Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Another article showing how paying for college is going to become even more difficult
After you have read that article, go to howtoaffordcollege.com to find out how you can send your children to the college of their dreams!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Before You Cash Out, Catch Up on Choices
Before You Cash Out, Catch Up on Choices: "In 1999 Daniel Wansten founded Professional Education Services as one of the nations leading authorities on solving cash flow problems for families. Daniel has been seen on TV 13 news and featured in several newspapers and magazines. For free help on paying the college bill go to our website http://www.HowToAffordCollege.com and for free help with rollovers or other financial planning please contact our office at 866-949-7935."
Letters for April 13 - mlive.com
Letters for April 13 - mlive.com: "According to the 2008 Michigan High School Counselor Report generated by The Joyce Ivy Foundation, the average caseload for a high school guidance counselor in Michigan is 362 students. The recommendation is the maximum caseload not exceed 250 students. On top of the exceedingly high student caseload each guidance counselor handles, greater budgetary restraints have forced school districts across the state to push more administrative tasks on guidance counselors' shoulders, leaving less time to work with each student.
With two daughters who have successfully graduated college and two currently in high school, I am quite familiar with the uphill battle our school guidance counselors encounter each year. With no end in site to their growing caseloads, the least we can do is thank them for their tireless dedication and devotion.
-- DAN WANSTEN/Grand Rapids"
With two daughters who have successfully graduated college and two currently in high school, I am quite familiar with the uphill battle our school guidance counselors encounter each year. With no end in site to their growing caseloads, the least we can do is thank them for their tireless dedication and devotion.
-- DAN WANSTEN/Grand Rapids"
Friday, April 11, 2008
Another Article by Daniel Wansten
It's never too early to begin teaching your kids about the value of money. But where do you begin - especially if your own money-saving habits haven't been the best? Following are some tips to help you get your children started.
1) Provide an allowance. Age six or seven is a common starting point. Before receiving an allowance, kids should: be able to count, add and subtract, be familiar with the different coins and bills, show an interest in money or spending.
2) Set an example. Show your child how you've created your household budget and involve your child in shopping. Create a shopping list together - then stick to it.
3) Teach children to comparison shop. Go online to research prices at different stores. Instruct kids to keep receipts so defective items may be returned.
4) Limit TV time. The constant messages buy, buy, buy everything from fast food to toys can take a toll on a parent - and a child's - wallet.
5) Take a trip to your local bank or credit union. Even five-year-olds can benefit by opening their own savings account.
6) Make teens responsible. By buying some of their own clothes and other necessities, teens may better appreciate how much things cost.
7) Set short-term goals. Five- or six-year-olds might save for a five-dollar toy that they can get in just two or three weeks, while 10-year-olds might save for a larger-cost item over several months. When kids feel the power of delayed gratification, it teaches them that they can set meaningful goals.
Use the 10 - 30 - 30 - 30 "Percent System"
Many financial professionals recommend using the "10 percent - 30 percent - 30 percent - 30 percent" system to help your child split up any money he or she earns or receives. Show your child how to divide the money and put it in four separate jars. Here's how it works:
1) 10 percent Charity - Take 10 percent off the top to share.
2) 30 percent Quick Cash - Use this 30 percent for instant gratification.
3) 30 percent Medium-term Savings - Save this 30 percent for 1-6 months to purchase something special.
4) 30 percent Long-term Savings - Use this 30 percent for important things in the future, such as a college fund.
Giving Back While some families tithe or require their kids to set aside part of their allowance for charitable giving, other activities can also make an impact on children. Here are some suggestions to help teach kids the value of giving back.
1) Designate a container in which your children can deposit their loose change. When the jar is full, they can donate the money to a charity.
2) Ask your kids to help choose a gift for a holiday toy drive.
3) Have your kids round up clothes they've outgrown or toys they no longer play with. Take them with you when you donate the items to the Goodwill or Salvation Army.
4) Remember that charity involves gifts of time as well as money. Encourage your children to offer their services (without pay) to help the elderly or water plants and feed pets for vacationing neighbors.
