Amy thrust herself into her art after she was placed into foster care. She was a skilled painter at the tender age of 16; her art teachers encouraged her to pursue art full-time. The abuse she suffered at the hands of father and step-mom would have killed the spirit of most adults let alone a teenager, but she managed to smile. She wouldn’t grow up to be one of those adults who allowed their soul to die because of a horrible childhood. Amy would use her experience to reach other teens near and far, even though they too may be in and out of foster care like her. The launch of the Amy Arts Foundation for Teens was a success. At 16-years-old, Amy was on her way to becoming a successful entrepreneur, painter, and philanthropist. She was unaware the impact her artistry would make on the world. Luckily, Amy was tough and could handle the pressure of fame and success – it wouldn’t eat her alive!

So, you want to go to college or university. Good for you! You're probably wondering how you'll pay for it. Well, I'm going to tell you what to do. Yes, that's right -- I'm going to tell you what to do. Whether or not you listen to me is another story.

How did I pay for college? I chose to work full-time and go to college part-time. Why? I wanted the advantage of having real-world experience. I knew I would have to sell myself and skills. Real-world experience complemented with my education gave me the edge I needed to get jobs. I could prove I deserved the jobs I applied for because I already was practicing what I was learning. Furthermore, it showed managers and supervisors that I was able to handle pressure and could meet deadlines. Again, this was my choice. It may not be right for you.

How to pay for college and university

1. Grants.
2. Student loans. Try to use these as a last resort.
3. Work in a co-op or internship program.
4. Create your own business.
5. Start a blog and earn money from it.
6. Ask your parents to invest any monies you receive into stocks, bonds, and other investments.
7. Save your money from your job and put it into a savings account.
8. Live below your means. Do you really need that Xbox 360 or PS3 right now? It will be obsolete once you buy it!
9. Do you need a new car right now? If you attend college/university, you may not be able to bring it with you. Every college and university has different rules and regulations.
10. Apply for scholarships.
11. Create a website and ask for donations from corporations and people. Many people are doing this to find employment. Ask your parents to help you!

You can pay for college and university and won't have to take on debt like your parents. Get off of your butt and do something! Mow the lawns in your neighborhood -- shovel snow. There are lots of ways you can earn money for college and university. Put down the Nintendo 3DS and get to work!

Most teens suffer from acne which can be a real pain the butt. If you have acne, you're not alone. The good news is that acne is treatable. The bad news is you can still get acne when you're an adult. You probably thought you'd grow out of it, but believe it or not, adults get acne. Don't be too bummed out. Once you learn how you can stop acne from blemishing your life, you'll be fine.

Acne can be caused by overactive oil glands, blocked skin pores, skin bacteria, and inflammation. Most teens suffer from oily skin. If you use moisturizers, make sure they're non-oily. Girls, make sure makeup and makeup remover is non-oily as well. If you use moisturizer, you may have to change it when the climate changes. For example, your skin could become drier in the winter time. Use a moisturizer that will ease the dryness. When spring/summer rolls around, switch to a different moisturizer that doesn't dry out your skin. This can be a pain but your skin will thank you for it.

5 Tips to Stop Acne from Blemishing Your Life

1. Wash your face day and night and remove makeup! Girls (and guys) don't sleep in your makeup. It's the worst thing you can do for your face and it can cause acne. Wash your face in the morning and night. Your skin will thank you for it.

2. This too shall pass. Okay, you could get acne when you're an adult but it may not be that frequent. Many teens suffer from acne -- it's apart of growing up. Realize that you're not alone and will survive. Be grateful that the only thing you get when you're a teen is acne. Some teens get life threatening diseases.

3. Buy a facial wash specifically for acne. There are many facial washes on the market for acne. There's ProActive (Katy Perry is now the spoke person), Noxzema, Olay Acne Cleanser, MaxClarity Foam, and many others. Make sure your mom or dad takes you to a dermatologist if your acne is severe. They may prescribe medication and along with a cleansing system.

