Have you ever seen a smart child that seemed to be knowledgeable beyond their years? You look at their parents and marvel.

How did they make their kids so smart? Or were their kids always this smart?

If you want to learn how to raise an intelligent child, all you have to do is look at the clues other parents have left behind. Success leaves clues in all areas of life and that includes raising smart kids.

Continue reading this article and learn how to make your child smarter.

Games Are Golden

Kids want to play games. They are constantly asking for your phone or tablet so they can win at Angry Birds or some other game.

While these games might not be educational, they can help your child with their motor skills and problem-solving skills. You can also find educational games kids can play that will help them learn in ways they enjoy.

When kids learn through playing games, they are highly engaged and willing. One of the reasons some kids don’t learn well at school is because they are resisting education. Games are a great way to get kids on board so their minds are more receptive to learning.

Monitor How You’re Responding to Your Child

Notice the way you, your partner and anyone around your child respond to them when they make a request. The way you respond to your child has a lot to do with the way they look at life.

As parents, we want to protect our children. Since we want to protect our children, sometimes we put our beliefs over on them and it isn’t always helpful for them. If we are passing on unfounded fears, we could cause our children to be too cautious which will discourage them from learning and experiencing new things.

Instead of trying to answer everything that your child asks you, encourage them to discover and learn. Ask them open-ended questions and help them come to their own conclusions.

Make as Few Rules as Possible

While rules can be helpful and keep a house running smoothly, having unnecessary rules can decrease a child’s creativity. Keeping your children safe is important but there are some rules that children can do without and still be safe.

Allow your child to learn their way in the world as much as possible and you’ll see how brave and creative they become.

Boredom Isn’t Bad

Do you remember how painful it was to be bored when you were a kid? Being bored as a kid was the number one more horrible thing to experience for most children. Since you hated being bored, you likely don’t want your child to go through it either.

What you should know is that boredom isn’t bad. Boredom helps your child think up new things to do. Boredom gives your brain space and allows a child to stop going in the same routine they normally would go in.

Model Smart Behavior

Our kids take after us. If you don’t read, it’s unlikely your kids are going to read. If you don’t further your education, it’s unlikely your kids are going to be interested in education.

Whatever you want your kids to do, you should make sure your kids know you’re doing it as well. Even if you’ve done it in the past, children need to see you doing it now.

You might be surprised at how children will start showing interest in things when you start doing them. Children want to be with their parents and get curious about what they are doing. Give it a try and see how it works for your family.

Failure is Your Friend

You might notice many adults that are terrified of failing. Failure is the villain of most adult nightmares and daytime terrors.

What if I bomb this presentation? What if that girl doesn’t like me when I ask her out?

Fear of failure cripples far too many people. Instead of viewing failure as a friend, many people view failure as a foe. If you see failure as a foe, your child is likely to see it that way as well.

Children that are afraid to fail can’t learn as easily because they are afraid to get things wrong. If we as parents try to protect our children from feelings of failure and sadness, it will just make things worse and keep them from taking risks when they get older.

Give Reading and Music the Green Light

Reading opens a whole new world to your children. When children read, they are able to learn things they might not have otherwise discovered. You never know when they might find a topic that excites them and makes them want to learn and develop in that area.

Many children figure out things they would like to study in college or hobbies they would like to develop as adults through reading books. Now it is easier than ever to get your hands on a good book since you have access to ebooks, audiobooks, and more.

Check out My Smart Child

Now that you know more about how to raise a smart child, why stop learning there? We have other articles that can help you as you’re learning how to give your child the best future possible.

Browse our site, find your favorite section, drop a bookmark and come back soon for more great reads.

Do you know people who take amino acid supplements? Wondering what those are, and what the benefits of amino acids would be?

In this article, we’re covering everything you need to know about amino acids and supplements. So you can decide if taking supplements is right for you.

What are Amino Acids?

Amino acids, commonly referred to as the building blocks of protein, greatly impact how your body functions. They’re often taken in a supplement form to naturally boost things like mood as well as athletic performance. And they exist in two forms: essential and non-essential.

Essential amino acids are the ones your body cannot make. They can only be obtained through your diet, and are often found in food sources like meat, eggs, poultry, and whey protein.

There are 9 essential amino acids in your body that perform a number of important jobs. Some play an integral role in how protein functions, whereas others impact your body’s immune function and fat metabolism.

4 Benefits of Amino Acids

As mentioned above, amino acids play a range of important roles in your body. They impact processes like tissue growth, energy production, and immune function, among others. And by taking them in supplement forms like Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy, you can improve a variety of other body functions.

Here are 4 of the major benefits of Amino acids and why you should take them:

Improved Sleep

Your body needs Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, to produce serotonin in your body, which is the chemical linked to sleep. If you have low levels of serotonin, your body is more likely to experience sleep disturbances and general tiredness and fatigue. So, by taking an amino accident supplement you can curb this problem and improve your overall sleep.

These supplements can help you also better avoid tiredness and muscle fatigue. They can also help you ward off mental fatigue.

