home4school
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Posts posted by home4school
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Thanks so much for the suggested plan!
Does SL incorporate a Biblical worldview? Do they include writing instruction? I have a catalog here, but I really didn't even think about SL until you mentioned it. I guess I can split my expo time between MFW and SL.
I ruled out TOG for me a long time ago.:lol: I drooled over it for several years. I love the idea behind it, but I want something more open and go. I'm also a hardcopy kind of girl. I like to hold things in my hand. I spend enough time on the computer as it is. I've been using Jen's history from GuestHollow and while she made it open and go, I've tweaked til I'm sick of tweaking. Books not at our library, bringing writing skills I feel we need to work on, etc.
I'll jump over to the SL site at lunch and poke around.
Thanks for trying to help me. I know they need to become more independent, but I really want to try to grow them as students, but more importantly to be good, Christian young men.
We have a neighbor family with one ds19 still finishing his senior year for the second time that can't even tell me the names of the classes he's taking, much less anything he's learning. They have another boy who's 16 that they've taken in. He's hsing himself online. Its just a thing he has to "get done" everyday. Neither have no interest whatsoever in learning anything. Just get done and go. Life is video games and dirtbike racing. That's what my boys see on a daily basis. I try to encourage the other boys in their schooling, but coming from me, its too little, too late.
The path we take probably won't be as academically rigorous as most here on this board. But, if I can keep them learning and growing and at least aimed toward some form of further education after hs, I'll be pleased. All the boys they're around just want to get out of school and get a job. Without some degree or some techincal training, I don't know what their futures could hold.
I love the service project Fridays in MFW. That's another goal for them I want to attain. To learn its not all about them. We're here for a greater purpose.
Thanks again!
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My initial thoughts without having MFW in my hand was to ease up on my 7th grader with it. Truthfully, my oldest is no where near working this program independently. I was hoping 9th for him would be a year building to that, but honestly, I see myself doing a lot of reading aloud still and us working together. I thought my 7th grader could "tag along", then when older graduates, he would be able to cycle back thru MFW again, but he would be doing AHL and WHL in 11th and 12th.
I've got the other thread going as well about using SOTW. How can I keep them together, but stretch the older and get him what he needs for hs credits?
Also, I'm looking forward to doing MFW myself as I have learned sooo much hsing these boys. I didn't have this type of education, much less a Christian one, so I'm excited about what I will learn. I don't want to just oversee, I want to participate!;)
Maybe MFW isn't right, but I want a strong worldview and a writing help.
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Let's just say, for my sanity and their's, that I keep them together and use SOTW. Going back to my "wants" in a previous post:
- strong Biblical worldview
- need work in writing (lots, basically from how to construct a good paragraph :( )
- would still like some hands-on
- engaging, interesting reading
I'll take a look at Biblioplan and Truthquest. Thanks for those suggestions. But, is there something more laid out that would accomplish my wants that I could use alongside SOTW?
I really like the writing instruction and worldview from MFW.
Suggestions? I have a friend using Starting Points and she raves about it, but its the wrong period. I want to do Ancients in the fall. That's how I ended up at WVWW, but I think its too tough.
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Strong Biblical Worldview.... check! Definately a component
Writing.... Almost a check! It is step by step, complete instruction...it does cover the basics of paragraphs..... here's a small quote...
Now, do you provide good support sentences for each of the topic paragraphs? Is each paragraph focused? that is, does the paragraph discuss only one idea? If not, rewrite the paragraphs by ensuring that every sentence in the paragraph is centered on a single idea provided bgy the topic sentence.........
I'd share more, but don't want to violate rules. Anyway, they were first taken step by step and taught how to write a topic sentence etc....
They suggest using writing strands for a child who needs more writing help.
I think if you just did a quick "learn to write a proper paragraph" class over a week or so, they'd be fine.
hands on - no check mark here.... I'm assuming you mean building things etc.... we just do it on our own as he wants to.... dover models, ancient egypt kit.... mummy chicken... yes, I know those are elementary school type things, but if my son says hey, can I do this.... who am I to squash his desire to do something fun.
engaging interesting reading.... definately a check! I posted somewhere some of the books my son has read this year... very diverse and cool list. Out of the Silent planet was one of his favorites... he requested the next two in the series.
