Question for the Boston Money Coach: What should I be doing now to prepare for my children's college expenses? This is the second part of an answer to this question posed by parents of two young children worried about the rising costs of higher education and student loan debts. Confused about where to start, they need help from Boston's Money Coach. Response from Boston Money Coach - Steve ... Read More
529 Plan
Ask the Money Coach: Paying for Children’s College
What should I be doing now to prepare for my children's college expenses? Question:) I have two young children and am worried about the rising costs of higher education and student loan debts. I've read about college-savings plans but don't know where to start. Money Coach's Answer: You should talk with a financial planner who can outline your options. There is more to paying for ... Read More
Diplomas at a Discount
Lower the Cost of College without Breaking the Bank or Your Retirement Nest Egg School season begins once again. It’s hard to imagine but here we are at the end of another summer. Yellow buses roll. Marching bands practice. And it’s time for some high school football. While it’s hard enough to stay focused on all the classwork, homework and after-school activities at hand, there’s one more ... Read More
How to Save on the Cost of College – A Series
Graduation season is behind us. Those beaming faces seated in front of podiums eagerly awaiting their graduation certificate or diploma from middle or high school are now probably lounging by the pool waiting to begin the next phase of their school "career." For parents of middle-schoolers entering high school, the thought of college can be as oppressive as the sweltering summer heat. Not ... Read More
529 Plans for College: Do The Numbers Add Up?
As college costs continue to rise, parents continue to search for ways to lower the pain in their wallets from getting a college degree. What could be better than having the money saved to pay for college? How about having help from Uncle Sam? But with so many choices, how can you most effectively accomplish the twin goals of paying for college and saving your retirement nest egg? I discuss ... Read More
Improve Your Odds for Student Financial Aid
It’s never too early or even too late to start planning for ways to pay for college or post-graduate school. Myths There are a number of myths out there that can adversely impact your planning efforts: 1.) There’s not enough aid available; 2.) Only students with good grades get aid; 3.) My family makes too much money to qualify. Reality In reality, both “self-help” aid like loans and “gift” ... Read More
5 Sure-Fire Strategies to Lower College Costs
When your salary stops at retirement, will you have enough to pay your bills, travel and live the lifestyle that you want in your Golden Years? Sure, you may be one of the lucky ones with a pension. Social Security may even still be around. But if you want to live your vision of retirement, then saving and investing properly is important. And how you pay for college for your kids will impact ... Read More
Paying for College without Breaking Your Retirment Nest Egg
PAYING FOR COLLEGE. Do you own a business (full time or part-time)? Do you own investment real estate or a farm? Would you be interested in learning how to use IRS rules to help you pay for college? If you want to find ways to pay for college without ruining your personal retirement, there is hope (and it's not just the renames tax credit mentioned below). In this series, we'll go ... Read More