In This Issue · 2. If your credit score has increased. Congratulations—your credit is improving....

Volume 1 Issue 75 • November 2015

In This Issue:Become a Guardian AngelHelp award $15K to SJC area non-profits through our online contestAre Your Kids Delaying Your Retirement?Some baby boomers are supporting their “boomerang” children.Should You Refinance Your Auto Loan?When to take the plungeEstimating Your Future Social Security BenefitsPlan more effectively for retirement by calculating potential Social Security benefitsFlood Insurance — Are You Covered?The 411 on flood insuranceWhich Truck Is Right for You?Choosing the right truck doesn’t need to be complicatedEco-Friendly Ways to Heat Your HomeConsider these eco-efficient heating alternativesSurprising Sources of FiberBring your diet into balance with these fiber-dense foods5 Child Stars That Found Success Outside of HollywoodFind out what these young actors did after Hollywood

Become a Guardian AngelHelp award $15K to SJC area non-profits through our online contest

Every year, Financial Center proudly supports hundreds of organizations throughout the San Joaquin region that aremaking a life-changing difference for area residents; it's one of the many ways that our cooperative helps to give back tothe community.

Our charitable giving typically culminates with the year-end Guardian Angel program. This year, we've decided to updateour Guardian Angel program by putting the decision about who receives the donations in your hands. This is your chanceto be a true guardian angel to your favorite non-profit by nominating them to receive a $10,000 donation! The awardedmoney will go a long way in helping your favorite organization achieve their year-end goals.

Become a Guardian AngelTake a moment to visit our 2015 Guardian Angel website to nominate and vote for your favorite San Joaquin Countybased non-profit. The site is located at fccuburt.org/angel.

Nominations and votes are being accepted now through December 21, and the organization with the most votes willreceive a $10,000 from Financial Center. The organization with the second most votes will win $5,000!

Help Spread the WordWhen you visit the contest website, you will be asked to provide your name, email address and cell phone number (whichis optional); this is so we can keep you up-to-date on the status of the contest. We will send out periodic updates so youknow how your nominated organization is faring in the contest.

To help make the contest fair, we have limited the voting process to one vote per person during the 2015 contest.However, you are more than welcome to share the website with your friends, family and coworkers to help garner more

votes for your favorite non-profit (in fact, we encourage you to share the link!). Doing so will not only gain support for your charity but also help foster thephilanthropic spirit that we love to see in the San Joaquin region.

Nominate. Vote. Share.The title of “Guardian Angel” may seem daunting; but, as you can see, we’ve made it quite easy for our members this year. All you have to do is followthree simple steps: Nominate. Vote. Share. And you can do it all at fccuburt.org/angel.

Financial Center Credit Union • 209-948-6024 • http://www.fccuburt.org

Are Your Kids Delaying Your Retirement?Some baby boomers are supporting their “boomerang” children.

Are you providing some financial support to your adult children? Has that hurt your retirement prospects?

It seems that the wealthier you are, the greater your chances of lending a helping hand to your kids. Pew Research Center data compiled in late 2014revealed that 38% of American parents had given financial assistance to their grown children in the past 12 months, including 73% of higher-incomeparents.1

The latest Bank of America/USA Today Better Money Habits Millennial Report shows that 22% of 30- to 34-year-olds get financial help from their momsand dads. Twenty percent of married or cohabiting millennials receive such help as well.2

Do these households feel burdened? According to the Pew survey, no: 89% of parents who had helped their grown children financially said it wasemotionally rewarding to do so. Just 30% said it was stressful.1

Other surveys paint a different picture. Earlier this year, the financial research firm Hearts & Wallets presented a poll of 5,500 U.S. households headedby baby boomers. The major finding: boomers who were not supporting their adult children were nearly 2½ times more likely to be fully retired than theirpeers (52% versus 21%).3

In TD Ameritrade’s 2015 Financial Disruptions Survey, 66% of Americans said their long-term saving and retirement plans had been disrupted by externalcircumstances; 24% cited “supporting others” as the reason. In addition, the Hearts & Wallets researchers told MarketWatch that boomers who lentfinancial assistance to their grown children were 25% more likely to report “heightened financial anxiety” than other boomers; 52% were ill at ease aboutassuming investment risk.3,4

