KidsTeensAbout

My niece and her five year old came to our house for Easter this year. Other family members were also coming, but the five year old was going to be the only child. When my niece called and confirmed that they were coming she mentioned that she was trying to limit her son’s sugar intake. She knows that in the past I have given the kids that come for Easter baskets with candy in them. I told her that I would respect her wishes for less sugar for her son.

When I was shopping to prepare for the Easter gathering I passed up all the candy items that are designed for children. I bought some higher quality candies for the adults to enjoy. I still wanted to have something for the five year old so I began looking in the toy sections. I did not know what toy items would appeal to the five year old, but then I came across an Easter coloring book. I thought that this would be something fun to occupy his time after Easter brunch. The coloring book came with some stickers to place on the different pictures as well as a pack of crayons. I also found a stuffed duck that I could not resist buying as well as a few match box cars. I put all the items into a sand pail that came with a shovel. I thought if the weather was nice he could play with the sand pail outdoors.

Easter morning was cloudy and raining. The guests arrived and we ate the brunch that I had prepared. The adults settled in to play some board games and I gave the five year old his sand pail. He was disappointed that he could not play outside; however he liked the coloring book. He sat at the end of the table where we were playing games and began placing stickers on the pages. He then colored the picture with the crayons that came with the coloring book. He was content to do this for over an hour. My niece commented on what a great gift idea this was. He ordinarily does not like to color, but the stickers kept him interested. I was surprised that he spent a longer time playing with the coloring book than with the small cars.

At the end of the day he thanked me for the sand pail full of goodies and asked if I wanted one of the pictures that he had colored to hang on the refrigerator. He was pleased that he was able to hang up the picture himself, and that he was able to give me something in return. I am sure that we all had a more pleasant afternoon because I had not loaded him up with sugary Easter treats.

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College costs are rising at a rate that far exceeds the average raise in salaries by comparison. This is a great concern for average American families who must rely on student loans to finance their educations. Even though there are various financial aid programs available to students to help with college costs, not all who apply qualify for financial assistance, especially if they are receiving support from parents or another income source. Scholarships and grants are always an option, but there are qualifying factors that must be met, and competition may be quite fierce for some financial awards. Everyone is looking for a way to reduce college costs and the amount borrowed on student loans.

College costs vary from institution to institution and depend on the program chosen and how long it takes to complete the course of study required. Community colleges and schools that offer technical training usually charge less per credit hour than universities, both public and private. Even if the goal is to complete a four year degree plan, most of the general education requirements can be completed at two year community colleges for half of the cost. After these courses are completed, credits can be transferred to most four year colleges and universities, and the major course of study can then be pursued. This is just one way to help reduce college costs. Work study programs are also available to students who qualify, which is a great way to earn money to pay tuition fees. Some students also choose to live at home with parents so that more of their funds can be used to pay for college instead of for rent, food, and other living expenses.

There are also various savings plans that offer good tax advantages for setting aside funds to pay for college costs. These plans feature tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawal for education expenses, and are a very attractive way to save funds for rising college costs. There are good resources available online to anyone looking for information on college costs, savings plans, financial aid, scholarships, and other types of awards offered. Don’t be discouraged by all the chatter; make a plan and stick to it. Check out all available options that can help reduce college costs and related educational expenses. An education is worth all the effort, and you don’t have to shell out a fortune to get a good one!

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