Here is another installment in our “Moms and Finances” series! I have the pleasure of interviewing Carmen Wong Ulrich, Author, TV & Print Journalist and Personal Finance Expert. Many of you may have seen Carmen on NBC’s Today Show, MSNBC or the Dr. Oz Show.
Our topic is Open Enrollment Season which is upon us! It’s the one time of the year when American workers can elect their 2013 benefits options to meet their needs and avoid leaving “money on the table.” MetLife is encouraging American workers to take advantage of the benefits employers are offering. As moms and the CEOs of our households, we need to educate ourselves and thoroughly review the benefits materials!
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00:00 MommyCast Show #458
00:40 Carmen Wong Ulrich
It is no secret that the cost of an American college education is becoming increasingly expensive. By the time today’s infants are ready to enroll, private colleges will cost more than $50K a year. And at an estimated $25K a year, paying for a public college won’t be easy, either. So, while it might be hard to imagine that the little burping bundle of joy you just brought home from the hospital might someday be taking the SATs and factoring digits of Pi, the smart money is on the families that start planning for college from day one.
In this show, I interview investment expert, Michael Lynch, co-host of Smart Money Radio and professor at the Dolan School of Business, Fairfield University, to discuss different savings options for college, such as Coverdell Educational Savings Accounts and MetLife College Savings Funds Custodial Accounts as well as 529s and other plans. Check out MetLife’s Life Advice guide, “Financial Planning for College”
The Snoopy Snapshot Challenge, offers families the chance to win $10,000 by having fun with the Peanuts Gang. Put your child’s face on your favorite character and you can enter for the chance to win $10,000 for your child’s education. Parents can enter by visiting MetLife’s Facebook page and “liking” it. Click on the Contest tab and you’ll be able to upload your child’s headshot onto the Peanuts character of your choice. Once your photo is ready, complete and submit the online Official Entry Form. Share the newest member of the Peanuts Gang with your friends and family and invite them to vote for your photo.
The 25 most popular entries from the Baby, Little Kid, Big Kid and Teen categories will move on to the final round. Each category has its own $10,000 prize. For more information on the contest and to get started visit www.facebook.com/metlife.
No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase or payment will not increase your chances of winning. This contest is void where prohibited by law.
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00:00 MommyCast Show #457
00:44 Win $10,000!
01:23 Financial Planning for College
New and continuing trends on the web include web series and trans-media elements. The Book of Jer3miah is a highly engaging and successful web series that I have really enjoyed. But watching the show is only the beginning of what can be a very deep and fun adventure. With secret clues, blogs and even gps coordinates of where you can find hidden items, this type of series represents a cutting edge type of entertainment ??for the whole family to enjoy! Now, The Book of Jer3miah is coming out on DVD March 27th and soon there will be a young adult novel based upon the story. In this show I get to speak with Jeff Parkin and Jared Cardon, creators and executive producers of the series. You can watch the first seven episodes for free on Jer3miah.com. The DVD is available Amazon.com, itunes and DeseretBook.com
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00:00 MommyCast Show #456
00:42 The Book of Jer3miah
Pretty Darn Funny is a new comedy web series premiering April 2nd, 2012. The series follows Gracie Moore, a mom who gets more than she bargains for when she forms an all-female comedy troupe in efforts to clean up the local comedy scene. Each new “bite-sized” 6-8 minute webisode is released weekly and is designed for your busy lifestyle. (Meaning you can watch it in-between picking up your kids from soccer, making a fabulous meal that half of your kids will probably refuse to eat, and composing what is sure to be the best blog post ever written in the history of the world. You know, in all your free time.) In this show, I am pleased to interview Jeff Parkin and Jared Cardon, Creators and Executive Producers as well as Lisa Clark, the star and Co-Producer of the show. Be sure to check out the new web series premiering April 2 at PrettyDarnFunny.com!
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00:00 MommyCast Show #455
00:41 Pretty Darn Funny!
Well, it’s almost here. Christmas that is, in case you have been hiding out in a cave somewhere! The holidays are all about traditions. In this show, Monica and I share our Christmas Eve traditions. We also discuss an article about the top 10 unusual Christmas Eve traditions found at IndyPosted.com. We hope you have a wonderful holiday. If you have any great Christmas Eve traditions, tell us about them! Find us at Facebook.com!
Only a few more days left to take advantage of the 20% discount at RedEnvelope.com! Just click on the microphone and type in “MommyCast”.
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00:00 MommyCast Show #454
00:44 RedEnvelope.com
01:47 Christmas Eve Traditions
Monica Bishopp joined me in the studio to discuss something very close to her heart. She has two children with profound hearing loss. Last week was “Activation Day” for her daughter Reese. Having a Cochlear implant a month ago, Reese’s implant was activated and she heard sounds for the first time. This was truly a wonderful miracle at such an appropriate time of the year. Monica shares the hurdles of hearing loss, her hopes for both of her children as they progress into the hearing world and the importance of early intervention. For more information, go to Monica’s blog: ThankfulForMyEars.Blogspot.com. Thanks Monica!
Don’t forget to get 20% off of your purchase at RedEnvelope.com! Go to RedEnvelope.com and type in MommyCast in the promotional code area. Hurry! This offer is only good for a few more days!
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00:00 MommyCast Show #453
00:43 RedEnvelope.com
01:45 When Your Child Has Hearing Loss
33:26 RedEnvelope.com
Giving homemade gifts is one of my favorite things to do. I love making things and then packaging them up. A fun holiday tradition for our family is to pack up the car with the gifts and then drive around to our friend’s homes delivering them. When the kids were smaller (read…NOT teenagers) they would even where santa or elf hats! The grand plan is to make gifts again this year. Here are some great homemade gift ideas if you are looking for inspiration. And…if you need help finding the perfect item to present your gift on, be sure to check out RedEnvelope.com!
Want to win a $50 gift certificate to RedEnvelope.com? Go to the MommyCast Facebook page and let us know! We will be picking five winners next week! Want to shop now? Go to RedEnvelope.com and use the discount code “MommyCast” for 20% off your purchase! Happy holidays!
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00:00 MommyCast Show #452
00:44 Sponsored by RedEnvelope.com
01:35 Homemade Gifts for the Holidays
03:06 ModPodge Christmas Frames
04:14 Snowflake Art
04:59 Handprint Canvas
05:55 Floral Measuring Cups
06:09 Infused Oils
07:27 Gingerbread Plates
08:35 Bath Fizzies
10:05 Joy Banners
11:35 Wall Decals
13:22 Cookies in a Jar
17:49 RedEnvelope Special Offer!
Still trying to fit it all in? Behind in your gift buying? Wondering what you were thinking when you sent out the invitations to a dinner party at your house in the midst of all the chaos? Monica and I discuss some ways to simplify your holiday entertaining. We discuss an article from RealSimple.com called on how to make the holidays less stressful. Plus, we have some great gift ideas from RedEnvelope.com to help you with your holiday gift list! And now you can get a 20% discount by typing in “MommyCast” at the checkout. We hope you can find some time to enjoy the season. Go on….toss your to do list in the trash! We dare you!
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00:00 MommyCast Show #451
01:35 Sponsored by RedEnvelope.com
05:46 Gingerbread Dinner Plates
06:21 Making Holidays Less Stressful
08:40 Aprons
11:30 Family Ornament
12:09 Personalized Casserole Dish
14:06 Family Conversation Tabletopics
14:35 The Family Dinner Book
