These Are the Days We’ll Remember

Parents never know which gesture, tradition or spur-of-the-moment childhood adventure will become a treasured memory.   However, chances are more treasured moments will occur during the summer months when most parents have more time to spend with their children.  Embracing the moments of life is one thing, but capturing those moments and turning them into treasured memories is something altogether different.

Here are some ideas (reminders) to help extend the celebration of summer’s meaningful moments, all of which are opportunities to grow your relationships, learn more about each other, laugh out loud, discover new things together, and have TONS of fun.

THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH PHOTOS

Whether your summer memories included a trip to the Disneyland or a dude ranch, wearing costumes to a friend’s birthday party or selling homegrown produce at your local farmer’s market, use these methods to relive the moments.

Scrapbook and Shadow Boxes

Before you begin your project, decide whether you like traditional or digital scrapbooking. Either you’re computer savvy, or you’re not.   Either way, you’ll end up at a craft store or on the internet and you must choose a theme.   Talk about your favorite summer memories.   What was the most fun?   What still makes you laugh?   What surprised you? Then tailor the project to your child’s interests.   If he wants to gather objects that won’t tuck into a book, consider alternate ways to preserve the collection, such as a shadow box he can display on a wall.

Here are a few theme ideas:

All About Me (Us)

Exploring the Great Outdoors

Roadtrips R Us

Somewhere Out There is…

Summer Buddies

A Camper’s Life

Video

Videography has come a long way in the past few decades.   Before digital camcorders, home movie buffs had to use VHS camcorders, and before that, 8mm film.   Fortunately, smaller cameras are capable of producing clearer images and the whole process of capturing, preserving and enjoying memories is much easier.

SUGGESTION: Schedule and then devote time to putting finishing touches on your videos.   At the very least, add labels and some front and back end graphics if you have the software.   Don’t make the mistake of putting one person in charge of the project.   The fun part is working together.

If you don’t have a video camera, you can create dynamic videos by uploading digital photos onto websites such as animoto.com.   Users of Animoto pay a $25 yearly membership fee allowing them to create an unlimited number of videos for one low price.   Animoto adds the fancy special effects, graphics and music; however, a project can be remixed if you don’t like their choice.   A high-resolution version will cost $5 extra.   Animoto is one of many websites offering this service.

Lastly, for a quick and easy way to make a time capsule of your summer vacation, find a large, clean, wide mouth jar such as a mayonnaise jar.   Gather ticket stubs, shells, maps, souvenirs, subway tokens, pressed flowers or anything with sentimental value.   Be sure to check local regulations if you want to gather natural items, such as fossils, feathers, or plants.   If you include photos, write names and dates on the back of images.   Place all of your items inside the jar.   On brightly colored paper, write a few notes about each event after interviewing family members.

IMPORTANT: Don’t put your scrapbook, photobook, shadow box, DVD or souvenir jar in a drawer. Instead, place it in a prominent place of honor so children can revive their cherished summer memories for many years to come.

By Jodie Randisi, author of 201 Things to Do When Children Say I’M BORED! The Checklist and Journal for Busy Families.  www.201thingstodo.com

Consider Long Term Savings When Back To School Shopping

As busy families everywhere start to think about the back to school rush, chances are good that there aren’t many parents thinking as far ahead as sending their young children off to college right now!  Especially if you’re just trying to get through the back to school shopping for your elementary students before embarking on another activity-filled school year.  The fact is though, the sooner we make time to consider college savings options for our children, the better their position will be if they should decide to get a higher education once their high school years have ended.

So what’s a busy family to do?  Most of us are cash-strapped as it is, working hard to get the necessary school supplies for this year, add to the ever-growing child’s wardrobe (so their legs aren’t poking out three inches further than the bottom of their jeans!), and keep up with the activity and sports fees as well as the family’s living expenses.

The IRS has created a college savings option called the “529 Plan”, aptly named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.  The plans are operated at the state level, but you can use funds saved in a 529 in your state toward the costs of any college around the country – meaning you don’t have to have any idea where your child will end up spending their college years when you start saving.  In fact, you don’t even have to stress too much over whether or not junior will attend college, because the plan has some really nice features built-in that give you options for the money you’ve saved if your child ends up doing something other than going to college.  For example, if you save money in a 529 plan for your child and he or she doesn’t go to college, you can either withdraw the money for non-educational expenses (and pay a penalty fee), or you can transfer the money to any other family member.  If one of your children goes to college, he or she could benefit from the siblings 529 plan funds; or the money could be transferred to cousins, aunts, uncles, or even saved for your grandchildren!

