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A farmers' market is likely coming to a field or open parking lot near you - if there isn't already one operating nearby. The United States Department of Agriculture says that, between the years of 2008 and 2013, the number of farmers' markets doubled across the country.
Read moreBack to school has taken on a whole new meaning for families this fall. Some changes, though, apparently better not last forever. Thirty-six percent of parents surveyed for Fidelity Investments’ new "2020 College Savings Indicator Study" were disenchanted with the thought of paying full freight for virtual classes in the future, and said they’d consider choosing a less expensive, in-person school, if need be, to avoid that fate once their kids are ready for college. Already, many schools are feeling some heat from parents and students for not lowering tuition this semester despite going all or partially remote. And while no one knows when the COVID-19 threat will end, clearly the pandemic college experience is getting a gentleman’s C at best. "The current college experience isn’t exactly what parents envisioned when they began saving," said Melissa Ridolfi, Fidelity’s vice president of retirement and college leadership. "That has many reconsidering where and how they use their college savings, although parents continue to recognize the value of a college education. "In fact, the national survey of 1,790 families with children aged 18 and younger who are expected to attend college showed that the overwhelming majority of respondents continue to believe that higher education is "worth its cost." How they’ll pay for it, though, is where the real angst – exacerbated by months of lockdowns -comes in:* 71 percent of parents admit to worrying that coronavirus-related issues could threaten their ability to save.* 9 percent plan to decrease their contributions this year for reasons that include being unemployed. The study’s most actionable finding for those feeling even a little angsty themselves? Three words: 529 savings plans. These are the tax-advantaged accounts that allow you to sock away money to cover tuition, books, and other expenses at most accredited two- and fouryear colleges, universities and vocational-technical schools. And by "tax-advantaged," we mean the earnings accumulate taxfree and qualified withdrawals are exempt from federal income taxes. Survey respondents who’d already established a 529 were 22 percentage points closer to achieving their savings goal than those who hadn’t. w"Particularly in light of the financial stress facing families today, it’s important for parents to know that these plans continue to become more flexible as it relates to what’s included in the definition of ‘qualified education expenses,’" Ridolfi said. "Apprenticeship costs, K-12 education, and student loan repayment up to $10,000 were all recently added." Yes, everyone still has a way to go if they’re to meet their target of self-funding 65 percent of their child’s evermore expensive future college education. Including tuition, room and board, and other assorted fees and expenses, according to the College Board, today you’d be talking annual averages of $53,980 for a private four-year college, $42,970 for an out-of-state public four-year college, and $26,590 for an in-state four-year college. Multiply those numbers by four, and you can see why parents are currently only on track to fund 33 percent of their goal. A free online tool from Fidelity can help in planning ahead by not only estimating how much it will run you based on whether you’re contemplating a four-year college in the Midwest, say, but also showing how various tweaks can boost your savings. And if you are one of the 45 million Americans with student loan debt, its likewise free Student Loan Calculator can help you figure out whether there’s a better way to pay it off.
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Parents go to great lengths to protect their children. Keeping a watchful eye is a great way to protect kids when they're around the house, but parents may need to look for more subtle signs to determine if their children are being mistreated when they leave home.
Read moreNo life is worth losing to driver distraction. Last year in Oklahoma, 8,646 crashes involved distracted driving. Forty resulted in deaths and another 202 left persons seriously injured, according to the latest data from Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. Ask any involved and they will tell you no call, text message or Snapchat is worth these horrific tragedies.
Read moreTechnology plays such a significant role in modern life that it can sometimes prove hard to ignore, even when drivers are behind the wheel. In fact, data from the National Security Council indicates that more than 700 people are injured in distracted driving crashes every day, and many of those crashes involve drivers who were distracted by their devices.
Read moreCollege students spend four years or more preparing for the so-called “real world” of work, and there’s never a guarantee that a degree will land them their desired job.
Read moreIt’s no secret that COVID- 19 threatened to overwhelm hospitals this year.
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