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Tween Girl Gift Guide 2023

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My twin girls are 11.5, but going on 13 in attitudes, interests, desire for independence, and everything else that comes along with the transition into teenage years! They’ve mostly outgrown their more “kid” toys like playing with dolls, but still love a good activity or family game night!

I hate clutter and love the idea of buying things that can be used, are some form of entertainment/activity, or an experience type gift. With that in mind, I’ve put together a little Tween Girl Gift Guide. None of this is sponsored or affiliate-related. It’s all just things my kids have put on their Amazon Wishlist and/or ideas I’ve given to family members. I wanted to share it here, in case it is helpful to others!

Tween Girl Gift Guide

 

Woobles 

I bought a penguin crochet kit for $30 for my daughter who loves sewing and knitting. She hasn’t tried crochet yet, but I think she’ll love this activity! And how cute is that penguin!?

Clay Kit

I recommended this clay kit for one of the Grandma’s to buy. It’s under $30 and comes with a whole assortment of clay that can be modeled and baked, along with kit items to help use the clay to make jewelry or a fun sculpture. This isn’t your “kid” play-doh set. This is the more adult version that, once baked, will keep its shape.

Makeup

I guess I could’ve named this list “Tween Gifts Under $30” because this kit, too, comes in right at $30. It’s more adult than the “kid” version of make-up kits – this includes foundation and concealer, for example!

Shark Snuggie

This is just a riot! Again priced right at $30 – this Snuggie is perfect for my shark-obsessed daughter! I can’t wait to see her face when she unwraps this one!

Blank Slate 

This is a game that’s perfect for family game night! We tend to like fast-paced games and this one is a winner for parents and tweens, alike! Only $20 right now! We were gifted this by a neighbor and play it often.

Bead Kit

My T. Swift fans begged for a bead kit that included letter beads so they could make bracelets with coded messages from Taylor Swift lyrics. We already owned a “normal” bead kit with regular colors. Adding this bead kit with elastic string and letter beads was the perfect extension of our current bead collection. Only $8!

642 Things to Draw

This was recommended by another mom’s friend. The book gives prompts for things to draw and leaves it to the kids’ imagination for how to complete the picture. One of my girls is quite artsy and into drawing, so I think this would be right up her alley!

 

The Finances of Gift-Giving

I think my kids have more than enough, and I hate bringing “stuff” into the house. Anything with lots of pieces is likely to get lost and then thrown out. And I don’t like clutter or junk just laying around.

For those reasons, I go pretty minimally on Christmas gifts. I mostly stick to one bigger thing (often an experience gift), and then wrap up more practical things I would likely buy anyway just to have more stuff under the tree (e.g., clothes that they’d need anyway, new socks, underwear, etc.). I even put necessities in their stockings, like new toothbrushes and mouthwash. Maybe it’s not super exciting, but it’s practical and keeps costs down.

Families and Gift-Giving

The grandmas, however, like to buy the kids a physical item to unwrap. Given all the Grandmas, the kids have plenty under the tree. The toys and activities above include some of the top ideas I gave to family members who wanted to buy the girls physical gifts (as opposed to experience gifts).

We’re lucky in our family that it’s normative for none of the adults to buy for each other. For that reason, there’s no expectation or “requirement” to purchase gifts for siblings, in-laws, parents, etc. We keep the focus on the kids and spending time together, which is all most of us want anyway.

What are the norms for gift-giving in your family?

How to Afford a Luxury Nursing Home

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Affording a luxury nursing home seems unattainable; careful planning and consideration, however, come in a clutch to make this goal a reality. It’s quite the goal to achieve, as most high-quality nursing homes boast luxurious features – furniture included. According to Amish Mike, every piece of Amish furniture is handcrafted; you’ll likely get that in a luxury nursing home. Here are some of the ways you can afford a high-end nursing home.

1. Long-Term Care Insurance

What’s something you can do to secure a place in a luxurious nursing home? Well, the answer lies in how much money you’re willing to shell out – in long-term care investments, that is. Investing in financial instruments specifically for this purpose can help you secure the funds needed to afford this kind of nursing home!

Long-term care insurance offers coverage for costs concerning nursing home care – medical services, room and board, and personal care. Paying regular premiums ensures you have a financial safety net when you require long-term care; surprises down the road may cost you and not in a good way. This type of insurance alleviates the burden of high nursing home expenses, providing peace of mind.

Long-term care investments offer a practical solution if you want to afford luxury nursing when the time comes. Strategic investments, long-term care insurance, or government programs; all of these are crucial to making informed financial decisions. Taking proactive steps takes you closer to affording high-quality care for your later years!

2. Personal Savings and Investments

Personal savings and investments are, of course, an ideal way to afford that luxury nursing home you want. How do you go about this? Planning ahead and making smart financial choices ensures you have the necessary funds to cover the costs associated with high-quality long-term care.

For starters, save early and consistently. Setting aside a portion of your income regularly builds a lucrative financial nest over time. Consider creating a dedicated savings account for long-term care costs and make it a priority to chip in some money into it consistently.

Savings aside, investing wisely also grows wealth and provides additional funds for a high-end nursing home. Consult your financial advisor to develop an investment strategy that matches your risk tolerance and goals. Diversifying your investment pool across various asset classes mitigates risks and maximizes returns.

Furthermore, consider exploring government programs and benefits. According to Elder and Estate Planning Attorneys, Medicaid usually covers up to a hundred days of nursing home care. It’s advisable to use your research skills and look into the eligibility criteria and application process for such programs. Doing so brings you closer to alleviating the financial aspect of affording a luxurious nursing home!

3. Medicaid Planning

Medicaid planning is a given when thinking about how you can afford that luxury nursing home you’ve been eying. The cost of long-term care is always rising; you may find yourself concerned about how you’ll finance your stay in a high-end facility. Medicaid planning provides a solution for this – you can navigate the complex eligibility requirements of the Medicaid program.

A key benefit of Medicaid planning is its ability to protect assets – even your personal info – while still qualifying for the program’s benefits. According to Forbes, over four billion records were exposed in data breaches in the first half of 2019. You won’t have to worry about this, though, with Medicaid planning. Strategically planning your finances and assets ensures you meet the income and asset limits set by Medicaid – you won’t deplete your entire estate.

Medicaid planning is a valuable tool for anyone planning their retirement in a nursing home. Utilizing legal strategies and strategically managing your assets will help you qualify for Medicaid benefits; it’ll preserve your wealth, too. You’ll enjoy the comforts and quality care offered by luxury nursing homes without compromising your financial security!

Putting money aside to afford luxury nursing is possible with the right strategies. Make sure to consult professionals if it becomes tough to put your plans in place. Call us today if you want to make plans for your stay at a high-end nursing home; we’ll help you every step of the way!