Financial Security 3. The law requires both parents support their children. This is true even if pregnancy is unplanned. Children supported by one parent often do not have enough money for their needs. A child support order cannot be established if paternity is not proven.

Survivor & other Benefits 4. Medical and dental insurance may be available through non-custodial parent’s employer, union, or military service. Medical assistance programs may be available through local and/or state family/child assistance agencies. If something should happen to either parent, child could qualify for Social Security, pensions, inheritance rights, veterans’ benefits and life insurance. Paternity must be established to receive these benefits.

Keep Track of Child Support Information 5. It is imperative that both parents, (the custodial and non-custodial) keep track of parent information, parenting time, (visitations), receipt of child support payments, court ordered or not, names of child support workers, attorney contacts, names of judges/referees, docket/court numbers etc. concerning child support case. Remember to keep this information in a secure location and let someone you trust know where this information can be found in event of an emergency.

The truth of matter is not matter how much stuff or junk we have it is all expendable. It’s a little known fact that you don’t get out of life alive and you are taking nothing with you. There is not one single person who left this life with a case of toilet tissue or a 200 pound box of Tide, honest.

So what’s a stuff junkie to do? Get rid of stuff. Sell it, donate it, give it away, but de-clutter your existence. If you have a bedroom that is cluttered with stuff, move everything out but bed and dresser. Live in room for 30 days before bringing anything back in and then decide what is missing. This can be done with any room in your home or apartment. Keep only essential items and leave everything else out for 30 days. Just try it. There is energy in an uncluttered room that does not exist when room is filled with junk.

The same is true of books and magazines. Remember you can only read one book at a time and with availability of Amazon.com or Books-a-Million.com you can buy book again. Keep only those books and magazines that you refer to often, but if you have not read it in 30 days, toss it. If items in room are growing dust bunnies and spider webs have taken over, it’s time for a de-clutter intervention.

The best way to live an abundant life is to not live an overabundant one.