Uncategorized

On a college campus you’ll hear the phrase “I’m broke” almost as much as “Let’s hangout.” Instead of missing out on the fun, know what expenses to expect and how to handle them with proven tips from a college senior.

College is a wonderful experience where people find themselves, learn, and make lifelong friends. In addition to being an incredible experience, college can also be very expensive. Even if someone has received a full ride scholarship, there are still things that come up that need to be paid for.

Howdy! My name is Catherine, and I’m a Texas Aggie. This fall is the start of my Junior year as a mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University. My past two years here have been great, and I can already say I’ve gained a lot of experience both in academics and life in general. At the same time, I’ve also gained something else: college debt!

Summer is coming to a close, which means we’re all paying the highest electricity bills we’ll see all year. What’s that about? I’ve had two electricity bills over $200.00 this year. It’s hard to escape this in Texas—a state that has set, and broken, its own energy consumption records THIS YEAR—but there are still ways to minimize the impact on your wallet whether you live in an apartment or a house. Part of being a responsible consumer is being a responsible consumer of our resources, like energy. There are more of us than any previous generation, and we have to do better as a whole.

When it comes to buying a new car, you have three options: purchasing it with cash, purchasing it through a loan (also known as financing) or leasing it. For most shoppers, the decision comes down to buying or leasing.

The value of a college degree isn’t what it used to be, but its importance certainly hasn’t diminished. In fact, in Sallie Mae’s report, “How America Pays for College,” 90% of families expect their student to earn at least a bachelor’s degree, with 54% expecting a graduate degree. Of course, if you’ve read any recent news about the financial details of college education, you’ll know that it’s also a foreboding prospect: there is nearly $1.3 trillion in total U.S. student loan debt, ongoing wage stagnation, and the prospect of enduring years of underemployment.

Don’t you wish college was like kindergarten? With designated nap times, snack breaks… And even report cards that let you know how you’re doing. What about school supply lists? In college, you’re pretty much on your own. The syllabus might tell you what book to buy – but as far as the rest of the supplies go… you’ve pretty much got to guess. But we’ve come up with a list of necessities for college students, those living on campus and even commuters. Take notes.

An emergency fund is an essential part of your personal finances. Its importance is stressed in almost every personal finance book and budgeting blog, and yet 26% of Americans currently have no emergency fund in place. Of those who do have an emergency fund, up to two-thirds do not have the often-recommended six months’ worth of expenses saved up.