Financial Education

Helpful, easy-to-understand articles to guide your financial wellness journey at every stage.

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Student Life: The REAL Cost of a Student Loan

The average American who takes out student loans will have accumulated just over $24,000 in debt by the time they graduate. However, that is not the amount they will be paying back to the financial institution that they borrowed it from over those 5-25 years of repayment. The real cost of a student loan can be complex and difficult to grasp, but I am here to try and break that down for you today.

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Student Loans

How-Tuesday: How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Thirty-eight million households in the United States today live paycheck to paycheck. Sure, many of these households own their own home or contribute to their retirement savings, but after bills are paid and the necessities are purchased, they have no extra cash on hand.

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Personal Finance

Money Monday: The Biggest Money Mistakes We Make in Our 20s, 30s, and 40s

With age comes wisdom, but when it comes to finances, it's best to have as big of a heads up as we can! Whether you're just starting out own your own and fearful of, or struggling with, the financial stress that independence brings, or you're long past that point and still not quite comfortable with your money matters, it's never too early - or late - to take control of your finances!

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Student Loans Personal Finance Investment

Thrifty Thursday: Top Tips for Thrift Shopping

Thrifting has never been more popular. First, it's now "cool" to be "uncool" - or dress in and decorate with vintage, one-of-a-kind and a-little-worn-in finds. Second, it's usually way cheaper than spending full price at mass retailers.

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Personal Finance

Try This: Take a Staycation

Staycations are gaining in popularity and for good reason. You can avoid fuel, airfare, and hotel costs, have an opportunity to really explore and learn about the place in which you live,finally finish some of those projects you've been meaning to work on, and still have the power to cut ties with work for the week in order to feel completely refreshed when you head back.

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Personal Finance

Thrifty Thursday: DIY Beauty Products

It's so easy to overspend on beauty and hygiene products. It seems like there's a lotion and potion for just about every possible part of your body and then some. Plus, just when we think we've got the hottest product, the wonderful world of advertising throws a 'new and improved,' even pricier one at us.

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Personal Finance

Student Life: The Ins + Outs of the Parent PLUS Loan

We all know school costs a great deal, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any cheaper. All too often, your child fills out scholarship after scholarship and takes out the maximum amount of Federal Direct Loans*, and it still isn’t enough! One option to fill the gap in funding is to look into the Parent PLUS loan. The PLUS loan can be used to pay tuition and any eligible school expenses, minus any other aid your child receives. This is also a loan that is backed and funded by the Department of Education.

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Student Loans

Money Monday: 25 Ways to Improve Your Finances

Exercise. Eat healthier. Take up a hobby. Strengthen relationships. These common resolutions are all good and well, and keeping them general might work for some, but you might just find it easier to stick to them if you create small steps within each goal. For example, under Eat healthier, maybe your top three goals starting out could be: eat leafy greens every day, cut out soda, and drink one glass of water with breakfast. Before you know it, you'll be able to build on each goal and feel satisfied in having completed the bigger picture!

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Personal Finance