Don't Let Anything Get in the Way of Your Child's Future! #startingisbelieving

This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board, through my role as a Believer Blogger. All thoughts are my own.


As a parent, there is really nothing more important than my child and his future. We all know this.  Helping him find success in school is one of those things.  I grew up knowing I would go to college.  It was never a choice.  My parents just taught us that we would, as if everyone does.  So... we did.  

It was very important to me that I ensured that for my son. When we sold our home 12 years ago, we made a significant profit and were able to pay for a Florida Prepaid plan outright.  Not everyone is that fortunate.  But it's okay because there are many different payment plans and program options.  

There is a recorded webinar https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1511/24661 you can watch and learn all about this. You will learn how families have been using Florida Prepaid for 25 years to send their children to college.  You will be able to connect with a Florida mom who can give you firsthand knowledge of getting started and how this will impact your children's future success.

The webinar is Tues. Feb. 20th from 12:00-12:45 PM EST.  There is no cost to register. Don't miss this valuable information that will help your child's future!


If you haven't already, NOW is the time to sign up.  Open enrollment ends February 28th!
Sign up using promo code Mindy1718 to get a discount. 
ENROLL HERE

Prioritize Your Child's Future! #startingisbelieving

This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board, through my role as a Believer Blogger. All thoughts are my own.


Florida Prepaid enrollment is open from now until Feb. 28th.  This is the only time of year that you can sign up for one of Florida Prepaid's college savings plans.  You can lock in today’s plan prices, today’s college plan prices, and the future cost of college. Don't wait. Open enrollment ends February 28th!
Sign up using promo code Mindy1718 to get a discount. 
ENROLL HERE

People commonly believe the "myths" that they hear about signing up for Florida PrePaid. These are myths...

MYTH: Florida PrePaid is restricted to Florida Schools.  FACT: It isn't restricted to Florida schools; the amount covered by your Prepaid Plan can be used at schools nationwide.

MYTH: Florida Prepaid can only be used if my child remains a Florida resident.  FACT: If the beneficiary moves out of Florida after purchasing a Prepaid Plan, your child would still be billed at in-state tuition rates when using their plan at a Florida college or state university.

MYTH: If my child doesn't go to college, I lose all the money.  FACT: If your child doesn't go to college, you can change the beneficiary of the Prepaid Plan or get your money back.

There is no reason not to do this.  Don't let your child start their future in debt.  This is a simple and economical way to ensure that your child can get to college.


Florida PrePaid will be hosting a webinar on 2/20.  Stand by for more details. This will be a great time to get all of the information you need and they will be able to answer any questions that you have!


Signing up is easy! You will $25 off the application fee and it should only take about 10-15 to fill out the application.  It's is not scary or time consuming.  You can do it over morning coffee or while you wait in the doctor's office.  Don't wait.
Sign up using promo code Mindy1718 to get a discount at ENROLL HERE

Re-evaluate your New Years Goals now! ! #startingisbelieving

This is a Sponsored Post for Florida Prepaid. However;  all opinions are my own.

Today is the day when most people give up on their New Years Resolutions! Don't let that be you! The New Year is the time to evaluate your finances, prioritize, and set goals.  It's time to make sure that college savings is on that list! Florida PrePaid is an easy way to get started.

Sign up using promo code Mindy1718 to get a discount. 
  ENROLL HERE

When I graduated from the University of South Florida in 1996, (wow I am old) I had a HUGE amount of student loan debt. It was scary to see.  Being young, I was just thinking, "Hey, no biggie! I will just get to it later." Until my first payment came due... ummm what!!! I had just started working... I didn't have that kind of money! I realized that this debt was going to stay with me for a long period of time. It seemed insurmountable. And it was.  At 43 years old, I would probably still being paying this off if I hadn't had a blessing by my parents.  They inherited some money and paid my student loan off for me.  At the time, I had no idea how HUGE this blessing was, but my parents did. I am so blessed that I didn't have to deal with that loan.  I got to buy my first house and start my own family.

Knowing all of this, when my son was 2 years old and my ex-husband and I sold our home for a large profit. I made sure that we took some proceeds from that and paid for Florida PrePaid for my son, Bryce.  College these days is a must and I didn't want any reason for Bryce not to go to college. The idea that he won't be burdened by a huge loan leaves me feeling at ease. 

Did you know that student loan debt has reached $1 trillion of debt among Americans?  The time to start saving is now!  Enroll here!

Signing up is easy! You will $25 off the application fee and it should only take about 10-15 to fill out the application.  It's is not scary or time consuming.  You can do it over morning coffee or while you wait in the doctor's office.  Don't wait.
Sign up using promo code Mindy1718 to get a discount at ENROLL HERE

Give the Gift of College! #startingisbelieving

This is a Sponsored Post for Florida Prepaid. However;  all opinions are my own.