In 1999 Daniel Wansten founded Professional Education Services as one of the nations leading authorities on solving cash flow problems for families. Daniel has been seen on TV 13 news and featured in several newspapers and magazines. For free help on paying the college bill go to our website http://www.HowToAffordCollege.com and for free help with rollovers or other financial planning please contact our office at 866-949-7935.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_J_Wansten
1) Provide an allowance. Age six or seven is a common starting point. Before receiving an allowance, kids should: be able to count, add and subtract, be familiar with the different coins and bills, show an interest in money or spending.
2) Set an example. Show your child how you've created your household budget and involve your child in shopping. Create a shopping list together - then stick to it.
3) Teach children to comparison shop. Go online to research prices at different stores. Instruct kids to keep receipts so defective items may be returned.
4) Limit TV time. The constant messages buy, buy, buy everything from fast food to toys can take a toll on a parent - and a child's - wallet.
5) Take a trip to your local bank or credit union. Even five-year-olds can benefit by opening their own savings account.
6) Make teens responsible. By buying some of their own clothes and other necessities, teens may better appreciate how much things cost.
7) Set short-term goals. Five- or six-year-olds might save for a five-dollar toy that they can get in just two or three weeks, while 10-year-olds might save for a larger-cost item over several months. When kids feel the power of delayed gratification, it teaches them that they can set meaningful goals.
Use the 10 - 30 - 30 - 30 "Percent System"
Many financial professionals recommend using the "10 percent - 30 percent - 30 percent - 30 percent" system to help your child split up any money he or she earns or receives. Show your child how to divide the money and put it in four separate jars. Here's how it works:
1) 10 percent Charity - Take 10 percent off the top to share.
2) 30 percent Quick Cash - Use this 30 percent for instant gratification.
3) 30 percent Medium-term Savings - Save this 30 percent for 1-6 months to purchase something special.
4) 30 percent Long-term Savings - Use this 30 percent for important things in the future, such as a college fund.
Giving Back While some families tithe or require their kids to set aside part of their allowance for charitable giving, other activities can also make an impact on children. Here are some suggestions to help teach kids the value of giving back.
1) Designate a container in which your children can deposit their loose change. When the jar is full, they can donate the money to a charity.
2) Ask your kids to help choose a gift for a holiday toy drive.
3) Have your kids round up clothes they've outgrown or toys they no longer play with. Take them with you when you donate the items to the Goodwill or Salvation Army.
4) Remember that charity involves gifts of time as well as money. Encourage your children to offer their services (without pay) to help the elderly or water plants and feed pets for vacationing neighbors.
In 1999 Daniel Wansten founded Professional Education Services as one of the nations leading authorities on solving cash flow problems for families. Daniel has been seen on TV 13 news and featured in several newspapers and magazines. For free help on paying the college bill go to our website http://www.HowToAffordCollege.com and for free help with rollovers or other financial planning please contact our office at 866-949-7935.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_J_Wansten
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Daniel J Wansten - Authors Articles - ArticlesBase.com
Daniel J Wansten - Authors Articles - ArticlesBase.com: "Raising Money - $mart Kids
21/02/2008 | Finance
This article will help guide you to raise money smart kids. Read"
If you would like some information on college funding or financial aid, the check out howtoaffordcollege.com, for insider tips on helping your kids with college costs.
21/02/2008 | Finance
This article will help guide you to raise money smart kids. Read"
If you would like some information on college funding or financial aid, the check out howtoaffordcollege.com, for insider tips on helping your kids with college costs.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Tax season: tax tips for college parents
Tax season: tax tips for college parents
If you are a college student or parent, I would not be surprised if you filed your tax returns six weeks ago.
Why? Because you need financial information from your federal tax returns to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. And March 1 was the deadline for many of the financial aid programs that Monroe County students are eligible for.
Yes, you can file FAFSA with estimated tax figures and provide amended information later. Some families who participated in the College Goal Sunday program Feb. 10 at Monroe County Community College did just that.