Better Mood

Serotonin not only regulates your sleep but it also greatly impacts your behavior and overall mood. People with low levels of serotonin are more likely to deal with depression and feelings of apathy. Amino acid supplements can counteract this problem by boosting your mood and raising your overall happiness level.

Increased Athletic Performance

Amino acids help your body regulate and improve muscle protein synthesis after you finish working out. This means you’ll be able to more quickly improve muscle growth and see the gains you’re looking for.

They also help you prevent muscle breakdown, speed up muscle recovery time, and preserve your lean body mass.

Additionally, amino acid supplements impact the way your body uses carbs and fats for the better. People who take these supplements are more likely to experience increased endurance, as well as greater fat burning during workouts.

Improved Health

Amino acid supplements can benefit anyone’s health, but they’re especially beneficial to people dealing with liver disease. It’s believed that taking these supplements can help address the symptoms associated with liver disease, and even protect people with liver cirrhosis against liver cancer.

Final Thoughts on Amino Acid Supplements

Whether you’re looking to improve your sleep or how you work out, there are many benefits of amino acids. By reviewing the information in this article, you can decide if taking amino acid supplements is right for you!

Did you find the information in this article helpful? Check out the rest of our website for additional insights!

Did you know traveling can help you de-stress and feel happier? Time to plan and budget your next trip.

Do you want to learn how to save on hotels? Not to worry! In this guide, we’ll go over tips on how to find inexpensive hotels.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out.

Call a Hotel

To avoid paying commission to Expedia, hotels offer a cheaper rate on their website. If you find a lower price someplace else, consider calling and asking if they will match the rate.

Sometimes, hotels will throw in extra amenities or a free upgrade.

Think About the Days of the Week

Did you know that business hotels might have a cheaper rate on the weekend when their guests leave? If you want to stay at a quaint bed and breakfast, consider having a romantic getaway during the week.

Bring Breakfast Items

Some hotels don’t provide free breakfast. Consider packing some instant oatmeal instead. If you have a microwave in your room, you’re all set. If not, you can always boil water in a coffee maker or tea kettle for your oatmeal.

Avoid the Hotel Bar

Instead of paying for overpriced drinks, pick up beer or wine beforehand. You can keep your beverages cold with ice from the ice machine. Relax in your room with a drink of your choice.

Join a Loyalty Program

You can join different hotel programs. These programs are free, but the perks can add up. Some hotels will provide you with free breakfast, room upgrades, and early check-ins.

Do You Have Other Memberships?

Some hotels will offer discounts for guests with AAA, AARP, or who are in the military. The discounts will vary, but you can get up to 15 % off a typical rate. Ask the hotel agent if they have any discounts available for your memberships.

Research for Promotions and Save on Hotels

If you don’t have a specific hotel membership, consider looking for a coupon code online. Follow your favorite hotels on Twitter and Instagram. They might announce a special flash sale on their social media platforms.

Stick to a Budget

When you’re traveling, it’s easy to overspend. Create a budget to help help you stay on track. If you plan to eat out while traveling, make sure you save in other ways. Don’t book an executive room or order room service every night.

What’s Included at Your Hotel?

When looking for hotels abroad or at home, you’ll want to check out their amenities. For example, a free shuttle service to the airport will save you an expensive taxi fare.

Some hotels will offer free breakfast. Your hotel might even offer discounts to local restaurants or spas.

Want to Learn More?

We hope this guide on how to save on hotels was helpful. Consider joining a loyalty program.

Don’t forget to bookmark our site. This way, you won’t miss out on any of our resources.

As winter approaches, cold and flu season will soon ramp up. That means it’s time to make sure you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet to help manage those runny noses and sore throats.

But with the price of brand name medication is it worth choosing generic alternatives? Comparing the difference in price, can the no-name options be as effective as their well-known counterparts?

Keep reading for what all you need to know about brand name vs generic drugs.

What to Know About Brand Names

Advil and Aspirin are examples of common off-the-shelf drugs. Even though neither of those terms is medical, they’ve become shorthand for the medicine they represent.

That’s because those were the names chosen by the companies that first patented those medications for commercial use. In the case of Aspirin, it was Bayer that first brought acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) to market for pain, inflammation, and fever. For Advil, it was Pfizer who chose that name to market ibuprofen.

In both cases, neither company could own the patent to the compound. Instead, they developed a brand that marketed their version of the medicine. This patent-protected their formula of the medicine.

What to Know About Generic Drugs

Companies like Pfizer and Bayer spend billions of dollars developing new medications. It’s a costly process that is subject to intense regulation. To help protect their investment, they rely on patents and marketing. This protects their products as they build awareness of the benefits of their drugs.

Generic drugs, on the other hand, capitalize on the findings of the larger companies. They can produce their versions of the drugs using expired patents. These versions undergo the same regulatory process as their brand name counterparts. But the savings on research and development allows them to sell their products for far less.

Are Generic Medications Really As Effective?

Can an unknown version of ASA be as effective as the globally-renown Aspirin? Yes and no.

If a generic drug passes the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) testing, it’s proven to provide the same amount of medication as the brand name version.

This allows doctors and pharmacists to provide a generic version of a drug when one’s available. It’s also common for an insurance prescription plan to cover only lower-cost alternatives.

