How Life Insurance Protects Kids

Family Finances

1st in a series of 5 posts


Why Mom Dads With Children Must Carry Life Insurance


It's not the kind of thing that most parents with young kids want to discuss, let alone even to think about. I know personally with four children including two sons and two daughters, I wasn't always comfortable having a chat about something that implies that my hubbie and/or I could die suddenly and might not be around to watch our kids grow up. 





MBE partnered with Genworth for this post

The reality is, though, that life insurance actually is a very important topic to educate yourself about especially for moms and dads who are young, healthy and who have children. After all, none of us know what tomorrow will bring and each of us needs to make sure that our family will be taken care of financially if, G-d forbid, anything should happen to us and one or both parents meet an untimely sudden death.

My family celebrating after being named Family of The Year




For a lot of parents life insurance can be overwhelming
  • What is life insurance any way? 
  • What are the differences between universal and term life policies?
  • How do I avoid falling victim to a scam? 
  • What does it cost and how will I afford it?
  • Who can help me make the right decisions for my family? 

Now that we've finally broached the inevitable together -- our own mortality -- we can move on and discuss life insurance itself. After all, now it's pretty easy to see why parents who work outside the home should be insured because if something happens to them there will be no one to pay the bills. 

But what about those who work part-time and stay at home moms and dads -- they don't need insurance because they have little or no income, right? Wrong. That's because they also provide a range of services that are essential to the family and household like childcare, cooking, cleaning, errands -- yes, even helping the kids with homework and making science projects -- and much more. 


Here's why stay-at-home parents need to get life insurance to insulate your kid's financial future, too.


Ultimately none of us wants to even think about what it would be like for the family members we leave behind if we were tragically killed in a car accident or suffered a fatal heart attack or stroke. But, at the same time, I don't know a single parent who wouldn't want their children to be completely taken care in every way if something horrific happened. That's where life insurance comes in and -- because no size fits all -- it's a good thing there are companies like Genworth that will work with you to go over the options you have and help you get the best kind of coverage so you have ensured financial protection for all your loved ones.


It might be hard to open the conversation on this topic but once you do and you've acted upon securing adequate financial protection for your family, it will give you peace of mind knowing that you have done the right thing. I can't imagine a better way to take some of the financial worries out of your life so you can enjoy all those day-to-day moments with your growing family more. Life insurance without a worry in the world -- what a great concept.



About Genworth

Genworth, headquartered in Richmond, VA, offers a range of services to client living in all 50 U.S. states. Among the products available are retirement income, life and long term care insurance and mortgage insurance. For more information visit Genworth.com 

FTC Disclosure: Information for this post is sourced from Genworth Financial in partnership with the SheHeard Influencer Network. MBE was compensation for my work on this blogpost, however all opinions are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Twitter Party Calendar This Week May 19 - 25 with Prizes

Twitter Parties

Continuous Updates, Sneak Peek at Coming Weeks Too!


Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to check back often every week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook and Google+ parties with prizes too.



Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


THIS WEEK

Monday, May 20

Play-Doh Color Sticks Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @playdoh. FIVE (5) Play-Doh product prize packages. #Playdohcolorsticks

Tiny Prints Baby Pinning Party at 8 pm ET with @tinyprints. TWENTY FIVE (25) various Tiny Prints prize packages plus ONE (1) Grand Prize $150 Tiny Prints gift certificate. #Tinyprintsbaby

Summer Travel Planning Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Travelingmoms @Kimorlando. Prize: TBA. #TMom

Tuesday, May 21

Toxin Free Gen Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Smiley360 @SeventhGen. Prizes: TEN (10) Seventh Generation product packs. #ToxinFreeGen

Sergeant's Pet Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @MomCocktails @ConnieFoggles and others. FIVE (5) Sergeant's Pet prize packages. #SergeantsPet

Weekly Tech Tuesday Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @KristinaLibby of Microsoft with @windows and others. Prize: ONE (1) Acer Aspire R7 Laptop. #Windows #WinChat

