Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
jeudi 11 mai 2017
Dad Figures Out How to "Punish" His Son After He Admits to Stealing
When his 5-year-old admitted to stealing a pack of gum, one dad knew that rather than take things away from his son or ground him, he needed to come up with a way to teach him about the real-life consequences of theft. The father, who goes by userbelowisamonster on Reddit, shared his method in a post aptly titled: "Parenting, just making it up as we go. Theft edition."
This dad first realized something was fishy when his 5-year-old offered him a piece of the contraband after a trip to the store. "When I had my back turned he apparently just picked it up and walked out," he wrote. "I found this out after he was chewing it and offered me a piece (because 5-year-old logic). So I asked him if he paid for it and he told me no. I told him how proud I was for him telling me the truth, but disappointed that he had to resort to stealing."
He thought carefully about how to "punish" his son, and came up with an age-appropriate way the boy could "pay off his debts."
So I figured how much the gum cost and added on $0.50 for a "fine." So total came to $2.50. I made him do odd jobs that are appropriate for a 5-year-old and told him until he pays off his debt he doesn't get any privileges like TV, tablet, or playing outside. So he worked off $1.50 and then I told him for "community service" he needs to clean his room by himself and clean up his brother's toys, too. I told him that this would also count for his last dollar. So now he's in his room cleaning it up and I can hear the occasional "Ugh! I'm never going to steal again!"
So there you have it. Child-size versions of real life consequences. I'd rather he learn them now than steal as a teenager and face hefty fines, community service, or even jail time. But to make this into a positive I'm going to start giving him an allowance for completing his chores and teaching him about money and proper finances.
And as for fessing up his actions to the store? "After he earns his money he will go apologize. Dad's not paying for this to bail him out."
Meghan Markle Reveals Her 3 Biggest Style Crushes to the World
Every fashion girl has a style crush, and Meghan Markle's no exception. The actress is a master of polished looks and we trust she knows a good outfit when she sees it. So when Good Housekeeping asked her to name several style icons she loves, Meghan was armed with names.
"I always say Gwyneth Paltrow, but it's changing. As I'm taking more risks personally, I am responding to other people who take a little bit more fashion risks," she said. "I love how Miranda Kerr dresses - a bit more playful. And my friend Olivia Palermo - I mean, she's everyone's style crush."
We definitely agree with Meghan on all accounts, especially the latter, as Olivia's taught us plenty of style lessons over the years. But the connection between all four women is obvious: they're all sophisticated and iconic. So, it makes sense they've dressed in similar outfits before. Scroll to see the comparisons, and keep an eye on Meghan. As she gets more involved in royal affairs (she's dating Prince Harry, in case you haven't heard), we expect to see her wardrobe become increasingly refined.
Parenting While Depressed: 6 Things You Should Remember
This post, written by Donna Begg, was originally published on one of our favorite sites, YourTango.
Depression is a common but serious mood disorder that affects 1 in 10 Americans.
Depression is a common but serious mood disorder that affects 1 in 10 Americans at some point in their lives. More than 80 percent of people with symptoms of depression don't receive adequate treatment for their condition, but the number of diagnosed cases keeps increasing by 20 percent each year.
Depression is more than a feeling of sadness; it's associated with multiple physical and mental symptoms, and it has a major impact on a person's quality of life and their family.
Since adults are usually the ones affected by depression, one has to wonder what it's really like to be a parent and deal with this serious problem.
Parental Depression and Children
Although widespread, depression is still misunderstood. It is not uncommon for people to identify it with a common feeling of sadness, but as mentioned before, depression is more than that. Moreover, this mood disorder affects the entire family of an individual and not just one person.
The JAMA Psychiatry published results of a study that showed that children of depressed parents experience various problems too. The research found that diagnoses of parental depression throughout a child's life were strongly associated with worsening school performance.
It is important to mention that both maternal and paternal depression had a negative impact on a child's life.
Scientists concluded that parental depression has a far-reaching effect on an important aspect of a child's development, with implications for future life course outcomes. Scientists who worked on the study explain that depression in a parent is a modifiable risk factor because the parent's symptoms can be treated.
Parental depression is also associated with:
- Child's poorer physical health and well-being.
- Behavior problems in children.
- Greater functional impairment.
- Higher rates of anxiety and depression among children and adolescents.
If you have anxiety, manic depression, or some other form of mood disorder, you already know parenting isn't easy.
What do parents with depression and anxiety want you to know? People who struggle with depression or some other mood disorder and have kids at the same time, want others to know the following:
- They aren't irresponsible.
- Struggling with depression/anxiety isn't a sign of weakness.
- Depressed parents aren't selfish.
- There are good days and bad days.
- Regardless of the circumstances, depressed parents do their best to take care of their children.
- They, sometimes, don't confide in others out of fear of being shamed.
- Depressed parents are NOT unfit parents.
Parenting isn't the easiest job in the world, generally, and it requires a perfect balance between work and home. You also need a lot of time, resources, and emotional and physical strength.
When a person is struggling with depression, these needs are amplified. Here, we can compare depression to some severe diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and so on. At some point, this problem compromises a person's functioning and his/her family.
Parents with depression also have the added challenges of irregular sleep, lack of energy, trouble concentrating and sustaining attention, irritability, and moodiness. Some signs of depression, such as feelings of helplessness and low self-esteem, become even more severe in depressed parents.
A consistent family routine and support from loved ones are crucial, but there are many other things one can do.
Parents who deal with depression and anxiety along with raising kids witness numerous challenges. How to parent when depressed? You shouldn't forget the following:
1. It's OK to be "good enough".
Chasing perfection can be quite exhausting and overwhelming for a person. Nobody's perfect, and always bear in mind it's OK to be "good enough," you're doing your best
2. Get support.
Depression may make you feel like you're alone, but you're not. You don't have to deal with it on your own; get support from family, friends, and other parents who're going through the same
3. Depression doesn't define you.
It's not uncommon for people to identify themselves as their condition, but you should avoid doing so. Depression is an illness, it's not you!
4. Take a break.
Don't blame yourself for your condition, it's not your fault. It's OK to take a break from time to time, relax, and take care of yourself. If necessary, ask someone to babysit or pick kids up from school if you feel overwhelmed that day
5. Make time for yourself.
Depressed parents usually feel guilty when they do something for themselves, but everybody needs it from time to time. Make some time for yourself, read a book, write, do what makes you happy. This is an immediate mood lifter, and your children will be grateful as well
6. Understand your triggers.
Depression is persistent, but there are good and bad days. Some situations only worsen your condition; keep a journal and write everything down. Understand your triggers, and do your best to avoid or manage them.
Parents with depression face various challenges, and their condition can have a major impact on their children. Establishing a routine for an entire family, making some time for yourself, and acknowledging the fact it is not your fault and that illness doesn't define you is a good way to cope.
Remember, get support!
