Education

Best Writing Apps That Can Help You Be More Productive

January 28, 2020 By Susan Paige Leave a Comment

The Internet is a very challenging place when it comes to writing. However, it is also a place that offers various handy tools and ideas that can help you write more effectively. You just need to find the right writing app for yourself. But before you can determine which one meets your needs, it is essential to think about the goals you want to achieve. [Read more…] about Best Writing Apps That Can Help You Be More Productive

Don’t Send Your Children to These 5 Colleges

January 23, 2020 By Tamila McDonald 1 Comment

When you have a child that’s getting ready to head off to college, finding the right school is essential. At national universities for the 2019-2020 school year, the average cost of tuition and fees alone was $11,260 for in-state public schools, while private schools ran an average of $41,426. That’s a major investment, and some schools certainly aren’t worth the money. Not all colleges are created equal. When you examine the quality of the education or future job prospects, some lag far behind. Don’t send your children to these 5 colleges.

The Making of a “Bad” College

Labeling a school as one of the worst in the United States it just about students’ opinions of their experience. While that can be a factor, there are other ones in play.

Often, “bad” colleges don’t offer a reasonable return on investment, or ROI. The tuition cost tends to far outweigh what a graduate can expect to earn after receiving their degree. Along with the price of attending, earning potential should be a critical consideration when choosing a school.

In some cases, more expensive schools can be worthwhile if students leave with exceptional earning potential. Similarly, a low-cost education can be an excellent choice if students are able to land lucrative positions after graduating and don’t have to acquire much debt along the way.

However, there can be other issues to examine, as well. A lackluster educational experience can be involved, as well as a failure to update critical areas, like the school’s technology. Low graduation rates are also a sign that things aren’t as good at a college as they may appear in the brochures.

5 Colleges You Don’t Want to Send Your Children To

Ultimately, the five colleges below are widely considered some of the worst in the nation. They miss the mark in key areas like ROI, graduation rates, tuition costs, student debt, and similar concerning points. Here’s a look at five colleges you don’t want your children to attend.

1. DeVry University

Based in Illinois, for-profit DeVry University is easily one of the worst options for college students. A mere 29 percent of students actually graduate from their programs. Those that do finish leave with an average debt of $43,000.

Plus, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued DeVry University, stating that the school gave misleading information to students about their future job prospects. Since DeVry University is accredited, the lack of opportunities took many students off-guard. Many employers don’t give the college much credence, so even if your child earns a degree, it may not help them land a job.

2. Morris College

Another school with a measly 29 percent graduation rate is Morris College, a private, religious institution with an approximate undergraduate population of 1,200 students. The college was founded in Sumter, South Carolina, and has an affiliation with the Baptist Church.

While many schools associate with religious organizations, Morris doesn’t offer the quality education many students need. It is behind when it comes to technology and other similar upgrades, and that can be a real hindrance in today’s increasingly digital world. Since it costs nearly $20,000 annually, and students generally leave with $26,000 in debt after graduating, it’s hard to justify the cost when critical areas like tech are being neglected.

3. Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University is a small public college with an enrollment of just shy of 5,400 undergraduate students. On average, the graduation rate is only 33 percent, which is very low. Plus, it isn’t an inexpensive school, coming in around $13,000 a year. Students often walk away with over $21,000 in debt if they do stick it out.

The crime rate in the area around the university should also give parents pause. Since knowing that your child is as safe as possible at school is typically a priority, a high crime rate shouldn’t be overlooked.

4. Shaw University

A private, religious university in Raleigh, North Carolina, Shaw University has some of the lowest graduate rates around, coming in at 23 percent. Of those, only 7 percent graduate with a STEM degree. On average, students leave with $28,000 in debt, and the school costs a surprising $24,638 annually. Plus, many graduates struggle to repay their loans after leaving the college, a sign that they aren’t finding gainful employment, even with their degree.

5. Mt. Sierra College

Founded in 1990, making it a fairly young school, Mt. Sierra College’s graduation rates would make most parents cry. Just 6.2 percent of students leave with a degree and those that do often struggle to find work. While the college does offer various programs focused on technology or business, most employers don’t give much credence to the school. Additionally, it costs a surprising $16,000 a year.

Are there any colleges you don’t want your children to attend? Which ones? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.

How to Spot Counterfeit Coupons

January 21, 2020 By Trey LaRocca Leave a Comment

Everybody wants to save money when they are out shopping. One way to get this done is the use of coupons, and apps like Honey have made a killing off of it. Honey’s website even boasts that it has saved $1 billion for consumers thus far, so its safe to say coupons are effective. With that said, there are many scams and counterfeit coupons out on the market, and many ask for your information in order to access them. This is where things get dangerous, and we at Savingadvice are here to help. So, to keep you safe on your journey to frugality, here are the best ways to spot counterfeit coupons.

