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Philadelphia – Spring and Summer Fun at Spruce Street Harbor Park

Philadelphia Spruce Street Harbor Park

Philadelphia offers a number of activities during the spring and summer season.  This is yet another outdoor space for family fun.   I noticed people on my Facebook timeline posting pictures from Spruce Street Harbor Park.  This is another venue in my backyard that was worth a drive into the city.  It is located off of Columbus Blvd (Delaware Avenue) at Spruce Street along Penns Landing.   The kids and I decided to go and I was pleasantly surprised with the overall design.   The weather was perfect enough to enjoy some outdoor sights.   I enjoy the city for activities, however, my pet peeve is PARKING.    The parking lot is $20 unless you are a Blue Cross & Blue Shield employee parking is $13.  (***eyeroll***). There is on street parking on Columbus Boulevard,  if you are lucky enough to find parking in a designated area.   Ok, I digress.

Now for a look inside of this urban oasis of activities.   Spruce Street Harbor Park opened in 2014,  it is open from July to August.  It is a unique space at Penns Landing because it offers a boardwalk,  a beach, a fountain area and misting stations.    The main attraction for the #SSHP is a number of floating barges with lily pad gardens, a pop-up restaurant and bar and nets over the water.   I would suggest checking the calendar of events because throughout the season there are festivals, concerts, and movies on the Great Plaza.    There is also a Facebook page for activity updates, Spruce Street Harbor Park.     If you want to unwind and relax there are hammocks, Adirondack chairs or find a seat underneath an umbrella in the beach area.  Just a tidbit of information, Huffington Post voted the urban beach, one of the best urban beaches in the world, who knew?

What would Philadelphia be without a great selection of foods, the food vendors are set up in cargo containers along the harbor boardwalk.   For the foodie in you,  there are delicious  summer foods  from Federal Donuts with their famous  donuts by the bag and chicken sandwiches(note: the food here is not the same menu as the other Federal Donuts throughout the city), Graso Group(offering chicken fingers, fries, hot dogs and other fare), ice cream from Franklin Fountain(my favorite banana a cup is $5 and you get a hearty scoop), a water ice truck that sells funnel cake(yummy) and I spotted a food truck Distrito’s for my chicken tacos.   For adults seeking alcoholic beverages, there is a concession serving craft beer and cocktails which must be consumed inside the Oasis.

In the Columbus seating area, there is plenty of movable seating, an oversized chess game, oversized soft Legos, a large Jenga game.  Another attraction for the kids is the cargo container with plenty of arcade games to get the kids attention.    The arcade has a photo booth for those who like to take those quirky and memorable pictures.   The Independence Seaport Museum has admission to tour the ships that are docked on the waterfront.     Now if you walk pass the ship Gazela you will find the beach area with lounge chairs, beach umbrellas and a simulated pebble beach material.  If you need to cool off, don’t forget to visit the Mist Walk. There is also roller skating on the other side of harbor park, which is $3 admission per person, $10 per person for skate rentals.

 

 

Investing in Stocks with Your Children to Build a Portfolio using Stockpile

 

Investing In Stocks

Investing with kids is a valuable life lesson.   As a middle schooler, I remember learning about the stock market and using the newspaper to check the gains and losses of specific stocks.   I love the idea of teaching my ten-year-old and sixteen-year-old how to invest in stocks.   The idea of investing in stock sounds overwhelming and some think it requires a significant amount of money to get started

  • Building wealth for the future means saving money to invest.   Where do you start with teaching kids about investing?  The best example is teaching kids the difference with saving money at home versus investing the same amount of money with a return.   The first lesson is to show what happens when kids save their allowance and gifts in a box versus investing in stock.   It is also important for kids to understand how the stock market goes up and down.     If they return in 5 years, the same amount is in the box.   Now if they take the same amount of money and invest in stocks with a return* over time they will see the growth of the investment.     (*profit from investment)   If they save $500 dollars in a box and come back in 5 years later it is the same $500.   If the same $500 is invested in stock, over 5 years with a 5% return now they have $525.00.


