The Strategy That Saves You Money on College Textbooks
College students often complain about the high price of college textbooks. Plenty of parents decry these costs too – because it’s the parents who often get an 11th hour call from a son or daughter who needs money or a credit card to buy the latest book for Biology, History, Engineering or some other subject. […]
Changes That May Impact Your Credit Score
Your credit report and credit score remain important as you approach preretirement or retirement. Whether you cosign for a child’s or grandchild’s loan, tap your home equity to buy a vacation home, or simply finance the purchase of a new car, you’ll need to have good credit. Here’s what’s happening in the credit landscape this […]
Save Money With Free Open-Source Textbooks
Picture for a moment a world in which students attending college would get all their textbooks completely free. Does it seem like a pipe dream? Well, it’s a lot closer to reality than you might suspect — and not just for students formally enrolled in higher education institutions. There’s a fast-growing movement in the U.S. […]
How To Save Money on College Room and Board
Learn how to save money on college room and board with smart strategies like choosing the right meal plan, applying for housing scholarships, and becoming an RA.
5 Tips to Save Money When Selling Your Home
How many times have you pinned images of homes and fun do-it-yourself projects to your Pinterest boards or tuned into HGTV? Every time you paint a room or refinish cabinets by yourself, you’re saving money. Whether it’s re-tiling bathrooms or tackling a living room design makeover, people are rolling up their sleeves and tackling jobs […]
The Rise of Luxury College Housing Units
The Rise of Luxury College Housing Units What comes to mind when you think about college housing? If you’re imagining cramped dorms with shared bathrooms and instant noodles for dinner, think again. Today’s college students are increasingly flocking to high-end living spaces that rival luxury apartments—and it’s not just off-campus housing that’s going upscale. The […]
Why You Should Re-Think Living at Home or Living Solo While in College
College room and board expenses now average $9,804 at public four-year colleges—more than the average cost of tuition itself, according to the College Board. That means where you live while earning your degree could have a greater financial impact than you realize. While many assume that living at home or solo in a dorm is […]
Paying for Grad School When You Are Over 40
Q: I am considering going to grad school and am clueless re: what steps are needed to get started, hidden costs and fees, the procedures and requirements for enrollment and other pertinent information. I am currently unemployed and need all of the assistance I can get. I graduated from undergrad. school in 1999, and I’m 58 […]
4 Smart Tips to Reduce Expensive College Fees
And you thought tuition was bad enough! If you don’t want exorbitant college fees to drive you into the poorhouse, make sure you bone up on all the fees and other charges you or your child might face while earning a four-year degree. U.S. colleges and universities charge students for a seemingly endless list of […]
How to Fight Back Against Ridiculous College Fees
College fees have become a stealthy way for schools to charge students far beyond the advertised cost of tuition. Like hidden dealer fees when buying a car, these “extras” can quietly balloon your total education expense—unless you know how to fight back. Universities often lump tuition and fees together, but what you’re really paying includes […]
13 Ways to Save Money on College Textbooks and Supplies
The latest data from the College Board show that college students spend about $1,200 a year on books and supplies. That’s a lot of cash. But believe it or not, the National Association of College Stores reports that spending on college textbooks is actually on the decline. Textbook expenditures are heading south due to two factors: technology, […]
Should You Use Retirement Savings to Pay Off Debt?
Q. I am a 61, single parent, and can’t seem to come up with a strategy to get out of debt. Is it ok to take a loan from a pension fund? Also, a debt solutions company advised me to cut up all credit cards. Considering I have a child, it seems like eliminating all […]
Rapper 50 Cent and Bankruptcy: Myth vs. Fact in This Money & Media Mirage
When news broke in 2015 that rapper 50 Cent filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the media frenzy kicked into high gear. Tabloids, financial outlets, and social media exploded with opinions, jokes, and wild speculation. Was 50 Cent truly broke? Was this a shrewd business move? Or was he just dodging a court judgment? Let’s separate […]
Impact of Closing an Account on Your Credit Score
Q. You mentioned that closing credit card accounts hurts your FICO score. If you closed accounts years ago, what is the timeline where it no longer affects your score? I only have one Visa card that I use now. I had no debt issues, just wanted to streamline my cards. Also, do store cards (Macy’s, Nordstrom, […]
Study Says Your Spending and Saving Patterns Are Very Predictable
We all know that the economy goes through cycles, such as boom and bust periods. But a new study on financial behavior shows that people also repeat their financial behavior in highly predictable ways — largely based on the state of the economy. The study was conducted by Dr. Dan Geller, a behavioral finance scientist and the […]