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The US Department of Education awards more than $120 billion in financial aid each year [1] to students who submit a FAFSA – Free Application For Federal Student Aid. Eligibility for Federal student aid is a complex calculation, based on many factors. Family income is only one element of the determination, and needs-based aid is… Read more »

Talking to your kids about money is a central element of their financial education. The words you speak to your kids always have power, from explaining the basics of money in early childhood to discussing more complex financial concepts like budgeting and student loans before your teen heads to college. How you discuss wealth will… Read more »

When you stop and think about it, money is a complicated topic. For parents, it can be hard to know where to begin teaching your kids about money. There’s a lot to learn and it’s important you start with the basics. As adults, we’re frequently focused on investing for retirement. However, in our opinion, you… Read more »

For parents of school-age kids, summer doesn’t just mean warmer days and fun in the sun. It also brings quandary and expense, planning for camps, play dates, vacations, pool membership, and more. Given that the average national cost of raising a child from birth to age 17 is a staggering $233,610[1], it’s important to plan… Read more »

The teenage years are filled with new life experiences. Fostering healthy self-esteem in your teen empowers them to face these new experiences with confidence and resilience. It also helps them to establish responsible patterns of behavior and decision-making that will support their personal wellbeing, professional careers, relationships, and more. Your parenting decisions, including those related… Read more »

The onset of summer hopefully brings with it travel opportunities, fun outdoor activities, and also summer jobs and internships for millions of teens and college students. As family-focused financial advisors, SageVest Wealth Management advocates part-time work, summer jobs, and internships for a multitude of reasons. Here’s why, plus some tips on how to land the… Read more »

You can’t expect your kids to develop sensible saving and spending habits without having money to learn with. That’s why giving your kids an allowance is an important part of their financial education. At its core, giving your kids an allowance teaches them how to accumulate money and how to use it wisely. It’s the… Read more »

Recent studies show that only 24% of Millennials demonstrate basic financial literacy skills[1]. If your financial and personal aspirations for your kids aim higher than this, it’s time to begin focusing on financial literacy and teaching your kids about money. There’s a lot to learn before entering the real world, including spending, savings, banking, earning,… Read more »

If your teen’s heading off to college soon, there’s a lot to plan for. This includes how to prepare them for financial independence. Hopefully you’ve been diligent in educating your child about money, and your teen’s ready to manage a budget, bank account, and personal spending without your daily supervision. Even so, it’s wise to… Read more »

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go”. Dr. Seuss may not have had financial literacy in mind when he wrote this, but learning about money is an important aspect of your child’s education. When it comes to finances, the more your… Read more »