Category: Teen Life

Teen Pregnancy: Are You Prepared for Sleep and Playtime Expenses?

Teen pregnancy rates are heading down, thanks to more teens practicing abstinence and/or using birth control. More teens also realize the responsibilities which come with having a child, and that they are not prepared — especially if they plan on pursuing higher education.

Two of the activities new parents are going to have to adapt their lives around are sleep and play. And each of these carries expenses which new parents might not expect. Here are some examples.

SLEEP

Sleep does much more for babies than just resting them: it helps them grow. A well-rested baby not only allows the parents to have their time and sleep more peacefully but also develops quickly and properly. Sleep allows the baby’s essential systems to develop as required, especially the brain and nervous system. To sleep well, he will need to be comfortable. This, of course, refers to his bedding and the nursery environment. Here are some of the items you can purchase to make sure that your little one is as comfortable as possible:

BASSINETS

For a mother who has just given birth, it is advisable to sleep in the same room as their little one. Between the age of 0-3 months, a baby will require constant attention from their parents. Baby bassinets (cradles) provide that security in the early stages. Their small nature enables the toddler to fit perfectly and cozy up to feel comfortable. Such comfort and sense of security are necessary for undisturbed sleep to aid in growth and development as mentioned earlier. Bassinets are mobile and easily fit next to your bed, so you can also bring them to your room. It will make it easier for you to feed your baby at night or check up on them when they wake up.

COTS

Most parents prefer getting cots for their young ones before they are old enough to sleep in a bed. Seeing as this is where they will spend most of their time, it is important to consider safety and comfort when purchasing one. It should fit your baby well without any safety hazards such as wide gaps that can trap the baby. Be sure to get a good fit that is neither too large or too small – comfort and a sense of security are important for good sleep.

BLANKETS

Baby blankets are necessary additions to baby bedding, especially if you live in a cold place. It is also important that you choose the perfect size made with aerated material to help control temperatures. A baby wrapped in a warm cozy blanket is more likely to sleep soundly throughout the night than one dressed in heavy clothing.

COT MATTRESSES

Your baby’s mattress can also easily define how well they sleep. Just like the baby bears, it should neither be too soft or too hard. Be sure to check that your baby’s mattress is made with the right material, fits their cot perfectly and stays clean all the time.

PLAY

Playing with your kids plays a vital role in the growth of your baby through emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development. Playing with your baby strengthens bonds. It also allows the baby to learn fundamental life skills and values such as sharing. The baby gets the chance to explore the world, feel, and touch objects as their curiosity increases. Everything they hear, smell, or taste is recorded in their brains to enhance their mental development. The baby will try to move around as they reach out for something, improving their motor functions. It will also help them to sleep more soundly when they get tired.

BABY PLAY MATS

Independence is one of the values that babies need to develop as they grow. Baby playmats enable the baby to be on their own while playing with other toys. You can stay at a safe distance and keep an eye on them while making sure that they do so on a clean and safe surface. It provides a platform for your baby to roll around and move to enhance their gross and fine motor functions. For instance, laying on their backs while playing on the mat enables them to strengthen their necks and backs especially as they try to get up.

Playmats are usually made of bright and contrasting colours to improve their visual perception as they grow. This helps them make distinctions in the colours around, and this, in turn, improves their vision rapidly. The benefits of a baby’s play mat are truly inexhaustible.

BABY GYMS

A baby gym is an even better upgrade. It has many more features such as hanging toys. The more advanced (and expensive) ones have mirrors, lights, and music in it. These features keep the baby entertained and engaged for long periods as you take a break or do something else. As the baby plays in the gym, his reflexes in grasping and reaching improve, as they stretch out for the dangling toys. The mirrors and music make the baby aware of their surroundings. Babies can notice themselves while they play, making them more self-aware. The sounds and bright colours stimulate their sensory organs as they engage themselves.

Conclusively, every baby’s growth is dependent on both sleep and play. Parents should be as keen on those two as they are with other aspects of the baby’s life including his health. These two aspects are crucial in the development of emotional, physical, social, and cognitive skills, but as you can see, parents must budget for certain items to achieve success in these areas.

3 Tips for Teens Looking at Renting Their First Place

If you are a teen looking for your first place, congratulations! You are entering the exciting world of independent living. However, as exciting as this is, there are many mistakes you can potentially make. Thankfully, many of these errors are easily avoidable. There are many things you can do to better prepare yourself for this new responsibility. Here are three such tips.

