Going to college is a big step in a person’s life. For many, it is the first time away from home. And that means learning to do a lot of things that were not previously required. Included in the list of new responsibilities one has when they go away to school is managing one’s finances…. Read More
Asking for More Money (as reported by Kathryn Vasel on money.cnn.com)
Do you deserve a raise? Most of us, when asked that question, will answer in the affirmative. “Of course I do,” you think to yourself. But have you tried asking for one? Too many people suffer in silence, worried that simply asking for a raise will draw unwanted negative attention. But the truth is, you… Read More
Student Loan Refinancing Options (as reported by J. D. Roth on www.getrichslowly.org)
There are many reasons why someone might decide to refinance their student loans: To move to a lower interest rate To consolidate multiple loans into one To find a better student loan servicer But for many people, this means leaving the “relative comfort” of the loans provided by the federal government and their contractors and… Read More
The Ridiculously High Cost of College in the US (as reported by Camilo Maldonado on www.forbes.com)
Ready for a statistic that reinforces something we all know? The cost of a college education has increase 8x faster than wages since 1989. In just the last 30 years, the average price of a 4-year college education has risen from roughly $53,000 in today’s dollars, to a whopping $104,000. That’s nearly double. During the… Read More
Student Loan Repayment Plans (as reported by Dan Kopf on www.qz.com)
It is a common piece of advice to students who graduate with student loans – that they should opt for a repayment plan that prioritizes paying back as much as they can as soon as they can. Unfortunately, this advice is often wrong. No two people are alike – nor are their careers and/or debts…. Read More
How Much Does Financial Aid Really Cover? (as reported by Dave Edwards and Helen Edwards on www.qz.com)
College tuition prices are higher than ever, and show no signs of coming down in the near term. So what is a family to do who wants the best education for their children but cannot afford the high costs of a college degree? Fortunately, most families qualify for some form of financial aid. But if… Read More
How to Earn More Money (as reported by J. D. Roth on www.getrichslowly.org)
It is an oft-repeated bit of wisdom about personal finance – the key to building wealth is to spend less and earn more. It will always be a good idea to work to limit the expenses side of the equation. But what about earning more? One of the best ways to increase your earning potential,… Read More
Save for College with a 529 Plan (as reported by Matt Becker www.thesimpledollar.com)
The cost of college continues to climb, and unless something changes in how we treat higher education in this country, it’s not likely to come back down anytime soon. So for those of us who would like to help finance our children’s education, 529 Savings Plans provide for a smart investment. 529 Plans, sometimes called… Read More
Does Intelligence Lead to Wealth? (as reported by Brock Kernin on www.cleverdude.com)
Whether or not you are smarter than someone else has almost no impact on whether or not you will make more money than that person in your lifetime. That’s the conclusion of several studies measuring intelligence and wealth. Surprised? It’s a common misconception that intelligence leads to higher income. While in some cases, it helps…. Read More
Should You Go to Graduate School? (as reported by David Tanofsky on work.qz.com)
For many people, deciding whether or not to attend graduate school can be one of the toughest decisions to make. On the one hand, most professions do not require an advanced degree. And staying in, or entering, the work force provides immediate income and other benefits. However, in some cases, graduate school can lead to… Read More