We have a great contest going on - click here to get all the details! Your child can win a $1,000 CollegeInvest 529 College Savings Account!

Here’s some more info about CollegeInvest and saving for college…

· College tuition and expenses continue to rise year after year and Colorado families are faced with challenges in meeting these costs. CollegeInvest is the best resource for Coloradans by providing information and options in meeting these needs.

· CollegeInvest 529 college savings plans offer federal and state tax benefits that help these investments grow faster.

· Contributions by Colorado residents to their accounts are tax free at the state income level.

· Money saved through 529 college savings plans can be used nationwide at any eligible public or private college, university or vocational school for a variety of higher education expenses such as tuition, fees, certain room and board, and required supplies.

· CollegeInvest makes it easy to get started, you can open an account for as little as $25 and contribute to your account with as little as $15. CollegeInvest also provides for automatic deposits to a savings account.

· Get into the habit of saving or contributing to a savings account on a regular or monthly basis. Research confirms that those who save regularly tend to save more than those who do not.

Savings Tips from our Customers:

· Consider cutting back on one or two Starbuck lattes a week. $15 a week can potentially grow to nearly $12,000 over a 12 year period.

· When your child moves out diapers, simply transfer those dollars into a college savings account for the child and watch it grow.

· When your child moves from fulltime daycare to kindergarten, take the money you originally applied for their daycare expense to their college savings account. You’re already budgeting for it, and you’ll be surprised at how fast it adds up.

Reasons to Contact CollegeInvest:

· As a not-for-profit division of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, CollegeInvest’s only goal is to help parents and students break down the financial barriers to an education beyond high school.

· A college education provides a strong return on your investment. On average, college graduates earn about a million dollars more over their lifetime than those with only a high school diploma.

· Once you’re started with your child’s savings account, CollegeInvest also makes it easy for grandparents and other family members to contribute to a child’s account.

· CollegeInvest’s range of services extends from cradle to college and beyond, providing assistance at every step along the way. For 30 years, CollegeInvest has helped more than half a million families break down the financial barriers to college by providing expert information, simple planning tools, 529 college savings plans, scholarships, and matching grant programs.

I know as a Mom, we have moments as parents where you just don’t feel like what you are doing is right or “enough” for your kids.  I saw this in Parenting Magazine and instantly felt better.  Wanna add a reason why “you are a better parent than you think you are.”  Sound off!!

Here are 10 reasons you are a better parent than you think you are: (from Parenting)

1.      You are the best mommy or daddy in the world for your child - Regardless of what the experts or anyone else says, in your child’s eyes you are their one and only. If you can live up to that kind of love and acceptance, you’ll be happier for it.

2.      You trust your gut - Most of us try not to get too worried or upset by the proliferation of news stories about lead-poisoned toys or tragic stories of kidnapped children, but it’s not very easy. When push comes to shove, your gut can be your guide. If you feel more than a tingle of doubt, you’ll do the right thing by your child. You’re wired that way.

3.      You give the best love you know how to give - Love isn’t perfect or always kind, but you want to be a good parent and you try every day to be the best parent you know how to be.

4.      You feed them every day- Not always meals with enough vegetables or fruit, but you feed them, and you worry about their health. And that makes you a good parent.

5.      You smile at them, beam even, and they make you proud - When you smile at your child (and you know you do, often) you are transmitting your love and tenderness. Kids are sponges and they feel every iota of that sweetness.

6.      You teach them about wonderful things — You fill their heads with the wishes of childhood — Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and other wonderful creatures. Even if they don’t believe you, their eyes light up with the spark of imagination.

7.      You love them unconditionally, even when you don’t like them very much - Most kids know that you love them no matter what. Even when they have tantrums in the grocery store and hit their sister or brother and refuse to eat their dinner. Even then you love them deeply.

8.      You comfort them when they’re scared - Monsters, bad dreams, and things that go bump in the night hold no power over the comfort of your arms and your murmured reassurance.

9.      You want your child to be happy - Almost more than anything else, you want to see evidence that your child is happy, well-adjusted, and secure. You want this for them more than you want it for yourself.

10.  You are their one true love - For so many years, you are your child’s sun, moon, and stars. You are the keeper of their small open hearts, their only one. This essential truth, when fully appreciated, makes parenting the most fulfilling thing you’ll ever do.

Pat yourself on the back, mama and papa. You’re doing a great job!!

Another unwed, teenage Mom story..only this one does not belong to Jamie Lynn Spears, this one is a heartbeat away from the White House.  What??  You didn’t hear??!!

Here is the headline from CNN today:

When Sen. John McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, announced that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter, Bristol, was pregnant, the news prompted a big response from the community. Many say the issue is a personal matter, while others say that the pregnancy deserves public attention.

Yes it was the EPT test heard round the world!  GOP VP nominee Sarah Palin’s daughter who is a 17 year old and just started her senior year in high school is 5 months pregnant and Palin’s camp was quick to say the 2 teens would indeed wed after the baby arrives.  Maybe Alaska is more like Louisiana than we all think!

So the firestorm around whether this news should or should not effect Palin’s nod for VP seems to be growing by the minute.  Of course the Republicans say it doesn’t matter and applaud the teen for keeping her baby but some conservatives belonging to that party are having bigger issues with this teenage pregnancy on the grounds that it does not fall in line with conservative beliefs and values.

For the record, Obama 100% believes the pregnancy should not effect Palin’s bid for office.  I personally agree with Obama and this should not keep Palin from running for office..HOWEVER with a touch of conservativeness on this exact topic in my blood,  I’m not sure any family leading my country sets a good example when their unwed teen gets pregnant.  C’mon!  What if one of the Bush twins would have gotten pregnant in the White House as unmarried teens?!!   I guess they can play the “Palin is just a regular person” card but I don’t want a regular person making decisions for my country.  I want an outstanding, role model, high standards and morals type person.  I want her family to be an example of what other families should strive to be.  If not..why aren’t my next door neighbors running the country?  Cheering on a kid that gets knocked up does not resonate with me.  Sorry!

Agree?  Disagree?  Your turn to sound off!