Don’t Go Solo

Living on your own is exciting and tempting, but keep in mind it’s a difficult thing to do. Living with roommates will make the type of apartment or house you can rent significantly more affordable. Furthermore, it makes it easier for you to divide up responsibilities, like cleaning and maintenance. Just make sure you only agree to a roommate whom you can trust or who comes highly recommended from someone you know and respect. Be sure to watch out for any red flags in potential roommates.

Watch Out for Scams

As a teen, unscrupulous landlords may look at you as easy prey. Don’t be that person. Instead, be an informed consumer. For example, according to FirstKey Homes, you should look around and compare prices and have a general understanding of the average market value of homes. Remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is! Furthermore, if possible, have a lawyer review your lease before you sign it as this document can easily work against you if you sign something without understanding its implications.

Your Credit and Legal History Matter

So you’re young, and you think that you can get away with anything, right? Not so fast. This is the point when the life decisions you have made begin catching up with you. For example, according to Nova Credit, your credit history, or lack thereof, can be used against you when a landlord is making a decision about whether to rent his or her apartment or house to you. The same can apply to a criminal record or other legal mistakes you have made. As such, it’s important to remember that the decisions you make as an adult can matter. Keep that in mind before making a potentially risky financial or legal decision.

Renting a new place can be a tremendously important decision as it can help you learn what it is like to live on your own, build a credit history and create tremendous memories. Just remember that it is a major decision, and you should treat it with respect, diligence and preparation.

Your Guide to the Different Types of Summer Camps for Teens

Want to send your teen to summer camp? Which type? Learn all about the different types of summer camps in this guide to your options.

Did you know that there are over 12,000 summer camps in the U.S alone? Traditional summer camps have become highly successful for their outdoor adventures. Although, what other types of summer camps exist?

Don’t worry with this guide you can find out! From specialty camps to faith-based summer programs, summer camp provides teens with memories for years to come.

Now, are you ready to have some fun? Here’s an in-depth look at summer camps:

Specialty Camps

Specialty camps are often focused on the arts. From music to theater, specialty camps provide teens with higher levels of training in their chosen passion. Instructors, counselors, and administrative professionals usually have expert knowledge of their chosen interest.

Thus, teen summer camps are important since they provide knowledgable professionals who can help educate teens on the subject matter. Most camps provide one-on-one mentoring sessions, fun activities, as well as interactive courses.

Gender-Specific Camps

Parents often want their kids to engage in a truly stress-free camp experience. That’s why gender-specific camps come highly regarded. They provide an understanding environment for teens of all ages.

In fact, they provide no added social pressure from the opposite sex. Camps are divided into girls only and boys only sections. In most cases, the two camps will even join together to complete activities and compete against one another in sporting events.

Special Needs Camps

When your teen has a physical or mental disability, regular summer camps often cannot provide the right attention or care. That’s why special needs summer camps have developed activities specifically for those with disabilities.

Thus, teens don’t have to miss out on the fun of a summer camp experience. Instead, they can enjoy the outdoors and build upon skills like teamwork and self-confidence.

Sports Camps

Sports camps allow teens to explore their interests. In fact, they allow teenagers to practice good sportsmanship and help build self-confidence.

Since it’s centered around a single sport, teens can learn about something their passionate about. From swimming to lacrosse, there’s a variety of summer camps that can help teens hone their skills.

In some cases, sports camps may even hire guest speakers. Therefore, teens may have a chance to talk and interact with some of the largest names in the industry.

Faith-Based Camps

Many faith-based organizations sponsor summer camps for youth members. At these summer camps, campers can enjoy many camp activities. For example, campers learn about nature, engage in outdoor adventures, as well as bond with other teens.

Although religion is a central aspect of the camp. Many activities will focus on the topic of religion and teach teens how to increase their faith. Depending on the camp, daily devotionals and prayers may take place.

Try the Different Types of Summer Camps Today

Summer camps are perfect for teens, especially since they allow teenagers to explore their passions. However, you don’t have to go the traditional route.

There are many types of summer camps from specialty to gender-specific; summer camps often provide teens with long-lasting memories. For more information on summer camps, visit our website to learn more.

