1.  Set goals, and encourage your grandkids to reach them.  If you know they want a toy, tell them you’ll match what they save – and help them buy it themselves.
 
2.  Open a bank account for them, and contribute to it regularly – even if it’s in small denominations here and there.  When they visit, go over the balances and help them set goals on how to spend the money when they’re older.  Will this go towards their first car?  A college education?  A wedding?
 
3.  Start talking about college early, and show them you mean business.  Grandparents can open a 529 account for grandkids, or if they already have one contribute to it. 

These are three tips to give your grandkids a good financial foundation without breaking the bank!

 Here are five ways to sending your child off to college, without breaking the bank!

Tip 1: Remember the ABC’s of borrowing wisely
· Always take advantage of free money such as grants and scholarships, before taking out a loan to pay for college.  Look for easy money, like your parent’s place of employment, which sometimes offers scholarships for college-age children.
· Be sure to maximize your Federal Stafford Loan eligibility, as federal student loans generally have lower interest rates than private student loans. 
· Consider alternative or private student loans only after all federal money options have been exhausted.

Tip 2: Open a Student Checking Account
Whether you’re attending school close to home or far away, you need a checking account that’s simple. When you move onto campus, stop by your local bank and open up a student account.  Student accounts are specially designed with students in mind, with less fees, no minimum balances, limited free wire transfers so parents can put money into the account from back home, and more. 

Tip 3: Use Credit Cards Wisely
Use credit cards wisely because this is a chance to establish a solid credit history. Watch your interest rates, and pay your balance off each month. Don’t use the card for routine living expenses or a night on the town – those expenses add up quickly.  It may be a better idea to opt for a debit card for your student instead.

Tip 4: Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
Be vigilant about protecting yourself from identity theft.  Safeguard your bank account, credit card, and personal information, like your SSN.  Don’t leave your pin numbers and passwords where other people can find them.  Check your credit card statements for suspicious charges every month, and pull a credit report at least once a year to make sure everything looks right. 

Tip 5: It’s Never To Soon to Start Saving
If you’re watching this and have a two year old at home, here’s a tip for you: it’s never too early to start planning.  Let the power of compounding interest work in your favor, and open a 529 Plan for your child today.  Stop into any local banking center for details.

Check out the links below for more savings tips and scholarship opportunities.

www.collegescholarships.org
www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.yacenter.org
www.collegebound.net

Terri & Jaye’s Pesto

Ingredients:
6 large cloves garlic
1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves
3 cups fresh spinach, stems removed
3/4 cup walnuts
12 ounces Asiago or Parmesan cheese, grated
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation:
In a food processor, mince garlic. Add basil, spinach and walnuts. Process until the texture of coarse meal. Add cheese. With motor running, add oil in a steady stream and process until pesto is a smooth paste. Add more oil, if necessary. Serve on cooked pasta, grilled meats or with bread or crackers.

Additional Information:
Makes 4 1/2 to 6 cups pesto.
Per ¼ cup: 172 calories, 15 grams fat, 7 grams protein, 2 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, 12 milligrams cholesterol, 281 milligrams sodium. 

 
Pesto Spaghetti with Shrimp & Cherry Tomatoes

Ingredients:
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
12 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
16 ounces large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoons minced garlic
1 cup pesto, preferably homemade
2 cups cherry, grape or pear tomatoes
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Preparation:
Bring a stockpot, filled three-fourths with water and a generous pour of sea salt, to a boil. When it reaches a hard boil, cook the spaghetti until al dente, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1¼ cups pasta cooking water. Drain pasta, return to the pan and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil.  Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet on medium-high heat until it shimmers but does not smoke. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the shrimp, stirring frequently and cook for 2 minutes or until its pink. Add the pesto and reserved cooking and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add the pasta and tomatoes, tossing to combine. Season with freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve immediately with freshly grated cheese.

