✅ Today's checklist: 

• Tips to eliminate time-wasting tasks
• Learn about the 529 College Savings Plan
• Recipe of the week: Autumn Arugula Salad

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Ever feel like you're busy all day but somehow nothing important gets done? Same. The trick? Get rid of the time-suckers and focus on what actually moves the needle.

1. Track Your Time

Start by logging all your activities for a few days. Yup, all of it—emails, meetings, random TikTok scrolls. Use a tool like Harvest to track everything and take note of how each task makes you feel. Are you drained? Frustrated? That's a red flag.

2. Spot the Energy Vampires

Once you've got the data, it's time to call out the culprits. Here are a few usual suspects:

• Meetings that should've been an email
• Micromanaging every little detail
• Constantly refreshing your inbox
• A never-ending, unprioritized to-do list
• All those notifications pulling your focus

3. Cut the Clutter

Now for the fun part: cutting back. Here's how you can reclaim your time:

• Delegate the stuff that others can handle.
• Automate repetitive tasks like scheduling or standard replies.
• Batch similar tasks to avoid jumping from one thing to another.
• Prioritize what really matters.
• Time block so you can dive into deep work without distractions.
• Set boundaries with coworkers and let them know when you're not available.

4. Shift to High-Impact Work

With the small stuff out of the way, focus on the big things that actually matter:

• Long-term goals: Make time to map out where you're headed.
• Problem-solving: Tackle challenges that could change the game.
• Relationships: Build connections that can open doors for you.
• Learning: Grow your skills to keep leveling up.

 

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As someone who dreams of being a mom one day, I've always believed in the importance of planning ahead, especially when it comes to finances. That's why, despite not having kids yet, when I heard about the 529 College Savings Plan, I was like, "oh, heck ya!"

A 529 plan is essentially a tax-advantaged savings account designed specifically for education expenses. The best part? These plans aren't just for college tuition; they also cover K-12 expenses, certain apprenticeship costs, and even student loan repayments.

Anyone over 18 living in the U.S. with a Social Security number or Tax ID can open a 529 plan. This means I can start one now for my future kids, or even for a family friend's child.

The tax benefits sealed the deal for me. The funds grow tax-free, and withdrawals for educational expenses are also tax-free at the federal level. Some states even offer additional tax incentives, making this an even more attractive option, but you can find national offerings too.

The money in your 529 plan grows tax-free as long as you use it for eligible education stuff. That means the IRS isn't going to snatch a portion of your earnings each year, and when it's time to pay for school, you won't pay federal income taxes on the money you withdraw for those costs.

You control the account, make all the investment choices, and can even switch the beneficiary if, say, kiddo number one decides to join a rock band instead of going to college.

One really cool feature is the ability to let family and friends contribute to the plan, thanks to electronic gifting programs. This is a fantastic way to rally support from loved ones and boost the fund without it all falling on my shoulders.

It's important to remember that if you withdraw money for non-qualified expenses, you'll face taxes and penalties on the earnings. There are exceptions, of course, like scholarships or military academy attendance, which waive the penalty.

I've decided to start small, setting aside anywhere between $50-$100 a month depending on my finances. To me, this isn't just about saving for college—it's about preparing for the financial aspect of parenthood and helping "future" Thania.

Navigating financial planning can be daunting, but tools like the 529 plan make it a bit easier to prepare for the significant expenses of education. By starting early, we can spread out the cost over many years, making it more manageable and less of a burden down the road.

So, whether you're a current parent or, like me, planning for the future, consider how a 529 plan might fit into your financial strategy.

Thania (TA Content Mgr.)

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