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August 2018
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BRIGHT POINTS MY FAMILY’S MULTIGENERATIONAL LOVE OF THE ASTROS
If there was ever a cure for the summer doldrums, it’s baseball. As season ticket holders to the Astros, my family catches plenty of games every year and sticks with the team, thick or thin. It’s not just about the players or the game; it’s about participating in the atmosphere of Minute Maid Park, shoulder to shoulder with some of the most fantastic sports fans on earth. From chanting “MVP, MVP” when José Altuve steps up to bat to letting out that Ric Flair-inspired “WOO” for Josh Reddick, there’s a lot of fun and tradition to be a part of. And I’ve been lucky enough to have that experience my whole life. My first Astros game must have been when I was 4 or 5 years old. I can still remember the incredible scoreboard at the old Astrodome, four stories tall and composed of thousands of individual lightbulbs. For kids who grew up in the LCD era and never got to witness that scoreboard, it can be hard to fathom. The Astrolite was the first animated scoreboard in history, and my mom got to see it come on for the first time. You see, my mom’s been an Astros fan since before they were the Astros. She was cheering on the Colt 45s in 1962, and she was there for the inaugural game at the Astrodome in 1965. She may be an even bigger Astrofan than I am.
To this day, my mother and I are connected through baseball and volunteer work. We are both very involved in CanCare, a program that puts people who are battling cancer in contact with survivors of their specific form of the disease. As a survivor myself, I know how important it is to have someone to talk to who has been through the same experience and can give you hope for the future. I’m proud of my mom and the work she does for those facing cancer. Last Mother’s Day, I surprised her with — what else? — a signed Bagwell jersey. She was over the moon. I’m grateful that she introduced me to such a great sport and an even better community of fans. While the sun may be hot, you’ll still find us out at the ballpark! The Astrolight is gone, but there are still many bright points of light here in Houston.
I tried to approach the greatest boxer who ever lived, but my mom pulled me right back in line. We were getting that Bagwell autograph.
Once, at a special event in the Astrodome for Sunshine Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children with cancer, we had the opportunity to get Jeff Bagwell’s autograph. While standing in line, I saw none other than Muhammad Ali passing out signatures of his own. I tried to approach the greatest boxer who ever lived, but my mom pulled me right back in line. We were getting that Bagwell autograph.
Go ‘Stros,
–Bra nnon Lloyd
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HOT, HOT, HOT!
The Best Ways to Cool Your Mouth After Eating Something Spicy
When you pop something spicy into your mouth, it’s always good to have a cool beverage nearby. You never know when you’re going to need to put out a fire. But when your mouth feels like it’s going up in flames, some methods of cooling are better than others. Let’s get this out of the way first: Water and soda are two of the worst ways to cool off your mouth after eating something spicy. Water, soda, and even fruit juice will simply spread the heat around, meaning that fiery sensation will only last longer. To combat the heat, it’s important to understand where that sensation comes from. Many spicy sauces and dishes get their heat from capsaicinoids, or specifically, capsaicin, an oily compound that loves to stick to your tongue. It’s important to note that capsaicin is not water-soluble. Chili peppers are a primary source of capsaicin. Other foods, such as mustard, radish, horseradish, and wasabi, get their heat from a compound called allyl isothiocyanate. This compound does not usually stick around as long as capsaicin.
So, what can you do to beat the heat?
For heat brought on by chili peppers, you want a beverage that contains compounds capable of binding with the oiliness of capsaicin. The best compound? Fat. Whole milk will help, but here are some even better alternatives:
• Half-and-half • Yogurt • Kefir
• Sour cream • Ice cream
And for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan, soy milk and peanut butter can help too. The higher the fat content, the better! What about those other foods, like mustard and wasabi? Unlike capsaicin, allyl isothiocyanate is partially water- soluble. This means water and soda will help cool you down — but you still can’t beat dairy. The next time you eat a habanero pepper or put too much hot sauce on your eggs, having a glass of half-and- half on standby can be a lifesaver. It may sound a little weird, but your mouth will thank you.
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST
“Kurt and the CMG provided exceptional service and advice through every step of the college application process for our family. Thanks to the CMG and the tools and advice they provided, our children received scholarships to schools we never would have considered due to the cost. The schools are a great fit, and their futures are bright! Thanks, CMG!”
