Can Same-Sex Parents Get a Break on College Financial Aid?

Same-sex parents are used to the routine of crossing out “Mother” or “Father” on various forms and writing in whatever applies to our family. What happens, however, when this is asked on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, used by most colleges and universities to determine a student’s contribution towards the cost of his/her education? Can we fill in the form literally and thus not count one parent’s earnings (meaning potentially more aid)?

That’s the question my spouse Helen asked over at her blog. I’ll let you pop over there for her thoughts on the subject.

“She Got Me Pregnant”: Episode 98

Helen and I tackle financial literacy for kids and the origin of piggy banks. We then explain why indie rock band They Might Be Giants is becoming the Schoolhouse Rock for a new generation—and why the band has a special connection to LGBT families. On a somber note, we mourn the death of Brendan Burke, the gay son of Brian Burke, general manager of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. Brian Burke had several months ago spoken out strongly in support of his son and against homophobia in sports.

(If the embedded video above doesn’t work for you, try it at Dailymotion.)

The ABC’s of IRA Inheritance for LGBT’s

Pointing out another fine post by my spouse at her blog. (Hey, Valentine’s Day is coming up. Gotta do what I can.)

Want to know how to keep your disapproving Aunt Sally from ending up with your money? Read what Helen wrote the other day about The ABC’s of IRA Inheritance for LGBT’s.

Helping Haiti

I was going to write a post about donating to Haiti, but my spouse Helen did it instead. She’s pulled out a list of all the organizations providing relief in Haiti that are rated four stars by Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator also has some useful tips on evaluating who should get your money.

We’re going to include our son in the donation process, making sure that he understands why we are giving and why it is important to be good world citizens. (You may also enjoy Helen’s post on Pennies for Peace, another organization we support with our son’s involvement.)

How do you include your kids in your charitable giving or volunteer efforts?

“She Got Me Pregnant”: Episode 94

Helen and I discuss shopping for our new car and Helen shares her thoughts on why shopping “green” isn’t always as easy as it seems. (Helen also goes into more detail over at her place about our car purchase.)

We also bring news of more lesbian birds trying to incubate eggs, and a project to encourage human LGBT families to send holiday cards to the White House.

(If the embedded video above doesn’t work for you, try it at Dailymotion.)

Brought to you in partnership with After Ellen.

Crash, Bang!

One of our cars was totaled last week. Let me quickly add that no one was hurt. Helen got rear-ended while stopped in traffic, and was pushed into the car in front of her, which happened to be a tow truck. If you’re going to have a car crash, that’s the way to do it.

That gives me as good an excuse as any to introduce her new blog, Science and Money, where she has posted about the accident and its financial aftermath. The blog is the standalone relaunch of one that was associated with her home business. In it, she offers “elements of personal finance from a scientist’s perspective”—and with a fair amount of wit. She doesn’t always write about LGBT-specific issues, but as a lesbian, she does keep an eye out for when those issues arise.

Go say hi and offer her comments with your own stories about car-buying hassles. We’ll tell you what we bought next week.

How Much More Does It Cost to Be a Same-Sex Couple?

The New York Times has just published a major new piece on the costs of being a same-sex couple. Their conclusion? Lifetime added costs range from $28,595 to $211,993.

Authors Tara Siegel Bernard and Ron Lieber did extensive financial modeling and analysis, based on a hypothetical same-sex couple whom they chose to be similar to an “average” heterosexual one. The couple has two children, with one partner staying home for five years to take care of them. The authors make other socioeconomic and geographic assumptions, but lay them all out and attach a 25-page workbook for those who want the gory details.

They initially thought it would take a week to run the numbers. It really took two months, and the simulation of more than 900 tax returns. While I would love to see the numbers for a greater range of couples, that seems more a matter for academe. The article is well worth a read in any case. We need more data-driven arguments for equality to go along with the emotional and moral ones. Along with the economic and demographic work by the Williams Institute at UCLA, this article should be essential ammunition for positive change.

Let’s Hear It For Camp Winnebucca!

Kids go to day camp this summer? You might be able to claim the cost as a dependent care expense. My spouse Helen explains how in her latest post for Queercents, and even mentions a possible extra savings because the federal government does not yet recognize marriages of same-sex couples. (Yes, marriage inequality screws us financially in other ways. All the more reason to take advantage of the perks when we can, I say.)

(Reminder: I am not a financial professional. Check with your own before taking or not taking any specific course of action.)

Moneygami Marvels

My spouse Helen recently stumbled across the fascinating world of moneygami, origami using paper money. Some of the more clever designs even highlight the portrait of the person on the bill.

It seems to be one of those niche hobbies that the Internet facilitates, although I am sure it far predates the Web. Helen has collected a number of moneygami links over at her site, though she usually deals with more serious financial matters. Check them out just for the clever designs, or try one of the how-to videos yourself or with the kids.

Helen suggests leaving tips in moneygami shapes. I’m thinking the next time the Tooth Fairy visits our son, she just might leave a tooth-shaped gift. (Or maybe a toothbrush. I could probably handle that.)

Wednesday Open Thread

What’s on your minds today, readers? Keeping the kids amused during the summer? The weather? Back-to-school preparation? (Please, not yet.) President Obama’s cupcakes?

Leave a comment!