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• Score Big: How to boost your credit without breaking the bank.

• From Invisible Load to Visible Help: How to turn your kids into household heroes.

• Toddler Time at Disney: Tips to make your trip a whole new world.

FINANCES

Score big.

Ready to give your credit score a makeover? 🌟 Your credit score is more than just a number—it's your ticket to better loan rates, lower insurance premiums, and even smoother apartment rentals. But how do you boost it without breaking a sweat? Here’s your quick guide to leveling up your credit score with smart, easy steps.

What’s a Credit Score?
Think of your credit score as your financial report card. Creditors use it to assess how reliable you are when it comes to repaying loans. A high score can open doors to better loan terms and lower rates on insurance.

How’s It Calculated?
Your score is crafted from a blend of data tracked by the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Here’s the breakdown:

• Payment History: Your record of paying bills on time.

• Outstanding Balances: The total amount you owe.

• Credit History Length: How long your credit accounts have been active.

• New Credit Applications: How often you apply for new credit.

• Types of Credit Accounts: A mix of credit cards, mortgages, and loans.

Quick Tips to Boost Your Score

1. Spot Check Your Reports: Get your free credit reports from the three major bureaus each year. Scrutinize them for errors—any incorrect late payments or accounts that don’t belong to you can drag down your score. Dispute inaccuracies to see a quick boost.

2. Master On-Time Payments: Payment history is the biggest chunk of your score, so stay punctual. Set up automatic payments or reminders to keep late payments at bay and your score on the rise.

3. Manage Credit Utilization: Keep your credit card balances low. Aim for under 30% of your limit to avoid dinging your score. Pay down balances regularly and avoid opening new credit lines unless needed.

4. Use Authorized User Status Wisely: Adding yourself as an authorized user on a responsible friend’s or family member’s card can help boost your score. Just ensure the primary account holder has a great payment history and check that their card issuer reports authorized users.

5. Strategize with New Credit Cards: Opening a new card can raise your overall credit limit and improve your utilization ratio. Use it responsibly and keep overall credit usage in check to see a score boost.

🎯Target Score: Aim for at least 760 for the best mortgage rates and 720 for top auto loan terms. A perfect 850 isn’t necessary, but hitting the 760 mark keeps you in a good spot.

With these tips, you’ll be on your way to a healthier credit score and a brighter financial future.

PARENTING

From invisible load to visible help.

Feeling the invisible load of motherhood? You’re not alone. Most moms know the drill: you’re exhausted but wonder why you didn’t get more done. It’s the mental and emotional weight of household management—those tasks that go unnoticed but are crucial for keeping everything running smoothly. Research shows this burden often falls disproportionately on moms, even in two-income households. So, how can we lighten the load?

The Three Faces of the Invisible Load. Studies reveal that motherhood involves a trio of invisible burdens: managerial, cognitive, and emotional. Managerial load covers planning and organizing, cognitive load includes decision-making and mental to-do lists, and emotional load involves the constant worry about family well-being. Moms are often doing all three, which can be mentally draining.

Teach Kids to Notice and Do. Enter Sam Kelly, a therapist and mom who’s tackling this head-on. Instead of traditional chore charts, Kelly is introducing her kids to the “Notice and Do” method. She’s teaching them to first notice what needs to be done around the house and then take action. This approach helps kids understand the invisible labor that goes into managing a home and encourages them to take initiative.

Kelly’s strategy is simple yet effective: Have ongoing conversations about the responsibilities of household management and how to handle them. Her kids, aged 12, 10, and 6, are learning that noticing a task and doing it is crucial. By flipping the script on traditional chore charts, Kelly is setting her children up to be proactive and responsible, helping to balance the load in a practical way.

Why It Matters. By teaching kids these skills, you’re not just lightening your own load—you’re also preparing them to manage their own homes and responsibilities in the future. It’s about creating a family culture where everyone contributes and understands the effort involved in running a household.

TRAVEL

Toddler time at Disney.

Planning a Disney trip with little ones? Get ready for a whirlwind of fun and chaos! To keep your trip stress-free and full of 🪄magic, check out these pro tips from fellow Disney parents.

• Stroller Cover Must-Have: Skip soggy strollers and pack a stroller cover. It’ll keep your little one dry during those surprise Florida downpours.

• Splash Pads & Change of Clothes: Let your toddler splash around and cool off at splash pads. Don’t forget a change of clothes and a plastic bag for the wet ones!

• Skyline Thrills: The Skyliner and monorail are free rides with spectacular views. They’re a hit with kids and give you a break from the usual park hustle.

• Snackle Box Essential: Keep a stash of snacks handy. Toddlers’ appetites are unpredictable, and a well-stocked snackle box can save you from meltdowns.

• Character Breakfast vs. Genie+: Skip Genie+ for the under-3 crowd and splurge on a character breakfast instead. Meet multiple characters without waiting in long lines!

• Epcot for Toddlers: Epcot is a toddler’s dream with its splash pad, playgrounds, and interactive fun. It’s packed with activities perfect for little adventurers.

• Pool Break Bliss: Don’t stress about park hours. A mid-day pool break can recharge everyone and keep the magic alive.

• Find the Launderette: The hotel laundry room is your unsung hero. It’s a lifesaver for those inevitable spills and messes.

• Skip Nighttime Shows: Ditch the fireworks and use the quieter evening to hit popular rides or meet characters with shorter lines.

With these tips, you’re set for a Disney trip that’s as smooth as a Magic Kingdom carousel ride 🎠

TRENDING

SNIPPETS

🔐Unlock your security. 7 password rules for a hack-free 2024.

💄Beauty bestsellers. Top beauty picks you need in your Amazon cart.

🍹$14 margarita in a bottle. Trader Joe’s new wine cocktail is a sip of summer bliss.

💖 Heartfelt firsts. Mom overwhelmed hearing autistic daughter say, “I Love You” for first time.

🌽 Butter believe it. Butter Bath Corn—the only way to cook corn this summer.

Birdie just got even better! 📣

You can now install our sleek new app, 📌 pin it to your home screen, and stay up-to-date with all things Birdie. With push notifications, real-time engagement, and a seamless mobile experience, you'll never miss a beat. Download the app for free and enjoy Birdie on the go. 📱

Here's how to get started: 

1. Head over to wearebirdie.com on your mobile device.

2. Click 'Login,' enter your email and select 'Send me a link.' 

3. Follow the steps from 'Get Access' to install the Birdie app. 

❗Keep in mind, the install prompt will only show up on your first visit. After that, you can find the install option in the dropdown menu (the three lines at the top right). 📲

I'm thrilled to have the Birdie app icon on my home screen… and I know you'll love it too! 

Tackle Bedtime with Netflix Jr.’s Popular Podcast

• Made to help kids drift off to sleep

• Created with a childhood development expert

• Features stories from Netflix series like StoryBots

Listen to Bedtime Stories.

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