Have fun at the MFW booth! Let your boys take a look too!
Sandra
I'm glad to hear your input on the writing. We're really focusing on that right now, working thru the Writing Trails in American History, the Remedia outling books, and some other general paragraph writing materials I have on hand.
I love that you still have time for the hands on! Where do you get your ideas from for the projects?
I do see a glimmer of interest in reading lately as they gotten older. Don't get me wrong, they still do not read for fun, but they do seem to have more interest lately in what they have read. Maybe MFW would stretch and grow us a bit.
Thanks so much for helping me and jumping back and forth between threads! I started the other looking for input on WVWW, but here we are back at MFW. Maybe that's the path for me!
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The SOTW cds sounds like a great investment.
Melissa, did you just suggest SonLight to me? Another program to ponder, look at samples, search for reviews endlessly on the computer? You didn't just do that, did you?:tongue_smilie:
I have pondered a lower level of MFW, but I need to keep my up-and-coming 9th grader on track, don't I? I definately want to hit Ancients, World, and the way MFW sets up the last two years to coincide with all that gov't, economics stuff looks good to me. If I don't start ds1 in AHL in the fall, he'll be all messed up, won't he?
I get sooooo jumping around expo time.
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Your son sounds like a good student! I will certainly look MFW over at the expo. Theoretically, its what I want and what we need. Putting it into practice, that's another matter.
As far as reading SOTW for fun, umm, nope. Books do not equal fun to these boys here!
I wish I was near Kansas, but I'm wayyyy over here in Georgia. :(
Are you going to use MFW WHL next year?
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Thank you, Sandra. The expo in our area is at the beginning of May. I'm going to make a bee-line to the MFW booth and probably spend the whole day there!
I guess I'm just wanting too many different things and I need to decide which is more important.
- strong Biblical worldview
- need work in writing (lots, basically from how to construct a good paragraph :( )
- would still like some hands-on
- engaging, interesting reading
Are there any hands-on type things in MFW or Notgrass at this level?
Thanks for all your help.
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I would definately, NOT leave out any of the Notgrass material. It is integral to the program.
Is it as boring and dry as the online sample seems? I just don't want to lose their interest, KWIM?
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Well, that's true. I was just afraid of MFW being too hard for them. But after looking at WVWW, that was rigorous!
We've never used SOTW and I really would like to include it for hs, but there again, I really want the worldview. UGH.
Perhaps I could replace some of the Notgrass readings w/ SOTW? Or add in addition to?
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One thing I strongly want is a Biblical worldview. Since SoTW doesn't even start at the beginning of history, biblically, I was looking for something to bring that in. Stumbled upon Quine's WVWW. Love what it accomplishes, but I'm afraid it would just be plain out, too tough for us.
I started another thread fishing for input on WVWW.
Help.me.please.
Why couldn't dear SWB have done SOTW with a Biblical worldview? My life would be sooo much easier!
MFW would have a strong Biblical worldview, correct? Perhaps I could trade off some of the Notgrass readings for SOTW? Or at least add SOTW for more interest and retaining?
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So, I fessed up in another thread that for my dear non-academic boys, I was torn between MFW for hs and just using SoTW. One thing I strongly want is a Biblical worldview. Since SoTW doesn't even start at the beginning of history, biblically, I was looking for something to bring that in. Stumbled upon Quine's WVWW. Love what it accomplishes, but I'm afraid it would just be plain out, too tough for us.
Opinions? I've read a lot of past reviews here and it appears to be very rigorous.
Help.me.please.
Why couldn't dear SWB have done SOTW with a Biblical worldview? My life would be sooo much easier!:tongue_smilie:
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Wow, I was expecting to get blasted right off the boards! The posts so far have beeen very encouraging. I just really want my boys to enjoy learning, actually "hear" the facts, and retain them hopefully.
I have not had a chance to see SWB's higher level history books. I'll definitely check them out, too.
I really like the "theory" of MFW. Learning so much about the Bible, who were are to be in Christ, etc. But, I'm scared of the "texts". I know I should be getting my boys used to texts, since I do hope they will want to continue their education past HS, but I want our last years to be enjoyable as well.