More juicy links from YourTango:
- What 13 Reasons Why' Got RIGHT About Suicide (As Written By Someone Who Attempted)
- Why '13 Reasons Why' Was Triggering For Me And Might Be For You Too
- 10 Easy-But-TOTALLY-Romantic Date Night Ideas For Parents
- 50 Love Quotes Guaranteed To Make You FEEL Things
- These 37 Hilariously Funny Love Puns Will Make Your Day
Recall Alert! Your Ben & Jerry's Pint Slices May Contain Peanut Butter
You may want to think twice before sinking your teeth into Ben & Jerry's new Pint Slices, because there's a nationwide recall on the frozen treat. Unilever, the parent company, announced the voluntary recall when a customer opened their box of the Chocolate Fudge Brownie flavor of the dessert and discovered Vanilla Peanut Butter Cups Pint Slices inside, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
The individually wrapped slices were identified as the vanilla peanut butter flavor, but the product's outer packaging did not specify that peanut butter was an ingredient, which is highly problematic for those with a serious peanut allergy. I personally rip open my snacks at lightning-fast speeds, so I'd definitely glance over the mislabeled packaging.
If you have the fudgy flavor in your freezer, be sure to double-check the box. The recalled product is sold in a paperboard box with the UPC code of 076840657940, best-by date of AUG1218LT2, and lot number of AUG1218LT2.
Eek, scary stuff! Just another reason to hack the system and make this crave-worthy dessert at home with our Ben & Jerry's Pint Slices recipe instead.
Meghan Markle Reveals Her 3 Biggest Style Crushes to the World
Every fashion girl has a style crush, and Meghan Markle's no exception. The actress is a master of polished looks and we trust she knows a good outfit when she sees it. So when Good Housekeeping asked her to name several style icons she loves, Meghan was armed with names.
"I always say Gwyneth Paltrow, but it's changing. As I'm taking more risks personally, I am responding to other people who take a little bit more fashion risks," she said. "I love how Miranda Kerr dresses - a bit more playful. And my friend Olivia Palermo - I mean, she's everyone's style crush."
We definitely agree with Meghan on all accounts, especially the latter, as Olivia's taught us plenty of style lessons over the years. But the connection between all four women is obvious: they're all sophisticated and iconic. So, it makes sense they've dressed in similar outfits before. Scroll to see the comparisons, and keep an eye on Meghan. As she gets more involved in royal affairs (she's dating Prince Harry, in case you haven't heard), we expect to see her wardrobe become increasingly refined.
This Congressman Seems Confused About What "Preexisting Conditions" Are
Republicans in Congress are committed to dismantling the Affordable Care Act, particularly the clause that requires individual state insurance exchanges to cover people with preexisting conditions. Despite the fact that part of his job is to understand what a preexisting condition is, GOP House Representative Mo Brooks demonstrated he either has no idea what constitutes preexisting or he is simply heartless.
A preexisting condition is defined as a medical condition that a person had before seeking insurance; conditions could range from cancer to a condition a patient was born with, like asthma. Presently, the Affordable Care Act requires health insurance companies to provide coverage for people with preexisting conditions at the same cost as their peers without preexisting conditions.
Speaking to CNN's Jake Tapper about President Donald Trump's second attempt to pass another healthcare plan, Mo Brooks suggested people with preexisting conditions had control over their health. "My understanding is that (the new bill) will allow insurance companies to require people who have higher healthcare costs to contribute more to the insurance pool," Brooks said. "That helps offset all these costs, thereby reducing the cost to those people who lead good lives, they're healthy, they've done the things to keep their bodies healthy. And right now, those are the people - who've done things the right way - that are seeing their costs skyrocketing."
What Brooks originally implied is that people who don't have preexisting conditions are "healthy" people who "lead good lives," which ostensibly stipulates some level of control. Of course people who live healthier lives often have less medical problems, but that does not exempt, say, a nonsmoker from having asthma or a child from getting leukemia.
Following his seemingly ignorant gaffe, Brooks tried to walk back his statement. "Now, in fairness, a lot of these people with preexisting conditions, they have those conditions through no fault of their own. I think our society, under those circumstances, needs to help," Brooks said. "The challenge, though, is that it's a tough balancing act between the higher cost of these mandates, which denies people coverage because they can't afford their health insurance policies . . . and having enough coverage to help those people truly in need."
Brooks, a Freedom Caucus member from Alabama, is a proponent of scrapping protections for preexisting coverage. One of the main reasons Trump's first healthcare plan didn't pass was because the Freedom Caucus objected to the mandate's inclusion in his proposal. However the new GOP healthcare plan does not include a provision for health insurance companies to provide coverage for patients with preexisting conditions. Instead, the proposal essentially allows states to decide whether they want to keep the rule.
Congressional Republicans do not have enough support to pass the new proposal. At least 21 House Republicans are in the "no" camp, and if two more break with the party, the bill will not pass.
Recall Alert! Your Ben & Jerry's Pint Slices May Contain Peanut Butter
You may want to think twice before sinking your teeth into Ben & Jerry's new Pint Slices, because there's a nationwide recall on the frozen treat. Unilever, the parent company, announced the voluntary recall when a customer opened their box of the Chocolate Fudge Brownie flavor of the dessert and discovered Vanilla Peanut Butter Cups Pint Slices inside, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
The individually wrapped slices were identified as the vanilla peanut butter flavor, but the product's outer packaging did not specify that peanut butter was an ingredient, which is highly problematic for those with a serious peanut allergy. I personally rip open my snacks at lightning-fast speeds, so I'd definitely glance over the mislabeled packaging.
If you have the fudgy flavor in your freezer, be sure to double-check the box. The recalled product is sold in a paperboard box with the UPC code of 076840657940, best-by date of AUG1218LT2, and lot number of AUG1218LT2.
Eek, scary stuff! Just another reason to hack the system and make this crave-worthy dessert at home with our Ben & Jerry's Pint Slices recipe instead.
Parenting While Depressed: 6 Things You Should Remember
This post, written by Donna Begg, was originally published on one of our favorite sites, YourTango.
Depression is a common but serious mood disorder that affects 1 in 10 Americans.
Depression is a common but serious mood disorder that affects 1 in 10 Americans at some point in their lives. More than 80 percent of people with symptoms of depression don't receive adequate treatment for their condition, but the number of diagnosed cases keeps increasing by 20 percent each year.
Depression is more than a feeling of sadness; it's associated with multiple physical and mental symptoms, and it has a major impact on a person's quality of life and their family.
Since adults are usually the ones affected by depression, one has to wonder what it's really like to be a parent and deal with this serious problem.
Parental Depression and Children
Although widespread, depression is still misunderstood. It is not uncommon for people to identify it with a common feeling of sadness, but as mentioned before, depression is more than that. Moreover, this mood disorder affects the entire family of an individual and not just one person.
The JAMA Psychiatry published results of a study that showed that children of depressed parents experience various problems too. The research found that diagnoses of parental depression throughout a child's life were strongly associated with worsening school performance.
It is important to mention that both maternal and paternal depression had a negative impact on a child's life.
Scientists concluded that parental depression has a far-reaching effect on an important aspect of a child's development, with implications for future life course outcomes. Scientists who worked on the study explain that depression in a parent is a modifiable risk factor because the parent's symptoms can be treated.
Parental depression is also associated with:
- Child's poorer physical health and well-being.
- Behavior problems in children.
- Greater functional impairment.
- Higher rates of anxiety and depression among children and adolescents.
If you have anxiety, manic depression, or some other form of mood disorder, you already know parenting isn't easy.