“I firmly believe that I would not be attending the college I do today if it weren’t for The College Money Guys. The staff is flawless, and everyone is friendly and helpful throughout the entire college application process. I would recommend this organization to anyone who needs assistance with college applications and the financial aid process.”
–Brown F.
–Miles L.
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A COLLEGE EDUCATION SHOULDN’T BREAK THE BANK NEGOTIATE THE BEST FINANCIAL DEAL POSSIBLE
Keep the following information in mind as you negotiate to find the best price for your child’s education: 1. Pick a Suitable School The process of helping your child pick the right school requires taking a number of factors into account. First, their grades throughout school and their scores on the SAT and ACT play a vital role in determining which colleges are suitable for them. Keeping this information in mind, you should start researching schools where your child will be in the top 25 percent of the applicant pool. Their placement will determine the financial aid package the school will offer. 2. Do Your Own Math and Ask the Necessary Questions Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the minimum amount of money the government expects you to pay for any school. Schools determine what they are going to offer you by subtracting your EFC from their average cost of attendance, an equation that gives them your family’s financial need. Make sure you do these calculations on your own as well, because unfortunately, most schools offer families far less that the amount they were eligible to receive. Don’t accept a school’s first proposal if they do not offer your family enough financial aid to cover your calculated needs. Call their financial aid office. Write letters. Schedule a meeting. Just as you would with any other purchase, negotiate until you get the offer you need and deserve!
When you make any kind of large financial purchase, you probably take time to research the best price and option. Then, once you receive an offer, you negotiate. Think about the last big purchase you made. Was it a house? Was it a car? Was it a lifetime membership to the American Miniature Horse Association? Regardless of the product, you probably didn’t accept the first price offered to you; you negotiated to reach a number that made the most sense. Paying for your child’s college education shouldn’t be any different. Between the cost of tuition, fees, books, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses, even the cheapest schools will cost you approximately $10,000 annually. Because a college education for your child is one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime, doesn’t it make sense to treat it like any other major purchase?
GREEN BEAN AND SESAME SALAD
HAVE A LAUGH
Inspired by Delicious magazine.
INGREDIENTS • 3 cups green beans, ends trimmed • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted INSTRUCTIONS 1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil; cook green beans for 4–5 minutes; drain well.
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped • Small bunch of fresh mint • Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley • Salt and pepper, to taste
2. In a blender, mix finely chopped mint and parsley with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined.
3. Add dressing, onion, and sesame seeds to beans. Toss together. Cool dish, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
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INSIDE
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My Love For the Astros The BestWays to Cool YourMouth After a Kick of Heat Testimonials How toNegotiate a Financial AidOffer GreenBean and Sesame Salad The Strangest Holidays inAugust
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BONUS MONEY-SAVING CONTENT INSIDE!
AUGUST’S SILLIEST HOLIDAYS ARE THESE ON YOUR CALENDAR?
February has Valentine’s Day; September has Labor Day; December, of course, has Christmas; and August has, um, National Raspberry Cream Pie Day. August may not host any major holidays, but it doesn’t lack for some of the goofiest on the calendar.
August 6: National Wiggle Your Toes Day
August 17: National Thrift Shop Day
While the origin of this holiday is uncertain, it’s held every year on August 6. To celebrate, people are encouraged to wear sandals, flip flops, or other toe-exposing footwear. You can also frolic barefoot in the grass or simply stretch those digits throughout the day. Just don’t expect to see any Hallmark cards devoted to National Wiggle Your Toes Day anytime soon.
Thrift shops are a staple of American commerce, so it makes sense that there is a day devoted to them. Take the day to hunt for lost treasures and screaming deals. Many thrift shops also benefit nonprofit organizations, giving you even more reason to frequent them.
August 13: Left-Handers Day
August 27: National ‘Just Because’ Day
About 10 percent of the population is left-handed. Lefties may be stuck in a right-hand-dominant world, but on August 13, they rule the roost. Originally founded in England, Left-Handers Day has taken off in the U.S. Righties are encouraged to try out a left-handed approach for the day. Lefties, for their part, are free to be themselves.
This celebration is really scratching the bottom of the holiday barrel. Joseph J. Goodwin created National “Just Because” Day in the 1950s. It’s a day to do something “just because.” Be spontaneous and have a little fun. There’s no one way to celebrate, which is fitting, given that the existence of the holiday seems to defy logic altogether.
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