Date of Expiration

This one is pretty easy. Many consumers will try to use or sell coupons they found online or in the mail. Oftentimes, these coupons have already expired. Make sure you double-check the date on the coupon, especially the year. You’ll tend to see a lot of holiday coupons from previous years, so don’t fall for the trap.

The Company Involved

Always check a company site before giving any information (or money) for coupons. If a coupon isn’t verifiable on a company website, it (most likely) isn’t legit. This isn’t always the case, but if the coupon requires anything from you aside from entering a code or scanning at the store, don’t take the risk. Coupons are usually a way for companies to get more customers in the door, and they often run in tandem with marketing campaigns. As counter-intuitive as it may seem, companies are going to want you to know if they are having a killer sale.

The Coupon Information Center

The CIC is a convenient resource, and keeps an updated list of scam online coupons. It isn’t updated so frequently that it is perfect, but it can still be a helpful first check when deciding whether to trust something. This whole process should be multi-step, and start with the CIC during your evaluation.

Use Your Common Sense

Just like anything else, you need to trust your instinct with counterfeit coupons. Crude pictures on google images, for example, aren’t going to be the most reliable resources. Weird stipulations or the lack of a company logo are also some good red flags. The biggest red flag is the word “free”. If a coupon offers something for free without the need to purchase anything else, odds are it isn’t real. If it is, it is usually something everybody knows about, and is being publicized pretty widely. If these boxes aren’t checked, avoid the random “freebies”. This is especially true if you don’t really have a good idea of the source of the coupon.

Should You Save For Your Grandkids College?

January 16, 2020 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

With the rising cost of college, many grandparents feel that helping their grandkids over the cost is a good idea. After all, the average tuition price public institutions rose by 4 percent in the 2019-2020 school year alone, and private colleges went up by 3 percent. In-state public tuition hit $10,116 while private colleges cost $36,801 annually. But, even with the cost rising, should grandparents contribute to their grandchild’s college? If you want to figure out if it’s a good idea, here’s what you need to know.

Can You Afford to Contribute?

First and foremost, grandparents shouldn’t save money for a grandchild’s education if they will end up in a financial bind. Unless you are maximizing your retirement savings (or, if you’re retired, have more than enough to sustain you), it’s better to focus on your needs. Otherwise, a financial gift for your grandkid could create a hardship in your end.

The Impact of Your Gift

How a grandparent saves for a grandchild’s college costs can come with certain financial implications. If you stash the money in a regular savings account, you’ll have to pay taxes on the interest. Plus, it won’t grow as quickly.

But it does give you a ton of flexibility, as you aren’t limited on how the money is used. You can also use that money to pay your grandchild’s tuition costs directly to the school. No matter the size of that payment, it won’t be subject to the gift tax for your grandchild, thanks to an IRS exception for qualifying educational costs. However, it might qualify as income for your grandkid, and that might not be ideal.

If you are considering opening a 529 plan, then there are potential drawbacks that you need to examine. While the money can grow tax-free, your gift can impact your grandchild’s FAFSA.

As with a direct tuition payment, the money can count as direct income for your grandkid. That comes penalty when it comes to financial aid. Up to 50 percent of a student’s income is considered available for college costs on the FAFSA, impacting their degree of need.

As a result, they might receive less in free financial aid, essentially undermining the value of your contribution. In some cases, this is a benefit, as it reduces a need for student loans. But, in others, it could also limit their eligibility for need-based grants or scholarships.

You can get around this income issue a bit. Instead of opening a 529 on your own or paying tuition directly, consider contributing to one owned by your grandchild’s parents. The aid eligibility reduction tends to be smaller with parent-owned accounts.

Is Saving for Your Grandkid’s College a Good Idea?

While your heart may be in the right place, you need to make sure that saving for your grandchild’s college makes financial sense for both of you. Consider whether you can actually afford it and examine the potential implications of your gift. That way, you can make a smart choice that doesn’t come with unforeseen consequences.

Do you plan to save for your grandkids’ college? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.

3 Fun Games About Saving Money

December 18, 2019 By Trey LaRocca Leave a Comment

When it comes to personal finance, saving can be the most daunting challenges one can take on. Not only is it a discipline that few come by naturally, throwing 10-20% of your money straight into a lock-box is arguably the most boring wealth building tool available. Unfortunately, though, it must be done. That being said, I have found a helpful tool in getting people started on their journey is recommending some easy games that educate users on saving their money.

Here are the three games I have found most helpful (and fun) to get the ball rolling:

Financial Football

A game that defies the usual platform of your average “finance” game, this Madden-esque sport simulator offers elements of traditional gaming tied in with money-saving education. Visa partnered with the NFL to bring you the most gamer-friendly learning tool out there, and I find it very engaging. The game switches between football plays and multiple-choice questions, and keeps a great balance between the two. If you enjoy football and want to learn a thing or two about saving money, this is the game for you.

