Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Psychologist Dr. Henry Cloud, co-author of the life-changing Boundaries books and The Mom Factor, says that today’s moms will do more good for their families by giving up “the Supermom model of motherhood, which never worked...
Uncategorized Articles
What to Do and What to ASK On a College Visit
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Learn my 9 best strategies for putting together effective, stress-free college visits. You’ll find my most current info on this subject here. Let me be your guide to debt-free college—every week. (We can accomplish this no...
Fastest, Easiest Strategy for Getting Kids Through College Debt-Free
Parents ask me, "Jeannie, I've got kids ages 12–18. What's the fastest, easiest way for me to get these kids through college debt-free and into jobs they love afterward?" My answer: "It's actually fairly easy to do this—if you can plan ahead just a little!" Let me...
No More Guilt About College Planning! Let’s Turn That Into Exhilarated Excitement
Why would some parents find out that there's a path to debt-free college (and thriving future career) for their kids—and then say, "Nah, we're not going to walk down that path"? It's understandable! Parents are busy, and they can't do everything. The problem comes...
Who Feels Excited and Happy When Their Kid Heads off to College?
Who feels most excited and happy at dorm drop off day? It’s parents (at all different income levels) who've laid the groundwork necessary to get that kid through college debt-free—and then directly into a career that kid excels at and loves. Even if he or she never...
5 Reasons “T-Shaped” is Better Than Well-Rounded
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! From the time students are in middle school, they're told the big lie. That colleges and grad schools are looking for students who are "well-rounded." "Don't commit too deeply to any one thing," well-meaning parents and...
Debt-free college is achievable—without scholarships
I'm spending President's Day with my dear husband, who also has the day off today. Yipppeee! Whenever I take time off like this, I like to point you to some of my most helpful recent articles that you may have missed. This gives you a chance to catch up—right on a...
What Does ROMANCE Have To Do With Financial Aid?
Note: If you are currently trapped in a physically, mentally, emotionally, or sexually abusive domestic situation, there's specific help for you in this article. In just a matter of days, Valentine's Day will be over for another year. Tissue paper from wrapped gifts...
Is “Advanced Placement” the Best Way to Earn College Credit in High School?
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Every year, millions of high school students are fed this line: "Hey, you should take Advanced Placement (AP) classes! They're way harder, but if you do well on the test at the end, you'll get free college credit!" It sounds...
One Call Can Increase Admissions Chances by 40%
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Weeks or months after your daughter has finished up all her college applications, you may find yourself wondering, "Is there anything else she can do to increase admissions chances—well after her applications have been...
It’s January! Should We Sign Kids Up to Take Real College Classes in High School This Coming Fall?
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! If you haven't yet signed up your 10th or 11th grader to take college classes in high school next fall—it's OK. It may not be too late. "Tell me more about students taking real college classes in high school." In the majority...
Martin Luther King Jr. Inspires Us to Be TRUE LEADERS
The life and faith and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspires me. His words ring in my head: "I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never...
4 Amazingly Easy Steps to Get Out of Debt
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! If you as a parent are out of debt by the day your kid starts college, you’ll have more cash on hand to help with college bills. If you start the process of getting out of debt years before your kid starts college, you’ll...
Breathe Deep—Thoroughly Enjoy This Holiday With Your Teen Still at Home
Mom, Dad, I know your holidays are busy. You're working frantically to get all the shopping, cooking, and decorating done so that all the holiday magic will appear to flow effortlessly at your house. I know it's a lot—especially in addition to everything else you do...
Top 9 Books I Most Love for Parents and Students
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Books make great gifts. Why? Because a carefully chosen book can literally change a life. In this short article I share the top 9 books I most love for parents, 20-somethings, and students ages 12 and up. (For anyone having...
Why College Students RUN to Try to Work at UPS Each December
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Most college students would love to earn significant money while home on a December college break. Tell the students you care about—UPS may be the place to apply (for more reasons than just the paycheck). What does UPS...
Grandparents, Here’s How to Give COLLEGE SAVINGS as Holiday Gifts
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Most grandparents love to dote on their beloved grandchildren, but let's face it. Older kids and teens are notoriously hard to shop for. How can grandparents give a relatively inexpensive holiday gift that will be remembered...