I decided it wasn’t worth my time to fill out paperwork twice, and wanted all our financial figures correct from the start. I arranged to get our taxes done as soon as the IRS was able to accept our returns, and filed FAFSA and all the other paperwork well before the March 1 deadline.
Now, if you are just now starting to work on your 2007 tax returns, there are college tuition credits that you may be able to claim. But it’s a tricky set of calculations. Even my tax preparer was surprised when she ran the numbers. She got us a bigger tax refund than first expected when she took the time to compare all the options.
Daniel Wansten, president and founder of Professional Education Services, a college financial aid consulting firm in Grand Rapids, recently sent out a press release that was listed with other tax information on page 7A of the print and e-editions of The Monroe Evening News. If you missed the article, here are his tips:
When the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act was passed several years ago, it turned a complicated situation into something even more complex. Following are a few points families of college students should consider when filing their taxes this year:
Withdrawals from qualified state tuition programs, such as Section 529 plans, are now tax-free. This provides greater control for the owner of such plans.
Coverdell ESAs (education IRAs) are bigger. Beneficiaries younger than 18 can receive up to $2,000 a year with a tax deduction for contribution.
With a Hope Credit, parents are eligible to receive a 100 percent tax credit on the first $1,000 of each child’s tuition fees for the first two years and a 50 percent credit for the next $1,000 worth of expenses in the same period.
Deductions for the interest paid on qualified student loans were raised to $2,500. Those earning more than $50,000, or $100,000 for joint filers, are ineligible for the full $2,500. This deduction is not available for those whose income exceeds $65,000 or $130,000 for joint filers.
Timing is crucial. Pay a tuition fee too early and you could find yourself unable to claim a tax credit.
Receiving one tax credit may make you ineligible for another. If you’ve paid for expenses with money pulled out of a 529 Plan, you cannot earn a Hope Credit.
Tax benefits received will impact your expected family contribution (EFC), the amount of money the family is expected to contribute for the year toward the student’s cost of attendance. This figure is compared to the cost of attendance to determine a student’s aid eligibility.
Posted: April 2nd, 2008 under College, Taxes.
You can get more incredible information about finacial aid and college funding by going to http://www.howtoaffordcollege.com.
If you are a college student or parent, I would not be surprised if you filed your tax returns six weeks ago.
Why? Because you need financial information from your federal tax returns to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. And March 1 was the deadline for many of the financial aid programs that Monroe County students are eligible for.
Yes, you can file FAFSA with estimated tax figures and provide amended information later. Some families who participated in the College Goal Sunday program Feb. 10 at Monroe County Community College did just that.
I decided it wasn’t worth my time to fill out paperwork twice, and wanted all our financial figures correct from the start. I arranged to get our taxes done as soon as the IRS was able to accept our returns, and filed FAFSA and all the other paperwork well before the March 1 deadline.
Now, if you are just now starting to work on your 2007 tax returns, there are college tuition credits that you may be able to claim. But it’s a tricky set of calculations. Even my tax preparer was surprised when she ran the numbers. She got us a bigger tax refund than first expected when she took the time to compare all the options.
Daniel Wansten, president and founder of Professional Education Services, a college financial aid consulting firm in Grand Rapids, recently sent out a press release that was listed with other tax information on page 7A of the print and e-editions of The Monroe Evening News. If you missed the article, here are his tips:
When the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act was passed several years ago, it turned a complicated situation into something even more complex. Following are a few points families of college students should consider when filing their taxes this year:
Withdrawals from qualified state tuition programs, such as Section 529 plans, are now tax-free. This provides greater control for the owner of such plans.
Coverdell ESAs (education IRAs) are bigger. Beneficiaries younger than 18 can receive up to $2,000 a year with a tax deduction for contribution.
With a Hope Credit, parents are eligible to receive a 100 percent tax credit on the first $1,000 of each child’s tuition fees for the first two years and a 50 percent credit for the next $1,000 worth of expenses in the same period.
Deductions for the interest paid on qualified student loans were raised to $2,500. Those earning more than $50,000, or $100,000 for joint filers, are ineligible for the full $2,500. This deduction is not available for those whose income exceeds $65,000 or $130,000 for joint filers.