This holiday season, there are a ton of gift guides and suggestions for the perfect gift, but what gift would be better than the gift of college! It's an investment into the future! Every year I hear parents say, "Ugh, I don't know what to buy him. He already has everything!" Well, this is what he needs most right? 

You can give a year of college or the full four years! It's up to you.  When I bought my son's college plan, I was selling my house for a profit so I had a large amount of money to spend, but you don't have to go crazy.  You can start with a one year plan. 



1-Year Florida University Plan:

 Now there is a more affordable way to save for State University credit hours. The 1-Year
Florida University Plan is our newest offering

~ Starting at under $50 a month
~ You can purchase one year, or 30 credit hours, at a time according to your budget and
timeline, without feeling the pressure of having to buy all four years at once
~ The plan also allows multiple purchasers to buy a plan for the same child. So now you can
team up with other family members to help pay for your child’s higher education
~ Great for gifting!!

Think about that... grandparents can buy a year, you can buy and year and then maybe next year add more.  

At a time when so much in the world is uncertain, saving for college through Florida Prepaid College Plans is guaranteed and secure. It is certain- a way to ensure a child's financial security. Florida Prepaid aims to reassure families this holiday season as they make purchases this season!


Please sign up using promo code Mindy1718 to get a discount  at ENROLL HERE

What is the most treasured gift you have been given for the holidays? Comment below!

The time is now! Florida Prepaid #startingisbelieving

The following post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board, but all opinions are my own. 

The Florida Prepaid College savings plan's open enrollment period has begun. This isn't open all year round, it's only open til Feb. 28th, 2018. Do not delay! Time is of the essence. 

To learn more about these plans, visit MY FLORIDA PREPAID. 

When you register, use promo code Mindy1718 and you can get $25 off of registration. 

Don't forget the Scholarship giveaway is still going til Oct. 29th! Register before Oct. 29th for a chance to win ONE of TEN 2-year Florida PrePaid College scholarship from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. Use the code BLOG1718 to get 10 extra entries.  Go to http://bit.ly/2zQzro1 to enter.

During the 2017-2018 Open Enrollment period, The Florida Prepaid College Board (FPCB) is renewing excitement about college savings through a promotion that you will want to pay attention to! Saving early for college pays off in the long run, and this year, starting your Prepaid Plan early in Open Enrollment could REALLY pay off! Florida Prepaid is going to select one winner from all the plans purchased between Oct. 15, 2017-Nov. 30, 2017 and pay that plan off in full! IN FULL!

When signing up, you can do one of two things. You can get a Florida Prepaid College Plan that allows families to pay for the future cost of college in advance. You will choose a plan and make the payments. Then your child's college tuition and most fees are covered. OR you can start a Florida 529 Savings Plan that allows you to save at your own pace. You will invest tis savings into options that Florida Prepaid offers.  Earnings are tax free if spent on qualified higher education expenses. The only issue with this is that it is not guaranteed like the Florida Prepaid.

Whatever you decide... don't wait.  We all know that the older our kids get, the faster the time goes. My family purchased our Prepaid plan when my son was two. We made all kinds of excuses about how we needed the money and we couldn't afford to do this.  But after countless arguments and ups and downs, we finally realized that things weren't going to get any easier as the years passed and we needed to make this investment for him.  And see the photo... he is taller than I am now! Time is passing by so fast!  I am so thankful that we did because now at age 14, I can worry about saving for a car and the dreaded car insurance that will be coming my way shortly. You and I both know that putting this off a year or two or 10 isn't going to help you.  It's time to start saving now! Starting is believing!

Get that kid to college! #Startingisbelieving

If you have a child in the state of Florida, You can win one of TEN 2-year Florida College Plans from Florida Prepaid College Foundation. HERE  While, this post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board, through my role as a Believer Blogger, all thoughts are my own.

Bryce is first grade

As you all know, I am a proud mom of a sweet young man.  I still cannot believe how quickly time is going.  I remember the baby stages when I would wish that he could do things on his own, and now that he's older, he does. And most of the time, it is on his own with his friends.  He doesn't need me nearly as much as he used to. Now I long for those days.  I still get those moments every now and then, but they are few and far between. 

In the picture, Bryce was in first grade. It seems like just yesterday, but it wasn't.  Time is passing and it's passing so fast! Pretty soon he is going to be ready to go to college.  Am I ready? Emotionally? NO! Financially? Yes, I am preparing now.  