How to Get Started Investing with Stockpile

  • Open up a stock account also known as a brokerage account
  • There is no minimum amount to invest and you can purchase fractional shares of stock. For example,  if one share of Apple stock is $100, you can buy $50 of Apple which is a half of a share
  • Stockpile does not charge a monthly fee and the trading commission is $.99 cents a trade.  If you purchase a $50 share of Starbucks, it will cost $50.99 for the trade
  • Stockpile will allow your child(ren) their own log in to check their investments and purchase stock trades
  • Start early, invest regularly and diversify
  • Develop a strategy for trading – Buy and Hold means choosing a company that you believe in.   Invest and wait out the ups and downs of the return.  Buy on the Dips- track a company and buy when the stock dips.   Lastly, you can buy a stock that is underrated or undervalued and hold onto them until the value returns.
  • No strategy is foolproof
  • Pick companies that you know, research the company online

Investing with Stockpile

  • Have family and friends help you with investing
  • Stockpile offers gift cards. Family and friends can buy an egift, by picking a stock and dollar amount, send to recipient’s email address and pay with a debit or credit card. When the egift is redeemed the stock goes into your Stockpile account.
  • Physical gift cards are available at Kmart, OfficeMax, Wegmans, Giant Eagle and other retailers or online.
  • Stockpile has a gift registry called “wishlist”. You can choose your favorite stocks and share them with your friends and family. They can purchase your favorite stocks for birthdays and special occasions.

 

 

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Divorce: Why an Amicable Divorce is Necessary?

 

Tweet:

“When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade”

My divorce was finalized in January 2013.  As I reflect on the process it dawned on me how much valuable time and energy is wasted mainly due to STUPIDITY!  The bigger question is WHY? what do inidividuals hope to GAIN? why be DIFFICULT?  It is so much more advantageous to speed up the process and go off peacefully. Here are my clear cut reasons why an AMICABLE DIVORCE is a matter of COMMON SENSE,  I know I know this does not grow in everyone’s garden!!!!  Bare with me HERE!

Why an Amicable Divorce is Necessary?

  1. Both parties can start to rebuild their lives sooner than later.
  2. Reduce the  financial burden, lawyers are not inexpensive!!! Trust me  I still owe 3 years later!
  3. Reducing stress is beneficial to your MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING.
  4. Establish stability for child(ren) involved.   They have the right to live in  a STRESS-FREE ZONE as well!
  5. EXHALE!

Buying Sneakers for Kids Made Easy with an Easy Kicks Monthly Subscription


Sneakers Monthly Subscription with Easy Kicks ***update***

My grade schooler is tough on sneakers and I find myself purchasing at least 2 pairs during the school year.  I try to save the last pair for summer camp.    We have tried multiple brands and most are worn within a few months.   She is also very picky when it comes to styles which make purchasing very time-consuming.     I discovered Easy Kicks in my email and decided to try one of the monthly subscription options.   Easy Kicks offers sizes up to 7Y and two brands Converse and Nike.     There is a nice selection of styles to choose from so hopefully, my grade schooler will find a pair every few months.  I selected the monthly subscription at $20/month to see if this works for us.

Easy Kicks offers the following:

Update**** Since I posted my post, EasyKicks now only offers one plan $20.00/month as an option.

  1.  Sign up for subscription.  There is one plan option for $20/month.   After selecting the plan, include your child’s name, age and shoe size.
  2. Next, order sneakers.  The monthly subscription is per child.  They are shipped in a personalized package that includes stickers and addressed to your child.   Check the sneakers for a perfect fit.   If the fit is not correct, you can select a new size and return in the green pre-paid return bag.
  3. Sizes change every three months, Easy Kicks will send a reminder email to check size.   If the size has changed, reorder new size.
  4. Your next order comes with a green pre-paid return bag for the sneakers being replaced.  You can even ship back other old shoes in the large return bag.

I love to support companies with social good in their mission.  My first question,  what happens to all of the return sneakers?  Easy Kicks recycles the returned sneakers.  If the sneakers are in good condition, they are donated to children in need.   The worn sneakers are turned into sports courts.

If you decide to subscribe, you can save,  $10 off any plan with EZ10 code at EasyKicks.

 

My Questions Answered After First Shipment……

Q: Can customers cancel at any time? A: Yes, you cancel at any time and keep the last order

Q: Can you order before the 3 months reminder email? – A:  Yes, you can swap out at anytime

Q: Do most customers order on average 4 pairs per year?  A: Yes, on average customers order every 3 months or 4 pairs of shoes per year.  Some customer order more and some order less.


