Every parent wants the best for their kids, and as a financial planner that leads to a lot of my clients asking about the best way to start saving for college. My first piece of advice is always to make sure you've built a solid financial foundation for yourself first, including getting your retirement savings on track. It's the whole “oxygen mask on the plane” philosophy. You have to stabilize yourself before you can truly help your kids. But if you've already done that and you're able to put some extra money away toward saving for college, what's the best way to get started? Three … [Read more...]
Life in America: Active Shooters, Escape Plans and Lockdowns
“I could make the jump.” He was sitting across from me at a small bistro table sandwiched between walkway and railing. We were sharing a pretzel, one of us more than the other, and speaking of the things that people do while shopping for shorts on a Saturday. “I could jump to the escalator,” he reiterated against my disagreement. He mentioned his parkour training. He referenced his youth. “There are better options,” I said. We were in the same mall we always go to for back-to-school needs, having a new version of the same conversation we’ve had for years. The recent addition of … [Read more...]
School Supplies Teachers Really Want You to Buy This Year
Back-to-school time means stocking up on school supplies for your kids: notebooks, pencils, you know the gist by now. When I was a teacher there were always school supplies I wanted to add to the list we sent my students' parents, but I never could get up the courage to include. Ear Plugs During the first few days of school -- aka, the honeymoon period -- the kids are quiet and well behaved. Then reality hits. The weeks leading up to Christmas vacation and spring break are the worst and ear plugs for teachers are almost a requirement. They block out overall noise and eliminate hearing … [Read more...]
Little Library Can Have a Big Impact on Your Neighborhood
Think back to your childhood neighborhood. Beyond the memories of family and friends, what is your warmest recollection about the neighborhood itself? I was lucky enough to grow up in a neighborhood that featured two elderly women called “the Candy Lady” and “the Sucker Lady.” In elementary school, my buddies and I learned that they lived a couple of blocks away, next door to each other. Near their back doors they kept a bowl of wrapped candy and suckers, respectively, for kids to enjoy. Each time we rode our bikes to their houses, we couldn’t believe the treats were there again, like a … [Read more...]
Teaching Cooking to Children a Lesson in Play, Patience, Responsibility
When I decided to become a work-from-home dad so I could spend more time with my children, I started thinking about how, apart from just playing with them, I we could have more constructive time together. Well, I found a recipe for success. My 3-year-old son, Noah, has always played with our cooking pots and his toy kitchen. Most of the games he created revolved around him being a cook. In the evenings, when I make dinner, Noah would climb up on a chair and stand beside me, watching me peel an onion or prepare a sauté, observing everything I do. I thought that this could be "our thing." … [Read more...]
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