What do parents with depression and anxiety want you to know? People who struggle with depression or some other mood disorder and have kids at the same time, want others to know the following:
- They aren't irresponsible.
- Struggling with depression/anxiety isn't a sign of weakness.
- Depressed parents aren't selfish.
- There are good days and bad days.
- Regardless of the circumstances, depressed parents do their best to take care of their children.
- They, sometimes, don't confide in others out of fear of being shamed.
- Depressed parents are NOT unfit parents.
Parenting isn't the easiest job in the world, generally, and it requires a perfect balance between work and home. You also need a lot of time, resources, and emotional and physical strength.
When a person is struggling with depression, these needs are amplified. Here, we can compare depression to some severe diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and so on. At some point, this problem compromises a person's functioning and his/her family.
Parents with depression also have the added challenges of irregular sleep, lack of energy, trouble concentrating and sustaining attention, irritability, and moodiness. Some signs of depression, such as feelings of helplessness and low self-esteem, become even more severe in depressed parents.
A consistent family routine and support from loved ones are crucial, but there are many other things one can do.
Parents who deal with depression and anxiety along with raising kids witness numerous challenges. How to parent when depressed? You shouldn't forget the following:
1. It's OK to be "good enough".
Chasing perfection can be quite exhausting and overwhelming for a person. Nobody's perfect, and always bear in mind it's OK to be "good enough," you're doing your best
2. Get support.
Depression may make you feel like you're alone, but you're not. You don't have to deal with it on your own; get support from family, friends, and other parents who're going through the same
3. Depression doesn't define you.
It's not uncommon for people to identify themselves as their condition, but you should avoid doing so. Depression is an illness, it's not you!
4. Take a break.
Don't blame yourself for your condition, it's not your fault. It's OK to take a break from time to time, relax, and take care of yourself. If necessary, ask someone to babysit or pick kids up from school if you feel overwhelmed that day
5. Make time for yourself.
Depressed parents usually feel guilty when they do something for themselves, but everybody needs it from time to time. Make some time for yourself, read a book, write, do what makes you happy. This is an immediate mood lifter, and your children will be grateful as well
6. Understand your triggers.
Depression is persistent, but there are good and bad days. Some situations only worsen your condition; keep a journal and write everything down. Understand your triggers, and do your best to avoid or manage them.
Parents with depression face various challenges, and their condition can have a major impact on their children. Establishing a routine for an entire family, making some time for yourself, and acknowledging the fact it is not your fault and that illness doesn't define you is a good way to cope.
Remember, get support!
More juicy links from YourTango:
- What 13 Reasons Why' Got RIGHT About Suicide (As Written By Someone Who Attempted)
- Why '13 Reasons Why' Was Triggering For Me And Might Be For You Too
- 10 Easy-But-TOTALLY-Romantic Date Night Ideas For Parents
- 50 Love Quotes Guaranteed To Make You FEEL Things
- These 37 Hilariously Funny Love Puns Will Make Your Day
This Congressman Seems Confused About What "Preexisting Conditions" Are
Republicans in Congress are committed to dismantling the Affordable Care Act, particularly the clause that requires individual state insurance exchanges to cover people with preexisting conditions. Despite the fact that part of his job is to understand what a preexisting condition is, GOP House Representative Mo Brooks demonstrated he either has no idea what constitutes preexisting or he is simply heartless.
A preexisting condition is defined as a medical condition that a person had before seeking insurance; conditions could range from cancer to a condition a patient was born with, like asthma. Presently, the Affordable Care Act requires health insurance companies to provide coverage for people with preexisting conditions at the same cost as their peers without preexisting conditions.
Speaking to CNN's Jake Tapper about President Donald Trump's second attempt to pass another healthcare plan, Mo Brooks suggested people with preexisting conditions had control over their health. "My understanding is that (the new bill) will allow insurance companies to require people who have higher healthcare costs to contribute more to the insurance pool," Brooks said. "That helps offset all these costs, thereby reducing the cost to those people who lead good lives, they're healthy, they've done the things to keep their bodies healthy. And right now, those are the people - who've done things the right way - that are seeing their costs skyrocketing."
What Brooks originally implied is that people who don't have preexisting conditions are "healthy" people who "lead good lives," which ostensibly stipulates some level of control. Of course people who live healthier lives often have less medical problems, but that does not exempt, say, a nonsmoker from having asthma or a child from getting leukemia.
Following his seemingly ignorant gaffe, Brooks tried to walk back his statement. "Now, in fairness, a lot of these people with preexisting conditions, they have those conditions through no fault of their own. I think our society, under those circumstances, needs to help," Brooks said. "The challenge, though, is that it's a tough balancing act between the higher cost of these mandates, which denies people coverage because they can't afford their health insurance policies . . . and having enough coverage to help those people truly in need."
Brooks, a Freedom Caucus member from Alabama, is a proponent of scrapping protections for preexisting coverage. One of the main reasons Trump's first healthcare plan didn't pass was because the Freedom Caucus objected to the mandate's inclusion in his proposal. However the new GOP healthcare plan does not include a provision for health insurance companies to provide coverage for patients with preexisting conditions. Instead, the proposal essentially allows states to decide whether they want to keep the rule.
Congressional Republicans do not have enough support to pass the new proposal. At least 21 House Republicans are in the "no" camp, and if two more break with the party, the bill will not pass.
The Details of JonBenét Ramsey's Death Are Just as Chilling as They Were in 1996
The case of JonBenét Ramsey has sparked a renewed interest over the past year thanks to a handful of recent TV specials that have shed more light on her tragic death. Most recently, the Netflix feature-length documentary Casting JonBenét was released - it's a hybrid of fiction and nonfiction that aims to figure out just why the legacy of this unsolved crime still captures the nation's attention. The 6-year-old beauty queen was killed in December 1996, and while her attacker has never been found - suspects have ranged from her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, to her older brother Burke Ramsey and schoolteacher John Mark Karr, who falsely confessed to the crime - the details of JonBenét's murder are just as chilling as they were 21 years ago.
Make no mistake about it: JonBenét was brutally murdered. The little girl was found wrapped in her white blanket with a nylon cord around her neck, her wrists tied above her head, and duct tape over her mouth. An autopsy of JonBenét's body later revealed that she was struck in the head with a blunt object, which knocked her unconscious. Sometime between 45 minutes to two hours after she was knocked out, she was strangled to death with a garrote made from a piece of cord and the handle from a broken paintbrush. Patsy Ramsey alleged that JonBenét was not wearing the same clothing she went to bed in. The official cause of death was "asphyxia by strangulation associated with craniocerebral trauma," and police later confirmed that she had also been sexually assaulted.
In December 2003, investigators retested a blood sample found on JonBenét's underwear, which was revealed to belong to an unidentified male who was not related to the Ramsey family. In 2008, Burke, along with parents John and Patsy, were officially cleared in the case. To this day, investigators have not been able to identify who the DNA belongs to, and the case remains open.
Settling the Confusion Between 401(k), IRA, and Roth IRA Accounts - Once and For All
Image Source: StockSnap / Oliver Klein
Amanda Holden is a personal finance expert providing hilarious and practical financial advice on her site, The Dumpster Dog Blog.
