Comments on: Sometimes, It Doesn’t Pay to Save http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html Bridging the gap between saving money and investing Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:05:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Screwedbythesystem http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-390115 Screwedbythesystem Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:43:22 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-390115 The FAFSA is a joke. I have saved an emergency fund equal to six months of income as recommended by financial planners and FAFSA counts this against me. The expected family contribution calculated by FAFSA is 75% of my take home pay. I am being penalized for saving. I would have been better off blowing the money on a vacation. The FAFSA is a joke. I have saved an emergency fund equal to six months of income as recommended by financial planners and FAFSA counts this against me. The expected family contribution calculated by FAFSA is 75% of my take home pay. I am being penalized for saving. I would have been better off blowing the money on a vacation.

]]> By: Shannon Christman http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-259778 Shannon Christman Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:54:00 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-259778 The $1,000,000 figure came directly from the IRS: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=164871,00.html I apologize if "avoid" is not an accurate term; however, I spoke with someone who has set up a trust, and he said that his heirs will not have to pay the estate tax -- whether or not the "reduction" is to zero only in his particular case, I cannot say. The $1,000,000 figure came directly from the IRS:

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=164871,00.html

I apologize if “avoid” is not an accurate term; however, I spoke with someone who has set up a trust, and he said that his heirs will not have to pay the estate tax — whether or not the “reduction” is to zero only in his particular case, I cannot say.

]]> By: Judy http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-259367 Judy Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:03:33 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-259367 The estate tax exemption is $2,000,000 for 2008, not $1,000,000 (and has been for several years). And you don't "avoid" estate taxes just by setting up a trust. Specific kinds of trusts can help reduce taxes, defer them, or are more efficient in using your marital estate tax deductions. It rather scares me that this basic information is incorrect on this article. What else is wrong? The estate tax exemption is $2,000,000 for 2008, not $1,000,000 (and has been for several years). And you don’t “avoid” estate taxes just by setting up a trust. Specific kinds of trusts can help reduce taxes, defer them, or are more efficient in using your marital estate tax deductions. It rather scares me that this basic information is incorrect on this article. What else is wrong?

]]> By: Debbie Roberts http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-256147 Debbie Roberts Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:51:52 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-256147 I had a problem when I was in college years ago. My dad retired and although we were considered low income during my college years, his job kept me from getting more financial aid since he retired one year and they still counted the year he was employed. My "financial aid package" included a job on campus, but when I worked more hours than my package allowed so I could pay more tuition, I lost my job! I had to find employment off campus and work awful hours so I could pay my tuition. I realize this has been awhile ago (in the 80s), but I was very resentful that I, who was willing to work to pay for my schooling, couldn't work on campus. Years later when my husband's nephew was awarded a full scholarship to his college, he had so much money it bought his books, and allowed him to travel. And mom and dad made decent money, but it didn't count against him. Both instances(mine and his) are a financial aid system that is screwy. I had a problem when I was in college years ago. My dad retired and although we were considered low income during my college years, his job kept me from getting more financial aid since he retired one year and they still counted the year he was employed. My “financial aid package” included a job on campus, but when I worked more hours than my package allowed so I could pay more tuition, I lost my job! I had to find employment off campus and work awful hours so I could pay my tuition. I realize this has been awhile ago (in the 80s), but I was very resentful that I, who was willing to work to pay for my schooling, couldn’t work on campus.

Years later when my husband’s nephew was awarded a full scholarship to his college, he had so much money it bought his books, and allowed him to travel. And mom and dad made decent money, but it didn’t count against him. Both instances(mine and his) are a financial aid system that is screwy.

]]> By: Shannon Christman http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-256133 Shannon Christman Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:23:28 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-256133 Kristi, I do not advocate hiding assets or cheating the system. I do believe, however, that the system penalizes a lot of good students. In fact, I think you proved my point -- why should the assets of your absentee father have counted against you when you applied for grants? Kristi,

I do not advocate hiding assets or cheating the system. I do believe, however, that the system penalizes a lot of good students. In fact, I think you proved my point — why should the assets of your absentee father have counted against you when you applied for grants?

