Out of the Box Ideas to Save for College #TakeSimpeSteps

Thank you to COUNTRY Financial for sponsoring this conversation. All opinions are my own.

When you think about putting money aside for college, I’m sure the typical ideas come to mind.

• automatic savings deposits from your check
• college funds
• garage sales
• bake sales
  
  We’ve thought of a few out of the box ideas to help find a few money pennies for your college fund.

Found Money Jar
Ever open the drier and find a bill or two, or even some loose change? I used to slide it into my pocket and quietly thank my family for the “tip”. Now it goes into a jar I’ve labeled “found money”. That change you find under the cushions when you deep clean the sofa? The coins you walk past in the parking lots? That $20 bill you found in last years winter coat?
Yep… pick it up… all of it. Get the kids involved, too. They have eagle eyes! You will be surprised at the end of the year how much your “found money” jar is holding!

Recycling
Recently we’ve noticed a trend in our neighborhood. Many neighbors will put out very large bags of aluminum cans out next to our “no sort” recycling bins. The ones that we are on a friendly basis with are more than happy to donate those bags to our children. The kids rinse them out and crush them so that they can take them into the aluminum recycling center for a few bucks here and there.
Take it a step further and talk about litter and how we should do our part to help leave an area nicer than we found it. We like to take walks in new places and after a long weekend it’s crazy how many aluminum cans can be found. Think side of the road, picnic areas, trails etc. Don’t forget to bring a separate bag for other waste, though!

Art Sale!
Do you have a budding artist on your hands? My 11 year old creates some very eye catching pieces!! Consider framing them and putting them up for sale. Places like Etsy, eBay, even Facebook Marketplace. Be sure to create a little “about the artist” write up and why they are selling their artwork. This gives them a vested interest in the savings process. I know when my children are involved, they appreciate what it took to get to that point and take things more seriously.

Paying for college can be easy if planning and saving is started early. Tuition costs are on the rise, think about inflation in 10+ years! For information on ways to save for college, check out COUNTRY Financial’s educational funding options.Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more financial updates.