MARCH 2019 THE
COMMUNITY CONSCIENCE
EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT, BUT ATWHAT COST?
Raising kids can be a challenging endeavor. When Heather and I married in 2013, she agreed to take on not only a husband but also two boys: Andrew, 12, and Chandler, 11. The boys are now 17 and 18 years old and face growing up in a world very different from the one Heather and I knew when we were teenagers. We are far from perfect parents, but we do our best. Our newsletter chronicles some of our successes and some of our less-than-stellar moments. We hope you can learn from some of our failures and find some entertainment in the moments we share.
yourself at Studentloanhero.com/featured/ how-much-student-debt-is-too-much.
university system. Tuition at these schools can be one-fifth of what it is at private schools. Undergraduate tuition at Montana State University was $7,080 for the 2017–18 school year. At the same time, tuition at Gonzaga University (my alma matter) was a staggering $41,330. Although private schools regularly offer scholarships to defray these costs, it is difficult to imagine how their experience is five times better than what it could be at the University of Montana or Montana State University. Although some states are enrolled in the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program, in-state schools are an incredibly good bargain when you consider the alternative. In determining whether going into debt for an undergraduate degree is worthwhile, I encourage you to read an article from the Washington Post that I recently came across. The article asks, “Is a college degree the new high school diploma?” Heather and I want our kids to do and be their very best. We just cannot see how crushing debt is a viable means to get there.
As we are about to send Andrew and Chandler off into the adult world, we feel a mixture of sadness, melancholy, and excitement. Some important decisions are about to be made on how and where these two young men will take their next steps in life. Balancing the learning experiences offered at private universities with financial practicality is more challenging now than when Heather and I were their age. Over the past 40 years, college tuition has increased at a rate that is nearly twice the rate of general inflation. A 2015 study showed that nearly seven in 10 graduating seniors can expect to incur student loan debt, with the average debt for Montanans being nearly $27,000. Despite these staggering figures, experts still agree that earning a college degree is one of the wisest investments a student can make. Still, balancing the desire to have a great college experience with how to pay this huge bill without sending your young adult into indentured servitude is not easy.
Some of these tips seem painfully obvious but were lost on me.
• Don’t take out more than your annual starting salary. Start researching majors and careers today. Learn about your repayment plan. Opt for federal loans over private loans. Search for as much free money as you can get. Learn about careers that offer loan forgiveness or assistance. Find a part-time job during college. Don’t spend student loan money on other expenses. The common theme in all the information I’ve found is that planning ahead for these expenses and understanding the consequences is the key to making good decisions. • • • • • • •
- Lucas Foust
In Montana, we are fortunate to have two excellent major universities and a very good
One article I have come across gives some very good practical tips. You can read it for
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When Should Your Kids Start Working? Out of the Game Room and Into the Workplace
have only gone up from there. But work ethic is changing among American teenagers. Just one-third of individuals aged 16–19 had a job lined up for last summer, compared to 51.2 percent for the same age range in 1997. While surviving on minimum wage as an adult is a topic of great debate, raking in around $10 an hour as a 14-year-old can seem like a king’s ransom. A few working hours here and there will do your grown baby a world of good and prepare them for the next chapter of their lives.
When the dolls and baseball cards get pushed to the wayside for cell phones and movie dates, it may be time to gently nudge your child out from under your wing and into the workplace. It doesn’t have to be pushing shopping carts or spinning signs on the corner; working in any capacity during formative years builds character and gives your child real-world experience. Summer jobs teach the value of a dollar and give kids lasting memories, and after-school gigs lead to more pocket change for the weekends and less worrying for Mom and Dad. The hard part isn’t asking yourself if they should work; it’s asking yourself when they should work. In the U.S., most of us have about four decades of working to look forward to. Many start working in late adolescence and continue until retirement age. Now, that’s a lot of work to be had. So why rush it? Well, idle hands often spell disaster. Sitting around all day is a burden on both child and parent, whether they realize it or not. Those few years between hitting puberty and graduating high school are the sweet spot for your child to start their part-time career.
There’s no shame in flipping burgers, stocking shelves, or mowing lawns. As of 2014, there were 16 million workers in the retail and food service industries, and the numbers
An Inside Job The Curious Case of the Disappearing Flags
Apparently, the wooden flagpoles attract groundhogs, something other groundskeepers have experienced as well. “I’m glad we don’t have someone who has taken it upon themselves to desecrate the stones and the flags in front of them,” said Hudson mayor Bill Hallenbeck. “We can all rest a little easier knowing that it was a critter and not a human defacing our flags, especially those of the veterans,” added Hudson’s police commissioner.
Like the year before, flags were placed on veterans’ graves in honor of Independence Day, and again, they went missing sometime in the night, this time taken from the graves of African American Civil War soldiers. Cemetery caretaker and veteran Vincent Wallace was appalled, as was the rest of his community. “I just can’t comprehend the mindset that would allow someone to do this,”Wallace said. Determined to find out who was to blame, police put up surveillance cameras and recorded the goings-on in the cemetery. As they watched the tapes, sure enough, they saw one of the culprits sitting atop a gravestone with an empty flagpole in front of him. It was a groundhog.
Theft is a serious matter, made even more grave when the victims are fallen war heroes. Such was the situation that stumped police in Hudson, New York, in 2012. The crime was first committed in July of the previous year. Flags had been placed around the graves of soldiers in Cedar Park Cemetery — only to go missing right around Independence Day. Veterans groups and locals were outraged and mystified by the crime. Some worried that a hate group was to blame, as the missing flags had adorned the graves of Jewish soldiers. Veterans worked to replace the flags, one by one, and right the wrong. No culprit was found, and the community moved on — until the following July, when the mystery repeated itself.
Turns out Punxsutawney Phil has some very naughty cousins — ones who aren’t subject to the law.
2 • www.lucasfoustlaw.com
How to Decide if Your Family Can Care for a Pet Are You Ready for Fido?
While we don’t know exactly why humans keep pets, one fact is certain: Millions of people love them. In fact, nearly 70 percent of households in the U.S. have a pet. But no matter what you see on your favorite dog Instagram accounts, keeping a pet isn’t endless playtime. Ask yourself the following questions before buying or adopting a furry companion.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO?
a smaller pet, as many larger animals require more square footage and plenty of outdoor space.
Owning a pet can change your lifestyle. To start, you will have to consider the animal’s well-being when hosting events or taking vacations. You will also have to make room in your budget for pet- related expenses. Additionally, some animals can live for upward of two decades. Discuss how responsibilities will change as a pet ages and what your future will look like before making the commitment.
IS YOUR FAMILY READY?
Every family is different, and it’s important to have an honest discussion about the implications of owning a pet. If you have kids, consider how much they will be able to contribute to such a responsibility. Another factor to consider is how much free time you have to spend with your pet; some animals require more attention than others. To avoid major conflict down the road, discuss care and responsibility plans as a family before welcoming an animal into your home. Keeping a pet can be a source of joy for your family, but it can also be a source of stress. Before making any major choice, talk to your family members and consider what owning a pet would mean for all of you.
DOES AN ANIMAL FIT YOUR LIFESTYLE?
When choosing a pet for your family, gather research from animal experts and other pet owners. Calculate the cost of owning a pet, and evaluate how that animal will fit into your lifestyle. For example, dogs are one of the most high-maintenance and expensive animals to own, but they tend to be more involved in family life than a cat or a hamster. That said, your home’s size and location may make it better suited for
HOMEMADE CORNED BEEF
Take a Break!
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
• • • •
2 quarts water 1 cup kosher salt
1. In a large stockpot, combine water, garlic, and all herbs and spices tomake brine. Cook over high heat until salt and sugar are fully dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in ice. 2. Once water temp reaches 45 F, place brisket in a 2-gallon zip- close bag, pour in brine to cover, lay flat in a large container, and store in fridge. 3. Brine for 10 days, checking daily tomake sure brisket is fully submerged and brine is stirred. 4. After 10 days, remove brisket frombrine and rinse under cool water. In a large pot, cover brisket, onion, carrot, and celery with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and gently simmer for 2 1/2–3 hours. 5. Remove, slice across the grain, and serve.
1/2 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons saltpeter (potassiumnitrate)
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1 cinnamon stick, broken into large pieces 1 teaspoonmustard seeds
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1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
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8 cloves garlic
8 whole allspice berries 12 whole juniper berries 2 bay leaves, crumbled 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 pounds ice
1 5-pound beef brisket, trimmed
1 small onion, quartered
1 large carrot, coarsely chopped 1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped
SOLUTION ON PAGE 4
Inspired by foodnetwork.com
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Foust Law Office
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
www.lucasfoustlaw.com 406-587-3720 Fax: 406-879-4400
3390 South 30th Avenue Bozeman, MT 59718
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Kids and College: The Cost of Education PAGE 1 Is It Time for Your Child’s First Part-Time Job? PAGE2 The Curious Case of the Disappearing Flags PAGE 2 Should You Get a Pet? PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Homemade Corned Beef PAGE 3 How to Make Your Sailing Dreams Come True PAGE 4
SOLUTION
If you’re lucky enough to have been aboard a ship under full sail, chances are you know the thrill and serenity sailing can give you. If you’ve never been but have always wanted to know what it’s like to get out on the wind and waves, there are many great options available for beginners. Here are some ideas to inspire your next waterside vacation. SET SAIL FOR VACATION Take Your Next Trip Offshore For those who dream of becoming a skipper one day, a great way to start is by sailing dinghies. These one-sail, beach-launch boats fit 1–2 people and can be rented at most water sports shops. If you want to make it a family experience, shops usually have 16-foot catamarans for rent as well. Catamarans have two hulls rather than one, making for a smoother, more spacious ride. If you’ve never sailed before, inquire about lessons. Most rental operations have instructors on hand who can show you the ropes. The great thing about sailing is that whether you’re in a 12-foot dinghy or a 60-foot sloop, the same basic principles, rules, and skills apply. START SMALL
with the waters, you can apply for a bareboat charter. However, if you are inexperienced or simply don’t want a local guide at the helm, signing up for a day trip with a skipper and crew is a great option.
DO A FULL CHARTER
Short of owning your own vessel, chartering a boat for multiple nights is the closest you can get to living out your nautical dreams. Some of the most beautiful destinations on earth — from the Caribbean Sea to the Mediterranean — are best experienced from the deck of a sailboat. Letting the sea guide you to amazing snorkeling destinations, remote cays, and bustling harbors is the stuff of real adventure.
TAKE A DAY SAIL
Many day-sail charters exist for those who want to go out a little farther than a dinghy would permit. If you’ve captained a boat and are familiar
4 • www.lucasfoustlaw.com
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