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Archives for 2015

Protecting Your Family’s Financial Future

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Protecting Your Family’s Financial Future

You probably already look to insure your car, home and maybe your health but what about your family’s financial future? Many people overlook the idea of having life insurance or are not fully aware of the benefits but it can give all-important peace of mind if the main earner in the household dies or cannot work. Here are some of the reasons why you should think about having life insurance.

The Benefits of Life Insurance

How would you cope financially if you lost the income of the main earner in the household? For most people, this would be a devastating scenario, especially if you have little or no savings to help you.

There are several different options when it comes to buying life insurance and a lot will depend on the type(s) of scenario that you want to cover yourself for. Most people are at least vaguely aware of general life insurance (also known as Death insurance), which provides a lump sum payment for beneficiaries if the policyholder dies or becomes terminally ill.

Besides this, there is also the option to buy Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance, Trauma insurance (also known as Critical Illness insurance) and Income Protection insurance. These life insurance products can protect against being unable to work due to permanent disability, certain medical traumas and illness, injury or an accident.

Do You Already Have Any Life Insurance?

If you have a superannuation fund, you may already have at least some degree of life insurance attached to this. This has the benefit of being cost effective as premiums are deducted from your super balance but it does have some drawbacks.

Many people are content to rely solely on this (especially if they would struggle to find room in their budget for premiums) but the default minimum cover will rarely be enough to provide an adequate level of protection unless you choose to upgrade from this. Not all types of life insurance are available through your super fund; Trauma/Critical Illness insurance cannot be bought in this way, for example.

You can choose to buy more life insurance cover through your super fund or shop around for additional cover through an insurer.

How Much Life Insurance to Buy?

Underinsurance is a big problem in Australia, especially for life insurance. This means that many people do not have enough life insurance in place to provide adequate protection if the worst happens. This is largely to do with an over reliance on life insurance offered through superannuation but is also due to not recognising how much life insurance is needed to give genuine financial peace of mind.

Firstly, you’ll need to think about your anticipated current and future expenses, including bills, rent or mortgage payment and debts over the next few decades. As a general rule of thumb, most families will benefit from having something in the region of $500 000 or more of Death insurance but a lot depends on your outgoings and how long you may need the payment to last for.

This is an S2 POST.

Lah-Lah’s Adventures + Signed Giveaway!

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Lah-Lah’s Adventures

My 2 year old daughter has really taken to Lah-Lah recently. She went from having no interest in the band to absolutely loving it! It is strange how kids are like that.

It goes without saying, she was absolutely thrilled when Lah-Lah’s Adventures: Join The Band DVD arrived. Of course it went straight on and she was up dancing and singing. Lah-Lah is great for teaching children (even young ones like my daughter) that music is fun, educational and the dancing gives them a good workout!

This is the newest Lah-Lah DVD release will not disappoint the bands fans.

Roadshow Synopsis:

Join in with Lah-Lah and the band as they are back for more musical adventures. Together with Buzz the Bandleader, Lola the Dancing Double Bass, Mister Saxophone, Squeezy Sneezy and Tom Tom, Lah Lad shows kids the power of music, the importance of imagination and the sheer pleasure of finding your own rhythm.

Loaded with extra fun and features including ‘Jukebox’ featuring all 15 songs; and ‘Make It, Play It’ segments, which show kids how to make wonderful instruments out of everyday recycled items.

Release Date:  November 4 ~ Demographic: Pre-School ~ RRP: $19.95

Prize Includes: 3x Lah-Lah’s Adventures DVD’s & 1x Signed Ukulele!

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions: 
1. Australian residents only.
2. Judges decisions is final.
3. Winners must make contact within 72 hours.
4. This is a game of skill. Chance plays no part!
Therefore no extra points are given for sharing however it is good karma!!
5. All Mum Said is not responsible for delivery of prize.
NOT endorsed by or have anything to do with facebook.

If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

Disclosure: I received the new Lah-Lah’s DVD for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

5 Things You’ll Need For A Batman Party

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5 Things You’ll Need For A Batman Party

You’re never too old for a Batman party. No, seriously. DC Comics’ Caped Crusader is one of the most enduring icons in popular culture, with legions of fans among kids and grownups alike.

Whether you’re throwing a weekend birthday bash for your child or just having a fun get-together with friends on a Friday night, a Batman-themed party is sure to be a smash. Here are 5 things you’ll need to help you get started.

1. Costumes

The Batman universe is filled with great ideas for potential costumes, with the most difficult to put together being that of the Dark Knight himself. Luckily, there are plenty of costume purchase and hire outlets like Disguises that stock authentic Batman costumes, in kids’ and adults’ sizes, from every era of the character’s history – and that includes his allies and rogues gallery too! Some villains, like Two-Face or Harley Quinn, you might even be able to put together yourself if you’re feeling creative.

