The Year-By-Year Guide to Landing Your Dream Job After College Graduation

The real world is scary. And getting a job?In your chosen career field?That pays a livable wage? Right out of the gate? Chris Hanks, a senior, left, talks with Jamie Chilton, a USF career consultant with the College of Engineering, at Career Services at USF. Tina Russell/The Penny Hoarder Well now thats a whole new level of terrifying. Heard of These Money-Making Hacks? Ready to find out how some folks effortlessly earn the big bucks?...

August 14, 2024 · 3 min · 448 words · Robert Leach

10 Creative Ways to Decorate Your Dorm Room on a Budget

Dorm rooms arent exactly known for their good looks. But that doesnt mean they have to stay boring, even if you dont have a lot to spend. However, it might be worth a little extra work to make your first home-away-from-home truly unique. Drowning in Expenses? Maybe youre scrambling after your car broke down. Or you got a medical bill you werent expecting. Or inflation has finally pushed your budget over the edge....

August 13, 2024 · 4 min · 698 words · Patrick Crawford

21 Awesome Freebies and Deals for College Students on Tight Budgets

But college student discounts are popular. Plus, college students are tech savvy and love social media, which makes them an asset for businesses. Savvy execs know how to get your attention: college student discounts. It’s your birthday! You can getbirthday freebies and dealsat more than 100 businesses. Can you say Dunkin’ drink at no charge? Need Some Quick Cash? If youre looking to boost your income this month, weve got just the thing for you....

August 13, 2024 · 4 min · 652 words · Jessica Leonard

Unlocking Amazon Prime Student Discounts: A Guide for 2025

Are you a student? Are you abig Amazon shopper? Did you know at the intersection of those two things is Amazon Prime Student? Are you also looking for a student credit card? Compare cardshereto find one that works for you. What Is Amazon Prime Student? Amazon Prime Student is designed exclusively for college students and provides a discounted version of Amazon Prime. The standard Amazon Prime, by comparison, is $14.99 per month, or $139 annually....

August 13, 2024 · 1 min · 165 words · Stacey Williams

11 Smart Ways to Save Money on Your College Textbooks

The price of college textbooks increased by 7% from 2020 to 2023. You might have to get a little crafty and creative, but your bank account will thank you. Need Some Quick Cash? If youre looking to boost your income this month, weve got just the thing for you. First of all, dont buy all your books before classes start. You may end up changing classes during the trial period....

August 12, 2024 · 4 min · 680 words · Danielle Petersen

College Students: Here’s Your Cheat Sheet to Budgeting 101

A budget is a system that tracks what money comes in and what money goes out. It can keep you from getting in the red and spending more cash than you have available. That mini-fridge isnt going to restock itself. Getty Images Starting a budget isnt something to delay until you graduate and begin your first full-time, professional gig. Can You Survive 10 Days of Budgeting? If you gotta wrangle your budget, it may be time to consider a savings challenge....

August 12, 2024 · 4 min · 814 words · Joshua Gray

Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized Student Loans: What’s the Difference and Which Is Better for You?

Understanding the difference between subsidized vs. unsubsidized student loans could help you save a bundle in student loandebt. Need Some Quick Cash? If youre looking to boost your income this month, weve got just the thing for you. Getty Images Loan throw in Comparison Based on this chart, the winner is direct subsidized loans. But lets take a closer look at each. Who Qualifies for a Direct Student Loan? Youll need to be an undergraduate student who can prove financial need to qualify for direct subsidized loans....

August 9, 2024 · 3 min · 608 words · Adrian Bell

The Pros and Cons of Working in College with a Full Schedule

In 2023,42% of full-time students workedwhile enrolled in classes. Grow Your Savings First, many college students who work can build a small cushion of savings. A savings account can help with unexpected expenses like medical bills, car repairs and travel funds. Growing your savings now gets you ahead on your financial goals. Build Your Resume Another obvious perk to working in college is building your resume. Anyone whos worked as a server can add experience in fast-paced environments to their resume....

August 9, 2024 · 2 min · 368 words · William Donovan

What to Know About Student Loan Forgiveness Programs – How They Work and 13 Examples

Ever wonder what life would be like if you could make your student loans disappear? Its possible, but it isnt magic. Check out this guide to student loan forgiveness so youll know all your options. Getty Images We Dare You to Take Control of Your Debt Up for a debt challenge? In 10 days,these 10 practical stepscould help you get back on the right financial track. What Are Student Loan Forgiveness Programs and How Do They Work?...

August 9, 2024 · 3 min · 591 words · Dustin Orr

Why Health Insurance Premiums Are Rising — And What You Can Do About It

Did yourpaycheck get smallerin 2024? If so, you might want to check your pay stub. Employees across the country had health insurance premiums spike this year. For some people, these jumps in premiums are seriously affecting their take-home pay. This article will cover why this is happening and what you’re free to do about it. Need Easy Money to Cover the Cost of Rising Health Insurance Premiums? Lets face it: Your health insurance probably costs more than it did last year....

August 9, 2024 · 3 min · 536 words · Ms. Kaitlyn Russell

15 High-Paying Careers That Only Require an Associate Degree

Lets face it four years of college isnt for everyone. Some people would rather learn a specific skill, rather than spend two years on general core classes. And most students dread the thought of at least four years ofstudent loan debt. Getty Images Is Your Paycheck Not Going As Far As It Used To? We get it.Everythingis more expensive than it used to be, but your paycheck hasnt kept up....

August 8, 2024 · 3 min · 620 words · Jennifer Miller

Can’t Afford a College Degree? Consider Certification and a New Job

A certification also can complement your current career and diversify your skills in the workforce. And adding a certification to your resume or LinkedIn page can give you extra cred. It gets even better. Other common careers with certifications include: construction, real estate and finance. Not Sure How Youre Going to Pay for a Certification? What Is Certification? Certifications are different from licenses, which a government agency typically awards. There are many kinds of certifications offered by many third parties....

August 8, 2024 · 3 min · 499 words · William Chambers

HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan: How to Tap Into Your Home’s Equity

Thinking about tapping into your home equity? If youre looking for ways to finance a home renovation, consolidate debts (hello, student loans! ), or fund a big purchase, you might be on the right track. There can be potential tax benefits, too. So which option is right for you? And how do a HELOC vs. home equity loan compare? Is Your Bank Holding You Back? Got $1,000 in checking? Thesesmart movescould help you reach your next big savings goal....

August 8, 2024 · 2 min · 257 words · Jennifer Hall