Take a look at our newsletter this month!
September 2018
Award The
Letter
Send Your Kids to College, Keep Your Money at Home
713.422.2720
www.thecollegemoneyguys.com
GRACE AND GRATITUDE HOW ONE STUDENT MADE OUR DAY!
In the daily grind, it can be easy to lose sight of the impact you’re actually making. That’s why I was perplexed just over a month ago when I was working away in my office and our director of student services popped his head in and informed me, “We’re having a party in the classroom in five minutes.” Surprised, I triple-checked my calendar. Why was the office having a party on a random Tuesday in late July? Thankfully, my team got me up to speed. One of our students and her father had shown up unannounced with a car full of food and what appeared to be song books. A senior at a high school for performing arts, this particular student was an opera and gospel singer and had hoped to continue her studies at university. Her family had fallen on some hard times recently, making this dream of a higher education seem unattainable. That’s when she came to us. With a little guidance and some diligent work on her and her family’s part to meet FAFSA deadlines, write application essays, and get good grades, this student secured a full scholarship to Trinity University. This private liberal arts school placed No. 1 in the West this year in U.S. News’ college rankings and features a robust performing arts program — exactly what this student was looking for. So she and her father decided to show up in person to thank us for working with them to make this dream a reality.
Before she began her performance, the young woman said she didn’t have much to give but hoped to express her gratitude through song. Then she began the most angelic solo of “Amazing Grace” I’ve ever heard. That song is already beautiful, but paired with this student’s amazing soprano, the high notes practically gave us vertigo. It’s safe to say that by the time she reached the last note, there wasn’t a dry eye left in our office. This incredible display of gratitude came utterly out of the blue, pulling at my heartstrings and shaking me of any complacency. I could not have asked for a better reminder of exactly why I love my job. All of us here at the College Money Guys feel incredibly lucky to be able to have a job that lets us help people. It’s moments like this that let us know we are making a real difference, that we aren’t just saving people money and stress; we’re making dreams come true. I’m incredibly thankful for that young woman and her father using their time and talents to give us such an incredible surprise. It was too good not to share with our readers! To everyone who has written us or shown up to thank us over the years, your support means the world to us. I founded The College Money Guys because I saw there was a need for my knowledge in college finance. I never expected to receive such fulfilment, joy, and gratitude as I have received over the years.
“I could not have asked for a better reminder of exactly why I love my job.”
Anyone who’s been to our office has seen the thank-you cards we keep posted on our walls. Our students’ gratitude means the world to us and is a great reminder of why we do what we do. But this young singer and her father took things to a whole new level. The food they brought was delicious homemade cuisine from their Venezuelan heritage. I had never tried Venezuelan food before, and it did not disappoint — the empanadas in particular were extraordinary! But the main event was when our graduating student pulled out the song books.
Thank you all for making this an incredible journey,
–Bra nnon Lloyd
Call us! 713.422.2720 • 1
Published byThe Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
SUMMONED TO COURT
Jury Duty Myths There are so many rumors about jury duty that it can be difficult to know which ones are true. Here are three of the most popular speculations, debunked.
have to serve jury duty. Many people believe this myth because voting enters you into the jury duty pool, but there are other means by which citizens are chosen. Other ways you’re entered into the pool include buying a home, paying taxes, and getting a driver’s license. Even if you aren’t registered to vote, you’re still liable to be summoned. If you’re worried about getting fired for serving jury duty, you can rest easy. Your employer cannot fire you once you’ve been selected for jury service. In fact, if your boss threatens to fire you for it, they will face the penalties, which include fines and even jail time. Many employers know and understand this, but if yours doesn’t, you can submit a file of complaint to the trial court administrator, and they will take care of the rest for you. The system to select jurors has been around for a while, and those involved know what they’re doing. It’s best to go in with an open mind and be completely honest. After all, it is your civic duty to do so. Serving Jury Duty Will Get You Fired
Admitting Bias Will Ensure Your Dismissal
If you admit that you are biased when you serve jury duty, it does not guarantee your dismissal. In fact, a judge cannot dismiss you for being biased — but an attorney can. In addition, attempting to portray yourself as a biased person can put you in a troubling situation. Attorneys and judges have been selecting jurors for a long time and know when someone is lying to them. Your best bet will be to give honest answers to the questions they ask.
No Voting, No Jury Duty
According to another circulating myth, if you aren’t registered to vote, you don’t
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST “I just want to thank you for all of your wonderful help with my daughter, “L.” As you know, I am a single mother of four, just barely making ends meet. My first three children all went into the military because that was the only way they would be able to attend college, but I didn’t want L. to have to do that. I had no idea how I was going to get the money for college, and that’s when I heard about you. You showed me everything I needed to do at each step of the way. Not only was L. able to attend college without having to enter government service, she was able to go to Occidental College in Los Angeles, a very fancy private school that costs over $33,000 per year. I never dreamed this would be possible! And not only that, but with your help, we received over $26,954 each year in grants and scholarships! It’s costing me less to send her there than even a state school or junior college. Can you believe it? Anyway, thank you, thank you, thank you. I can’t say it enough. We really are grateful for all of your help.”
