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• Unstable Economy Linked to Increase in Children Receiving Free School Meals

Data from the Department of Agriculture reveals millions of American schoolchildren are now receiving free or low-cost meals. The increase in meals program participants is a growing effect of former middle class parents losing jobs or homes during the economic crisis.

The number of students who currently qualify for and receive subsidized lunches rose to 21 million last school year from 18 million in 2006-7, a 17% increase, according to an analysis by the New York Times. Eleven states had four-year increases of 25 % or more.

“These are very large increases and a direct reflection of the hardships American families are facing,” said Benjamin Senauer, a University of Minnesota economist who studies the meals program. He said the surge had happened so quickly “that people like myself who do research are struggling to keep up with it.”

Read more at the New York Times…

• First Class Graduates from Oprah’s School in South Africa

Oprah Winfrey told her students that if you teach a girl, you teach a nation.

As the South African school year nears its end, the first class of students is preparing to graduate from Oprah Winfrey’s all-girls school in Henley On-Kip, South Africa.

The last five years have paid off. All 72 members of the graduating class have been accepted to universities in South Africa or the United States, while more than a dozen have received full scholarships.

The talk show queen turned media giant will be at the school for graduation ceremonies in January, school officials said

Read more at the Associated Press…

• Hip-Hop Shines at Victoria Secret Fashion Show

CBS’s broadcast of the annual “Victoria Secret Fashion Show” raked in record ratings with famed models like Chanel Iman and Adriana Lima ripping the runway, the latest lingerie, and big-name hip-hop performances.

With the exception of Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger,” all of the show’s performances were by hip-hop artists Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Nicki Minaj.

West paid tribute to his late mother before his performance of “Stronger.”

Watch the performances at The Baltimore Sun…

A recent study conducted by SunAmerica Financial Group found that 70% of parents age 55 and older expect to support their adult children financially at some point. This line of thinking is part of a new retirement mindset, according to SunAmerica, in which retirement is being postponed and older Americans are working longer. What do you think? Should parents continue to help their adult children with money, or should there be a specific age where all financial support comes to an end? Click on our poll below.

Do You Plan to Support Your Adult Children? Take our poll.

By summer’s end, Calvin bought his laptop, but the greater asset may be the lessons of saving money and deferred gratification he learned from his parents. The O’Neals are an atypical family. According to a recent T. Rowe Price Parents, Kids & Money Survey, 54% of parents say they could be doing more to teach their children about money. (Of the 505 survey respondents, 46 identified themselves as black or African American.)

Given the low national savings rate, (3.6% in April), most Americans could use a lesson or two on handling their finances. But African Americans have a unique financial profile—one that should compel parents to teach children basic financial literacy as early and often as possible. The reasons are numerous:

–From 1980 to 2007, black households earned less than those of any other racial group: $33,916 (in current dollars). Hispanics earned $38,679; whites, $52,115; Asians, $66,103, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

–According to the most recent statistics from the Insight Center for Community Economic Development, black median wealth is $31,500 versus white median wealth of $167,500.

–The Center for Responsible Lending has found that black and Latino borrowers are almost a third more likely to get high-cost loans than their white counterparts with similar credit scores.

Early money management lessons could arm future generations against many of these unjust realities while engendering conservative, frugal habits of saving, planning, and spending.

Another reason to talk to your children about money: They are increasingly targeted by advertising campaigns. If you find it difficult to think of your adorable 2-year-old as part of a target demographic, consider the fact that children between ages 2 and 11 view more than 40,000 television commercials a year. According to the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, companies spend $17 billion annually to market products to youth, up from just $100 million in 1983. Since African American and Latino children, regardless of household income, watch more television than children of other races, it’s important to counter such messages with frank discussions about money matters.

Parents seeking to empower their youngsters with financial skills have several options. One early-learning resource is Show Me the Money (DK Publishing; $16), a book for kids age 7 and up that breaks down the complex subject of economics into digestible, kid-size portions. Written by Alvin Hall, financial correspondent for National Public Radio’s Tell Me More and a financial educator, the book explains the management of credit cards, the concept of free markets, the cost of living, even supply and demand. Are these topics too much for elementary school–age youngsters? Hall doesn’t think so.

“Children are naturally curious about money,” he says. “My book can open a door for parents to talk responsibly about it with their children and to take the discussion beyond their household.”

The O’Neals, who live in Brooklyn, New York, integrate financial lessons into their day-to-day interactions with their sons. “I take them with me to the bank. They both own stocks and both have passbook savings accounts,” says Eric, who owns and manages properties near Pittsburgh. “We’ve talked about how interest works, and they know the difference between needs and wants.” Theresa, who runs her own public relations business, O’Neal & Co., and is also the vice president of media and public relations for Bee Season Consulting, says they also listen to financial audiobooks in the car.

Even young children can learn basic financial concepts. Laura Levine, executive director of the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, a group of organizations that promote financial literacy from pre-kindergarten through college, says people must deal with money issues daily yet most individuals have no formal training in managing it.

“There is no financial course equivalent to driver’s ed,” she says, advocating that attitudes and habits about money should be shaped at an early age before independent financial decisions as adult consumers are made. In other words, start talking to your children about money before they express an interest in handling greenbacks. Levine suggests helping an older child figure out how to tip at a restaurant; a younger child who understands pricing can study a menu to determine the cost of items. “The idea of ‘teaching’ can intimidate some parents,” she acknowledges, “but talking to your children and imparting your family’s values about money can happen informally.”

Hall hopes parents will use his book to demystify money. He says: “Money has a kind of magic or mythical power to it but children can cultivate a long-term view instead of instant gratification.”

Other options include setting aside family nights to play money board games or online games such as Break the Bank (at USMint.gov); or making use of financial-themed camps.

At least one study, by the University of Georgia, suggests a correlation between financial behavior and college performance: Students who struggle academically tend to have financial challenges as well. Calvin and Christian, who have had savings accounts since they were 6 months old, shouldn’t have that problem. Since the recession, Christian has become more sensitive to the family budget and on occasion has advised his parents to eat at home rather than dine out. That’s probably good advice for all of us.

By the time your child leaves preschool (or age 5), he or she should understand that …
–Spending, saving, and sharing are ways to use money.
–People have jobs that pay them money.
–Paper money and coins are worth different amounts.
–Planning helps people set goals and make choices about money.
–People give money to help others.

By the end of fourth grade (age 9), your child should be able to …
–Set measurable, short-term financial goals.
–Explain how checks, debit cards, and credit cards work as payment methods.
–Use systematic decision making when making a personal, age-appropriate purchase.
–Explain why using a credit card is a form of borrowing.
–Describe how people can cut expenses to save more of their income.
Your high school graduate (age 18) should grasp enough about finance to …
–Apply systematic decision making to a long-term goal
–Schedule bill payments, write a check, reconcile checking or debit account statements, and monitor statements for accuracy
–Explain how a negative credit report can affect a person’s future
–Identify appropriate investments for accumulating money for a four-year college education, a wedding, a business startup, a house down payment, and retirement

For more information on financial literacy benchmarks, and additional suggestions for money-related home-learning, visit the Credit Union National Association’s “Thrive By Five” website at www.creditunion.coop/pre_k and the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Finance Literacy at www.jumpstart.org.

Jill Scott share tips on balancing motherhood and career.

As you move and groove in life and embark on motherhood in your 30s, the balancing act of family, career and maintaining your personal brand can become a daunting task.

How does one renew and re-define oneself post mommyhood– at age 37– and still maintain top status in the entertainment industry? By being authentic and forgiving for not being perfect.

Jill Scott, our favorite homegirl, multiplatinum, Grammy award-winning  singer, poet, author, actress– and now mommy–shares how she balances and enjoys life’s golden moments. “Being a mom is better than I thought because of the way I love it and experience how much my son loves me. I wouldn’t trade it, however, its work and exhausting.”

Scott stresses the importance of having a good support system when raising children. “All women must implement what I call their Operation Village. This is where you assemble your team of family, friends, neighbors and girlfriends to give you a hand and minute to heal. Without my village I would not have made it,” she says.

Balance is one of those words that all woman grapple with and allowing yourself to be human is key to understanding the gift of motherhood.  “Women feel like they are supposed to hold it down – that’s true to an extent; holding it down does not mean doing it all yourself. Look for people who love and trust you and love your child. You will need time for a walk, replenish your being, and adjust to all the nuances of the mommy-hood. Next to maintaining good health it is essential and mandatory to establish your village for support, ” Scott says.

Mommyhood can present older first time moms with a reality check when schedules are no longer theirs and we can easily lose ourselves post delivery. Jill emphatically shares, “I’ve always done what I wanted to do – If I want to walk, I walk; after 37 years of doing Jill, having a baby threw me – responsibility, sleep deprivation, and exhaustion was r-e-a-l. If you can afford to hire help such as a babysitter and nanny — give yourself that gift — your baby will thank you.”

Here are Jill Scott’s ‘brand’ new mommy tips:

Know thyself. I am a sleeper and if I can squeeze in 10 hours I am happy. Take charge and put your baby on a regiment so you can breathe.

Work out. You will feel better and get your body back.

Make love. The physical connection reminds you that you are still a woman and a sexual being and that is equally important as being someone’s mommy.

Take time for self. Get out the house and enjoy life – your baby will appreciate a calmer mommy.

Give self a lift. Change hair, change makeup and style to usher in the mommy-hood season.

Forgive self. We are not perfect, and because you want to enjoy life does not mean you are not a good mom – you are a wo-man and must be cherished.

Let me know what you did to renew and redefine your self after mommyhood.  Is your Operation Village in full effect?

Jill Scott is currently co-headlining Maxwell’s spring/summer tour and is scheduled to perform at Lilith Fair. Her fourth studio album, “The Light of The Sun,” is scheduled for a late fall release. She also stars in Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married Too?,” still in theaters, and her critically acclaimed BBC/HBO show, “The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” goes back into production in late 2010.

Karen Taylor Bass, The PR Expert, provides entrepreneurs, corporations, and mompreneurs with essential branding, marketing, and public relations coaching; www.karentaylorbass.com and www.taylormademediapr.com. Follow Karen’s tips and Caviar & Chitlins moments at Twitter, twitter.com/prexpert.

Candi Sparks is the author of Can I Have Some Money, a personal finance book for children.

The mind of a child is unparalleled. Bursting with creativity and fearlessness, most children do not see boundaries, only possibilities. For parents, tapping into that creativity can mean the fruition of a million-dollar business, or self sufficiency at an early age. After all, the R. Donahue Peebles and Michael Lee Chins of the world have to get their start somewhere.

Whether it was realizing how easy it is to part fellow classmates with their allowances, or realizing how neighbors can use the extra energy of the kid-next-door to rake leaves, or clean out attics, there is an inner entrepreneur lying within most children, ready to be uncovered.

“Kids are amazingly willing to put themselves out there,” says Candi Sparks, author of the personal finance book series for youngsters, Can I Have Some Money (Sparks Fly; $11.99).  “They sell Girl Scout cookies door-to-door and candy on the subway. We have to get them to realize the importance of the talent they posses.”

BlackEnterprise.com spoke with Sparks about how parents and mentors can nurture a child’s inner entrepreneur while still having fun.

BlackEnteprise.com: If a parent realizes her child has great ideas or talents that can generate money, or want to teach children how to make their own money, where should she start?

Candi Sparks: Get [your child] to realize that their talent is just as important, beautiful and wonderful as anything they can buy in the store. You’re moving them away from a consumerism mentality and getting them to be a producer. They’re bringing value out of themselves for others to see and appreciate, and they’ll appreciate it in the form of buying it. Parents, you are their marketing and strategy support system, but it’s really about the child’s enthusiasm and appreciation of what they can do.

Once you’ve zeroed in on that enthusiasm, how should parents go about helping their children get organized?

Once you define the talent and narrow down the passion, parents need to teach children the language of money and the language of business. Kids need to understand, as an investor, they’re putting their money out there. It really gives them a personal experience with getting their own investors and how that seed money is handled. This way when they get older they’re familiar with the language of a stock market.

Children need to understand that they have to be accountable for what you do with money, and it’s really just about boiling it down to a child’s level. You can help children develop accountability by keeping track of sales and inventory. This is going to help with a business plan as well. It doesn’t have to be too technical because you don’t want to take the fun out of it. Work with your child mapping out their target market, how much they will sell their product or service for, startup costs, when and where they will sell their product or service, and how much they expect to make.

What main points about investing in a business should a parent focus on?

Financially, it is a good idea to plan ahead for how money will be allocated in terms of startup costs, and when the business makes money. If family is investing in a new business, talk with you child about what investors expect from a business.   You can introduce the idea that companies try to make money, and they may also lose money.  Investors know that the company needs them to make money and they want to invest in companies that will help them to make that money back, and turn a profit.

This is an opportunity to talk to your child about the stock market.  If your child has no knowledge of what the stock market is about, you can tell them it is like a report card of how certain companies did that day.  The news will report that the company had more investors, or maybe the company did not reach the projected earnings, or whatever it was on that day.   Help your child to see the connection between the potential profit or loss for their own small business and what happens in the stock market.

Once a child start bringing in some sort of profit, what should be the parent and child’s next step?

They should plot out how the earnings will be allocated. How much of your child’s earnings will go into the bank? How much needs to be re-invested back into the business? What can be spent on fun? Write this down. It makes for a good way to measure and track the progress of the business and your child’s earnings and savings.

For more on awakening your child’s inner entrepreneur, check out:

RaisingEntrepreneurs.org

TeachingKidsBusiness.com

X7 Fuel Cell Car

Ready, set, zoom off with the X7 Fuel Cell Car this summer. Made by Thames & Kosmos, this water-powered vehicle will teach kids about alternative energy sources while they build the fuel cell car piece by piece. Fill the tank with water and watch the wonder of science as the hydrogen and oxygen separate to make this car run.

Ages: 10+

Retailer: FatBrainToys.com $87.95

Dyna Flyer

Learn about aerodynamics and the use of wind power with the Dyna Flyer by Elite Fleet. Great for the park, yard, or beach, kids can crank the plane’s launcher and watch it take off for up to 30 seconds. And the best part? This battery-less operated toy means one less item on your “to buy” list.

Ages: 8+

Retailer: GrowingTreeToys.com $24.99

Sand Play Set

No sand is undiggable or castle un-buildable with this four piece environmentally friendly sand play set by Green Toys Inc. Made from recycled plastic milk containers that reduce landfill waste and lower CO2 emissions, this set is sure to leave an undetectable carbon footprint.

Ages: 3+

Retailer: Amazon.com $15.42

Tree House Play Set

Create a jungle adventure with this towering wooden play set by Melissa and Doug. Complete with a foliage canopy, pulley system, retractable stairs, a working trap door, porch swing, hammock, tire swing and wooden play figures, it’s a fitting outdoor tree house for the 3 and over crowd. Given wood’s durability over plastic, you’re likely to pass this toy down to future generations than send it off to a landfill.

Ages: 3+

Retailer: CowandLizard.com $99.99

Eco-Truck Loader

The Eco-truck loader by Sprig Toys is a new take on a classic toy. Made from reclaimed wood and recycled plastic composites, this truck also uses minimized packaged from recycled paper and board.

Ages: 3+

Retailer: SprigToys.com $14.99

The Power House Kit

Waken your child’s inner architect with the Power House Kit from Gaiam. The kid-built house comes with solar panels, a wind turbine and greenhouse. What makes this house even more entertaining is the storyline included with the instructions. Watch your child’s creativity soar as the goal of the house is to use the limited resources available on this remote island to survive. Your life depends on your ability to harness the renewable powers of nature, according to Gaiam. Forget The Sims, you can create your own world with the Power House Kit.

Ages: 12+

Retailer: Gaiam.com $175

Over the next two weeks, we’ll have money management tips and strategies from Harrine Freeman, CEO and owner of H.E. Freeman Enterprises, a credit counseling service.

BlackEnterprise.com: In terms of children, what are some good ways to stay out of debt and prepare for their future? How can women help instill financial responsibility values in their children?

Harrine Freeman: There are several ways women can stay out of debt and prepare for the future of their children.

–Eliminate the “I want my kids to have everything” attitude. Don’t go into debt buying your children everything you didn’t have as a kid or because of guilt that your children don’t have what other children have.

–Buy items on sale or shop at discount stores.

–Check the local newspaper for free activities to find fun and creative ways to spend time with your children.

–Buy in terms of needs versus wants so you do not live above your means.

Women can instill financial responsibility in their children in the following ways:

–Show your children how to budget money and save.  Explain to your children how you pay bills and how you make sacrifices to buy items for them or to pay for an unexpected expense.

–Take your children to the grocery store or department store and show them how much an item costs and how you determine if you can afford to purchase the item.

–Take your children to free financial seminars so they can learn the benefits of financial responsibility.

–Use resources and tools such as the Federal Trade Commission’s YouAreHere or the U.S. Treasury’s site for kids. The Cashflow 101 board game and books such as Rich Dad Poor Dad for Teens by Robert Kiyosaki or It’s Not What You’ve Got by Wayne Dyer are also good resources.

–Provide examples to your children of other children who are entrepreneurs or investors and the steps they took to achieve their goals.

–Get life insurance for yourself and your children to at least cover burial costs.

–Purchase health insurance for you and your children. Purchase disability insurance so if you become ill and are unable to work, you can still pay your monthly bills and expenses.

–Set financial goals for yourself and your children such as preparing for your children’s college education, purchasing a home if you are not currently a homeowner, and paying off your mortgage.

If you’re a busy family and you want someone to take care of all the travel arrangements, use a travel agent, says Betty Price, CEO of Kola Nut Travel (http://www.kolanut.com) in Inglewood, Calif. “Agents can take care of last-minute charges or help if any problems arise.” Be sure to work with a reputable travel agent who has certifications and whose company has the proper insurance, she adds.

