Savannah financial advisor Marsha Woelber

Savannah financial advisor Marsha Woelber knows money. Which is why we love her frequent guest posts on SouthernMamas about  becoming financially savvy. To read her previous posts, click here.

Marsha Woelber will respond to your financial questions. Email/call with your questions: Marsha Woelber; marsha@iissav.com, 912-650-2852. Here’s a recent question she received from a SouthernMamas reader: How do college savings accounts impact financial aid eligibility?

Below Marsha Woelber’s response:

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used by the U.S. Department of Education to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, work-study, and loans. The Department of Education conducts an analysis based on financial information, such as income, assets and other household information.

It is important to know the implications of your children’s savings accounts on any financial aid they may need in the future.

Need-based financial aid depends on whether an asset is owned by the student or the parent. College savings plans such as a 529 plan are reported on the FAFSA as an asset of the account owner (usually the child is the beneficiary, not the owner). When the parent is the account owner, these plans have a low impact on financial aid eligibility. If the 529 is owned by a third party (ex: a grandparent), it is not reported on the FAFSA at all.

If you’ve saved money for your child using a traditional custodial UGMA or UTMA, you may want to consider rolling the money over into the custodial version of a 529 college savings plan. For financial aid purposes, custodial accounts (UGMA/UTMA) are considered assets of the student. This means that custodial bank and brokerage accounts have a high impact on financial aid eligibility.

*This answer addresses federal, state and college-sponsored financial aid only; private loans or scholarships will have different guidelines.

Marsha Woelber is a Partner at Independent Investment Services, LLC/Securities Offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. She can be reached @ marsha@iissav.com or 912-650-2852.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

You’ve heard that seasonal kids consignment sales have become THE places to shop. Especially in this economy.

You’ve been meaning to check one out. Now you can. High Cotton Kids is Savannah’s newest seasonal children’s consignment show specializing in gently used boutique and trunk show brand spring and summer clothes.

Even better. This sale is going to be VERY centrally located in Savannah.

The two-day High Cotton Kids sale will be at 6700 Waters Ave., next to Byrd Cookie Company, in the former spot of Carole’s Boutique, March 5 & 6.

Expect to find upscale brands such as Kelly Kids, Chez Ami, Hannah Kate, Just Ducky, Daisies and Doodlebugs, Orient Expressed, Hannah Anderson, Lilly Pulitzer. The sale will also include shoes, accessories, bedding, art work, baby necessities, toys, maternity clothing and more. New merchandise will be available from local vendors. Click here to learn more about the vendors.

To find out more about the show or how to become a consignor, click here. You don’t have to be a consignor or volunteer to attend the preview party. Send an email to at least 10 of your friends and copy High Cotton Kids on it at info@highcottonkids.com. Tell them about the show, when and where it is and you’ll receive two preview party tickets to shop early!

High Cotton Kids fine children’s clothing consignment sale, March 5-6;  6700 Waters Ave., next to Byrd Cookie Company, in the former spot of Carole’s Boutique.  Contact Paige Cook or Ashley Lewis at info@highcottonkids.com

SouthernMamas loves Tickle Bellies’ fun and whimsical stationery, birth announcements, stickers, notepads, labels, luggage tags, invitations and bookmarks.

You will too. From now until March 1, you have a chance to win a Tickle Bellies personalized bookmark of your choice  and a variety pack of personalized labels of your choice. (See the adorable examples pictured above)

To enter to win, sign up as a Tickle Bellies Facebook fan by clicking here and write a Facebook wall post telling Tickle Bellies you read about Tickle Bellies on SouthernMamas and which bookmark and labels you’d select if you won.

Tickle Bellies will pick a random entry and we’ll announce the winner March 2.

WaterBabies classes for infants ages 6 weeks to 3 years will be offered in March at the Candler Wellness Center Pool , 5353 Reynolds St. , Savannah.

The session runs for six classes and costs $30 for the course. The course teaches infants to become accustomed to being in and surrounded by water, practicing floating on their backs, reaching for toys, jumping into the water, going under, and blowing bubbles.

The next WaterBabies session will be 10-10:30 AM, Saturdays beginning March 20. To pre-register, call 912-819-6463. Because this class is brand new, 8 to 10 participants are needed in order to hold the class.

Savannah Danse Theatre will present Peter Pan at the Lucas Theatre, 3 PM April 10.
Tickets are available at 525-5050.

From the extraordinary flying sequences and the belief in fairies, to the evil Captain Hook and his pirates, you’re sure to be entertained from beginning to end.

This ballet is for the youngest of children to the oldest adults. Join Peter, Wendy, Tiger Lily, and the Lost Boys for the sights and sounds of this delightful live performance.

Islands Dance Academy, the official school of the Savannah Danse Theatre, offers a wide range of classes for all ages in its two-studio facility.

The pre-school division gives young students an opportunity practice moving with rhythm, memorizing steps, and introduces them to the French language of ballet. The early grade school division focuses on the joy of movement while building a solid foundation of technique. The high school division gives the dancer the opportunity to fully express themselves through performance while rising to the physical and mental demands that becoming a dancer requires.

Win a $20 gift certificate this week to use at The Wee Ones Seasonal Children’s Consignment Sale in Rincon.

The Wee Ones sale is March 3-6 and includes a SPECIAL pre-shop/pre-sale time for consignors ONLY 4-6 PM Wed. March 3. To find out how to prepare your items for sale and to learn more about becoming a consignor, click here.

Here are the rules on how to win the $20 gift certificate.

At the sale, expect to find speciality boutique items, smocked Easter dresses, a large selection of infant-12mths clothing and select quality maternity clothing as well as a rare find at consignment sales – cute boys items. Visa and Mastercard and Visa debit cards accepted.

Sale dates:
11 AM-6 PM March 4-5
8 AM-noon March 6 when select items will be 1/2 off

Wee Ones Resale, 135 Goshen Road, next to Verizon and Baibry’s (next to Studio 21), Rincon
912-826-7019, email weeonessale@hotmail.com

Enjoy a short stack for a tall cause.

You’re invited to a pancake breakfast benefiting Island MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers).

The Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser is a community all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast with sausage, juice and coffee for only $5! Proceeds benefit Islands MOPS. The breakfast will be 8:30-10:30 AM Sat., Feb. 27 @ Applebee’s on Whitemarsh Island
4705 US Hwy 80 E.

For more information, contact Laura at 898-0869 or Connie at 898-4344

Kara Williams!

Parents fed up with their kids’ schools for pushing sugary snacks and junk food are banding together to fight for healthier school menus through groups like Better School Food and Edible Schoolyard.

But the problem isn’t just with notoriously unhealthy lunch menus in elementary schools and older, but also in preschools that dole out cookies and lollipops to appease the tots.

Which is why I want to do a shout-out in praise of my 3-year-old’s preschool, Discover Montessori on Whitemarsh Island, known as the best kept secret when it comes to quality Savannah preschools.

Director Margie Carfrey goes above and beyond in encouraging healthy eating in various ways such as:  limiting sugary snacks; planting a garden with the kids; and even occasionally offering organic snacks such as local organic eggs and veggies. For the Valentine’s Day tea party, she gently suggested that parents who want to bring something opt for snacks other than frosting-laden treats and candy.

But the school does this all without going overboard or being overly strict. For example, parents can bring in special treats for a child’s birthday etc. And there’s certainly no shortage of fun school parties and celebrations. Holiday festivities include hay rides, costumes, games, performances and a last day of school circus show – all without a tidal wave of sugar.

Now, if only we can find an elementary school that values nutrition and healthy eating  as much as Discover Montessori does.

Any parents out there frustrated by your child’s unhealthy school menus – preschool, elementary or higher – or these questionable partnerships between schools and fast-food restaurants (Little Caesars Pizza Days, Chik-Fil-A fundraisers)? If so, please email anne@southernmamas.com to comment for a potential newspaper article on this topic.

The Coastal Autism Resource & Support Group resumes regular meetings Feb. 22 from 6:30-7:30 PM at the Kicklighter Resource Center, 7219 Seawright Drive in Midtown Savannah.

Meetings will be held regularly on the last Monday of every month. For more info, email coastalautismsupportgroup@gmail.com.

The new facilitators and organizers of the group are Ann Shipley, behavior consultant and Linda Fruin, Occupational Therapist and owner of Live Oak Children’s Therapy. The group’s goal is to provide resources and support for those whose lives are affected by autism and work together in the quest toward autonomy for those with autism spectrum disorders.

Win a $30 gift certificate to Coastal Kids Market, a seasonal children’s consignment sale specializing in high-end, gently-used boutique & trunk show clothing (similar to this cute dress pictured here) at a fraction of the cost.

The spring sale is March 11-13 @ The Shops at Godley Station, Pooler Parkway.

Here are the rules on how to win the $30 gift certificate.

Coastal Kids Market will donate a portion of this season’s sale to Haiti relief through the Presbyterian Mission in Haiti. This ministry aids orphans by providing hot meals, school uniforms, school supplies, and meeting other basic needs.

Sign up to be a consignor and turn your children’s outgrown items into cash! Learn how to sell your kids clothes by clicking here. Consignors can earn more based on volunteer hours. Consignors earn 60 percent of their item’s selling price, but can earn up to 75 percent based on how many volunteer shifts you work.

Anyone can volunteer to help, you don’t have to be a consignor. Non-consigning volunteers who work two shifts may shop the preview sale along with the consignors.

SPRING 2010 Sale Dates:
Thurs., March 11 6-8 PM
Fri., March 12, 9 AM – 5 PM
Sat., March 13, 9 AM– noon
*Select items will be half price on Saturday

Coastal Kids Market, March 11-13, The Shops at Godley Station, Pooler Parkway, Suite 202; 912.312.5800 or email contact@coastalkidsmarket.com

The Great Backyard Bird Count this week from Feb. 12-15 is a fun way to teach kids about birds.

All kids have to do is watch birds in your yard, a nearby park, or maybe at their school. Then kids tell what they saw by entering their bird list online. Info is collected from people all over the United States and Canada so scientists can learn what kind of birds are being seen in the winter and whether there are more or fewer of them than before.

Learn more about how your kids can participate by clicking here.

Tickle Bellies is a fun and whimsical stationery company that includes birth announcements, stickers, notepads, labels, luggage tags, invitations and bookmarks.

Check out their new line of notepads, vinyl labels and bookmarks. Free shipping on orders $75 or more.

Each notepad is 100 sheets of high quality paper in vibrant designs.

Tickle Bellies also has round address labels, big and just perfect for the back of envelope flaps. If you’re tired of rectangle address labels then give these a try.

See our list of best outdoor playgrounds in Savannah, Beaufort, Hilton Head Is. by clicking here. 

Missy Cleland wins a $25 gift certificate to The Polkadot Patch Boutique, which specializes in unique baby clothes and unique baby gifts. Congratulations, Missy!

Thanks to everyone who entered. Look for another giveaway to be announced here Monday.

The Silhouette Man is coming to the Lowcountry.

Tim Arnold, who has been cutting silhouettes professionally for over 30 years and considered one of America’s premier silhouette artists, will be available to do your child’s silhouette this month at the Island Child boutique store  in the Village at Wexford on Hilton Head Is.

Known for his accuracy and interior detailing, Arnold’s silhouettes are famous for their delicate inside cuts referred to as “European embellished style”. He’ll be doing silhouettes at Island Child Fri & Sat. Feb. 19-20 by appointment. Book an appointment through Island Child by calling 843.686.5437 or 843.785.5437

Learn more about the nationally-renowned artist known as the “Silhouette Man” by clicking here.

Reduce! Reuse! Recycle – including your children’s outgrown items. And make some money, too!

The Wee Ones Seasonal Children’s Consignment Sale in Rincon can help you clean out your closets. Don’t hassle with a yard sale. Sell children’s clothing, shoes, toys, baby gear, books, even hairbows at this upscale sale and they’ll do the work for you. Even better, 70 profit goes to the consignor (i.e. you!).

Plus, consignors get first dibs on the sale items. The Wee Ones sale is March 3-6 and includes a SPECIAL pre-shop/pre-sale time for consignors ONLY 4-6 PM Wed. March 3. To find out how to prepare your items for sale and to learn more about becoming a consignor, click here.

At the sale, expect to find speciality boutique items, smocked Easter dresses, a large selection of infant-12mths clothing and select quality maternity clothing as well as a rare find at consignment sales – cute boys items.

Sale dates:
11 AM-6 PM March 4-5
8 AM-noon March 6 when select items will be 1/2 off

Wee Ones Resale, 135 Goshen Road, next to Verizon and Baibry’s (next to Studio 21), Rincon
912-826-7019, email weeonessale@hotmail.com

You’re trying to keep your kids healthy this flu season by stuffing them with nutrient-rich meals.

But what to do with veggie-phobic tots? Convince them to take on what writer and mom Charlotte Hume calls
the World’s First Great Big Vegetable Challenge.

Charlotte convinced her 7-year-old son Freddie to take a vegetable journey of a lifetime, getting him to eat through the ABCs of veggies, trying each vegetable from asparagus to zucchini in alphabetical order.

Freddie had to try at least two recipes with each. His mom found recipes that she thought would appeal to her finicky eater’s appetite. The challenge resulted in Charlotte’s extremely helpful blog full of kid-friendly veggie recipes. Think
zucchini turkey burgers and a canneloni recipe with butternut squash.

Join the Great Big Veg Challenge here.

A thank-you to Urban Baby Daily Picks for letting us know about such a useful kid-friendly recipe blog.

Savannah-based photographer and natural-light aficionado LeeAnn Ritch is one of this city’s go-to shutterbugs for warm, candid images.

LeeAnn Ritch specializes in newborn, baby, child, and family photography with a modern, fresh aesthetic.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out examples LeeAnn’s work pictured here and in her blog and her Web site.

After you do, you’ll be thrilled to learn that  LeeAnn Ritch Photography is offering a winter special: a photo session, online proofing and an 11 x 14, two 8 x 10s and 20 wallets for $300.

It’s enough to make winter feel downright sunny.

 LeeAnn Ritch Photography, 912.308.9327 or email leeann@leeannritchphotography.com

Deciding where to send your kids to school is tough, whether you’re talking about preschool or elementary school.

Pooler MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) is helping us figure it out by hosting a School Fair for the Savannah area.

The Feb. 17 event will include representatives from a variety of schools- preschools and elementary- public, private, religious and home school. ALL are welcome to come.

This is a great chance to get some information about the schools you’re interested in and talk to the representatives.

There is no fee for parents (or for schools who might be interested in being part of the School Fair). Pooler MOPS members recognize the challenge for parents to find the right school for their children and hope this will be a valuable planning tool.

Pooler MOPS School Fair is 9:30-11:30 AM Wed. Feb. 17 at First Presbyterian Church of Pooler
305 HWY 80SE, Pooler. Check the growing list of confirmed schools that will have representatives by clicking here.

Stella & Dot is a fast growing direct selling company that is catching the eyes of Lucky Magazine, The Today Show, The New York Times, and InStyle Magazine.

The San Francisco based company has grown over 600 percent since launching back in 2008.

Laurie Herrin deVegter, a Savannah resident, is an Independent Stylist for Stella & Dot. “You can

Stella & Dot Jewelry

think of me as a modern-day Avon lady with beautiful and affordable jewelry,” laughs Laurie. “We do not sell in stores, have something for every taste and budget, and are excited to start our “Mommy and Me” line this year,” she says.

The founder of Stella & Dot, Jessica Herrin (no relation to deVegter), is a known entrepreneur. Jessica started and sold WeddingChannel.com and has been featured on Oprah. When she became a mother, Jessica founded Stella & Dot as a flexible way for women at all stages of life to launch a career.

“Our Company paid over 9 million dollars in commissions last year and grew by 4000 stylists,” Laurie explains. “Our goal is to add 10,000 stylists in 2010. The company’s flexibility is attractive to a wide array of women – from the stay at home mom looking for a flexible income opportunity all the way up to the woman looking for a full time career.”

Laurie is looking to spread the Stella & Dot message to women interested in becoming stylists in the Coastal Empire.

Laurie recommends hosting a trunk show before signing up as a stylist. “When you are hosting a Stella & Dot party in your home or

Stella & Dot Jewelry

at work, you really fall in love with the vintage-styling of the line and you start to understand how the business works,” Laurie says. “Plus, our hostesses usually end up with around $250 in jewelry credits at the end of the trunk show.”

You can come see what the buzz is about this Thur., Feb. 4. Laurie will be joined by the Directors from Stella and Dot at the Avia Hotel in Downtown Savannah. The Spring & Summer line will be on display and the team will be sharing their experiences with Stella & Dot.

The event is from 5:30 to 7 PM and Avia is located at 14 Barnard St., Savannah.

If you are interested in learning more about opportunities with Stella & Dot or to RSVP for the Thursday event, contact Laurie deVegter, Indpendent Stylist, with inquiries at: 912.220.0957 or savannahlaurie@gmail.com. You can view the complete line of jewelry at Laurie’s website here.

This week, a SouthernMamas reader will win a $25 gift certificate to  The Polkadot Patch Boutique, which specializes in unique baby clothes and unique baby gifts such as this doggy back pack and pirate pictured here.

Polkadot Patch believes children’s clothing should be fun, unique, and let children express their individuality and their personality.

The Polkadot Patch hand selects every item and each product must match their philosophy.

Check out the Polkadot Patch Big Ole Sale currently under way here and new arrivals of spring/summer items here.

Here are the rules on how to win.