Economic factors pressure young adults to turn to the bank of Mom & Dad. Thirty or forty years ago, it was entirely possible in many areas of theU.S. for a young couple to buy a home, raise a couple of kids and save 5-10% percent of their incomes. For millennials, that is sheer fantasy. In fact, thesavings rate for Americans younger than 35 now stands at -1.8%.5

Housing costs are impossibly high; so are tuition costs. The jobs they accept frequently pay too little and lack the kind of employee benefits precedinggenerations could count on. The Bank of America/USA Today survey found that 20% of millennials carrying education debt had put off starting a familybecause of it; 20% had taken jobs for which they were overqualified. The average monthly student loan payment for a millennial was $201.2

Since 2007, the inflation-adjusted median wage for Americans aged 25-34 has declined in nearly every major industry (health care being the exception).Wage growth for younger workers is 60% of what it is for older workers. The real shocker, according to Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco data: whileoverall U.S. wages rose 15% between 2007-14, wages for entry-level business and finance jobs only rose 2.6% in that period. 5,6

It is wonderful to help, but not if it hurts your retirement. When a couple in their fifties or sixties assumes additional household expenses, the risk totheir retirement savings increases. Additionally, their retirement vision risks being amended and compromised.

The bottom line is that a couple should not offer long-run financial help. That will not do a young college graduate any favors. Setting expectations is onlyreasonable: establishing a deadline when the support ends is another step toward instilling financial responsibility in your son or daughter. A contract, arental agreement, an encouragement to find a place with a good friend – these are not harsh measures, just rational ones.

With no ground rules and the bank of Mom and Dad providing financial assistance without end, a “boomerang” son or daughter may stay in the bedroomor basement for years and a boomer couple may end up retiring years later than they previously imagined. Putting a foot down is not mean – younger andolder adults face economic challenges alike, and couples in their fifties and sixties need to stand up for their retirement dreams.

Frank Feng may be reached at 209-948-6024 Ext 50140 or [email protected].

Securities sold, advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC , a registered broker/dealer andinvestment advisor. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution to make securities available to members. Not NCUA/NCUSIF/FDIC insured, MayLose Value, No Financial Institution Guarantee. Not a deposit of any financial institution. *The CFP® certification marks are not affiliated with CUNABrokerage Services, Inc. ϯCRPC® is a registered service mark of the College of Financial Planning®.

This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. Thisinformation has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note - investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of futureresults. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised toengage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied onfor the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insuranceproduct or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment.

Citations.1 - pewsocialtrends.org/2015/05/21/5-helping-adult-children/ [5/21/15]

2 - newsroom.bankofamerica.com/press-releases/consumer-banking/parents-great-recession-influence-millennial-money-views-and-habits/ [4/21/15]

3 - marketwatch.com/story/are-your-kids-ruining-your-retirement-2015-05-05 [5/5/15]

4 -amtd.com/newsroom/press-releases/press-release-details/2015/Financial-Disruptions-Cost-Americans-25-Trillion-in-Lost-Retirement-Savings/default.aspx[2/17/15]

5 - theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/12/millennials-arent-saving-money-because-theyre-not-making-money/383338/ [12/3/14]

6 - theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/07/millennial-entry-level-wages-terrible-horrible-just-really-bad/374884/ [7/23/14]


Should You Refinance Your Auto Loan?When to take the plunge

It’s a tempting thought: Get a lower monthly car payment by quickly, and relatively painlessly, refinancing that high-interest auto loan. But not sofast—refinancing isn’t for everyone; in fact, there are instances where it will hurt you more than it will help. Here are five main situations in whichrefinancing your auto loan makes the most sense.