When booking a hotel for the family, do some research, advises Cathi Young, owner and event planner at Richmond, Virginia-based Make My Day (www.2makemyday.com). “Make sure the hotel is in a safe location. Ask if they offer special meal deals. Is there a pool on-site and is it monitored?” Young says. “Call the hotel and find out as much information you can, not only about the property but also the destination. You want a safe, fun, and friendly hotel.”

The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach (http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/PalmBeach), has the modern luxuries that adults love, as well as new programs just for kids and teens. Its Kids AquaNuts program offers supervised physical and creative activities for children ages 5-12. Amenities include a dedicated playroom, computers, music, and costumes. Also, an all-day camp keeps the kids busy with activities. For teens (ages 13-17), there’s a lounge called Coast where they can create their own DJ mix and upload it to their iPod, play video games, surf the Internet, play billiards, and become a radio DJ. There’s also a teen-friendly nightclub. For the grown-ups, the Ritz features spa services and golf.

While the decor is ultra-modern and sleek, most Novotel Hotels (http://www.novotel.com) offer special rooms for families of four. Breakfast is free for two children under the age of 16 staying in their parents’ room. Novotel has also designed modern, colorful play areas.

Teenagers can be hard to please. But Loews Hotels (www.loewshotels.com) has a program they promise will keep them engaged. At select locations, exclusive one- and two-night Edu-cation Packages offer entertaining educational activities in which teens can learn anything from surfing to songwriting. The hotels also offer “Loews Loves Kids” featuring a variety of programs and services, including game lending libraries, special children’s menus, tours, Fisher-Price gifts, and supervised recreational programs. Loews also features a special pet program, allowing families to bring their furry family member along.

The Starwood family of hotels (www.starwood.com), which includes Sheraton, Westin, and St. Regis,just announced “Love Your Family” (www.FamilyFunSpecials.com) at 29 resorts in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Beginning this summer, “Love Your Family” will include three signature hotel experiences–fireside storytelling, stargazing, and “Dive-In Movies.” There are connecting rooms so kids can stay in one and parents in the other, food and beverage discounts, and special packages–all organized by the resort’s newly appointed “director of fun,” who will coordinate all family activities. Another perk: “Parent’s Night Out.” While the children enjoy their own big night out, dining with other kids and enjoying counselor-led activities, the parents get alone time.

Residence Inn by Marriott (http://www.marriott.com/residence-inn/travel.mi) has become known as the hotel offering a “home away from home.” The hotel’s family appeal has to do with the amenities, with suite accommodations that are 50% larger than standard hotel rooms and feature separate living, working, dining, and sleeping areas. Varying locations include fully equipped kitchens. The chain also offers a complimentary daily breakfast buffet, weekday social hours, complimentary grocery shopping, and an on-site coin laundry, fitness centers, pools, and multi-use Sport Courts.

The Holiday Inn (www.HolidayInn.com) lets kids stay free and offers free meals for children ages 12 and under at on-site restaurants. Some locations even have special kid-friendly suites, such as the Nickelodeon-themed Family Suite in Orlando.

If you’re heading to Canada, a stay at the country’s largest hotel chain, The Delta Hotels (www.deltahotels.com), might just satisfy the whole crew. While most family friendly hotels offer on-site pools, The Delta has gone one further by offering a waterslide at varying locations. The Delta Chelsea in downtown Toronto, for example, features a 130-foot waterslide. For adults who want a quiet pool experience, the hotel has an adults-only pool on a separate floor. Other family amenities include on-site coin laundry, free stays for kids, free dining for children under age 5, discount dining for children ages 7-12, babysitting services, and the Chelsea Kids Camp. The hotel also offers “Family Night at the Movies,” where a conference room is turned into a theater, complete with popcorn. Pets are also welcome. “We have Family Fun Suites,” says Tracy Ford, public relations manager at the Delta Chelsea. “The apartment-style suites include two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, and a play area for children. We also provide an Xbox for video games.”

Thinking about a Caribbean getaway? This summer, SuperClubs Resorts (www.superclubs.com) has a “Kids Stay, Play & Eat Free” promotion (May 1 to December 22), where children ages 2-13 can stay free. Each SuperClub also has unique family activities and packages. Family Adventures at Starfish Trelawny Beach in Jamaica, for example, offers teens a private island hideaway, windsurfing, and flying trapeze lessons. At the hotel’s Kid’s Club, supervised, age-specific programs keep toddlers entertained, while mom and dad can head to Blue Mahoe Spa for a little pampering.

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