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JUNE 2019
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Send Your Kids to College, Keep Your Money at Home
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THE BEST FATHER’S DAY GIFT
Father’s Day is right around the corner and, to tell you the truth, all I can think about are my children. Maybe I’ve just never gotten used to the idea of being celebrated. For me, the day has always been more about reflecting on my daughter and sons, and how proud they make me. After all, if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be much of a father. So grant me this one article to just be a dad bragging about his kids. Actually, “kids” may not fit the bill anymore — our youngest just turned 18, so Mom and I are about to be empty nesters. While I’ve loved the experience of being a dad through every stage in their lives, I have to admit that now is one of the most exciting times. All three of them are doing amazing things, each in their own way. To see your kids shaping their own destinies is one of the greatest joys of parenting, however bittersweet. I’ll start with our oldest, Nick. As the first son of a college financial planner, you’d imagine Nick would feel pressure to do well in school, but that was never an issue. To this day he’s one of the most driven, self-motivated people I’ve ever met — he didn’t just do well in school. He did it because it was his passion. He took his love of science and ran with it, earning a $50,000 scholarship from Stevens Institute of Technology, the oldest mechanical engineering school in the country. Now Nick works as a contractor at the United States Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CERDEC). From the Aberdeen Proving
Ground in Maryland, he outfits Blackhawk and Apache helicopters (which date back to the 1980s) with the latest communications hardware, so pilots and troops can stay connected. The added bonus is I get to visit with Nick any time I’m in the DC area, something that makes those business trips really enjoyable. I get to sit and listen to my son’s stories of working in a field he loves. Next up is our middle child, Valerie. She is, in short, a force of nature. Growing up with Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease has made her no stranger to adversity. She’s grown used to her insulin pump and the constant self- monitoring that comes with Type 1. On top of that, celiac means she can’t have so much as a grain of gluten without getting sick. And yet, in spite of everything, Valerie has the most triumphant smile I’ve ever seen, and she wears it often. Valerie is scary good at mathematics. She can do advanced calculus in her head without batting an eye, a trait she certainly got from her accountant mother — I struggled with algebra at her age. Valerie’s talents certainly made getting into college a snap for her; she actually gets paid a stipend for attending the University of Houston! Some who know her have described her as “intimidating,” but I know the truth: She’s a driven woman who has made the absolute best of what life has given her. Last, but certainly not least, there’s our son Anthony. Of our three kids, he’s the one who most reminds me of myself. He has the
same academic interest as me, meaning less geared toward the STEM fields than his older siblings, and he shares my passion for service. Having just turned 18, I’m proud to say my son is joining the United States Marine Corps. Anthony has spent the last six months doing PT with the rest of the recruits, and he’s already been promoted to squad leader. He may not be the biggest, most muscle-bound guy in the unit, but his grit and heart have won him the respect of the men around him. I couldn’t be more proud. After his service, Anthony plans to attend college through the Hazelwood Act. Under this unique Texas law, he’ll be able to attend any state school he chooses for free. See, I managed to work in some college planning advice. He’s already proven a natural leader, and I can’t wait to see where this life takes him next. In short, I am a very lucky dad. Each of my kids has, in a very real way, made me a stronger person. Just last month it was pouring in Maryland, and rather than complain about it, I remembered how Anthony showed up for Marine training, rain or shine. That put things in perspective for me. Nick, Valerie, and Anthony have all shown me what integrity and strength look like, each in their own way. When you start looking up to your children, well, that’s the greatest Father’s Day present you could ever ask for.
–Bra nnon Lloyd
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We Still Don’t Know How They Were Made ANCIENT INVENTIONS LOST TO THE AGES
Even as the modern world becomes more technologically advanced, we still haven’t been able to uncover all the secrets of some ancient civilizations. From waterproof fire to unbreakable steel, these carefully guarded inventions were taken to the grave and have never been recreated or rediscovered. Like the civilizations that birthed them, they have been lost in time. GREEK FIRE There’s a reason the Byzantine Empire ruled the land and sea in Eastern Europe for seven centuries. That reason was Greek fire, an incredibly flammable, petroleum-based substance that the Byzantines used to incinerate their enemies. It was unique from other incendiary materials because water purportedly did not put out the fire. Some even reported
that water helped it spread. Its composition was carefully guarded by the Byzantines, and with the decline of their empire, the secret ingredients for Greek fire were lost. SAKSAYWAMAN BLOCKS On the other side of the world, the ancient Incans built an awe-inspiring citadel outside Cusco, the capital city of their empire. It was called Saksaywaman, and it functioned as a fortress, temple, and storage depot. However, it is not the function of the citadel that is mysterious, but the architecture. The walls of Saksaywaman are made with large stones, some weighing 200 tons, that are cut so precisely that mortar was not necessary to hold them together. The technique the Incan stonemasons used to fit the variously shaped stones is still unknown, but
its construction allowed the citadel to withstand earthquakes for centuries. DAMASCUS STEEL In 500 A.D., superior swords and knives began to appear in the Middle East. It was said that their blades could cut through a feather midair and that they were stronger than any other metal. “Damascus steel” was named for Damascus, Syria, the city where the steel was supposedly created. However, the secret to creating the blades was in the steel ingots from India used to make them, called Wootz steel. The technique for creating Damascus steel was lost in the 18th century, and though many have tried, no one has been able to replicate Wootz or Damascus steel.
