GiftofCollege’s Post

The joy of giving is seeing the benefits firsthand. Supporting your loved ones with medical bills or education fees can be done in smart and tax-efficient ways, allowing you to enjoy the benefits while you're still alive. Check out the article below from Kiplinger and contact us at Lewis, Aird and Associates to learn about tax arbitrage and other strategies that can help you maximize your generosity. #TaxFreeGiving #FinancialPlanning #LifeLegacy #LewisAirdAssociates https://lnkd.in/enAEwbp6

could this be a more timely topic?! Grad gifts can be a mystery, but thanks to the experts, guidance is here! my latest for U.S. News & World Report

Virginia’s largest cut to benefits that impact Veteran Families in History happened yesterday BLUF: We need you to email the Governor and your local representatives asking for support for the VMSDEP program going to a study before any changes take place (please see a list at the end of this email of the legislators who either spoke yesterday or submitted a yellow sheet that they were voting against the budget language specific to VMSDEP and THANK THEM). In light of the budget having been signed yesterday, there is an outcry in Virginia for the General Assembly and the Governor to do a study. A study is necessary because the projected numbers provided by the State Council for Higher Education Virginia (SCHEV) appear inaccurate; the changes, if implemented, eliminate a service and sacrifice earned benefit, substituting a needs based a program; that does not appear to meet the needs of the majority of its applicants. WE NEED YOU to write to Governor Youngkin and tell him that you are not happy with the cuts to the VMSDEP Program and that this NEEDS to go to a STUDY before ANY changes go into place! Let him know this program needs to stay under the control of the Department of Veterans Services, not under the control of The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. glenn.youngkin@governor.virginia.gov  Send emails to your legislators asking the same, at this time, this is the ONLY ask! Additionally there appears to be a total and utter lack of planning for administration of the program. Our facebook page has grown by almost 250 members overnight and Senator Bryce Reeves has referred to us as the grassroots group on this issue stating "they are actively helping those of us who were blindsided by the changes". Here’s what is CRITICAL! IF you had planned to use VMSDEP to attend school in summer 2024 or fall 2024, you ABSOLUTELY MUST BE COMMITTED by May 15, 2024 per the new language! THIS IS TODAY! VMSDEPFRIENDS.ORG Thank You Legislators! The following made speeches on the floor of their respective chamber in support of the program: Delegate Laura Jane Cohen Delegate Mike Cherry Senator Bryce Reeves Senator Bill DeSteph Senator Tara Durant Senator Christie Craig The Yellow sheet list can be found HERE. Scroll down and you will see all of the yellow sheets submitted from members opposing the changes to VMSDEP by voting nay on the question of agreeing to Item 44.50, Item 77, Item 111, Item 258, Item 331 Paragraph X, and Item 4-5.01 to H.B. 6001 which includes the following Senators: Craig  DeSteph  Diggs  Durant  French  Hackworth  Head  Jordan  McDougle  Mulchi  Obenshain  Peake  Pillion  Reeves  Stanley  Stuart  Sturtevant  Suetterlein #veterans #virginia #vmsdep #goldstarfamilies

This 529 strategy — superfunding a 529 — can help you maximize savings for a child or grandchild's education expenses. https://lnkd.in/e89s5RMD #RidleyWealth #CollegeSavings

At STCU, we believe in the power of saving from a young age. That’s why we created Fill 'er Up, a program that rewards our youth members (17 and under) for regularly depositing into their First5 Savings Account. How It works: Each month, we randomly select a Fill 'er Up winner. If chosen, we top off your First5 Savings Account to $500! For example, if you have $200, we’ll add $300 to reach $500. How to enter: Be 17 or younger and have a First5 Savings Account. Make at least one deposit of $1+ in the last 90 days. Submit a signed Fill 'er Up enrollment form. That’s it! Keep saving and stay eligible for our monthly drawings. ✨ Encourage your kids to save and watch their accounts grow with STCU’s Fill 'er Up program! Learn more: stcu.org/fillerup