1. If interest rates have gone down. For the most part, if you are at 6 percent APR,you are in decent shape. Anything over that, and you should look into refinancing. Ifinterest rates have dropped around two or more points since you purchased yourvehicle, you could save a lot of money over your loan term. However, keep in mind thatrefinancing loans are considered used car loans; therefore, rates for refinancing areusually higher than they are for new car loans. Always do your homework beforesigning on the dotted line.

2. If your credit score has increased. Congratulations—your credit is improving. Overtime, negative markings on your credit report will be expunged, meaning your scoreshould naturally improve. Your credit score has a major influence on auto loan rates, soa lender could very well be persuaded to offer you a lower refinancing rate than youhad previously.

3. If you got a dealer-sourced loan. Say market rates were low and your credit reportwas unblemished. You still may not have gotten the best rate possible when youpurchased your car. “Dealer-sourced vehicle loans commonly carry a higher rate thanthe consumer deserves because the consumer simply didn’t know better,” explainsRuss Heaps on Bankrate.com. “The extra money is a profit source to the dealer, likerust-proofing or extended warranties.”

4. If your financial status has changed—specifically, for the worse. If you had a financial setback, refinancing could help by extending the loan term andtherefore reducing monthly payments.

5. If you are purchasing your leased vehicle. Typically when your lease is up on a car, you are given the option to buy the vehicle. It is a natural time torefinance.

Conversely, if you are upside-down on your loan, which means you owe more on the vehicle than it is worth, attempting to refinance likely would notbenefit you. Other things to consider are the age of the vehicle (many lenders won’t refinance a vehicle after certain amounts of time), your outstandingbalance on the car (there are upper and lower cut-off points) and early pay-off penalties on your current loan (if there are fines outlined in the contract, itmay not be worth the fees to refinance).

As noted, it is always best to research all of the above measures and compare them to your personal circumstances. Stop by today to see what we canoffer you.


Estimating Your Future Social Security BenefitsPlan more effectively for retirement by calculating potential Social Security benefits

Whether you are nearing retirement age or just entering the workforce, it is important to have an estimate of how much your future Social Security benefitswill be. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait until you are ready to start collecting to find out what you will receive. There are several online tools that canestimate your future benefits and also help you discover more about the ways that different circumstances—such as your retirement age—could impactthose benefits. With this information in hand, you can plan for retirement much more effectively.

Typically, you will receive a notice from the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) each year that gives you an estimate of your future benefits. At anyother time of the year, however, you can use online calculators to find more information. The SSA offers many different types of calculators, including theQuick Calculator, the Online Calculator, the Retirement Estimator, the Detailed Calculator, the Life Expectancy Calculator and the Retirement AgeCalculator.

The Quick Calculator requires your current annual earnings and date of birth to give arough estimate. It does not check the information with its own records but rather usesonly the information you give, so the estimate may differ from the one you last saw onyour Social Security statement.

The Online Calculator is similar to the Quick Calculator, but you must input yourcomplete earnings history instead of only your current earnings. This will give you amore detailed and potentially accurate estimate of your retirement, survivor anddisability benefits. It also projects future earnings until the date at which you retire.

The Retirement Estimator shows how three factors affect your monthly benefits: yourearnings, the age at which you stop working and the age at which you begin receivingSocial Security benefits. When you change the data you input in any one category, youcan see how that will change your future benefits. It is more accurate than the QuickCalculator because it uses your information to look into its own system for your workhistory and Social Security earnings record.

In order to use this calculator, “[y]ou must have enough credits to qualify for benefitsand not be eligible for a pension from work not covered by Social Security,” accordingto the SSA website.

The downloadable Detailed Calculator will run you through a variety of scenarios tohelp you understand how working longer can affect your benefits. It also gives precise estimates of disability and survivor benefits, and it includes WEPreduction. In order to use this, you must have a copy of your most recent statement from the SSA.

The Life Expectancy Calculator helps you get a basic estimate of how long you and your spouse may need to live on Social Security based on your lifeexpectancy. This can help you determine how long you need to stretch your benefits to budget more accurately.

The Retirement Age Calculator lets you know your full retirement age. It also helps you project how your monthly benefits check may be reduced if youdecide to stop working before your full retirement age.

