The Financial Fit College Search Method

January 28, 2012 By 2 Comments

We are excited to provide a guest post from Frank Palmasani on the topic of financial aid for college students!

It’s that time of the year for families to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. This document is used by colleges to which the student has applied and been accepted. The colleges review this information and include it with other data (like student grades, composite test scores, and interests) to determine that family’s net price.

Net price is the comprehensive cost of a college minus what is provided to that family in grants and scholarships. Colleges, as they present net price to families, might also include a student loan and a campus job. With the costs of education as high as they are today, this is what families want to know –
their net price.

In the past, net price was not known until March or April of senior year when colleges released official award letters. This year, for the first time, families have an opportunity to learn their net price at any particular college through the use of a new U.S. Department of Education initiative – net price calculators.

Every college, as of the end of October 2011, had to post a net price calculator on their website. These calculators allow families to learn an estimated net price much earlier than when the official award letters are released.

High school counselors across the country have been developing strategies and programs to help teach parents and students how to maximize the use of these net price calculators. After 25 years of delivering seminars to parent groups on the Challenges of College Costs, I developed a program to do just that – The Financial Fit College Search method.

This method begins when the family systematically assesses what they can afford to pay for college yearly. This assessment is based on an analysis of tax credit eligibility, cash flow, savings, and reasonable parent borrowing.

Once this assessment is complete, the idea is to choose a college in each of 7 college categories. Using each of those school’s net price calculators, the family would determine that college’s net price and compare it to their affordability. Does that college appear to be affordable or does it not? If it does
not, then one or more other net price calculators from schools in that category would be chosen. If it is obvious that none of the schools in a category are affordable, that category of colleges gets eliminated.

If a family finds a category of colleges (from this group of 7) or categories of colleges where the net price of the school matches their affordability, that category or those categories are the ones the family should focus on. The family then avoids the distinct possibility of having no college choices that are
affordable.

When families learn in March or April of senior year that all of the time, energy and money devoted to exploring and applying to colleges that seemed most appropriate and suitable to the student are all unaffordable, disappointment sets in. Too often this disappointment has superseded pragmatism. Much of the reason why we have a huge student debt problem is that families have chosen these unaffordable options.

The Financial Fit College Search method is designed to help families avoid this disappointment, learn how to find the affordable college options and manage their college costs without excessive debt.

These ideas are developed in much greater depth through the videos, articles, and software available at managingcollegecost.com, myfinancialfit.com, and collegecountdown.com.

Frank Palmasani is in his 36th year working in education as a High School Counselor or College Admissions Director. During that time he has delivered seminars to more than 200,000 parents, visited with thousands of families one on one, presented at numerous counselor conferences, and appeared on several Chicago area media outlets. His topic at all times has been helping families conquer college costs. He is the founder of an educational website, a software program, and will have a book published and released this fall. His innovative method of Finding Financial Fits has been utilized by high school counselors in schools across the country.

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The Prescription for Saving Time and Money

January 28, 2012 By 1 Comment

We are excited to bring you a budget saving guest post from Brad Bangerter, CEO of LowestMed!

What if you had to actually to go to the airport and stand in line at each airline counter to get the prices for an upcoming trip? Of course not. It’s so easy just to get online and look up the prices of various airlines. Until now, in the world of prescription drugs, to get a price for your medication at various pharmacies, you had to physically go there and submit your prescription. Not anymore, thanks to a free app from LowestMed.

Budgeting for prescription drug costs can be difficult and frustrating. No one should ever pay retail prices; yet pharmacies can’t tell you what your insurance card or discount card price is until they fill the prescription. So how can you budget for medications and make sure you’re getting a good price?

Most consumers don’t even realize that prices vary from one pharmacy to another. But prices do vary and sometimes significantly.

For example, you might pay $43.88 for Azithromycin, a popular antibiotic, at one pharmacy or as much as $100.69 at another pharmacy for the very same drug. And this is if you use a pharmacy discount card. Retail prices are much more.

Finding alternatives to name brand drugs can also help save money. For example, you can pay $100.22 or more per month for Zocor, a cholesterol lowering medication or $4.00 per month for a generic equivalent, Lovastatin. Savings like these are abundant to savvy shoppers who can now use a convenient app to find the prices of prescription drugs before going to the pharmacy.

LowestMed has now made it simple to budget for and save on prescription drug purchases. With the new app and website, consumers can compare prices of the most commonly prescribed drugs and use an electronic discount card on a mobile device to get instant discounts. Just like shopping for travel deals, LowestMed makes it easy for you to shop, compare and save. Simply download the LowestMed app from the Apple App Store or Android Marketplace and begin saving each time you need a prescription drug.

How do you save on your prescription costs? Leave us a comment and let us know!

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Why I love entertaining children with The Adventures of Rodger Dodger Dog

November 13, 2011 By 4 Comments

We are excited to bring a guest post to you today from Jan Britland!

 

I still remember the first time I was reading to children at a school with Rodger Dodger Dog at my side.  The children were mesmerized by Rodger, laughing at his tail that bobbles when he walks and dances.  Having been Rodger Dodger Dog myself on more than one occasion, I now know how rock stars feel when on stage preforming.  It is incredible.  To think I can cause such glee is nothing short of a miracle.   The children love Rodger Dodger Dog.  They know his favorite color, how I found him at the pound and who his friends are.  They have watched his movies. They have played his “Help Rodger Find His Friends Game” on his web site.  To them he is a super star.  And that makes me one by association.  The children are always the best part of being a children’s book author.  After reading to a day care center during their summer session, a little boy came up to me and told me, “I think you will do very well with your books, they make me laugh!”  I couldn’t believe he had a business opinion on my books.

The children are always surprising me with their insights on Rodger and his friendship with Bunny and Mack the Cat.  They of course tell me about their dogs and cats at home and how they get along as well.  When I am reading the books, even though I have Rodger Dodger Dog next to me acting out the story, their eyes are riveted to the illustrations, as I turn, they turn, as if physically connected to the book.  I am truly blessed that The Adventures of Rodger Dodger Dog is so well received.  Last week I received a package with a necklace and a picture of Rodger a little boy in New Jersey made at summer camp.   This is months after our appearance at his school and he is still thinking of Rodger Dodger Dog.  It makes me very proud.  Reading to children at schools, libraries and book stores is absolutely the most rewarding career I have ever had. I highly recommend it to everyone!

 

Jan Britland is an author and artist. She lives in Punta Gorda, Florida with her husband Bill. They have a bulldog named Madison, a parrot named Lola, three red-eared slider turtles named Sparky, Luigi and hale. And last but not least Goldie a pond fish. All of whom are portrayed in her stories. When she is not writing Children’s books, she teaches oil painting to adults. You can reach Jan through her website, www.rodgerdodgerdog.com

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20 Trendy and Cheap Halloween Costumes for 2011

October 9, 2011 By 2 Comments

We are excited to bring another guest post to you today from Andrea Woroch!

Halloween is now officially the second-highest grossing holiday of the year, right after Christmas. No doubt thrift shops come in for a major cut of that profit. Costume shops do pretty well, particularly since many are offering great deals and free shipping offers this year, but drugstores and big-box stores also enjoy the Halloween kaching!

In the end, who cares how much money merchants make off our favorite holiday? Finding just the right zingy costume is the best part of All Souls Eve, particularly if you can do it on the cheap. Here are 20 trendy ideas pulled directly out of the 2011 zeitgeist.

1. Tiger Mom
You gotta read the book to get this one, but those who kick into the joke will ROTFL. In “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom,” Amy Chua wrote about how Chinese parents are better at raising kids. Instead, it became a clash of east against west, with many complaining Chua’s strict rules were too hard on the kids. Either way, it made for an interesting story and could make a fun costume.

Here’s the recipe: Pick up a set of mommy clothes (including high-waisted jeans) and some face paints, then do your best at recreating a tiger face. For a special touch, add a wild wig of blond hair and fluff to the max.

2. Rebecca Black “Friday” Video
The songbird that foisted auto-tune-heavy “Friday” upon the universe deserves a touch of parody. A long, frizzy black wig (don’t forget the side part), a purple, sleeveless dress from Forever 21, piles of eye makeup and a headbouncing posse should do it. Oh, and don’t forget to memorize the lyrics to this insipidly repetitive song.

3. Angry Birds
Anyone hooked on this addictive Facebook, mobile phone and Google Chrome game knows the deathly attraction of the chirping birds and snorting green pigs. This could be a great group costume, but you can also select your favorite birdbrain and go it alone.

While you can make your own version, you might want to check out the 20-percent off deal offered by Spirit. Spice your costume up even further with a small slingshot, if you’re a bird, and a basket of eggs, if you’re a pig. Keep an eye out for Spirit Halloween codes for free shipping as Oct. 31st approaches.

4. Hipster Barista
Enough with the skinny black jeans and snobbish attitude! Everyone loves to hate their own snotty Starbuck’s manager. Now you, too, can be loathed by hundreds.

The costume is simple: To the aforementioned skinny jeans, add a black, v-neck T-shirt, black scarf (wrapped in trendy fashion about your neck), and a batch of rub-on tattoos. Voila! You’re ready to stick your nose in the air. If you’ve got a Che Guevara T-shirt, this is the time to wear it proudly. The best part of this costume is that it’s androgynous, so either males or females can be a Hipster Barista.

5. Garden Gnome
For some reason garden gnomes have become the kitch costume of the year, showing up everywhere from Mardi Gras to the Tour de Fat bicycle parade in growing numbers. Strangely, Pottery Barn Teen has a great version of the little pointy-hatted guy, and is currently offering 20% off Halloween costumes. Get a Pottery Barn free shipping code to save even more.

6. Hurricane Irene
Once considered a deadly force of nature, Hurricane Irene limped to the East Coast with little more than heavy rains and a will to survive. Sure there was lots of flooding, but the weather-weenie predictions happily proved to be wrong.

The costume is fairly simple. Just print out a bunch of satellite maps depicting hurricanes and pin them to your clothes. Then limp around all night blowing gently into friend’s faces.

7. Charlie Sheen
Halloween Mart has all the components for this absolute-must costume. Combine their Malibu Maniac Kit (black wig and “Two-and-a-half Men” shirt), IV bag of Tiger Blood, and tiger-skin-banded hat emblazoned with “Winning!” Pop on your own dark shades and you’re ready to ramble around shouting “Duh!”

8. Tron Guy
Remember Jay Maynard, who had 10 minutes of fame for his homemade Tron costume? Then he used up his last five minutes when Duck Brand adhesive tape made a Tronish commercial that ended up inside Maynard’s head?

You don’t have to know about this computer programmer, however, to recreate his costume. Take a set of long underwear, a bike helmet and Frisbees and create a Tron pattern with fluorescent-blue duct tape. If you really want to mimic Maynard, slap on a porn-stache and a pair of aviator glasses.

9. I Love Lucy
August saw the 100th birthday of Lucille Ball, the comedic genius who started a television empire with Desilu Productions company. You can Desi Arnaz your night with a Luuuuuucyyyy outfit from Drugstore.com. Find free shipping codes for the e-retailer, plus 30-percent off costumes at sites like FreeShipping.

10. Bronies
For some reason, there’s a contingent of male nerds out there who are addicted to the animated cartoon “My Little Pony.” Known as “Bronies,” these fanboys watch pretty pictures of ponies — with names like Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash — have magical adventures. Seriously!

The costume is simple: Buy several of the pony “action figures” and attach them to slacker clothing, i.e. sweatpants and a bagged-out T-shirt. Then wax eloquently about the pink aisle at Toys R Us.

11. Insane Clown Posse “Miracles” Video
Sick of rapping about murdering people with axes, the Detroit hip-hop duo released “Miracles” about the magic in the universe. The Posse rapped in X-rated language that made the video one of the biggest joke memes in 2010. For a wicked twist, go with the Saturday Night Live version.

The costumes are simple: Dress in all-white gangster togs, paint on a black-and-white clown face and you’re ready to rap about magic and miracles being “just there in the air.”

12. Bridezilla
If you’ve seen the WE Network show “Bridezillas,” it’s easy to believe all women in white have turned into raving maniacs. While some brides can get a bit out of hand under pre-wedding stress, nothing can touch the WE’s matrimonial disasters.

To turn yourself into one of these nightmare brides, wear a trashy gown from your local thrift shop and scream into your cell phone all night. Key phrases, “You’re out of the wedding” and “You’ve ruined the biggest day of my life!”

13. Hawaii Five-0
Here’s an easy one for lazy guys, based on the resurrected television show on CBS. Rock a pair of shorts and a Hawaiian shirt with some nifty shades, pick up a set of handcuffs at the costume shop and you’re good to go. (Surfboard is optional.) Now book ‘em, Dano.

14. Republican Presidential Candidates
Watch just one of the Republican debates and you’ll have the costume down. Dark suit and a red tie for men and pearls for Michelle Bachmann imitators. Key phrases to push: Taxes, tax cuts and Ronald Reagan. This one is definitely better as a group costume.

15. “Entourage” Gang
Another group-costume concept, this one pays homage to the final season of HBO’s “Entourage,” featuring one movie star and his bro-mance with three homies (and one maniacal Hollywood agent). The costumes are pretty basic, but it’s the chemistry that will make this one come alive.

16. “The Big Bang Theory”
Speaking of TV shows ripe for the costume picking, the geeks from “The Big Bang Theory” are even easier to recreate. Take one skinny nerd in multiple T-shirts, add a shorter version in horn rims and a couple multicultural buddies and you’ve got your gang. Remember, the geekier the clothing the better, so hit up Goodwill for your Green Lantern T-shirt. The best accessory, however, would be an attractive blond.

17. “Bridesmaids”
You don’t have to replicate the “Bridesmaids’” movie cast; just follow the lead of so many modern bachelorette parties these days. The bride-to-be gets to wear a crown or goofy white veil. The bridesmaids all follow a common theme, like bobble headbands or goofy scarves or some such. Now go out and party!

18. Pirates
Johnny Depp has made the world safe for pirate costumes again, thanks to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies. Forget the eye patch, however, and follow the gorgeous movie star’s lead with a basic vest, white shirt, pants tucked into boots and lots of bangles, rings and scarves. Oh, and don’t forget the guy-liner.

Gals might go with a Penélope Cruz look: Big black hat with buckle, frock coat and much of the same look as Johnny, just without the dreadlocks. Grab a Target free shipping promo code and enjoy their great version of this look for the ladies.

19. Anthony Bourdain
Recreating Mr. “No Reservations” is easy as pie. Just wear a chef’s jacket and check pants (found at many thrift shops) then plop on a white wig. Can’t find the kitchen uniform? Bourdain is partial to blue polos and dress shirts with jeans.

The great part of dressing as the Travel Channel chef is that it requires you devour drinks and food all night. Non-party attenders can carry a frying pan and wine bottle to give their costume a “kitchenie” look.

20. Royal Wedding
Did you hear Prince William got married this year? If you followed the royal wedding closely, you don’t need much costume advice. Ladies wear a long, brown wig with a thrift-shop wedding gown and carry a white bouquet. Gentlemen have it tougher finding a red military jacket, but cardboard medals and a blue ribbon sash are easier. It also helps if your hairline is rapidly receding.

If your group includes additional females, follow Princess Beatrice’s atrocious lead by coordinating outfit colors with the ugliest hat possible. If you’re really ambitious, you might try recreating her terrible topper.

 

Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc. As a nationally recognized media source, Andrea has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more.

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Tips on Helping Kids Overcome Fears

October 6, 2011 By 6 Comments

We are excited to bring to our readers a guest post by Maha Huneidi!

 

Fear is a very broad subject, and children at different ages are afraid for different reasons. According to developmental psychologist Jean Piaget, kids aged 2-7 are afraid of things not based on reality. At this age kids endow animals, as well as inanimate object with feelings. They believe in magic and they think that everyone and everything thinks and feels exactly like they do, which is why at this age kids are usually afraid of monsters and ghosts.

I think it’s counterproductive for parents to dismiss such fears as not real. As far as the child is concerned, they’re very real and there’s no way a child at this age will believe you if you said that there’s no such thing as monsters. I was afraid of monsters and of the dark -where monsters lurked- as a child. My parent did come into my room and looked for them to prove to me that they didn’t exist. Of course they didn’t exist when the lights were on! As far as I was concerned monsters were afraid of light and of adults, which is why they scattered when adults came into the room and turned on the lights!

My younger son had nightmares on and off when he was six. I didn’t make him go back to his bed, and my husband protested because he thought that our son would get used to sleeping in our bed, and for good reason too. We had some friends who’s kids didn’t outgrow that habit till they were 9 or 10. I knew that that wouldn’t be the case with my son because kids get into this habit at a much younger age. I think that this problem arises from separation anxiety, and not from nightmares or fear of monsters.

Anyway, I told my husband that I couldn’t send him back to his room because I was afraid as a child, and I knew how real his fear was. I didn’t know how else to deal with his fear at that time, and I hadn’t read anything about Jean Piaget. All I knew was that my son’s fear was as real as mine was at his age. He never got into the habit of sleeping in our bed. The few times he had nightmares I let him crash with us till dawn, then I’d take him back to his bed when he felt comfortable enough to go back. Luckily, he soon outgrew his fear.

Come to think of it my older son had nightmares three nights in a row, when he was four, after his grandfather died. I let him crash with us too, but by the third night I was curious, so I asked him about his nightmare and he said that a man comes in through the window, every night, and just sits on the chair by his bed. I asked him who the man was, and he told me that it was his grandfather. I told him, “You know what? I think granddad is worried about you and just wants to make sure that you’re alright.” The nightmares stopped! I’m not sure if it’s what I told him, or if the nightmares had just taken their course, but I do think that it’s a good idea to discuss fears with kids. It gives them a chance to express their feelings, and I think when you talk about a problem you see it in a different light. It’s usually not as bad as it seemed before you talked about it. I’ve read a lot of self help/spiritual books since, and they’ve taught me a lot about empowerment.

In retrospect, if I had known better then, I would’ve given my children the tools that I gave my granddaughter in my picture book “When Monsters get Lonely,” by teaching them that our thoughts are like magic, they create our live. Kids at that age believe in magic and, I feel, that they would naturally follow the advice of thinking happy thoughts instead of scary ones.

Again, in retrospect, I would’ve taught my kids meditation http://www.empowerment-and-kids.com/meditation-for-children.html. Unfortunately, I didn’t start to meditate till after my kids had outgrown their fears.

Thankfully, I did the right thing by not dismissing their fears, by helping them express themselves, by talking about their fears, and  by keeping a regular routine in our house, which is a great help because it makes kids feel safe when they know what to expect.

Maha Huneidi is a wife, mother and now grandmother, who finally found out what she wants to be when she grows up. This book is the first step of her journey. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

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Overcoming Setbacks, Adversities, and Tragedies

September 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

We are pleased to feature a guest post by John Tassone author of the book, Go For It! I wasn’t sure what we would post today with all of the anniversary and remembrance events happening around the U.S. today. I had already scheduled John’s post for today before even reading it. Now that I have read it, I think it is one of the best things we could post today. Thank you, John for your post and may God continue to bless America.

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I’m just a regular straight-talking guy who worked hard, took risks, and built an insurance business from nothing into a huge success. It didn’t happen overnight and he came close to failure many times.

I achieved success by doing certain things I learned on the streets and I’d like to share a few of those ideas. Some of these little nuggets may hold the key to solving problems small and large all across the nation. Here are just some of the little gems I discovered along the way about the importance of overcoming setbacks, adversities, and tragedies.

In your life’s path you are going to have setbacks, adversities, and possibly some tragedies. Unfortunately this is all part of life’s struggle. If you are a leader, and I’m sure that you are, whether it be in your business field or at home, you will always have to stay strong, always keep your eye on what’s ahead, and get your family and your people through the disparaging times.

I have had many setbacks, as I will describe, but the worst tragedy of all was when my daughter passed away unexpectedly at the age of thirty-three. There is nothing in the world that is harder than losing your child, and I wish it on no one. It would have been the normal thing to do, and no one would have faulted me, if I had just given up and said, “To hell with it all.” But  I couldn’t allow myself to buckle. For several months I was in a daze; I felt like giving up, but I
knew that many people were depending on me and were waiting for my cue. I had to be strong.  I had to be the true leader so I could get my family through that terrible ordeal. I had to lead  the way and help keep everyone’s spirits up.

My business and my employees were also depending on me to lead. My problems could affect  other people’s lives, and I knew I couldn’t let that happen.

In the movie The Godfather, the singer Johnny Fontaine goes to the Godfather sobbing about a problem he is having. He cries to the Godfather, “What do I do? What do I do?” Don Corleone, played by Marlon Brando, slaps him across the face, grabs his shirt, shakes him, and shouts, “Be a man, be a man!” I remembered that line, and I knew I had to not only be a man, but had to
be “The man,” to help carry everyone else through that awful tragedy.

In your life, things will happen that you have no control over. You will have to be “The man” or “The woman,” and stay strong and lead, because people are depending on you. You can feel bad and you can feel discouraged, but you have to be careful how you handle it and how you show it, because everyone will be watching you and following your lead. You have to look positive, stay positive, and keep your mind focused. If you don’t, you will hurt everyone around
you, and you will eventually destroy yourself.

Remember, you don’t drown by falling in the water — you only drown by staying there.

About the Author
JOHN TASSONE is the author of the book Go For It! He was born and raised in Chicago. As  a child, he had a newspaper route, shined shoes, and made deliveries for a meat market. Throughout high school he worked in his father’s hardware store. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Education at Chicago Teachers College (now Chicago State University), and then  taught drafting in the Chicago public school system. He later became a draftsman for U.S. Steel.
While working there, John started selling life insurance part-time. After a year, he quit U.S. Steel and went to full-time insurance sales. He moved quickly through the insurance-company ranks, and became regional VP of the Chicago area. In 1976 he opened his own agency,  Associated General Insurance Agency of Illinois. John and his wife, Catherine, live near Chicago. For more information visit www.JohnTassone.com.

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Remodel Your Dorm on a Budget

August 14, 2011 By 2 Comments

We are excited to bring a guest post to you today from Wendy!

Moving into a dorm is always an interesting experience. After you have set up your belongings and settled into your space – possibly with a roommate – college life is both fun and educational. However, after some time has passed, you might want to consider switching up the look of your room with some different kinds of decorations or designs. Usually, most kids are on a budget by the time they are a year or two into college, and it is important to save money when remodeling a dorm. Here are a few quick, easy and affordable ways to remodel your dorm without breaking the bank.

Make a Plan

  •  One of the biggest mistakes that people make when embarking on any remodeling process is failing to have a plan and to anticipate the costs. Sometimes they will start the project and realize halfway into it that it is extremely expensive, and will end up blowing a lot of money for the sake of finishing what they started. This is not an ideal way to save money. Obviously, it pays to have things planned out ahead of time.
  • The Internet has changed the way people research things. Go onto popular decorating stores’ websites and home improvement shops. Know your prices and make sure that you have the square footage of your dorm measured exactly. Because a dorm is a small space, every inch counts. If you are sharing a dorm with someone, measure out your half of the room only.
  •  Go into the project with a pre-planned spending limit. If you are ready to start remodeling, give yourself a limit. For example, withdraw three hundred dollars in cash. Once the cash runs out, don’t get any more – no checks, credit cards or withdrawals.

Decide on a Theme

  •  Don’t enter a project without having a general idea of the kind of remodeling you want to do. For instance, is your dorm decorated in bright preppy colors? If you want to change the mood, maybe you should switch it up to darker, more serious tones. Look at magazines and pictures online to get a better idea of what you want your dorm to look like. It is always good to get an outside opinion, too.
  •  Once the theme has been decided on, get to work! An easy, trendy ways to spruce up a dorm is artful bulletin and wipe-off boards. They’re cute, cheap and they serve as the perfect place to remind you of important appointments, tests and dates.
  •  You’d be surprised how much just one new bedspread can change the look and theme of a room. Instead of buying new pillows, buy new pillowcases in simple colors. Rather than changing the light fixtures on the ceiling – which can be pricey – just buy a flashy new lamp for the night stand by your bed.

Cheap Alternatives

  • Because dorms can’t be painted, you don’t even have to worry about spending a mint on buckets of primer and color. An easy way to change the color of your room is by hanging curtains. Changing the curtains adds a different character and a brighter mood to the area.
  •  Mirrors can make a small space seem three times as big as it really is! Put a mirror on each wall.
  •  Looking to clear the floor space? Utilize the space under your bed and buy footstools with storage cavities – they can be used for propping up sore feet, sitting on and storing your knick-knacks.
  •  Remember to make your dorm your own!

 

Wendy Bailey is a contributing writer at privatestudentloan.org.

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The Arithmetic of Allowance

August 12, 2011 By 2 Comments

We are pleased to feature a guest post by Laura Laing author of Math for Grownups!

You probably find it pretty darned easy to encourage literacy. In fact, there are countless magazine articles and books and workshops out there on this very subject. And so all good parents read to their kids every night, play word games with them, give them magnetic letters for the fridge.

But what about math? If you’re like most parents, the idea of working math into the day probably seems down right daunting. Scary even.

It’s not as hard as you think, especially if you’re willing to give into your children’s demands for a regular allowance. Money is an instant math lesson—and can
motivate even the most reluctant student (adult or child).

Here’s how:

The Even Split: If you want to use allowance to encourage savings and charitable giving, you’re at least half way there. One way to do this is to require kids to split their allowance into three equal accounts: spending, saving and giving. If your five year old gets $3 per week, $1 goes in each pot. But what about the kid who gets $6 a week? Or worse, $10 a week? Pose these questions, and let your child figure it out.
The lesson: Factoring and division

Percent, Per Week: For a more complex math problem, consider uneven distributions, say 20% spending, 20% giving and 60% saving. Or encourage your
child to put aside a certain percent of savings for a particular goal, like a new iPod. Or enforce a different distribution around the holidays, when she buys gifts for her friends. If she can’t do the math, she doesn’t get paid!
The lesson: Percents

Accounting for Savings: If you have a little investor on your hands—and some of us do—show him how to create a simple register for recording his savings and spending. He’ll get a first-hand look at how his stash can grow (or shrink).
The lesson: Addition and subtraction

Project Savings: Your child will inevitably want something she can’t afford. In that situation, help her figure out when she’ll have enough money in savings. Can she wait that long? If not, consider giving her a loan, with interest and a regular payment plan. Show her how the interest is calculated and even help her figure out the total interest on the loan.
The lesson: Using formulas and problem solving

Math may be hard for you, but with a little bit of creativity you can help your kids practice their skills, and become a little more savvy with their own money—a
profitable prospect for everyone!

Laura Laing is the author of Math for Grownups, a funny and accessible look at how adults use math in their everyday lives. She blogs at www.mathforgrownups.com.

Filed Under: Budgeting Advice, Parenting, Simply Family, SimplySaving Tagged With: , , , ,

One Question, One Question Only Technique

July 31, 2011 By 1 Comment

We are pleased to feature a guest post  by Karen Okulicz  author of Decide! How to make any Decision today!

Can’t Decide?

Try this “One Question, One Question Only” technique.

At times your mind can cloud the waters with a thousand reasons by your should or should not do something. Your mind may get stuck in the loop of indecision, pondering and pondering of something. Agonizing over something. This is immobilizing

Nothing gets done. No decision is made. No movement forward.  To settle all those demons of indecision I use a real time saver technique.

This technique I call is “One Question, One Question Only”.  Asking yourself one question, at a time and ask so the answer is YES or NO. This simple technique eliminates that wasted time of ponder and agonizing.

When starting my business with writing and doing workshops.  The income did not equal the amount of time and effort that was going out.   So I would ask myself one question “Should I continue this?” YES or NO.  I wasn’t asking anyone else for input.   Surely I would have been told to stop.   Give up.   I knew that.   No, I was asking myself.   “Should I continue this?”   The answer would always come back YES.

Now, where does that answer come from?  It comes form a sense of knowing.  A confident feeling of comfort with the initial answer.  It is a comfort similar to the feeling when you had multiple-choice test, and you put one answer down automatically.  If later you doubted yourself and went back to changed it usually you found out the first answer was the correct one.  Same thing.

Do not second-guess yourself.  Although there are some days you may have to ask yourself the same question every half hour, the more you use this technique you will learn to trust yourself with the first response.  It doesn’t matter whether the outside world is in line with the answer.  The initial response is the way to proceed.

Let’s practice.  Is there something you are waffling about.   Indecisive?  Should I or should I not?  Ok, sit still.  No sips of coffee not munching of snacks. No distractions.

Pose the question so it is a YES or NO. Now ask the question.

Should I move?
Should I go back to school?
Should I buy new sneaks?

Get the answer YES or NO.  Then proceed accordingly.  Proceed with looking for a new house, getting school catalogs or off to the mall for new sneakers.

Sometimes we have difficult answers to face.  Am I in the wrong work?  Does he/she love me?  The answer may be YES, you’re in the wrong work or NO, he/she doesn’t love you.  Not easy to hear, but your answer are never wrong, if you are following  your values.  Your values are the core beliefs of what is right for you.

I believe we can live with being unhappy for long lengths of time.  However, we all have that instinct of knowing what particular level of unhappiness is not a natural state for us.  There will a constant whisper that we hear or feeling that something is not right.  A nagging that says, “You can be.”  “You can do.” “You are better then where you are.”  “Better than what you’re putting up with.”

Do you have something nagging at you?  On the edges of your mind pulling at you at you?  Things aren’t right.  Things aren’t working.  Something it missing.  Something that needs attention.   Also, use this technique for a clearer direction : Go through a list of life elements to figure out what it is that is nagging at you.

Is it the family? YES or NO.
Is it your health? YES or NO.
Is it the marriage? YES or NO.
Is it your finances? YES or NO.
Is it not getting into that 2, 6, 10, 14 comfortably? YES of NO.
Is it not being happy? YES or No.

Whatever the “it” is will assist you in the pinning down the “what” that bothers you.  Armed with YES or NO  Answers to the question, you can then head in the direction of adjusting whatever the situation is.  To many commitments to your time.  Start to delegate, or say no to things.   Not feeling well.   Make that appointment with a Doctor.  Clothes too tight.  No way around it but to diet and exercise.  Jeez.

The answer to “One Question, One Question Only” is immediate.  Just ask yourself the question.  I promise, you’ll get the right answer.

 

Karen Okulicz is the author of the books “Try! A Survival Guide to Unemployment”,“Decide! How to make any decision” and “Attitude! For best lived life”. You can find more details at www.Okulicz.com . Karen can be contacted at karen@Okulicz.com.

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Simply Life Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Tips to get kids to brush their teeth

July 22, 2011 By 7 Comments

Today we are excited to bring you a guest post by Linda Valderrarna, R.D.H., the author of Brush Barry Brush.

  1. The most important idea is to create routines. Parents should describe to their child what they expect and keep repeating it consistently. You can make charts and use stickers, pictures, stories, whatever it takes to make your child aware of the routine that you expect them to follow. In a couple of words, “patient persistence” is a good description of what it takes to instill a habit. Consistency is important.
  2. Always encourage your child and reward good behavior when they comply. Set them up for success. They will see that it is more fun and rewarding to cooperate and participate in the routine. Set attainable short term goals by making daily, weekly and monthly charts and rewards. Rewards can be as little as a sticker or as much as going to a movie or a fun activity. Words of encouragement are important. Children 5 and older can even help to discuss what rewards could be.
  3. Give good directions and set a good example yourself.
  4. If you are brushing the teeth of a very young child, stand behind them. Let them hold the toothbrush and move their hand in the correct circular movement with both of you looking straight ahead into a mirror. You can make it fun by telling them to roar like a lion or open as wide as a hippo. You can count their teeth (1-10 top and 1-10 on the bottom).This time together is valuable and can be a bonding experience for you both.
  5. For older children in the 4-5 year range, you can try a home experiment that will leave an impression and bring home the importance of tooth brushing. Boil an egg. Place it in a dark colored soda for at least day. When you take it out it will be discolored with a yellowish brown coating. You can take a toothbrush and toothpaste to brush it off as an example of how plaque on forms on teeth and the importance of brushing.
  6. Have your child think of vegetables that begin with the same letter or sound as the first letter of their first name. Then, have them draw a picture of themselves eating it ,then brushing their teeth.

Linda Valderrama R.D.H. has over 25 years experience as a dental hygienist. She has treated patients from ages two to one hundred years old and has successfully developed preventative oral hygiene programs tailored to individual needs. Linda is a strong believer that good oral hygiene habits lead to good overall health and that these daily habits must be acquired early in life.

 

 

Filed Under: Kids, Simply Family Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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