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15 Names Inspired by Iconic Cities That Are Perfect for Worldly Parents

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Names Inspired by Iconic Cities That Are Perfect for Worldly Parents

In an age where travel and global cultures are more accessible than ever, many parents are looking to the world map for inspiration when naming their children. If you’re a soon-to-be parent with a passion for travel or simply love the idea of a name with international flair, this list is for you. We’ve compiled 15 names, inspired by iconic cities around the world, perfect for your little globetrotter.

1. Austin

Austin

Nestled in the heart of Texas, Austin is a lively and slightly quirky city known for its live music scene and picturesque landscapes. The name Austin has English origins, meaning “great” or “magnificent,” reflecting the city’s grandeur and vibrant cultural scene. It’s a popular choice for boys but works equally well as a gender-neutral option. Parents who value music, arts, and an active lifestyle might find Austin a perfect name for their child.

2. Adelaide

Adelaide

Adelaide, the coastal capital of South Australia, exudes charm and elegance, making it a beautiful name choice for a girl. Derived from the Germanic word ‘adalheidis,’ meaning nobility, Adelaide promises a touch of regality and poise. The city itself is known for its festivals, food, and wine, reflecting a cultured and refined lifestyle that could inspire parents looking for a name with both beauty and depth.

3. Cairo

Cairo

As one of the world’s oldest cities, Cairo carries a history that spans centuries. This strong, masculine name is perfect for parents who appreciate history and adventure. The name Cairo, which means “victorious,” is an excellent choice for any boy, especially with its easy pronunciation and distinctive sound. It’s a name that embodies strength and a rich heritage.

4. Florence

Florence

Inspired by the Italian city renowned for its art and architecture, Florence is a lovely name for a girl. It has Latin roots in ‘florens,’ meaning flourishing or prosperous. For parents who cherish art, history, and culture, Florence could be a symbolic name representing beauty and creativity. The city’s association with the Renaissance adds a layer of historical significance to the name.

5. Dakota

Dakota

While not a city but a nod to both North and South Dakota in the United States, Dakota is a name that conveys a sense of adventure and vast open spaces. Meaning “friendly” or “allies,” it’s a name that works for both boys and girls. Parents who value nature, freedom, and the great outdoors might be drawn to this strong yet approachable name.

6. Paris

Paris

The city of love and lights, Paris is an enchanting choice for a child’s name. This name has Greek origins, meaning ‘wallet,’ but its contemporary association with the French capital imbues it with romance and charm. It’s versatile for both genders, making it ideal for parents looking for a sophisticated and universally recognized name.

7. Sydney

Sydney

This name, inspired by Australia’s bustling and picturesque city, fits a boy or a girl. Sydney is a name that evokes images of the sea, opera, and vibrant city life. Its Old English origin, meaning ‘wide meadow,’ suggests a connection to nature combined with urban sophistication.

8. Denver

Denver

Denver, the ‘Mile High City,’ is not only an important cultural hub but also the inspiration for a robust and lively name. Suitable for boys, the name Denver, with its Old English roots meaning ‘green valley,’ speaks to those who love the mountains and the outdoors. It’s a strong, memorable name for parents seeking a blend of urban cool and natural beauty.

9. Vienna

Vienna

Vienna, a name derived from the city known for its musical legacy and stunning architecture, carries a classical elegance. This name, suitable for a girl, resonates with grace and sophistication. It’s a name that echoes with musical and artistic heritage, perfect for parents who appreciate these richer aspects of culture.

10. Orlando

Orlando

Orlando has a dynamic feel, and it’s one of the most iconic cities in Florida, if not the world. The name, of Italian origin, means “famous land” and is often associated with romance and adventure, thanks to the literary character Orlando. This name is an excellent choice for parents who want their child’s name to carry a sense of excitement and liveliness.

11. Savannah

Savannah

The name Savannah, inspired by the quaint and charming city in Georgia, evokes images of expansive picturesque landscapes. It means ‘treeless plain’ in Spanish but is known for its lush green squares and historic architecture. Savannah is a popular girl’s name that blends tradition with a modern twist, ideal for parents who value history and nature’s beauty.

12. Kingston

Kingston

Kingston, a name inspired by the capital of Jamaica, carries a regal tone and an air of strong cultural identity. Meaning “king’s town,” it’s a powerful name suitable for a boy, reflecting a sense of strength and resilience. It’s an ideal choice for parents who appreciate music, particularly reggae, and cultural richness.

13. Geneva

Geneva

Geneva is not just a city with a global presence but also a name that embodies peace and diplomacy. This name, perfect for a girl, means “juniper tree” and reflects qualities of protection and endurance. Parents drawn to international politics or who cherish tranquility might find Geneva a fitting tribute to these ideals.

14. Rio

Rio

Short for Rio de Janeiro, the name Rio is lively and spirited, suitable for a boy. It means “river” in Spanish and Portuguese, reflecting the city’s vibrant, flowing life and famous carnival. Rio is a catchy, upbeat name that conveys energy and vivacity, perfect for a child with a sparkling personality.

15. Chelsea

Chelsea

Inspired by the cosmopolitan area in London, Chelsea is a stylish and trendy name for a girl. It originally means ‘chalk landing place’ in Old English. Still, its modern-day association with fashion, art, and the vibrant urban lifestyle makes it a popular choice among parents looking for a sophisticated yet fashionable name.

Why These Names Inspired by Iconic Cities Are Perfect for Worldly Parents

Why These Names Inspired by Iconic Cities Are Perfect for Worldly Parents

These names not only connect your child to a wider world but also offer unique stories and meanings that enrich their identity. Whether you’re a fan of history, nature, or the arts, these names inspired by iconic cities provide a beautiful way to celebrate the richness of the world’s cultures.

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How to Handle Financially Toxic Parents

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Your parents should provide for you as you grow up, but what happens when they ask you for money?  Should you give money to your parents?  The answer to how to handle financially toxic parents depends on both you and them.

How to Handle Financially Toxic Parents

Reasons Your Financially Toxic Parents May Need Money

There are many reasons your parents may ask you for money.  Some are valid reasons, and others, not so much.

A Job Loss

Sometimes the unexpected happens.  Your parent may find him or herself out of a job and in need of money.  Our neighbor, Rob, worked hard all his life.  Because he married young and he and his wife had children in quick succession, Rob never got to go to college.  He worked as a janitor.  While he and his wife were responsible with their money, they just didn’t have much money.  They couldn’t establish much of an emergency fund because his income just paid the bills and covered the expenses of his seven children.

When Rob was 59, he lost his job.  At that age, he had a difficult time finding a new job.  In this situation, helping your parents out, if you’re financially able, is the right thing to do.

An Unexpected Funeral

How to Handle Financially Toxic Parents
Photo by Rhodi Lopez on Unsplash

If your parents no longer have life insurance and one dies, how does the other pay for the funeral?  Funerals can run upwards on $10,000 or more.  If your surviving parent doesn’t have the money to pay for the service and burial, contributing to this expense can be a nice gesture.

However, it is always better to plan for the future. If your parents don’t have a life insurance plan, talk to them directly. Remember, it’s never too late to have a policy. Burial insurance can be a savior by covering the funeral costs. Burial life insurance is nothing but a permanent whole life policy with small death benefits. Insurance experts also call it final expense insurance, funeral insurance, etc. You will be surprised to know that most of the big companies provide burial insurance for seniors. So, if your parents don’t have a policy yet, inspire them to have one and prepare for the unexpected.

For Younger Siblings

My friend, Joan, became friends with another girl, Leslie, in high school.  Leslie had an unstable home life and eventually moved in with Joan and her family.  When we all graduated high school, Leslie went to college for engineering and also worked full-time to support herself.

At regular intervals, Leslie’s mom, who still had four younger children at home, called Leslie and asked her for money.  For years, Leslie gave money to her mom because she felt guilty.  After all, her stepdad had just left, and her mom had to provide for the younger kids.

However, over time, her mother continued to spend irresponsibly, but Leslie didn’t feel like she could say no because if she did, her younger siblings would do without.  Leslie begrudgingly gave her mom money until all the kids were out of the house.

Bad Money Management Skills

How to Deal with Financially Toxic Parents
Photo by allison christine on Unsplash

Now, I’m on the flip side and am old enough to have friends who have adult children.  One of those “friends” (and I use the term loosely), Heather, continually writes on Facebook about her money troubles.  These posts always appear as thinly veiled requests for money.

In the most recent post, Heather wrote about the financial troubles she and her husband have and went on to say that their 20  year old son, who is working two jobs and taking a full load of college classes, is giving them money to pay for their utilities and gas to and from work.

However, in that same week, Heather posted about going out to eat two different times and having a manicure and pedicure as well as getting her hair highlighted.

Say what?!

Should You Give Your Parents Money?

As an adult, if you find yourself in the awkward position of deciding whether or not to give your financially toxic parents money, there are a few questions you should ask yourself:

Can you afford it?  Do you have the money to give your parents?  Can you loan them money without causing your own financial hardship?

Why do your parents need the money?  Are your parents in a truly tight financial spot because of unemployment, sickness or another issue?  Or, do they have a history of mismanaging money and now, like so many times before, they’re in a bind?

Are they trying to change their situation?  If your parents are facing financial difficulties, are they taking steps to try to improve their situation?  Are they wisely cutting expenses and learning how to manage their money so they won’t be in this position again?  You probably can’t give them advice here because they likely won’t listen, but you can recommend your favorite financial blogs or books to help them get a better handle on how to manage their money.

What does your spouse think?  If your parents are routinely asking for money, your spouse may be annoyed or angry.  After all, you’re giving away money that now can no longer be used for your own retirement fund, household needs, or for your kids.  If your spouse is tired of you giving your parents money, please listen.  The last thing you want to do is make your own marriage unstable to enable your financially toxic parents bad money habits.

Money arguments are the number one cause of divorce.  Giving money to your parents frequently can definitely lead to tension and disagreements in your own marriage.  Is enabling your parents worth it?

Should You Cut Your Parents Off?

If you do decide to lend your parents money, how often can you do so?  You should set boundaries for the limit of your generosity in the beginning.  Leslie, the girl I went to high school with, regularly gave her mother money for eight to ten years.  Then, as her younger siblings grew up and left home, Leslie saw that her mother often caused her own drama and financial woes.

She cut her mom off about 15 years ago, and now she rarely hears from her.

I don’t know how long Heather’s son will lend his parents money, but I hope it’s not for too long.  There’s no reason why a son should be financing his mother’s highlights and pedicures when he himself is working two jobs to pay his way through college.

Finally, if your parent is in dire financial straits due to addiction or gambling, you shouldn’t lend them money.  Using tough love here would be the best advice.

Have your parents ever asked to borrow money for you?  If so, how did you handle it?  

Are you a parent?  If so, have you ever asked to borrow money from your children?

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Parents Tax Bill Rising?

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Tax season is right around the corner.  Before you know it, we’ll all be holed away in some corner of our house punching numbers into our computers as we try to squeeze a few more of our dollars back from the IRS.  That’s a task that might get a bit harder for some parents this year.

According to this CNN Money report, on January 1, 2013, several tax credits are set to expire.  And, unless Congress manages to pull it’s collective head out of a dark place and extend those credits, many of our tax returns will be quite a bit heavier come April.  For parents, specifically, this could cause quite the burden.

Specifically, the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, Child/Dependent Care Credit, and the American Opportunity Credit will expire.

  • The Child Tax Credit would be reduced to $500 per child, instead of the $1000 it’s currently at, and would no longer mean a refund of any excess credit above and beyond tax liability.  It’s debatable whether it should be giving that excess credit as a refund, but I’d certainly like to see them keep the credit at the $1000 number.  This is one that we use on our taxes every year, and I know it’s been quite beneficial.
  • The Earned Income Tax Credit will have several of it’s key income thresholds reduced back to previous thresholds.  The maximum credit will also be reduced by 5%.  I believe we exceed the threshold for this one, but reducing the thresholds will eliminate it for quite a few families.
  • The Child/Dependent Care Credit, like the EIC, would see several of the maximum credit and reportable expense reduced.  This is one that I know we’ve used every year, since we’ve always had some sort of child care expenses.  Could mean a significant loss of credit on our tax return.
  • The American Opportunity Credit is a credit that replaced what was called the Hope credit.  It allowed for a higher amount of credit and for some of the credit to be refundable to the tax filer.  If it expires on January 1, it will revert back to the hope credit which means the credit will be reduced by $700, and also reduced to something that can be claimed 4 years to something that can be claimed only 2 years.  The Hope Credit is also a non-refundable credit, so if you have no tax bill, it doesn’t mean a larger refund like the American Opportunity Credit would.  Again, I don’t necessarily agree with the refundability of credits, but this could mean a huge difference for some families still paying for college expenses.  I’ve never been able to use it since I was well out of college when it was put into place.

That’s just four of the parts of the tax code that are set to expire on January 1 if Congress doesn’t act on it.  In a Presidential election year, you can bet they won’t make any moves on it until after election day, so they’ll have a very short window in order to get something done.  I truly doubt that they’d let them all expire, but depending on the outcome of the election, it could be a pretty dirty fight.

How many of you have used these credits?  Would their loss on January 1, 2013 change your tax bill considerably?