Articles

August 17, 2016
1

Tips for Saving Money on College Textbooks

By | Articles, College Life, Lifestyle | No Comments
College textbooks can cost as much as $100–$400 each. That means a college student can spend more than $2,000 a year just on textbooks. According to the census bureau, since 1978, books have increased in cost by a whopping 812% for college books. However, books for some courses are remarkably higher, like an average of $317 for economics-related college books, $268 for languages, $262 for chemistry books, and $246 for physics books. Based on one school, the University of Virginia, the most expensive new books are in biochemistry ($406) and physics ($378). However, these same books by the same authors...
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August 12, 2016
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Olympics Spotlight: Team Refugees

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Team Refugees is, without a doubt, the most unusual group of Olympic athletes to compete since the Jamaicans fielded a bobsled team at the Calgary Winter Games in 1988. This team, however, is not made up of athletes from a single country, but instead represents competitors displaced from their native lands as a result of violence or civil war. The team is sponsored by the International Olympic Committee. In an interview with NBC News, IOC President Thomas Bach stated, "This will be a symbol of hope for all the refugees in our world, and will make the world better aware...
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August 9, 2016
2

Make Back to School a Success!

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Back to School: the phrase elicits groans from students and cheers from their parents. It can be very stress-inducing for kids to leave behind the carefree days of summer for the more structured routine of school.  So what can parents do to help children prepare for the transition? We queried an experienced teacher, and her answers may surprise you. “The best thing parents can do to prepare children for school is to demonstrate a positive attitude. If the parent conveys optimism and excitement about the new school year, the child is likely to share those feelings,” states Karen Barker, a...
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August 4, 2016
2

Your Guide to This Year’s More Limited Tax-Free Weekend

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Everyone’s favorite back-to-school holiday is upon us – tax-free weekend, that is. Most people are familiar with this exciting time right before school starts when you can shop till you drop and don’t have to give Uncle Sam his cut. Tax-free weekend is a fantastic way to save on supplies for your child or yourself and prepare for the upcoming school year. But before you hit the stores in a frenzy this Saturday, take a few minutes to get familiar with what is and isn’t exempt, as there are many changes and more restrictions on what qualifies this year. The...
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August 1, 2016
2

Five Tactics to Avoid Unnecessary Student Loan Debt

By | Articles, College Life, Finance | No Comments
Americans owe nearly $1.3 trillion in student loan debt, with the average class of 2016 student graduating with an indebtedness of $37,172.  What once was a minor inconvenience to graduates has grown into one of the greatest financial epidemics of our time. While it’s hard to dispute the value of having a college education, it’s difficult to defend the insane dollar amount associated with earning a degree. If you are currently enrolled in, or are planning to attend college, take a moment to step back and look at your current situation. What you do, how you act, and what you...
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July 13, 2016
2

Using Home Equity Loans the Right Way

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It’s no secret that the values of the homes we all live in have improved over the past few years. While the Great Recession presented several financial challenges, decreasing values of our biggest asset created the most anxiety and uncertainty. As home values rise, the best advice I can give our members is to be very diligent in how you decide to leverage the value of your home. Please remember that history tends to repeat itself and if market values shift unexpectedly, borrowers may become upside down on the amount they owe and the value of their home. Keep in...
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July 5, 2016
0

Five Ways to Save on Dog Care

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For many dog owners, their pet is just another member of the family. And just like their “non-furry” family counterparts, they have needs and requirements that cost money. Sure, Fido doesn’t need new clothes for school (or any clothes, for that matter), but he does need food, medical attention, supplies, and maybe a few toys. It doesn’t take long for these costs to add up and take a substantial bite out of your monthly budget. Here are a few tips to help you save money while caring for your furry family member. Saving on Shots No, we’re not talking about...
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June 16, 2016
1

Six Expensive Bad Habits Worth Breaking

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It’s been said that “old habits die hard.” Whether it be nail biting or smoking, by their nature, habits are extremely hard to break. However, not all bad habits are created equal. Some may simply be harmless and annoying while others can have a seriously negative effect on your finances. Here are six expensive bad habits worth taking the time to break. Not Using a Gym Membership Gym memberships are always started with the best of intentions. However, the dedication to regular visits often fades over time. If you currently have a gym membership, but haven’t even seen the inside...
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June 6, 2016
0

7 Dollar Store Must-Buys

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When it comes to shopping at a dollar store, most people envision sorting through aisles upon aisles of ultra-cheap, low quality products. In reality, just because everything in the store costs $1 doesn’t mean that all of the products are inferior to their more expensive, store-brand counterparts. Here are a few popular dollar store items that may surprise you with their quality and value. Cleaning Supplies When it comes to household cleaning supplies, it’s easy to buy into the brand-name hype. In reality, there often isn’t much difference between the leading brand, and the no-name brand at the dollar store....
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May 25, 2016
0

Saving Money on Workday Expenses

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Even though the whole point of going to work is to MAKE money, it’s extremely easy to SPEND a substantial amount of your hard-earned cash on work-related expenses.  We’re not talking about clothes or office supplies, here. We’re talking about morning (and possibly afternoon) Starbucks trips, $10 lunches, and trips to the company vending machine for sugary afternoon pick-me-ups. All of these things can add up to a substantial amount of spending over the course of a week. With a little pre-planning on your part, you can avoid these typical work-week expenses and stretch that hard-earned paycheck a little bit...
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