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AUGUST 2019
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Send Your Kids to College, Keep Your Money at Home
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OFF TO COLLEGE THE STRUGGLE TO SAY GOODBYE
The fall semester has finally arrived. To all our families that are sending their students off to college this month, congratulations! It’s been a pleasure working with you to make this milestone happen. As an advisor, most of my time is spent trying to help with the monetary concerns of college, but, as a parent, I want to use this time to address the emotional concerns you may be facing. I certainly remember when my eldest son Nick headed off to school and how unprepared I was for how hard the transition would be. Before Nick even applied to college, I had already been advising families on money-saving strategies to make their students’ higher education possible. I could answer any questions they had regarding scholarships, the FAFSA process, and aid packages, but one question always stumped me: “How do I say goodbye?” At the time, I just offered soothing platitudes like, “They’ll be home for Christmas break before you know it!” and “It’s going to be a new adventure for everyone!” But, when I suddenly found myself in their shoes, it became very clear how little those words of encouragement helped. The shock began to creep in when Nick bucked the family tradition of going to the University of Houston — and I couldn’t blame him. His heart was set on mechanical engineering, and he’d earned $50,000 in scholarships from Stevens Institute of Technology all the way in Hoboken, New Jersey. Not only was this scholarship package incredible, but it was coming from a school with the oldest mechanical engineering program in the country. Choosing Stevens Institute was a no-brainer, but I still had to face the fact that my boy was going to be 1,600 miles away. For better or worse, we dragged out the process of sending Nick off. We did most of the shopping for his dorm here in Houston, including getting him a mini fridge. We had to rent a Ford Expedition just to carry everything. Then, the whole family got in the car and headed east. We were treating the journey a bit like a fun family road trip, with plenty of jokes, but there was an underlying nervous energy present the whole way. The school had a great welcoming program for parents when we arrived. We got to meet some other families, listen to a speech, and enjoy a hamburger cookout. After that, we got Nick’s dorm all situated, including rearranging the furniture. But eventually, the sun began to set, and it was time for me to answer that dreaded question for myself. How was I going to say goodbye?
My wife Liz and I didn’t have any cool one-liners or inspirational speeches for Nick. I mostly remember all of us standing awkwardly in the campus parking lot before letting him know we love him and heaving ourselves into the Expedition. Driving away, there was this unspoken sense of “What are we doing?!” between Liz and me. To this day, I remember watching my boy in the rearview mirror as he waved, turned back toward campus, and stepped into his new life. Of course, everything turned out great. Nick acclimated immediately, joining the school crew team and making plenty of friends. I can’t stress this point enough for new freshmen: Get involved in campus activities, whether they’re clubs, Greeks, teams, or other student organizations. These groups are an easy way to find friends who share your interests and on whom you can rely to be your support network on campus. Having been through this emotional roller coaster myself, I can assure you there is no easy way to say goodbye. It’s completely natural to fear the moment your child leaves the nest, especially for the first time. I highly recommend reading “Letting Go” by Karen Coburn if you’re really feeling the stress. But, take it from me when I say that as hard as this goodbye is, it’s worth helping your child say hello to a bright future.
They’re going to be amazing,
–Bra nnon Lloyd
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ENJOY THE WEATHER WHILE KEEPING YOUR PUP COMFORTABLE STAYING ‘COOL’ WITH YOUR CANINE
With all this late-summer sunshine, it’s the perfect time to take your dog out for some fun. And while spending time basking in nature’s beauty can be a great source of fun and exercise for you and your pets, it’s important to keep a careful watch on your dog’s core temperature to prevent heat exhaustion. There are several detectable signs of heat exhaustion that you can watch for, including abnormal lethargy, vomiting, or a brightly colored blue or red tongue. Here are some tips to keep your canine cool this summer. WATER IN ALL ITS FORMS While certain dog breeds thrive in hotter climates, all pups need a little extra care when it comes to staying hydrated during the summer. For starters, always make sure they have ready access to drinkable water. If you are going on an adventure, consider bringing a collapsible water bowl. If you are doing some
backyard chilling, consider filling up a small wading pool with water for your pooch to splash or lounge in. SOME INVALUABLE INVENTIONS There are many contraptions to help you keep your canine cool in the summer heat. Booties to insulate their toes and protect their paw pads from the hot asphalt, cooling vests that reflect sunlight off darker fur, and pressure- activated cooling pads are just a few of the gizmos you can purchase to stave off those scorching temps. The Dog People, a website powered by Rover.com, also recommends making frozen “pupsicles,” a yogurt-based frozen treat that can satisfy doggy cravings while keeping them cool. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE While fun water toys and helpful cooling inventions are great, the best thing you can do
to keep your dog cool is be careful about when you decide to go outside. Taking your pup out in the early morning or later in the evening, when the sun isn’t at its highest point in the sky, will help keep them cooler in the long run. Additionally, keep in mind that some breeds deal with the heat better than others. If you’re unsure, do a little research to determine your dog’s susceptibility to heat exhaustion. Just because the heat is sizzling doesn’t mean your dog should be! Keep these tips in mind before taking your canine out in the summer sun. They will thank you for it!
