LifeStyles and Career Choices

TM

ALSO:Can Math & ScienceLead To The Good Life?Get the scoop from aCivil EngineerYo Doc!Dentist & Rapper Being the Best at Both

10 Recession Proof Careers

STEM Career of the Month… PHARMACIST, and why you should consider it as a career!

Summer Entrepreneurs–Money-making Ideas for Summer Vacation!

PLUS:

Volume 1 Edition 1 May/June 2011

Price: $4 (US)

Meet the Publisher

| 2 | | 3 |LifeStyles & Career Choices

“Welcome to our first issue of LifeStyles & Career Choices Magazine! I am very excited that you have decided to begin the process of preparing for your future with us.

Think of it as starting on a journey. You decide on where you want to go, start the planning process on how to get there, and then put the plan into action. That’s what our team is here to help you do, to start the decision process and help you realize your vision.

We want you to think about the life you want and what you want to achieve. You start the planning process by deciding what subjects in school you like and what you are good at. We will help you research possible careers, their potential earning power, and what subjects you have to study and do well in. Then, the final piece is up to you, working hard to achieve your goals. But don’t worry, we will give you tips and support you there as well.

It is very important to start thinking about these options now so you can begin to prepare. At LifeStyles & Career Choices Magazine we want to be your partner in this process and in this journey. In these pages we have information about different careers,

positive character traits, what you need to do to achieve and math and science tips. We will also include interviews with successful people and what they did to get to the top of their professions. And, we’ll have some fun and generally informative things as well. Plus, we always welcome information and ideas from YOU, our readers.

So think about where you want to go and we’ll help you along your journey and see you there.

Happy reading and enjoy!”

Founder and editorial director Tony McMurray

creative directorSulonda Smith, MFT

editor in chieFDenise DiMaio

editor at largePandora McMurray

contributors:

Asa Williams (Engineer)Dr. Tim Knowles

Dr. Marrio ThomasDr. Clarice CarterRichard Rothstein

Mandy Bell (Media Specialist)

in partnership with:Career Choices, LLC

www.careerchoicesmagazine.com

LifeStyles & Career Choices Magazine welcomes comments from our readers.

Email your comments to: [email protected]

Email should include your full name, email address and telephone number.

Letters are subject to editing. LifeStyles & Career Choices Magazine is

published nine times a year by: Career Choices, LLC

3695 Cascade Rd SW, Ste 400Atlanta, GA 30331

Subscriptions are $27 per year. For back issues or to request permission

to publish an article, photo, illustration or any part thereof, please contact 855-237-9060.

Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written consent.

All rights are reserved.

Tony McMurray, Publisher


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SchoolCareer

FinanceAbout You

C o n t e n t sSCHOOL:Math Counts 5Summer Reading 6Discoveries in Science: What's New in Paleontology? 8Brain Teaser 9

CAREER:Top 10 Recession Proof Jobs 10Yo Doc! 11Cover article STEM Career – Pharmacist 12What Do These Sites Have In Common? 135 Fast Growing Careers 14Word Find 16

FINANCE:Summer Entrepreneurs 17Money Tips 18How To Save For Something BIG 19

ABOUT YOU:Character Matters 20Do You Have What It Takes? 21Be The STAR In Your Own Life 22I Am Unique And Special 23

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Letters to the EditorIn future editions this is your section and we want to hear from you. We welcome your comments about what we did right, or not. We want to hear if what we said made you think or helped you in any way. We want to hear your suggestions and tips for other readers. This is your forum and we will listen loud and clear. By giving us your feedback, you will help make this an even better magazine and we’ll be able to provide more of the things you want, and less of what you don’t.

Send your comments to: [email protected] and please provide your full name and email address. Comments are subject to editing.

Coming Next Issue:• Careers with the Largest Projected Job Growth for the Next Decade

• Going to a New School – Making the Transition Easier

• I Can Do Anything!

• Profile: Top Notch Student and Athlete, Staying Focused Despite Personal Obstacles

LifeStyles & Career Choices Magazine ™ is inviting high school seniors from public, private, and homeshools to submit essays on the significance of STEM education and what it will mean to the United States over the next decade and beyond. Essays must be original and creative works of less than 1,000 words and the student must be majoring in an area of STEM their freshmen year of college.

Three top prizes will be awarded. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $1000 cash scholarship. The First Runner Up will receive a laptop valued at $500 and Third Prize will receive a Kindle reader from Amazon.

Please see our website for additional details and enter to win at: www.CareerChoicesMagazine.com

LifeStyles & Career Choices Magazine ™ Announces its

STEM Essay Contestand Scholarship for 2012

Thanks for reading our magazine. Please think green and RECYCLE or give to a friend when you are done

Our magazine is printed on paper from "managed forests" (farmed or planted trees for the purpose of harvesting) and not from original growth or old growth trees. It contains 15% to 35% recycled content.

First AnnuAl

School


Math Counts!By Asa Williams, Engineer

Getting Your Mathematics Foundation Right

Mathematics achieved its first zenith twenty three hundred years ago, and even more than

a hundred generations later, there are people today who still count with their fingers or with stones, and who have no real language for numbers.” (‘The Origins of Mathematics’, by G. Donald Allen, Texas A&M University). That’s a pretty amazing fact. So, in order for you to understand math you must start with a strong foundation on which to build your knowledge.Remember the number 5. There are 5 pieces to the math foundation. 1. Counting. Usually, your first relationship with math begins by learning numbers by learning how to count. Although it may seem simple to most, it can a difficult concept to understand because of the rules. You have to understand three math rules: (1) the words for the numbers; (2) the numbers themselves; and (3) consecutive numbers. 2. Addition. The next basic building block of math is addition. Adults drum into us that 1 + 1 = 2 and 2 + 2 = 4 and the like. We usually learn addition through repetition. 3. Subtraction. This concept may be a bit harder for some of us to grasp. It involves taking one number away from another.

Some examples are: 5 – 3 = 2 or 11 – 4 = 7. 4 Multiplication. This is learned between first and third grade and involves more complex calculations. It involves taking a number and repeating it a specified number of times. 3 X 3 = 9 or 4 x 5 = 20.5 Division. This is also a more complex concept to grasp and involves finding out how many times one number is contained in another number. For example: 8÷2=4 and 21÷7=3.If you can master these 5 parts of math, then you can master math! If you need help, perform an internet search for the words “Math Help” and a host of websites will become available for your use. Building a strong basic math foundation is the KEY to your math success. These 5 basic concepts of math are the cornerstone of all the other advanced mathematics; please use the internet, books, peers, teachers and your parents to help you make your basic math foundation as strong as possible.

Have fun this summer… but don’t forget to read!

The Librarian’s Corner

By Ms. Mandy BellMedia Specialist at Hamilton E. Holmes SchoolEast Point, GA


You have all heard before that it is important to read during summer. The biggest reason is to help you remember all the stuff you learned during the year. But we know that all you want to do is have fun, sleep late, hang out with your friends and

forget about school.

So you can have it your way and have some fun too. I have a summer reading program at the elementary school where I work. And guess what, we do not even read one book for the whole 6 week period of the program. Of course I am hoping you will read at least one book at home, but if you don’t I’m OK with that, as long as you come to the summer reading program once a week.

We have a lot of fun. My favorite day is game day. With a large selection of board games, there is something for everyone. The only catch is that you have to figure out how to play the game, how many players, what the basic rules are, and of course, HOW TO WIN! Everyone gets a chance to try all the games and by the end of the day, everyone (yes, everyone) wants to leave with one them.

We have fun with Science too. Did you know that you can make silly putty from white school glue? This is one of the activities on the “Kitchen Science Day” where you transform items you can find around your house. And if you are able to follow the directions, you

School


get to leave with silly putty in your favorite color.

There is also a day where we “cook”. We don’t actually get to cook or bake anything, but you do have to follow a recipe. Would you like to make “Crunchies”, a delicious oatmeal type bar? If so, you have to figure out if we can make one quantity of the recipe, or if we should double or even triple it to make sure everyone has enough. This involves Math and Reading and its FUN.

