As it turns out, your teen can do amazing things with small amounts of money.

It’s probably already burning a hole in their pocket.

They’ve been swamped by ads targeting their age – everywhere.

We parents know the temptation.

So do our kids.

But what if you could help them launch the $100+ that grandma gave them into an amazing, long term, educational AND exciting adventure? 

YOU CAN. 

Small amounts of cash CAN deliver a powerful punch.

Here are 3 pieces of advice we’d give them if they had even just $100 available.  These are not listed in any particular order. 

1) Micro-investing 

Yes, there are companies that will accept small dollar amounts and invest them for your teen. Generally, these companies will ask online questions to determine the best place to invest these small amounts.  You will, of course, want to be at the computer while your teen answers them.

Just think of the learning both you and your teen...

Are you planning campus visits soon?

There is so much coming at you and your nearly-gone teen that it can make anyone’s head swim.  It’s much better to swim instead of sink without enough information.  

There are, of course, many factors that go into which college to attend, from financial to “my best friend” is going there.  But allow us to introduce you to a twist in thinking that every parent/student should consider.

Flash Forward to College Graduation Day

Does your shiny new grad have options?  Did they have internships and were they able to network with those in their chosen industry while in college?  Is the local community of this college thriving?  How active and successful is this college’s College Placement Center? 

We know, this might seem strange.  You are dealing with just helping them get into college. But there's...

1st Historic Teachable Moment in 12 years

These moments don’t happen often, thank goodness.  Think back to 2006.  That’s the last presidential funeral we’ve had in the United States until now. (Reagan, 2004 and Nixon, 1994).

Do you remember when they would wheel in those carts with tv’s on them during school so we could see the moon landings, the rocket launches, and other historic moments?  We do. 

But perhaps your teen’s school didn’t or doesn't do this.  It isn't too late to capture the teachable moment for your teen.  

Did you know that . . . 

nearly every detail planned for a Presidential funeral is historical?

• Who had the first 16 cannon salute?  President George Washington
• The first president to die in office?  President Harrison, 1841

Want more interesting information?  Here’s a great link to explore with your teens:  Hat Tip:  www.theenchantedmanor.com

Presidential...

Telephones on our wrists. AirBnb.  Taxi vs. Uber vs. Lyft.   Movies played on nearly everything you own.  Turn your house off and on miles from home.

and. . .

Resumes. 

We grew up with paper resumes.   Those word-heavy depressing things.  Are they as effective these days?  No.  Paper resumes still have their place, but to stand out?  Go virtual.  You knew this addition/change was coming. 

How can our teens take advantage of “Virtual Resumes”?

First, let’s define what these are.  They use all the capabilities of the online world and the amazing graphic tools we have available to us these days.

The Virtual Resume is just that:  a visual overview of an applicant’s capabilities using charts, graphics, infographics, and even video. 

Collect Visual Resume Assets

These ideas can get you started

• Video clips of school projects your teen is involved in
• Photos of awards...

The BOX

Think back for a minute. 

Way back.

Way back to your High School Days.

With our adult-glasses it is so much easier to see that BOX, the BOX we mentally built for ourselves. “I’m shy”.  I’m not athletic.  I talk too much.   I’m not smart.” 

Ok, stay in the past a bit longer.

Not only did we build our mental BOX, others in our grade helped build our box, too.  “Don’t put her on the team, she’s awful.  Oh, man, not him.  He dresses weird.” 

That ridiculous BOX, that suffocating BOX still haunts, doesn’t it?  We bought into it.  

Now return to the present and your nearly grown child

Apply those same feelings we just discussed to your nearly-grown child. 

Their BOX, their mental BOX is just as teflon as ours and also has a little social media sprinkled on top.  You have one emotional powder keg on your hands.  

There is so much we...

Recognizing Skills

• Teens everywhere don’t recognize the talents they are learning in the seemingly “every day” part of their life. They sell themselves short constantly. 
• Each time your child completes a project, help them identify skills they’ve used beyond the obvious.
• From...

You know what's coming up, of course.  But perhaps you haven't thought about shopping yet.   Allow us to remind you (sorry!):

Online.  Offline.  Lists.    Gifts.     Shipping.     Traffic.     Malls.     Return policies.      Receipts.    WHAT DO THEY WANT?

But that's the WRONG question.

What does your Almost Grown Child NEED?

You might also be thinking that, wow, aren't we just a few weeks early talking about this?  If you are looking for something meaningful, that "pay it forward" type of gift, then no, we aren't too early.  

So, before Cyber Monday, Black Friday, Gray Thursday and all those crazy monikers happen?  Don't get lost in that shuffle.  Give gifts that have meaning beyond price.  Whether you are a grandparent or parent with a teen in your life,  you can answer this age old question:

...

"Can I pay you using Venmo?"

Odds are high you've heard that question from:

• your lunch friends
• your adult kids
• and everyone else in your circle

Maybe you've taken the plunge and you now "Venmo".  

But perhaps you are thinking about it and need to know more.  Is it right for you?  We will explore this topic more in the coming weeks, but here's some food for thought to get you started.

What and Why is Venmo?  

This basically answers the need to carry around a checkbook when you need to pay friends, relatives, and acquaintances that don't have a more business-like method in which to pay them.  

In business jargon, this is a P2P or "Peer to Peer" payment method.  It's an app that you download to your smart phone and you pay your friends money you owe, and in turn, they can pay you as well.  The need to carry around a checkbook is reduced with this type of system, if both transaction parties are participating.  

Are there other companies...

Wow.  Fall has happened fast, hasn’t it?

Our kids are back in school which puts us in a “beginning” frame of mind.  From school supplies to new teachers, to new colleges, to a football schedule, we are all kicking things in high gear.

Let’s do the same thing for our kids safety – and kick up protection up a notch. With the new school year, even more opportunities they encounter can also put them at that lurking risk.

Here are 3 ways you can up your protection game for them. 

1. Social Security Numbers are gold.

   Sadly, the “bad guys” know that too.  It’s time to check your child’s social security number for earnings.  Someone might have used it to seek employment – and that someone might not be your “nearly-grown” child. 

• How? https://blog.ssa.gov/protecting-your-social-security/#more-2824 

 Register it for notification.  There’s a link in the above...

JellyGeneration knows parents & students have more “need to know” than time. Join them on their journey as they break down financial and legal issues into practical and usable information.

Never Let a Good Crisis Go To Waste

Even a political phrase can be used in our daily lives. In fact, the upcoming holiday season offers high school and college-aged students just such an opportunity. We all crave control over our own financial destiny and the last two months of the year present not only a large need to get that control, but unparalleled possibilities in how to achieve it. Everyone faces how to avoid a cash crunch during the holidays. Time Inc., reminded us of why millennials see even more enticing advertising than other buying groups: The 4 Most Sought After Shoppers

The millennial generation gets a lot of attention from retailers. Americans in the mid-teens to late 20s represent the country’s largest demographic, so it’s understandable that...