Education
Learning How to Save for College
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
For anyone trying to figure out the best ways to save for a child’s future college costs, SavingForCollege.com used to be the go-to source of information. However, as reported by Mainstreet.com, Morningstar has become a valuable added source. I can’t say one site is better than the other; both have their advantages. Both offer helpful ... [Read more]
From Community College to Med School
Thursday, April 8th, 2010
If you’re wondering how to help your kids make it through college without a mortgage-size loan, consider the experience of Brittany Blackburn. Her route to a full scholarship at Yale Medical School included stops at two community colleges. According to a WalletPop article, spending the first two years at a community college can make a ... [Read more]
Reshaped by the Recession
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
The Great Recession has impacted all of us. For some, the impact has been painful (think job losses). But the financial downturn also seems to be fostering widespread personal changes that, if they stick, have the potential to improve our lives. U.S. News & World recently summarized some of the key recession-induced changes that researchers ... [Read more]
Keeping Your Economic Engine Tuned
Thursday, January 7th, 2010
USNews.com recently shared 10 career resolutions for the New Year. All were worthwhile ideas, but three really stood out. First, look for something new to learn every day. The “every day” part might be a bit lofty, but I agree with the importance of continuing to learn. Most large employers offer some form of tuition ... [Read more]
The Hard Lessons of a College Education
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
Student loan defaults are rising, according to an article in the Washington Post. A quarter of a million student loans went into default in the Education Department’s most recent period. Some blame high interest rates on student loans. However, a survey by student loan provider Sallie Mae and Gallup identified another factor in the high ... [Read more]
Online Tool Reviews
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
The Internet is making personal money management easier. I recently wrote a guest post for U.S. News & World Report, looking at the pros and cons of various online budget tools. I’m using Mint.com and enjoying it for the most part, but I plan to switch to Yodlee next year because it offers a few ... [Read more]
Amish Money Management
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
There was an interesting post on the Houston Chronicle’s web site about the money management habits of the Amish. According to the story, Amish children all learn a trade such as farming, welding, or woodworking. Money earned through apprenticeships goes to their parents, who give the child 10 percent for spending and put the rest ... [Read more]
Top Money Web Sites
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
The Internet is filled with lots of good web sites about money. But which ones are worth a visit? One of the web’s best personal finance journalists, MSN’s Liz Pulliam Weston, recently named her 100 favorites. That may sound overwhelming, but she has them organized by subject. Just in case 100 sites aren’t enough, here ... [Read more]
Finding Free Money for College
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009
College isn’t getting any less expensive, which is why the hunt for scholarship dollars is so important. FiLife recently highlighted their five favorite places to go scholarship shopping: CollegeBoard, FastWeb, Peterson’s, Scholarships.com, and the Department of Education. One other source of scholarship money to consider is Christian Community Credit Union, a sponsor of this eNewsletter. ... [Read more]
Controlling What We Can Control
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008
Eight in ten Americans feel stressed about money, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. Nearly 60 percent of respondents say they are concerned about job stability, while 50 percent say they are increasingly concerned about their ability to provide for their family’s basic needs. How are people responding to the stress brought ... [Read more]
How to Save for College
Thursday, May 8th, 2008
The go-to source for information about saving for college has been the aptly named Savingforcollege.com web site. But Morningstar is giving that site a run for its money with a new analysis of the best and worst 529 plans, along with a comprehensive set of articles about the pros and cons of such plans and ... [Read more]
Saving for College While You Shop
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008
Upromise, the first of several programs that enable you to earn money for a 529 college savings plan while you shop, is offering a $10 bonus if you sign up and make a purchase before the end of April. Okay, $10 isn’t much when you consider how much college is likely to cost by the ... [Read more]
Getting Ready for Your Rebate
Wednesday, March 12th, 2008
Are you among the 130 million taxpayers who will receive a rebate as part of the government’s economic stimulus plan? (Check eligibility requirements here) If so, with the government poised to begin sending checks in May, now would be a good time to decide what you’ll do with the money. Single tax payers will receive ... [Read more]
Savings Momentum
Sunday, February 10th, 2008
A hot topic among “consumer behavior” researchers is “shopping momentum.” The idea is that once a shopper makes a purchase they cross an important threshold making it much more likely that they’ll make other purchases on the same trip. While marketers work at spurring faster first purchases, I wonder if the same concept might apply ... [Read more]