If you're thinking about retirement, good for you! Retirement is easily everyone's least favorite financial priority but it's also one of the most important. Between rising medical costs, spoiling grandchildren, and traveling the world on a Harley Davidson, living for 30+ years with no job is pretty expensive stuff.
So then the question becomes, how does one save for retirement? And where? In what account? Do we bury some shekels in the backyard? Stockpile our Taylor Swift memorabilia and collectors' items?! Nah, it's easy! Use an account specially designed to hold retirement money like a 401(k) or Roth IRA.
Even if you're already using a retirement account, now is the time to sincerely understand how they are different (and similar), why we use them, and feel confident you've chosen the right one.
First, how are retirement accounts different than regular ol' savings accounts?
For retirement, you won't want to save money in your regular ol' checking or saving account at Bank of America or Wells Fargo. Why? There are three characteristics shared by all retirement account types that make them turbo-charged - basically the Serena/Simone Biles of bank accounts:
- Tax benefits! More on this below.
- With these tax benefits do come rules. In the case of retirement accounts, you are spankeroo-d with a 10 percent penalty if you take the money out before age 59 1/2 (there are exceptions to this).
While this feature may seem limiting, it's actually a godsend! A casual dip into an easily-accessed savings account is far too seductive. Think of all the temptation you'll encounter on the road to retirement - a wedding (or two), new furniture for the house, driving past Panda Express on your way home every day. Having an account specifically designated and designed for retirement is a good thing. - Within retirement accounts, you can invest the money. This is important. Saving your money is only half the battle - you have to invest it as well!
Let's talk about taxes.
Now, obviously no one likes to talk about taxes, but it's the most important part! If you truly want to understand retirement accounts you have no choice but to choke down this financial brussels sprout.
Saved and invested money is taxed in two ways. The first of those is through capital gains tax. That's the tax you pay when you earn money off of an investment, like a stock. This is (mostly) always the case unless you invest the money in a retirement account!
Being free from capital gains tax is easily the greatest and most underrated feature that all retirement accounts share, and you'll reap this benefit no matter which type you choose. If you're doin' it right, the majority of the money you'll end up with in retirement will come from investing - not saving! That makes this one helluva deal.
The second tax consideration is income taxes. Here's where retirement account identities begin to diverge. And the million-dollar question with income taxes is:
Should I pay income taxes now or later?
- Later:
The "traditional" forms of retirement accounts - 401(k), IRA, and SEP IRA - are all tax-deferred. This means income taxes are - exactly as it sounds - deferred until later. Instead of paying income taxes up front on the money you earn, you pay taxes on the money you take from your account to spend.Income taxes are levied on any money that leaves the account - on what are called distributions.
- Now:
Roth IRA and Roth 401(k) are the opposite. Money deposited into a Roth is post-tax dollars. You've already paid income taxes - they came out of your paycheck! - and that's it. Money is not taxed again when you take it out of the account. In this way, it's like your regular ol' checking/savings account.Income taxes are taken before money enters the account - on what are called contributions.
So, whether you pay income taxes now or later, it has to happen eventually. Perhaps you are thinking, well then what's the big whoop? Pay 'em now or pay 'em later, who gives a sh*t?
Generally speaking, we should want to pay as little in taxes as possible. And the less we earn, the less we pay in income taxes. So it's best to pay income taxes when we're on the low end of the income scale. Traditional IRA-style accounts were designed for workers to save while they are substantially earning and in a higher tax bracket. For someone like this, it's smart to defer taxes because you will likely be in a much lower tax bracket in retirement (remember, you will pay taxes on distributions - what you spend).
Conversely, if you're just getting started in your career and getting paid in peanuts, but aspire to an extravagant retired life that's something betwixt Queen Elizabeth and Baddie Winkle, a Roth might make more sense. Get those pesky income taxes out da way, and never pay taxes again.
(Disclaimer: Don't lose sleep over this income tax stuff. It's important, but we also can't foretell the future of tax laws so much of this is merely hypothetical. Consult a tax adviser for more questions.)
Image Source: StockSnap / Benjamin Child
What else should I consider when choosing a retirement account?
Income taxes are the biggun'. But as important as taxes are, I want my recommendation to be very clear: Use whatever account is easiest for you. If there's an account you can access through your employer, hit it hard and don't look back. The most important thing is having one you actually use!
This is especially the case if your employer offers an employer match - where your work gives you free money if you make contributions into your retirement account.
(Example: Your employer offers a match of 50 percent of your contributions, up to 6 percent of your salary. So if you contribute 6 percent of your salary towards retirement, they'll match it with 3 percent of your salary.)
For those of you who don't have an account through work - or who simply want to know more! - read on for a comparison of account types. The major considerations you should be a-peepin' in addition to taxation are contribution limits and income limits. Find one that is the best fit for you!
Account Types
401(k)
- What it is: Retirement account offered to employees of a corporation.
- Where: At a bank of your employer's choosing.
- Income Taxes: Later.
- Contribution Limit (how much you can put into account in one year): $18,000 in 2017.
- Pros: Money is taken automatically from your paycheck as a percentage of salary (this is a good thing). Lower taxable income for the year. Some companies offer a company match - this match is not included in your $18,000 contribution maximum (can go over this amount with employer match).
- Best for: Someone who works for a company that offers one, especially if they provide a match!
- Watch out for: Fees. If you see suspicious fees in your 401(k), talk to your HR department or the bank.
IRA (Traditional IRA and Rollover IRA are the same things)
- What it is: An individual retirement account that you open and fund yourself.
- Where: At a brokerage bank of your choosing.
- Income Taxes: Later. Same tax status as a 401(k).
- Contribution Limit: $5,500 in 2017.
- Pros: Lower tax bill for the year. Because you are funding an IRA with money from your paycheck, which has already been taxed, those taxes are refunded upon tax filing.
- Best for: People without a retirement account offered through their work. Those who want to lower their taxable income for the year. And great to have for consolidating old 401(k) accounts into!
- Watch out for: You may not be able to deduct IRA contributions if you are already covered by a retirement account through your work and earn more (according to your modified gross adjusted income) than $71,000 (phase out beginning at $61,000).
Roth IRA
- What it is: An individual retirement account that you open and fund yourself.
- Where: At a brokerage bank of your choosing.
- Income Taxes: Now.
- Contribution Limit: $5,500 in 2017.
- Pros: Pay taxes now and never again.
- Best for: Young people or people with low incomes. People without a retirement account offered through work. Anyone who wants to pay income tax now. Freelancers, self-employed.
- Watch out for: To contribute to a Roth, you must have an earned income (a job). The Roth option was designed for lower earners, so your ability to contribute to a Roth IRA phases out when your income (modified adjusted gross income, specifically) reaches $118,000, up to $133,000 when you can no longer contribute. As a joint filer, these figures are $186,000 up to $196,000.
Roth 401(k)
- What it is: Retirement account offered to employees of a corporation. It is a newer* hybrid of the 401(k) (employers offer it, may include a match) and a Roth IRA (pay taxes up front).
*Because the account type is still pretty new, it is not widely offered by employers. - Where: At a bank of your employer's choosing.
- Income Taxes: Now.
- Contribution Limit: $18,000 in 2017.
- Pros: Money is taken automatically from paycheck. Some companies offer a company match. Pay taxes up front and never again (although, contributions from your employer may be taxable). Unlike with a Roth IRA, there is no cap on how much money you can earn to use a Roth 401(k).