With Florida Prepaid I am giving Bryce, my son, the opportunity to go to college. His father and I purchased the plan when he was three years old.  I continue to add to it as well. 

Bryce and Coach

Doing this early in his life helped a lot.  Since he was 3 years old, I have been telling him that I have been paying for his college and I know he will be successful.  Think about that... when someone invests in you, you feel it inside.  You want to achieve what is put out there for you. It's been instilled in Bryce since he can remember that he
will go to college.  And I know he will because he now knows it.

Having this plan, will make it happen. My son knows that I did without so he could go to college.  And even though he tells me that he is going to get an athletic scholarship and won't need it, I know I have back up plan.  And if he does get an athletic scholarship, then we will use this money for something else. Florida Prepaid will allow that as well.

Did you know that a recent Georgetown University study estimates that a student with a bachelor's degree can earn $1.6 million more in their lifetime than a student with only a high school diploma? College matters!

For me, it's knowing that my child will have something set aside that will help us avoid the stress that others experience when high school graduation is imminent and they find themselves unprepared.

Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment begins October 15^th 

You can win one of TEN 2-year Florida College Plans!

With Florida Prepaid, you can save for college! It's simple and rewarding.  Register from now until October 29th for a chance to win ONE of TEN 2-year Florida Prepaid scholarships from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.  Each day log into "class" for fun activities and complete "extra credit" to earn even more chances to win!

To enter click HERE  http://www.floridaprepaidscholarshipprogram.com/?utm_source=mindysfitnessjourney&utm_medium=ambassador&utm_campaign=scholarship

Once open enrollment begins (October 15th) you will use this link to enroll. http://www.myfloridaprepaid.com/?utm_source=mindysfitnessjourney&utm_medium=ambassador&utm_campaign=open-enrollment

You can save $25 off the application fee by entering Mindy1718  Using this promo code will also give you a chance to win more entries into the scholarship contest once you register.  The scholarship giveaway entry ends on Oct. 29th. 

Last Call for Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment #startingisbelieving

Don't forget to sign up! Open Enrollment ends February 28th!

One big priority these days is doing everything I can to make sure that my son, Bryce goes to college! I don't want there to be any excuse for him not to have a college education. There were some concerns for us at first though... 

I didn't want him to be limited to staying in Florida for school.  Turns out that the amount covered by your Prepaid Plan can be used at schools nationwide!  We also wondered what would happen if we moved out of state. We would no longer have in-state tuition? Well, we found out that we would still be billed for in-state tuition rates! Wow! What a benefit! And God forbid, what would happen if he doesn't go to college (of course this would be only if he were drafted into the MLB... haha) Well, if he doesn't go to college, we can change the beneficiary of the Prepaid plan or get our money back!

So really, there is no excuse! Sign up today! Have you signed up yet? Tell me below. 

Get signed up today! Go to Florida PrePaid Plans and use promo code BLOG1617 and get 50% off the application fee! 

No Student Loans for Us Please! #startingisbelieving

Get your 2016 Florida Prepaid Promo Code below. This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board, through my role as a Believer Blogger. All thoughts are my own. 


The Future... it is coming sooner than we think. So how do we prepare for it? It's going to be here soon whether we are ready or not.  As moms, as parents, we want the best for our kids. We want them to finish High School and go to College. But what happens when that time comes to pay for college? Will you be ready? Will your children have to take out student loans to pay? 

This is my reason for having a prepaid plan!

There is a way to help and it doesn't involve crazy student loan payment plans.  Florida Prepaid will help you get prepared for your children to go to college. Open Enrollment is ending soon on February 28th. Don't delay!  Use promo code BLOG1617 and get 50% off the application fee!

There are different plans to choose from.

2016 / 2017 Pricing
		Monthly
4-Year Florida University Plan	Newborn	$186.28
1-Year Florida University Plan	Newborn	$46.61
2+2 Florida Plan	Newborn	$147.24
4-Year Florida College Plan	Newborn	$116.98
2-Year Florida College Plan	Newborn	$54.20

If your child isn't a newborn, you can still get in! The monthly prices will be a bit higher, but it's better to start now rather than never!  The time is now!

My Son Will go to College thanks to Florida Prepaid #ad #startingisbelieving

Get your 2016 Florida Prepaid Promo Code below. This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board, through my role as a Believer Blogger. All thoughts are my own. 

Florida PrePaid is the piece of mind that I needed to ensure that my son would be a college graduate.

As a parent, there are some many things for us to worry about. It's time to take one of those worries away.  Florida Prepaid will make it easier to do that. It will give you piece of mind.

