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

Win a Florida 529 Savings Plan! #startingisbelieving

This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board, through my role as a Believer Blogger. All thoughts are my own. 
The Florida 529 Savings Plan Scholarship Program and you could be one of 10 lucky winners of a $529 scholarship deposited into a Florida 529 Savings Plan account.
ENTER HERE! You can enter anytime between May 15th and June 11th. Visit HERE daily (You must be a Florida resident, 18 or over.)

Nothing stopping this guy from success! 

For me, it's simple. I had student loans that I would probably still be paying off if my parents hadn't paid them off for me from inheritance they received.  The last thing I want for my own child is to go to college and get out into the world with his own family and have insurmountable bills to pay. I don't want that. I am going to now, do everything I can. I have a prepaid plan for him and I know that I still need more in it. 

The average student debt of borrowers in the state of Florida is almost $24,000, and over half of the 2015 college graduates had student loan debt, according to the Institute for College Access & Success' recently released report on student debt. It's time to ensure that your child and mine are not going to have this problem. 

May 29th is National 529 day and Florida Prepaid is trying to increase awareness about college savings and the Florida 529 Savings Plan. In celebration of 529 Day, Florida Prepaid is giving 10 Florida families $529 in a Florida 529 Savings Plan!

Don't wait! Starting is Believing!

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.

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.  

College would be a Great Holiday gift! #startingisbelieving

The worst part of graduating from college is the student loans! No one enjoys getting that bill every month. You now have to opportunity to stop that from happening to your loved ones. This holiday season, give the gift that will make college graduation better! Give a Florida Prepaid College Fund to the people that mean the most in your life.

Something I was personally thankful for on Thanksgiving was the piece of mind that I opened a Prepaid account and avoided debt for my future and for Bryce, my son's future.

This is the first post in my series of Holiday Gift Ideas! I know that Bryce wasn't terribly excited to hear that this is something that his father and I are doing for him, but in the long run he will be! Obviously when you are 12 you'd like an iPad or an iPhone... But this is something he will get a WHOLE lot more use out of for sure! And he does already understand that college isn't just something we hope he will do, it is something he WILL do no matter what!

You can open a Florida Prepaid College Plan for as low as $46 a month! The enrollment period ends Feb. 29th! There is literally a plan for everyone!

Be the superhero your child needs! Then they can soar to be the superhero you dream of them being!

Sign up today at http://www.myfloridaprepaid.com/

GIVEAWAY! 

I am giving away a Florida Prepaid "Swag Pack" to one lucky reader. Winner will receive a backpack, pencil pouch, pen, tshirt and water bottle.  All you have to do is comment below telling me who you know that would benefit from a prepaid college plan.  That will enter you to win. If you share this blog post and leave the twitter link here, that will count as a second entry. Winner must be in the US and will be announced Thurs. Dec. 10th. Good luck!

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

The Day I Couldn't Stand Up... An eye opening moment

Disclaimer: This post is part of a compensated campaign through MedPress.  The opinions shared are my own.

All my life, I have been "fit," until I got divorced. I ate through my sadness and gained a lot of weight. I am still on the journey to lose this weight. The scariest, most eye opening day was when I was lying on the floor playing "airplane" with my son. I've never had any problem doing anything physical. I never thought twice about playing this over and over again. 

That night I was sitting on the couch watching TV, and I tried to get up. As I stood, I dropped immediately to the floor. I had NEVER felt the pain that I felt at that moment. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move. I couldn't even blink. Everything in my back spasmed. I had never felt anything as painful. It was close to midnight, and I had a young child in the other room. I tried to move to get onto the couch. That didn't work. I was on the floor like that for probably 2 hours, face down in agony. I finally was able to get to my phone and call my parents who lived 5 min. away. It was the middle of the night.

They both came over and took my son to their house. My mom get me some muscle relaxers after calling the doctor, and I was blessed to have them so close to take care of me. Any single mom knows that there is nothing worse than imagining your child seeing you weak or in pain. I knew that Bryce would have suffered. He can't stand to see me hurt. I was off my feet for almost a week. 

This is my son and I in Oct. 2013.

It took me a little while to figure out how this happened. Then, it hit me. I was over 50 lbs heavier than I should be, and I did this to myself. Unfortunately it took me about 6 more  months to have my real wake up call. But that was the beginning. I realized right then that I needed to change some things. I was damaging my body. I want to be here to see my son's children grow up.  That was when I started doing some workouts and some healthy eating. I have come a long way since that day and I sincerely hope that I will never have to feel that horrible pain again. 

It is amazing how back pain can debilitate someone. I wish MedPress.com had been around then. It is a community united to help those with chronic back and neck pain. It's a safe, encouraging environment for people who want as much information as possible about leading a rewarding life in the face of chronic neck and back pain.

Giveaway time!!!  You have 3 chances to win! The prizes are  an iPad Mini 16G (WiFi) and Amazon gift cards. To be eligible for any or all of the these, do the following:
1. Register as a user at MedPress.com by January 31st to be entered into a random drawing to win the iPad Mini.
2. Follow @MedPressForum on twitter, Like them on Facebook, and if you haven't already, register at MedPress.com (You can do all of this by using the rafflecopter below.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

3. Last but not least, if you leave a comment here on my blog, you will be entered into a random drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card. The drawing will be on January 31st. 

4. TWITTER Chat January 21st at 8 PM EST.! Join me to have some serious fun chatting with some of the coolest hosts I know. Join @MedPressForum, me (@itsajourney1,) @denisermt, @JennyMetamorfit @CK_Lunchbox, and  @dadcentric for a chat about back pain and spine health using the hashtag  #healthyspine. We will be giving away 2 more $50 Amazon Gift Cards!!! We are going to have a blast! You have to be there!!!