority. Here are a few tips to make 2018 the year your kids become bookworms. There’s no better motivator than solidarity! Plus, we’re guessing everyone in your household could stand to read a little more. You don’t have to read the same books or set identical goals, but it’s a lot more fun when everyone participates. Schedule weekly reading discussions so everyone can share the cool MAKE IT A FAMILY RESOLUTION
stories they’ve read. Stack your completed books in your house somewhere as a monument to all the knowledge your family has gained.
SET REWARD MILESTONES
Positive reinforcement will propel your kids to keep reading long after the calendars have turned. For a certain number of books completed or hours spent reading, offer them a prize. You can even create a big end goal to really cement those reading habits. Better yet, set a combined goal that the entire family can work toward. Don’t be afraid to pull out all the stops. If your kids know that reading one book per week through June means an extra-special summer vacation, their enthusiasm won’t wane come spring. Goodreads is a social network for bibliophiles. You can find recommendations, share ratings, and create lists of both completed and to-be-read books. Users also create reading lists based on topic, genre, decade, and more. With over 2 billion books added, you’ll never run out of inspiration. Biblionasium offers the same services, but it’s designed specifically for children. Talk to other parents and create a network of friends and classmates. After all, nothing is cooler to a kid than what their friends are doing. Avid readers tend to do better academically from kindergarten through college. In fact, a study from the Journal of Education and Practice found that reading comprehension predicted success in other subjects more than any other factor. If you want to see improved report cards, make a reading resolution for your entire household. USE READING APPS
After suffering injuries from a car accident, your spouse might not be able to return to work right away. It’s a scary and frustrating prospect. How can you keep your household going on just one income? They might be compensated for lost wages in their lawsuit, but until their case is settled, you have to make ends meet. Here are some suggestions for how to cope with the situation. PRIORITIZE Quality medical care comes first. Don’t skip important appointments so you can pay other bills. That missed appointment could cause medical issues and worse expenses down the road. Once you’ve budgeted for immediate medical expenses, think about your basic costs of living. If you can no longer pay rent, consider finding a subleaser and moving to a more affordable home or apartment. Can you move in with your family temporarily? MAKE MINIMUM PAYMENTS Health is your priority. But minimum payments are also essential because failure to pay will destroy your credit record and make it difficult to secure financing in the future. The stress of the situation makes it hard to remember everything. Set alerts for all student loans, credit cards, and time-sensitive payments. THREE SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR FAMILY AFTER AN ACCIDENT
SEEK PRE-SETTLEMENT FUNDING Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for pre-settlement funding. This will help you keep your family afloat on one income until you reach a settlement in your personal injury case. If your case fails to settle, you won’t owe on your loan. The bottom line in the aftermath of an accident and during recovery is to prioritize health and personal injury proceedings, but not to get behind on your minimum payments. A little budget management can make all the difference at this difficult time. Smith, Wallis & Scott can help you reach a swift, favorable settlement so you no longer need to worry about the financial impact of your car accident. Get in touch with our team at 770-214-2500.
2
swslawfirm.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs