529 Plans – Send Your Kids to College and Save a Ton on Taxes
Paying for a child’s education is certainly one of the greatest gifts you can give. But the costs of higher education have been rising at a shocking rate. With in-state expenses at a public school averaging just below $20,000 per year, you may be wondering what you can do. One excellent solution to ease the financial challenge of paying for college is the 529 College Savings Plan. These are state sponsored savings plans that allow for tax-free earnings. Contributions are not deductible...
Read MoreTeaching Your Teens About Credit Cards
As the world becomes more complicated, you have the responsibility to guide your children the best you can. One of the most trying subjects to teach your kids about is how to appropriately manage money. More specifically, teenagers develop great interests in the almighty credit card. Credit cards are not to be taken lightly at any age, but especially during adolescence. How can you educate your teens about the use of credit cards? These strategies will help them learn to use credits cards...
Read More5 Tips for Teaching Your Kids About Feelings
As children mature, they’ll experience all kinds of emotions. Like all humans, they’ll also have reactions to those feelings. Because of their natural responses, they’ll find it helpful to learn to manage their emotions as early in life as possible. You can do a lot to help them with this! These tips can help you teach your kids about their emotions: 1. Be open and honest about your feelings in your kids’ presence. It’s important for your children to see you as a...
Read MoreMake Your Child’s Slumber Party Safe and Fun
If you loved slumber parties as a kid, you’re probably eager to help your children enjoy them, too. Plan ahead to keep everyone safe and entertained. Planning Your Slumber Party 1. Draft your guest list. Most children are mature enough for overnight parties starting at about age eight. Limit the gathering to a size you can accommodate comfortably. Sleepovers are fun for boys and girls, but avoiding co-ed parties makes a parent’s job easier. 2. Collect parental contact information...
Read MoreManaging Money 101: Creating and Using a Budget
Even when the economy is good and you’re living comfortably on the money you’re making, it’s a good idea to use a budget. Many people cringe when they hear that word, because they think it means you can’t have any fun or spend any money. That’s far from the truth. Even a tight budget leaves room for fun and a little extra spending from time to time. When you plan a budget, you must be realistic about what you’re spending and saving. Don’t say you spend...
Read MoreAmerica Saves Week February 19‐26
Set a Goal. Make a Plan. Save Automatically. The theme for America Saves Week 2012 is more than just a theme; it’s a simple set of instructions to help you save successfully. Set a Goal. Make a Plan. Save Automatically. Knowing what you want to save for, how to achieve it, and then making the savings process automatic will allow you to reach your savings goal. Set a Goal You can save more by having a goal in mind. Visualizing what you want to save for gives your savings a purpose. You may be...
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