When I was seven, I thought writing a check meant you didn’t have to spend money. It was the perfect solution for toys, candy, and anything else I wanted. “Mom, just use a check!” Wouldn’t that be nice if that were true?

The new year marks a time of reflection and for a lot of us, resolutions. Conveniently enough, the new year follows a spend-happy time and allows us to take a good hard look at our financials. Surprisingly enough, at seven, I didn’t have this same mindset. But, why not? I remember learning how to count money in school, but I don’t remember being taught the value of saving, giving, and smart spending. Arguably, the recent economic state dictates I’m not the only one. My parents taught me the importance of being debt free, owning my own home and living the American dream. I think that’s what most parents want for their children.

Instilling the values of smart spending, saving, and giving at a young age can truly pave the path to future financial independence. Nicole Anderson, trustee of LBCF and successful estate planning and business law attorney grew up with that exact structure. When Nicole received allowance or some birthday money, she faced a very important decision. Do I save the money for my dream bike? Do I spend the money on my trip to the store today? Or do I donate the money to the aquarium that I just visited with my parents?

At a young age, Nicole was given the responsibility to make decisions, create a savings goal, and develop a giving heart. Quite obviously, all of those values are shining brightly in her adult life and she looks forward to passing those values onto her two young children. Creating three designated spending jars is a fun and thoughtful way of getting kids to think about money. Something as important as financial independence shouldn’t be an afterthought in education. So, why not start now? Here are some great tips to make the most out of operation: Save, Spend, Give!

• Set Up Goals: Instill the importance of creating S.M.A.R.T goals – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Review progress and set milestones for giving, spending, and saving.
  
• Interest – The Good and The Bad: Add a percentage monthly interest to the savings jar. Teach kids the value of savings and have them calculate the interest they’ve earned at the end of each month. Conversely, if you lend them money, use that as an opportunity to teach them the expense of borrowing.
  
• Match their GIVE: Promote philanthropy and encourage young people to learn about their community and the world. Volunteer locally and help educate them on where their donations are going.
  

There are many ways to make spending, giving, and saving a family affair! Have you ever considered opening a family donor advised fund? This is a great tool to get the whole family involved as well. You can set a family mission statement, identify individual passions, setup volunteer days, and learn about financial independence. Let your youngsters take part in the decision making process of granting funds. Kids are never too young to make an impact and teaching them the value of saving, spending, and giving will help them realize that for themselves.

For more information on a Donor Advised Fund, please contact the Laguna Beach Community Foundation.

Contributed By: Rachel Lindsay, LBCF Associate Project Coordinator

Founded in 2003 the Laguna Beach Music Festival is co-presented by Laguna Beach Live! and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. The Festival’s commitment to lifelong learning makes possible meet-the-artist events, salons, open rehearsals, and lively discussions, while local schoolchildren encounter live music in the schools during Festival week. These programs capture the spirit of the Festival, blurring the lines between artist and audience, professional and amateur.

LBMF Board is made up of outstanding local community members who support and develop the Festival from selection of musicians, theme, development of special events, educational and outreach programs, partnerships with other organizations and marketing activities.

The annual February Laguna Beach Music Festival continues to be a platform for the discovery of up-and-coming artists highlighting some of the world’s foremost musicians along with the next generation of star performers. The mission of the Music Festival is to achieve a unique musical experience in Laguna for a broadening audience by bringing together gifted young artists and distinguished mentors in performances and educational outreach programs.

The Music Festival is pleased to announce its 2015 Festival artist mentors, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. The 2015 Festival, taking place February 12-15 at a variety of venues in Laguna Beach, will also include special appearances by friends of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, including the Los Angeles Percussion Quartet (LAPQ), Janelle DeStefano, Phil Proctor and L.A. Flamenco. Other repertoire highlights include Steve Reich’s Six Marimbas, Steve Forman’s Bitcoins and John Bergamo’s Piru Bol.

The 2015 Music Festival features three concert performances taking place throughout the weekend, with its Opening Night Celebration & Concert on Friday, February 13 at the Laguna Playhouse. The Opening concert brings the first-ever collaboration between the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and the Los Angeles Percussion Quartet. It will be a night of discovery, with two of America’s most dynamic chamber groups coming together to explore new and exciting music. Toast to their musical discoveries afterwards at a private on-stage dessert party which is included in the Opening Celebration Ticket. The highlight of the evening will be the world premiere of a new work, “Ymir,” commissioned by Laguna Beach Music Festival and written especially for the occasion by celebrated composer Jeffrey Holmes.

On Saturday night, Valentine’s Day, enjoy a program of Spanish Romance. Boccherini’s Fandango, Bizet’s Carmen and Manuel de Falla’s haunting Seven Songs sung by mezzo-soprano Janelle DeStefano will exemplify the fire and passion of Andalucía, culminating in a grand finale performance of Falla’s complete ballet El Amor Brujo featuring the phenomenal L.A. Flamenco dance troupe. For our final concert on Sunday, LAGQ and Firesign Theatre’s Phil Proctor come together to bring Don Quixote to life with images and lighting, accompanied by LAGQ’s brilliant arrangements of music from Spain’s Golden Age. The result is inspired storytelling in its most elevated form. Immediately following, a panel discussion and Q&A on “Don Quixote and the Art of Adaptation” will be held onstage with Phil Proctor and LAGQ.

“Every year the Festival brings premier artists to Laguna Beach and our mission is to share this musical talent and exploration with our community and beyond,” says Festival Director, Laura Ricker. “Join the musicians on stage Saturday and Sunday for Discovery Discussions where the Artistic Director and the musicians discuss their unique collaborations and dynamic repertoire. Through concerts, free outreach events, student discounts, and the new Thursday Taste of the Festival, we are excited to offer a wonderful Festival weekend in Laguna Beach.”

Join us on Thursday, February 12 for the new Taste of the Festival. Up close and personal: meet, mix and mingle with the 2015 Laguna Beach Music Festival musicians before the weekend of concerts. Delight in a memorable evening of tasty hors d’oeuvres and wine while socializing with Festival Artistic Director William Kanengiser, Los Angeles Percussion Quartet, Janelle DeStefano and Phil Proctor before an evening performance of musical highlights of their repertoire.

TICKETS:
Concert tickets are $35-$45 per concert. VIP tickets available.
Student Discounts Available starting at $25. Contact LBMF for more information.
Please call Laguna Playhouse or Philharmonic Society for more information.

Contributed By: Laura Ricker, Festival Director