- Best for: Someone who works for a company that offers one!
- Watch out for: If you have both a 401(k) and a Roth 401(k), you cannot exceed the annual $18,000 max between the two - though this does not include any employer match!
403(b)
- What it is: Retirement account for employees of a tax-exempt organization (teachers, school administrators, doctors, nurses, librarians, some ministers, etc.). It's like a 401(k), but for teachers!
- Where: A bank of your employer's choosing.
- Income Taxes: Later.
- Contribution Limit: $18,000 in 2017.
- Pros: Savings beyond pension plans. Occasional match programs (though this is rare). Lower taxable income for the year.
- Best for: Anyone who is offered one!
- Watch out for: 403(b) accounts come in a couple of different flavors when it comes to investing options. Be careful if you're only offered an annuity (as opposed to mutual funds) - these often have high fees.
Solo 401(k)
- What it is: Retirement account for people who run their own business and are the only employee (a spouse being the only exception).
- Where: At a brokerage bank of your choosing.
- Income Taxes: Later.
- Contribution Limit: $18,000 from your salary + up to approximately 20-25% of your compensation as a contribution from the business for a combined maximum of $54,000 (the precise calculation depends on how your business is structured).
- Pros: Much higher contribution limits than IRA and Roth IRAs. Lower personal tax bill this year (through salary deferral - the $18,000) and additional business contributions are potentially tax deductible.
- Best for: Business owners who are flyin' solo and who earn enough and want to contribute more to retirement than what IRA and Roth IRAs allow.
- Watch out for: These accounts are more complicated than your run-of-the-mill IRAs, so do your research and get help from a tax adviser.
SEP IRA
- What it is: Retirement account established by a small business owner or self-employed business for herself (and any employees).
- Income Taxes: Later.
- Contribution Limit: Whichever is lower of $54,000 or 25% of compensation (capped at $270,000) per employee.
- Pros: Much higher contribution limit than IRA and Roth IRAs. Contributions are tax deductible for the business owner.
- Best for: Self-employed/small biz owner who wishes to contribute to an IRA for herself (and to the IRAs of her employees).
- Watch out for: Because you are setting up a retirement plan for a business, there's more paperwork, and there are unique rules. Read up on these before proceeding, and always consult a tax adviser.
Note: These descriptions do not include every nuance of every account type. In an effort not to bog you down (which is counterproductive) I have included only what I think is important for someone who is first learning about retirement accounts. For more complete information, Investopedia is a great resource, and the IRS website is actually not that bad. Good luck and happy saving!
The Details of JonBenét Ramsey's Death Are Just as Chilling as They Were in 1996
The case of JonBenét Ramsey has sparked a renewed interest over the past year thanks to a handful of recent TV specials that have shed more light on her tragic death. Most recently, the Netflix feature-length documentary Casting JonBenét was released - it's a hybrid of fiction and nonfiction that aims to figure out just why the legacy of this unsolved crime still captures the nation's attention. The 6-year-old beauty queen was killed in December 1996, and while her attacker has never been found - suspects have ranged from her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, to her older brother Burke Ramsey and schoolteacher John Mark Karr, who falsely confessed to the crime - the details of JonBenét's murder are just as chilling as they were 21 years ago.
Make no mistake about it: JonBenét was brutally murdered. The little girl was found wrapped in her white blanket with a nylon cord around her neck, her wrists tied above her head, and duct tape over her mouth. An autopsy of JonBenét's body later revealed that she was struck in the head with a blunt object, which knocked her unconscious. Sometime between 45 minutes to two hours after she was knocked out, she was strangled to death with a garrote made from a piece of cord and the handle from a broken paintbrush. Patsy Ramsey alleged that JonBenét was not wearing the same clothing she went to bed in. The official cause of death was "asphyxia by strangulation associated with craniocerebral trauma," and police later confirmed that she had also been sexually assaulted.
In December 2003, investigators retested a blood sample found on JonBenét's underwear, which was revealed to belong to an unidentified male who was not related to the Ramsey family. In 2008, Burke, along with parents John and Patsy, were officially cleared in the case. To this day, investigators have not been able to identify who the DNA belongs to, and the case remains open.
The Best and Brightest Colors to Wear This Spring
A little bit of Spring shopping doesn't hurt. In fact, it's almost essential as you transition your wardrobe for the changing season. Your clothing easily affects your mood, and for that reason, it helps to be conscious of the colors you reach for when the sun starts to shine. The six shades here aren't just on trend; they're fresh and exciting. Read a detailed description of each one, then revitalize your look by shopping some key pieces in your new favorite tones.
33 Photos of Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos's Family That Will Replace Your Morning Coffee
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos may be big names in Hollywood (she has her own star on the Walk of Fame, after all), but when it comes to their personal life, they're just normal parents to their three gorgeous kids: Michael, 19, Lola, 15, and Joaquin, 14. Kelly and Mark, who eloped in Las Vegas in 1996, have never been shy about sharing glimpses of their family on social media over the years. Whether they're celebrating Christmas, bonding on family vacations, or visiting their parents at work, the Consuelos kids seem to have really good heads on their shoulders. And despite them growing up so fast (Michael recently went away to college), the family of five remains as tight as ever.
The Best and Brightest Colors to Wear This Spring
A little bit of Spring shopping doesn't hurt. In fact, it's almost essential as you transition your wardrobe for the changing season. Your clothing easily affects your mood, and for that reason, it helps to be conscious of the colors you reach for when the sun starts to shine. The six shades here aren't just on trend; they're fresh and exciting. Read a detailed description of each one, then revitalize your look by shopping some key pieces in your new favorite tones.
The 1 Thing You Should Try Adding to Your Scrambled Eggs
Some people add milk to their scrambled eggs, some prefer heavy cream, and some scramble them in bacon fat. Even if you think you've tried it all, there's one sneaky ingredient you might not have added before, and that's worcestershire sauce. I found this idea in a Facebook comment on our post about how chefs scramble eggs, and I knew I wanted to try it myself because I'm a huge fan of the incredibly savory condiment. The sauce, which is typically used for steak and Bloody Marys, is made of anchovies (yes, really), garlic, vinegar, molasses, salt, onions, chili peppers, and other spices.
So how does it taste in scrambled eggs? It's interesting, but in a good way - I totally approve. I recommend adding 1/4 teaspoon of worcestershire sauce per two eggs and whisking everything together well before cooking your eggs low and slow. The sauce is already really salty, so you don't need to add any more salt. The eggs develop a slightly tangy, smoky, umami-rich flavor that's unlike any scrambled egg I've had before. If you have worcestershire sauce on hand anyway, give this a try. It just might become your favorite scrambled eggs recipe.
67 Bikini Photos That Show Alessandra Ambrosio's Amazing Body
Alessandra Ambrosio's Instagram is reliable for a few things: bikinis, gorgeous beaches, and sexy photos. The Brazilian supermodel is not shy when it comes to getting in a skimpy swimsuit and posing for the camera - she did make her fame by walking down the runway of the hottest show in Victoria's Secret lingerie - and we don't blame her. The mom of two has a crazy-toned body. Need proof? See her sexiest bikini pictures, then check out her workout style.
