Gifts To Grandchildren

Gifts given to grandchildren by grandparents can be a great blessing.  Kelly Greene wrote an article in the Wall Street Journal September 14, 2012, titled "Are You Coddling Your Grandkids?"  In her article, Ms. Greene indicates five ways to give to a grandchild something and at the same time not creating a sense of entitlement from a grandchild.
First, Ms. Greene says you must, "Pare your gifts to offset the pain."  In other words, don't give to the extent that you jeopardize your own financial care.
Second, Ms. Greene say you might consider making a gift a loan rather than an outright gift.  If the loan is handled properly, it might be a good way to help the grandchild and at the same time allowing them to make their own way in the world.
Third, Ms. Greene says a grandparent can create teaching moments.  Gifting stock or investments rather than cash can be a way of teaching grandchildren the value of money as an example.
Fourth, Ms. Greene says it is a good idea to delay a grandchild's gratification.  Gifting money at certain dates or events rather than on a regular basis can help grandchildren rely on their own resources first.
Fifth, Ms. Greene counsels to practice equality.  One of the most common reasons for litigation between family members if perceived favoritism. 
As you choose to gift assets, it is wise to take into account the feelings of family members and how said gifts will affect them in the long run.

The Spirit of Giving Inspired by the Very Young

Here is an inspirational story regarding a nine year old birthday wish, clean water, death, and charitable giving.

Check us out here.

I know, I'll Set up a Foundation to Benefit Myself!

U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., pitched in the Major Leagues for 17 seasons, most notably with the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. When he retired, he had the second-highest total of career strikeouts in Major League history; he is currently 17th.

According to the Lexington Hearald-Leader at kentucky.com, he may have pitched himself one more strike out. Looks like Bunning set up a charitable foundation in 1996, the year he entered baseball's Hall of Fame. Every year since, he has been the fund's biggest recipient.

His non-profit collects money that Sen. Bunning gets by autographing baseballs. It has taken in half a million dollars.

Of that, the good senator and the foundation's sole employee, gets a salary of $180,000 in salary, working a laborious reported hour a week.

The foundation has actually given only a quarter of its income or $136,435, to churches and charitable groups around Northern Kentucky. The largest sums to local Catholic churches Bunning has attended.

Keeping Lenin in Lusrine Suits

The fund that cleans up the mummified Lenin every three years is out of money and can't afford to buy him the lustrine (silk) suit that he prefers.

More at obit-mag.com

More from neatorama.com

150,000,000 people have visted Lenin's Tomb.

Work on improving his appearance continued for decades after his death.

The mausoleum is kept at 59F.

There is a "body brigade that regularly removes Lenin's clothing and examines the body for signs of wear and tear.

Every 18 months he's bathed in preservatives and injected with chemicals.