You’re With Extended Family at Thanksgiving—How Do You Help Them?
You’re with extended family at Thanksgiving, and while you’re setting the table or washing dishes together—you want to say something about the fun, inspiring, exciting debt-free college journey your family's on. What do you say? Mention how fun and reassuring and...
Happiest College Breaks Start with These Boundaries
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! You’re a loving parent—so of course you want to make your kid’s future college breaks as warm and memorable as possible. But will you be able to do that if your newly-flown offspring comes home snarly and inconsiderate? What...
YOU Can Raise Creative, Confident, Innovative Kids
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! The last thing you want to do is raise a child who's just a dull drone, pouring out memorized facts as though facts have the power to save the world. You want to raise a child who will be valued in a future workplace for...
5 Tips For Anyone Wondering about Commercial SAT or ACT Prep
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Recently I got such a great question from a mom. I’m hoping many parents will benefit from hearing why I told her, “No, I don’t.” Jeannie, I was wondering if you do coaching for students looking to study for the SAT and ACT...
Parenting a Late Bloomer? Here’s Help.
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Most of my time on this blog is spent helping parents get their teens and college students to careers they'll love as quickly as possible. This makes sense—because years spent dragging feet in underemployment or treading...
7 Criteria To Decide: Should Your Healthy 20-Something Kids Live With You?
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! So, your 20-something daughter wants to live at home in her childhood bedroom. Should you happily say yes and make a plate of warm cookies to welcome her back? Or could this put you (and your child) in a bad spot? You’ll find...
Life-Changing, Entertaining Book For Students Ages 18–29
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! The 20s are a critically important time of life. Young men and women who maximize their 20s tend to have far better lives than those who don't. I know this, because I've read the book The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties...
Who Feels Excited and Happy When Their Kid Heads off to College?
Who feels most excited and happy at dorm drop off day? It’s parents (at all different income levels) who've laid the groundwork necessary to get that kid through college debt-free—and then directly into a career that kid excels at and loves. Even if he or she never...
What Should Students Eat Before Testing?
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! If you're about to take the SAT or the ACT—or a big test for a class—or the LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, or GRE exam, and you just want fast advice on what to eat before testing, zoom straight to the numbered points in the article...
7 Reasons Your MIDDLE SCHOOLER Needs A College Study Skills Class
My 1/2-day college study skills seminar is available both live—that is, in person, with me, online—and in recorded form for those who can’t attend live. Email me at jeannie@jeannieburlowski.com and I’ll get you in. More info below. Here's What We're Talking About This...
Sending a Kid to College This Fall? Here’s Special Help
Every July, I share a compilation of the best articles I've ever written for parents who are sending kids off to college in the next two months. Read just one of the articles I've written below, or read them all! Moving Into or Out of a Dorm? DormRoomMovers.com Saves...
It’s Catch-up Week! Which of These Haven’t You Seen?—Fourth of July 2023
I'm spending the long Fourth of July weekend having as much fun as I possibly can—and I hope you are too. Whenever I take time off like this, I like to point you to some of my most helpful recent articles that you may have missed. This gives you a chance to catch...
It’s catch-up week! Which of these haven’t you seen?—Memorial Day 2023
I'm spending Memorial Day having as much fun as I possibly can—and I hope you are too. Whenever I take time off like this, I like to point you to some of my most helpful recent articles that you may have missed. This gives you a chance to catch up—right on a week when...
Fewer Screens * More Cheerful Chores * Happier Summer
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Many parents worry about kids' screen use during summer vacation. But what's a parent to do? It takes too much energy to constantly suggest: "Why don't you go outside for a while?" Parents already tired from work don't want...
URGENT Info For Parents of 9th Graders
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Today I'm helping financial professionals across the nation to spread the word. There's urgent financial aid info for parents of 9th graders. Yes I'm serious—9th graders. Parents, there are some things you need to know right...
Why Your Kid Shouldn’t Take a Car to College
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! One of the best money-saving ideas I suggest for college students is, "Don't take a car to college." Most college campuses provide easy access to safe public transportation—and when a student really needs a car she can always...
Teen Constantly Angry? It Could be “Launch Anxiety.”
