SONshine Savings Oct 2006
Greetings Friends! Hope you’re enjoying Fall with its festivals, craft shows and football games! My Auburn Tigers are helping to make my Fall extremely enjoyable!
College Savings
I’m revisiting a topic thanks to my sister. She directed me to the following links for U.S. News & World Report. Check out the www.usnews.com site for September 2006. In the 9/10/06 edition, there are numerous articles pertaining to financial aid for college students. Links are below to individual articles. I’m telling you about this purely as a way to start educating yourself about financial aid.
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/060910/18main.htm
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/060910/18drew.htm
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/060910/18free.htm
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/060910/18savings.htm
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/060910/18scholarships.htm
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/060910/18work.htm
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/060910/18loans.htm
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/060910/18alternatives.htm
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/060910/18kaching.htm
Not so coincidentally, this month, I had a conversation with a colleague who is working with his son (junior in high school) to select a college. I have now learned there are people you can hire to more or less handle your child’s college entry process. Depending upon how many thousands you want to spend, you can hire a “college entry coach” to assist with everything from PSAT and SAT prep to assistance with college applications and essays. These coaches purportedly have contacts with various universities and can help network your child to gain entry.
What will people think of next? I share this to remind us all that God is Who ultimately decides our future and our children’s future. He places leaders in their positions of authority. He also determines college choices and financial aid!
GOALS!
With soccer on my brain, when I hear “goals” I no longer assume someone is addressing personal challenges they plan to meet. However, in this month’s SONshine savings, I am reminding you to examine your 2006 goals. We’re all down to the homestretch with three months remaining this year. How are you doing? Take an hour in the next week to assess your progress this year. Remember my favorite cliché— “Something is better than nothing!” Thus, any progress makes you further in your journey than you were on January 1st!
To encourage you, let me share that while I’ve had some success this year with some of my goals, I’m not at the 75% mark either. I’m right there with you in terms of needing to put more attention to the fourth quarter. Yet, I’m thrilled to report that some of my goals are already accomplished. I hope you are finding the same in your world! Pick at least one goal per month for the next three. You (& I) will have three more accomplishments this year!
October Shopping
Bottom Dollar Food: Northern Virginia has a new alternative to grocery shopping called Bottom Dollar Food. I’ve seen one in Dumfries and there’s a new store at 8750 Richmond Hwy (Rt. 1). Honestly, I’ve not shopped at this new grocery yet. However, I receive their sales flyers. Prices appear comparable to Shoppers Food Warehouse with added sales features. This chain is affiliated with Food Lion, as best as I can ascertain. If anyone visits this retailer, please e-mail me your thoughts. I hope to check out the deals this month!
Candy: A couple of stores to consider if you’re candy shopping. My friend, Kimble, recommends Sam’s Club (any warehouse type store) for the best deals in bulk candy. If you don’t require much, The Dollar Tree has a few items at $1/bag.
Costumes: You can put together a costume “for free” with household items if you can convince your child to be someone other than a super hero. Dress them up as a parent and you can dress as the child. You can always have a Bible character using bath robes and pillowcases. Or with creativity and poster board, you can make your child into almost anything (ex: bag of M&M’s or a box of popcorn or draw something like a car on the poster board to let your child be the driver.). Homemade costumes can easily be done for $1 or less. If you want to purchase a costume, Party City has a number of options (assuming they did not raise prices from 2 weeks ago) for $9.99. Wal-Mart is my second recommendation for store-bought costumes. Lastly, on November 1, or shortly thereafter, purchase a costume at a reduced price for next year. The challenge is getting the right size and a character your child will agree to.
Excursions
Calvary Road Baptist Church Consignment Sale: It’s that time of year to pick up deals at consignment sales. You can also turn old toys and clothing into cash if you sell at them. Check out Sat., October 14 from 8 am to 2pm, at Calvary Road in Alexandria (off Beulah Road). To consign at this sale, go to www.crbc.org or call Andra at 703-922-4347. Items are half price from 12:15 pm – 2:00 pm. See you there!
Pumpkin Patch Deals: Going to a pumpkin patch and getting a deal seem like an oxymoron. If you have children age four and younger, you can enjoy a free “pumpkin experience” at Nall’s Nursery and Produce on Beulah Street in Alexandria. My children have enjoyed for four years running around at Nall’s and playing amidst the pumpkins. No charge to play!
If you have older children, my only two savings tips are (1) try to arrive early and stay as long as you can to get the most out of your money, and (2) avoid weekends because entrance fees are $2-$5 higher plus thicker crowds. If your child is going to a pumpkin patch with his class, you might consider chaperoning to support the school and avoid going twice in one year to the same location. Washington Families magazine features this month many festivals and outdoor options. Our family has a friend who operates a pumpkin patch in Leesburg, Pumpkinville, that is supposed to be incredible. Maybe this is the year to visit a new place for a new adventure! My family plans to visit a new site in October!
If you decide to enjoy a pumpkin patch or maize location, take your camera and have fun. While these are not free events, I have concluded for the money you spend (to experience the hayrides, slides, games, etc.), the memories are worth the expense!
Festivals: Many churches and schools offer Fall Festivals as a form of outreach and/or fundraising. These are excellent family excursions. Calvary Road Christian School offers an incredible family evening October 27 starting 6:30 pm. Bring your family for food, games, prizes, and fun! Watch for other churches to offer similar events. These are less expensive than a pumpkin patch excursion for those who are looking for a way to save while creating an October memory!
Lakeshore Learning: On Saturday mornings (around 11:00), your children can enjoy a free craft activity at Lakeshore Learning (on Manchester Lakes Blvd. in Alexandria/ Kingstowne). The store is a fabulous place for teachers and parents; however, prices are not inexpensive. If you have good control over your shopping, you can visit this one!
TIPS
Craft Shows: Tis the season when many craft shows are offered at schools, recreation centers, churches, neighborhoods and town festivals. Being that I love craft festivals I have a few tips to encourage enjoyment. First, set a limit of what you plan to spend to avoid impulse purchases. Second, try to not bring young children with you because this often evokes unplanned purchases. Third, seek shows that do not require expensive entry charges. My favorite local shows are Occuquan Craft Festival (occurred in September and no entry fee) and the Audrey Moore RECenter Holiday Arts & Crafts Show ($2 entry fee with over 100 exhibitors—December 2-3).
For my Atlanta friends, there is no comparison to the Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park (second weekend in September).
Kids Sporting Events: As your sporting season draws to a close and you’re looking for a great place to celebrate, I have found Jerry’s Pizza (at Manchester Lakes) to be an exceptional value and location. The pizza is affordable and coupons are often featured in in-home mailers. The environment is kid-friendly. Menu offerings include sandwich options for adults. The setting is indoors, which is a big plus if your season ends in November. My recommendation on an affordable, “easy,” kid-friendly location for end-of-season celebrations is Jerry’s (Kingstowne location is wonderful).
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Looking forward to speaking in October 10 at First Baptist Church Alexandria’s MOPS group. I’m also speaking to a MOPS group in Atlanta in March 2007!
If you have a church or civic organization, and you’re looking for a speaker, I would love to talk with you about the opportunity. Not only do I speak about financial matters, but I enjoy sharing about spiritual topics.
Thank you to those of you who have inquired about my book, Face of Courage. I’m having a lot of fun telling folks about my book and sharing in this ministry!
Joy to you!
Michele Buschman
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 (KJV)