Generational wealth is not just about estate planning. Of course, always ensure that you have enough for you. Then, incorporate your loved ones into your plan, determining the most tax-advantaged money moves during your lifetime so you can enjoy it too. One of my long-term goals is to fund 529(s) if I have grandchildren. Here are some fantastic ways to pass on generational wealth⇣ 🔹 Funding a 529: Enjoy potential tax advantages & Secure Act 2.0 ROTH. 🔹 Intentional Financial Gifts: Thoughtful gifts that keep on giving. 🔹 Estate Planning: Embrace your values while providing for your loved ones. 🔹 Funding a ROTH for Your Working Loved Ones 🔹 Financial Literacy: Lead by example. 🔹 Entrepreneurship: Encourage business ventures. 🔹 Setting and Sharing Limits: Clear financial boundaries. 🔹 Openness About Finances: Foster transparency. 🔹 Opening a Bank or Brokerage Account with Loved Ones I am grateful to share Lucy Lazarony's feature, Best Financial Gifts For Grandchildren, which shares the impact my grandma's and parents' generosity had on my family and other financially savvy money moves that can benefit your loved ones alongside John Foligno, Brian Rhoads, Marc Lescarret, MSPFP, MPAS®, CFP®, AWMA® Ryan Nelson, CPA, CFP®, Carla Adams, CFP® Jason Dall'Acqua, CFP®. Let's continue this discussion; please share your favorite way to gift loved ones in the comments below, by messaging me, or over a complimentary strategy session (see link in profile). Alissa

Around this time of year, we always like to remind our followers that we are, indeed, halfway to Christmas (a few days more, in fact)! We know. It’s sweltering outside and the last thing we are thinking about is the holiday season. But it’s coming fast. This weekend we’ll officially be halfway to Christmas! Now is the perfect time to hatch a plan and save some cash for all those holiday spirit things – from party hosting to gift giving. Having time to reach your savings goal means you can make a plan that is far more realistic than waiting until the last minute. For instance, if you just saved $50 each week between now and the holidays, you’d have $1,200 saved by Christmas! Cut back where needed and make yourself a savings schedule you can stick to. Happy halfway to the holidays from NLC!

How to Turn Monetary Gifts into Teachable Moments https://ow.ly/ev1x50SFYEK

Did you know? If your little one gets free school meals, you might also be able to get help during the holidays. If you're on certain benefits, including Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit, your child may be able to get free school meals during term time – as well as free support during the school holidays. To see if you're eligible, simply scan the QR code or visit: https://lnkd.in/eEwcEVMR. 📲 You can apply as soon as you start receiving one of these benefits, even if it's during the school holidays. No need to wait until the new term starts! 🗓️ This support covers holidays in the upcoming school year: Summer 2024, October mid-term 2024, Christmas 2024, February mid-term 2025, and Easter 2025. To apply, contact your local council. The link provided by the QR code has a dropdown list that directs you to your council's application page. 🏠 (Remember, all P1-5 children in local authority schools receive free school meals during term time.) 🍽️ Need a hand? Drop us a DM or email us at hello@whynottrust.org - we're here to help! 🤝📩 #FinancialSupport #SchoolMeals #SummerHelp #FamilySupport #UKEducation #FreeSchoolMeals #HolidayHelp #FreeFriday

100% this. Public education was established in America because people recognized that an educated population was necessary for democratic society. Historically, people have been robbed of quality educations in order to disenfranchise them. Now politicians and people of privilege insult educators, over-regulate them, and underfund schools with express purpose to demolish our public school system and replace it with a privatized, religious system. Teachers are on the front lines of the battle for our democracy. If you are literate, can calculate how much something costs, know how to write your name, know where you live or anything about our government or history, can wait in a line, know how to play a sport, are able to make or keep friends— almost anything—you likely have a teacher to thank. So thank them by paying them fairly for the importance of the job that they do. Pay teachers a living wage.