With the cost of a four-year degree rising nearly eight times faster than wages since the 1980s, those two questions are enough to give today's parents a serious case of night sweats. You can argue about the reasons for the disconnect -Administrative costs? Fancy amenities? - but you know there's a problem when a writer at Education Week is incensed.

"Madness," she decried.

Which is all the more reason to mark May 29 down on your calendar.

Otherwise known as National 529 College Savings Plan Day -Get it? 5/29? - it's the perfect time to consider setting up one those tax-advantaged 529 plans, as they're called, to help sock money away to cover tuition, books and other education-related expenses at most accredited two - and four-year colleges, universities and vocational-technical schools.

"It's a way of keeping your son or daughter from being saddled with too much debt when it's time to jump start their careers," explained Melissa Ridolfi, vice president of retirement and college products at Fidelity Investments. "Plus, any investment earnings compound on a tax-deferred basis, and qualified withdrawals are entirely free from federal and state income taxes."

And now to the big question: How much?

Two factors are mainly at play:

* Public vs. private schools. The cost difference can be about as mind-boggling as "Avengers: Endgame's" record $357.1 million opening weekend domestic haul: an average of $21,370 a year at the former, according to the College Board's latest figures, as opposed to $48,510 at the latter.

* The percentage of the bill you plan to foot. If you were counting on scholarships and other grants to pick up all or most of the tab, you should probably rethink that unless your kid is either a bona fide child prodigy or football star. Sallie Mae's "How America Pays for College" 2018 report found that both categories combined paid for just 28 percent of college costs.

One guess where 47 percent of the costs came from. That's right, "family income and savings," with another 24 percent covered by borrowing.

In other words, as Ridolfi said, "any way you look at it, the family is on the hook to pay the lion's share of college expenses." Which probably helps explain why a recent Fidelity study found that parents are increasingly starting to save before their child even reaches the age of two.

To see where you stand, try using what Fidelity calls "the college savings 2K rule of thumb." Simply multiply your child's current age by $2,000 to figure whether your savings to date are generally on track to handle approximately 50 percent of the College Board's $21,370-a-year average cost of attending a four-year public college.

Or, especially if you want a more customized estimate - one that lets you play around with percentages and switch back and forth between public and private schools - the firm's free online college savings calculator takes the angst out of doing the math yourself.

Fidelity provides 12 savings ideas to help reach your own goal, and offers a choice of two different investment strategies in the 529 savings plans it manages - including an age-based portfolio of funds that automatically becomes more conservative as the beneficiary nears college age.

Hopefully, armed with all that info, you'll be sleeping better at night.

Compare that hectic routine to those memorable moments when you're able to sit quietly, let the sunshine warm your face, hear the birds, and allow nature to envelope you. While everyone longs for less stress, actually relaxing can be dauntingly stressful!

However, a new study out of the United Kingdom sheds light on one way people can de-stress: bird watching. The study finds that people who watch birds from their home have lower depression, anxiety, and stress compared to those that live in less leafy areas that have fewer birds. People "felt relaxed and connected to nature when they watched birds in their garden," researchers say. These feelings increased with the level of bird feeding in the yard, they add.

Specifically, the number of birds people might see was directly associated with better mental health. "This study starts to unpick the role that some key components of nature play for our mental well-being. Birds around the home and nature in general, show great promise in preventive health care, making cities healthier, happier places to live.," says lead researcher Dr. Daniel Cox from the University of Exeter.

Dr. Tina Phillips, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, agrees. "Overwhelmingly, studies show that people feed birds because it makes them feel more relaxed, that it's something they're interested in and ultimately something that makes them feel good."

If you want to disconnect from the digital world and relieve some daily stress and anxiety, getting outside, bird watching could be the key to increasing your mindful, mental health. Since studies reveal the more birds you see, the less likely you are to be stressed and anxious, it's important to attract as many birds as possible.

The first step to attracting birds is to use an all-purpose tube feeder, which is the number one feeder choice, allowing birds to feed from multiple ports. Cole's Wild Bird Products, Co. offers the Terrific Tube feeder, it's made to last with state-of-the-art materials that prevent warping and discoloration and it features a "Quick Clean" removable base, so cleaning is super simple. Natural grip perch covers mimic the feel of a real branch, which encourages longer feeding times.

Once you have the right feeder, you'll need reliable seed that will bring birds to your backyard to deliver that dose of stress relief we all desire. According to Elaine Cole, President and owner of Cole's, the quality of birdseed will determine how many feathered friends will flock to your backyard.

Unlike other birdseed mixes, which typically contain cheap filler seed like milo and wheat, Cole's selects only the top 1 to 2 percent of the highest quality seeds birds like to eat. Plus, Cole's doesn't add pesticides or chemicals, preferring instead to keep the seed as close to its natural state as possible.

"If you use inferior seed, you're not going to like the results. Our seed is specifically formulated to attract the greatest number, variety, and species of birds. Birds are picky and birdseed matters. If you use cheap feed, they won't hesitate look for something else they prefer. Birds are like people, give them what they like to eat and they'll come back and bring their friends." Cole said.

Since we've learned that the more birds we attract, the more stress-free we'll be, it makes good sense to use the best bird feed you can buy. Cole's Special Feeder, attracts the greatest number of wild birds than any other mix out there. Add Cole's Blue Ribbon blend, which attracts the greatest variety of wild birds to the mix, and you've got the perfect prescription to help calm your anxiety and stress.

At the heart of it, everyone wants less stress and anxiety. Once you start watching birds in action, they'll engage your attention in a way that keeps you in the moment, a state that provides mental relief. Admiring their beauty, listening to their sweet song and enjoying their antics will calm your overactive mind and bring joy and renewal.

For more information on top quality feed and feeders, please visit: Cole's website.

Questions plague homebuyers: Can we afford it? How much do we have to put down? Do we have enough to avoid incurring the dreaded PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance)? For homeowners looking to refinance, it becomes a question of, should we or shouldn't we? What's the down side? Does refinancing make sense in the long term?

In the past, consumers had only one option - taking on more debt. In addition to monthly payments with interest, this debt came with increased discomfort and the fear that "if we couldn't afford it, we could lose the roof over our head." Now, there may be another answer.

Home co-investing offers a new alternative - a better way to buy and own a home.

Home co-investing is a new category that works in partnership with homebuyers and homeowners to invest in the long-term appreciation of a home's value. Whether you're a homebuyer seeking to finance a new purchase or a long-time homeowner looking to maximize equity, home co-investing involves no monthly payments, no interest, and no additional debt.

Instead, home co-investing shares in the home's change in value - up or down. You can choose to return the investment any time after three years, or keep it until you sell, for up to 30 years.

"In a nutshell, we're in business to partner with you in your new or current home," according to the website for Unison, the company that invented this idea. The growing, San Francisco-based home co-investing company is now helping homebuyers and owners in 30 states plus Washington, D.C.

Unison's recently published 2019 Home Affordability Report states that individuals earning the current median income will need 14 years to save for a 20-percent down payment. Home co-investing benefits new buyers by helping them get over that first hurdle of the down payment. For example, with home co-investing, prospective buyers can put down 10 percent, and the company puts down 10 percent. The homebuyer can now reach a 20-percent down payment without taking on additional debt.

"Among the biggest financial mistakes potential buyers can make during the home-buying process is not researching all possible financing options beforehand, including home co-investing," says Cari Jacobs, Chief Marketing Officer at Unison.

"Think of it as the sharing economy for home buying. By partnering with a company like Unison, you can live the life you want, in the home of your dreams today, while sharing the risk," she explains.

"It's always better to have more information so you can make a fully informed decision that helps you buy the home you want, and sets you up for long-term financial success."

Home co-investing works for current homeowners, too, with opportunities for home equity-based funding for a variety of needs, including home renovations, paying medical bills, or even sending kids to college. But unlike a traditional home equity loan, there is no additional debt and no monthly payment.

Home co-investing represents a new way to think about home financing.

Visit unison.com for more information.

As this population expands, so does the need for support, with some 40 percent of middle-class Americans at risk of poverty in retirement. Yet, today, only 1 percent of charitable dollars go to efforts that support seniors.

It's time for that to change. There are organizations in every community that provide services to meet basic needs for older adults. And while donations and volunteer hours are always appreciated, caring for older adults in the community can come in many forms. In fact, simple acts of caring can make a big difference in the lives of seniors.

Here are five simple ways to help older adults in your community:

1. Start with hello - Introduce yourself to a senior in your neighborhood or community. A simple conversation can spark a lifetime of friendship.

2. Get out and care - Join Ready to Care, an initiative by Home Instead Senior Care, and sign up to receive weekly care missions.

3. Give to senior-focused organizations - There are plenty of opportunities to give to a senior-focused non-profit. Find one that sparks your interest by visiting give65.org/25years.

4. Get educated - Learn about issues affecting older adults and caregivers at caregiverstress.com.

5. Share your story - Share how caring for a senior impacted your life with family and friends. Encouraging others to take action can create a world of change.

Join Home Instead Senior Care as it marks 25 years of caring for older adults. Why not give your time, learn how you can help, and begin serving seniors in your community today?

According to recent research, psychoanalytic therapies achieve lasting results by exploring underlying causes of one's mental health issues. This deeper exploration gets to the root of a person's symptoms and sets psychoanalysis apart from more superficial therapies that only treat symptoms. By looking closely at each person's life, psychoanalytic therapies help one feel more understood as a unique individual, improve personal relationships, relieve painful emotional symptoms, and change life-long ways of coping.

This is not your father's psychoanalysis. In fact, in a 2019 survey conducted by PsychoanalysisNow, 400 psychoanalysts in the United States highlighted the realities of psychoanalysis and how it works. Almost all the professionals surveyed (96 percent) said they regularly conduct therapy either once or twice per week, which is feasible for most patients' schedules. The stereotype of lying on a couch during therapy is an option - but only if the patient chooses it for relaxation and comfort. Otherwise, patients and their analysts are seated facing each other in chairs. Roughly, 73 percent of analysts surveyed report that they also conduct therapy sessions remotely, via telephone or through Internet video connections.

"Psychoanalysis is often indicated when other less intensive therapies have failed to achieve the desired results," according to the website of the American Psychoanalytic Association.

"It truly offers something different and more comprehensive, and is a good place to turn when symptoms remain or behavioral or relationship patterns continue after one or two attempts at less intensive, shorter term psychotherapy."

However, one's problem need not be too severe to benefit from psychoanalysis. Individuals struggling in the workplace, who have long-term relationship issues with family members, or who simply want a new perspective on their lives can benefit. Through psychoanalysis, one can unlock the past, inform the present, and expand the future to reach their full potential.

Children and teens can also benefit as some psychoanalysts specialize in working with children in partnership with parents.

For more information and to find a psychoanalyst near you, visit apsa.org.

From an economic perspective, REMODELING magazine's 32nd Cost vs. Value Report states that a new asphalt roof recoups more of its value at resale compared to other home improvements such as a major kitchen remodel, bathroom addition or backyard patio.

Representing as much as 40 percent of a home's exterior, the roof is an easy way to boost curb appeal. Homeowners are no longer limited to gray, taupe and other neutral shingle colors. New palettes and color selection tools make it easy to integrate color into the roof. Today's calibrated shingles are infused with hues that add depth, dimension and subtle color.

Unsure what shingle color will best complement your home's exterior? Designer and style expert Chad Esslinger offers some tips:

* Seek out Digital Design Tools: Technology makes it easy to experiment with exterior home colors, including roofing shingles. Owens Corning® Roofing offers inspiration boards and color and design tools that allow homeowners to color coordinate their exteriors with the click of a mouse. The 2020 Owens Corning Shingle Color of the Year, Pacific Wave, is a good example of how a carefully curated shingle color can complement styles ranging from a stately Midwest colonial to a coastal beach house.

* Look around your house:

People surround themselves with colors they love - in interior paint colors, accessories such as bedding or pillows, and their closets. What colors make up the bulk of your wardrobe? If your closet is stocked with navy shirts, you may gravitate to shades of blue on your roof. Similarly, bookmarking an online search of exteriors can help you identify appealing color combinations for your roof, doors, windows and landscaping.

When searching online, look for patterns emerging in exterior color, trim and roof colors. It is likely these same shades will also appeal to you when brought together on your home's exterior.

* Go for a Color Drive: Drive around your neighborhood - or a neighborhood you like - and consider which homes and colors appeal to you. Be sure to drive by homes at different times of day and in different weather conditions so you can see how a particular color looks in sunlight, shade and when wet.

* Don't forget performance: A roof must be beautiful and able to stand up to the elements. Duration Series Shingles by Owens Corning have patented SureNail Technology in the nailing zone, giving them added performance against the elements. Homes in areas prone to strong winds and storms need extra protection against hail. Duration FLEX shingles feature a rubberizing SBS polymer modified asphalt to help guard against impact*.

When it comes to home improvements, the roof is an ideal place to connect value, curb appeal and performance. And today's shingle colors make it easy to tie functionality and aesthetics together beautifully.

The best adventures - the ones that stay with us for years - are immersive. They engage all our senses, inspire us to see the world in a new light and introduce new cultures and customs. To get the most from these experiences, you need to uncover hidden treasures and details that that you won't find in a guidebook.

Blue-Roads Touring, a leader in experiential travel, gives you a taste of what it's like to be a local. The company hires only experienced tour leaders, many of whom are former professors, artists and actors, allowing them to dig deeper into the art, history and culture of the region.

