Month: February 2007

College 529 Plan

I set up a 529 College savings plan for Sasha. For those of you who don’t know what a 529 is, it allows us to save money for her college expenses (books, tuition, travel, etc.) without being taxed on the interest gained. Each state has their own plan, but you can use any state’s plan. Finding the best plan was intimidating, but I finally settled on Michigan’s 529 MESP plan because it had almost no fees, great returns, and is web accessible.

The best part about the plan is that it’s flexible. Let’s say Sasha gets a scholarship and doesn’t need the money. I can switch the beneficiary to another family member or even myself. I can also switch to another state’s plan if I don’t like how Michigan is handling it. Most use a name brand financial group to handle the investing (MESP uses TIAA-CREF).

Anyone can donate to the 529 plan you set up. For Sasha, all you have to do is write a check made out to Michigan Education Savings Program and include her account number in the memo. Her account number is 1927894

Mail it to this address:

Michigan Education Savings Program
P. O. Box 30361
Lansing, MI 48909-7861

I set up a 529 College savings plan for Sasha. For those of you who don’t know what a 529 is, it allows us to save money for her college expenses (books, tuition, travel, etc.) without being taxed on the interest gained. Each state has their own plan, but you can use any state’s plan. Finding the best plan was intimidating, but I finally settled on Michigan’s 529 MESP plan because it had almost no fees, great returns, and is web accessible.

The best part about the plan is that it’s flexible. Let’s say Sasha gets a scholarship and doesn’t need the money. I can switch the beneficiary to another family member or even myself. I can also switch to another state’s plan if I don’t like how Michigan is handling it. Most use a name brand financial group to handle the investing (MESP uses TIAA-CREF).

Anyone can donate to the 529 plan you set up. For Sasha, all you have to do is write a check made out to Michigan Education Savings Program and include her account number in the memo. Her account number is 1927894

Mail it to this address:

Michigan Education Savings Program
P. O. Box 30361
Lansing, MI 48909-7861

RIP Airport Express

Just a few weeks ago my beloved Airport Express just up and died. The light won’t turn on at all when I plug it in. I tried to take it to the apple store to see if I could get it fixed, but I didn’t know I needed an appointment. I’ll still try and get it fixed, but I think it’s a goner.

Just a few weeks ago my beloved Airport Express just up and died. The light won’t turn on at all when I plug it in. I tried to take it to the apple store to see if I could get it fixed, but I didn’t know I needed an appointment. I’ll still try and get it fixed, but I think it’s a goner.

Arcade Fire on SNL

Rainn Wilson (Dwight from The Office) hosted a lackluster episode of SNL last night, but Arcade Fire rocked in all their surprising guitar smashing glory.

Supposedly the band played an impromptu concert for the live audience after the credits rolled.

Want to to know why Arcade Fire ran off the stage during the closing credits of “Saturday Night Live” last night?

Because, in something that is apparently rarely done at Studio 8H, they played a mini-concert for the audience. Making up the front row of the 3-song set was Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, Fred Armisen, Bill Hader and Andy Samberg, all looking absolutely transfixed by this band. The Fire has some high-powered fans, for sure, and converted a good chunk of the audience last night as well.

They’re playing at the Tower on 5/5/07 (Jake’s birthday), but I bet it’s going to sell out really quick.

Update: Boooo NBC for taking down all record of the performance.

Supposedly the band played an impromptu concert for the live audience after the credits rolled.

Want to to know why Arcade Fire ran off the stage during the closing credits of “Saturday Night Live” last night?Because, in something that is apparently rarely done at Studio 8H, they played a mini-concert for the audience. Making up the front row of the 3-song set was Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, Fred Armisen, Bill Hader and Andy Samberg, all looking absolutely transfixed by this band. The Fire has some high-powered fans, for sure, and converted a good chunk of the audience last night as well.

They’re playing at the Tower on 5/5/07 (Jake’s birthday), but I bet it’s going to sell out really quick.

Update: Boooo NBC for taking down all record of the performance.

New email address

Just to let everyone know, I’m switching my email address to ben@bengarvey.com. Please remove my comcast address from your address books. Thanks.

Just to let everyone know, I’m switching my email address to ben@bengarvey.com. Please remove my comcast address from your address books. Thanks.