It’s Just A Fender Bender, Right? How Much A Minor Accident Can Cost You

The first time behind the wheel is exciting, but for your parents they can be terrified. The minute you get behind the wheel, their insurance rates are going to go up. Of course, their primary concern is your safety, but that won’t stop them from getting upset over even a small accident. Even the smallest of accidents can end up costing you and your parents quite a bit of money. In some cases, it can be up to $5000. Here are a few things that might contribute to those costs.

Primary Costs

If you are at fault in an accident, you are responsible to pay for all primary costs. These costs include healthcare for those involved, and damages to both cars. When you first get out of your car, it may not seem like much happened, but some damages aren’t easily seen. Other passengers may feel fine, but they may end up suffering from whiplash. If they go see a doctor, you may need to pay for it.

Even the car can have unseen damage. All-wheel and rear wheel drive vehicles can sustaindamage to their transmissions in a minor fender bender. This damage won’t be visible but can be heard over time when the engine is running. Transmissions are expensive. If the owner of the other car suspects damage has been done, you could be paying a hefty sum.

Secondary Costs

Secondary costs can be a little difficult to understand. A secondary cost is what you must pay to cover secondary damages. Primary damages are those that are caused directly by the accident. Secondary damages are those that are caused by the primary accident. For example, suppose your fender bender damages the wheel on someone else’s car. If this goes unnoticed, the damaged wheel could cause damage to the car’s axel down the road. If this happens, you could end up providing some type of compensation for both the wheel and the axel. This same concept can apply to medical issues that those involved in the accident experience. Depending on the type of compensation you have to offer, your costs can go way up.

Insurance Costs

Every driver is legally required to have insurance on their car. The amount you pay for insurance depends on the amount of coverage you have on your car and your driving record. Generally, your insurance payments start high, and then go down over time. If, however, you have an accident, your insurance company will consider you a higher risk customer and increase your payments. Depending on the seriousness of the accident, this can cost you and your parents a significant sum.

Legal Costs

If you were the cause of the accident, you can end up paying a hefty fine. Cities and states impose fines on certain behaviors to discourage bad driving practices. For example, in Utah, if you cause injury to another person while texting and driving, you can be fined up to $10,000. What’s more, you could spend 15 years in prison! These punishments may seem strict, but driving is a serious matter. You risk the lives of others when you speed, text, or drink when driving.

Property Costs

Not every small accident is going to involve two cars. It is quite common for drivers to accidentally back their cars into someone’s property. This can be something like a mailbox, a fence, or the wall of a house. If you do this, don’t try to cover it up by driving away. Not only is this dishonest, it is illegal. It is going to be expensive enough to pay the owners the cost of repairing their property. You don’t want to deal with the consequences of a hit and run. If the damage is only to property, a hit and run is usually only a class C misdemeanor. But this still comes along with up to $750 in fines and a 90-day prison stay.

After reading all the costs associated with an accident, hopefully you aren’t too scared to drive. If you are a safe and responsible driver, most of these costs won’t be a problem for you. Just remember, your friends and phone can wait when you are driving. Nothing is more important than arriving safely at your destination.

Advice for Teens on How to Stay Safe When Driving with Friends

Teen drivers love opening the windows, feeling the breeze blow through their hair and blast the radio. An entirely new sense of freedom is earned when teen get their driver’s licenses, but with this new freedom also comes a major responsibility.

Safe driving habits, especially when friends are in the car, can prevent accidents and injuries.

Each year, 2,300+ teens between the ages of 16 and 19 are killed in auto accidents and 300,000 have to be treated for injuries in the emergency room. Inexperience is a major contributing factor to teen accidents, but good decision making behind the wheel is possible if you adhere to safe driving recommendations.

Wear Your Seatbelt

Texas, and many other states, require that drivers wear seatbelts. Your passengers should also be wearing their seatbelts. The risk of death when wearing a seatbelt is reduced by 45% and serious injuries are reduced by 50%.

You always want to reduce the risk of accidents, but wearing a seatbelt is in your control and immediately lowers the risk of death or injuries.

Since most autos have a reminder when you’re not wearing a seatbelt, it’s almost impossible to forget to wear your seatbelt in newer vehicles.

Zero-tolerance for Alcohol

You and your friends should not drink and drive. A lot of teens go to parties, feel the pressure to drink a beer or two (or three), and they wrongly believe they’re sober enough to get behind the wheel.

Don’t take the risk of being impaired and driving.