Pros: Exciting gameplay, broad questions, and available on mobile.

Cons: Some football knowledge required.

Money Metropolis

This computer-only game is a great tool for teens. The player starts with a goal for which they want to save. This could be getting a new pet, going on a trip, or even a shopping spree. After this, the player can adventure around the town and find ways to make money and keep up on their budget until they eventually reach it. One of the best parts about this game is the map, allowing you to choose where to go and how to get your income. As a result, your child’s creativity can keep this game new and interesting for them.

Pros: Easy, open, and great for early-teenagers.

Cons: Basic and computer-only.

https://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/play/money_metropolis

Peter Pig’s Money Counter

Got to have something for the little ones. Peter Pig will teach your 5-8 year old fun facts about money and how to count and save smaller amounts. Step-by-step your child will learn the value of different coins, how to count change, and how to save it to dress up their pig! I have seen quite a few kids love this one, and it is a terrific starting point (and distraction) for any youngin’.

Pros: Kid-friendly, easy, and one cute piggy.

Cons: Only for kids, and has a very narrow scope.

There aren’t many great games about saving money, but these gems are sure to get folks of any age ready to get started! I hope you love them as much as my family has, and pay it forward by sharing this article.

How Expensive Is Education For The Deaf?

December 13, 2019 By Tamila McDonald 1 Comment

Many people assume that education for the disabled is expensive. If you have a deaf child, getting them access to the right programs is essential. Most parents would be willing to shoulder any cost to ensure their kid gets a quality education. However, education for the deaf is actually more affordable than you may realize.

What Determines the Cost of Education for Deaf Children

How much schooling for a deaf child costs depends largely on whether the student will attend a public or private school. Public schools are bound by various federal and local laws, including some that govern education for the disabled. Offering suitable services for deaf children is mandatory, to a degree. States have to provide free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students who are deaf.

Private schools aren’t required to be tuition-free. While all private schools may have to accommodate deaf students or provide education for the disabled, they don’t have to do so without a cost. Further, they usually have control over their tuition rates, so the private school decides how much they want to charge. While they might not be able to charge more for students with a disability, as that may be deemed discriminatory, they aren’t required to lower tuition costs either.

Public School for Deaf Children

If you have a deaf child and enroll them in a state-run school, including specialty institutions for deaf students, you won’t pay anything above what a traditional public school student does. For example, there won’t be any tuition costs. However, like the parents of all public school students, you may have to help cover extra costs, like those associated with field trips or certain extracurricular activities.

Public schools are required to align with FAPE requirements. However, what constitutes as FAPE can vary. Schools with deaf students have to make reasonable accommodations to ensure the student can learn. Additionally, efforts usually have to be made to educate deaf students in a regular educational environment, when possible. As long as any supplementary aids and the severity of the disability don’t harm the learning experience for the other students, the removal of a deaf child from a regular classroom by a school might not be allowed.

However, parents may choose to put their deaf child into a specialized school. In some cases, there are state-run schools for the deaf. If your child qualifies for entry, there are usually no additional tuition costs. These are still public institutions, so the educational expenses are covered. Otherwise, parents may have to explore private schools for special education.

Private School for Deaf Children

Private schools for deaf children may charge tuition. How much it costs is determined by the institution. In some cases, the education programs are offered at no cost. Usually, schools that are tuition-free support their operations through donations or endowments alone.

However, not all private schools are free. On average, tuition for a private school costs more than $10,000. However, some private schools (not necessarily specifically for disabled students) charge up to $85,000 annually for tuition alone.

In many cases, there are other expenses to contend with, as well. For example, tuition may not cover room and board, making a private school education even more expensive for students who live on campus.

It’s important to note that many private schools for the deaf do have programs to help lower-income families afford tuition. They may use a sliding scale to reduce the burden based on a household’s income, offer institutional scholarships or grants to offset the expense, or use other approaches to make the cost manageable.

Education For The Deaf Depends on Public or Private Schools

Ultimately, how much an education for a deaf student costs depends largely on whether the child goes to public or private school. With many public schools, there are no costs beyond what any other public school student’s family would have to shoulder. With private schools, it can vary. Some are tuition-free, while others are not. For those that charge, rates can be anywhere from a few thousand dollars a year to tens of thousands of dollars annually.

If your child is deaf, it is vital that you remember that you do have options. You can get a quality education without having to pay for anything. However, there can be benefits to a private school education. Determine what you can afford and what’s best for your child. Then, use that information to make a decision.

Do you pay more money for the education of a deaf child? Do you find the cost hard to manage? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.