Do you think it would be possible to "mix and match", so to speak, MFW with SoTW? Like I said, I love their "goal", but the reading scares me a bit. I'm following the other thread about details in MFW regarding reading, academics, etc.
I want to turn out fine, educated, Christian young men at the end of this journey. Someone please just send me what I need!:tongue_smilie: One drawback to SoTW for me, is the lack of biblical tie-in. MFW seems to have all that covered and more, but there again, the texts. Eck.
Thanks!
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I have two boys that will be 9th & 7th in the fall. They are not academic by any means. Pencil-phobic would be a better description. Only read when I have them during school.
We've been doing all subjects together except math. That is the one subject they are separated by grade level. I've been planning on using MFW for hs. I have a two-fold dilemma:
1) I still want to keep them together as much as possible.
2) We've never used SOTW and I really want to! Every time I pick up a book at expos or look thru samples online, I learn something and I have a Bachelor's degree, for pete's sake!:tongue_smilie:
Can anyone offer me any insight to help me plan before the upcoming expo?
Thanks!
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bump...:bigear:
From what I gathered scanning this thread, the cheapest TM is to order from the company for $50?
Thanks!
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We did this once - we were young and actually took the entire 401K and paid ourselves to debt free. It was the best decision we ever made (not much in the 401K either at that time...would NEVER do that now with all we have invested!). I say, go for it.
The way I look at finances is we have no promise of tomorrow. If you can get out of debt and live more freely and happily, then do it. Don't completely remove all of your 401K, but 1/4 is not a ton...and like I said...who knows if most of us will even live to use the 401K.
He's talking about taking out 1/3 completely. We would lose at least 30% of that to penalties. But, we would free up the $800/mo.
I don't think I'd have a problem with it if it weren't for losing the $$$ to penalties. That's like flushing it down the toilet!
BTW, he's 49, will be 50 this year. So, he says he's worked for 20 yrs to build up this much and he's still got another twenty ahead before he can retire. You can withdraw at 60 though can't you?
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We did it. Pulled the 401k money and got out of debt. We have no regrets. None. Yep, we have to save a lot now, but guess what? We have the money to save. And we are both less stressed about bills and now when dh goes to find a new job in the future he won't have to turn down a good job b/c it doesn't pay enough to pay our debts. We actually took out most of ours as we had a lot of debt, but it's ok. I wish we had done it years ago before the debt got that high! We closed all but one credit card account. That one has been used but only if I can pay it with that upcoming paycheck. If not, then I don't use it.
It's a hard decision to make, and I dread taxes next year, but we would do it all the same if we could go back...only we would have done it years sooner.
You pulled it completely out? Can you tell me about the penalties? There's the 20% tax and the 10% early withdrawal, right? So we would automatically lose 30%. Also, it could affect our taxes when filing time comes.
My dh is still pushing his idea of pulling out about what would amount to 1/3, in spite of all the penalties. He says he'd rather do it that way and be debtfree, not even needing to pay himself back. He thinks the money we save in monthly payments that way, we can build the 401 back up more quickly.
If we eliminated the debt and didn't have the payment back to the 401k, it would free up around $800/mo. If we borrow and pay ourselves back, we would free up around $350/mo but not lose anything really and we would only be taking out about 1/4.
I just do.not.know. I just keep thinking about how much we would lose that way. He reasons the market could drop and we could lose it anyway. This is making me sick to my stomach.
Thanks for the insights.
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Just happened to think, I'm driving a 12 yo van with 150,000 miles on it. Won't be long til it dies. There's another payment.
Its just a losing battle, it seems.:glare:
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I think it's wishful thinking. What happens the next time you have any unexpected expense? More medical bills, car repair, home repair? You'll be in the same place you are now, but with no "back up." If you have no money to clear this current debt, how will you have extra money to repay the 401k loan?
If your dh withdrew his 401k money (instead of taking it out as a loan), you will be taxed on it in addition to the penalties you mentioned.
Does your dh have an occupation where he can pick up extra work on weekends, or is his schedule consistent enough where you can find a job for one day a week when he's home with your kids? It seems that the problem isn't the debt as much as your income is not meeting your expenses at this point. Since you've already said you've cut your expenses back, maybe it's time to look at increasing your income until the two are better balanced.
