The Best Gift Idea You Never Thought Of

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Bloggin’ Mamas & the Florida Prepaid College Board. All opinions expressed are my own.

It wasn’t that long ago there was a young man. He was a kind young man and handsome too. He always did what his mother and father told him to do. He would spend his free time with them over his friends. He used his manners. He didn’t do drugs, drink, or cause any problems. He studied hard, and he put almost all of his energy into running.

He was fast. He was so fast he made it on a division 1 school’s travel team for cross country. He was one of seven, and he even ran with people who were in the Olympics. His life became filled with college, running, studying and a Nike shoe collection thanks to being on the cross country team. He didn’t have much in the way of money. He slept on a mattress on the floor in a room he shared with a smelly teenager.

He ate what was on his meal plan through the school for athletes. When he was on his own for food, he would grab a bag of salad and a can of something. He listened to talk radio and didn’t go out much. He didn’t have the extra money for fun.

His parents worked hard. They tried to help but the cost of tuition was so high for them, and he only got a partial scholarship, so ends weren’t being met. They had two other children to think of so how do you choose which one to help and which one you can’t? How do you pick a number you can give knowing that number isn’t going to be the full amount? They did their best, and they made sure he had food, a place to stay, a bike, and their complete emotional support.

That young man continued to get up early most times before the sun. He stayed up late studying. He gave it his all, but it wasn’t good enough. He realized that his dream career was out of his reach because of a test he didn’t score high enough. He became upset as his bills mounted, and his dream collapsed. He decided to run far away from college.

Where he ran to would surprise not only his parents but everyone he knew. He ran away because he wasn’t happy but he also didn’t want to put pressure on his parents to provide for him anymore. He let the weight of their sacrifices stifle his dream. He could have applied for a loan and continued, but he didn’t want to start out his adult life owing anyone. He wanted to be his own person, so he did. He joined the Navy.

The Navy taught and helped shape him into the man he wanted to be strong, independent, skilled, and patriotic. He became a Nuclear Engineer. Then everything changed, and he was no longer happy with his choice.

He met a girl. I know they change everything. Luckily, for him, it was for the better. She put things in perspective there are many things in life we will do together, many different roles we will try and fail at, there will be a significant crisis and even more significant accomplishments. There will be days of scarcity and days of abundance, but there is one thing that no one can take from you.

What is that one thing?

It is your education. Once she convinced him that education was the answer to almost all of one’s questions, he decided to return to college to finish his degree and serve in the military as an officer. That is just what he did.

That girl is still in love with that guy athey have been married for 17 years. They have three children together one diva and two sons. You aren’t going to believe this, but all three children like to run. The girl she only likes to run her mouth.

They have three children who will never have to choose between worrying about the cost of school, the impact their school’s cost will have on us, and their goal to achieve an education.

You see the best gift you never thought of isn’t wrapped with ribbon. It isn’t bought from a store. It is also one you can give.

That gift is peace of mind. We like knowing we have given our children the best gift in the world. We have given them four years each at a State School in Florida.

Yes, to give them that we had to say “No” to a couple of shiny objects each month but looking at our children and knowing that we have given them the key to the world makes the disappointment disappear into joy. We believe that education will enable our children to be the best versions of themselves.

These are the details for the best gift idea you never thought of:

4-Year Florida University Plan

o This Plan will start your child off at one of Florida’s 12 prestigious state universities and see them through their four-year journey.
o If your child decides to start at a college (typically less expensive), the unused funds from this Plan can be applied to a post-secondary degree, or you can get the remaining money back
o Like all of our plans, use isn’t restricted to Florida schools; the amount covered by your Prepaid Plan can be used at schools nationwide.

At a time when so much in the world is uncertain, saving for college through Florida Prepaid College Plans is guaranteed and secure. It is certain – a way to ensure a child’s financial security and your own. We plan to retire and we can because we know that we have accounted for and taken care of the expense of college.

It is a great feeling to tell your children they can study to be anything they want to be and know you have college paid for so that can happen.

Florida Prepaid Plans include tuition and other specified fees. A family can purchase Plans all at once, over five years or in monthly installments. Prepaid Plans are available for purchase during Open Enrollment, which is open until February 28, 2017. Use my exclusive code Deals1718 to save $25 off the application fee (normally $50). Apply here!