Ask Betty Cake Decorating Twitter Party at 4 pm ET with @BettyCrocker. Prizes: TBA. Participate with hashtag #AskBetty

Baby Trend Bday Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @babytrend @lovemco. Prizes: ONE (1) Baby Trend Car Seat and TWO (2) Sit N' Stand Ultra Strollers. #BabyTrendBday

Girls Night Out Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Frigidaire @Momitforward and others. Prize: Frigidaire Professional Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker ARV $99.99  #gno #frigidaire

MayPam Style Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @savvysassymoms @pregawareness. Prizes: SIX (6) Giveaways for moms and babies. Participate with hashtag #Maypam

Wednesday, May 22

My Mariano's Twitter Party at Noon ET with @Kellysluckyyou @Proverbswife. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Mariano's Market gift cards. #MyMarianos

Baking Soda Uses Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Smiley360. Prizes: EIGHT (8) Arm & Hammer Gift Bags. #BakingSodaUses

Frugal Crew Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @4hatsandfrugal. Prizes TBA. #FrugalCrew

Memorial Day Recipes Twitter Party at 4:30 pm ET with @Rebeccalangcooks @Pizzazzerie. Prizes: Vidalia Onions, summer foods & herbs and a $50 Visa giftcard. #Flavorsofsummer

Neutrogena Sunscreen 101 Twitter Party at 4:30 pm ET with @ImageDerma @TheMotherhoodand others. Prizes: Gift baskets with Dr. Downie's favorite sunscreen products. #NTGDerm

Dark Nights, Dangerous Men Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @ElisNaughton @JoanSwan. Prizes: Lots of prizes and gift cards from Barnes & Noble, Amazon and iTunes; Grand Prize includes an autographed copy of FIREBRAND series, a $10 iTunes GC and set of four Eternal Guardians coasters. #DarkNights

Marshalls Summer Fashion Twitter Party with @Marshalls @FabFitFun at 8 pm ET. Gift Card Prizes TBA. Participate with hashtag #fabfound

Gain Aroma De Amor Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Gain @Latinblah and others. Prizes: FIVE (5) winners will receive a year's supply of Gain laundry detergent ($80-$100 value each). #Aromadeamor

I am Curious Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Curious @Momfluential and others. Prizes: iPad Mini, $50 gift cards and more. #iamcurious

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @geekbabe and others. Prize: TBA. #TheOnlineMoms.

Thursday, May 23

Applegate Facebook Party at 3 pm ET with Moms Meet. Prizes: Win Applegate products.

Eye Health Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @MomCentral @MomCentralChat and others. Prizes: SIX (6) $50 Amazon gift codes. Participate in party w/ hashtag #eyehealth

Nuby Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @LoveMCO @OpenHands31. Prizes: TEN (10) Nuby Bath Toys. #NubyBDay

Get Grilling Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Homesdotcom @AptsforRent and others. Prizes: FIVE (5) $50 gift cards. #Homechat

Summer Salsa Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @SavingUGreenMom @Fronterafresh. Prizes: $25 Visa gift cards every 15 minutes and Grand Prize: KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Food Processor, salsa supplies and $20 Visa giftcard. #Summersalsa

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @CTJumpstart @RossanaWyatt and others. Prizes: TBA - CANADA Only. #JumpstartDay

Friday, May 24

No Fry Friday Twitter from 10 am to 4 pm ET. A different host every hour @blushingbasics @themanesource and others. Eucerin will be giving away one Sun-Safe prize package each hour that includes a wide brimmed sun hat, a Sunglass Hut giftcard, a water bottle, Eucerin products + more. Participate with hashtag #NoFryFriday


NEXT WEEK

Monday, May 27

Cool Summer Kickoff Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @momsandbrands. Prizes TBA. #Coolsummerkickoff

Weekly Traveling Moms Twitter Party at 9 pm ET this week talking about Summer travel planning with @travelingmoms @kimorlando and others. Prize: TBA. #TMom

Tuesday, May 28 

Samsung Pix Bundle Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @TheRebelChick @TheMommyFiles. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Sam's Club gift cards. #PixBundle

Weekly Tech Tuesday Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @KristinaLibby of Microsoft. Prize: A different major prize to win each week. #Windows #WinChat

Our Family World Help Families Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @ourfamilyworld @prettynameless. Prizes: THREE (3) Our Family World Bags. #HelpFamilies

Safari Memorial Day Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @SafariLtd @ChildhoodBeckon. Prizes: TBA - U.S. and Canada both eligible to win. #educationalplay

A. Vogel Beauty Essentials Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @AVogel_CA @NaturallySavvy. Prizes: THREE (3) winners get two months supply of A. Vogel's Beauty Essentials products - Canada Only. #BeautyEssentials

Wednesday, May 29

Celebrate Sears Style Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @searsstyle @dentistmel and others. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Sears gift cards. #ThisisStyle

Dole Fruit Parfaits Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @smiley360 and others. Prizes: SEVEN (7) prize packs that include 3 flavors Dole Fruit Parfaits and TWO (2) $25 giftcards. #DoleFruitParfaits

It Can Wait Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @audreymcclellan. Prizes TBA. Participate with hashtags #ItCanWait and #ATT

Weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize. #TheOnlineMoms.

Dish with Dawn Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @dawndish @kidsumers and others. Prizes: SIX (6) $50 Mastercard giftcards and TWO (2) Grand Prizes that include 15 piece stainless steel pots and pans set valued at $599.99 + product + $50 Mastercard GC and the You've Gotta Eat It Here book. #Dishwithdawn

Stonyfield Oikos Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @stonyfield @innerchildfun. Prizes: Chance to win a Stonyfield prize pack of $40 in coupons. #StonyfieldGreek

Stuck at Prom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @theduckbrand @snapconf and others. Prize: Duck Brand Tape prize package #stuckatprom

Thursday, May 30

Happy Healthy Smiles Twitter Party at Noon ET with @amomsimpression @themamareport. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walgreens gift cards. #Happyhealthysmiles

Foster Grant Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @socialmoms @brettbmartin @fostergrant1929. Prizes: TEN (10) $20 Foster Grant giftcodes. #Fostergrantfamily

Friday, May 31

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz

Home Depot Futbol Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @remingtonsworld @latinblah and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $100 Home Depot gift card, TWO (2) $250 Home Depot GC + signed Luis Hernandez Adidas soccer ball and ONE (1) $300 Home Depot GC + signed Luis Hernandes Adidas soccer ball. #Homedepotfutbo


COMING SOON


Monday, June 3

Kids Fitness Made Fun Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @monkeyjoesparty @healthykids. Prizes: A Visa gift card will be given away for each question, in $25 increments, leading up to the final question with a prize of a $150 Visa GC. #MJActiveKids

Tuesday, June 11

Work Like A Dog Twitter Party 8:30 - 10:00 pm ET with @Zukespets @Eventbarkers and others. Prizes: $1500 in prizes plus Grand Prize valued at $250. #WorkLikeADog


Bloggy Moms Guide to a Better Blog Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Bloggymoms. Prize: $500 Gift Card. #BloggyGuide


About this Weekly Twitter Party List
Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. However keep in mind that each party is run by a different brand and/or hosts and MommyBlogExpert, unless specified otherwise, is not responsible for any dealings readers have with these events including, but not limited to, prizing of any party on the calendar. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your  message.

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis@janiselspas.com for information with Twitter Party Consulting Query in the subject line.


FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Blackberries & BlackBerry Z10 Pinterest Collection ~ Two Things I'm Loving This Spring


Technology
2nd in a series of 3 posts on the New BlackBerry Z10



I've discovered there's not one but two things to love about Spring this year. The first is blackberries, one of my all-time favorite berries since I had my first taste at three years old. This season these bundles of anti-oxidant loaded fruits are indeed the biggest, juiciest and sweetest ever. Then there is the new BlackBerry Z10 from Verizon Wireless, the first smartphone I've ever owned by that brand. Granted the latter isn't edible, but just the same it's equally as sweet. Even better you can enjoy it year-round, not only now but in Summer, Fall and Winter too.


Ripe Blackberries, Ready to Eat, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com
BlackBerry Z10 Flanked by Blackberries, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com
In my last post on the latest BlackBerry generation my 17 year-old son raved that this phone is all about the gestures. Now I'm going to give you the Mom perspective about this sleek piece of brilliant technology -- that's just about as thin as the latest iPhone -- the first BlackBerry 10 smartphone to ever run on the ultra fast Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.

I'm both a mom who loves baking blackberry pies and a busy mommy blogger and social media strategist specializing in marketing to moms, dads, kids and family collectively. Life with four kids (triplets + 1, now teenagers) born within a year -- and the fact that I receive upwards of 1500 emails a day for my business -- mean that it would be an understatement to say that things are often a bit hectic around here.

Slice of Hot Blackberry Pie, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com
With that kind of crazy busyness, I love that the BlackBerry Z10 allows me to manage both a busy family and my busy work life from a single device simply by switching between two profiles with the push of a button. A tool like that, for sure, is essential to keeping my head above water at all times. Come to think of it I don't know a mom who isn't busy raising her family while simultaneously juggling everything else that life throws at her.


High Calorie Blackberries & Ice Cream, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com
Low Calorie Fresh Blackberries, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com
No Calorie BlackBerry Z10, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com
So if you love blackberries as much as I do -- no matter how many or how few calories they have -- I invite you to follow my Everything Delicious Blackberry Pinterest page.



The device comes in white (like the one I received for this review) and black and carries a list price of $599.99. Right now, though you can get the BlackBerry Z10 for just $199.99 with a two year Verizon contract commitment.

Other MommyBlogExpert Verizon Wireless Smartphone Reviews you might like
Nokia Lumia 822 Windows Smartphone
HTC Droid DNA Android Smartphone

Fresh Spring Berries Platter, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com
FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I disclose that I am a Verizon Wireless Brand Ambassador serving as a member of the Verizon AIC Blogger Team and that I received the BlackBerry Z10 featured to facilitate this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Homemade Cheesecake & Cheese Blintzes for Jewish Holiday of Shavuot May 14-16


Celebrations



Just finished making homemade Cheese Cake Torte from the 1950s vintage Betty Crocker Cookbook my parents gave to me and The Governor's Wife's Cheese Blintzes from Jewish Cooking in America by Joan Nathan.


Cheese Cake, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com
Governor's Wife's Cheese Blintzes, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com
Now I'm finally ready to celebrate Shavuot, also known as Festival of Weeks and a celebration of the first harvest, when Jews mark the time that G-d gave the Ten Commandments to Moses and the People.


To Everyone Else Celebrating

Hag Sameach
Happy Holiday!


FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this particular post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Tilapia Fiesta Easy Recipe Gorton's Fish

Good Food


The challenge for this post was to create a healthy new dish using one of the twenty at 200 or less calorie store-bought products made by this national seafood company. With so much to choose from it was a hard choice.


Me at Gorton's BlogHer 2012 Booth in NYC


Today I'm sharing the story of my work as a mom brand ambassador for Gorton's Seafood.  I love creating new recipes for the brands I work with because it gets me to look at consumer food products in a whole new light. A case in point is Gorton's, a brand my family has been enjoying for years because they offer so many different healthy and kosher items in their lineup of fish products that can be found in the frozen section at the supermarket. Up until now, though, we have only been eating their ready to cook offerings straight out of the box, either baked, fried or microwaved.


Gorton's Booth at BlogHer

MBE partnered with Gorton's Seafood, post contains affiliate links



Fresh fish is great but more time consuming


Frozen Fish Selection in Store Freezer
So many Gorton's fish choices


My family likes many of the different Gorton's Talapia selections so for the challenge I chose to try their new Talapia Skillet Crisp crunchy breaded fish filets -- which is less than 200 calories per serving -- as the base and inspiration for dreaming up something new and tasty for my kids and hubbie to enjoy. If anyone will give me their unfettered and honest opinions about my cooking adventures, it's these five critics!