– Jessika W.
2 • www.thecollegemoneyguys.com
Published byThe Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
WHAT TO LOOK FOR FINANCIAL AID, UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES — DON’T SPEND MORE THAN YOU NEED TO!
family to pay toward each school. The private university, which has more money, might offer financial aid that will cover the family-owed expenses, leaving you to pay only $5,000, while the state school, with far less money, may only offer $2,000 in aid, leaving you to pay $8,000. Pick colleges that will provide the best financial aid packages. Why waste your time applying to schools that will never give you the money you need? Some schools can award plenty of money to students, while others can’t. It’s crucial for you to know this information before applying to a school. Knowing in advance which schools give the best financial aid packages allows your child to choose a school where they’ll receive more aid. Locate and apply for need-based scholarships, grants, and low-interest loans. Leave no stone unturned in your search for financial support. Apply for all need-based sources of funding through the federal government, the state you live in, and the colleges or universities your child is applying to. Most of these financial aid programs can be applied for through the FAFSA.
The average cost of a four-year college education today is $40,000– $120,000. Trying to cover all of that can be downright traumatic. Here are a few ways you can save yourself and your child money as they take this next step in their education. Send your child to an expensive private university for less. Believe it or not, some private schools are cheaper than state schools or local community colleges. Let’s say your child applies to one private university and one state college. The private school costs $25,000 per year, the state school costs $10,000, and your family contribution is $5,000, which is the minimum amount the government expects your
Keep your eyes peeled for the best ways to get your children through college without it costing an arm and a leg.
BEANS AND GREENS RIGATONI
HAVE A LAUGH
INGREDIENTS • 12 ounces rigatoni pasta • 1 bunch Tuscan kale, rinsed • 1 15-ounce can cannellini (white kidney) beans • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a large stock pot, boil 6 quarts of liberally salted water. On another burner, heat a large skillet to medium-low. 2. Add pasta to boiling water and cook for 3 minutes less than the package recommends. 3. While pasta is cooking, add beans, red pepper, and oil to the skillet. Cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. 4. Add cooked pasta, kale, and 1 cup pasta water to skillet. Toss vigorously as kale cooks, about 4 minutes. 5. Transfer to bowls, top with a squeeze of lemon, sprinkle with cheese or salt, and serve. Inspired by Bon Appétit Magazine • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes • Juice of 1 lemon • Salt, for pasta water and to taste • 2 ounces fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)
Call us! 713.422.2720 • 3
Published byThe Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
2000 North Loop West Suite 200 Houston, TX 77018 713.422.2720
INSIDE
1 2 2 3 3 4
What One Student Taught Us About Gratitude
Falsities You’ve Been Told About Jury Duty
Testimonial
Save MoneyWhen Applying to College
Beans and Greens Rigatoni
International Talk Like a Pirate Day
BONUS MONEY-SAVING CONTENT INSIDE!
YO HO HO, LANDLUBBERS! CELEBRATE TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY
Ahoy, matey! Wednesday, Sept. 19, is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Brush up on your pirate vocabulary, grab your eye patch, get your puffy shirt dry cleaned, and bring a little seafaring fun to your office or classroom.
The History of These Swashbuckling Shenanigans
The holiday began as an inside joke between pals John Baur and Mark Summers in 1995. For reasons not even understood by themselves, they began speaking like pirates while playing racquetball, saying things to each other like, “That be a fine cannonade” (“Nice shot, dude”) and “Now watch as I fire a broadside straight into your yardarm” (“But watch this”). They decided Talk Like a Pirate Day needed to become official, so they chose Sept. 19, which was Summers’ wife’s birthday (and the only date he could remember besides Christmas and the Super Bowl). In 2002, they pitched the idea to humor columnist Dave Barry, who promoted it in his syndicated column, and the concept quickly spread internationally.
phrases delivered in a strong Southwest England accent can be traced back to Robert Newton’s 1950 portrayal of Long John Silver in the movie “Treasure Island.” Historically, English-speaking pirates probably sounded more like Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow. Unfortunately, the pirates of the Golden Age didn’t leave behind any YouTube videos to confirm this.
Learn the Lingo, Landlubber
Participating in Talk Like a Pirate Day is easy — you just need to know a few key phrases. “Ahoy, matey” means “Hello, friend!” “Blimey, that son of a biscuit-eater hornswaggled me out of me doubloons” means “Darn it, that jerk cheated me out of my money!” “Shiver me timbers, that old salt is three sheets to the wind” means “Wow, that old sailor has had too much beer.” And if a pirate (or your boss) says, “Swab the deck, ye bilge rat, or it’s Davy Jones’ locker for ye!” start mopping the floor immediately.
Did Pirates Really Talk Like That?
The “pirate-speak” popularized in movies and Disney attractions probably sounds nothing like real pirates did in centuries past. Today’s swashbuckling
4 • www.thecollegemoneyguys.com
Published byThe Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker