College Degree vs. A Trade – Which Choice is Right?

College Degree vs. A Trade – Which Choice is Right?

When we think of someone working in the trades, we often picture a blue-collar worker with a lower pay grade. The entertainment industry and media always seem to portray it this way. Those with college degrees live in a nice big house with a manicured lawn. They go on fancy trips and dine at the finest restaurants. A tradesperson is often portrayed as having a large family with a tiny house, living paycheck to paycheck. It’s no wonder why we fear our kid's future if they don’t go into college....

Accepting That College Isn’t In Your Teen’s Future

Accepting That College Isn’t In Your Teen’s Future

When our kids are born, we start thinking about who they will become in the future. We all have these dreams of our kids going to college, graduating with a job lined up - - maybe as a doctor, lawyer, or accountant. We start savings accounts like 529 plans when they are young to help pay for college.  As our kids enter high school, you start hearing other parents talk about college tours, their kids' excellent SAT scores, and their acceptance into different colleges. Meanwhile, you struggle to...

Why Trade School Is A Viable Option For Your Teen

Why Trade School Is A Viable Option For Your Teen

A Facebook friend of mine shared a photo of a beautiful wood-carved table that her high school son had crafted. She asked, “Should I be sending my son to college when he can make items like this?” Many commented YES, he needs to go to college to get a business degree because someday he might want to own his own woodworking business. Unless her teen has a desire to own a business, I challenge the idea that he needs to go to college right now. The skills and traits necessary for a wood crafter...

Trade Schools, Another Option

Trade Schools, Another Option

When it comes to picking a major in college, sometimes your child will feel overwhelmed. From picking a junior college or a university, which majors and minors and even what school they should attend, there are a lot of things to be thinking about. But there is one option that no one talks about enough: trade school. Trade schools are where you can go to learn a technical skill for a specific job, such as computer science, business, car maintenance, electric technicians, hospitality and so...

The Junior College Option

The Junior College Option

The thought of leaving home to go away to a four-year university is intimidating. However, teenagers would rather leave home for school than even consider spending two years in a junior college at home prior to going to university. But with a few solid suggestions, they might just consider it. For starters, it saves everyone money. The topic of money will not sound important at all to your child, but if you put every single dollar into perspective for them, they will come around. Once they...