If you’re trying to figure out how to balance work, family and education, try some of the following tips:

Try distance learning

With distance learning, such as an online school, you can eliminate dealing with a commute to school. Many online schools also offer very flexible scheduling, so you can take classes at times that work around your schedule. Even if you don’t have a computer or Internet connection at home, there are often options at local libraries!

Choose a school with flexible scheduling

Many schools offer evening or weekend classes, in addition to regular daily classes. This can be a great option if you’re a student who really likes being able to see and interact in person with instructors and classmates, but who is still trying to work around a regular daytime job.

Talk with friends and family

Having a supportive network that really understands your goals is invaluable. If you’ve got kids, having friends and family who are willing to watch them while you study or attend classes can really make a difference.

It can be tough balancing work, family and your new education. But you can do it – and the rewards are worth it!

Start with who are you buying for. Believe it or not, “blind buying” will get you in more trouble than you thought. Make a list: mom, dad, mailman, boss. Whomever you intend to buy for, write down their name. According to some articles, it is better know who you are buying for before you go to the store.

Family Ties
Let’s start with the family. Pictures are a great gift and not that expensive. Download or scan family photos onto your computer and burn them onto a CD. It’s relatively inexpensive and it’s fun! Or you could go one step further and download your pics to Shutterfly or Snapfish and make a photo album. For about $30 (plus shipping and handling), you can make an 8×8 20-page photo storybook from Shutterfly, or even a 12-month calendar for as little as $25. It will be creative and sentimental. You can even get great discounts if you’re a first-time user. If not, try to catch one of their sales (which they have all the time).

If you’re a whiz in the kitchen, bake up some Christmas cookies and arrange them on a give-away plate. Not the Betty Crocker type? That’s alright! Print up some of the family’s favorite recipes. For instance, include Grandma’s home-made apple pie and Dad’s famous chilli recipes. Put them in a recipe book to give the family.

Cube Mates
Having a holiday party and don’t want to seem like you’re playing up to the big wigs with big gifts? Instead, get something for your cube mates. According to an article from ABC.com, you can find great gifts for the people who work around you. Making your own gift baskets can be a great, inexpensive way to express holiday cheer in the office. Gift baskets can include candles, picture frames or stationary sets.

Not Martha Stewart? That’s okay! We have a whole section for you. Start with personalizing game balls. You can go to golfballs.com and include a word of encouragement like, “Swing for the green!” (ranging from $20-$30). Want to add some humor to the office? Try some whacky sticky notes or a “Things to do” book (ranging from $3.95 to $19.95) from Knockknock.biz.
If you have a big IT department, look into ThinkGeek.com. This is a great web site for the technologically advanced or just for the geek in the office. Buy anything from caffeine-infused soap ($6.99) to a multi-functioning USB port tape dispenser (yes, they have one for $17.99).

For my BFFs
Gifts for friends can go beyond an annual Christmas card featuring your kids or your Caribbean vacation. Try throwing a Christmas party of stealing gifts from friends. The game is called Dirty Santa. It’s a fun way to get your friends together. And, you don’t have to worry about gifts for everyone. Just put a limit on what you spend and make a night of it. You can buy wine, DVDs or CDs. You can also get creative and put together themed gifts. For instance, ‘Night at the movies’ might include your favorite DVD, a bucket of popcorn and candies. Or for caffeine lovers, put together a couple of coffee mugs stuffed with gourmet coffee and accessories.

Just because it is the season of giving doesn’t mean you have to refinance your house to get everyone a great gift. Happy holidays - and happy budgeted spending!

Most families pay for college using a combination of savings, current earnings and financial aid. How do you reduce financial worries and save money?
Start saving early!

• Saving early and regularly gives compound interest time to accumulate to your benefit.
• By starting early, you can save smaller amounts over a longer period of time.
• Early planning allows you to save for both education and retirement.
• Early investing helps students complete college with less debt.
• Having a larger college fund gives students a broader range of college choices.

When searching for scholarships, contact:
• Clubs
• Businesses
• Churches
• Social organizations

Usually, the above types of scholarships are not widely publicized. This means they have fewer applicants, which equals higher odds of winning for you! Don’t forget to ask your local high school counselor, librarian and college financial aid office for direction. Remember – helping students locate financial aid is part of their job, and they help people like you every day. They can be your best source of help!

Related Quick Facts

• Sixty-three percent of all undergraduates enrolled in 2003–04 received some type of financial aid.
• Undergraduates were more likely to receive grants than student loans in 2003–04, but the average grant amount was less than the average student loan amount.
• About one-half (51 percent) of undergraduates received grants and about one-third (35 percent) took out student loans.
• The average amount of grants received was $4,000, and the average amount borrowed by undergraduates in 2003–04 was $5,800.
• Undergraduates enrolled in 2003–04 were more likely to receive federal grants than grants from any other source.
• An alternative source for grants can come from employers, parents’ employers or private foundations.

Finding Scholarships and Grants

• Your prospective school may award scholarships based on academic performance, but this doesn’t have to be the only measurement of worth.
• Ethnic heritage organizations often provide scholarships to exceptional students sharing their ethnic or cultural backgrounds.
• Employers will many times offer scholarships to their employees or to children or spouses of employees.
• Churches, synagogues, temples and religious denominations offer scholarships for students who are a part of their congregations or are planning a career in the clergy.
• Trade and research organizations sponsor scholarships to attract students to a field of study facing a worker shortage or to encourage returning, international or minority students to work toward a specific degree.

To-do lists often get a bad rap for being only for the super-organized. The truth is that a little organization can go a long way to help you make the best use of your time and accomplish your goals.

How to make an effective to-do list:

1. Include things that absolutely must be done and things you’d like to complete if time allows.
2. Next to each task, try to estimate how much time you plan to spend on that job. This will only take a couple minutes out of your day, but it can be a worthwhile investment, helping you manage your time and be more productive.
3. One thing to keep in mind – it’s important to not overbook yourself. Establishing a mile-long list can be counterproductive. Chances are you’ll only become overwhelmed by a daunting all-inclusive list.
4. Keep it reasonable. Avoid including tasks you know you won’t have time for that day.
5. Make a plan and then make an effort to follow it. You’ll not only feel more productive throughout the day; you’ll gain a feeling of achievement each time you cross an item off your list.

What should I consider when choosing a program?

• Accreditation, ranking and reputation of the college program
Accreditation can help with more than just the quality of the education you’ll be receiving. If your school is fully accredited, this will help because it also means your school participates in the Title IV student aid program. If you want to find out more about your school’s accreditation, you can find this at the web sites for the Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report or Kiplinger.

• Financing
What kind of financial aid is available? Does your school offer any specific scholarships targeted toward adult students? Even if your school isn’t fully accredited for federal aid programs, your particular school might have other options that will ease the burden as you concentrate on your studies. Schedule an appointment to speak with your school’s financial aid office to find out the details. Are the college’s tuition and expenses affordable? It may sound complicated, but it is very important.

• Transfer Credits
Does your college accept all transfer credits?
How many and what kind?
Does it provide options for receiving college credit by examination or prior learning?

Transfer credits are especially important if you are interested in graduate school or an advanced degree. Speak with your admissions counselor immediately to make sure the program is fully transferable and meets all requirements. This can save you a lot of trouble down the road.

• Scheduling
Make certain that all your courses are presented at acceptable times for your schedule. Working adults, especially adults with family obligations, should seek out available night and weekend courses. The most convenient option for busy adults is the online degree program. These programs can be done in your home (or wherever you have an Internet connection), and many allow you to finish on your schedule. Is an online program for you? Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before you sign up for one.

• Staff
Does your chosen school require your instructors to be available for questions or extra help for a specific amount of time each week? Your admissions office should be able to tell you when your professors are available after class hours. Use your admissions office as a frequent source of information.

• Childcare
The college offers a community and support for adult students, but do they offer other convenient services such as childcare? Many technical and community colleges these days recognize the needs of the large returning-student population and will cater to their needs to keep them in class.