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Icons and superheroes go in and out of style, so decorating your kids rooms to reflect their current favorite may not be the best idea. Decorators suggest using timeless themes and practical ideas to make their spaces cheerful and organized:

Start with color ” Choose a favorite, preferably a soothing one, to help your child ease into sleep. Consider painting one wall in chalkboard paint, ready for years of artistic expression.

Use cool family art ” Choose a favorite family, vacation, or kid photo and blow it up to large standard frame size at an office supply store. Then cut it evenly into thirds or fourths vertically, frame each one, and hang them side by side as separate pieces separated by just an inch or two.

Make it a gallery ” String wire from one wall to another, just high enough for you to reach, to hold a changing display of your childs drawings. Or frame the drawings in standard acrylic frames that can be changed as new masterpieces emerge.

Try dresser magic ” Perk up a drab white dresser inexpensively by tying a length of colorful ribbon into a bow around each of the knobs.

Create a reading nook ” Make it an inviting place for shared reading with a bookcase full of books, soft lighting, and seating comfy enough for cuddling.

Add maxi–storage ” A rack of colorful, stacked bins from the local home store is better than a toy box for storing trucks, games, building blocks, and other large toys.

And mini-storage ” A multi-pocketed shoe organizer hung from one wall is a great place to stash mini action figures, Hot Wheels cars, hair goodies, and other small treasures.

Stock cubbies or a shelf with art supplies ” Keep it full of construction paper, markers, poster board, and other supplies your kid may need for school projects.

Create a play space ” Kids love to play dress-up. Find an old trunk and fill it with vintage clothing and hats they can use to put on a show.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

So a babe is on the way? Congrats! Along with the chaos of, well, everything that is to come, your finances are about to experience an upheaval, as well. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it will cost upwards of $245,000 to raise a child born in 2013 to the age of 18″and this does not include college. Feeling that bank account burn already? Below are five tips for rocking your budget as a new mom or dad.

1. Tweak the budget. Your new little one is going to cost a pretty penny. From hospital costs to diapers and child care, budgetary stress is an added strain on you as a new mom or dad. Look for any unnecessaries you can slash to make room for more baby dollars. The more prepared you are, the better.

2. Track your spending. Don’t just make that budget and set it aside. Set a monthly meeting with your spouse to look over your spending, make sure you’re on track, and identify any problem areas or potential saving pockets.

3. Learn your tax credits. I bet you didn’t see this one coming. Being a parent has some advantages at tax time, so talk to your tax professional about what you may be eligible for.

4. Automate, automate, automate. Not only can automation help you avoid bouncing bills, but by having money withdrawn from your account, you can pad up your savings, too. Figure out how much you can part with every month and automatically squirrel it away into an emergency savings account, a college savings account, or both.

5. Set financial goals. While creating a budget and savings plan is great, setting goals for your family can help you stay on track. Looking to have a set amount in a college account by the time your kid hits 18? Do the math and decide how much you need to save monthly to hit it. Is an annual family vacation a must? Figure out how to stash some cash for that, and then make it happen. Also, stay well informed on real estate market trends if you’re looking to buy a home or move up to a larger one.

Above all, don’t forget to be realistic, and forgive yourself if it takes some time to get on track. Parenting is a lifelong adventure!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are four reasons to consider adding smart home technology to your space…

Energy Efficiency

Smart thermostats regulate themselves and reduce the energy required to heat and cool your home.

Security

See whos ringing the doorbell via live video stream and control your door locks from anywhere using your cellphone.

Convenience

Smart home technology gives you control over all your appliances from the palm of your hand.

Peace of Mind

Smart home technologys greatest quality may just be the peace of mind that comes with having control over your house.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you’re having trouble paying your mortgage, programs are available to help homeowners in situations like yours keep their houses or avoid foreclosure. Don’t wait to ask for help.

Talk to Your Loan Servicer and a Housing Counselor
If you can’t pay your mortgage on time, contact your loan servicer. Explain the reason for the problem and whether you expect it to be resolved soon, or whether it’s permanent, so that the lender can offer options to help.

You can also seek guidance from a housing counselor approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). He or she can tell you if you qualify for a government assistance program, help you choose the best option offered by your mortgage servicer, make a budget and resolve credit card debt or other financial problems that are making it difficult for you to afford your mortgage.

Options to Get Back on Track
You might be able to refinance your mortgage by taking on a new loan with a lower interest rate or switching from an adjustable to a fixed rate. You could also modify the terms of your existing loan by lowering the interest rate. A loan modification may be temporary, but refinancing permanently changes the terms of the loan. Your credit score and amount of equity will affect your options.

Your lender might offer you a repayment plan so that you can postpone payments in exchange for making higher payments later. Before you agree to a repayment plan, be sure you understand the terms and can meet them.

If you have suffered a hardship, such as a job loss, a natural disaster, or an illness or injury that prevents you from working, your lender may offer you forbearance. You might be able to make lower payments or skip your payments for a period of time until your financial situation improves.

Ways to Avoid Foreclosure
If you’re in dire straits, you might be able to walk away from your home and avoid foreclosure through a short sale. Your loan servicer could agree to sell the house and accept the price received, even if it’s less than the amount you owe. In some states, the loan servicer can sue the homeowner for the difference between the amount of money received in a short sale and the amount owed (the deficiency), unless the homeowner obtains a written waiver of deficiency. Check your state’s law before you agree to a short sale.

Another option is a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, in which you turn over your house to the lender to avoid foreclosure and damage to your credit score. If you would be held responsible for a deficiency in your state, request a written waiver. You might qualify for help with relocation expenses.

Ask for Help
If you’re struggling to pay your mortgage, your situation may seem bleak, but you have options. The first step is to contact your loan servicer and be honest about your situation so that your lender can help you find a solution.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.