Summer is probably not the time you want to think about a career but it’s important to stay focused on your future goals whether it’s during the school year or not. Imagine the lifestyle you would like to enjoy when you grow up. Find a picture of your dream house – will you have a big yard with a pool? What kind car would you like to drive? My son has his heart set on a Lamborghini. He is DREAMING BIG! He sat down one day to figure out how much his car might cost, and this is what he found:

2010 Lamborghini Gallardo Coupe MSRP

Range: $198,000 - $221,000

Fuel Economy: 12 MPG - 20 MPG

That is expensive! He will need a BIG job to afford that car and for that he will have to go to college. Remember, YOU are the only one who can make those dreams come true. So go ahead and DREAM BIG, but start planning for your future now by staying in school and getting good grades to improve your chances of making your dreams come true.

So whether you actually read a book this summer or not, think of how you can keep your skills up in more exciting ways. You will have fun, and your brain will be ready when school starts again.

(Bibliography) Pricing on Lamborghini: http://www.autotrader.com/research/modelinfo/index.xhtml?restype=both&makes=LAM&x=18&y=9&rdpage=RCLP_MI






What’s new in Paleontology? School


New discoveries are still being made in the world of Paleontology. According to Wikipedia, Paleontologists study prehistoric life, including organisms' evolution and interactions with each other and their environments. As a "historical science" it tries to explain causes rather than conduct experiments to observe effects. Paleontology lies on the border between biology and geology, and archaeology as well. It now uses techniques drawn from a wide

range of sciences, including biochemistry, mathematics and engineering. As knowledge has increased, paleontology has developed specialized subdivisions, some of which focus on different types of fossil organisms while others study ecological and environmental history, such as ancient climates.

Here’s an example of a recent discovery made by a Paleontologist in Brazil.

Juan Carlos Cisneros and his fellow researchers have discovered parts of a skull and teeth that they believe are 260 million-years old and may have been one of the first of its kind to have a very type of special bite, one where all the teeth fit together. They’ve named the fossil Tiarajudens eccentricus. They think Tiarajudens is part of a group of ancient animals called therapsids, some of whom are relatives of today's mammals. Not only do the teeth fit together but the roof of Tiarajudens' mouth looks like it was covered in teeth, from back to front. It also has a pair of saber teeth, each one as long as a crayon which they think were used to scare off predators, or each other.

If you like fossils, geology and biology, then Paleontology may be for you.

Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleontology

Discoveries in Science

Brain Teaser:

Bicycles or Tricycles?

Last weekend, I went to play in the park and had a great time. I rode my new bike that I got for my birthday.

On reaching the park, I saw that there were a total of 19 bicycles and tricycles. If the total number of wheels was 48, how many tricycles were there?

The answer is 10. Assuming 2 wheels for each cycle, 19 cycles will have 38 wheels. But, there are 48 − 38 = 10 extra wheels.

As bicycles have 2 wheels and tricycles have 3 wheels, there is 1 extra wheel per tricycle in the park. Thus, the 10 extra wheels belong to 10 tricycles.

Solution: (DON’T PEEK! Work to get the answer and then check to see how you did.)

Remember: “Character Matters!”

?

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Career


No. 1: Sales Representative and Business Development

Focus on the typical full-sales cycle and business development, including inside or outside sales.

Salary range: $55,000 - $65,000

No. 2: Account and Customer Support

Non-technical customer service representatives in call centers or at corporations, including account managers with assigned clients.

Salary range: $25,000 - $35,000

No. 3: Accounting Staff

General accounting functions and processes within public or private organizations. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

Salary range: $35,000 - $45,000

No. 4: Counseling and Social Work

The practice and delivery of cognitive, expressive or behavioral therapy, including social workers. May design and implement behavior-modification programs.

Salary range: $35,000 - $45,000

No. 5: Software Design

Design or development of software, including architecture, user interface, applications, operating systems and device drivers. May analyze and design databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

Salary range: $75,000 - $85,000

No. 6: Administrative Assistant

Administrative and secretarial support of department or for an individual. Excludes legal administrative assistant (or “paralegal”).

Salary range: $25,000 - $35,000

No. 7: Networking and System Administration

Installation and monitoring of computer networks, including system administration controls.

Salary range: $55,000 - $65,000

No. 8: Nursing

Includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurse or nursing assistants at hospitals, residential facilities, private practices and home care. Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent or disabled patients.

Salary range: $35,000 - $45,000

No. 9: Mechanical Engineering

Analyze, design or manufacture mechanical systems. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance and repair of such equipment as centralized heat, gas, water and steam systems.

Salary range: $55,000 - $65,000

No. 10: Sales Executive

Manages a team of sales representatives or an entire sale department. Responsible for territory assignment and commission structures.

Salary range: $75,000 - $85,000

We all know that the economy has been a challenge, but there are still opportunities, the most abundant being in sales, customer support and accounting, according to the latest data from Jobfox.com, a job board founded by the creator of CareerBuilder.com. These jobs rank highest on a list of most recession-proof.

Recession Proof Jobs






Profile

Yo Doc: Dr. Marrio ThomasDr. Marrio Thomas knew he wanted to be a dentist when he was in the seventh grade. He was amazed that having a tooth pulled didn’t hurt! So at an early age he knew he was interested in dentistry but needed to finish high school and attend college first. But dentistry was not his only interest; he loved to play football and had dreams of playing for the National Football League (NFL).

While focusing on his dental studies in college, he played football too which was

an enormous amount of work but unfortunately his football dreams did not come true, so he focused solely on dentistry. As a dentist, he could own his own business, make a very good income, and help people, all at the same time. His dental message is very important, he promotes healthy oral hygiene and wants you to floss and brush your teeth every morning and before bedtime.

But that’s not the end of the story, because not only does Dr. Thomas love being a dentist, he also loves to Rap! The rapping dentist calls himself Yo Doc. He raps about all the positive things you should do like staying in school, setting a career path, and being successful. He has great songs that will inspire YOU to do your best. Yo Doc’s message to you is to stay in school, to fear nothing, to learn as much as you can, to love your life. Thanks Dr. Thomas and thanks Yo Doc for keeping us inspired!

Career



Meet our cover person of the month Autumn Lewis, she is a Pharm. D., a Doctor of Pharmacy, working in the Atlanta area. Below are her answers to our questions about how she set and achieved her career goals. If she did, you can too. For more information on what a Pharmacist’s role is, what their median salaries are and other information – read on!

Give us a bit of background – where were you born and raised?

• I was born and raised in Antioch,TN, right outside of Nashville.

• My favorite subjects in school were: History and Chemistry.

• My best test taking or study tips were: Take the time to determine how you learn best. For me I took copious notes and reviewed them continually.

• My toughest time was taking Organic Chemistry and I overcame it by being persistent and remembering my career goals.

• I knew I wanted to become a pharmacist when: I would go to the local pharmacy and watch our pharmacist fill prescriptions. I made up my mind when I went to a science conference in California and the speaker was lecturing about forensic pharmacology.

• I chose Spelman College because it was a childhood dream come true.

• I currently work at Kaiser Permanente, as a pharmacy manager.

• My dream job is being a pharmacist!

• My next career goal is to develop a company to help patients effectively manage medications and empowering them to become an active participant in their health care.

• I continue to learn by reading and attending Continuing Education classes.

STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering & MathAccording to the National Science Foundation, STEM fields are collectively considered core technological underpinnings of an advanced society. In many forums the strength of the STEM workforce is viewed as an indicator of a nation's ability to sustain itself.



• My best advice to students now is take advantage of every opportunity to learn. The world is at your fingertips, use all available resources. (Teachers, Professionals, Journals). If you don’t know then always, always ask questions!

• I am currently reading ‘The Tie That Binds Us’ by Lou Berry.

According to www.career.qandas.com, a Pharmacist dispenses medications to patients, at the direction of a medical doctor, veterinarian, or dentist. Pharmacists can be found working in hospitals, clinics, or for private companies. In the United States, a pharmacist must be a graduate of a school which is accredited by the American Council of Pharmaceutical Education. In addition, pharmacists need to be constantly furthering their education by keeping up on the latest research and newest drugs being developed.

Pharmacists are responsible for ordering and dispensing drugs and medications, and advising both patients and doctors about possible drug interactions. They also consult with patients to make sure that patients understand how to use their prescription drugs as well as which side effects might occur as a result of these medications. Pharmacists may also work in the field of research, testing and studying new drugs to check safety and effectiveness.

