SUMMARY

Our nearly-flown kids get grades in history, math, and even physical education.  But, do we approach the subject of "confidence" as intentionally?  We should and CAN.

Welcome to an 11 minute installment of our "Skill Set Series".  

What does it cover?

• A completely new way to look at confidence
• 3 Reasons our kids have challenges with this at their age
• An easy, concrete, can-do-it-today move you can make to start your nearly-flown child on the road to increased confidence.

Point:  we are NOT talking about turning into a helicopter parent!

What You Might Be Seeing with Your Child

Are they hesitating when considering new challenges? Are they missing opportunities that you know they can tackle?  Do they play a mental tape that slows them down?  We've seen this over and over.  

I was very shy in high school and college.  It wasn't until my mid-20's that I began to pull out of it.  This transformation should have occurred much...

SUMMARY:

It happens quickly, doesn't it.  The 18 years you've had with your children.  You've been involved in their activities, learned to love their friends, and even made life-long friends with those parents.  And then, it happens.  Your life changes, seemingly in an instant.  

Staying in touch changes.  Completely.  You have to make more of an effort to touch base with and keep up with not only your child, but the friends you've made through them.  

Normally we discuss money, legal matters, taxes and more.  Our mission is to facilitate more knowledge that just typically isn't covered for we parents with almost-flown and just-flown kids.  

But today, we thought we'd give you a great idea on how to stay in touch with people that through the years you've grown to like and love.  You aren't seeing them anymore.  

These very challenges are happening to us, too.  

Here is an fun idea worth considering that allows you to...

SUMMARY

What to do BEFORE you (or your graduate) packs and moves . . . !

Is someone in your family, perhaps you or your graduating child, considering moving to a new city(s) and contemplating the salary offer(s) involved?

The offer may sound perfect or maybe it doesn't.  Either way, how much buying power does it have when compared to your current city or any other city you might be considering?

Do you want to avoid mistakes, create a leg up on negotiation tactics?  Then this article is tailor-made for you.  

The cost of living varies GREATLY between cities.  One mom of our students said:

"My child was so excited to be heading to CA.  He is working out his spending plan, just like your course teaches, and put in the $ amount it takes to get an apartment - with 4 roommates no less.  I nearly fell through the floor.  His "apartment rent" (just his 1/4 portion) is MORE than my house payment.  My house has a front and back yard, and more square...

You should have seen my to-do list the summer before sending my oldest to college. People laugh at my lists, but I have found the older I get, the more I don’t want to “think”.  I just want to “do” when under a crunch deadline.  Lists made in my less stressful time always pay off for me…or so I thought.

It might be interesting to note that our college student’s bike came back home to us in the first 3 weeks as “not needed.”  

Such a blow to my ego!

College Money Management – what to consider about bikes

Nearly every parent will have this discussion:  does my college kid need a bike? Many students envision themselves a Lance Armstrong wanna-be (ok, hopefully the Lance-type before we knew about his drug issues), and think they will simply bike to all their classes. Not necessarily true. You might want to run a check on the following:

• How “on-time” does the campus bus system (if any)...

SUMMARY

How do you know if your child is ready for a debit or credit card (plastic money)?

Money.  Parents.  Kids.  Tension.  Maturity.  Focus.  Responsibility.  Nightmare.

You pick which words to assign to a parent and which to assign to a young adult.  You'll probably select "all of the above" for both.  Much has been written about establishing credit, debit cards, credit cards, and more. 

Even reviewing the contract involved in any financial card of any kind is like someone handing you a Webster’s Dictionary and saying “you are responsible for all of it”. 

Today, having a 'plastic' debit/credit card is a status symbol.  Remember seeing photos of James Dean in his cowboy hat leaning on that car....with that cigarette?  Yes, the status symbols may have changed, but the concept fit even us, our parents, and grandparents.  

Statistic:  Reports say over 50% of college freshman have a...

SUMMARY:

How do you introduce money management tracking with them?

• Start before they hit high school if possible.  If you haven't started it yet, start now.

Why will they benefit while in high school?

• They will experience guilt-free spending.  Priceless.
• They will be able to say "no" to something because they are saving for something bigger.

How should they actually start?

• With so much coming at them, starting simply is crucial.
• Start with pen and paper.
• Avoid the fancy money software. . . at least until later.
• Paper helps them more clearly see the movement of their money from category to category.

What are 6 things to remember as you pick money management software for your young adult:

Again, we strongly suggest starting with pen and paper before moving to this level.  Many will be happy with just a simple, direct pen and paper system.  But if you have a teen or young adult that is ready to level-up to something more, you will find these 6 items...

Here's how to organize those applications.  

If you are a high school junior or senior – or have one living in your home, you've probably spent large amounts of time working on college applications. It is definitely a “labor” of love because many high schoolers apply to seven or more colleges these days. College counselors have been haranguing your juniors all last year to get those applications in as soon as possible. The mantra is that the earlier it is submitted, the better chance for acceptance. The process can be overwhelming, since each...

MYTH:  High School and College are all it takes to be a success. (We wish!)

FACT:  They need to learn these 3 “You, Inc.” rules that might not show up on the school academic course list.

As parents, we know from the day our little cherubs are born that they are our #1 gift and that we are investing in them.  From soccer on Saturday at seemingly 4am games, to that parent school night every Fall and Spring, you love, live, and survive thru each stage of their growth.  We taught them to not touch that hot stove, quit running with scissors, and of course the obvious. . . quit arguing with their siblings!  You tried to teach them thank you and please, and to write thank you notes. 

So what’s missing? 

Those intangibles.  The ability to communicate and represent themselves to others.  Consider these stats:

• 44% of college graduates are in jobs that don’t require a college degree.
  • Research Link: Pew Research Student...

Who doesn't want to save money at a very practical level.  But how? 

Is cooking your thing?  Many, including me, don't relish it.  If it can be catered, or arranged to "eat out", then I'm good with it.  

One of my friends is the opposite.  Ask anyone that knows her, really.  If she can create a concoction in the kitchen, 50 dirty pots and all, she is good with it.

I drive her crazy.

BUT, what do we both have in common?  More importantly, what might you have in common?  We are both frugal.  Some would describe us as CHEAP.  How about you?  I taught my kids long ago that whenever and however you can design a system or habit to save money, you are ahead.    

Parents ask us all the time for practical ways to teach the rewards of savings.  This is about as practical as it gets.  If fact, if you want even more practical teaching ideas, you can find them here:  (free) 8 - Step Parent Teaching Guide...

College Applications Wearing You Down?  

Make it Easier to Track

 

Now that you have time left - - here's how to organize those applications.  

If you are a high school junior or senior – or have one living in your home, you've probably spent large amounts of time working on college applications. It is definitely a “labor” of love because many high schoolers apply to seven or more colleges these days. College counselors have been haranguing your juniors all last year to get those applications in as soon as possible. The mantra is that the earlier it is submitted, the better chance for acceptance. The process can be overwhelming, since each application has lots of moving parts. Most applications must be accompanied by a...