There’s a new addition to this list of fee-free national parks days
As we navigate a crazy winter season, the thought of a getaway in 2024 sounds pretty magical. Once the dust has settled, heading to a national park is an awesome way to enjoy the great outdoors, especially when it’s free! Get your kids set up with the Junior Ranger booklet in your park of choice and see what the whole family can learn about these amazing areas of the country.
The National Park Service has just announced the list of days when all national park will waive their admission fees. New for 2024, Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19) has been added as a national parks fee-free day. Juneteenth was signed into law as a national holiday on June 17, 2021, commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States.
“National parks are places that awaken senses, inspire curiosity, encourage reflection, and foster joy,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said. “The entrance fee-free days expand opportunities for people to visit their national parks and experience the beauty and history of our country.”
When can you get into the National Parks without paying?
istock
The 2024 free admission for everyone days include:
Mon., Jan. 15: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday
Sat., Apr. 20: First day of National Park Week
New for 2024: Wed., June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
Fri., Aug. 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Sat., Sep. 28: National Public Lands Day
Mon., Nov. 11: Veterans Day
With more than 400 parks across the country, there are plenty of options to choose from. Whether you’re planning a fall foray, a winter getaway, a spring fling, or a summer trip, you can find a free admission day for every season.
Even though admission is free on these special days, other paid activities are not. You may need to pay amenity or user fees where applicable. These fees include the cost of activities, such as camping, as well as boat launches, transportation, or touring fees.
If the six annual free days don’t fit your schedule, some of the national parks are fee-free every day of the year (or at least every day they’re open). Some of the most notable entrance fee-free parks include:
Get all the fun of Great Wolf Lodge without the cost
Are your kids jonesing for a day at the waterpark? Did you know that you can visit one of the many Great Wolf Lodge locations across the US without staying the night? The Great Wolf Lodge day pass is a great way to get the fun of the water park, restaurants, activities, and more.
Purchase your day pass online before you head over. Kids 2 and under do not require a pass but all other guests entering the facility will need a pass (even those not planning on swimming). Pick up your passes at the front desk when you arrive.
Great Wolf Lodge
Here are some other tips for your visit:
Guests are strongly encouraged to bring their own towels.
Coolers and outside food are not permitted in the water park.
Lockers are available at a nominal fee on a first-come, first-served basis.
You are welcome to bring your own life jacket. Great Wolf provides Coast Guard-approved life jackets on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking fees apply at our Southern California location.
Dry-land attractions and dining outlets are available at an additional cost. You are not able to add on a dining package to your day pass.
For those worried that day pass might cause crowds and wait times for the pools and slides, Great Wolf Lodge promises to maintain capacity restraints. “Families love knowing that when they come to the waterpark at Great Wolf Lodge, they won’t need to wait in long lines for their favorite slides, struggle to find a deck chair, or swim shoulder to shoulder in our pools,” Murray Hennessy, chief executive officer for Great Wolf Resorts said in a press release. “By managing capacity levels at our waterparks we will continue to offer a stress-free waterpark experience, just as we have from the onset of Great Wolf Lodge.”
The shift in mindset for new parents is palpable at the beginning—planning for their future can often become your central focus. The sudden feeling of urgency to tackle financial planning to support your children amid sleepless nights can be overwhelming. Add it to the never-ending list of tasks that comes with kids! It can be paralyzing—especially after the year we had in 2020, which taught many of us that our financial futures can be uncertain. Life insurance, retirement, college savings, rainy day funds, emergency medical…the list of investments that seem immediate and necessary are dizzying.
It can be difficult to know how to prioritize all of these things, and I often get asked by new parents how to juggle all of the financial decisions facing their families. I’m asked all the time: “Is it possible to save for retirement and college for my kids?” With careful financial planning, it’s possible to achieve multiple goals, including retirement and funding college.
When it comes to prioritizing these goals, I tell parents that it’s important to put on your own oxygen mask first—in other words, make sure you’re maxing out your retirement accounts first before putting money aside for college education. Being financially independent and giving yourself the best chance for a secure future is one of the best gifts you can give your kids, and it models great money management. And remember, you can take out loans for college if you really need them, but you can’t take out a loan for your own retirement. When it comes to college planning, the interest rates for federal student loans—the types of loans your children might take out if they need to—are usually less than what you can make by putting your money in retirement investments.