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST
“As the parents of four daughters, we knew that we would need help planning and paying for their college education. When a neighbor told us about The College Money Guys, we went to one of their info sessions at Pearland’s Public Library. We were hooked by what they showed us and have been their clients for more than seven years. At this point TCMG has helped us with tens of thousands of dollars in cost savings/ avoidance (our first daughter will graduate college this year); by the time all of our children have finished their education, we expect the savings to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars
range. Kurt and Andrea have provided patient, consistent, insightful, and effective guidance and counsel to our family for many years. And Brannon is an absolute treasure; his wisdom, balance, perspective, humor, and proofreading have been invaluable in our quest to maximize our daughters’ educational opportunities while minimizing the impact on our family’s resources. We enthusiastically and unreservedly recommend TCMG to anyone thinking of sending a child (or children!) to college.”
– Regina & Paul Flynn
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SUMMER HOMEWORK
EARLY PLANNING THAT WILL SAVE YOU BIG ON TUITION
As the venerable Alice Cooper once said, “Schooooool’s out for summer.” Of course, this break can’t be all fun and games. Whether your student plans to work a summer job, attend a camp, or just enjoy their time off, they should still keep an eye on their college plans — especially if they’re going into their junior year of high school. With a little forethought, you can make your student’s future education far more affordable. Here’s how: MINIMUM EXPECTATIONS No matter which financial aid bracket you’re in or which schools your student applies to, you should expect to pay for a portion of the tuition costs. That’s because the government imposes what they call an “Expected Family Contribution,” which is the minimum amount schools will expect you to pay toward your student’s education. Discovering this number sooner rather than later will give you a goal to save toward as your child finishes high school. MAKING MONEY COUNT One key to saving for tuition is knowing the right places to save it. When evaluating how much financial aid your family is eligible for, the government will count some assets more than others — the more an
asset counts, the less aid you will receive. Money saved in one area may count seven times as heavily as money saved in another way. This is a big reason to start investing in the right areas during your student’s junior year. This way, you can save the most amount of money without heavily reducing your financial aid package. SELECTING SCHOOLS Here’s some summer homework for your soon-to-be junior: Start researching schools you are interested in applying to now, rather than waiting another year. Students who procrastinate on this often end up whimsically picking universities they are most familiar with. This can lead to astronomically high tuition. By all means, your student should apply to “reach schools,” but the bulk of their list should consist of colleges with the best history of giving out good financial aid packages. This may sound like a lot, but you and your student have a whole summer ahead of you! Make this time count now, and you’ll be amazed how affordable college can be. If you have questions about how to find out your Expected Family Contribution, or the best places to save assets for college, give us a call! BLT DOGS
HAVE A LAUGH
INGREDIENTS • 4 strips bacon • 4 hot dogs (ideally Boar’s Head Beef Frankfurters, but any all-beef variety will do) • 4 hot dog buns
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise • 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded • 1 large tomato, seeded and diced • Salt and pepper, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Heat a skillet to medium and fry bacon until rendered and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel to drain.
2. Fry hot dogs in bacon drippings, creating a crust, and cook until warmed through.
3. Using a dry skillet or oven, toast buns.
4. Spread mayonnaise on buns, place hot dog and bacon inside, and top with tomatoes and lettuce. Serve.
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
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2000 North Loop West Suite 200 Houston, TX 77018 713.422.2720
“HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY.” –VINCE LOMBARDI INSIDE
1 2 2 3 3 4
The Best Father’s Day Gift
3 Ancient Inventions That Puzzle Historians
Testimonial
Summer Savings for Juniors
BLT Dogs
Tips for Capturing the Best Outdoor Photo!
BONUS MONEY-SAVING CONTENT INSIDE!
CELEBRATE NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY DAY TIPS FOR CAPTURING THE BEST OUTDOOR PHOTO!
4 • www.thecollegemoneyguys.com the frame? How close do they get to their subject? Try something different. Go against the grain, use a different angle, shoot a close- Nature Photography Day is June 15, and it continues to garner enthusiasm with each passing year. It’s been designated by the North America Nature Photography Association as a day to promote the enjoyment of outdoor photography and to explain how nature photography can advance conservation efforts locally and worldwide. Almost everyone has access to a sufficient camera with smartphones, but not everyone knows how to best capture a beautiful nature scene. Here are some tips to help! FIND THE ANGLES Landscape photography isn’t about appealing to someone else’s sense of style; it’s about shooting what makes you happy. Take some time to study the work of other nature photographers you enjoy. What angles do they use? What colors do they coordinate within
up where others would shoot wide angle. Find a good starting place and experiment a little. HARNESS THE LIGHT Nature photos often look great in the morning or evening light, but the type of lighting you use is often dictated by the scene you are trying to capture. It’s generally accepted that side-lighting, where the sun is coming from either side of the camera, is the most desirable for landscapes because the contrasts between light and shadow can add depth to your photos. However, front- and back-lighting — where you shoot away from or into the sun — can also produce nice photos. Similar to angles, try experimenting until you find something that looks good to you. CROP FOR TEXTURE Sometimes the difference between an amazing shot and a mediocre one is distance. When photographing nature, try zooming in or moving geographically closer and cropping
close on your subject. This could be tree bark, a leaf, the forest floor, or a lizard’s skin. The fine details of your subject can often create stunning images. In your quest to snap the most Instagram- worthy shots, the most important thing to remember is to respect the animals and the environment. Be sure to bring bags with you to take any garbage or other waste with you, and stay on designated trails while exploring. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be taking incredible nature photos in no time.
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Graham Family Hiremath Family
Brau Family Carlsson Family
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