Ready to add some new experiences to your bucket list? Try these: 

Soak Up the Italian Countryside 

How do you describe a 12-day tour of Northern Italy? In a word: Indulgence. On a Blue-Roads Italian Indulgence tour, you'll spoil yourself in the region's riches - from sumptuous food and wine to the glamour of the Italian Riviera. Highlights include cooking a classic Tuscan lunch from the comfort of your own villa, wine tasting in the Piedmont region and truffle hunting with a local farmer in Cherasco. 

Burgundy or Loire Valley by Barge 

The only thing that can make exploring the French countryside even better is doing it by riverboat. With just 10 cabins and 20 passengers, your intimate Blue-Roads boutique barge has all the luxuries of a lavish hotel, including French cuisine by a formally trained chef, a sundeck and Jacuzzi. Whether you venture to Burgundy or to the Loire Valley, you'll enjoy serenely traversing the countryside by canal. On land, you can discover charming towns town on foot or bicycle and visit vineyards and farms to sample the best of the local region. 

The Frontlines of World War I 

History is more than what we read in books. Blue-Roads' signature battlefield tours take you to the frontlines of the "war to end all wars," in Ypres and the Somme, and to memorials honoring the fallen. A highlight is that Blue-Roads connects you to relatives who gave their lives in the war so that you may pay your respects graveside. 

British Royalty

Anglophiles, this is what you've been waiting for! This nine-day Royal Tour of Britain brings you to the castles and residences of famous monarchs - past and present. From Balmoral Castle, the Scottish holiday home of the royal family to Buckingham Castle, St. James' Palace and the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, Blue-Roads rolls out the red carpet on this unforgettable journey. 

Croatia: The Crown Jewel of Europe 

Walk in the footsteps of feudal kings and queens in Croatia, which provides the backdrop for many epic scenes in the fantasy series, "Game of Thrones." Scale the Diocletian's Palace. Sip wine at family owned Bibich Winery, where the vineyards are over five hundred years old. Then set sail for Korcula, an enchanting island and the reputed birthplace of Marco Polo. Nature, history , adventure - Croatia and the Dalmatian Coast has something for everyone.

Now that you've got five more extraordinary places and experiences for your bucket list, what are you waiting for?

Beautiful and Durable 

Jane Frederick of Frederick + Frederick Architects in Beaufort, South Carolina, and president-elect of the American Institute of Architects, says homeowners are looking for comfortable spaces for entertaining. "Our area is hot and humid," she adds. "Screened-in porches with ceiling fans continue to be extremely popular upgrades in new construction and renovations."

And full outdoor kitchens are no longer must-haves, says Frederick. "Most people want porches with a simple kitchen, integrating a grill and plenty of countertop space, storage, and seating - good-looking light fixtures, too."

To top off a porch with a high-end look, Frederick chooses cypress for ceilings, overhangs, and rafter tails. Why? "First and foremost, cypress is a beautiful material. But equally important, cypress is naturally resistant to decay and mildew. And it's locally sourced." 

How About a "Prefab" Structure Built to Last? 

"Pergolas and pavilions offer open, airy outdoor spaces, yet provide relief from direct sunlight, to enjoy dinner or cocktails after a long day at the office," says Hubert Burns of My Outdoor Rooms in Dothan, Alabama. "They can also be outfitted with TVs and fireplaces, and adorned with plants and drapery to add privacy and a personal touch.

"Most importantly, outdoor living space is an investment and homeowners deserve high-quality structures that will last. We've been building with cypress for more than 10 years, and found that it performs well when exposed to the elements, is naturally durable and resistant to insect infestation, and is more beautiful than pressure-treated wood."

Building a gorgeous, outdoor cypress pergola or pavilion need not be a daunting task. Burns says that companies across the country specialize in prefabricating structures and ship nationwide, taking the stress out of design and construction. "Prefabrication ensures they are high-quality and can be installed quickly," Burns adds. "And three people can install a 16-foot-by-16-foot pergola in about five hours."

For more tips on creating your outdoor living space with cypress, visit www.CypressInfo.org.

My prediction is that China will not drop its equity caps and intellectual property theft, and will not stop subsidizing all of its state-owned enterprises. As a result; we will see acceleration of the decoupling of China from the United States, in other words, a reversal of the economic integration and interpenetration that has taken place between these two economies over the past 20 years. So let us examine the implications of the decoupling of China from the United States.

The first area to consider is trade. The IMF has estimated that if the United States were to impose 25 percent tariffs on all Chinese imports, and China were to retaliate, the trade volume between China and the United States would drop by 70 percent. So there would clearly be an initial "trade shock."