You can find these helpful calculators, as well as several others, online at http://www.ssa.gov/planners/benefitcalculators.html.

In addition to the calculators provided by the SSA, there are also independent agencies that have created calculators that you can pay to use to determinemore complicated retirement scenarios and benefits.

“Many independent software developers have designed advanced calculators that help you determine an appropriate claiming age for you and yourspouse,” according to Dana Anspach, “Money Over 55” expert with about.com. “It’s a big decision and I think the advance calculators offer information thatis worth the small price they charge.”

So, make sure to browse the available online calculators to gain a basic idea of what you can expect to receive in benefits after you retire. Not only willyou gain peace of mind by being better-informed, but you will also be able to better plan your strategies for saving for retirement.


Flood Insurance — Are You Covered?The 411 on flood insurance

Do you have flood insurance? If you live in a high-risk flood zone, chances are you do as a requirement.

“Most buildings, if they’re in a flood zone, have to have flood coverage,” says Don Einsidler, president of the property management firm EinsidlerManagement. “Basic flood coverage is through the federal flood program written byvarious insurance companies.”

“If you live in Zone A, the hundred-year flood plain, then you’re required through yourmortgage lender to purchase and maintain flood insurance when you have a federallybacked loan on your property,” adds FEMA spokesman Ed Conley.

Whether you have flood insurance already or are debating purchasing it, you might bewondering what exactly is covered or not covered under your policy. Many times, thiscan be one of the most unclear coverages to decipher.

To avoid a potential headache later, here’s what you need to know about floodinsurance coverage:

Renters or homeowners insurance doesn’t cover floodsOne of the most common misconceptions about flood insurance is that having standardrenters or homeowners insurance means you’re automatically covered in case there’s aflood. However, in order to have flood coverage, you need to purchase a separate floodinsurance policy. You can find policies through the National Flood Insurance Program,administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If you live in acommunity that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, federal floodinsurance is also available through companies and agents certified to sell it.

Not everything is covered in the basementIf you have flood insurance, you might think that if your basement floods, you’re covered no matter what the damage done is. However, coverage may belimited when it comes to this room in your home. Contrary to what many think, many times carpeting and floor tile in a basement are not covered under aflood insurance plan. Only some structural elements, like central air conditioners, foundation walls, electrical outlets, furnaces and hot water heaters, arecovered. Check your policy for details.

Replacement cost coverage is not includedWhereas, for example, home insurance allows you to purchase replacement cost coverage for personal belongings, flood insurance includes only “actualcash value coverage for destroyed personal possessions. The difference between the two is that replacement cost coverage reimburses you the moneyto replace a destroyed item with a new one, whereas actual cash value reimburses you for the value of the item at the time when it was destroyed. Forexample, if your computer was destroyed in a flood, you’ll receive reimbursement for what the computer’s cost was when it was destroyed, instead of themoney to purchase a new one.

Outside house items are not includedFlood insurance coverage stays within the confines of your home, and it doesn’t go to the outside. That means items such as hot tubs, swimming pools,decks, patios, fences, landscaping, walks, wells and septic systems are not included in flood insurance. Similarly, while flood insurance covers removal ofdebris due to a flood inside or on the home’s structure, it does not cover the same in the yard.

Flood insurance has a 30-day waiting periodThat means if you purchased flood insurance 25 days ago and experienced flooding during that time, the flood insurance has not gone into effect yet, andtherefore you will not be covered. Thus, it’s a good idea to think ahead and try not to wait on purchasing flood insurance until the day before a storm.There are exceptions to the rule, however. These include buying additional insurance when renewing a policy or as a result of a map revision, or if a lenderrequires you to have flood insurance for a home loan.

To learn more about flood insurance coverage, visit www.floodsmart.gov or http://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program.


