College Contracts: Too Much, or Just Right?

Recently I came across a book on Amazon called College Contracts: Authentic Conversations With College-Bound Adult Children –a book about how to make a contract with your child before he or she heads off to school. The concept intrigued me, and I wondered whether the average parent would consider it.
The Give and Take (in Writing)
I [...]

Bill Becomes Law: Congress’s New Student Credit Card Protections

Back in May I wrote about a new bit of student credit card legislation working it’s way through congress. At the time the bill had passed only in the Senate, but just recently the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 finally got signed into law.
Title III - Protection of Young Consumers
The new [...]

3 Things Your Student Should Know About Loans

With financial strain hitting families from coast to coast, it is no wonder that more students are turning to student loans to help cover the cost of college, but does your child know all that a loan entails?
Here are a few things your student should understand about student loans before he or she starts borrowing.
1. [...]

Do Boys & Girls Spend Differently?

I came across an interesting article on MSN today, which suggested that boys and girls might have differing perspectives on money. The article studied a collection of same-age pairs, from two schoolmates to a set of twins of opposite gender, and noted the disparities in their financial beliefs and habits.
The results were telling: on average [...]

Should Your Student Get a Job?

Numerous college students work to help cover their tuition costs, and with the economy in its current state, it is becoming more and more necessary for many families. As in all parenting decisions, however, there are many more criteria (beyond the money factor) to consider when deciding whether or not your student should get a [...]

The Right College Means Happier Students–and Parents

I took a hiatus from posting to my blog due to the fact that our staff member who formats and uploads the blog entries was on maternity leave. But she’s back now so I will again be making regular posts.
I want to update you on our own family’s college planning progress. You may [...]

Why is My College-Bound Student So Angry?

Noticeable changes can happen the summer before college classes begin. Your once sociable, friendly, happy-go-lucky son or daughter may suddenly be moody, cranky, or even downright ticked off. You might find yourself bickering with your child about little things-the trash being taken out, buying school clothes, or even just eating dinner as a [...]

The Non-Financial Value of a College Education

As parents, we spend a lot of time worrying about the college “investment.” We want to get the most for our money, and we want the dollars we spend for school now to become life-style sustaining incomes for our children later. More and more high school graduates continue on to college at least in [...]

Curfews & College: Rule Changes for Students at Home

Freedom is one of the biggest draws for living away from home. Most students look forward to finally escaping curfews, chores and the other demands of living under a parent’s roof.
But what do you do when your son or daughter comes home for the weekend, winter break or even for the whole summer? [...]

Parents & Finance 101: Who’s Going to Pay for This?

I touched on this way back in July-financial independence is an important part of adulthood, and, as I wrote then, far too many students and adults find themselves with “too much month at the end of the money.”
Now is the perfect time to start your son or daughter on the path to financial independence. [...]