67 Bikini Photos That Show Alessandra Ambrosio's Amazing Body
Alessandra Ambrosio's Instagram is reliable for a few things: bikinis, gorgeous beaches, and sexy photos. The Brazilian supermodel is not shy when it comes to getting in a skimpy swimsuit and posing for the camera - she did make her fame by walking down the runway of the hottest show in Victoria's Secret lingerie - and we don't blame her. The mom of two has a crazy-toned body. Need proof? See her sexiest bikini pictures, then check out her workout style.
6 Secrets From a Wedding DJ Who Sees and Hears It All
The music at your wedding can make or break the entire event. The dance floor at the reception is the prime spot for the wedding party and guests, and many people decide on having a DJ to create the night's soundtrack. But know this: your DJ sees all. They are spending several hours with you, watching guests, getting song requests, and taking in everything as the night progresses and the drinks continue to flow. From songs they refuse to play to the craziest things they've witnessed, read on for secrets one wedding DJ shared on Reddit.
1. What's on your "No, I absolutely will not play that" list?
"My 'no list' consists of for weddings, 'YMCA,' 'Celebration' and 'We Are Family,' contrary to people thinking it is great for its popularity it is always a floor killer for me . . . and any metal or hard rock unless the demographic is certainly that kind of crowd. It amazes me how often people I do events for one or two will request Disturbed or Slipknot when it is clearly a Pitbull and Flo Rida kind of crowd."
2. What is your craziest story?
"Last year I did a ceremony and reception. And the groom was pretty drunk, during the vows he said the wrong name and the crowd chuckled, the bride gave an awkward 'F U' kind of smile. Then at the reception I went to take a quick bathroom break . . . and when I walked out the groom was making out with some dude - I was like 'yeahhh this marriage is gonna be fun to keep up to date with.'"
3. How often do you get requests to play music that is older than either of the married couple?
"A lot actually. It's nice to see people who are in their 20s and 30s and still have a passion for classic music whether it's pop, rock, country etc. I feel music now days is very - just not as great or timeless. I'm 30 and I love Kevin Gates and Anime and Migos and Gaga and such but you just can't beat a classic request of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Skynyrd, Alabama, Better Midler and some other classics."
4. What's a request or something I can do to troll the crowd?
"'The Wobble' is a guarantee right now, I love Rick Astley 'Never gonna give you up', R!ot remix, it is crazy dope, starts off with a nice piano medley and after like 45 seconds it comes crashing in and people have always gone 'OMG' with it for me when I use it in a great way . . . Following by the Fresh Prince theme song has always worked for me in the trolling process. If you got early 30s late 20s, BSB 'Everybody' mixed in to NSYNC's 'Bye Bye Bye' followed by Spice Girls 'Wannabe' is a gold mine for me - you may as well have Carson Daly there live - the nostalgia explosion is ridiculous when I do it."
5. What's the worst/most bizarre thing that someone's ever asked you to play?
"[I] was at a winery and the event crowd was pretty country as it could get. I have a banner I use that reads text your request and a guy asked me to play Disturbed 'Sickness' followed by Celine Dion Titanic theme followed by Kid Rock 'Bawitaba', [and] I was like who the F are you 1) probably won't be playing those 2) I wish I could so come get five bucks, next drink is on me."
6. What's your worst experience at a wedding gig?
"I was in a good mix at a wedding and there were kids there and parents who didn't do a great job keeping an eye on them. I didn't see these three kids chasing each other nearby and one tripped over one of my speaker stand legs and face planted the ground knocking out a tooth or two . . . it was bloody. The dad actually came up and yelled at me and threatened . . . to sue, to which I showed him my liability form and insurance and assured him it would not be a valuable fight for him. They ended up leaving and needless to say the crowd was not in a very energetic mood at this point. I went to my go to folder that always works for me until I found my groove back, and things went well until a groomsmen came up hammered AF requesting songs. For a moment dude was hilarious and cool then he spilled his beer all over my laptop and mixer, laptop was fine but mixer began glitching and shorting out which ended the party pretty quick. Everything was warrantied so no loss there in getting a new one. I offered the bride and groom their money back. It was a nightmare."
Teacher's Note Giving Extra Homework Is Going Viral For All the Right Reasons
Although we saw some teachers move toward "no homework" policies this year (as well as parents who decided for themselves that their kids are "done" with homework), one head teacher in England sent a note home giving his students extra homework - right before a testing period, no less. Eliza Lawson, whose son Josh is in year six at Marden Bridge Middle School in the UK, posted a photo of the note to Facebook that's going viral for all the right reasons.
"Dear Pupil," starts Mr. Newport's note to his 10- and 11-year-old students. "You have done brilliantly in the build up to the SATs, well done. We have some extra homework for you! Please read below and see how many of these activities you can tick off."
However, rather than give actual homework to his likely stressed students on top of their impending statutory exams, he "assigned" them a list of fun weekend activities to complete in order to help them unwind and decompress before their tests, such as scooter riding and laughing "until your tummy hurts."
The caring teacher signed off his note by reminding his pupils that if they feel they absolutely have to study, he wanted them to revise for no more than an hour total over the course of the weekend. "Remember," he wrote. "Mr. Newport is in charge of worrying - you don't need to. You are amazing and I could not be more proud of you."
The note, which was sent home and posted to social media by Lawson on May 5, is being shared all over Facebook to spread the message that there are teachers out there who go above and beyond for their students. Lawson wrote: "Let's all share this and show Marden Bridge and Mr. Newport how much we value teachers that see our children as growing people, not numbers on a page!"
Sean Spicer Hid in the Bushes to Avoid the Press and the Internet Roasted Him in Seconds For It
Sean Spicer might be the most mocked White House press secretary in modern history. The internet loves to tease him about anything, whether it's about his chewing gum habits or him spewing alternative facts. Spicer's latest meme-worthy moment involves him literally hiding in the bushes to avoid talking to reporters.
Moments after Spicer wrapped up an interview with Fox Business about the firing of FBI Director James Comey, he hid behind some hedges, reports The Washington Post. Spicer reportedly stayed there with his staff for a few minutes, until an executive assistant in the press office, Janet Montesi, came out of the bush and told reporters Spicer would answer questions as long as cameras were off. So, in complete darkness, Spicer took questions for 10 minutes and then retreated back to the White House.
Former Obama White House Press Secretary Doesn't Have an Inkling of Sympathy For Sean Spicer
And though we wish this was a scene from an upcoming Saturday Night Live skit (though it probably will be this weekend), it's not. So of course, the internet created memes about the laughable situation.
.@seanspicer you: 🎥 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🙈🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳
- Melville House (@melvillehouse) May 10, 2017
Sean Spicer is hiding in bushes from the press http://pic.twitter.com/UQTlt2Glpu
- Allison Kilkenny (@allisonkilkenny) May 10, 2017
this gif is overused, but in light of sean spicer in the bushes.... http://pic.twitter.com/FnLfVL1QYK
- marisa kabas (@MarisaKabas) May 10, 2017
White House reporters to the #seanspicer bush:"He knows that we can still see him, right?"
: http://pic.twitter.com/CIM2auXKkQ- Blackonbothsides (@Biographer1986) May 10, 2017
A Tumblr blog, Find Spicer, has even popped up.
