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College isn’t getting cheaper. Unless you graduated recently, your child’s education will likely cost much more than yours did. In fact, tuition alone has tripled in the past 20 years. Room and board are rising even faster – at a higher rate than the cost of inflation. That’s why roughly 70% of students rely on education loans to pay for college. Here’s how you can help.
After weeks of browsing house hunting websites, driving neighborhoods, and touring a few select open houses, you're ready to buy your dream home. Unless you plan on paying cash, you'll likely need a home loan. As long as you can find a mortgage with payments that don't exceed your monthly budget, any loan will do, right? Maybe not.
Although there is much uncertainty still surrounding Covid-19, it looks like most colleges intend to welcome students back to their campuses this fall in some way, shape or form. As everyone awaits final guidance, it’s best to be prepared to move quickly once final approval is given as college move-in day is approaching fast. If you haven’t experienced it before, plan for a long afternoon of organized chaos. Along with the usual stressors of moving, you’ll also be dealing with crowds, navigating campus and trying to make a tiny, white box of a room feel homey. Did we mention you’ll be doing all of this in just 1 day? Here are some simple tips to help keep you calm in the storm of boxes, bags and new beginnings.
A lack of funds to pay for direct expenses is one of the most significant challenges facing the non-profit sector. But non-profit organizations who provide patrons with an online giving option might have a better chance of achieving their annual giving benchmarks. Reducing the time frame between when a donor commits to giving and when they actually give is crucial to successful fundraising campaigns. When someone signs a donor card without providing the donation, there's always a chance they'll change their mind.
If you’ve already applied for grants, scholarships and federal student loans, but you still have a college financing gap, your next logical step is to apply for a private student loan. To help you, we’ve compiled a few tips to help you avoid the most common pitfalls when choosing a private student loan.
A big part of growing up is learning to be financially responsible. Most students still rely on their parents financially while in college, but they’ll likely be faced with many opportunities to make their own financial decisions, that could impact them for years to come. Be sure they’re leaving the nest with a solid foundation in basic money management skills so they don’t rack up unnecessary student loan or credit card debt. Read on for our list of financial topics to discuss with your student, if you haven’t already.
Borrowing money to increase your spending power can be a smart financial move. Under the right circumstances, using a home equity line of credit (HELOC) can open the door to fantastic returns. When you're strategic about leveraging the equity in your home, it's possible to reach financial goals sooner and save money while doing it. While a HELOC can be used to pay for almost any expense, five specific uses garner the most attention. Read on to discover why.
When funds are sparse, but creativity is abundant, tackling budget-friendly remodeling projects might be the answer. Simple, low-cost makeovers can add value to your home while showcasing your unique personality. There's no need to hire a team of experts. Focusing on small changes can keep costs down and result in the updated look you desire - no contractors, architects, or designers required.
Most people aren’t in a position to provide an expensive college degree to each of their children. After setting aside money for an emergency fund, life insurance, mortgage payments and the cost of living, that’s okay! As a parent, you’ve got a responsibility to take care of your child – and yourself – financially. After all, you can’t take out a loan for retirement. Fortunately, you don’t have to pick up the tuition tab to help make college more affordable. In this article, we’ll show you 5 other options.
Financial missteps of the past can rear their ugly heads at the worst possible times. As you navigate the mortgage process, expect a spotlight to shine on your credit score. This numerical representation of your credit history plays a significant role in loan approval. While the score needed to secure financing on your new home will largely depend on the loan type, e.g., Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, etc., a record of late payments or high credit utilization can limit your financing options.