Timing is crucial. Pay a tuition fee too early and you could find yourself unable to claim a tax credit.
Receiving one tax credit may make you ineligible for another. If you’ve paid for expenses with money pulled out of a 529 Plan, you cannot earn a Hope Credit.
Tax benefits received will impact your expected family contribution (EFC), the amount of money the family is expected to contribute for the year toward the student’s cost of attendance. This figure is compared to the cost of attendance to determine a student’s aid eligibility.
Posted: April 2nd, 2008 under College, Taxes.
You can get more incredible information about finacial aid and college funding by going to http://www.howtoaffordcollege.com.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Raising Money - $mart Kids
Raising Money - $mart Kids: "In 1999 Daniel Wansten founded Professional Education Services as one of the nations leading authorities on solving cash flow problems for families. Daniel has been seen on TV 13 news and featured in several newspapers and magazines. For free help on paying the college bill go to our website http://www.HowToAffordCollege.com and for free help with rollovers or other financial planning please contact our office at 866-949-7935."
Monday, April 7, 2008
How to Afford College
How to Afford College: "Watch the evening news interview Daniel Wansten on the 10 mistakes parents make and how to avoid them!
Dear Parent,"
Dear Parent,"
Friday, April 4, 2008
The Man to see for College Funding
About Us: "Daniel Wansten is one of the nation's leading authorities for college funding solutions. Daniel founded Professional Education Services in 1999 with his wife Rebecca. Daniel educates people through community sponsored workshops and individual meetings. He has helped thousands of parents send their children to college without spending their life's savings or mortgaging their house to the hilt! Daniel is an ordained minister who is committed to the highest ethical standards of business and community service. He has been helping to solve family financial issues for over 20 years. To check out Daniels book "Cash For College", you should go to howtoaffordcollege.com. The decision to check out his book could change your finacial life forever.
StudentMojo.com
StudentMojo.com: "About Daniel Wansten and Professional Education Services
Daniel J Wansten is the author of CASH FOR COLLEGE and Founder of Professional Education Services. P.E.S. is an independent education consulting firm providing expert financial aid advice to college-bound students and their families. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Professional Education Services also offers life coach counseling to determine which college or university best matches each student’s skill set. For more information, visit howtoaffordcollege.com
Daniel J Wansten is the author of CASH FOR COLLEGE and Founder of Professional Education Services. P.E.S. is an independent education consulting firm providing expert financial aid advice to college-bound students and their families. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Professional Education Services also offers life coach counseling to determine which college or university best matches each student’s skill set. For more information, visit howtoaffordcollege.com
How to Afford College
How to Afford College: "You're the parent of a college-bound student, and you're probably wondering how in the world you are going to pay for it! You have every right to be concerned since the average cost of a 4-year college education today is between $80,000-$160,000"
How to Afford College
How to Afford College: "I have personally helped parents like you to send their children to expensive private and state universities that they never thought they could afford…
Recently, I launched a new book that uncovers some of the top burning issues that force parents into debt. Issues that require students to pay for college long into their married years. Problems that you could so easily avoid.
It's called 'Cash for College' and you may have heard of it in a few places before. It's been available on book store shelves for some time and mentioned a few times in the media. I don't think any mention ever gives it the true magnitude of importance it deserves."
Recently, I launched a new book that uncovers some of the top burning issues that force parents into debt. Issues that require students to pay for college long into their married years. Problems that you could so easily avoid.
It's called 'Cash for College' and you may have heard of it in a few places before. It's been available on book store shelves for some time and mentioned a few times in the media. I don't think any mention ever gives it the true magnitude of importance it deserves."
How to Afford College
How to Afford College: "I'm confident that some of the assumptions almost every family makes when looking at college funding options can be disasterous. Things like assuming because you make good money, your child won't be eligible. Thinking your son/daughter has to be 'gifted' to get money... Understanding what role your assets play in the big picture when applying for funding... and a ton more."
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