Sparky, we stipulated the difference if the kids attended college or not. If they didn't attend college, they get the money at 19. If they went to college, we released the money at 23.

We just figured if we weren't there, the kids would likely need the money sooner, rather than later. It's not really meant to get them through the rest of their lives but to give them a decent start in life--perhaps buying a car, paying off school loans, putting a down payment on a house.

Thanks, Cashmere. That's a compromise that might work for us.

*hugs Mirena tightly*

I was one of the whackjobs who couldn't cope with the Mirena. Of course, it's all moot now. And I definitely don't miss my periods.

The big Ikea catalog arrived yesterday, and I'm flipping through it wishing I had room for stuff. And that Hubby hadn't flipped through going "Ugly, ugly, ugly--well, that doesn't suck, but . . ."

What's interesting is there are all these bookcases, and they're full of--books. Hardly a knick-knack to be seen. Just books. Are Americans afraid of books?

Sparky, I had a trust from an accident settlement when I was a kid. (motorcycle accident at 16) The terms were that I would get it at 21, but could request withdrawals for medical or education purposes. It was pretty easy to use. I just submitted any medical or tuition bills and they wrote me a check. I thought the terms of getting the balance at whatever reasonable age with the ability to withdraw for set reasons made sense.

What's interesting is there are all these bookcases, and they're full of--books. Hardly a knick-knack to be seen. Just books. Are Americans afraid of books?

I don't know. Our bookshelves are pretty much full of just books too.

Our bookshelves are pretty much full of just books too.

Yeah, and your name is Gudanov. Do you have family in the Old Country?

I have 4 bookshelves that are overpacked with books. They line an entire wall of my living room. Sure, there are pictures and a few dust collectors in front of the books. But the cases are for books!

We have a wall of shelves in the basement, full of books. Two other bookshelves in the basement full of books. Four short bookshelves full of books in the living room, two tall bookshelves in the living room, mostly full of books. Two tall bookshelves in the bedroom are full of books. Our daughter has a medium height bookshelf full of books with stacks of books piled on top.

but could request withdrawals for medical or education purposes.

With the HEW (health, education, welfare) trust she'd be able to withdraw at any age for those things - it's just determining when the trust would terminate so she could do what she liked with the money instead of having to make requests.