How to Cut Down College Debt

Many university graduates start their adult lives dirt poor, but a college college money 300x200 How to Cut Down College Debtdiploma doesn’t have to be coupled with thousands of dollars of debt. Whether planning for college or already halfway through it, plan to manage debt or avoid it by following these tips:

Always Fill Out the FAFSA

Don’t assume you aren’t qualified for financial aid. No matter your parent’s income or your economic background, fill out the FAFSA (free application for federal student aid) every year. According to StudentAid.ed.gov, most people are eligible for financial aid. Eligibility is determined based on different criteria for different types of aid. For example, federal student aid programs take into account students with a parent who was killed in Iraq or Afghanistan, non-U.S. citizens, students with intellectual disabilities and students with criminal convictions. Federal student aid includes grants, loans and work-study programs that can help pay for schooling.

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The Role of Personal Responsibility in the Housing Crisis

The housing crisis was a very complex and unique financial situation that had many contributing factors. It began with predatory practices in lenders that was fed by the irresponsibility of the borrowers. This led to an escalation of housing prices which forced other people to pay more for their homes. During this time loans were also repackaged as financial instruments that were expected to fail and this in turn created more innocent victims as the investments crumbled and left them with nothing.

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Do Something Fun with Your Tax Refund

Some may consider it a wise decision to use your income tax refund to pay down debt, do home improvements, or make sound investments. While it is often necessary to payoff certain expenses, if it can be budgeted for, your tax refund can be used for something you will derive pleasure from. While what you can do with your refund depends on the amount of the refund, whether it is several hundred dollars or several thousand dollars, you can find something fun to do with it.

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Budget Friendly Ways to Cook for a Whole Family

Whether money is tight and you are feeling the pinch or you are simply feeding a lot of people on a regular basis and you want to keep some money in your pocket, consider your cooking. When you are cooking for a lot of people for an extended period of time, you’ll find that the money starts slipping away quickly. These tips will help you whip up extensive amounts of food while saving your cash at the same time.

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What Do You Do With Your Unused Euros?

For us Brits there’s often a bit of a conundrum when we go away on holiday in the Euro Zone then return with a fistful of euros.

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How to Reduce Insurance Costs

Insurance is a necessary expense for most people. Unfortunately, many individuals end up spending more on insurance policies than they truly need to do. Travel insurance may overlap with an existing health coverage policy; drivers may be paying more than they should for car insurance; and homeowners may be shocked to learn about ways that they can drastically reduce their monthly payments. To avoid paying more than necessary for all kinds of insurance, read on to learn more.

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Reduce Unnecessary Wedding Costs!

Ah, wedding season. That special time of year when love conquers, optimism blooms bright, and money disappears faster than the flowers at a bouquet toss. While wedding days are (hopefully) filled with overflowing levels of joy, the planning and aftermath–especially in terms of your bank account–can create some not so warm and fuzzy feelings. With wedding bills hovering dangerously close to the $30,000 mark these days, it’s amazing that many new couples can even afford the honeymoon. Thankfully, there are a few simple things you can do to save some of that hard earned cash and still maintain the wedding you’ve always envisioned.

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Boost Your Budget By Cutting Out Cars

Anyone who drives a car during the current economic crisis knows just how much pressure it can put on one’s already squeezed budget. Cars require inspections, insurance, regular maintenance, and gas. Depending on where you live, work or go to school, owning a car can also mean paying exorbitant fees for a parking pass, not to mention the stress of a daily commute and the threat of traffic jams, auto accidents, and tickets. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, transportation ranks among the highest consumer expenditures for United States citizens. While there are certainly conveniences to be had when owning one’s own vehicle, the rising cost of gasoline, auto insurance, and car maintenance have created an economy where many people would pocket significant savings by ditching the car and hitching a ride on a bus, train, cab, or bike.

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