Save $ - Start Now - Moving Day Has Hidden Expenses 

As your child barrels toward leaving your nest, expenses lurk that you've not considered - until now. 

No where do expenses escalate faster it seems, than when they move to their new location. 

Whether it's to a new job, a new college, or simply switching from a dorm to an apartment - there's big money to be spent - or SAVED.

In this podcast, you'll find 10 great ideas on how to:

• start saving now, whether they are a 9th or 10th grader - or leaving home next week
• negotiate when buying big ticket items
• find things for free or for less money
• learn little known spots to look for needed items

These 10 ideas are gathered from parents previously in your shoes wanting to pass on their mistakes so that you won't make them.  In this most practical of podcasts, you'll be glad you tuned in.

As I...

10 Points to a ACT-SAT Beginning Prep Strategy  

It's finally arrived.  You have child around the 8th-9th-10th grade and you've only heard about the ACT-SAT.  Then you just might be interested in this 10-point strategy to getting started.  

If you've just now begun to hear about the ACT-SAT, you'll know that it is seriously in transition. 

You might even be thinking: "it sounds like it might be going away, so we aren't going to worry about it at our house."

Before you 100% commit to the "forget it" strategy, you will want to learn a few details mentioned in this podcast.  

If you are of a "Scarlett O'Hara" mindset:  "I'll think about that tomorrow", many make that same mistake. 

The Wall Street Journal recently came out with an article that did not surprise me in the least.  It's main point:  networking is making a comeback for the current graduating class.

But sadly, this is a skill rarely - if ever - taught to our nearly grown kids.  In fact, today's kids look at the word "networking" in an entirely different manner than a generation ago. 

So how can you go about introducing this skill to your teen or young adult and get them up and running on this skill?  I teach you a very solid first step your teen can begin making today, tonight and tomorrow on this very crucial need.

Just click on the short, smart and concise podcast above for this hugely important topic guidance.

The kids that master this whole concept sooner rather than later will benefit in their...

Do you want your almost-grown and busy child to see the potential of their future now?  

You keep telling them their academic work and common sense guidelines you set out as their parent really do matter to their future.  It's just so hard for them to see. 

In fact, you and I probably said at least 1000 times when we were their age - "why do I have to learn this because it will never matter." 

But in reality, more of what we learned then and more of what your child is learning right now does matter. 

The magic trick?  How can you get them to see this?  Tie their current world to an "outside" world in a step-by-step controlled manner.  

This short, targeted podcast will give you not only a way to get them "life experience", but just...

That leaves you with a big question.  How can you still reach them in this last season?  Who and what will they listen to that will help bridge those "rolled eyes" and "whatever's?  

It calls for creativity, doesn't it.  This very podcast will give you a wonderful idea that you've probably never thought about in quite this way - and 2 examples that will start your own creative thought process in how to make the most of your time with your mini-you before they fly off into adulthood.

Some might call this a "hidden...

What skill would help your child the most in the next 12 months?  

We teach our teens how to drive a car, how to wash clothes, how to handle high school, and so much more, right? 

But often we overlook teaching how to tackle new things. 

Which skills will they need next yr, 5 years from now or 20 years from now?  Who knows.  We can predict a few skills, but what about the ones we can't predict?

What can we teach now that can apply to their known and their unknown skill needs?

What CAN we teach them?  Answer:  an approach, a system, a method in which to view mastering new skills or even improve old ones.  

• learn a 5-step framework to skill learning or improvement
• ...

 Podcast:   Parenting Your "Nearly Grown"   JUST.   GOT.   EASIER.  

18 Smart Tips for Greater High School  Success You Will Want to Know  

High School:   Grades.   Athletics.   Studying.    Tests. 

We all know the above, right?

But High School ALSO leads to:     Life.    Perhaps college.     Perhaps a job.  

Do you know smart moves your child can take while in High School to help them not only NOW but for their FUTURE? 

We've broken down some savvy steps by grade in the podcast above.  

Here's a quick summary of what we cover in this quick and informative few minutes.

 Podcast:   Parenting Your "Nearly Grown"   JUST.   GOT.   EASIER.   

 How up to speed are you on:

• money
• current events
• ways to sneak last bits of wisdom to your kids before they enter adult life?

Not sure?  Then this fun quiz (podcast link above) is for you. 

The questions in this podcast are designed to:

• catch your "almost-out-the-door's" attention
• show you how you can use current events and data to sneak in learning
• and yes, impress your kids with some of today's current famous names

As our teens and young adults get older, the more they pay attention to "outside" sources.  As parents, when we learn to harness that crucial connection, it's a powerhouse way to not only communicate to them, but sneak in information they need to know.

Have fun with this.  Use the thought process as a guide to other ways you can "reach 'em."  

Till next time . . . and . . . 

You CAN Have Success...

 Podcast:   Parenting Your "Nearly Grown"   JUST.  GOT.   EASIER.   

 What does your child do when a new opportunity or challenge occurs?

• avoids it
• takes 3x longer to tackle it
• feels inadequate
• doesn't know where to start?

Odds are high you picked at least one of the above.

None of those responses are surprising.  Your "nearly grown" child still has some growing to do on the "rational/language" side of the equation while their "emotional" growth is practically complete.  

But, of course, tackling new things?   You and I know it is an absolute must in their becoming the very best they can be.    Of course, learning how to do this sooner rather than later?  It helps them get where they are heading faster and wiser.

How can you teach them to look at those opportunities and challenges?

AND

How can they master the steps to keep moving forward and avoiding the fear,...

 Podcast:   Parenting Your "Nearly Grown"   JUST.  GOT.   EASIER.   

Should your "teachable moments" include an introduction to contracts?  

Absolutely.  In fact, it is highly likely you already have what it takes to make the topic creative, yet meaningful.  You've just never been shown how to use it.  

In this short podcast you will learn: 

• 5 contract concepts every teen should hear
• A creative method to get your child involved in learning
• A few buzz words made easy
• And odds are high you will learn information you need, too

This rarely taught topic isn't generally found in traditional academics with so many other things they need to cover.  But as we know, contracts are important and rule so much of our "can" and our "can't".

As your time winds down with your "nearly grown", important lessons loom larger.  This is one of them and we hope it helps you move the needle...