]]> By: Jay Gatsby http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-256100 Jay Gatsby Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:56:03 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-256100 I disagree completely with #6. If your parents save money for THEIR retirement, why should that money be counted against YOU when it comes to educational scholarships? Just because they can afford to pay your tuition doesn't mean they should be obligated to do so. Put differently, if you can't force your parents to pay your tuition, why should a school be able to do so? Based on this logic, you are being punished for your parents' unwillingness to use their retirement savings to pay for your education. Consequently, I have absolutely no problem in hiding assets from educational institutions that have no right to expect those assets will be spent on tuition payments. I disagree completely with #6. If your parents save money for THEIR retirement, why should that money be counted against YOU when it comes to educational scholarships? Just because they can afford to pay your tuition doesn’t mean they should be obligated to do so. Put differently, if you can’t force your parents to pay your tuition, why should a school be able to do so? Based on this logic, you are being punished for your parents’ unwillingness to use their retirement savings to pay for your education.

Consequently, I have absolutely no problem in hiding assets from educational institutions that have no right to expect those assets will be spent on tuition payments.

]]> By: Kristi CF http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-256095 Kristi CF Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:33:53 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-256095 Considering that my single monther & I were dirt poor and couldn't save for me for college and that when she died the day before high school graduation my absentee father started claiming me on taxes and I couldn't get grants because of it... I do not feel sorry for you nor do I feel you should be able to cheat the system by having your wealthy folks "hide" $ so you can then get that $ that is rightfully allocated to those who are truly in need of it. Shame on you and all of those who do it. Considering that my single monther & I were dirt poor and couldn’t save for me for college and that when she died the day before high school graduation my absentee father started claiming me on taxes and I couldn’t get grants because of it… I do not feel sorry for you nor do I feel you should be able to cheat the system by having your wealthy folks “hide” $ so you can then get that $ that is rightfully allocated to those who are truly in need of it. Shame on you and all of those who do it.

]]> By: RacerX http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-255763 RacerX Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:29:19 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-255763 I agree with PF. Saving should be weighed in ROI terms with debt. The only exception that I would make would be for an Emergency Fund (Baby Step #1 for all of you Dave-ites) you need to make a break with debt to get out of debt long term. Great blog! I agree with PF. Saving should be weighed in ROI terms with debt. The only exception that I would make would be for an Emergency Fund (Baby Step #1 for all of you Dave-ites) you need to make a break with debt to get out of debt long term.

Great blog!

]]> By: baselle http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-255695 baselle Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:51:36 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-255695 What can I say - a good night sleep that financial freedom provides costs money. :D What can I say - a good night sleep that financial freedom provides costs money. :D

]]> By: Meg from All About Appearances http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-255694 Meg from All About Appearances Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:50:13 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2008/02/27/102041_sometimes-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-pay-to-save.html#comment-255694 My mom was about at retirement age when I started college. I guess we were lucky that she had hardly saved anything for retirement (there were probably better ways for her to save it, but I think it was just in her savings account). Even so, I was penalized. Fortunately, I did get a full scholarship through a state program along with some music scholarships and a small Pell grant. But get this... I worked my butt off to get another scholarship for working in the music library. I got the scholarship, and lost my Pell grant altogether, meaning I was right back where I started. But it's been worse for friends. One girl was working for minimum wage while going to school and raising a toddler by herself. She started working a second job for minimum wage and lost her government assistance. A friend of the family's worked and worked and worked to scrounge up enough money to buy a small plot of land for his family, while on food stamps. Once he bought that land, though, the government said he was too rich to help out. He had to sell it. My mom was about at retirement age when I started college. I guess we were lucky that she had hardly saved anything for retirement (there were probably better ways for her to save it, but I think it was just in her savings account). Even so, I was penalized.

Fortunately, I did get a full scholarship through a state program along with some music scholarships and a small Pell grant.

But get this…

I worked my butt off to get another scholarship for working in the music library. I got the scholarship, and lost my Pell grant altogether, meaning I was right back where I started.

But it’s been worse for friends.

One girl was working for minimum wage while going to school and raising a toddler by herself. She started working a second job for minimum wage and lost her government assistance.

A friend of the family’s worked and worked and worked to scrounge up enough money to buy a small plot of land for his family, while on food stamps. Once he bought that land, though, the government said he was too rich to help out. He had to sell it.

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