Median salary for a Pharmacist in the Atlanta area is $113,633 according to www.salary.com but check out where you live as it may be different.

For additional information about what Pharmacist’s do and Pharmacy programs around the country check out the following websites: www.pharmacyschools.com, www.aacp.org, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmacist

Career


What do these web sites have in common?

These are not just dot coms!

All of them require Stem PROFESSIONS!Get ready for your future and prepare yourself today. All of these jobs have great earning power.

Google.com

Bing.com

Sony.com

Yahoo.com

Facebook.com

Twitter.com

Ebay.com

Amazon.com

• Web Designer

• Content Manager

• Network Security Personnel

• E-commerce Experts

• Web Server Administrators

• Web site Analyst

• Web Programmers

• Network Experts

• SEO and Web Marketers















5 Fast Growing Careers That Pay!

One of these hot jobs pays over $87,000

per year!


IN A COMPETITIVE JOB MARKET, maximizing the potential of your education could hinge on a question of numbers: How many workers might be hired in a given field?

Since crystal balls aren’t exactly what one might call reliable, the U.S. Department of Labor has done some projecting of its own when it comes to the employment outlook.

Here’s a closer look at five of the fastest growing occupations, in terms of numbers hired, through 2016.

1Networks systems and data communications analysts perform a number of tasks in relation to data

communications systems, like the Internet, including designing, analyzing, testing, and assessing systems and their performance. Analysts might also supervise computer programmers and work as specialists who handle the interfacing of computers and communications equipment.

How Fast Is It Growing? This is considered the leading occupation in terms of the percentage of growth in jobs. In large part, this is due to the increasing use of computers and information technology. The rise from 262,000 employees in 2006 to 402,000 in 2016 represents a 53.4 percent increase over that span - that’s 140,000 new jobs

How Do I Get Started? Many jobs require a bachelor’s degree, although some might only require a two-year degree in computer science or

an information technology-related field.

Salary: $73,800 a year

2 Computer software engineers rely on their knowledge of computer science and mathematical analysis to develop, design,

test, and evaluate the software and systems that operate our computers. Their tasks are evolving quickly and reflect the ever-changing landscape of computer technology. Computer games, word processing, and operating systems are among their areas of expertise.

How Fast Is It Growing? A 44.6 percent increase in jobs from 2006-2016 puts computer software engineers near the top of the growth scale. This growth will be the result of businesses and other organizations embracing and integrating new technologies and seeking to maximize the efficiency of their computer systems.

How Do I Get Started? The prospects are very good for job applicants with at least a bachelor’s degree in software engineering or computer science and with some work experience.


3Financial analysts and personal financial advisors share their expertise on investment strategies with businesses and

individuals. Financial analysts generally focus on a specific industry, region, or type of product. Personal financial advisors assess and individual



clients’ assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives to develop sound money strategies.

How Fast Is It Growing? Financial analysts and personal financial advisors held 397,000 jobs in 2006. This number will grow to 543,000 in 2016, an increase of 38.8 percent for both. The peak years of retirement savings and personal investments of a large baby-boom generation are creating a need for more people to seek help from experts.

How Do I Get Started? A bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, or accounting is considered highly desirable for financial analysts. Coursework in statistics, economics, and business is required. Knowledge of accounting policies and procedures, corporate budgeting, and financial analysis methods also is recommended. An advanced business degree such as an MBA can be an asset in this competitive field.


4 Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors offers counseling and advice to people dealing with problems

such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gambling, and eating disorders. Some counselors work at therapeutic communities where people with addictions live while being treated.

How Fast Is It Growing? The number of counselors will rise from 83,000 to 112,000 by 2016, a 34.3 percent increase over the 10-year period.

The rising number of people suffering from depression and other serious mood disorders has helped create a demand for counselors, according to a recent study by jobfox.com. That growth, coupled with the need to replace people leaving the field, make this a solid choice for those who seek a stable, rewarding career.

How Do I Get Started? A master’s degree is usually

required to be licensed as a counselor. Some states accept applicants with a bachelor’s degree and appropriate counseling coursework.