Source: Getty / Alex Wong
Some felt like the bush deserved recognition.
Find someone who will treat you the way a protective bush treats Sean Spicer
- Jesse Singal (@jessesingal) May 10, 2017
Others made a good point about how anyone would've felt in that situation.
Ok but wouldn't you also hide in the bushes
- Polly Mosendz (@polly) May 10, 2017
Hiding in bushes to avoid people and/or your job
- one of the only times I've related to Sean Spicer.- Joe Goats (@joegoats) May 10, 2017
13 Reasons Why Cast: Who's Single and Who's Taken
13 Reasons Why has been a huge topic of conversation ever since it premiered on Netflix in March. Not only is the show sparking important conversations about mental health, bullying, rape, and suicide, but the stellar cast has also quickly taken over Hollywood. Made up of mostly unknown actors, the stars who are behind Hannah Baker's 13 reasons have really piqued our interest lately. Not only have we obsessed over their real-life friendships and how hot some of the guys on the show are, but we also found ourselves curious about their dating lives. We were pretty heartbroken when we found out Dylan Minnette (Clay Jensen) has a longtime girlfriend, but there are some cast members who are single and ready to mingle.
All of Shay Mitchell's Sexiest Swimsuits Have One Thing in Common
It's no secret that Shay Mitchell is fond of traveling. The Pretty Little Liars star is constantly uploading photos of her envy-inducing vacations and dishing on her adventures in her YouTube series, Shaycation, which has over one million subscribers.
So when it comes to gearing up for a fun Summer getaway, she makes sure to pack her go-to - and very sexy! - swimsuit style, which may not come as a total surprise after scrolling through her feed. "I'm a huge fan of one-pieces . . . I love them," she told us. "I love bright colors, and there are so many amazing options to choose from as far as swim is concerned."
Keep scrolling to look back at some of her best swimwear moments, then shop the looks.
- Additional reporting by Samantha Sutton
Strident opponent of assisted dying won't chair advance request review
A Toronto doctor who once likened assisted dying to the Holocaust is no longer in charge of a federally mandated process to determine whether Canadians should be able to make advance requests for medical help to end their lives.
All of Shay Mitchell's Sexiest Swimsuits Have One Thing in Common
It's no secret that Shay Mitchell is fond of traveling. The Pretty Little Liars star is constantly uploading photos of her envy-inducing vacations and dishing on her adventures in her YouTube series, Shaycation, which has over one million subscribers.
So when it comes to gearing up for a fun Summer getaway, she makes sure to pack her go-to - and very sexy! - swimsuit style, which may not come as a total surprise after scrolling through her feed. "I'm a huge fan of one-pieces . . . I love them," she told us. "I love bright colors, and there are so many amazing options to choose from as far as swim is concerned."
Keep scrolling to look back at some of her best swimwear moments, then shop the looks.
- Additional reporting by Samantha Sutton
30 Parents Who Totally Have the Whole Parenting Humor Thing Down
Source: Twitter user FantasticFeed
Parenting is beautiful, it's fun, and it's one of the best gifts in the world - it's also difficult, emotionally trying, and sometimes just downright overwhelming. They say that sometimes you need to laugh so you don't cry, so we've rounded up 30 parenting gold nuggets to help you laugh through it with these other moms and dads who have totally resigned to humor instead of tears.
1. This dad who was left alone with his son for five minutes.
2. This dad who was supposed to keep the baby up so she'd sleep through the night.
Pretty much the best use of googly eyes ever.
Posted by Life of Dad on Monday, January 18, 2016
3. This mom who doesn't want to interupt her son's REM cycle.
Source: Flickr user Mike Burns
4. These parents who gave this epic teacher's gift.
Source: Evermine / Stacy Dutton
5. This dad who used his handyman skills to build his newborn a shark bed.
6. These parents that figured out the best way to tell their identical twins apart.
7. This dad who came up with the best solution to get his kids to do chores.
Source: Reddit user labuzan
8. This dad who believes that everyone should eat - erm, drink - at the same time.
Dare we say it? Father Level: Genius
- Shared by Life of Dad user, Mary Treece
Posted by Life of Dad on Sunday, October 4, 2015
9. This dad who need only turn to his lock screen for a good laugh.
Source: Flickr user Meme Binge
10. This dad who has figured out how to keep all of the little animals in his house busy.
Source: Twitter user OWIP FunnyGifsFails
11. This celebrity dad who understands that not everything his child does is amazing.
My daughter's only 6 months old and already drawing. I'd hang it on the fridge but honestly, it's absolute garbage.
- Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) June 19, 2015
12. This dad who just really wants some cake.
When you don't want to wake your daughter, but you DO want cake.
[Via Imgur]
Posted by Life of Dad on Thursday, February 18, 2016
13. This mom who isn't going to lie about taking shortcuts with hacks.
14. These parents who probably make every mundane task a hoot.
Source: Facebook user Life of Dad
15. These overprotective parents.
Source: Flickr user Meme Binge
16. This mom who is willing to understand that things change.
Source: Instagram user tinytribeevents
17. This dad who would never take out his frustration on his kids but isn't scared to admit he's totally PO'd.
Source: Brian Gordon
18. This mom who isn't going to push - she knows that kids are ridiculous.
19. This dad who isn't letting his daughter date until she's 40.
#Parenting level: Epic- #Dad #FunnyPics #Humor #Lol - http://t.co/Aiq3gMGwBH http://pic.twitter.com/VJ32HGB4bi
- ExpoJoke (@expojoke) July 7, 2015
20. These PTA parents who want to give their fellow parents a break.
Source: Facebook user Dee Wise Heinz
21. This mom who nailed her daughter's first-day-of-kindergarten photo shoot.
Source: Happy Acres Photography
22. This mom who realized that not all children's TV is good children's TV.
23. The dad who came up with these balloon art designs.
Source: Facebook user Life of Dad
24. This mom who allows irony to thrive.
25. This parent who wants to warn other drivers that she may be a bit loud while her child learns to drive.
Source: Twitter user Jedi_Poet
26. This mom who is having trouble finding the right chapter in What to Expect When You're Expecting.
Husband said the f-word when driving yesterday, which our son quickly (and clearly) repeated...but I can't find that page in the baby book
- Shannon Fisher (@ShanV11) April 27, 2015
27. This parent who understands the value of letting a toddler teach herself crucial skills.
28. These parents who just want to be paid rent.
Little Lacy is so not ok with this situation.
Thanks to Kendy for the picture!Posted by Life of Dad on Sunday, September 6, 2015
29. These parents who are sharing the value of hard work with their kids.
Source: Twitter user FantasticFeed
30. This dad who wanted to teach his son manners.
12 Luxurious Beauty Gifts to Pamper Your Mom With This Mother's Day
Maybe your mom is the one to thank for your obsession with makeup, or your passion for a solid skin-care regimen was instilled in you by her at an early age. Or, perhaps your mother is so low-maintenance, you're shocked you come from the same household.
Regardless, Mother's Day is fast approaching (May 14, for you procrastinators), and if you need a gift, there are few better ways to pamper your mama than with some sophisticated new beauty products. Ahead, we have the hottest hair tool on the market, the chicest bubble bath you've ever seen, and many more gifts for her that she'll adore almost as much as she loves you.
