Graduates Guide To Credit
Just when you thought grades were behind you, life throws you a curve ball. Instead of A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s, and F’s, you will now be judged, in part, based on your credit score! After you’ve sorted through all your sweet gifts, had the fun parties and celebrations, there will come a time (probably right about now) when you’ll have to start supporting yourself and learning how to manage your money... Continue reading
Financial Mistakes I Made During College
When I was going to college I made some big financial mistakes that wasted my time and money. I want to share them so hopefully, a current college student reads them and avoids them
1. I signed up for a credit card without a steady income. I forget exactly what was the small prize for signing up, but I remember getting my credit card to get something free. It had a high credit limit and... Continue reading
Money Management for College Students: Do Loans Affect Your Credit Score?
When you look at the breakdown of credit score factors, the biggest – at a whopping 35 percent – is your payment history. If you're still in school and not yet making loan payments, your credit score won't suffer. However, when you get out, the responsibility of making the payments falls on your shoulders. If you miss payments or fall behind regularly, you can do some serious damage to your score... Continue reading
Tuition Costs and Your Wallet: Are You Eligible for Financial Aid?
Investing in your education can boost your earning capacity, even if the value of your education doesn't become obvious when you first graduate. Determining the impact of tuition costs might seem a bit daunting, however. "The key to maximizing your investment is navigating financial aid," says Jason Steele, a certified college planner in Raleigh, North Carolina. Here are some tips to get you... Continue reading
How to Save on College Budget Busters
How to Save on College Budget Busters
Sticker shock doesn't begin to express the reaction most people feel when they first look into college costs. At some private schools, tuition, fees, room and board, books and incidental expenses could easily pay for a new luxury automobile every year of attendance. Whether or not you have money socked away, there are ways you can stretch your dollars... Continue reading
College Savings Plans and Funds: Know Your Options
Personal Finance Tips for Starting a College Fund
Saving for college can be daunting, with just one year of tuition costing well into the five figures. You can start saving as soon as your child is born. The sooner you start contributing, the sooner you can take advantage of the tax-advantaged growth offered by Coverdell education savings accounts and qualified tuition plans, also called 529... Continue reading
Personal Finance Pros and Cons of Leasing to Buy a Home
Personal Finance Pros and Cons of Leasing to Buy a Home
If you're looking to buy a home but aren't sure that you're completely ready to move forward, leasing to buy a home can be an option. In these arrangements, sometimes called a "lease option," you rent the home from the owner for an above-market rent and, in exchange for your extra payments, he gives you back a portion of it as a credit... Continue reading
Rules for Withdrawing from Education Savings Accounts
If your child does it right, she won't have to pay any tax at all on money she withdraws from the Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) you set up for her – but she'll be hit with regular income tax and hefty penalties if she doesn't follow the guidelines. Here's what you need to know.
ESAs Are Tax-Advantaged College Savings Plans
If you want to save for your child's education and she's... Continue reading
Should You Go to Graduate School?
Date: October, 26, 2016
Sometimes graduate school is the perfect path to the career you want, but other times, it can be a waste of time and money. If you're thinking of getting a master's or doctorate degree, weigh the pros and cons of your decision to do so. Here are a few considerations to help you decide whether graduate school makes sense for you.
Know Your Career Goals
To figure out... Continue reading
Understanding REPAYE, The New Student Loan Repayment Plan
Prodded by President Obama, the Department of Education created the REPAYE plan in 2015 to ease the burden of student debt. REPAYE stands for Revised Pay As You Earn. This repayment plan is an updated version of the former Pay As You Earn plan and it sweetens the repayment pot in more ways than one.
An Income-Driven Repayment Plan
REPAYE is an income-driven student loan repayment plan in which... Continue reading