5Physical therapist assistants help physical therapists treat victims of accidents or people with disabling conditions. The job

involves working to improve patient mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or alleviate physical disabilities. A physical therapist might prepare physical therapy equipment, assist with exercises, or apply hot and cold packs while recording and reporting patients’ responses to treatment.

How Fast Is It Growing? Consumer demand for physical therapy services is on the rise, helping employment for physical therapy aides to grow much faster than average for all occupations.

The main reasons: an increasing elderly population, a baby-boom generation entering the prime age for illness, and an improved survival rate for trauma patients. There were 60,000 employed in 2006, and that number is expected to rise to 80,000 in 2016.

How Do I Get Started? Most physical therapists earn an associate’s degree from an accredited physical therapist assistants program.


Career






Word Find:


Career


Words can be spelled forward, backward or

on the diagonal.





Summer Entrepreneurs: Money-making Ideas for Summer Vacation

By Patricia Smith

From www.education.com


Summertime and the living is easy. Well, yes. But it can be boring and a bit too long. If you want to earn some extra spending money over the summer consider these ideas, or get really creative and use these as a starting point.

Do a little brainstorming with your family to see if these will work and if they’ll be available to help you if you need it. Check out these age-appropriate suggestions below and you may be raking in the coins before you can say Donald Trump.

Friday Movie Night (ages 6-14). Clear out the family room and fire up the DVD. Send out flyers to family, friends and neighbors announcing a summer line up of family film favorites. Take reservations and offer popcorn, treats, and drinks at a reasonable price. Pass a garbage bag around when the movie ends, which will make clean up a snap.

Vacation Guru (ages 9-15). Get the word out. Your son or daughter are “the go-to guys.” They’ll water plants, mow lawns, feed pets, and collect mail and newspapers. Design inexpensive business cards and flyers announcing their services and fees. Tack flyers on neighborhood bulletin boards. Help them with scheduling when business booms.

On Broadway (ages 10-17). Steven Spielberg, the director, has nothing on your kids. Contact school, church and neighborhood friends to audition for a summer talent show. Guitar strumming, tap dancing, and lip-synching to their favorite musician are all in the running. Practice, practice and then announce the date for the big show. Charge admission. Double-dip and sell treats during the intermission.

Geek Patrol (ages 13-17). Technology and kids go together like piggies and banks. Encourage your son or daughter to use their hi-tech skills to assist the technology-challenged. Create a fee schedule and charge by the hour or the task. Senior centers, retirement and assisted-living facilities are great places to start.

At Home Helper (all ages). Hire your son or daughter to help around the house making beds, washing dishes or caring for siblings. Treat each task like a real job. Model professional behavior. Name the task, explain what’s expected, decide on a fee, and pay up in a timely manner. Remember to praise a job well done.

When summer ends and before school starts put the money in the bank and you’ll have a great start on fall and beyond.

Finance



Pay yourself first. That doesn’t mean blowing your babysitting money on candy and soda. Paying yourself first is part of a long-term saving plan. Set money aside each time you get paid and pretty soon you’ll have quite a chunk of change!

skiP the candy aisle. If you blew $2.00 every week on bubble gum and chocolate, after a year that’s $104.00 you could have put toward a snowboard or computer! That’s a lot of cash that got eaten up by your sweet tooth.

Become a Budget Brainiac. Budgeting doesn’t have to be hard or scary. Keep records of your income (like allowance, gift money, and anything you earn) and your expenses. That way you can figure out how long it will take to save up for things you really want.

don’t even try to keeP uP with Britney. Just because your fave celeb wears Juicy jeans and drives around in a convertible, it doesn’t mean YOU have to have those things, too. Buy what you can afford. It’s much better to have money in the bank than a closet full of designer jeans and no cash.

Okay, so money can’t buy happiness, but it can definitely make life easier. Don’t think that just because you buy the latest sneakers or a rockin’ mountain bike that you’re instantly going to have a life filled with happiness. Money doesn’t make people happier, but having enough money to cover all of your needs and some of your wants can make your life a lot more comfortable. Most importantly, remember that making and managing your own money will give you lots of pride and self-confidence.