Image by MommyBlogExpert.com


Here's the verdict after I made the colorful and very healthy dish you see pictured above for my 17 year-old son to try. 

"This is really good and crunchy," he said. "It's hard to believe that you didn't add any oil."

I'll take that as a compliment to the cook and the green light to share this family-tested recipe with MommyBlogExpert's loyal readers.



Skillet Crisp before cooking looks bland, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

To launch the creative cooking process I visited Gorton's Recipe Gallery where I searched and found their Skillet Crisp Tilapia with Citrus Salsa recipe. This does sound really good and I'll probably make it in the future. However, it did inspire me to create my own new original recipe Skillet Crisp Tilapia Fish Mexican Fiesta which can be easily made in just 20 minutes. Here's how you can make it at home, too.


Skillet Crisp Tilapia Fish
Mexican Fiesta Recipe



Image by MommyBlogExpert.com


Serves 4
20 minutes preparation time

1 box Gortons Breaded Tilapia Frozen Fish
2 diced tomatoes
1/8 c. coarsely chopped red onion for salsa
1 T. finely chopped red onion for guacamole
1/8 c. chopped yellow onion
2 ripe avocados
1 t. garlic powder
Tortilla chips
1 fresh lemon
Salt & Pepper





1. Follow the directions on the Gorton's box to cook the fish in a non-stick skillet for about 10 minutes on each side. You will be amazed at how crispy and brown it gets without having to add oil to your frying pan.

Before frying...
Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

And after frying...
Image by MommyBlogExpert.com


2. While the fish is frying, prepare the fresh salsa by mixing the tomatoes, red onion, and yellow onions, the juice of half a lemon, and salt & pepper to taste. Set aside.

3. To make the guacamole, carefully cut the avocados in half lengthwise and gently scoop out each avocado half. Set aside empty avocado shells. Mash avocado in bowl and then add 1 T. chopped red onion, juice of half lemon, garlic powder and salt & pepper to taste. Set aside.

4. Transfer each crispy brown cooked tilapia fillet to a plate with spatula. Fill each avocado shell bowl with salsa and place beside the fish. Then add a generous spoonful of guacamole directly on top of the fish. Top with a thinly sliced piece of lemon for added color and add a handful of tortilla chips.

5. Serve hot and let your Fiesta Party begin!

Keep reading because immediately below you'll learn how you can enter to Win the loaded Gorton's Seafood Gift Basket I'm giving away. 


Gorton's Seafood 
Gift Basket 
GIVEAWAY

$50 Approximate value
Ends 6/15/13


Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

Prize Package Includes
  • 5 Gorton's Seafood coupons good on your choice of products
  • Gorton's Chef Apron
  • 2 Gorton's Heavy Duty Oven Mits
  • 1 Gorton's Spatula


HOW TO ENTER

Just leave a comment(s) below this post and you're entered. Contest ends June 15, 2013 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. One winner will receive the gift basket prize package described and pictured above. Winner will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize. 

Required (Mandatory) Entry
Simply leave a comment below this blogpost saying why you'd like to win this prize. Don't forget to include your email address, Facebook and/or Twitter contact info in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

Optional Extra Entries 
Earn extra entries to win for doing one or more of the easy options listed below. Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm so we can record all your additional chances to win.

1. Follow MBE on Twitter 
2. Like MBE on Facebook
3. Follow MBE on Pinterest
4. Subscribe to MommyBlogExpert

***Bonus Entries***
You can earn even MORE chances to win each time you TWEET the message below, up to 3 times each day. Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

Tweet to copy and paste:

I entered to WIN Gorton's Seafood Challenge Giveaway - You can too until 6/15 http://tinyurl.com/d2s6dt4

We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that allows our site to earn a bit of compensation (at no extra cost to consumers) for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.



FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated post and I received products to facilitate this review. In addition Gorton's Seafood is providing the prize package and shipping for this giveaway. However, thoughts in this blogpost are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.