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The college countdown is on, and the start of fall semester is only a few weeks away. Parents, if you're having a hard time thinking about your kid leaving the nest, there are a few things you can do to ease the transition for both you and your new college student.

I can tell you from experience that while it's hard to let go, it's so rewarding to watch your child mature into a young adult who can handle whatever life dishes out. It can be tough to sit back and watch, but now's the time to start doing just that. Here are a few tips for making it happen:

Don't linger at the drop off. Lug the big boxes and furniture of course. Help hook up the electronics if need be. Run any last-minute errands. Heck, even offer to buy lunch after the heavy lifting is done. But then go. Really. Just go. Resist the urge to help organize drawers, make beds, and advise on room arrangement. Give your kid the space needed to meet the roommate and settle into the college experience. Get out the Kleenex on the ride home. Then grab a nice dinner and revel in your accomplishment—you've gotten a kid off to college! (Pat self on back.)

Have a plan for yourself. If you've got other kids at home, it's time to dig into the new routine. Maybe your next kid is being promoted to the big bedroom, or inherits a car. Enjoy these milestones and give them their due. The family dynamic is changing—embrace the new atmosphere. If you're facing an empty nest, turn the focus to yourself. Take that class, go on the trip you've been postponing, start a new volunteer position. Do whatever it takes to keep yourself busy and happy, and not worrying over your college student. Which leads me to my next point.

Limit your contact. Unplug from the cell phone, and don't obsessively check your kid's Facebook page. Remember how often you talked to your own parents during college? I recall the once-a-week phone call being about the norm. Hang onto that and realize that it's perfectly okay not to talk or text every single day.

Encourage independence. Inevitably your college student is going to call with a problem: "I need money" or "My roommate is annoying" or "My professor is so unfair." Now's the time to watch their independence unfold. Assume they just want to bend your ear, and try to remember that muddling through things is how you grow. And now is your kid's time to grow.

If you've already sent your student off to college, got any tips to share with fellow parents?

Some of the most important lessons I learned during college happened outside of classrooms or lecture halls. Like, learning to keep track of my spending and pay monthly bills on time! And sometimes I had to learn the hard way to make trade-offs between going on a trip or paying a utility bill.

Luckily, thousands of students are learning about money and budgeting sooner than I did thanks to a national campaign called "Teach Children to Save Day" sponsored by the American Bankers Association (ABA). This is a special time where bankers across the nation volunteer their time to teach important savings lessons in classrooms or in the community. To celebrate Teach Children to Save Day, Wells Fargo team members are visiting schools and community groups to deliver valuable financial education lessons on budgeting or saving throughout the month of April.

There are many reasons why I wish a Wells Fargo banker had spoken to my class in high school or earlier. I could have avoided having to eat microwave ramen each night! I could have also opened a savings account at an earlier age. Did you know that according to a study by the New America Foundation, kids with savings accounts are seven times more likely (PDF*) to attend college! With the earning power of a college degree, it really pays to save.

I think I would have really valued having a Wells Fargo banker instill the importance of saving and tracking my spending early on. But, it’s never too early or never too late to get the know how to be a wise money manager. Maybe you’ve learned a great deal about budgeting and spending smart and want to share that information with a younger sibling or a friend.

In the spirit of teaching children to save, consider visiting Hands on Banking® for some great lessons like "Spending Smart" or "School and $." Or visit a local Wells Fargo store and ask a banker about "Teach Children to Save Day."

Editor's note: Please help us welcome Brenda Gonzalez, the newest Student LoanDown blogger!

* You will need Adobe® Reader® to view PDF files. Download Adobe Reader.

Every year on Valentine's Day, we go to great lengths for the ones we love. We prepare a four-course meal. We plan a surprise weekend getaway. We drive to a minimum of four flower shops before we find one with the last dozen roses—and we buy them no matter how much they cost. I'm a flower guy myself.

This year (and I'm talking to you parents) why not consider giving your loved ones a more enduring gift of love: life insurance.

Think about how hard you've worked to provide your family with a life filled with happiness, comfort, and opportunity. You sacrifice sleep so they can. You re-arrange your schedule to never miss a sporting event. You put in extra hours to save up for a family vacation. And you rush out of the office to make sure you're home in time for dinner.

But what if you weren't around tomorrow? Without your income, would your family be able to maintain their current lifestyle and keep future plans on track? Would your kids still be able to afford to go to college?

It's scary to think about, I know. But with two kids of my own I have to. And you should too.

That's where life insurance comes in. What says "I love you" better than a promise to provide for the ones you love, even after you're gone. Simply figure out how much you need—you can start small and buy more as your income grows—and work with a financial planner to make it happen. Check out my previous post on the basics of life insurance for help in deciding which kind of life insurance makes the most sense for you.

So what can fruit flies teach us about love and life insurance?

Lesson One: With an average life span of three weeks, fruit flies understand that life is short. Lesson Two: For obvious reasons, don't procrastinate. And Lesson Three: Don't gamble with your family's future.