In 2005, I was going through a divorce, and it wasn't too pleasant.  I knew that my life was going to change dramatically going from a two income home to a one income home (and on a teacher's salary.)  As we went through this gut-wrenching process of selling our house, and paying debts, I realized that there would be some extra money left over.

Knowing that I would never not struggle as a teacher, I worried about our future. What would happen when my then two-year old was ready to attend college? I spoke to my lawyer about signing my son Bryce up for a Florida Prepaid College Plan.  Thankfully it was agreed on and we bought a plan for Bryce.  We were lucky enough to have enough money that we didn't need to make payments on it.

There is another way to get a Florida Prepaid Plan for your family. Right now Open Enrollment is goign on.  This is the only time each year families can purchase Prepaid Plans and this year prices remain affordable for Florida families.The open enrollment period continues til Feb 28th. This year there are different plans that can fit within any budget!

2016 / 2017 Pricing
		Monthly
4-Year Florida University Plan	Newborn	$186.28
1-Year Florida University Plan	Newborn	$46.61
2+2 Florida Plan	Newborn	$147.24
4-Year Florida College Plan	Newborn	$116.98
2-Year Florida College Plan	Newborn	$54.20

To sign up, click HERE and use coupon code:: BLOG1617 to get 50% off the application fee!

Florida Prepaid Scholarship #Giveaway! Yay!

Florida Prepaid Scholarship Program Overview

Do you believe that your child will go to college? Now is the time to invest in his or her future! Learn how you can win a FREE Florida Prepaid College Scholarship and worry less about your child's future. 
This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board through my role as a Believer Blogger. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My story!

USF vs. FSU football game 

If you are anything like me as a parent, you are probably working hard to ensure that your child gets the best of everything. While I would love to hope that my son will get a scholarship to college somewhere (for football in his mind) I do know that the chances of that are slim. And if he does get one, there will be other expenses that I will be responsible for. If only I could wave a magic wand to be sure that he will have a chance to get a great education without racking up debt that he will pay for for many years to come. Well, there is... and frankly, I sleep better at night knowing that I have done that for my son. I am a single mom, and I have debt and bills and it seems never-ending most days, but this is something I know... My son will go to college because it was a priority! Now it's time for my family to look into the different plans and see what else we can add on this year. There is so much more!

Scholarship Giveaway! 

Would you like to be one of ten Florida families who will win 2 FREE years of college from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation who has launched the Florida Prepaid Scholarship Program Giveaway. It runs from September 19, 2016- October 23, 2016. So go enter!!! And enter daily!

This coincides with National College Savings Month and the mid-October launch of Open Enrollment, the annual period when families can purchase their own Florida Prepaid Plans. You can enter the scholarship contest and learn about the benefits of saving early for college- from getting more motivated to prepare academically for college, to avoiding the burden of student loan debt.

Registration takes place at www.floridaprepaidscholarshipprogram.com.  You get chances to earn extra entries by answering questions, learning more about saving for college, and sharing on social media.

More and more families across Florida are looking into the Florida Prepaid College Plans. 
And saving early really is feasible, with a little planning and budget consideration. A family can purchase plans all at once, over five years, or in monthly installments.  

This is why I invest in Florida Prepaid College

Open enrollments begins October 15th, 2016 and ends February 28, 2016. For more info visit www.myfloridaprepaid.com. But don't wait til October 15th.  Head over to www.floridaprepaidscholarshipprogram.com  and start learning about the program and enter for your chance to win!!!

Florida Prepaid Scholarship Program:

–      What: Florida families have the opportunity to win one of TEN 2-Year Florida College Plans

–      When: Register between September 19 and October 23

–      Where: Go to www.floridaprepaidscholarshipprogram.com

–      Eligibility: Open to legal residents in the state of Florida with children or grandchildren between the ages of newborn through 8^th grade.

“Hear it straight from last year’s winner! Every entry counts for a possibility to be one of 10 to win a FREE 2-Year Florida College Plan, courtesy of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. Enter daily through October 23!”

What keeps you up at night as a parent? Share below! I am sure I am not the only one who has these huge concerns.

May 29 is 529 College Savings Day! #Giveaway #startingisbelieving

This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board. I am a Believer Blogger. All opinions are my own

As most of you know, there is one person in my life who gets the majority of my attention.  My main goal is to raise him to be successful, humble, and kind. In order to do those things, we have to have a plan. We plan everything. Things don't go according to plan a lot of times, but I can pretty much guarantee that without the plan, it would have gone a whole lot worse.

I have a plan for Bryce to go to college too.  But now there is something new... something I had not heard of yet, but it makes perfect sense.

The Florida 529 Savings Plan Scholarship Program is a new scholarship program running from May 1-29. Why is it called 529? Well, that's easy! May 29th is celebrated nationwide as 529 College Savings Day.  In honor of this day, the Florida 529 Savings Plan Scholarship Program will award 10 winner a $529 Scholarship devoted into a Florida 529 Savings Plan Account. See bottom of post on how to enter. 

This plan is part of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation's ongoing commitment to bringing families budget-friendly flexible college savings options through the Florida Prepaid College Board. What does that mean to you and me? It means that our kids can go to college without having to rack up huge debt in student loans and we don't have to worry about making sure that our kids get a great education.  

I have a Florida Prepaid College fund for Bryce, my son.  I have had it for many years, but we don't have a 529 Savings Plan. Unlike the Prepaid plan, there is not a set payment or a schedule of what to pay. We can pay as often and put in as much as we want and there are no application fees.  The Florida 529 Plan is subject to fluctuations in the financial markets while the Prepaid Plans are guaranteed by the State of Florida.

Want to win one of ten $529 Scholarships from the 529 Savings Plan Scholarship Program? 

You must be a legal Florida resident over 18. You can enter at  http://www.florida529savingsplanscholarship.com/

Winners will be selected from all eligible entries via a random drawing to be conducted on June 1st, 2016 at 3:00 pm EST.

Do you have a plan for your children's college? What is it?

5.    

Florida Prepaid can be Used Nationwide! Last chance to enroll! #startingisbelieving

Did you know that Florida Prepaid isn’t just restricted to Florida schools? It's true, the amount covered by your Prepaid Plan can be used at schools nationwide. I didn't know that~ It gives me piece of mind to know that my son is not limited to Florida schools. I would love to have him close to me, but I am excited at the possibility of what he can do without limitations.

My son Bryce has a Prepaid plan.  When he was little he didn't understand why he needed one because he was OBVIOUSLY going to be recruited by UF or FSU and play football and go to school for free. I explained to him that this money will help Mommy with expenses. Let's hope that does happen someday, but I am not counting on it. I will be thrilled but right now I am planning, not hoping!

Bryce and his friend holding up the first place trophy!

Don't delay! We are at the end of the Open Enrollment period. It ends on February 29th! That is less than 2 weeks!

Prices are low and there are options for EVERY family's budget! Believe me! You can afford this, and you need to afford it!



Let me quiet your worries on 2 other myths too...
– If you move out of Florida after purchasing a Prepaid Plan, your child would still be billed at in-state tuition rates when using their plan at a Florida college or state university.

– If your child doesn’t go to college, you can change the beneficiary of the Prepaid Plan or get your money back.




For more information, visit www.myfloridaprepaid.com

What are you waiting for! Sign up today! Be sure to enter

code BLOG1516 to receive a gift from Florida Prepaid

Blog disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board, through my role as a Believer Blogger. All thoughts are my own.  

Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment has Begun and giveaway~ #startingisbelieving

My son... my heart!

Open Enrollment has begun!  I am so excited that Florida Prepaid is still affordable to Florida family! Don't delay! Open enrollment will end Feb. 29th, 2016... yes, it is leap year, so you have an extra day! 

A college plan is so important to me because of this fella to the right. He is my world and I want the best for him. I don't know what my situation financially will be in 7-8 years, but with Florida Prepaid, it won't matter. Bryce, my son, will be ready to go to college. 

Parents are the "everything" for their children. Check out this video... It just makes sense!

 

Scholarship Giveaway! 

Ten lucky students will win a 2-year Florida college scholarship.

Florida Prepaid College Board is proud to offer 10 lucky families and opportunity to create a brighter future for their children and grandchildren. Our Florida Prepaid Scholarship Program gives you the chance to win one of TEN 2-Year Florida Collge Plan scholarships, valued at $9,200! The scholarships will be provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

Florida Prepaid College Board is proud to offer 10 lucky families an opportunity to create a brighter future for their children or grandchildren. Our Florida Prepaid Scholarship Program gives you the chance to win one of TEN 2-Year Florida College Plan scholarships, valued at $9,200! The scholarships will be provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. 

•The 2-Year Florida College Plan covers tuition and other specified fees for 60 lower division credit hours at a Florida College.
•A student earning an Associate's Degree at any Florida College is guaranteed admission to a State University.
•In addition to the 2-Year Florida College Plans, there will also be 10 weekly prize winners (a total of 50 over the five-week program).
•You can participate daily! The more entries you receive, the better your chances of winning.



The program runs from October 12, 2015, through November 15, 2015, at 11:59 p.m.

Entering is simple. Just visit floridaprepaidscholarshipprogram.com for Sweepstakes Rules and details for your chance at this remarkable opportunity!!