Yes, Virginia, there is a place where you can donate your car and make it really meaningful. It’s www.carangel.com. When you donate car to Car Angel, you can help teen mothers, single moms, orphans, adults in rehab, and so many others who need a hand. And you can get an IRS tax deduction for the vehicle ( car, boat, or trailer) while you avoid the hassle of selling a used car. It’s so easy as Car Angel Ministries will arrange for pick up of the vehicle – all you have to do is call 1-800-227-2643. You’ll feel great about making a donation to a place that really helps make a difference. (And the tax deduction ain’t bad either.)
Car Angel (www.carangel.com) is a non-profit organization that uses car and other donations to make videos for kids and teens. Just take a look at the types of videos they make here. They have given away over 2.4 million videos. Money raised is used to make the videos! Just give a call to donate or learn more.
rating: [3.5]
Sydney White is a remake of Snow White but instead of 7 dwarfs, she has 7 dorks. Sometimes it’s hard to find a movie that you feel okay to show pre-teen girls that isn’t so sappy you will make them feel sick. Sydney White will do the trick.
I love Amanda Bynes and her natural way of looking beautiful and friendly. She is Sydney White, of course and her dad is played by someone us old-timers will remember from the original Dukes of Hazard days – John Schneider. Yes, they worked all the old characters into this new version and you will hate the witchy girl who is the fairest of them all – at college. There is even a poisoned apple but I won’t spoil it for you by telling you how they worked that one into the script.
All ends well in this tale and yes, the handsome guy saves the day with the power of his kiss. Parents can really relax with this one. There is nothing to make you scared – no sex, no swearing, no violence. Just good old-fashioned good vs. evil and good eventually wins. But not before you sweat it out a little.
My favorite parts are some of the lines from the 5 dorks. My two daughters are in their late teens and early 20s and even they enjoyed this movie a lot. They even said they would buy it if they had the chance, which means they eventually will add it to their collection. It is a little sappy for guy types but perfect for a teen or pre-teen sleepover. This mom gives Sydney White her approval.
In 10 Easy Lessons [rating: 4.5]
This easy-to-read and set of directions for young people provides clear and simple directions on how to save money, open a bank account, write a check, pay for college, and know the basics about the stock market.
This book was written by a young person, who is now a CPA with one of the nation’s top four accounting firms. She watched as her friends and college mates ran up credit card debt, lost out on loan and grant opportunities to pay for school and didn’t understand what interest on a bank account balance was or how to get some. In fact, one of her friends had $10,000 earned by working summers in his checking account! He had no clue about CDs or even interest on a simple savings account.
This little workbook will explain the basics of personal finance to teens and young adults in simple terms in 10 chapters. At the end of each chapter are Web sites to go for more information and some other books that the author, Theresa Fagan, suggests might offer more detailed information.
This would be a great stocking stuffer item for your teen or twenty-something who could use some financial direction but won’t take it from you. (I know. I have three kids myself!)
Click here to get a sneak preview and/or to order.