30 Parents Who Totally Have the Whole Parenting Humor Thing Down
Source: Twitter user FantasticFeed
Parenting is beautiful, it's fun, and it's one of the best gifts in the world - it's also difficult, emotionally trying, and sometimes just downright overwhelming. They say that sometimes you need to laugh so you don't cry, so we've rounded up 30 parenting gold nuggets to help you laugh through it with these other moms and dads who have totally resigned to humor instead of tears.
1. This dad who was left alone with his son for five minutes.
2. This dad who was supposed to keep the baby up so she'd sleep through the night.
Pretty much the best use of googly eyes ever.
Posted by Life of Dad on Monday, January 18, 2016
3. This mom who doesn't want to interupt her son's REM cycle.
Source: Flickr user Mike Burns
4. These parents who gave this epic teacher's gift.
Source: Evermine / Stacy Dutton
5. This dad who used his handyman skills to build his newborn a shark bed.
6. These parents that figured out the best way to tell their identical twins apart.
7. This dad who came up with the best solution to get his kids to do chores.
Source: Reddit user labuzan
8. This dad who believes that everyone should eat - erm, drink - at the same time.
Dare we say it? Father Level: Genius
- Shared by Life of Dad user, Mary Treece
Posted by Life of Dad on Sunday, October 4, 2015
9. This dad who need only turn to his lock screen for a good laugh.
Source: Flickr user Meme Binge
10. This dad who has figured out how to keep all of the little animals in his house busy.
Source: Twitter user OWIP FunnyGifsFails
11. This celebrity dad who understands that not everything his child does is amazing.
My daughter's only 6 months old and already drawing. I'd hang it on the fridge but honestly, it's absolute garbage.
- Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) June 19, 2015
12. This dad who just really wants some cake.
When you don't want to wake your daughter, but you DO want cake.
[Via Imgur]
Posted by Life of Dad on Thursday, February 18, 2016
13. This mom who isn't going to lie about taking shortcuts with hacks.
14. These parents who probably make every mundane task a hoot.
Source: Facebook user Life of Dad
15. These overprotective parents.
Source: Flickr user Meme Binge
16. This mom who is willing to understand that things change.
Source: Instagram user tinytribeevents
17. This dad who would never take out his frustration on his kids but isn't scared to admit he's totally PO'd.
Source: Brian Gordon
18. This mom who isn't going to push - she knows that kids are ridiculous.
19. This dad who isn't letting his daughter date until she's 40.
#Parenting level: Epic- #Dad #FunnyPics #Humor #Lol - http://t.co/Aiq3gMGwBH http://pic.twitter.com/VJ32HGB4bi
- ExpoJoke (@expojoke) July 7, 2015
20. These PTA parents who want to give their fellow parents a break.
Source: Facebook user Dee Wise Heinz
21. This mom who nailed her daughter's first-day-of-kindergarten photo shoot.
Source: Happy Acres Photography
22. This mom who realized that not all children's TV is good children's TV.
23. The dad who came up with these balloon art designs.
Source: Facebook user Life of Dad
24. This mom who allows irony to thrive.
25. This parent who wants to warn other drivers that she may be a bit loud while her child learns to drive.
Source: Twitter user Jedi_Poet
26. This mom who is having trouble finding the right chapter in What to Expect When You're Expecting.
Husband said the f-word when driving yesterday, which our son quickly (and clearly) repeated...but I can't find that page in the baby book
- Shannon Fisher (@ShanV11) April 27, 2015
27. This parent who understands the value of letting a toddler teach herself crucial skills.
28. These parents who just want to be paid rent.
Little Lacy is so not ok with this situation.
Thanks to Kendy for the picture!Posted by Life of Dad on Sunday, September 6, 2015
29. These parents who are sharing the value of hard work with their kids.
Source: Twitter user FantasticFeed
30. This dad who wanted to teach his son manners.
Are You Doing It Right? 5 Ways to Tell If You’re Succeeding at Your New Job
Starting a new job is usually an exciting time with the anticipation that your new gig will be a perfect match, and will allow you to cultivate and sharpen your skills while making a positive contribution to the company. At the same time, it can be very stressful, especially within the first three months when you are literally on trial and don't know if you will make it to the other side of your probationary period. With different management styles, it is a challenge for people to figure out whether they are doing a good job or not. The following are five ways to tell if you are doing well at your new job:
1. You Have Greater Ownership Over Your Work
Obviously, you were hired to do a specific job, and if someone else has to do it for you, why do they need you? Truth be told, when you are just starting out, there will be a lot of hand-holding as you get acclimated to your new role. Your direct supervisor is going to offer you a lot of guidance to make sure that you are on the right track. But as you get better at your role and your team starts to trust you, they will more often give you the ball to run with. This is a great sign and shows that you are doing well at your new job. The sooner the hand-holding stops, the better you are doing. The hope is that the hand-holding stops closer to your first month than to your third month, because if it takes 90 days for your team to trust you, then Houston, we have a problem.
2. You Are Being Given More Responsibility
Another sign that you're doing great at your new job is when you are given responsibility beyond your current role. It's one thing to get your management team to trust you with your role, but once they start trusting you with projects that are beyond the scope of what you were hired for, you know that you are doing pretty awesome. Some may look at this as unfavorable; however, a little more work won't hurt anyone, and if it is a place where you are looking for longevity, the more areas that you make yourself valuable, the better.
3. Your Colleagues Rely on Your Opinion/Expertise
They say opinions are like Facebook pages because everyone has them. But in the workplace, valued opinions are few and far between. When you start being the go-to person for your opinion and expertise, this is a good indication that you are doing spectacular at your job. It's one thing to be trusted with your own duties or given extra responsibility, but when that graduates to people trusting you with what they are responsible for, then you are closer to becoming a permanent team member. Establishing yourself as a trusted resource doesn't come easy, especially when you are new. So if it starts to happen, be sure to take it as sign that you are doing things right.
4. You're Asked to Represent Your Company
First you are being trusted with your own work, then you are given extra responsibility, and after that people trust your expertise and opinion. But when your company starts to ask you to represent them in public, it's clear that you are well on your way to becoming a permanent team member. This is a big deal, because when you first start out, the mistakes that you make internally stay within the company, so most new employees are never given the opportunity to go out and publicly represent their employers. But when you are sent on speaking engagements to talk on behalf of your employer, if you are asked to head up a meeting with external partners, or when press opportunities arise that you're asked to fulfill, you are given the leeway to relay the company's message to the masses. This is the holy grail of trust and comfort with your higher-ups.
5. Your Boss Is Starting to Lean on You More
"Can you handle this for me?" are the six most important words you can hear from your boss as an employee, let alone a new employee. What the boss is responsible for is not only important for the company but also for their reputation. When you are being trusted to handle things on behalf of the boss, you know that you are there to stay. Being the first that he/she turns to, being mentioned as the alternative contact in out-of-office messages, and/or being told "You got this, I trust you" is the ultimate grand prize of awesomeness at the workplace! You are officially an asset!
Luvleen Sidhu is the president, cofounder, and chief strategy officer at BankMobile, the largest and fastest growing digital bank in the country helping the underbanked, millennials, and middle-income Americans have an affordable, effortless, and financially empowering banking experience.