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Open Letter to My Kids About Divorce and Life Moving Forward

Open Letter to My Kids on Divorce and Life Moving Forward

I felt compelled to write an open letter to my kids on divorce after viewing a program.   This weekend I was truly a couch potato and managed to watch Being, Jasmine Guy on Centric.   It really hit home when she talked about going through her divorce and having to explain the situation to her then 8-year-old daughter.   Jasmine moved to another state, which meant displacing her child.    This hit a nerve with me because it was a decision I agonized over doing at the time.    As Jasmine said(referring to divorce),  “Our story is their story”.   Her daughter talked about leaving her friends and not making it easy for her mother.   Today her daughter realizes why her mother made specific decisions and felt bad with giving her mother a hard time.

As a mother,  it pains you to disrupt what your kids know as home and the life in their neighborhood with their friends.   My son was almost ten when I decided to move out and my daughter was almost four years old.    It is difficult to explain adult decisions to kids, however, I hope one day they will understand the “why” behind my decisions.

Open Letter……

I would like you to know that my decisions were always in your best interest and not for my own selfish reasons.  As a mother, I always want the best for you even if this means uprooting to create a better life.  Although, parenting is without a handbook I feel it is my duty to always provide an environment that is functional versus dysfunctional.   I want, to always be honest,  and not deceive you with empty words or promises.   The reality of divorce is not always with a silver lining.   One lesson I have learned is not to invite less than what I know deserve into our lives.  From this lesson,   I hope always set high standards for yourselves and never settle for less.  You deserve the best in everything you do.  I am tough because I want you both to stay focused and strive for more than my achievements.   I wish I could promise you that life will come without challenges but this would be untrue.   The lesson to learn is that despite life’s challenges we find a way to prevail.  This journey is one of many lessons, challenges, and experiences.  My wish is that you use our journey to shape and define your footprint in the world.

 

 

Divorce:The Reality of Displacing My Kids After Divorce

Divorce: Displacing My Kids after Divorce

My biggest regret during my divorce was displacing my kids.    I thought it was best for a fresh start however I never realized it was so difficult for my kids.    When my son was born we were in our first house until he was five years old.   It was the only house he knew and he was just starting to make friends on our street.     Nine months before my daughter was born we purchased another house in a different neighborhood.   For my son, this was his second house and the house my daughter was in until she was two.   My son was excited to be in a new school and a new neighborhood with more kids.  We lived there four years before we moved out.   It was a move out in every aspect of the word.   I scheduled a moving truck, packed dishes, books, china, and everything else I wanted to keep in storage.   I decided I would leave some furniture in the house, that was only fair or at least, I thought so at the time.   It was important to empty the kid’s bedrooms so when we did move it would feel familiar to them to have everything that was in their old rooms.     My daughter was still in daycare so for her the transition was different as she just moved to another preschool and eventually to a full-time daycare center until she started kindergarten.  Fortunately, I was able to get my son in a charter school which ended after a year and a half of constant stress and multiple behavioral issues.   Unfortunately, for my son, he  moved to the neighborhood public grade school which was filled with constant fights and more behavioral issues.   After a year and a half, he was in seventh grade and at the local Catholic grade school with his sister.   This level of instability was a major culprit for my son’s behavioral issues which is why I started taking him to a therapist.   Divorce can be extremely challenging with children especially if they are old enough to understand the dynamics.   For my son,  moving was the worst interruption of his life and now after six years, he is still a bit resentful.   After six years,  he feels his life was turned upside down and he had no control over the decisions.  If there was a way to rewrite the script I would have minimized the transition for the kids.   However,  stable finances at the time were nonexistent so it prevented us from moving into our own place.

FIVE YEARS LATER…….

Now as I fast forward five years, we were near our old neighborhood and of course, the kids wanted to drive by our old house.     I literally forgot how to get to the road we lived on after all of these years.   It was obviously a mental block.   I was so adamant about not going to the old house.  I knew at the time the house was for sale so it was still empty.   For the life of me, I didn’t understand why the kids wanted a reminder of our past.   Finally, I decided to get it out of their systems and drive over to the street.   It was an eery feeling driving through the entrance.     The house was still for sale and the kids jumped out to walk around the house.   I could see the excitement on my son’s face as well as the sadness.  The next question, “can we buy our house”? I quickly let them know it was not possible to purchase our old house and tried my best to explain if we are meant to have another “home” we will at some point.    Although, I had obviously moved on from our “old house” my kids were still stuck in our past.    It is unfortunate we cannot predict the emotional state of our kids during a divorce.

