How to save on food in college (with lower-cost tips and alternatives)
With few exceptions, college is expensive, no matter where you go. Tuition, books, fees all add up fast. Often, little is left for other expenses, including food. While every student needs to eat, it’s possible to save significantly on the food budget without sacrificing quality.
Kevin has worked with Freedom Financial Network since 2005. Before that time, he held the position of enrollment sales supervisor for Nationwide Financial Solutions in Tempe, Ariz. Kevin also has worked as a business analyst and customer service...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesMinimizing the cost of your child's college education
When planning for college, how much do you need to save to send your child to college? First you must know how much college is going to cost.
Most financial advisors might then pull out their preferred financial planning goal calculator which makes assumptions for school choice, inflation, and the rate of return on your family’s savings. This calculates a monthly savings amount. However, advisors that do this are missing one of the most important steps: Minimizing the cost of college. A qualified advisor empowers you to do that!
Jason Nowitzki is a Wealth Advisor with Highpoint Planning Partners and a College Funding Consultant with My College Planning Team. Jason has been advising clients since 1999 through a comprehensive financial planning process and is well versed ...
View Full ProfileChoose a meal plan (or not) that is best for your college budget
You’ve been accepted to college, you’re getting ready for classes, and you’re probably moving into the dorm or residence hall—or maybe you’re a commuter! This is an exciting time and whether you’re on campus or commuting onto campus each day, this means figuring out a new way of living. One of those changes will be how you feed yourself, so it’s time to look at what kind of a meal plan—if one at all—you’re going to choose.
Stephanie graduated from Illinois State University and has been employed with Monmouth College since 2007. She has a background as a mental health professional and has worked with thousands of college students as they prepare for the future. Her...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesSave money for your child's college education as soon as possible
Are you expecting a baby, or have you recently met your new addition to the family? What a joy children bring to your life! Although your baby is small now, you have probably heard that you should start thinking about college savings. It’s hard to think about just now, but you heard correctly. It’s time to start saving for the climbing costs of college tuition, and room and board.
Stephanie graduated from Illinois State University and has been employed with Monmouth College since 2007. She has a background as a mental health professional and has worked with thousands of college students as they prepare for the future. Her...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesStudents must learn how to budget to control college costs
Graduated high school—check. College acceptance—check. Roommate assigned—check. You’re ready for college! Right? Not exactly.
How do you figure out your finances? Are there hidden costs? How do you live off of a college student’s meager income? We have some advice on how to make the experience a little easier on the old wallet.
Stephanie graduated from Illinois State University and has been employed with Monmouth College since 2007. She has a background as a mental health professional and has worked with thousands of college students as they prepare for the future. Her...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesShould you use student loans to pay for your college education?
It is sad to say, but college is not what it once was. Gone are the days, where you could go to school and be confident you’d find a good job after completing your degree. The economy continues to shrink as more and more individuals find themselves confined to part time positions or no job at all.
Jason Whaling is the founder and CEO of The Wealth Titans. A financial education company dedicated to the training and development of individuals to reach their financial goals. Jason left his professional career as an accountant working at a la...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesCollege students: manage your spending to help you save money
A college degree often leads to a better-paying job. But in the process of earning that degree, it’s all too easy to incur debt and financial problems. For many students, college is the first time they have been responsible for all of their spending. They’ve often surprised at how much things cost. The good news is that college is an ideal time to start learning and implementing smart spending habits.
Kevin has worked with Freedom Financial Network since 2005. Before that time, he held the position of enrollment sales supervisor for Nationwide Financial Solutions in Tempe, Ariz. Kevin also has worked as a business analyst and customer service...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesTeach your college student how to budget for financial independence
When your child goes off to college it is often the first time they are financially independent. Even if you are giving them money to help out and support them, they are still making all their financial decisions on their own. This means that it is more important than ever to teach them financial management skills they can take with them throughout their college career and beyond. Budgeting will be the key to those management skills and here is some advice in teaching your college student how to budget.
Headquartered in Melville, N.Y. and led by financial attorney Leslie H. Tayne, Esq., The Law Offices of Leslie H. Tayne P.C. is the only New York State practice whose sole concentration is debt resolution and bankruptcy alternatives. Since its e...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesThe EFC and how it affects your financial aid
One of the more daunting challenges for parents is understanding how colleges determine what a family may or may not receive in financial aid. Articles often discuss the FAFSA form, but may not go into depth on how income and assets are assessed. In addition, many parents are unaware there are actually two different aid eligibility formulas for EFC (Estimated Family Contribution). These formulas are similar in some ways, but the resulting figures can widely vary depending upon a family’s finances.