You’ll put your life, your friends’ lives and the lives of other drivers at risk if you get behind the wheel after drinking. A lot of states have zero-tolerance laws for alcohol. You don’t want to lose your license or freedom to drive when you’ve only just earned them.

Don’t Overcrowd Your Vehicle

Vehicle overcrowding is popular among teens. When your friends need rides and you’re at the same party, movie or event, it’s hard to say “no” if someone asks for a ride. All of a sudden, people are sitting on each other’s laps and your vehicle which normally sits five people is now filled with eight people.

Studies show that when teens have passengers in their vehicles, they’re willing to take more risks and can be distracted more easily.

When three or more people are in the vehicle with a teen, the chances of a fatal crash rise 300% to 400%.

Limit Night Driving

Low visibility increases the risk of a motor vehicle accident at any age. Teens that drive at night are at a much higher risk of being involved in an accident. In 2010, it was found that 39% of teenager fatalities occurred between 9pm and 6am.

Roughly 24% of those accidents occurred after midnight.

Multiple factors are at play here, including:

Low visibility
Fatigue

If you do have to drive at night, make sure you’re not suffering from fatigue and choose a route that is well-lit.

Be Smart in Bad Weather

Bad weather does not discriminate. Both seasoned drivers and new drivers who just passed their driving tests are at-risk of bad weather causing an accident. Teens have the benefit of being tech-savvy.

Download a local weather app and set up notifications that can help you deal with ice, snow, heavy rains, hail, tornadoes or even flash floods, which are common in Texas.

If you know severe weather is on its way, you can:

Stay home
Stay at a friend’s house
Stay in a non-low-lying area

If you do have to drive through snow or ice, be sure to maintain or lower your speed limit. Do not drive into flooded areas because it’s easy to mistake a puddle for an actual flood.

When roads are blocked, do not go around the road signs and into danger.

As you continue to drive, you’ll learn maneuvers that you can use to prevent skidding on ice or hydroplaning on water. But the best course of action is to practice avoidance to lower your risks of an accident.

Keep Music Levels Moderate

Blasting the music and driving down the highway is almost a rite of passage for teens, but you need to be able to hear sirens and horns around you. If you live in a major city, like Houston, you’ll be in trouble if you can’t hear your surroundings.

It’s better to keep music levels moderate to be more aware of your surroundings.

Pets Shouldn’t Be Lap Passengers

Pets can be great companions in a car, but they can also be a danger. If you plan on driving with a dog, keep the dog in the backseat with a divider between you and the dog. Driving with a dog that’s loose, scared or in your lap is dangerous.

A dog that becomes frightened or that jumps into your lap is a major distraction and can quickly lead to an accident.

Put Down Your Phone

Distracted driving was a factor in 8.5% of all motor vehicle fatalities in 2019. If you’re at a stoplight, look around you and you’ll be sure to see people of all ages on their phones. A text message or notification can divert your attention long enough to cause an accident.

You should put your phone down when driving.

It’s tempting to send someone a Snap or to FaceTime someone while driving, but the risk is too high. You put your life and the lives of other drivers at risk when you’re driving and texting, taking pictures or trying to send someone a message on Instagram.

Apps can be downloaded and installed, which won’t allow you to use your phone when your vehicle is in motion.

If you have to make a call or text someone back, pull into a parking lot where you can safely park the vehicle and respond.

It only takes a second or two of distraction to get in an accident.

Teenagers deserve to make lifelong plans with their friends that they can keep. Safe driving is the key for you, as a teen and adult, to have fun and freedom without putting your life at-risk unnecessarily.

What You Can Do to Keep Yourself Busy and Productive During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Quarantine has left many people struggling to maintain a healthy routine. Without the ability to go to work or pursue hobbies outside of the home, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of waking up, wearing PJs all day and losing any real sense of purpose. Although you may not be able to work like you’re accustomed to or stay as active as you would like, there are a few simple ways to keep busy and productive during your time indoors.

Self-isolation is the best way to keep everyone safe, so stick inside and follow these suggestions to imbue your day with something new. Remember to be gentle with yourself, too; this is a learning curve for everyone, and it’s okay to have days that aren’t productive or packed with a long to-do list.

Learn a New Recipe

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook, now is the perfect time! Start with the basics and work your way up. Experiment in the kitchen, or just pick a recipe online that you can recreate. You may even decide to put your own spin on it and discover a new favorite!

Healthy eating, vegetarian recipes and gluten-free dishes abound on the internet. You can even indulge your sweet tooth and whip up some homemade baking recipes that set your mouth watering.

Study the Rules of the Road

Chances are you aren’t driving anywhere nowadays, so why not read up on the basic driving rules and best practices? You can even take a defensive driving course online that can earn you a discount on your insurance rates. Studying driving rules will help you be safer behind the wheel after the coronavirus quarantine ends and life returns to normal.

It might also be time to treat yourself to a new pair of shoes; it’s important to wear proper footwear because certain shoes can impact driving ability.

Get Active Indoors

In an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, experts recommend that you remain inside unless absolutely necessary. Although going outside for a walk might be nice, it could also lead to inadvertent exposure to the illness. Just because you can’t go outside much, for now, doesn’t mean you have to be stuck on the couch or at your desk.

Find ways to workout inside, whether it’s yoga, an online fitness class or exercise routine on YouTube.

With some creativity and an open mind, you can find plenty of ways to indulge in new hobbies during the quarantine. You might be surprised at what new interests you develop.

Here’s another great article: 3 Good Health Habits to Make While You’re Still Young

3 Tips for Running a Student-Led Fundraiser

Fundraising events are popular activities in many learning institutions. Besides being fun, student-led fundraising can help raise money for various worthwhile causes. The proceeds could go toward student programs and classroom resources, or they could be used to support charitable efforts. In addition, students who hold their own fundraising events gain valuable leadership experience. This sort of effort is a fantastic way of bringing communities together and giving back to society. However, planning a fundraising event can be rather daunting if you’ve never done it before. A lot of commitment, time and effort are required to pull it off. If you’re wondering how to go about the whole process, here are some helpful tips.

Set Goals

Establishing a financial goal is the first step in organizing a successful fundraising event. Defining the scope is vital, and it can help you choose reasonable and achievable objectives. Don’t set the bar too high to reach. Engage other team members in this decision. Everyone should participate if you want them to feel comfortable enough to fully take part in the plan. Once your financial objective is clear, your next goal will be figuring out ways to attain it.

Make a Record Book

Your goals, plans, strategies and expectations ought to be recorded. Organizers who don’t follow this precept generally come to regret the oversight. The lack of clear records often leads to confusion. In fact, keeping all the documentation information straight is a common fundraising problem. Remember that clear documentation is as important as planning and establishing your fundraising goals. Properly recording results can help measure the performance of your efforts and strategies. The only way to keep track of your fundraising progress is by maintaining accurate and detailed notes.

Set Times and Dates for Your Activities

Whether your fundraising program entails selling items, performing, walking or providing volunteer community services, you must decide on when to hold your activities. You don’t want them to unnecessarily conflict with your school schedule. It’s crucial to determine the best time for your fundraising and ensure you incorporate it into the school calendar so that everyone knows about it.

Fundraising programs play an essential role in many schools and produce beneficial results. Besides raising funds, such an event can help students enhance their leadership experience. It can also teach them how to relate to the world at large. However, running a successful student-led fundraiser can be challenging. Following these tips will help the process run much more smoothly.

Here’s another article you might like: 4 Tips on How to Stand Out as a Leader in High School

3 Career Fields to Look Into for People With a Creative Side

Do you enjoy spending time creating art, music, or simply dabbling in creative hobbies? Does time seem to pass extremely quickly when you are enjoying yourself in the process of creation? If you consider yourself the creative type, there are a few career fields that are likely to result in a lifetime of feeling passionate, fulfilled, and content with your life path after high school.

Art

If you enjoy colorful art and getting creative, consider working towards a career as an illustrator, animator, or even a graphic designer. Keep in mind that there are different steps to become a graphic designer. You will need to familiarize yourself with various art styles, the history of art, and different design programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign.

Graphic designers have the ability to work independently as a professional or they have the opportunity to work for a local design and marketing agency, depending on their skills and professional preferences. As a graphic designer, help small businesses, other individuals, marketing agencies, or even entrepreneurs spread their own messages, campaigns, and advertisements to the world.

Music

Going into music is also a great way to find a passion career that is not only rewarding but also enjoyable and satisfying. Working as a musician, playing in a band, creating beats and melodies, or even songwriting can all become lucrative careers with the right skills and connections. Whether you have a knack for creating songs from scratch, remixing music, or even coordinating musical events, concerts, and gatherings, there are plenty of musical careers that are perfect for individuals with a creative side.

Writing

Writing is another creative outlet that is optimal for creative and passionate individuals. Becoming a copywriter, an editor, a fiction writer, or even an investigative journalist are all career options for the individual with a writer’s spirit.

As a writer, you have the ability to work independently as a remote worker or even as an individual publisher. You can also work for local newspapers, publications, and even writing agencies that specialize in topics and content you prefer to cover. Working as a writer provides maximum freedom and flexibility, especially as you work to develop and hone in on your writing skills in any market or industry that is right for you.

Taking the time to research and compare your options when you are considering a creative career path can ultimately help you to find a career choice that is extremely rewarding, satisfying, and entirely fulfilling for years or decades to come.

The Right to Vote: What You Need to Know About Becoming a Registered Voter

Voting is one of the cornerstones of American democracy, but in order to actually cast a ballot, you have to register to do so first. While this is usually easy, there are three things you have to keep in mind before you register to vote.

How to Register

The ways that you can register to vote depend on your state. Some states accept only paper forms for voter registrations, and other states allow you to register to vote online. Furthermore, there are different identification requirements for registration and voting, all of which vary by state. While these requirements are not usually overwhelming, it’s better to check what you need before you actually register to vote so that you can get it done right and make sure you’re registered in time for the next election.

Your Responsibilities

Being registered to vote does require some responsibilities. In most states, you have to vote at least once every few years in order to stay active and on the voter lists. If you register to vote in another state, you will have to make sure that you do not attempt to vote in the old location. Keep in mind that registered voters may be called to serve on a jury, although it is also possible to be called to serve on a jury if you aren’t registered.

Deadlines and Timeframes

Deadlines as to when you can register to vote vary from state to state. Some states are more restrictive, requiring you to register up to a month or longer before a primary or general election. Other states, however, allow for same-day voter registration. This means that you can actually register to vote and then cast your very first ballot on the same day. Keep in mind that the above notes about how you can register to vote may impact deadlines as well. For example, states with same-day registration options may require that you register at a county courthouse, or you may be able to register directly at your polling place from an internet-connected device.

As you can see, the specifics about where, when and how you can register to vote vary wildly. This is because voter registration is a state-run procedure. You have to check with the state in which you are registering to vote for more information about requirements. However, this is all part of the duty that comes with being a good citizen and an active voter. Just make sure you know what is needed before you actually register to vote.

3 Tips for Teens Filing Their Taxes for the First Time

Having a part-time job is fun but also demanding as you balance school, work, and activities each week. Something you may not realize is that you need to report your taxable income to the IRS. If your income is above a certain amount, then you are required to tell the IRS how much you made even if your parents claim you as a dependent. You might even need to pay some taxes. This can be hard, so read on for a few helpful tips!

Get All Your Information

The first task is to gather all the information you need. You will need a copy of your W-2, which is a mailed statement of your work income from your employer. You will need your legal name and your tax ID number. Your tax ID number is usually your Social Security Number (SSN). If you do not have an SSN, then you will need an ITIN number, which you can request when you file your tax form.

Reasons to File Your Taxes

Whether you made enough money during the year to owe taxes, it may be the case that your employer still subtracted money from your paycheck each pay period. This money went to the government as an advance payment for your taxes. It is possible that this advance payment is more than you actually owe. In that case, you will need to file your taxes to get a refund. It could also be the case that you owe more taxes than what was already paid. If that is the case, you’ll need to send the IRS a check.

If your yearly earned income from your job is above $12,200, then you are required to file. If your self-employment income (from work you do yourself, like yard work, babysitting, et cetera) is above $400 for the year, then you are required to file. But it is always good practice to report your income even if you don’t make enough to owe taxes.

Save Your Documents

Saving your earning information is an important part of receiving money. Whether you work for an employer or earn self-employment income for various work-related activities, you should always keep records that list the work you did, the times you worked and the amount you earned. This is important in case the information your employer has about your income is wrong. If you are self-employed, you need to know if you made more than $400 for the year. Also, if you are self-employed, keep your receipts for any purchases made for your work. You may be able to subtract these costs from your income. At this time, it’s generally recommended that you also get things ready for next year’s return as well.

Filing taxes is part of the responsibilities we all face as citizens. Just like voting, reporting your taxable income will be your civic duty as an adult. Filing your taxes now will help prepare you for the future.

Saving up money for a car? Click here to learn more about this exciting life step!