When your child first started school, you doled out the change for milk and a snack on a daily basis. But now that your kindergartner has grown up, it's time for you to make sure that your child has enough financial knowledge to manage money...
This is a very broad question that's difficult to answer without knowing your individual situation. The option(s) you choose will depend on a number of factors: Your need for strategies with tax advantages (some investments and savings vehicles offer special tax advantages if the money...
Parenthood can be both wonderfully rewarding and frighteningly challenging. Children give gifts only a parent can understand--from sticky-finger hugs to heartfelt pleas to tag along on Saturday morning errands. You raise them with a clear goal that you secretly dread will actually take place--that someday...
Go out into your yard and dig a big hole. Every month, throw $50 into it, but don't take any money out until you're ready to buy a house, send your child to college, or retire. It sounds a little crazy, doesn't it? But that's what...
It's hard to talk about college without mentioning financial aid. Yet this pairing isn't a marriage of love, but one of necessity. In many cases, financial aid may be the deciding factor in whether your child attends the college of his or her choice or...
Many parents pay for college with a combination of current income, savings, and financial aid. By learning the basics of financial aid, you'll be able to understand how the aid process works and compare the aid awards your child receives. What is financial aid? Financial aid is...
The U.S. Department of Education has named February Financial Aid Awareness Month. This is the time of year when many families file the FAFSA (the government's aid application) and the CSS Profile (the standard college aid application). We will focus this weeks blogs on all things...
What is it? Definition The student loan interest deduction allows you to deduct from your gross income a portion of the interest you pay on student loans. The maximum deduction is $2,500. Eligibility requirements To take the deduction, you must meet several requirements: The interest must be paid on...
Though you won't be able to ride along in your child's suitcase, there are ways you can help him or her make the adjustment to college. You can start by talking with your child about certain subjects before he or she leaves for college and...
What does it mean to enhance your financial aid eligibility? If you qualify for federal financial aid, there are a number of strategies you can try to implement to enhance the amount of aid your child will receive when you apply for financial aid. The idea...