Mom Behind the Curtain

every mom wants to be an all-powerful wizard

The best money, investing, finance & budget books for graduates and beginners

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Not long ago my college student daughter asked me to find a good money and budgeting book for her. My other daughter needed some information to relieve anxiety about the idea of investing in the stock market. (My son didn’t ask for a book, but he was the first one to finish one! An audiobook.)  Here our favorite audio books about budgeting, money, finance and investing.Gold coins showing road to wealth - best books to get young adults about money and investing…

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Disclaimer:  I am not a financial or investment advisor and have not considered your individual financial situation. The information on this site does not constitute financial advice and is for informational and entertainment purposes only. I rely on, and may direct readers to, information from various sources I believe to be reliable, but I cannot guarantee their accuracy or completeness. There is significant risk in financial trading and investing, including losing the money you invest. Readers are solely responsible for making their own investment decisions. By using this site, you agree not to hold PhytaPublishing, LLC or any of its members liable in any way for damages arising from decisions you make based on the information made available on this site.

Best books for kids during Covid pandemic – childhood illnesses & quarantines

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For kids who time time on their hands because of #shelterinplace or #stayathome quarantine due to Covid, what are the best books for them to read? Or maybe you need a list of books because your kid is doing virtual classes this fall. Of course any great kids’ book can be a great book to read anytime, including quarantine. But reading about quarantines and illness can help them put current events in perspective.Mother and kid read books during the Covid pandemic to help understand pandemics and historical childhood illnesses.

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What to watch next after The Crown Season 3

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Are you also excited to watch The Crown Season 3? Unfortunately, I recently watched another movie about British Royalty that I didn’t like, and I’m hoping won’t spoil the third season of The Crown for me. Find out what not to watch – and what to watch instead! – if you love the Netflix series The Crown….

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13 Best Books for Girls in Middle School – My Daughters’ Favorites

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Looking for a great books for girls in middle school to read? Who better to ask than another middle school girl? This isn’t just some book list made by some librarians, teachers or other authors. They are not all award-winning middle books and their not all popular middle school books that are on every book list. But all of these books are among my own daughters’ favorite books that they read in middle school – a best books for girls in middle school book list!Not a book list by adults, these books were my own girls' favorite books in middle school. From popular middle school series to more challenging books.

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17 GIANT Boxed Book Sets – Exciting gifts for Kids and Teens

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These are best boxed book sets on Amazon! (As judged by me the children’s books that my own kids love.) These giant boxed book sets make great Christmas gifts for kids. Boxed sets make reading fun for even reluctant readers.  Some of these are classic children’s book series. Others are current popular elementary school books series and others work better for older kids and teens. All of these book series are well loved by my own kids.

These giant boxed book sets make great Christmas gifts for kids. Boxed sets make reading fun for even reluctant readers.  Some of these are classic children's book series. Others are current popular elementary school books series and others work better for older kids and teens. All of these book series are well loved by my own kids.…

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Engineering Toys & Kits – Gifts for Tween Girls inspired by Disney’s Nutcracker

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It’s important not to overlook girls when you’re looking for engineering toys and kits for Christmas gifts for your son. It’s true that a lot of engineering sets might not be immediately appealing to girls. That’s why I was so excited that in Disney’s Nutcracker and the Four Realms movie there is an emphasis of Clara being interested in mechanical things. It inspired me to come up with a list of engineering gifts for tween girls!

Gifts for Tween Girls - It's important not to overlook girls when you're looking for engineering toys and kits for Christmas gifts for your son. It's true that a lot of engineering sets might not be immediately appealing to girls. That's why I was so excited that in Disney's Nutcracker and the Four Realms there is an emphasis of Clara being interested in mechanical things. It inspired me to come up with a list of engineering gifts for tween girls!

image from Disney Studios

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10 Reasons Busy Moms need the gift of Amazon Prime this Christmas

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When you’re a busy mom there’s ALWAYS a gift you need to get last minute. Or a gift you just can’t seem to find. Solution? Amazon! And with Amazon Prime you can get free 2-day shipping on thousands of items – and sometimes 1-day shipping! Give it a try and solve all your holiday shopping problems.

Tips for ways for busy moms to use Amazon Prime to help make it through the holidays! The top 10 reasons you need Amazon Prime Membership this holiday season - from last minute free gift shipping, Christmas movies and shows, your favorite Christmas music, and keeping the kids busy while you do "Santa Things." #Christmasgifts #christmastips #amazonprime #busymom #ad

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Disney Nutcracker inspired unique gift ideas for girls

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Don’t you just love going to see a Christmas movie at Christmas time? I do! And a great choice this year is the Disney Nutcracker and the Four Realms! Did your daughter love the Disney Nutcracker movie? Here are some unique gifts ideas for girls that will remind fans of the Disney Nutcracker of that Christmas magic all year long!

Unique Christmas gifts for girls inspired by Disney's Nutcracker and the Four Realms - Did your daugther love Disney's Nutcracker? The movie inspired me to come up with some really unique Christmas gifts for girls. There are lots of sparly and ballet things, of course. But there are some really different items based off of Clara's love of all things mechanical. #gifts #christmasgifts #nutcracker #DisneysNutcracker

Image from Walt Disney Studios

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Non-toy gift idea – the best boxed book sets for kids

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Books for presents? You might be afraid that doesn’t sound very exciting. But a big set of books in a boxed set is colorful and exciting! Here are the best books to give as a set from my own kids’ favorite book series.

Gifts for kids - Are you looking for a non-toy gift idea for kids that will still be exciting? Sometimes it's hard to come up with a present idea that you don't think is just going to become more clutter! A single book might not sound exciting. But there is something about a boxed book set that promises more adventure! Check out this list of my kids' favorite book boxed sets. They're the best boxed book sets to give kids this Christmas!

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The Best Documentaries to watch after The Crown – Netflix

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Is there someone in your life who’s a huge fan of the Netflix series The Crown? Do they love to read about the British Royal family in the news? Do they love all the latest styles of the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex? Did they get up insanely early to watch the British Royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? Here are some fantastic gift ideas for fans of the Crown. Anyone who has watched Netflix – The Crown will love these documentaries. They’re the best documentaries about the British Royal Family.

Did you love the Netflix Series, The Crown?

Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix the Crown - documentaries to watch about the British Royal Family if you loved the Crown.

image from Netflix

I know a lot about the history about the British Royal family. And I’ve been very impressed with this TV series, The Crown. I’ve had so much fun watching it! I had already watched a lot of documentaries about the British Royal family, so I enjoyed seeing differences and similarities in The Crown.

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