Who knew fruit flies could play poker?

Why are we offering back-to-school resolutions for college graduates who aren't heading back to school? Because no matter how old you get, most of us still get that "back to school" urge to start fresh when September rolls around. (You'll probably still get it 20 years later. Not that I know anything about that.)

This time of year, it probably feels a little strange NOT to be going back to class, especially if it's your first year out of school. And if you've started a new job and you're in a new city—well, you can get downright homesick for college. Here are some resolutions to help you cope...

Ahhhh, a new year on campus. Quick, before the not so desirable college habits take over—like skipping class to watch soaps or play video games—resolve to make this school year a bit more productive when it comes to classes, money, and your overall college experience! Here are some resolutions to get you started...

Editor's note: In the next few posts we're talking about the new year. Not the January 1st one, not the Chinese one, but the school one. And what better way to kick off a new year than with some resolutions!

Here we go again. Another year of high school is upon us. Summer, as usual, was way too short. Did you even get to do everything you wanted to do? While summer disappears slowly in the rearview mirror, the time to plan for your next year of high school is here.

What am I talking about? Some back-to-school resolutions. Here are a few examples...

After Caroline asked about your involvement in planning and paying for college, I wanted to address the latter part in a bit more detail. So if you (or your parents, for those student readers) want to help pay for college, what options are there?

There are three basic elements into paying for college: money you get, money you have, and money you borrow. This goes for students and parents, but here we'll focus on the parent options.

1. Money you get: You probably think of this as the scholarships or grants that a student is offered, right? It's the money that doesn't need to be repaid. So how can parents help with this kind of money? Helping their kids find the opportunities: Check with your employer for special scholarships for children of employees, see if any groups you're involved in offer scholarships, and keep your eyes peeled for other opportunities where your child might qualify.
2. Money you have: Been financially planning for college for a while? This is where the money you've saved—like through a 529 savings account—comes into play. Also be sure you clarify what out of pocket dollars you'll be willing to spend on your child's tuition, books, room and board, etc.
3. Money you borrow: Obviously it'd be ideal to stick in the first two categories, but after taking into consideration both the money students and parents get and have there can still be a gap to cover. This is where borrowing comes in, and where I'm going to dive into some comparison details on the parent options.

So how do you weigh your borrowing options as a parent? Let's look at some details of what's out there...

For students, the post-college months can be some of the most awkward in life. Expectations are high for an instant career and adult life. But reality? Maybe months at home looking for a job.

As a parent, it's not an easy time for you, either. The kid you tearfully packed off to college a few thousand dollars ago is now back on your couch, in your fridge, and keeping you up at night.

So parents, what's your post-college role? If you're ready for the nest to be empty again—and not sure how to go about it—here are some thoughts:

Raise expectations. This isn't high school anymore. Your live-in graduate should be taking on some adult-level responsibilities around the house: lawn-mowing, cleaning, laundry, running errands. Another adult around the house should mean less work for all, not more.

Set some timelines. There's no need to be harsh, but if your grad doesn't seem to have a sense of urgency about finding a full-time job and getting out on their own, you can help create one. It's not like you have to put them on the street in six months, but you can start setting deadlines for financial dependence. For example, they have to take on her own cell phone payments in three months, car insurance payments in six months. Try to keep the conversation positive—you're not cutting them off, just gradually steering them toward independence that they'll enjoy.

Remind them you're not a roommate. Let's face it: The hours a 20-something keeps can be hard on parents. They're used to coming and going at any time of night. You're used to worrying about them. If you can't sleep for worrying when they don't come home, have them call or text. That's simple courtesy among fellow adults (and one little annoyance that will disappear for both of you when they're out on their own).

Understand their emotions. If your grad seems moody or down, remember the limbo they're in can be disconcerting. Eighteen years after my graduation, I can acutely remember how hard that first year out of college was. I wanted independence but was struggling to get there. All the confidence I had in college was diminished in the face of the real world. Remember to lend your grad emotional support, even as you guide them toward independence.

Parents, if your college grad has moved back home, let us know how it's going! Got any insights to share?

Editor's Note: In our next few posts, we're talking to all the parents out there. Whether you've got a child who's planning for college, finishing college, or learning money management, these posts are for you! (—Barbara)

Years ago, it was common for students to plan and pay for college on their own. Twenty-plus years ago, I handled both aspects myself, as did most of my friends.

Today, parents like me are often more involved with the process. When it was time for my step-daughter to head off to college, her dad and I were very involved in both planning and paying for her education.

What about you? Answer our poll and let us know what part you play in planning and paying for college.

Tax day will be here before you know it. As a student (or the parent of a student), there are a variety of tax deductions that may be available to you, so be sure to educate yourself with our online tax guide for students and parents.

When it comes down to actually figuring out your taxes, what's your strategy? Answer our poll below and let us know!