Finance Globe

As I discussed last month, a 529 plan is a great way to save for your children’s future. However, many people may not know what a 529 plan is and what kind of benefits it offers to you and your children. Below is a high level summary of what a 529 plan is. Please feel free to include any questions or experiences with 529 plans in the comments section below. A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged...

I wanted to provide everyone an update on my progress on paying off my student loans. This not only helps me keep track of my progress, but I hope it provide others in my situation an example as well as some helpful tips. I am officially one year in, and I have paid $17,400 towards my student loans. While this number feels great, I know I still have a long way to go. With my interest...

Student loans and student loan debt has been in the media quite a bit recently, especially with how much student loan debt has increased over the years. Some of the criticisms are accurate, and a real problem may be arising. Yet I wanted to write some obvious advantages of student loans, and for certain situations, student loans can provide huge benefits for an individual. Can be great deals for a student: Many people are understandably hesitant...

I just discussed the benefits of student loans since student loan debt has been in the media so much lately. As I do believe there is a real problem that is occurring, I wrote about some obvious advantages of student loans that help aspiring students. Now I am going to discuss several disadvantages of student loans and problems that can come up if the student does not realize what he or she is getting into. The...

Everyone who has student loans wants to pay them off and wants them to go away. There are many ways to help you pay back your student loans faster. If you make your student loans a priority, it will be easier to pay them off. Below are 5 ways to help you pay them back faster:  Make a plan and understand your loans. You need to understand your loan amounts, terms, rates, etc. and map out exactly how...

It can be really difficult to know what to do when student loans don’t cover your full tuition. This can leave you in a very difficult position, especially if you don’t have parents that can help you out. You have a few different options if you find yourself in this situation. You should initially try to find out if you can get grants or further student loans. For example, if in the past you have only...

As a college student, there’s no better feeling than putting the first semester of the school year in the past. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying your winter break, it goes without saying that the second semester will arrive sooner rather than later. Are you financially prepared for everything the second half of the year will bring? Here are three ways to ensure that you’re on the right track when this time of the year rolls...

Choosing your first credit card as a student can be confusing. With little or no previous credit card knowledge or experience, it’s easy to pick the wrong credit card. Unfortunately, choosing the wrong credit card can lead to serious credit problems that affect your life for years to come. Here are some of the most important things to consider as you choose your first student credit card. Reputable credit card issuer. Picking a credit card from...

Student loan debt has grown steadily over the last several years, with the total amount of outstanding debt topping $1.3 trillion according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Many borrowers owe more than $50,000 and some even owe more than $100,000. Dealing with student loan debt can feel overwhelming, but it's possible. Explore your repayment options. Many student loan providers give you several different options for repaying your student loans. Some...

A student credit card provides the opportunity to learn financial independence, while also taking advantage of a variety of benefits. Before you apply for one of these, before you have this discussion with your college age student, it’s important to learn more about the many advantages. Here are a few things to consider: •    Financial education early in life•    A jumpstart on building your credit•    Access to a variety of high level features•    Alerts to ensure...