Which Truck Is Right for You?Choosing the right truck doesn’t need to be complicated

Pickup truck drivers are known to be loyal. They simply love their trucks, and there’s every reason why. Pickup trucks provide all the utility and grit to getthe job done. And recently, pickup trucks have gotten the same attention as the rest of the automotive industry, and they sport plenty of safety, technologyand luxury features, so there’s virtually no downside to them. Here’s a handful of the best:

2015 Ram 1500Named a “Best Car for the Money” by U.S. News, the newest Ram 1500 sports best-in-class fuel economy approaching 30 mpg highway, and theindustry’s only light-duty diesel. Other standout features include the award-winning Pentastar V6, the legendary HEMI V8, a class-exclusive TorqueFliteeight-speed automatic transmission and the RamBox cargo management system. All of this is backed up by excellent warranty coverage of fiveyears/100,000 miles. As impressive as the Ram is, the technology features and dressed-up interior you’ll find help it stand out even more.

“The Ram 1500 has the nicest interior of any full-size pickup. Its upgraded touchscreeninterface is impressively easy to use and offers substantial technology capabilities,”Edmunds says. “We’re also fond of the Ram as it offers a composed and smooth ridewhether you’re driving it on- or off-road.”

2015 Ford F-150Ford is the best-selling brand of trucks for the past 38 years, so whenever they make achange, it’s a big deal. With a weight reduction of nearly 700 pounds over the previousmodel, thanks to the use of high-strength, military-grade aluminum, the F-150 has gonewhere no truck has before. But the weight reduction hasn’t put a damper on its stellarperformance, and the F-150 sports up to a 12,200-pound towing capacity and3,300-pound payload to go along with its impressive gas mileage and 5-Star SafetyRating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“The big deal with Ford’s new F-150 is the aluminum body. With it, the material has hitthe mainstream—it doesn’t get much more so than the bestselling vehicle in America,”Road & Track says. “While that’s its own milestone, Ford did a lot to take advantage ofthe lighter body’s obvious and more subtle advantages, creating a truck that’s going tobeat up on the domestic competition.”

2016 Chevrolet ColoradoStarting at an MSRP of $20,100, the Colorado is a midsize truck, perfect for those whodon’t need all the bulk a full-size truck offers. Named the 2015 Motor Trend “Truck of the Year,” the Colorado sports advanced technology, unsurpassedsafety and excellent performance to go along with its smaller dimensions. The Colorado is as comfortable cruising on the highway as it is conquering atrail, and there are even special edition models for those who want a bit more exclusivity. The Colorado was named the “No. 1 Compact Pickup Truck”and a “Best Car for the Money” by U.S. News and was the fastest-growing midsize pickup in 2015.

“After spending quality time in the new Chevrolet Colorado … it was obvious GM has set a new benchmark in the midsize truck category,” according toForbes.

No matter which truck you’re looking into, we have you covered with the financing you need, so stop by today so we can help get you started.


Eco-Friendly Ways to Heat Your HomeConsider these eco-efficient heating alternatives

You can probably already feel that chill in the air that reminds you of what is coming for most of us in the contiguous United States. November will giveway to December, and autumn will give way to winter. That means it is time to break out the heavy coats and sweaters and to start budgeting in a littleextra every month for heating costs. Depending on the ferocity of winter, those heating costs can reach unseemly heights, which is why it is important toconsider alternative methods that will not only save you money in the long run, but that will ultimately be better for the environment.

Increase insulation and use recycled materialsIf you have ever noticed a dramatic difference in temperature between one room andanother in your home, you may need an extra layer of insulation in the walls. Theprocess is not a particularly easy one, but the end result will see your energy usagedecreasing by simply getting more out of what you use. When considering material forinsulation, give special consideration to recycled denim; most brands contain as muchas 80 percent post-consumer recycled material, meaning that you are helping reducewaste while reducing your energy bills.

Install a pellet stovePellet stoves are a great way to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and save money onheating in the long run. The pellets used for these stoves are made of sawdust,switchgrass or wood chips, meaning that you’re using a renewable resource instead ofoil. While pellet stoves can be somewhat expensive and pellets cost slightly more thannatural wood for wood-burning stoves, they emit very little in the way of CO2 and are asignificantly lesser fire risk.

