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As a parent, you’ve undoubtedly thought about your child’s college education"no matter what their current age is. And if you’re planning on paying their way, or at least helping them out, cost is certainly a factor. Unless you’ve got a huge sum of cash to plunk down when it’s time to pay, chances are you’ll need to find multiple ways to fund your child’s education. Here are seven options to consider: FAFSA Whether you or your child is paying, begin by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for any aid. The form allows you to receive financial aid such as federal grants, work-study grants, work-study opportunities, student loans and even some state- and school-based aid. Some colleges award this money on a first-come, first-serve basis, so it’s important to fill it out as soon as you can. Scholarships Encourage your child to start early if they’re thinking of obtaining a scholarship to help offset the cost of their college tuition. While the process involved with researching suitable scholarships can be overwhelming, use a scholarship search tool to narrow your selection. These funds don’t have to be paid back, and most require an application in addition to submitting the FAFSA. Grants Federal Pell Grants are available, and the first step in getting one is to fill out the FAFSA. You must submit the FAFSA and renew it each year your child is enrolled in school to receive the Pell money if you’re eligible. Normally, these grants don’t have to be paid back. The federal government has other types of grants, and many states also offer them. Work-Study Job A federal work-study program funds part-time jobs for college students with financial need. On the FAFSA form, select the box asking to be considered for work-study. If a college gives your son or daughter such funding, they will have to find an eligible job for the program and then work enough hours to earn the amount allocated to them. Savings Dipping into your savings account is probably something you’ve considered to pay for college expenses. In fact, the typical family covers 34 percent of college costs this way. A 529 plan is a common way for parents to save money for college. These accounts offer tax advantages in an investment account meant to pay college expenses. Federal Loans Paying back student loans is the last thing any college graduate wants, but sometimes federal student loans are a necessity. Federal loans can allow college graduates to repay based on their income and can be forgiven in certain circumstances. Federal subsidized loans don’t accrue interest while a student is enrolled in school. Private Student Loans These should be your last resort to pay for college. Private loans don’t have the same benefits as federal student loans do, though they may have some. Shop around at private lenders"look for one with the lowest interest rate and best protections such as flexible repayment plans or putting loans off for a period of time if your son or daughter is in a position where they’re struggling to make payments. Interest on private loans will likely be charged as soon as one is taken out, although repayment doesn’t begin until after graduation. This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Published with permission from RISMedia.
Published with permission from RISMedia.
A damaged roof could deter buyers, causing your house to stay on the market for longer than youd like. What Is the Roofs Current Condition? If the roof appears damaged, have it inspected by a professional. Knowing the cost of repairs can help you decide what to do. Should You Replace the Roof or Sell the House As-Is? If your house needs major work, buyers will be reluctant to make an offer. If your roof has damage, it should be replaced before you sell the house. If you cant afford to replace the roof, you might be able to sell your house, but be ready to accept an offer that’s lower than you would like. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Without some basic life skills, life can be more expensive than it has to be. While some life skills are taught by parents, and others are picked up through first-hand experience, there are plenty of worthwhile life skills that you can learn for free. Here are a few life skills you can learn that dont require a huge monetary investment: Cooking Unless you plan on eating out on a daily basis or having someone cook all your meals for you, you should know your way around the kitchen. Its also a good idea to know a few recipes by heart"and how to cook them. Like many life skills, if youre not comfortable in the kitchen, YouTube is the first place to look for help. Search for kitchen basics and youll find enough videos to keep you busy for weeks. YouTube is the perfect place to learn how to cook a chicken properly and make a good pasta sauce, as well as how to use a kitchen knife without harming yourself. Budgeting Creating and sticking to a budget is one life skill we cant afford to ignore. While there are numerous budgeting apps that can be downloaded to your smartphone, you dont have to go high-tech to jump on the budgeting bandwagon. If you dont currently have a budget in place, taking the time to create one will help you keep track of how much money is going in and out, which will put you in a better position when it comes to staying out of debt. When creating a budget, begin by keeping track of all of your bills and other expenses, such as dining out, and compare them against how much income you have each month. If you have extra money at the end of the month, either pay off debt"or move it to a savings or retirement account. Sewing Knowing how to sew buttons back on a shirt, hem pants and repair minor rips on clothes can save you money throughout your life. Again, YouTube videos can save the day here. While there are many videos dedicated to sewing, begin with one that teaches you how to sew with a needle and thread. Once youve mastered this skill, work your way up to a sewing machine. A second language Learning a second language is beneficial for a number of reasons, as it can help you find a job, speak with strangers and even make travel easier. If learning another language has always been a goal of yours, but youve never found the time, consider adding this life skill to the top of your list. Audiobooks from your local library and online courses, as well as the Duolingo app, all offer free ways to learn a variety of languages. By investing 15 – 30 minutes a day, youll be well on your way to learning a second language. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Published with permission from RISMedia.
Its easy to get excited about the idea of working out but soon find yourself feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. Having the right mindset and realistic expectations can help you succeed at a new exercise program. Why Do You Want to Work out? The reason why you exercise will determine whether youll stick with it. Internal motivation is more likely to lead to long-term success than motivation based on external factors. If you want to get in shape to look good at the beach or at your friends wedding, youll be less likely to stick to an exercise program over the long term than you would if you wanted to work out to have fun, manage stress and make new friends. Make Exercising Fun and Routine Many people enjoy working out with a friend. You can offer each other support and encouragement while exercising, and it can be harder to justify skipping an exercise session if you know your friend is expecting you to be there and will be disappointed if you dont show up. Try a variety of activities, and find ones you enjoy. That will help you look forward to working out on days when youre tired or stressed. Switching things up can allow you to exercise different muscles, avoid overworking one area and prevent boredom. No matter what type of exercise you choose or when you do it, make it part of your normal routine. Once youve exercised consistently for a while, itll become a habit that you look forward to each week. Be Realistic Dont overdo it at the beginning. Think about your current fitness level and abilities, and do your best. Its better to start slow and gradually build up your strength and endurance than to try to do too much too soon and get injured. It takes time to learn anything new. Dont get discouraged if you try a new activity and cant do it right or keep up with others at first. Focus on your form and be proud of yourself for making the effort. Youll become more proficient with time. If you cant find time in your busy schedule for a long workout, break it up. Several short, intense workouts can be just as effective as one longer session. If you dont meet your exercise goals or you overindulge in delicious food, dont be too hard on yourself. Just resolve to get back on track and stick to habits that you know are good for you in the future. Start on the Path to a Healthier Lifestyle Beginning a new exercise routine is tough, and sticking to it can be even harder. Find activities you enjoy, be realistic about what you can do and focus on gradually improving. If you experience setbacks, realize that they can happen to anyone and stay focused on your goals. Published with permission from RISMedia.
If youre considering a safe room in your next home, these are the latest features you should know about… These arent simply steel-lined closets behind trap doors, but rather, fully fortified luxury accommodations that can seamlessly blend in with the rest of a residence. Safe rooms deliver peace of mind. Cutting-edge safe rooms can protect you from natural or manmade disasters while using alternative energy sources to keep your power on. At the very least, a safe room will provide you with an ultra-secure space to store your valuables, like jewelry or artwork. Published with permission from RISMedia.
When it's time to move, you need someone who markets your home, knows how to find the right buyer, negotiate on your behalf, oversee the inspections, handle all necessary paperwork and supervise the closing. We take care of everything you need buy or sell your Scottsdale home, from start to close.
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