Once you’ve maxed out your own retirement accounts, the next question is often: What’s the best way to start saving for my child’s college education expenses?
Here are 4 tips for saving for college while also keeping your other financial priorities, like retirement, on track:
1. Clearly Define Your Retirement & College Savings Goals
One of the first steps to coming up with a good plan to fund both your own future and your kid’s future is clearly defining your goals. After all, how do you know how much you can put toward your child’s future if you don’t know how much you need for your own? It’s important to understand what kind of retirement you want, and how much you’ll need to support the lifestyle you want. Pick a date, track your budget, know your cash flow, and remember to always look at your finances in a “big picture” way. Then you can back out into how much you’d like to contribute to future education expenses and establish some realistic savings goals.
2. The Early Bird Catches the Worm
If your own financial situation is on track (you’re maxing out your retirement accounts, you’ve eliminated any high-interest debt, and you have a healthy emergency fund), the earlier you can start socking away some funds for your child’s education, the better. Saving early will allow more time for potential growth on your investments. This can be as little or as much as you want—don’t let the amount hold you back. It might not be easy to start putting money away initially because you may be balancing higher up-front costs as new parents, such as new medical needs, financing a family-friendly vehicle, and paying for daycare costs. However, the earlier you start, the more time your savings will have to grow before paying that first tuition bill.
3. Know Your Options
While college savings plans abound, keeping savings and investment strategies simple with a low point of entry often works best as a place to start. This is why 529 plans are so popular — Most plans offer valuable tax benefits and can be an attractive option for more “hands-off” investors (assuming an aged-based option is available). But there are tradeoffs to be aware of—sometimes these plans can come with high fees and often you’ll have minimal control over the investment strategy. But they can be a great option for many families, especially since they can now be used to cover primary and secondary school expenses in many cases. Other options include custodial accounts such as UTMA/UGMA accounts, and IRAs (Roth and Traditional). What’s best for your family will depend on your personal situation and goals, so make sure you do your research before choosing.
4. Consider a Financial Advisor
There’s a lot to think about when it comes to saving for your family’s future. There’s also a lot of conflicting information out there on the internet and it can make taking on these complex financial planning decisions seem quite difficult. Many people choose to work with a financial advisor to help them navigate these decisions and reduce some of the stress involved in doing everything themselves. If this is a route you choose to go, look for an advisor who is a fiduciary—which means that they are legally bound to always act in your best interest. Also, try to avoid any advisor or firm operating on commission—you don’t want to be sold on investment products or plans that aren’t right for you.
In short, it’s definitely possible to save for your child’s future without sacrificing your own, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be complicated. If you start early, prioritize your own financial security first, and choose the right method of saving for your situation, you’re well on your way to the future you envision.
Michelle is a Certified Financial Planner® with a range of Investment Management experience. She manages the Private Client Group at Personal Capital as the lead for high net worth investment clients. When she’s home, Michelle spends her time running- both for exercise and to chase after her very active toddler, Connor.
USDish wants to give you $2,000 to celebrate Galentine’s Day with your BFFs! All you need to do to score this sweet paying gig is fill out an online application and agree to hold a virtual rom-com movie watch party.
If the idea of watching your fave flicks with a bunch of friends (virtually) from the comfort of your own home appeals to you, get ready to make your dreams come true. Last year USDish paid one lucky winner $1,000 to watch 15 hours of The Office. This year the authorized DISH reseller is upping the ante and giving away twice as much money to watch at least three rom-coms.
How can you score this one-day dream job? Fill out an application right here! The winner must set up a virtual viewing party and agree to watch three rom-coms with their friends. You’ll also need to complete a task sheet.
Along with $2,000, you’ll also get a swag bag filled with more than $200 worth of heart-shaped candies, a warm blanket, empowerment books, snacks, and so much more. As if that’s not enough, you’ll also score free streaming access and a video conferencing tool for your virtual viewing party and a delivery dining credit for a mid-movie meal.
Don’t wait to apply for this awesome opportunity. The application period ends Feb. 26 at 12 p.m. MT.
New research from the Oregon State University revealed that dogs may synchronize their behavior with the children they live with. The study, which was published in the journal Animal Cognition, sheds light on how a canine companion may bond with their human family.
