“The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s handy, terrifying Cost of Raising a Child Calculator told me that the average two-parent household in the U.S. earning less than $61,530 a year spends $11,850 to raise a child in his or her first year. Such a big number might make you think that having a baby is impossible…
Day: October 17, 2016
How to encourage donations to 529 college savings plans
Behavioral psychologist Dan Ariely responded to a parent who would like to encourage monetary gifts to a child’s 529 college savings plan in lieu of the usual gifts. As reported in The Wall Street Journal, Dan replied: “Giving money is often more economically efficient than giving stuff, but the feeling of social connection that we…
Pay your kids to eat vegetables?
Study finds short-term cash incentives yield more-healthful eating habits in the long term as reported in The Wall Street Journal by Beckie Strum, Oct. 16, 2016. “The strategy not only works in the short term, but can create healthful eating habits in children in the long run if the little bribe is carried out consistently…
Get help with Medicare Enrollment
The initial decision on Medicare enrollment can be very confusing. While there is a plethora of resources, plowing through multiple websites and articles left me, a personal finance professional, very confused. The Squared Away Blog offers help by providing links to numerous resources for persons signing up for the first time or renewing their enrollment.…