Summertime Marinara Sauce

Ingredients:
¼ cup of olive oil
2 large sweet onions coarsely chopped
6 large cloves garlic, peeled and minced
6 pounds of fresh ripe summer tomatoes, any variety or combination, coarsely chopped
Handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
Handful fresh parsley leaves, chopped
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Sea or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons of tomato paste, optional
Freshly grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano

Preparation:
In a sturdy stockpot, on medium heat, add the olive oil and heat until it shimmers but does not smoke. Add onions and garlic and saute until they are tender, translucent and sweet-smelling, about 12 minutes. Do not let them brown — reduce heat if necessary. Add the tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and bring up to a low boil. To balance the flavor and thicken the sauce, add 3 tablespoons of tomato paste and a pinch of granulated sugar to the tomatoes. Right away, reduce heat simmer for about 25-35 minutes. Though the tomatoes will break up some, you don’t want to overcook them, so when they have softly broken down, remove from heat. Stir in fresh herbs.

Roasted Tomato Pie 

Ingredients:
2 pounds ripe summer or plum tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 to 8 garlic cloves, peeled and minced, optional
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 9-inch pie shell, preferably homemade
3 ounces (1 1/4 cups) sharp white Cheddar cheese
10 medium fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced, plus more for garnishing
5 medium fresh oregano leaves, chopped
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise

Preparation:
Heat oven to 325 degrees. Line a rimmed baking tray with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, slice plum tomatoes in half lengthwise or quarter round tomatoes. Toss the tomatoes with olive oil and minced garlic, coating thoroughly. Place them, cut side up on the baking tray. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, checking periodically. The tomatoes should be shrunken like dried apricots but still retain their brilliant red and shape after cooking. Don’t let them blacken, or they will taste bitter. Let cool to room temperature. If desired, pinch off the skin, which should easily slip off. Roasted tomatoes will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one week or in the freezer for up to six months. Bring to room temperature before using. If using a homemade pie crust, bake it blind as directed. If using a frozen pie shell, prebake it according to directions on the box. While the crust is still warm, sprinkle with ½ cup grated white Cheddar. Adjust the oven to 400 degrees. Layer half of the tomatoes on top of the cheese and sprinkle with half of the basil. Layer the remaining tomatoes on top and sprinkle with the remaining basil. Combine the oregano, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Spoon the mixture on top of the tomatoes. Top with the remaining 1/3 cup white Cheddar cheese. Place the pie on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and bake until the cheese is lightly browned, about 20 to 30 minutes. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature. Garnish with sliced basil before serving.

Check it out at www.meijermealbox.com

1.  Cold Weather Chic – When you look at this season’s ads for Gap and Express there are tons of cute stylish sweaters, hats and scarves.  We found very similar styles at Goodwill for under $5 a piece!

2.  Denim – With so many fun fits like bootcut, skinny leg, wide leg and colored jeans, it’s hard to afford a bunch of pairs.  All of Goodwill’s jeans are $5 or less, so you can afford to have an assortment in your closet.

3.  Black & White – This month, Glamour Magazine features a fashion spread on the classic look of black and white.  Whether it’s pants, a skirt or chic top, Goodwill has it.

4.  Shoes & Handbags – All the magazines are showing low heel riding boots this season.  We found the exact look for less at Goodwill and for only $10!  Plus, Goodwill also has a fun assortment of handbags in an assortment of styles and colors.

5.  Chunky Accessories – From sunglasses to necklaces and bracelets.  Why break the bank when you can get the exact same designer look for less.  We found awesome accessories for all under $2 a piece at Goodwill!

1. Keep a grocery list.

2. Garbage check. We lose money whenever we toss food because it spoiled before we got around to eating it.  Make planning to avoid tossing foods a priority and try to recycle leftovers.  Saving on tossing out a half bag of lettuce is $1.00.

3. Brown bag it. If you normally eat out at noon, consider brown bagging it at least once a week. The typical fast food meal easily can cost $5.00 or more. Eating a sack lunch once a week can save you $2.50 or five days a week will save $12.50.

4. Coupon common sense. Use coupons only for foods you normally would eat, rather than for “extras.”  If you have access to a computer, check online for coupons. For starters, check the www.meijermealbox.com web site for meal planning, recipes and coupons.  Using seven $0.50 coupons for items you use will save $3.50.