4. Don't pick at your acne. You may be tempted to 'pop' those pimples and zits -- forget about it! You can scar your face which is something you probably don't want. Stick with your skin cleansing routine and the acne will go away. It may take six months which seems like a long time but it will go by quickly.

5. Realize you're beautiful no matter what. Your self-esteem and confidence may tumble if you have acne. Don't allow it to get you down. Stressing out won't help the situation. Bless your acne and look in the mirror and say, "I'm beautiful no matter what!"

Take the necessary steps to combat your acne. Shower every day and wash your face. Don't sleep in your makeup or pop pimples and zits. You may feel as if your world is crashing around you because of acne but it will get better. Follow any guidance from doctor and your acne will go away. Remember, you're beautiful, zits and all!

I finished reading a story about a teen girl whose parents didn't want her anymore. Her father lost his job which caused him to lose his mind; maybe he's bipolar. He threw her and her belongings out of the house. The girl's step-mom was no help and wouldn't allow her back into the home. This story angered and saddened me at the same time. I wonder how many other teenagers experience this same fate every day in the U.S. and around the world. Know this: your parents did the best they could but sometimes it gets so bad they can't see straight. There's help available at places like Covenant House; they do care and will help you.

The streets are no place for teenagers. Please find a shelter and go to it. There's no shame in this. You can find Covenant House Homeless Shelters in the following areas: Anchorage, Atlanta, Atlantic City, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Managua, Mexico City, Milpas Altas, Newark, New Orleans, New York, Oakland, Orlando, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Tegucigalpa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington, D.C. Take advantage of the services Covenant House has to offer.

It's very unfortunate when your parents don't want you anymore. It wreaks havoc on your emotional and mental health. Remember, it's not your fault and there are people who care and will help you. Try not to get into your head and analyze the situation because you'll drive yourself crazy! You can recover from this and many teens have. Stay strong and get help today!

When I was 16-years-old, my dad bought me a used Ford Mustang LX.  I loved that car!  The exterior was black with red racing stripes; the interior was red cloth.  Another perk was the radio/cassette player (CDs just came out).  I would come home with the radio blasting which didn't go over well with my parents.  They questioned how I'd be able to hear a police, fire, or rescue squad siren.  How alert was I if I was 'jamming' in my car?  At 16, I didn't think about those things.  However, when I got older, I could see their point.  I could seriously injure myself if I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings.

My mom wasn't thrilled about me owning a Mustang because all you had to do was tap the accelerator and the car would take-off.  It was a Mustang -- that's what it was supposed to do.  To ease her mind, I pointed out that it wasn't a GT with a V-8 engine; it was a LX with a V-6 engine.  There's a big difference between the two engines.  I also told her how we were supporting the company my dad worked for (Ford) and that it was good for their business.  I was somewhat of a 'smart-ass' when I was 16.  What 16-year-old isn't?

I was responsible for gas, oil changes, and insurance.  My dad helped with major repairs such as tires, brakes, shocks and absorbers, and other repairs.  If I couldn't put gas in the car or pay the insurance, my dad told me he would sell my car.  There was no way I'd allow that to happen.  I loved that car!

If you want to own a car, make sure you're up for the responsibility.  Your mom and dad may buy you the car or make you buy it yourself.  Either way, it's your responsibility.  Think about this when you get your drivers license.  Are you up for major responsibility?  If you are, find a car that's right for you.  Drive safe!

What business do you think McDonald's is in?  I bet most of you answered hamburgers but that's incorrect.  McDonald's is in the real estate business!  This is straight from the mouth of Ray Croc when he spoke to the MBA class at the University of Texas at Austin in 1974.  McDonald's is the largest single owner of the real estate in the world, even the Catholic Church doesn't own as much as they do!  Teens, you may not be thinking about business some of you are.  In fact, there's 'chatter' on the internet about the top millionaires under the age of 25, and yes some of them happen to be teens.  Would you like to be a millionaire at the age of 16 or 17?  That's not too shabby.  You'll have your own money and be able to purchase what you want.  Of course, you'll want to invest some of your profits for your future.