When adults move on it is gradual but I found a way to push through it day by day.   I know now that kids are not as resilient when it comes to giving up their normal.    They store memories of the familiar in a file and this is what they remember and hold on to for a long time.    I know first hand it is extremely difficult to remove memories for kids.   My kids will always hold a piece of our old neighborhood close to their hearts.   Whereas, for me, it just reminds me of feeling alone and isolated.  Definitely, not a haven we typically call “home”.

The best outcome in these situations is to keep as much normal as possible for kids.   Children are emotionally tied to what we give up. Moving on for kids is a slower process that takes more time than I ever realized in my decision.   The best thing we can offer as parents is to give them as much time as possible to move on.

Learning:My Child & Learning Differences

KidsLearning

Learning – How Our School Addressed

Learning- When I realized my daughter required additional support in school, I knew it was time to work on changing to a school district that supported her needs.   I had to let go of preconceived ideas of what was involved if my child required an IEP(Individual Education Plan).  When my son was in school and was tested to see if one was required I was somewhat offended.  I really thought he was being singled out because he was the only brown face in his class.    Granted, his behavior and learning were being impacted a great deal.    My son was my first born so of course I believed there was no way he needed any additional help in school.    He did not require an IEP however the school psychologist helped to put in place a behavioral modification plan that helped tremendously.    Now as I fast forward to my daughter I had to let go the preconceived noticed an IEP was  forced on parents.   I realized my daughter struggled with reading and math concepts.   We are in the second school year with her IEP and I will admit it makes a world of difference.    Fortunately,  the school staff is extremely supportive, open to my feedback and willing to work together as a team.  My daughter continues to make strides and I am hopeful as she matriculates she will need less support.   It is truly a blessing when you are able to have options when it comes to providing the right educational environment for your children.    My daughter is also showing me that I need to stop and see the world from her WINDOW!

The Lessons I Have Learned:

  1. Be patient, it’s not about my schedule!
  2. My pace and her pace is completely different.  I cannot overload her with tasks.
  3. She is BRILLANT in her own right.
  4. ENCOURAGEMENT and PRAISE are critical.
  5. She has no limitations!
  6. I will always be her CHEERLEADER!
  7. She CAN’T  is not an answer!

Divorce- Raising Kids After Divorce

 “When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade”

Tweet: When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade

Divorce-What am I Learning About Raising Kids After Divorce?

After divorce, I learned what is means to parent as a single parent.

  1. I realized there are times when the conversations with my children are not pleasant.  The circumstances of divorce may warrant explanations that are tough however I believe in transparency.   This is also dictated by the age of the child(ren) in terms of the nature of the discussion.  It should definitely be tailored around the maturity of the child(ren).
  2. Never underestimate the need for utilizing outside resources to help with PARENTING.   Seeking a mental health professional for children is a great way for children to express their feelings and emotions in a different space.
  3. There are times when I have to say NO! This is tough because as the parent you want to provide as much as you possibly can without restrictions.  However, there are circumstances beyond my control that warrant this response.   I try to provide my kids with an explanation if feasible.  Again I think they need to understand the reality of balancing what we need and what we want.
  4. I cannot harbor guilt for making real life decisions.
  5. Be PROACTIVE despite the challenges of having to make vital decisions.
  6. You have to set GROUND RULES!
  7. Parenting is not PERFECT!
  8. Every day presents a new opportunity to REFRESH and RENEW!
  9. Ask for help when needed!
  10. It never hurts to have a support network of like-minded parents.

Single Mom Chronicles: 52 Week Cash Calendar Savings Game **Update**

52weekSavingsGame

WEEK 6!!!!

Every new year I see someone post about this savings game and every year I PROCRASTINATE on starting it.    I am really trying to turn over a new leaf this year by not  THINKING and PLANNING but DOING!   

In order to really see the money grow, I decided to get the kids involved in the savings game.   I opened accounts at Capital One 360 for both kids.   This will be a phenomenal way for them to learn the importance of saving but really seeing the benefits of sticking to a PLAN.

This is going to be a project of DISCIPLINE and DEDICATION.   If you’re not familiar with the savings game the idea is to add $1 to your account(s) each week.  For example, week 1 you add $1, week 2 you add $2, week 3 you add $3 and so on.    The 52nd week should net $1,378.

We have finished WEEK 1! 51 more WEEKS to GO! 

If you want to join in on the fun, here is The Cash Calendar Savings Game