Don’t Forget the College Spending Money

Once you get through paying for tuition, text books, room and board, supplies and activity fees, there is one more expense you have to count in–the monthly spending money that your college kids will need. Most college websites are very helpful with suggestions of how much money your student will need, with suggestions averaging $200-$300 a month, minimum, to cover expenses from laundry to shampoo to late night pizza runs. While these suggestions are helpful, the real amount is going to depend on your student, where he or she goes to school and what kind of lifestyle he or she … Continue reading

Saving for Your Retirement Versus Paying for Your Child’s College

As you sit down and plan your finances you may be wondering if your retirement or paying for your children’s college is more important. You feel that you want to help your children out as much as you can, and you want to make sure that they have the best start they can in life. At the same time you worry about your retirement. You want to be able to retire comfortably without too much worry about your finances in your later years. This difficult decision is one that many parents have to make. While it is important to help … Continue reading

Is Student Loan Debt a Necessary Evil?

Is student loan debt a necessary evil? So many people graduate with at least some student loan debt now, that most people do not even think twice about it. Student loans can add up quickly and then seem to take forever for people to pay off. With the consolidation loans you can have your payments spread out over twenty years. This is a long time to be paying for school. Here are five things to consider before you take out student loans. 1) Before you take out a student loan you should apply for all grants and scholarships that you … Continue reading