FYI:  Ray Croc opened a franchised restaurant in Des Plaines, IL on April 15, 1955.  It was the ninth McDonald's.  Mr. Croc purchased the McDonald's brothers' equity which led to the worldwide expansion.  The company was publicly traded on the stock markets in 1965.

Unfortunately, schools do a poor job of teaching you about business and economics.  They don't do a good job about teaching your about money either.  The more you know about business the better you'll be able to navigate through turbulent 'economic waters' that could capsize you when you own your own business.  Remember, that you're in the business of problem solving and sales and marketing.  Make sure you invest your money wisely!

Business can be fun, especially when your profits increase year after year.  Think about all the good you can do if you have a successful business.  You could start your own not-for-profit, help your community, and donate to charities. 

FYI:  Most business people aren't greedy, even though there could be a few 'rotten apples' here and there. 

For the most part, successful business people know and understand it takes team work to build a business -- you can't do it alone.  You need the support of people who believe in you.  Sometimes these people won't be your family and friends so don't be shocked if they try to deter you from accomplishing your dreams.  Ignore them and surround yourself with inspiring, positive people who'll support you know matter what.

If you're entrepreneurial and would like to start your own business, ask some of your friends to join you.  Ask your parents for help or family members who already own their own business.  They can guide you to make the right decisions.  Before you know it, you'll be on your way to working for yourself.  Good luck and have fun!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I will be in theaters on Friday, November 19; Part II will be in theaters in 2011.  This multi-billion dollar franchise is wrapping things up for Mr. Potter and his friends.  Does this mean Harry will be free of the Dementors and Lord Voldemort for good?  Time will only tell, it is after all, the entertainment business!

Do you have real life Dementors in your life?  In the world of Harry Potter, Dementors are known to suck the life out of people.  They feed on good emotions, happy memories, and positive energies and force their victims to relive their worst nightmares.  Worst of all is the 'Dementors Kiss' because once they latch their lips onto your lips they suck the life out of your soul!  You're left with an empty shell -- you cease to exist!  Perhaps you have people in your life who are Dementors.  How do you get rid of them or keep them away from you?  Let's find out.

If your friends are constantly whining and complaining, they could be Dementors disguised as teenagers.  Most people will say that teens have a tendency to whine and complain but if your friends are over-the-top whiners and complainers, they could be Dementors who are sucking the life out of you.  Would you rather be around positive and fun friends or ones that bring you down all of the time?  The choice is yours.

How to free yourself from the Dementors in your life

1.  Recognize the signs of Dementors:  moody, whiny, complaining, 'poor me' attitude, no motivation, and no zest for life.  Okay, most people would say that I just described the majority of teens but I know there are some teens who are motivated and want to live life to the fullest.

2.  Be happy and optimistic.  When you feel the coldness of people who are always negative, it will be enough to make you want to run for the hills!  If you have a positive, can do attitude, Dementors will be repelled by you and won't want to be your friend.  Be kind to them and send them lots of love but don't spend your precious time with them because it will bring you down.  You can't do any good in the world if you're feeling blue.

3.  Bless and let go of the Dementors in your life.  Stay on your path no matter what.  Don't allow others to bring you down to their level.  They'll eventually find their way and may even reconnect with you later in life.

Allowing and keeping Dementors in your life can weigh you down.  Have you ever felt exhausted, drained, or depressed around certain people?  If you said "Yes" then you picked up on negative energy which is like a virus that infects your system.  Rid yourself of negative energy by asking God, source energy, or whatever term you use to clear you of the negative energy.  You can take a deep breath in and let it out; imagine breathing in positive energy and exhaling negative energy.  The negative energy may even resemble a Dementor!

Teens, if you learn how to ward off Dementors and vanquish them from your life you'll be happier and peaceful.  No one has the right to 'rain on your parade' and make your life miserable.  You have this one life so make the most of it!

Choose your friends wisely because you never know who could be disguised as Dementors.  Harry Pottery may not be available to use his magic wand to protect you.  In fact, you could probably say "Expecto Patronum" in your mind which would create your own Patronos to keep the Dementors at bay.  Give it a try and see what happens!