2. Decorations

When decorating for a Batman-themed party, you should consider pulling from his storied history for ideas. Maybe put the “Gotham City: 14 Miles” sign from the ‘60s TV show in your front yard, or hang an Arkham Asylum sign above the door. If you’re not afraid of anything being broken, you can also invest in replica rubber Batarangs found online, or apply Bat symbols, Joker ‘HA HA HA’s and Riddler Question Mark wall decals throughout your home.

3. Games

The best game you could come up with for any Batman-themed party is a mystery for the guests to solve. It’s a Batman party, after all, and he is the World’s Greatest Detective. Come up with an amusing story to go along with it involving a Batman villain, and tailor it to your audience. Keep it light for a kids’ party, but feel free to get darker and grittier for adults. Provide clues for guests to collect, analyse and ultimately use to solve the mystery for a prize.

4. Atmosphere

Atmosphere is key to any good party and there are lots of ways to build it around your Batman theme. Danny Elfman’s theme from Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman is a fantastic song that embodies the character perfectly. You could even take background audio from the excellent Batman: Arkham Asylum videogame for the perfect villainous backdrop. Add a portable smoke machine and a DIY indoor Batsignal and you’re looking pretty good!

5. Recommended Viewing

If you’d like something to throw on the TV in the background (or if your party is a viewing party), there are so many films and shows to choose from. For films, Tim Burton’s Batman Returns or Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight would be choice picks. From TV, Bruce Timm’s now-legendary Batman: The Animated Series is perfect for either kids or grownups.

These are just a handful of the things you’ll need to put on a successful Batman-themed party. TIP: Don’t forget to send your guests home with a “utility belt” gift bag full of Batman goodies and enjoy your night in Gotham.

You have a lot to do and party planners – like Batman himself – never rest. To the Batcave!

This is an S2 POST.

Power Rangers Dino Charge DVD Giveaway

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When I was a child there were many shows that were a priority to watch on Saturday mornings or on Cheese TV before school. Power Rangers was one of them!

As I grew up, the show seemed to just vanish but like a lot of TV series, they have made a comeback. I now see my own children getting exciting by the Power Rangers and re-enacting the shows themselves. It is great to see!

Power Rangers Dino Charge: Power From The Past

Just in time for Christmas, Roadshow has released the latest Power Rangers DVD. The outfits may be different, the characters may be different but Power Rangers Dino Charge: Power From The Past; is almost certain to get the kids excited.

Roadshow Synopsis: In Dino Charge, the Energems were given to ten dinosaurs for safe keeping by an alien, but they were lost when asteroids hit the Earth and wiped out the dinos. Now in the present day, an intergalactic bounty hunter starts sniffing around Earth looking for the Energems in order to harness their power and annihilate the world. A team of Power Rangers forms to find the Energems first and fight the bounty hunter and other threats with dino-powered swords, blasters, Zords, and Megazords.

RRP: $19.95 * Released: 7/10/2015 

Prize includes: 1x Power Rangers Dino Charge: Power From The Past DVD. RRP $19.95.

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions: 
1. Australian residents only.
2. Judges decisions is final.
3. Winners must make contact within 72 hours.
4. This is a game of skill. Chance plays no part!
Therefore no extra points are given for sharing however it is good karma!!
5. All Mum Said is not responsible for delivery of prize.
NOT endorsed by or have anything to do with facebook.

If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

Disclosure: I received the above item for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

Cleverkeet – Little Live Pets Review

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Cleverkeet – Little Live Pets Review

Christmas is only just around the corner which means the wish lists are starting to grow! Santa is going to have to work the elves from sun up to sun down to get the presents ready in time; especially with all the amazing new toys being put on shelves recently.

As many parents will have experienced over the years, children often ask Santa for pets for Christmas. This could be any pet; a dog, a cat, a bird or even a fish. Unfortunately pets aren’t suitable for everyone though and often circumstances simply don’t allow it. This is where Little Live Pets from Moose is the perfect compromise!

Cleverkeet Review

Cleverkeet is an interactive robo-pet that dances, talks, responds to your voice and can even drive its very own birdie cart. This bird is smart!

When your child first opens their new ‘pet’ and gives it a name, this very clever bird will remember it. Like the other Little Live Pets, Cleverkeet can record and repeat messages but it also does so much more.

Just like a real pet, this Cleverkeet requires some creature comforts at home which it comes standard with. Included is its very own playground which contains: a swing, a mirror, a dance floor and a perch. He also enjoys playing, dancing, eating and drinking from his food perch and being carried around while having a chat with his new best friend.

He can often be a little too into himself as he loves showing off while dancing in front of his mirror. Your child is going to absolutely love their new pet and you will be grateful there is no mess, no food and fuss associated with owning such a cute feathered friend.

Suitable for children aged 5+ this is going to be a Christmas favourite. Available in pink or blue from major retailers for RRP $79.95!

What is on your child’s wish list this year?

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