However, the FDA regulates only the levels of the active ingredients. They’re more flexible toward non-medical ingredients.

That means certain additives like preservatives and dyes might change to cut costs. While this doesn’t impact the actual medical dose, it can interfere with the way the drug is released or processed.

It can also lead to allergic responses or discomfort from taking a generic product. While these events aren’t common, it’s important to be aware of the possibility.

Finally, some people find it reassuring to stick with a name they know. When dealing with an illness or pain, having peace of mind can go a long way to easing discomfort.

Brand Name vs Generic Medications: Which is Right for You?

In the battle between brand name vs generic drugs, what’s the right choice for you? Whichever one you want.

That’s the great thing about having generic drugs as an option. They’re a great way to save money while benefiting from the same medicine that the big names are selling. You can feel safe knowing that they contain the same ingredients and are just as safe.

Visit the Frugal Living page of our blog for many more articles on making the most of your budget.

Did you know scientific research indicates that spending time outside in nature is good for you?

It’s true. Not only does being outdoors help your mental health and clarity, but it can also reduce your risk for chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

This is why camping is such a great choice for a getaway. In addition to spending time away from your responsibilities, you’re also spending that time unplugging and reconnecting with nature.

But many people who have never been camping before are reluctant to try it because they think it will be expensive. Why invest in all that equipment if you’re not even sure you’ll like it?

Luckily, with budget camping gear, you can give camping a try without breaking the bank. Check out this guide to learn how adventure on the cheap.

Consider Renting Equipment

If you’re camping for the first time, and you’re not sure if you’re going to like it yet, it might be worthwhile to rent your equipment the first time you go. This way, you can test out the experience. Your local outdoors store or even your local university might rent camping equipment.

If you decide that you do like camping, however, you should eventually invest in your own gear. In the long run, it will be more cost-effective to purchase it.

Don’t Overspend on the Tent

When camping, your tent is essentially your only source of shelter separating you from the great outdoors. It can be easy to think, then, that you’ll need to invest in a heavy-duty and high-priced one to hold up to the elements.

In reality, this isn’t true. Basically, the only feature you need to make sure the tent has is a floor that is welded with the walls. This will ensure that moisture does not enter the tent.

Also, keep in mind that, often, more expensive tents are more lightweight. For this reason, a cheap tent might even be more heavy-duty than an expensive one. 

Also, whenever you buy a tent, only buy one big enough for the group you need. So, if you’re only camping with one other person, get a 2-person tent, rather than a 4-person one. Not only will the be cheaper, but it will be easier to keep warm.

You Don’t Need the Highest-Rated Sleeping Bag

When you shop for sleeping bags, you’ll notice that they are rated for the temperature they will keep you warm at. Often, you’ll hear the advice that you should purchase a sleeping bag rated ten degrees cooler than the coldest weather you’ll be experiencing. But that might not be necessary.

You can get away with getter a higher-rated sleeping bag by sleeping in layers. This will keep you warm as long as you don’t let the layers get wet.

And, of course, you can always supplement your sleeping bag with some good old-fashioned blankets that you have at home.

Also, when it comes to sleeping, you don’t need an expensive air mattress to sleep on. A nice sleeping pad or even some yoga mats will provide a comfortable surface to sleep on.

Don’t Go Crazy Buying Specialty Cooking Equipment

If you do some research on cooking equipment for camping, you can spend a lot of money really fast. In reality, you don’t actually need pots, utensils, coffeemakers, or other gadgets made explicitly for camping.

Invest in a nice cast iron pan. Not only will it be under $30, but it will also have plenty of uses at home when you’re not camping. 

Instead of buying a camping coffee pot, get a metal french press that you can use to make coffee with heated water. And, rather than buying special camping utensils, bring some of your old flatware and a pocket knife.

Consider Buying Equipment Second-Hand

Another way to get your camping equipment at a discount is to look at second-hand options. 

As you would with any furniture, be careful about tents and sleeping bags. Make sure the people you get them from are trustworthy, and treat them to eliminate any pests. 

In some cases, you might even be lucky enough to find equipment at thrift stores. These can be especially good places to find things like cooking supplies or lanterns.

If you want to be really thrifty, do a spin around the campground at the end of the weekend. You’ll be surprised to see that people will leave behind perfectly good barbecues, camp chairs, and other equipment. 

Don’t Cheap Out on Safety

While there are some easy ways to make budget-conscious decisions for camping, there are other areas where you don’t want to cut corners. This is especially true when it comes to any equipment related to safety.

For instance, you probably don’t want to bring a flashlight you got at the dollar store as your main light source. It gets really dark in the great outdoors, so you don’t want a light that is going to die on you in the first hour.

Also, if you plan on doing any hiking, you’ll want to bring high-quality shoes with you that are up to the task. Shoes with poor tread can easily lead to accidents and injuries.

Your strategy should be to save on equipment where cost is less important so you can invest the extra money where it actually matters.

Start Your Adventure With Budget Camping Gear

With this guide to budget camping gear, you’ll soon be ready to be a happy camper!

Looking for more tips on how to live life affordably? Check out the rest of our blog for inspiration.