Researchers looked at interactions between 30 children from the ages of eight and 17 and their family dogs. The researchers instructed each child how to walk their dog through an empty room with color-coded tape lines on the floor.
Each child-dog pair’s walk was videotaped and analyzed for the degree of active synchrony (the amount of time each pair moved or was stationary together), proximity, and orientation/same direction of movement. The researchers found a higher level of active synchrony than they had expected—but less than what is typically found in dog-adult interactions.
Even though this research shows dogs don’t synchronize their behavior to match children to the same extent they do with their adult pet parents, the study’s results were still significant. Oregon State animal behaviorist Monique Udell, the lead author of the study said, “The great news is that this study suggests dogs are paying a lot of attention to the kids that they live with.”
Udell continued, “They are responsive to them and, in many cases, behaving in synchrony with them, indicators of positive affiliation and a foundation for building strong bonds.” The researcher added, “Sometimes we don’t give children and dogs enough credit. Our research suggests that with some guidance we can provide important and positive learning experiences for our kids and our dogs starting at a much earlier age, something that can make a world of difference to the lives of both.”
Just when you thought there couldn’t be a better chocolatey combination. The Whozeewhatzit bar, the Whatchamacallit brand’s first new bar in a decade, takes wacky, crazy, crunchy and chewy to a new level. The brand new bar, which has an added peanut butter crème layer and delicious rice crisps, all covered in chocolate.
Last year, the Whatchamacallit brand asked fans to submit their most creative naming ideas for the new bar. The winner was to receive $500 and a year’s supply of chocolatey goodness. After 43,000+ entries, the Whatchamacallit brand declared the name Whozeewhatzit, submitted by Lisa M. from Framingham, Mass., the winner.
“The new Whozeewhatzit bar has all the wacky, crazy, chew-tastic perks that Whatchamacallit fans love, plus a few more,” said Jenna Hamm, Whatchamacallit Brand Manager. “There were lots of great submissions but none that captured the bar’s irresistible characteristics while still paying homage to the beloved Whatchamacallit brand quite like the name Whozeewhatzit.
If you can’t wait to get your hands on the new Whozeewhatzit bar you don’t have long to wait. You will be able to find them in a 1.5 oz. standard size ($1.11) and a 3 oz. king size ($1.66) at retailers nationwide beginning February 2021.
Reebok, in partnership with DreamWorks Animation and Universal Brand Development has officially unveiled its Reebok x Kung Fu Panda footwear and apparel collection. The line features a range of pieces for everyone from toddlers to adults. The collection is available globally from Reebok.com beginning Jan. 8 before its wider release on Jan. 15 from select local retailers, in time for the Lunar New Year.
Instapump Fury “Dragon Warrior”
Reebok
Instapump Fury “Dragon Warrior” features a furry suede upper with dragon graphic on top, a textile Pump bladder and pull tabs nodding to his iconic patchwork shorts, a collar lining that ties back to his belt and waist band, asymmetric Pump ball noodle and dragon graphics, a sockliner design paying homage to fortune cookies and Po’s journey to becoming a kung fu master, TPU shank at the outsole constructed with a bamboo finish representing Po’s fighting staff, and lucky number graphics at the heel as a nod to the year of each Kung Fu Panda film release.
Also available in Versa Pump for kids.
Instapump Fury “Dragon Warrior” retails for $200.
Club C “Master Your Style”
Reebok
Club C “Master Your Style” brings together each of film’s six Kung Fu Masters’ unique wardrobes via a tapestry of materials and colors: the toe for Crane’s pants, the toe box for Po’s fur, the crosscheck for Tigress’s kimono, the heel for Po’s patchwork pants, the eyestays for each master’s fighting foot wrap, the tongue for Mantis’ exoskeleton, the heel tab for Monkey’s fur, the window box for Monkey’s wrist cuffs, the heel webbing for Viper’s scales and the collar lining for Po’s waistband. The shoe also features a custom Reebok Kanji logo at the heel.
Available in adult sizing.
Club C “Master Your Style” retails for $110.
Club C “Calling All Zodiacs”
Reebok
Club C “Calling All Zodiacs” celebrates the unique ideologies and mentalities of each of the film’s seven Kung Fu Masters: Po, Tigress, Monkey, Crane, Viper, Mantis and Shifu.
Available in adult, grade school, preschool and toddler sizing.
Club C “Calling All Zodiacs” retails for $100.
Zig Kinetica “Master of Tai Chi”
Reebok
Zig Kinetica “Master of Tai Chi” celebrates the Soul – a key theme for Lunar New Year – encouraging wearers to believe in themselves and to trust their inner spirit. This narrative is brought to life with an upper graphic execution paying homage to the golden spirit world that Po enters in the franchise’s third film, an all-over spiritual graphic on the sockliner, a cherry blossom heel graphic and a sublimated soul graphic across the all-textile upper.
Available in adult, grade school, preschool and toddler sizing.
Zig Kinetica “Master of Tai Chi” retails for $140.
Reebok x KFP Apparel
Reebok
Complementing the robust footwear lineup the Reebok x Kung Fu Panda collection also offers a full range of complementary apparel including hoodies, crew sweaters, short sleeve tees and sweatpants honoring Po’s journey to become the Dragon Warrior.
The footwear arrives in Lunar New Year-inspired packaging. The box’s red top symbolizes the red envelopes exchanged at holiday celebrations, while the base presents an action-packed graphic mashup bringing together themes from the Kung Fu Panda franchise. Inside, fans will find product wrapped in tissue paper that provides a restaurant-style menu of Reebok x Kung Fu Panda footwear offerings.
If you’re looking to give back and make a measurable difference in a family’s life this holiday season, but don’t know where to start, turn to The National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN). They recently launched a GoFundMe to help struggling families provide diapers for their children. With one in three families experiencing diaper need, it’s time to read on to find out more about this campaign and how a donation of only $18 can provide diapers for one baby for one week.
It’s no secret that families are struggling—both emotionally and financially—because of the global pandemic, In fact, the NDBN estimates that they are giving out 50% more diapers now than before COVID-19.
Their solution to help increase donations and awareness? NDBN partnered with GoFundMe to launch a centralized hub with verified fundraisers to #EndDiaperNeed. All donations to this GoFundMe will go directly to the National Diaper Bank Network of more than 240 diaper banks across the country.
It only takes a modest $18 to provide diapers for one bay for one week. A donation of any amount means that babies will stay dry and less exposed to health risks and families won’t have to worry about choosing between diapers for their children versus paying for rent, food or utilities.
As of time of publication, the GoFundMe has raised close to $57,000 of the $100,000 goal. To donate and learn more visit the campaign here.
Teachers have been paying out of their own pocket to provide vital resources to their students for years. With the Coronavirus pandemic, that statistic has only worsened, but a new partnership between Rebel Girls and First Book is setting out to help this holiday season.
Rebel Girls, a girl-driven edutainment brand known for its’ podcasts and books is partnering with First Book, a female-led nonprofit to honor and support teachers. This Giving Tuesday, the duo is helping both teachers and low-income students in two special ways.
photo: iStock
From Tue., Nov. 17th though Thur. Dec. 31st, purchase a Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls book on RebelGirls.com and Rebel Girls will donate a book directly to First Book! This partnership will give an opportunity for girls in low-income areas to be inspired by women who are changing the world in real life.
On Tues., Dec. 1, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: The Podcast will release two special episodes featuring teachers from the First Book community. You’ll also get to hear from Rebel Girls CEO, Jes Wolfe and First Book CEO, Kyle Zimmer.
Thanksgiving may look different this year. One thing that hasn’t changes is ALDI’s commitment to low prices. This year the grocery retailer is offering a Butterball turkey, sides and desserts for less than $30.
“Customers expect unbeatable prices at ALDI and the holidays are no exception. While nearly every aspect of our lives is rapidly changing, we promise to continue to do everything in our power to keep prices down,” said Jason Hart, President and CEO, ALDI U.S. “We’re proud to provide shoppers everything they need for a traditional Thanksgiving meal from ALDI for less than $30.”
Additionally, with the spirit of Thanksgiving in mind, ALDI is paying kindness forward and providing employees the opportunity to do the same. This year, ALDI is giving every employee two $30 gift cards. Each card covers the cost of a Thanksgiving meal from its stores, and employees are welcome to use the gift cards for themselves or pass one or both along to someone in need.
“It’s our honor to offer each of our employees a Thanksgiving meal on us,” Hart said. “And with so many people in our communities facing difficult times, we felt it was important to give our employees a way to pay it forward to someone in their life who could use it.”