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! 15-year-old Luke had been in a dark, angry mood all day long, starting from the moment his mother wished him a cheerful, "Good morning!" and set hot scrambled eggs and a fresh hot caramel roll in front of him at the breakfast...
Easiest Way to Create a Top College Application Essay
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Writing a top college application essay can be easy and fast when you follow a few clear steps. These steps are designed to help you get a top college application essay done confidently, and fast—with as little hassle as...
Fastest, Easiest Strategy for Getting Kids Through College Debt-Free
Parents ask me, "Jeannie, I've got kids ages 12–18. What's the fastest, easiest way for me to get these kids through college debt-free and into jobs they love afterward?" My answer: "It's actually fairly easy to do this—if you can plan ahead just a little!" Let me...
No More Guilt About College Planning! Let’s Turn That Into Exhilarated Excitement
Why would some parents find out that there's a path to debt-free college (and thriving future career) for their kids—and then say, "Nah, we're not going to walk down that path"? It's understandable! Parents are busy, and they can't do everything. The problem comes...
How to Turn Ordinary Kids Into Brilliant, Frugal Money Managers
Earlier this year I was interviewed on the All Things Education podcast in Australia—which was especially interesting because the host is 19 years old. "She's a teen," I thought to myself. "She's a college student. I wonder, what'll be the first question she'll be...
I’m Helping Financial Advisors Reach More Families
Most of my articles are for parents of kids ages 12–26, but this article is specifically for financial advisors. When you're a financial advisor who follows me, there are 3 things I know about you: 1. One of your greatest goals is to help more families. ...
Simple Check-In Rule Helps Teens Avoid Risk
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! A simple check-in rule can help teens avoid risk Our tweens and teens are going to have to make certain decisions and choices in the face of peer pressure. And generally, they will want to do what’s right. But they may not...
In Just 5 Minutes — Change Your Future Grandchildren’s Lives
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Recently, I climbed a mountain in Zion National Park. My husband, the avid hiker, gave me a set of hiking poles and these instructions: "When you start to feel exhausted," he said, "just concentrate on your next step. Where's...
A Virtuous Life, a Rich Life—In Just 30 Seconds
As for me—I'd love to live a virtuous life. A rich life. I got great help from this diagram—in just about 30 seconds! I love it. A virtuous life is one of balance between deficiency and excess. Interesting. This is thought-provoking—and worthy of putting up on the...
How to Use the Full Focus Planner
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! I've got good reason for suggesting a paper planner for college students. "Paper?" you're thinking. "Come on, that is so low tech! What next—are you gonna tell us to chisel our appointments and task lists into stone tablets?"...
Key Difference Between Teens Who Succeed in School and Teens Who Don’t
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! You desperately want your teens to succeed in school, but cajoling and hovering and pushing them is just so exhausting. Here's fantastic help that will take you under two minutes to implement. This fast-read article is based...
The Sweaty Truth About Sports Scholarships
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Parents of athletes fork out thousands to cover sports expenses over the years. Many wonder, “Is all this time, effort, and money going to pay off big when this kid gets to college?” Here, the sweaty truth about sports...
College Financing: Should Kids Just Do It Themselves?
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Some parents try to save a little time, energy, and money by putting their kids in charge of planning out their own college financing. “She's nearly an adult—let her figure it out herself and live with the consequences,” some...
Get More College Scholarships—Starting in 8th Grade!
You'd love to get the kids you care about through college debt-free. It's easier than you think—even if you can't save a penny, even if you make too much to get any government financial aid. (Or you think you do.) Register instantly below—for free, courtesy of...
Your Kid Might Go To Med School or Grad School One Day?
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Your kid might go to med school or grad school one day? This week we're relieving stress about applying—by featuring an interview I did on the Greek University podcast. This interview covers a lot of valuable ground (so it’s...
In College? Do This and Slash Your Student Loan Debt
This article has been updated. You’ll find my most current info on this subject here. See you over there! —Jeannie Burlowski Let me be your guide to debt-free college—every week. (We can accomplish this no matter your current income level, even if your kid never gets...
Got a Big Problem with Standardized Testing?
Here's What We're Talking About This Week! What do you do if your kid is having serious problems succeeding on standardized tests like the SAT and the ACT? Having your son or daughter apply to one or more test-optional schools might be a really good answer. You’ll...