The question here is whether the U.S. can find other low-cost suppliers. The answer is yes. We have seen that suppliers such as Vietnam have stepped up their exports to the United States, and other Asian countries and Mexico will also try to fill the role of low-cost supplier to the U.S. market. Vietnam has gained an estimated 7.9 percent of its gross domestic product from new business created by the U.S.-China trade war.

The next largest gainer is Taiwan, with 2.1 percent of its GDP added as a result of the U.S.-China trade war needed from other countries supplied by China.

In summary, if the Trump tariffs were to remain in place, there would undoubtedly be an initial "trade shock," and some dislocations. Over time, however, the United States would gradually shift its import sources to lower- cost suppliers, and would substitute rare earth minerals from other countries. So, with regard to trade, China is replaceable.

The second area is investment. Chinese direct investment in the United States dropped 84 percent from 2017 to 2018, from $29.4 billion to $4.8 billion. The U.S. government, will further limit Chinese investors through national security reviews. Meanwhile, U.S. direct investment in China has stagnated at $26.9 billion, with the annual growth rate dropping from 11 percent to 1.5 percent in 2018. U.S. investment will increasingly take place in other low-wage Asian countries such as Vietnam and Taiwan, and Mexico. Moreover, the lowering of U.S. corporate tax rates on January 1, 2018, from 35 percent to 21 percent will discourage direct foreign investment by U.S. enterprises, and make the United States a more promising place to invest than China. Therefore, if the Trump tariffs remain in place, China can be largely replaced over time by other countries as an investment target.

Last month, the Trump Administration restricted sales by U.S. companies to Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications champion. This measure will force Huawei to develop its own versions of chips and operating systems to replace those that it now obtains from the West. And last week the Commerce Department imposed new export controls that will effectively bar five major Chinese supercomputer developers of next-generation, high-performance computing from obtaining U.S. technology. The Commerce ban on exports to the major Chinese supercomputer companies, along with the Huawei ban, will promote the decoupling of the two countries' tech supply chains. Therefore, it is likely that separate operating systems will be set up for telecommunications, supercomputers, and the Internet.

China holds an estimated $1.1 trillion of U.S. government bonds. Some have warned that if China decided to dump U.S. dollars, U.S. interest rates would soar and the U.S. economy would implode. China's holdings, however, are not a particularly large proportion of the roughly $22 trillion total of U.S. government debt. Furthermore, China has already sold $221 billion in long-term Treasuries since early 2015, with no harm done to the U.S. capital market.

We are entering a new phase of increased Chinese assertiveness. China is now challenging the United States for global supremacy, while the U.S. Government distrusts Chinese intentions and sees China as a predatory competitor and an adversary. The global consensus based on liberalization is likely to be replaced by rival trading blocs. This may not be a desirable development from the standpoint of the United States and the global economy, but it is the most important geopolitical event of our era. Decoupling from China, while painful for both countries, would be preferable to a real war with China, the likely alternative.

*Bart S. Fisher is an attorney in Washington, D.C., and co-author of International Trade and Investment: Regulating International Business.

Unfortunately, the Emblings aren't alone. In fact, Jewelers Mutual conducted a recent survey on travel and jewelry loss or theft and found that the number of jewelry losses, based on survey responses, has doubled compared to their 2015 survey. The most common place to lose jewelry? The beach (27 percent of reported losses).

The survey also revealed that only 1 percent of travelers who lose jewelry report recovering the piece.

"Approximately 40 percent of consumers are devastated or experience a high level of emotional impact from a lost piece of jewelry," said Don Elliott, director of claims at Jewelers Mutual.

Avoid becoming a vacation victim with these six travel tips from Jewelers Mutual's new travel guide:

* Take pictures of items before your trip in case you need to file a police report.

* Avoid posting pictures of your jewelry and location on social media.

* Leave jewelry off while swimming.

* Wear or pack jewelry in a carry-on bag.

* Tuck necklaces and watches under necklines and cuffs when in dangerous areas.

* Keep necklaces safe and untangled in your bag by threading them through a straw; fasten earrings to an extra button to keep them together.

Jewelers Mutual puts travelers' minds at ease. The Wisconsin-based company has been in the business since 1913, and understands the value of jewelry and developing personal relationships with its customers.

While some homeowner's insurance plans cover an extent of personal property, the plans typically won't go as far as to replace a cherished piece that is lost or damaged. For those seeking to replace their lost treasure, Jewelers Mutual works with jewelers to recreate your lost, damaged or stolen jewelry so it can continue to be a prized possession for years to come.

Embling and her fiancé acted fast retracing their steps and discovered the ring in their hotel room, which happens to be the second highest place people lose their jewelry.

Visit jewelersmutual.com for more information about insuring and protecting your most cherished memories.