If your child is between the Ages of 8-12: Start planning ahead and educating your youth for a prosperous future. Early education is key for a healthy financial future. Follow along and learn with your child about the differences between a stock and a bond. How a bank makes money and much more. Let our Kids Finance Coach help your child prepare for a brighter future. www.kidsfinancecoach.com
Don’t wait, the time is now to educate:
Ages 13-18 are critical years for your children to start taking responsibility for their future. Cell phone bills, New cars, Proms, University tuitions and graduation trips are expenses that will come up sooner than you think. Having your child value money and learn to be responsible for their spending and saving is important. Don’t put yourself in a position where your college bound child is dependent on your monthly check to survive. Even if you are capable financially to send them money, you will be doing them an injustice by not educating them on the importance of saving. Give them the confidence to know that they can be responsible and proactive as they enter into young adulthood.
Never to late, to educate:
A parents point of view. Planning for rising education costs, retirement and even planning for the care of their parents or for their own long term care.
Living and Learning started as a fun project to share insight from one Parent to another. As Brett Ellen traveled with his wife Mandy and their children, they often did good deeds at each exotic destination. They found that just one street back from their hotel their were children and people in need. They took toys, food and gave an afternoon of their vacation to various care centers and homeless shelters. They were doing it to help others but also to enrich the lives of their children. Their close friends started to ask Brett and Mandy about how they could get involved. As news traveled in their small suburban town more families were asking the Ellen’s about their trips so they started a website to share their traveling adventures. Today, Living and Learning has grown into an all encompassing site.
Young children go to Living and Learning to play games and for the fun projects that they can do with their friends and family.
Teens visit the site to learn about the little things that they can do today to prepare for an even brighter tomorrow, which includes reading expert advice on saving and planning for their future. They find valuable tips on preparing for the many decisions they will have to face when standing at a fork in the road of life. Parents who need and want to share advice, guidance and strength turn to Living and Learning for valuable information. This Unique and one-of-a-kind site helps us to realize that our life is a Journey that we can all enjoy today.
Mandy Ellen (Yamauchi) Creator
Born and raised on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Mandy was raised by a traditional Japanese American mother and father that were not affectionate or vocal about their feelings. Mandy new that she would try to be more open with her own family. Her parents, Takeo and Lynette did however put a definite foundation regarding philanthropy in her life. As she grew up she heard stories of how her mom and dad had helped different people through difficult times in their lives. After high school she moved to the mainland. She graduated with a degree in Marketing and worked as a flight attendant for a few years as well as the Marketing Director for Maui and Sons Beachwear. Today this busy mom of five uses her “mom-prenuer” skills. She along with her incredible husband created the non-profit organization TKO Helping Hands, where together children and parents help those in need. Mandy cheered for the Los Angeles Rams for 2 years then 6 years for the Los Angeles Raiders. Her business acumen came into play when she created the first-ever crossover NFL/NBA Cheerleading promotional group. Mandy was chosen as Cheerleading director for the World Football League’s Barcelona Dragons, and helped promote the WFL (World Football League) throughout Europe. Today Living and Learning is her dream as she hopes to reach out to others and share her journey with her family and interact with others.
Brett Ellen: Advisor
Born in Oakland, California to his still incredibly in love parents Ron and Linda. They set a role model for Brett to follow in parenting and being a great husband. His mom always told Brett to treat his wife as if he were still courting her. His dad coached his sport teams as a child and instilled a you can do it all attitude in Brett that is definitely attributable to his success. Brett is the President & CEO of American Financial Network (AFN). Often regarded as a visionary leader in the financial services industry, Brett has been successfully providing financial planning solutions to clients for nearly 25 years. Over the years Brett has been actively involved in numerous community groups such as the Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village Chamber of Commerce, the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce and the Orange County Business Forum, in addition to running the Financial Solutions Alliance. He has financially supported and been involved in many charities over the years for local schools and educational causes while volunteering for leadership and coaching roles. He has also been a contributor to Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Wellness Community, The Medical Resource Foundation, The American Cancer Society, The American Diabetes Association and he recently was awarded the 2008 Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Muscular Dystrophy Association..