Is there any way that you can hold out for another year and a half, when you'll expect to have the truck paid off? You can then direct that money first toward a backup $1000 emergency fund and then pay off the existing debt. It seems like that would take a lot less than four years total.
:grouphug:
I've thought about all that, too. There's really no extra work outside the OT he gets. When he gets OT, its great $$, so he needs to be able to do that when its available. There again, needing him to be available limits me.
On paper, our budget works with $$ left. In real life, it doesn't happen. I've checked Dave Ramsey out of the library again. We used to do the envelope system early in our marriage in the 90s. I think we should give that a try again to really "see" where its trickling out each month.
I've thought too about holding on til the truck's paid, but those *^** ccs just don't seem to go down, much less away. It would be nice like a PP said to have "peace of mind" that the ccs are gone and we are paying ourselves.
I just don't know what the right thing to do is. I don't want to mess up our retirement, but we might not even be here then.
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I would. With gas prices soaring, it will be nice to have the extra cash each month.
That's something else I'm afraid of. It seems no matter what we do to eliminate things and free up extra money, we never see it. I cut our car insurance by half each month by switching companies, but I don't "see" that $$$ each month and it was about $75. I'm afraid we'll do this and still not be any better off each month.
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I'd do it ONLY if you're certain you'll not accumulate debt again on the zero-balance credit cards.
Doing the math, it makes sense to pay it off using your retirement funds since you'll replace those to yourself over four years. It isn't like you're taking the money, paying off the debts and not putting it back - you're putting back over a period of time, so you're not losing it from your retirement.
It makes sense from a long-term perspective because, let's pretend your credit card debt is $25,000.....if it'll take you 10-years to pay that off as you're trying now, at an interest rate of 12%, you'll pay to the credit card company more than $18,000 in interest - taking your principle and interest on the debt you've accumulated to $43,000....so what cost you $25,000, now cost you $43,000.
On the flip-side, if you take out $25,000 from retirement to pay off your debts, over 4-years of repayment, at 4.25%, you're looking at paying back into your account the $25,000 plus about $2,500 in interest over that period - so your $25,000 is going to be replaced with $27,500. Looking at the markets right now, I doubt your portfolio is rising at the same rate - but even if it is, or it's doing better, you are NOT making enough in interest to cover your losses to the credit card interest!
Anytime your interest payments exceed what you're earning, it makes sense to eliminate the debt first, even if it means reducing your saved funds because the saved money isn't earning enough to justify it sitting there while you're spending more to pay someone else. With the retirement account, you'll be paying yourself, not a credit card company.
Just my two cents!
Great answer. I did the loan model at the 401k site, but I just wanted to be sure this wasn't completely off the wall. We've made some bad financial decisions in the past.
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Have you checked to see if you can take a loan out for this reason? I think most 401Ks only allow you to take the money out for a few specific reasons like paying for college, home loan, medical bills (I don't know if this extends to payments on medical debt already paid for with a cc).
Have you checked to see if your employer allows it? I assume since you know the interest rate, you have checked into this. Not all 401ks can be drawn against.
Do you know that if your dh loses his job while you have the loan, you will have 60 days to repay the entire loan and if not repaid in that time, it is distributed like a cash out, and you pay all the penalties and taxes in that calender year?
Do you know that the payment is taken out of your paycheck so there is no wiggle room for when you repay it?
What other options have you looked at? Personal loan? Home loan? Calling the cc company to lower the interest rate?
What kind of interest are you currently paying? If it is low, instead of taking out of your 401K, can you stop making payments (leaving in any matching amounts by employer) and use that money to pay extra on the loans instead?
Yes, we can borrow for this. If he were to lose his job, his employer offers a "coupon book" so we could continue payment on the set schedule.
I haven't looked into any other options. I
The interest shot up after the mess last year to 11%. We've been getting the 0% intro invites lately, but I'm just fed up with ccs. They just never seem to go away.
I just want to be debtfree.:(
Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like noone agrees with dh's idea to just pull it out and take the penalties, even though we would have no payments, right?
Why did MFW not work for your family?
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
bump:bigear: