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5 Best Halloween Treats That Don’t Include Candy

Fall has arrived! Neighborhood streets are bursting with deep hues of rustic reds, vibrant oranges, and golden yellows. The scent of pumpkin spice seems to magically fill the air everywhere you go. And suddenly, Halloween trick-or-treating is just around the corner! It’s a fun time for the whole family. However, if you’re looking to go beyond the ensuing sugar rush this year and celebrate Halloween with treats that don’t include candy, here are five great ideas that will delight kiddos of any age.

#5 Games and Puzzles

From brainteasers to board games, there are a variety of cards, games, and puzzles created to entertain a player of one or allow the whole family to join in. Plus, portable games make time fly on long drives to grandma’s house!

#4 Movie Tickets

Some of the best movies and blockbusters are shown during Halloween. Spend an afternoon with a buttery bucket of popcorn and watch a spooky or funny film of your child’s choice (age appropriate, of course)!

#3 Books and Library Cards

It’s never too early or too late to start reading with your child. Books open up worlds of possibility and imagination in young minds. And don’t forget about library cards! Both are a great way to encourage a lifetime of learning in your little one.

#2 Museum Memberships

Museums are fascinating places that are constantly sharing new exhibitions throughout the year. Whether you stop in at the local history museum for a look into the past or play games at discovery stations at a children’s museum, there is always something new to learn and explore.

#1 Open a 529 Savings Plan

Saving for your child’s future education doesn’t have to be scary. Tax-advantaged 529 plans can help pay for school tuition, fees, books, room and board, and more. And 529 plans aren’t just for college; resources can be used for K-12 education and apprenticeships, too. To learn more and sign up, visit achievemontana.com today.

As you plan out costumes, decorate your home for the season, or carve pumpkins with silly faces on them, celebrate Halloween by including treats that go beyond chocolate and taffy. Consider giving goodies that can be meaningful and have a lasting impact on your child’s life.
Photo of student reading a piggy bank is near to remind us to save for education.

5 Ways to Get the Most out of Your Achieve Montana Account

You’ve opened an Achieve Montana account, you’ve named a beneficiary, you’re excited for what’s ahead, but now what? How do you go from making the occasional contribution to helping your children step into their dreams in a matter of years? We get it, even when you’re on the right track (way to go!), saving for education can seem like a daunting pursuit. But, with the right tools and resources, it doesn’t have to be. No matter where life takes them – college, trade school, or somewhere in between – these next five steps will give you the confidence to help them get there.

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May 22, 2024 No Comments

Why Consider Trade School?

When it comes to graduating or pursuing higher education opportunities outside of high school, many students are faced with one overwhelming question: What do I want to do next? A question that even many adults continue to struggle with throughout their life. And yet, the “societal norm” is for 18-year-olds to have it all mapped out prior to moving their tassel over on graduation day. But what if you don’t? Or even more, what if you do and your dream career or next step doesn’t include the typical college pathway?

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May 6, 2024 No Comments
A picture of a diploma and mortarboard next to stacked coins.

Kick Student Loan Debt to the Curb

At the end of last year, student loan debt in the U.S. totaled $1.74 trillion. That makes for an average student loan payment of more than $393 per month. And while loan forgiveness initiatives are up in the air every few months, here’s one thing that’s for sure – saving early can outweigh both the costs and stress of paying for college and higher education.

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April 8, 2024 No Comments
For more information about Achieve Montana, call 877.486.9271 or download an Enrollment Kit. The Enrollment Kit includes a Program Description that discusses investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information; read and consider it carefully before investing.
If you are not a Montana taxpayer, before investing in Achieve Montana, you should consider the benefits of your home state’s qualified tuition program. It may provide taxpayers with state tax and other benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds and protection from creditors, that are only available through your home state’s qualified tuition program. You should also consult your financial, tax, or other advisor to learn how state-based benefits (or limitations) would apply to your specific circumstances. Tax and other penalties may apply to non-qualified withdrawals.
Keep in mind that state-based benefits should be one of many appropriately weighted factors to be considered when making an investment decision. In addition, you should periodically assess, and if appropriate, adjust your Section 529 Plan investment choices with your time horizon, risk tolerance and investment objectives in mind.
Achieve Montana is sponsored by the State of Montana and administered by the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education, as sole trustee of the Montana Family Education Savings Trust (Trust). Ascensus College Savings Recordkeeping Services, LLC serves as program manager and provides recordkeeping and administrative support services for Achieve Montana. Blackrock Fund Advisors, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., New York Life Insurance Company and the Vanguard Group, Inc. each provide investment management services for the underlying investments comprising Achieve Montana’s portfolios. Although some of the portfolios invest in mutual funds, they are not mutual funds. When you invest in Achieve Montana, you are purchasing portfolio units issued by the Trust. Except to the extent of the New York Life Insurance Company guarantee that is available for the Capital Preservation Portfolio and certain Year of Enrollment Portfolios, investment returns are not guaranteed, and you could lose money by investing in Achieve Montana. Account owners assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences.
Upromise is an optional service offered by Upromise, Inc., is separate from Achieve Montana, and is not affiliated with the State of Montana. Terms and conditions apply to the Upromise service. Participating companies, contribution levels, and terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. Transfers from Upromise to an Achieve Montana account are subject to a minimum amount. Go to upromise.com to learn more about Upromise. 
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