All states have at least one 529 plan available, but each state has slightly different rules and regulations for the plan.  Most states provide tax incentives to the person investing in a 529 plan, and there are federal tax laws that offer tax benefits for investing in these plans, as well.  The tax benefits combined with the ability to transfer the money fee-free to other family members are two of the best advantages of this type of college savings plan, and the reason why many families opt for a 529 plan instead of simply saving the money in a money market account or certificate of deposit.

You can enroll in a 529 plan by applying directly with the 529 plan manager in your state, or through your financial advisor.  There are two types of 529 plans – they are categorized as either a prepaid plan or a savings plan.  The savings 529 plan is similar to a 401(k) or IRA.  You can select how to invest in mutual funds and similar investments, and the 529 account will increase or decrease based on the performance of the investments you’ve selected.  The prepaid 529 plan allows you to basically “prepay” for the cost of public colleges.  If your child decides to attend college out of state or go to a private college instead of a public college, you can convert the savings to another plan that can be used for private institutions and out-of-state schools.

So, while you’re working through the back to school shopping lists for your children, it’s a good time to also consider opening a 529 plan.  The younger your child is, the more years you have to maximize those savings and earn more before they’re ready for college.  You can set up automatic deductions from your bank account to make deposits to the accounts; or you can use one of the many services that will allow you to receive contributions to your child’s 529 plan from family and friends, like FreshmanFund.com.  Additionally, if you are a member of Upromise.com, you can move your earnings through Upromise into your child’s 529 plan and get more value out of those earnings!

Trisha Wagner is a freelance writer for DepositAccounts.com, where you can compare rates of checking accounts from dozens of banks in one place. Trisha writes regularly on the topics of personal finance and savings accounts.

Back to School Planning Tips for Families Experiencing ADHD

I am honored to write a guest article for Families with Purpose which is a wonderful company with an equally wonderful website.  I hope you find it informative and useful.

Summer is a great time to reconnect with our families.  Hopefully, all of you have been able to relax and spend time with those most important to you.  Spending time with our children is one of the most valuable gifts we have.  As we are enjoying these special times, it is hard to believe that the school year will quickly arrive.  You can be ready without any frantic effort with some simple planning and time management techniques.

The first thing I recommend is to start a “to do” list.  It doesn’t have to be anything fancy.  In the beginning, a simple lined piece of paper is all you need to start brainstorming.  For a final version, you can use the Back to School Checklist from Families With Purpose or a simple list with room for a due date and a place for your completion check mark.  The important thing to do is to keep track of what you need to do and what you have already done.

Next, talk with your children to find out what they are both excited and anxious about for the coming school year.  If they are nervous about having all of their supplies together, you might want to move school supply shopping to the top of the list.  If they take a daily medication and haven’t needed to take it over the summer, they might be nervous about remembering to take their medicine.  Let them guide your discussion.

Third, brainstorm on your own and with others.  Talk with your spouse, your child’s doctor, coach, tutor and/or any other support person in their lives.  What do they recommend doing to help your child start the school year successfully?

You won’t have a problem developing a list, but here are a few of my favorite suggestions.

• At least two weeks before school starts, start moving your children’s bedtime closer to their regular time.
• Make time to purchase school supplies at least a week before school starts. Look for sales and make time to go somewhere else if the first store doesn’t have what you need.
• Ensure that your child has a planner that will work for them. Their school may provide one that works, you can customize a teacher’s lesson plan book, check out the blog a mom’s view of ADHD for a customized planner, or visit your local office products store.
• Look into a family calendar to help keep everyone’s schedules straight once the school year gets in swing. I have been very impressed by the family calendars and mom’s planners at Families With Purpose.
• If your child has attention challenges or ADHD, check out tips from websites like Attitude magazine’s site and About.com.

If your child is in middle school or high school, give him or her the opportunity to make their own list.  Help them brainstorm and review the list, but it will be very empowering to have them make their own list this year.

Finally, after you have finished your brainstorming, prioritize your list and assign a due date.  Spread out the activities so that you can enjoy the rest of your summer.   When you are planning, the most important aspect is to take action and start well enough in advance so that the process is not overwhelming.  Decide when to start and honor your commitment to yourself.

Laura Rolands is the founder of LSR Coaching and Consulting, LLC. She is a coach whose passion is to support, lead and inspire independence and success for people who have either been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD or who are facing other attention-related challenges. Her clients include individuals with attention-related challenges and/or their parents. If you have any questions or more suggestions to add, please visit her website at www.MyAttentionCoach.com .

Molly’s Babies

Started by a grandmother in honor of her granddaughter who died of SIDS at the age of six weeks, Molly’s Babies is looking for donations of new or gently used dolls for little girls who cannot afford one.    For additional details and information on how you can help visit http://mollysbabies.org/index.php.