Invest in solar energyThe cost of solar energy has been steadily decreasing, meaning that there has neverbeen a better time to invest in a solar energy system for your home. While the up-frontcost of installing solar panels can be in the low-to-mid five-figure range, it takes as littleas 10 years to see a return on the investment, and it will also ultimately increase the resale value of your home. Active solar heating can provide for thevast majority of your home’s heating needs, and it’s a completely green method of doing so.

Consider geothermal heatingGeothermal heating obtains energy from the earth’s consistently warm temperature, requiring considerably less energy than an air-sourced HVAC systemthat has to reheat the cold air. This system also requires a hardy investment that is recouped within a decade of installation and adds to the resale valueof your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, geothermal heat pumps run to a maximum efficiency level of 600 percent on cold winternights, which compares favorably to the 250 percent max efficiency of air-source heat pumps. The life of these systems is estimated at about 25 years forthe components inside your home and 50 years for ground loop components that gather heat from the earth.

Be smart with what you haveIf it is too soon to consider replacing your HVAC system or re-insulating your home, make the most out of what you have. Install a programmablethermostat to adjust heat for the times where you are not home, which helps reduce the energy that would be consumed by simply turning off the heatand reheating the air at a later time. Roll up old bath towels and stuff them in front of your doors to close up drafts and lock in heat. If you have a smallhome, space heaters are simple and efficient ways to stay warm without being overly reliant on the thermostat, and bundling up in blankets and wearingwarmer clothes around the house helps keep usage low.

There are a number of ways to save money and energy this winter, and the most effective methods largely depend on your needs. Assess your homeheating situation before the season changes and make necessary adjustments for a warmer winter season.


Surprising Sources of FiberBring your diet into balance with these fiber-dense foods

One of the most vital components to a healthy, balanced diet is taking in an adequate amount of fiber. Soluble fiber and insoluble fiber help promote betterdigestion, which also serves to lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Fiber also promotes improved heart and joint health, and can keep you feelingfull longer, which is particularly helpful if you are curbing your appetite for a new diet.

The recommended daily fiber intake lies somewhere between 25 and 40 grams, depending on caloric intake. This means that fiber-dense foods areessential during and between meals. It is well known that whole grains and vegetables are great sources of fiber, but there are more ways to make surethat you are getting enough in your diet. Here are five somewhat surprising sources of fiber.

PopcornPopcorn is a delicious snack and a beloved standby for movie-goers. It might surprisesome, however, that it is also quite nutritional. Provided that it is not overloaded withbutter and salt, popcorn is actually a great source of protein and fiber. One ounce ofpopcorn generally contains anywhere from two to four grams of fiber, meaning that youcould get as much as half of your daily fiber intake from just three ounces of air-poppedpopcorn.

Shredded coconutCoconut oil is today’s hot super food, and there is good enough reason—the nutritionalbenefits of incorporating coconut into your daily diet are quite significant. Shreddedcoconut is no exception, as an ounce contains roughly five grams of dietary fiber.Whether you are sprinkling it over a salad or mixing it into a post-workout shake,shredded coconut is as nutritious as it is delicious.

Coconut flourCoconut flour is a great way to work extra fiber into your baking. One cup ofall-purpose wheat flour contains about three grams of fiber, but you can get five gramsof fiber from just two tablespoons of organic coconut flour. Since coconut flour isconsiderably more absorbent, you’ll only need about one-quarter the amount of wheatflour that you’d need for a given recipe, which means that it is best practice to findcoconut-flour-specific recipes before use.

Cacao powder Mixing a bit of cacao powder into your milk or smoothie not only makes it more delicious, but it also adds a surprising amount of fiber. One tablespoon ofnatural, unsweetened cacao powder contains only half a gram of fat and two grams of fiber, and it is also a surprising source of iron and protein. Add twotablespoons into your protein drink for an extra boost after your workout.

