The College Money Guys - March 2019

The College Money Guys - March 2019

March 2019

Award The

Letter

Send Your Kids to College, Keep Your Money at Home

713-422-2720

www.thecollegemoneyguys.com

SUPERWOMAN HOW MY MOTHER FOUGHT FOR MY FUTURE

With March being Women’s History Month, we wanted to do our part to celebrate the innumerable accomplishments of women throughout history. While well-known heroes like Marie Curie, Amelia Earhart, and Harriet Tubman are typically who our minds turn to when we think of this event, it’s important to remember that this month is about recognizing the struggles and successes of all women, regardless of fame. That’s why this month, our own Andrea Robayo has volunteered to share the powerful story of a woman who has helped shape her life.

Pablo Escobar’s reign of terror, my mother earned

her bachelor’s degree while raising me by herself. As Colombia became

more and more destabilized by bombings, assassinations, cartels, and guerrilla fighters, education once again provided her a ray of hope.

–Bra nnon Lloyd

Thanks, Brannon!

In 2000, my mother was granted a student visa to come to the United States. I was young, but I remember the move. While studying here, she met my stepdad and started a family of her own. As for me, there was never a question about whether or not I was going to go to college. Thanks to my mother’s example and constant encouragement, I became the second person in our family to earn her bachelor’s degree, and I won’t be the last. My 16-year-old brother is actually in the College Money Guy program right now, though he’s adamant that I don’t help him directly — he doesn’t want his big sister looking over his shoulder, and I respect that. Neither of us would have these incredible opportunities if it weren’t for the sheer grit of our mother. What I find most incredible is that my mom insists she isn’t special. When talking about her story, she always emphasizes that she’s an average person, that her accomplishments haven’t required superpowers. She simply stayed focused on what she wanted in life and refused to take no for an answer. She may not think so, but that sounds pretty super to me.

When I think of inspirational women, I turn to my own mother. While this may sound like a cop-out at first (who doesn’t love their own mother?), I assure you my mom is a force to be reckoned with. I would not be where I am today were it not for her tenacity, bravery, and love of learning. Those strengths are what helped my mother become the first person in our family to get a college education — something that seemed impossible to a kid growing up without shoes in war-torn Colombia. One of 10 children in a poor family, she had to fight most days just for a meal. Eventually, when she was 7, her family got her a worn pair of sneakers so she’d be allowed to attend public school. This turned out to be an incredibly visionary investment.

“In the midst of Pablo Escobar’s reign of terror, my mother earned her bachelor’s degree — while raising me all by herself.

Here’s to all the women who fought to give their daughters a brighter future.

My mother didn’t just go to school; she thrived there. Despite having very little food security in a country embroiled in a seemingly endless civil war, she became the first person in her family to graduate high school and go to college. In the midst of

– Andrea Robayo

Call us! 713-422-2720 • 1

Published byThe Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com

THE CINDERELLA EVERYONE LOVED TO HATE

The 1990 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels

The early ‘90s was a contentious time in college basketball, full of pure amateur competition. The days of the “one and done” player were far ahead, which meant that all the top-level talent was bred in the hotbed of the NCAA. Players like Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and David Robinson had to prove their NBA mettle in the grueling basketball tournament we all know as March Madness. It has always showcased the best of the best, but America has always loved an underdog. Last year, audiences adored Loyola Chicago as they made their way to the Final Four. Cinderella teams fill our hearts with hope and optimism, but not all of them are loveable. Perhaps no small school is more polarizing than the UNLV squad that was put together by the late, great Jerry Tarkanian. The team was nasty, flashy, and, most importantly, downright impossible to beat. “The Runnin’ Rebels” ran the court like no team before. Reports have the 1991 Tarkanian squad referring to the Arkansas

Razorbacks’ “40 minutes of hell” as “40 minutes of vacation” when it beat the then second- ranked team on its home court. The team embodied swagger and wasn’t afraid to create a splash everywhere it went. Most of the noise wasn’t positive, but when you win the national championship the year prior, a little arrogance is necessary to maintain your “bad guy” image. Formally a small state school known to locals as “Tumbleweed Tech,” UNLV wasn’t even a Division I school until 1970.

there would be no greater success than the season that came to pass in 1990.

Most games are back-and-forth, with drama centering around every possession. That was not the case during the 1990 national championship game. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski guided his team to the final through steady stellar performances throughout the tournament, and all was well until the legendary program met UNLV’s rowdies. The opening tipoff was about as close as Duke ever got to controlling any part of that

When Tarkanian took over in ‘73, the school went from an institution most acclaimed for its hospitality program to an NCAA basketball tournament regular. After making their first Final Four appearance in 1977, the team started down a path that would take them to four Elite 8s in five years, and

game. Anderson Hunt, Stacey Augmon, and Larry Johnson ran the Blue Devils off the court, and the Cinderella team everyone came to

hate won 103–73 in the biggest blowout in NCAA

tournament history.

OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST

“I can’t tell you how much working with The College Money Guys has helped me!! I am excited about my future and way less stressed. Amazing team – amazing knowledge.” – Caitlyn P. “Our daughter is now graduating from the most expensive school on her list, and with very little in loans. Thanks, College Money Guys. She has a bright future ahead of her in the field she wants.” – Margaret L.

2 • www.thecollegemoneyguys.com

Published byThe Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com

GETTING THE MOST MONEY FOR COLLEGE MAXIMIZING AID AND MINIMIZING CONFUSION

Getting the maximum amount of money for your loved one’s college experience doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. We understand the frustrations and aim to remedy them with simple tactics to get your finances in order and moving toward helping fund the education of a lifetime. Time spent at college should be some of the best years of your child’s life; don’t let irrational worries about a lack of opportunity get in the way of their goals. Start doing something today; there’s plenty of help to go around. One of the biggest safety nets to put in place while trying to get your finances in order is making sure your child applies to more than one college. The more the better, within reason. Ideally, you should pick several schools where your child falls in the top 25 percent of their incoming freshman class so you have room to negotiate their financial aid

packages. Believe it or not, plenty of schools are willing to negotiate if they see your child as a good candidate! Alternatively, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is having your child apply for early decision at a school. By applying for early decision, you’re letting them know your interest too early in the game. If they know you are chomping at the bit trying to get into their school, they know you are very likely to accept their offer. Because of this, they’re liable to try to lowball your financial aid package. You don’t want to eliminate your leverage before you take a thorough look at the playing field and what other schools are willing to offer you. While these are just a few glimpses into the insights we can bring you, it’s really just the tip of the monetary iceberg. Factors like not

spending too much time on private funding, thinking outside the box, using resources beyond just your school counselor, and properly valuing your home can all save you thousands of dollars — and we’re just getting started.

ASPARAGUS AND AVOCADO SOUP

HAVE A LAUGH

Inspired by CookEatPaleo.com

This hearty soup is the perfect meal for those late winter days when you think spring will never come. It can be made vegetarian by substituting vegetable broth for the chicken stock.

INGREDIENTS • 12 ounces asparagus • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped • 2 cups chicken stock • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and cubed

• Juice of 1/2 lemon • 1 tablespoon ghee or coconut oil • Salt and pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss asparagus and garlic with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 10 minutes. 3. Transfer asparagus to blender. Add remaining ingredients and puree until smooth. 4. Season to taste and serve.

Call us! 713-422-2720 • 3

Published byThe Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

2000 North Loop West Suite 200 Houston, TX 77018 713-422-2720

INSIDE

1 2 2 3 3 4

The Story of an Incredible Woman

The Most Hated Cinderella

Testimonials

Get the Most Money Together for College

Asparagus and Avocado Soup

Why Charities Hate Spring-Cleaning

BONUS MONEY-SAVING CONTENT INSIDE!

Spring is in the air, and it’s time to celebrate with another round of spring- cleaning. Banish the clutter and make room in your life for something new! Many charities see a sharp increase in donations as spring-cleaning season starts. Donating your used books, kids’ toys, and gently worn clothing allows your old items to have a second life. However, when filling that donation box, make sure you’re donating each item because it can do good and not just because you feel bad about throwing it away. Charities have a big problem with well-meaning citizens dropping off items that are better left in the trash. There are many items charities simply cannot handle. Most charities will have lists of items they can and cannot accept on their websites. Some items that you should not donate include: DONATE WITH CARE THE RIGHT WAY TO DONATE AFTER SPRING-CLEANING

These items may be unsafe to sell, costly to ship, or impossible to refurbish effectively. When a charity regularly receives items they cannot use, they have to spend hours of manpower sorting through things that end up in the trash anyway. This process can be expensive for organizations with already-strained resources. Some local charities spend over $1,000 a year on dumpster and trash removal fees for unusable donations. While charities will have no choice but to throw unusable donations in the trash, there are services you can use to make your spring-cleaning eco- friendly, even for items you can’t donate. For example, if you have torn or stained blue jeans, reach out to Blue Jeans Go Green. This program keeps denim out of landfills by turning it into insulation. And while Goodwill can’t take your batteries or old flip phone, you can check out Call2Recycle.org to learn how to safely recycle your e-waste.

• • • •

Expired medications

Old TVs

Your donations can be a big help to local charities. Just don’t “donate” your garbage.

Cribs

Loose remote controls

• Personal care items, like soap, shampoo, or makeup • Mattresses • Carpets • Tangled cords or phone chargers • Any broken, damaged, or dirty items

Thank you for your referrals!

Flynn Family

Walker Family Eleuterius Family

4 • www.thecollegemoneyguys.com

Published byThe Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com