5. Staple food stock up. Invest in staple foods when they’re on sale.  Reduced-price canned tuna or tomato sauce can be a good investment.  Stocking up on 10 cans of food reduced by $0.20 each will have you $2.00.

6. Store brand savings. Store brands are comparable in nutrition to name brands and taste no different.  Buying just four store brands and saving $0.50 each will save you $2.00.

7. Shop the specials. Plan your menus around sale items, especially more expensive purchases such as meat.  Buying several packages of meat on sale and freezing it may save quite a bit.  Buying meat on sale can save you $2.00.

These seven tips will save you minimum of $24 a week and $1,248.00 per year!

1.  Call your local art museum and ask what types of deals they offer for families.  At the Grand Rapids Art Museum they offer dollar days on Tuesdays from 1-5.  Admission is completely free!

2.  Does your town have a theatre guild?  Broadway Grand Rapids offers a Broadway in Education program which awards schools and non-profit organizations tickets to local broadway shows. 

3.  Visit your local community theatre to see what kinds of programs they offer.  Often times there are acting classes that are free or low-cost for kids. Or, think about auditioning for a play or volunteering to work behind the scenes.

4.  Ask your school’s band or orchestra teacher if they know of any local music clubs.  In Grand Rapids, St. Cecilia Junior Music Club meets once a month with a professional musician who performs for students.  Annual dues are just $12!

5.  You don’t necessarily have to leave your house to expose your kids to the arts.  Make your own musical instruments with household items.  Or, check out an art book from your local library and have your kids recreate paintings from the book.

Here are a few tips to get you started:
 
1. Teach children the differences between needs and wants.  They need food.  They want a new toy.  You need to work to provide money for the family; you want to go on a family vacation.  This basic concept will prepare them for making good spending decisions in the future.
 
2. Create a chart for each child and decide together how their money will be used.  A percent should be saved, a percent should be spent, and a percent should be given away to charity or church.  Help them make most decisions, but also allow them to make some spending decisions on their own.  Whether good or poor, they will learn from their spending choices. You can then have an open discussion of spending pros and cons before more spending takes place.
 
3. When giving children an allowance, give them the money in denominations that encourage saving.  If the amount is $5, give them five $1 bills.  This will help them easily follow the chart you have created together.

 
4.  Take children to the bank to open their own savings account. Beginning the regular savings habit early is one of the keys to savings success.  This account will also introduce children to the value of saving versus spending.  Some parents even offer to match what children save on their own to help the account grow.

5.  Set goals and encourage your kids to reach them.  Remember that setting goals is fundamental to learning the value of money and saving. If they ask you for a toy, help them save money and buy it themsevlves.  You can also use this as an oporutnity to teach kids about the negative effects of credit and being in debt by only allowing children to pay cash for the items they want and need.  Explain to them that being in debt means you have to work more to pay the money you owe.
 
Most importantly, talk to them often about finances every chance you get.  Every trip to the grocery store or bank can be used as an opportunity to help give them a great financial foundation.  These are five tips to give your kids a good financial foundation without breaking the bank!

1.  Pre-planning is one of the best ways to save.  Map out your trip, research your destination, know where you’re going and what you’re going to do while you’re there.  Once you have that planned out get online and look for coupons and discounts at attractions and restaurants.  Many museums and zoos offer family free days, try to plan your visit around those days if they’re available.

2. Dine out less and bring snacks for the car.  Another way to save cash is to visit a grocery store once you get to your destination and make your meals.  When going out for a nice meal, go for lunch instead of dinner because prices are lower and lunch is more casual for kids.

3.  If you plan to buy souvenirs make them useful.  Sure the snowglobe is pretty, but a book or puzzle will be more useful.

4.  Give each child a set amount to spend.  This will not only save you money, but saves you time and energy negoticting each trinket and treat.  Depending on the age of your kids, your can set a daily budget or a budget for the entire trip.

5.  Use a pre-paid phone or phone card since roaming charges for cell phones can be astronomical.

6.  If you see a good price on gas, stop and fill up.  Even if you still have half a tank.