Canned pumpkinPumpkin spice is becoming the ubiquitous flavor of all things autumnal. If you are looking to put some pumpkin into your meals this fall, you might besurprised to find that there is a great deal of nutritional upside. One cup of canned pumpkin returns roughly seven grams of fiber, as well as three grams ofprotein and a whopping 763 percent of your suggested daily vitamin A intake. Whether you eat pumpkin pancakes or chicken and pumpkin goulash, you’llnot only get a delicious meal, but you’ll get a significant chunk of your daily fiber.

These foods, in addition to favorites like strawberries and avocado, will help ensure that you are never lacking for that vital ingredient to good health.Check your food labels and strive for fiber-rich foods, and you will find yourself feeling better by the day.


5 Child Stars That Found Success Outside of HollywoodFind out what these young actors did after Hollywood

Being a child star in Hollywood isn’t as easy as it seems. Aside from the grueling schedules that films and TV shows demand on these young actors, theprofession has occasionally been known to lead otherwise normal children to lives of addiction and loneliness. A rare few child stars manage to turn theirfirst gigs into lifelong careers, but most vanish into obscurity while chasing remnants of the spotlight. There are some, however, who willingly leave actingto pursue other passions and end up finding success in their own ways.

Mara WilsonMara Wilson, 28, is probably best known for her lead role in “Matilda” (1996), butcinephiles will also recognize her from films such as “Miracle on 34th Street” (1994)and “Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993). Though she was a promising young actress, she left thebusiness in 2000 and wrote in a 2012 blog post that “film acting is not very fun.”Instead, The Richest reports that Wilson now regularly contributes to the nonprofitorganization Publicolor, and is actively pursuing a career as a young adult novelist,which seems almost too fitting given her character’s fascination with literature in“Matilda.”

Jeff CohenThough forty-one-year-old Jeff Cohen guest starred in a number of TV shows, he ismost famously remembered as Chunk in “The Goonies,” a 1985 coming-of-age tale thatsends a group of kids on a quest for hidden treasure. This film and Cohen’s othercinematic ventures often poked fun at his weight, so he eventually joined his highschool football team to shed some pounds. In doing so, he abandoned his buddingacting career. Now, Cohen is a highly successful entertainment lawyer based out ofHollywood.

Rider StrongIn the 1990s, teen heartthrob Rider Strong, 35, played alongside Ben Savage asCorey Matthews’ best friend Shawn Hunter on the hit ABC comedy, “Boy Meets World.” While Strong has made film and TV appearances since the show’sfinale in 2000, including the spinoff “Girl Meets World” that is currently produced by The Disney Channel, he has mostly found success in other ways. Forexample, in 2008, Strong, his brother and his girlfriend submitted a commercial to MoveOn.org in support of presidential candidate Barack Obama; the adwas aired on MTV and Comedy Central. Business Insider also reports that Strong studied at Columbia and now runs a literary podcast and blog, dubbedLiterary Disco.

Mary-Kate and Ashley OlsenThe Olsen twins, 29, became Hollywood sensations as infants when they were cast to play Michelle Tanner (they shared the role) in “Full House.” Theywent on to star as individual characters in a number of films during the 1990s, including “Double, Double Toil and Trouble” (1993), “How the West WasFun” (1994) and “It Takes Two” (1995). As they aged, the fraternal twins starred in fewer movies—“New York Minute” (2004) was their last big hit—but theystill managed to find success with their own fashion label, according to the Daily Mail. In fact, the two have an estimated worth of $100 million.

Shirley TempleShirley Temple Black (1928 – 2014), known famously as Shirley Temple, was arguably the first “child star” to find success outside of Hollywood. Aftersinging her way into the nation’s heart in films such as “Heidi” (1937) and “The Little Princess” (1939), Temple moved into the political arena. She first ranfor Congress in 1967 but failed, so she then sought out roles in foreign service. Eventually, Temple served as the United States Ambassador to Ghana(1974 – 1976) and the Ambassador to Czechoslovakia (1989 – 1992), according to Time.

While not all beloved child stars go on to make movies and star in TV shows regularly in their adulthood, many do lead successful lives outside ofHollywood. To them, success is not measured by the number of films they star in but perhaps by the fulfillment of some other passion.


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