Keanu Ellen: Keanu established the American Young Achiever Award which recognizes children for their community involvement. He is the co-founder of TKO helping hands and has actively participated in feeding homeless since the age of 3. He has been fortunate to run the bases at Dodger Stadium, hung out on the field with the beautiful LA and Oakland Raiderettes, played on center court at the JP Morgan Chase at the Home Depot Center as an exhibition for Maria Sharipova and even shot around with Magic Johnson, Jerry West and Charles Barkley. Keanu is living each day to the fullest and at the age of 10 he has had an article published in Kidz Magazine, won a college scholarship for the Kohl’s Kids Who Care Program and has traveled throughout the country doing good deeds for people. He may seem old in experiences but he is a kid at heart who loves meeting people and doing exciting things. With his great focus and athletic ability he earned his black belt in Tang soo do at the age of 7. He has been blessed with his fathers sense of humor and loves performing at comedy improv shows on the weekends. Keanu dreams of going to USC so he keeps his grades up and tries not to get in trouble for talking too much in class.
Tristen Ellen: Tristen is the co-founder of TKO helping hands and the creator of Brother Power. Brother Power is a pact and secret handshake that he has created with his brother Keanu. “I’ve got your back, you’ve got my back…Brother Power”. The two work hard to understand each others differences and they are the first to back each other up in a time of need. Tristen also known as T-Time is our resident actor and has a few commercials under his belt. Shy by nature he is learning to conquer his fear with speech and acting classes. Tristen loves music, singing and sports. He has been lucky enough to ride dolphins, swim with sting rays and feed killer sharks from an immersed water tank. Tristen is 8 years old and is the first to open a door and pull out a chair for a lady. He kisses hands, picks flowers when he sees them, tells his mom that she is beautiful and is as sensitive as they come. Tristen consistantly thinks of different business ideas which he wants to own with his brother Keanu and their friends. He is compassionate and thoughtful and has fed homeless and been involved with philanthropy since the age of 3.
Denise Villanueva: Creative Development After 20 years of business development, marketing and PR experience with some of the top names in the retail, entertainment, sports and technology industries, such as Victoria’s Secret, The Walt Disney Company, Magic Johnson Enterprises and IBM, Denise started her own consulting firm. During her 8 years as one of “Footballs Fabulous Females,” the Los Angeles Raiderettes, Denise was called upon to be a captain for 7 years and act as a key spokesperson traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad to such countries as China, Japan and Great Britain.
Aram Danielian:L & L Website Architect
At the age of 13 Aram was fascinated by computers. He has taught himself about computers by reading, studying and through practical experience. His family background is in the arts. His father is an architect and artist and his mother is a musician who has been a soloist in many well known orchestras. Aram is a quiet and analytical 21 year old with great ambition and work ethic. A product of a strict upbringing he is a goal oriented individual who sets high standards for himself and manages to achieve his goals. Aram is talented, creative and a valuable asset to the Living and Learning website.
When traveling with children it is important to remember that you should carry some basic items to entertain your children during the flight. The items you carry will vary depending on the length of the flight and the location that you are destined for.
Being experienced as a flight attendant, I learned from parents who prepared prior to their trip. They were now able to enjoy their journey with their children. Many other parents who did not plan ahead were now upset, stressed and frustrated as they expected their young ones to keep entertained with no supplies for hours.
Here are a few helpful tips that I have found to work for us.
Prior to the trip:
If this is a first time flyer be sure to discuss with him/her what they should expect. They will be excited and perhaps a little apprehensive. Remember that if you act calmly they will respond calmly.
I always prepare their travel back pack or bag that they will carry on the flight. They can add items to it, but you should be sure that the basics are in there for them to turn to during the trip.
1. A deck of cards
2. A book or magazine
3. Paper and a few markers/crayons/pastels (age appropriate art supplies)
4. Snacks (Remember that liquids must be less than 3 oz or they will be taken from you at the airport security. ) Sliced fruit and vegetables, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, crackers and cheese, nuts, cup a noodles or individual cereal packs work well.
5. I always bring a pack of wipes (clean up any mishaps), a small tube of lavendar oil (calms nerves), chap stick, antiseptic cream and a few band aids (the flight crew will have additional items), Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, Benedryl and a few cough drops.
6. Little ones should always have a change of clothes handy in case a drink spills or there is an accident.
7. If you believe in electronic entertainment systems: A portable DVD player or video game system such as a Nintendo DS, Playstation PSP or Leap frog will keep your little one entertained.
8. On long journeys, we always have a pillow from home. (Put two pillowcases on as one will get dirty on the flight there) I also stuff the pillow case with a small sheet or blanket for the flight as planes often leave with a minimum amount of blankets and pillows.
9. A toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste, carry case for glasses, contacts or medications should all be tucked into the back pack.
10. I pack a small flash light as well as an identification card inside of the back pack incase the ID tag falls off on the outside.
11. I often pack a pair of flip flops and extra socks for the ride as a back up to their shoes. (feet often swell on long flights and sleeping children find it difficult to put their shoes back on after a long flight)
Explore a life of living and learning with us; The Ellens