So remember - watch your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves!

From http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/money/managing/article9.html

Here are some extra tips to help you manage your money!



Whether you want to save up for a cool video game or your college education, you’re going to need a financial game plan. Check

out some of these ideas that’ll get you started!

Get a Savings Account

If you’re serious about saving your money, keeping it in a shoe box isn’t going to cut it. It’s time to start a savings account. This account should be separate from your checking or “spending money” account. Look for a bank that offers a higher interest rate (that’s the money the bank pays you to keep your cash with them) and also make sure they don’t charge you a lot of service fees. In fact, a lot of banks don’t charge kids any service fees at all, so shop around, or have your parents help you find the right bank for you.

Start Saving Your Money Now

The next step is to start putting money in your account. Start with whatever you have, whether it’s five bucks or a hundred, it all helps. The best thing to do is to make a saving plan. Decide how much you’re willing to put aside every month and then DO IT. If you already have a checking account, most banks will be able to set up an automatic transfer every month - so the cash will come out of your checking account and go into your savings automatically. This is helpful because it’s way easier to save money if you never have a chance to spend it in the first place.

From - http://www.kidzworld.com/article/3966-how-to-save-for-something-big#article-comments-box

How to Save for SometHing BIG!Finance














Character Mat ters!


Dr. Knowles

The Doctor knows…

those goals. He knew a strong character would be needed to realize my dreams, grow as a person and prosper in whatever career I would choose in the future.

Throughout your life, you too will discover that Character Matters. Do you have what it takes —have you acquired the ‘character traits—that will help make your dreams come true? Are you willing to do the work required to enhance your skills?

DreamMaker Kids (www.DreamMakerkKids.com) is a program that can help you. Its mission is to “Inspire kids to dream, grow, and prosper”. The founder of DreamMaker Kids and his dream team believe ALL kids in grades K-8 can benefit by gaining a better understanding of the key character traits that will help them become a good elementary and middle school student and eventually a college graduate.

Character Matters and good character is essential to any kid making her/his dreams a reality. I’d like to suggest you (parents,

students and teachers) focus attention on developing good character — starting right now. What do I mean by character traits? “I Care”, a nationally recognized curriculum for character development through parental and community involvement outlines character traits for elementary and middle school youth. Some of them are listed on the next page.

Teachers, parents, and students together can build good character and help kids learn character traits on a regular basis so they become second nature.

Like a good education, good Character Matters! Now you know what the doctor knows.

Dr. Timothy Knowles, Retired Vice President for Student Services and Educational Consultant on

College Student Retention and Graduation

When I was a young boy growing up in Santa Monica, California my father, who was a mailman, would often say to me, “Son, it’s important for you

to develop good work habits and skills at an early age and it’s my job to help you build those habits and skills.”

In college, I was a member of the track team and ran in the 440 yard relay. Once I became an accomplished athlete, I knew the only way to build skills and good habits (in the classroom and on the track) was to practice, practice and practice. What my father said and what he taught me at an early age was really true.

Many years later, after I had earned my first two college degrees in Education, I realized what my father was actually talking about was building my character. It was my character that would help me set goals and work hard to achieve


CHAR

ACTE

RIST

ICS

(kar

-ik-t

uh-r

is-t

iks)

Do YOU have what ittakes to become a success?


Caring – respect, compassion, dependable, caring, gentle, generous.

Citizenship – positive attitude toward school, cooperation, cares for others.

Goal-Setting – dream, imagine, works hard, persistent.

Life-Long Learner – read, discover, listen, finds facts.

Motivated – planner, focused, priority conscious.

Peace Keeper – cooperative, withstands peer pressure, tolerant.

Reliable – virtuous, follows through, truthful.

Respect – courteous, polite, fair, appreciative.

Responsible –dependable, willing to accept blame, thorough.

Self-Aware – recognize feelings, sensitive, monitors thinking, consistent.

Self-Control –self-discipline, cautious, responsive to feedback, punctual.

Self-Confidence – courage, self- reliance, tackles challenges.

Trustworthy – honest, sincere, reliable, truthful.

Values Achievement – sets and accomplishes goals, appreciative of others accomplishments.

Values Others – friendly, values differences, shows forgiveness, loyal.

The following POSITIVE CHARACTER TRAITS are important to becoming successful in whatever you do. Think about them, do you have any of these traits? How can you work toward becoming a better person?

About You








Your Name Here!

BE THE STAR…IN YOUR OWN LIFE!


There is something magical in each day, when you begin with a winning attitude. An attitude is your state of mind. It affects your thoughts, feelings and actions. You can be the star in your own life, because the type of attitude that you create depends on you. A positive attitude brings with it happy, energizing feelings that inspire, motivates and lift you up. Other people like to be around you. A negative attitude brings feelings that grow from unhappy, sad, gloomy thoughts. They add stress and tired feelings and make you feel down. They turn people off and cause them to leave you alone. Stop now for a moment and listen to your thoughts. Are they positive or negative? Positive thoughts are the best gift

that you can give to yourself.

They are the building blocks for a winning attitude. A winning attitude gives you power. You create it and control how well and how fast it grows. You are in charge all of the time. When you choose to change or improve it, you can. As the coach for your winning attitude, you can send off any negative thoughts that come your way with a smile while you train your brain to make your positive thoughts stronger and better. It only costs a little time and effort. You cannot buy or sell a winning attitude. Once you create it, then it is yours to keep for a lifetime. You can meet friends and gain opportunities and honors as you use it throughout your life in every situation.

Here are some steps that can lead to developing a winning attitude.

• Start Early

• Say something positive about yourself each day for example, “I love myself”, “I have a winning smile”, “I love my family and my family loves me”, “I am a good child”.

• Always tell yourself the truth.

• Complete your assignments, knowing that they will benefit YOU in the future.

• Read to feed your mind.

• Be fair, respectful and kind to others and yourself.

• Know who you are and be thankful.

A winning attitude is the magic in each day that over time becomes a habit. It is the gift that enriches character and helps you to grow and to become the star in your own life.

Dr. Clarice Graham Carter is the Founder of Listen to the Children International Foundation and the author of Win – Win Attitudes for Kids, please visit www.claricecarter.org

About You


IAmUniqueAndSpecial!“Look in the mirror, what do I see,

a fantastic body, that’s me!”


By Sulonda Smith, MFT

This little saying is a powerful tool, especially for young

people struggling with self image. Media, such

as movies, TV shows, and musical artists can give the impression that the best way to be is super thin. This does not mean that being thin is equal to being healthy. We all have different body types depending on our family genes, not the latest style of blue jeans, but the genes that make up our physical bodies. People come in all different shapes and sizes and that makes each of us Unique and Special. Whether your size is thin or round it’s important to remember how special you are because of your unique gift- genes.

Here’s something to think about! Did you know that in some countries being round is attractive and in other countries being thin is attractive. That way of thinking allows us to embrace our differences and uniqueness. I know there’s peer pressure around weight and self image; however do your best to feel good about you because you have so much more to offer beside your physical characteristics.

Let’s talk about being healthy versus looking healthy. Did you know that being too thin is unhealthy if you’re not giving your body foods it needs to keep it going? Did you also know that having too many pounds is also unhealthy

because you’re overworking your body to get where it’s trying to go with ease? The lack of proper nutrients is called malnutrition, which applies to thin people and round people both. Eating a variety of healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, is the smartest way to go. You can run faster, jump higher, talk on the phone longer, ace that test, and be the best you want to be!

And even though some kids gain weight more easily than others, eating right and exercising puts you at the weight that’s right for your special body type. The way you live can change the way you look! Do you know what calories are? Calories are the energy from food you need to accomplish daily activities. How much you weigh is a balance between the calories you eat and the calories you use or burn off. If you eat too many calories without burning them off with exercise, you gain weight. Being a Junk Food Junky is a quick way to gain unhealthy weight. Regardless of what you eat, you need exercise to keep the body moving like a well oiled machine. So get out there! Find what you’re interested in, such as basketball, track, skateboarding, roller-blading, dancing, or just plain walking. Do it at least four times a week no less than 30 minutes. The summer is here, get out and move that fantastic one of kind body of yours and remember: Look in the mirror, what do I see, a fantastic body, that’s me!


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