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST
“The college application process has become so complex, but TCMG helped us navigate it successfully. The workshops, one-on-one coaching, practice interviews, etc. all helped our daughter secure a wonderful spot in college, along with a number of scholarships! We highly recommend TCMG.” –Jane Gehring
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WAIT, PRIVATE SCHOOLS CAN BE CHEAPER? DON’T TRUST THE HIGH-STICKER PRICE
When most people think of private schools, they imagine preppy students from well-off families. It’s easy to understand why most private high schools tend to be prohibitively expensive. However, the same isn’t necessarily true for the tuition of private colleges. Here’s why your student should apply to more than just state universities, especially if you are on a budget. MORE ENDOWMENTS = BETTER AID It really doesn’t get much simpler than this. Private institutions have better means of raising funds and large pools of wealthy alumni to ask for donations. Whether or not these funds go toward scholarships or specific departments doesn’t matter; they still free up money the college would be spending elsewhere to put toward financial-aid packages. Thus, while the “sticker price” for a private university may be higher than one run by the state, it’s not uncommon for grants to make the smaller, high-quality school cheaper in the long run. SMALLER CLASSES = LESS COMPETITION Private colleges aren’t limited to the crowded Ivy League campuses. There are plenty of great liberal arts universities across the country
with vastly smaller student populations than state schools. By choosing to apply to private schools where your child is in the top 25% of incoming freshmen’s SAT/ACT scores, they’ll really have a chance to shine. These colleges are more than happy to attract top- tier students who may have gone elsewhere, giving you leverage when it comes to negotiating your aid package. WIDER SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABILITY Another advantage of these smaller schools is there’s a higher likelihood your student could receive an academic or athletic scholarship. On either the debate or basketball team, there is a much better chance your student could be a star player than if they were on an enormous university’s roster. Because these small schools are in fierce competition with one another for titles and awards, attracting talented scholars and players is a top priority for their admissions departments. You should always have a few state institutions on your list as safety schools, but don’t be afraid to let your student reach for these private schools. Odds are they can get a better education at a lower cost than if they go with the lower sticker price. ROASTED CORN SALSA
HAVE A LAUGH
INGREDIENTS • 2 medium ears of corn, shucked • 1 jalapeño or Fresno chile, seeded and thinly sliced • 1/2 red onion, diced • 1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
• 1/4 bunch cilantro leaves, sliced • Juice of 1 lime • Kosher salt, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Heat a cast-iron skillet to high. Char corn, turning occasionally, for 10–14 minutes until kernels begin to blacken in spots. 2. Using a sharp knife, remove corn kernels from cobs and transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. With a wooden spoon or potato masher, gently crush corn to release starch and juices. 4. Add jalapeño, onion, tomato, and cilantro. Mix to combine.
5. Top with lime juice and season with salt. 6. Serve alongside your favorite tortilla chips.
Inspired by Bon Appétit Magazine
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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
Saying Farewell to Your Freshman
Staying ‘Cool’ With Your CanineThis Summer
Testimonial
Why You Should Be Applying to Private Schools
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Roasted Corn Salsa
Not Your Average Vacation Lodgings
BONUS MONEY-SAVING CONTENT INSIDE!
AMERICA’S WEIRDEST AIRBNBS THIS AIN’T MOTEL 6!
When Airbnb was founded a little over a decade ago, the developers hoped to provide an alternative to traditional travel accommodations. Today, with annual revenue in the billions, the service is an industry unto itself. While most people use Airbnb to “live like a local” while traveling, you can find some truly wacky lodging options if you spend some time searching the platform. Here are just a few of the many contenders for the title of “Weirdest Airbnb in the U.S.” For ease of searching, the listings here have the same titles as they do on Airbnb. BRAND NEW STUDIO Earthships, houses run by clean energy and featuring reused materials, are a fixture of the Taos area. This one, which looks almost like a crashing wave with a living space in its undertow, combines the rustic charm of truly getting away from it all with modern amenities EARTHSHIP Taos, New Mexico
like Wi-Fi and in-home laundry. It’s a truly unique living space surrounded by pristine nature and
not far from the historic Taos Pueblo. MANCAVE APARTMENT/ AIRPLANE HANGAR Geneva, Florida
After all, how many buildings are shaped like beagles? When describing the space on Airbnb, the hosts make no bones about who this rental is aimed for. “Stay in a giant dog!” they say. In addition to being inside a massive wooden dog, you’ll find canine-themed games, books, and more. Talk about ruffing it.
Airbnb super hosts Dan and Deborah have no shortage of quirky properties for rent — including yurts and treehouses — but their apartment fashioned out of an airplane hangar surely takes the cake. You’d be forgiven for thinking it was a theme restaurant featuring eclectic aviation. Memorabilia lines the walls with a bar front and center, and the bed is in a loft high above the ground. DOG BARK PARK INN B&B Cottonwood, Idaho
A REFERRAL IS THE HIGHEST HONOR A BUSINESS CAN RECEIVE FROM A CUSTOMER. THANK YOU.
Lucord Family Chace Family
Rayo Family Shears Family
As you approach the Dog Bark Park Inn, you won’t have to guess if you’re in the right place.
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