Kevin is a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner and college planning specialist with Wealth Management Resources, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor, in North Smithfield, RI. He has been helping families of all income levels with college...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesBudgeting 101 for college students
College is a time of independence, and for many, includes learning how to manage money on their own. A budget plays a vital role in avoid debt and aspire to the things you want to do in life. College students new to budgeting can check out these do’s and don’ts to get started.
Kevin has worked with Freedom Financial Network since 2005. Before that time, he held the position of enrollment sales supervisor for Nationwide Financial Solutions in Tempe, Ariz. Kevin also has worked as a business analyst and customer service...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesThe Lifetime Learning Credit can reduce taxes and college costs
Looking to further your education or job skills but the costs are weighing you down? Don’t feel like you are by yourself. The costs to get any education have escalated significantly over the last few years. You are not the only one scrambling to finding ways to offset the costs of education. The Lifetime Learning Tax Credit may be the answer you’ve been looking for. The credit is an opportunity to offset the costs of your education by lowering your income tax bill by up to $2000 per tax year.
Cohesive is a comprehensive taxation and accounting firm based in Southern California and serving clients across the country. Featured in Forbes Magazine, Cohesive founder and CEO, Karla Dennis, helps her clients achieve financial success....
View Full ProfileSave money on college textbooks: buy used, rent, and try eBooks
Students entering college can expect to pay an average of $17,000 per year in tuition while those attending private college might be paying double that amount. While those figures seem daunting, adding textbook fees of up to $1,000 per semester to the total may be overwhelming. How can students save on textbooks? Savvy college students will save money by being resourceful, using the advice below.
Stephanie graduated from Illinois State University and has been employed with Monmouth College since 2007. She has a background as a mental health professional and has worked with thousands of college students as they prepare for the future. Her...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesApply for financial aid and get a job to help pay for college
As loans and grants for college expenses become harder to obtain, more students are needing to subsidize the family income to pay for everyday expenses. No longer do students have the easy ability to use loan money for living expenses in addition to tuition and fees. As a result, college students are seeking ways to not only save money, but to earn additional funds to offset expenses in addition to the family income.
Stephanie graduated from Illinois State University and has been employed with Monmouth College since 2007. She has a background as a mental health professional and has worked with thousands of college students as they prepare for the future. Her...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesA 529 plan for your child is a smart way to save money for college
Preparing for the costs of college is an important part of a comprehensive financial plan for most families with children. There are many ways parents can begin investing and saving for their children’s college fund in order to limit their need for student loans. However, there are many ownership, tax, distribution, and investment issues that need to be considered for many of them. One of which is the 529 Plan, named after the IRS code Section 529. Follow this expert advice to get one of many 529 Plans in place, and what to expect with it over time.
For over 29 years, Jim Kraiss has been a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) teaching at several local colleges. He has written several financial planning articles and five books on financial planning. His most recent book, Living the Tax Free Lif...
View Full ProfileMake the most of federal student loans to pay for college
Parents say they want their children to graduate from college debt-free. While at the same time, many of these same parents are also underfunding their own retirement accounts. But if you understand how government-issued (federal) student loans work, your children will not end up having to support you in retirement.
Jack Schacht is president of MyCollegePlanningTeam.com, an organization that brings together experts from both the academic and financial services communities who work in coordination to help families find the right college for the right price....
View Full ProfileHow to save money for college and retirement at the same time
Balancing multiple financial priorities and goals is a part of life. In order to cover longer-term goals – particularly retirement and college savings – there are certain things you need to keep in mind.
ING Retirement Coach Larry Rosenthal, based in Northern Virginia, is a financial advisor with ING Financial Partners. He has a local radio show, “Making Money Sense,” which addresses financial issues affecting the community. Larry has spoken ext...
View Full ProfileApply for scholarships the right way to get more money for college
Each year, billions of dollars are available in scholarships and grants for college students. Many older first-time students and those returning to graduate school often think they can’t apply for a scholarship or award, when, in fact, many scholarships don’t have age restrictions.
Jason K. Lum, J.D., M.P.P., is a faculty member in Walden University’s School of Public Policy and Administration. Mr. Lum serves as a national advocate for greater awareness among college-bound students and current college students particularly...
View Full Profile