-HEALTH -

Having kids can fight brain aging — the more children, the better

Think having kids drains your brain? Think again. 

A new study suggests that those sleepless nights and stressful mornings might actually be keeping your mind young and sharp. 

Researchers analyzed the brain scans of 19,964 women and 17,607 men from the UK and found that people who had children showed slower cognitive decline as they aged compared to those with fewer or no kids.

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YOUR MARRIAGE

Study Finds Gen Z Has More Traditional Views of Marriage amid Declining Marriage, Birth Rates.

A recent study found that members of Generation Z are more traditionalist and conservative when it comes to marriage — more so than their Millennial parents.

According to The Times Generation Z study, “only a fifth of 18 to 27-year-olds believed that marriage was ‘irrelevant,’ while a third thought it better for a couple to be married before having children.” Additionally, “the research showed that young adults today were more in favor of marriage than young adults 20 years ago, when almost twice the proportion — 39 percent — thought marriage to be irrelevant.” And it’s not just marriage that Gen Zer’s view differently, but sex as well.

In 2004, 78% of Millennial respondents considered “one-night stands” or “casual sex” outside of marriage to be common practice for the people in their lives. Now, only
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FINANCE AND INVESTING TIPS FOR THE SANDWICH GENERATION

Financial Focus: Women caregivers face financial challenges

On March 8, we observe International Women’s Day. Although this event celebrates women’s achievements, it’s still true that women, especially caregivers, face significant financial hurdles. How can these challenges be met?

To begin with, let’s look at some concerning statistics connected to American women in the “sandwich generation” — those who care for children and parents or other relatives — from a study by Edward Jones and research firms NEXT360 and Morning Consult:

• Nearly half of women report feeling financially strained

• Almost two-thirds of women say caregiving duties have harmed their ability to save for their own financial goals

• More than half of women have had to reduce their professional responsibilities due to caregiving, resulting in the loss of potential income

So, if you’re a sandwich-generation woman, what can you do to improve your financial outlook?
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YOUR KIDS

How to Assess Whether a Babysitter is Responsible and Reliable

When searching for a babysitter, it is extremely important that you find one who is responsible and reliable. After all, you are trusting them with your children for an extended period of time, and you need to know that they will be safe and not put in harm’s way. Aside from an initial interview, there are many other ways you can assess whether a babysitter is responsible and reliable, or if you should look for another one.

Get Recommendations

When you first start your search, ask around for recommendations from people you already know and trust. Asking people you’re not familiar with online or using babysitter services can be tricky because you do not know these people as well and may not fully trust their opinions. If you have friends in the area with similar-aged kids or kids who have grown out of babysitters, they can give you names, numbers, and already serve as a very trustworthy reference
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CARING FOR PARENTS

YOUR JOB AND CAREER

Over the last two months, career coach Eliana Goldstein has seen a spike in job seekers looking for help. 

While the U.S. unemployment rate dropped last month and the labor market appears to be on solid footing, hirings have slowed. Employers added 143,000 jobs in January, falling short of forecasts and the average monthly gain of 166,000 in 2024. Meanwhile, the hiring rate stood at 3.4% in December, down from 4.6% in 2021.  

“For many job seekers who are extremely ambitious, very competitive and highly qualified, they’re having a lot more trouble,” Goldstein said. .

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