The College Investor Audio Show

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

The start of tax filing season is right around the corner. You might have already received some of your tax paperwork in the mail. And you're probably thinking about which tax software option is the best for you? Well, we've been reviewing all the major options this season, including  TurboTax ,  H&R Block ,  TaxAct ,  TaxSlayer ,  Credit Karma Tax , and more. Because of all the options, there is...

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

From afar, money market and savings accounts can appear to be the same type of account. Both yield comparable interest rates for limited access to funds. Both are FDIC-insured . But there are a few distinct differences to be aware of when choosing between a money market vs. savings account. In this article, you’ll learn about the differences between these two accounts, how to choose one, and how t...

Saving money is important - we all know that. But sometimes everyone needs some help in coming up with ways to save money. I'm going to break down the exact strategies that I use to save more money each month . If you know me, you know I'm pretty lazy when it comes to this stuff. But these tricks and hacks are simple, and they save a lot of money. Going back to my frugality equation , all time spe...

Are brick-and-mortar banks better than online banks? Learn the differences between the two so you can decide which is right for you?

When it comes to investing, time is your friend. Why? Because over time, your investments will tend to grow at compounding rates - that's compound interest. That means the money that your money has already earned makes more money. This is why Albert Einstein famously said, "Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn’t, pays it." Here’s what y...

After-hours trading allows you to trade after the market has closed. Sometimes this is also known as extended hours trading. This might be advantageous to traders who want to take advantage of an earnings event. Most earnings announcements are made after the market closes, and in some cases, before it opens. For traders who want to put on positions right after an earnings announcement, waiting unt...

Saving for the future is hard enough, but for families of people with disabilities, it used to be almost impossible. Before 2014, setting aside more than a few thousand dollars risked losing essential benefits like Medicaid or SSI . The ABLE Act changed that. With a 529A ABLE account, individuals with disabilities can now save and invest money tax-free, without jeopardizing critical support progra...

A CP05 notice from the IRS arrives in your mail. That's scary - nobody wants to receive a letter from the IRS. A CP05 notice means the IRS is reviewing your tax return. Is it time to panic? Not really. Go ahead and open the letter and read it. In many instances, no action is required on your part (just read the letter and follow any instructions) - they are just writing you to let you know, and ma...

Achieving and maintaining a great credit score is quite possibly one of the best things that can happen to your finances. Unless you are thinking of buying a house or car, it may not seem like a priority, but as is the case with most things related to investing a good credit score requires time and persistence. Even if you’ve already purchased your first home, or recently financed a new car, a hig...

Discover budgeting tips and strategies for managing unexpected and costly car repairs without compromising your vehicle's safety and reliability.

Selling your used clothes for extra cash is one of the simplest ways to earn extra money. It's also easy to turn into an on-going side hustle if you enjoy hunting for clothes at thrift stores or garage sales. Where does a person get started selling clothes online and which platforms are out there to support you? In this post, you’ll learn of some of the websites and apps where you can start sellin...

Paying back student loans can be a challenge for anyone. That’s especially true if you had to leave college before completing the degree. Without that finalized degree, many lenders are unwilling to offer student loan refinancing options.

While hackers have gotten savvier over the years, it is possible to take steps that reduce the chances of someone stealing your identity. Like the old saying goes, prevention is better than a cure. Preventing identity theft is way easier than rebuilding your credit after someone steals it. In this post, we’ll go over 10 things you can do to protect your identity and prevent identity theft. Some of...

Are you trying to figure out what student loan repayment plan makes sense for you? The myriad of options can be confusing, but figuring out the right option is critical to your financial health . Below we outline resources and options to help you figure out what makes sense for you.

For a lot of young adults, the process of first-time home buying can be both fun and stressful. Your home is one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make. It's also complex - with lots of laws, financial terms, and even physical aspects of the house and land you need to consider and understand. But owning a home is incredibly rewarding. Homeownership is touted as the "American Dream", and a recen...

One of the big perks of using a 529 plan to save for college is that many states offer a tax deduction for contributions to the plan. But, like anything, there are rules that apply. Some states require you to contribute to their state's plan, while other states allow you to take the tax deduction for contributions to any state's plan. Finally, there are (sadly) states that don't offer any incentiv...

Teaching English online is a popular remote side hustle that you can do from home. It's an especially a good fit for teachers! Are you in between jobs or looking for a side hustle you can work from home ? Teaching English is a great gig to get into and earn as much as $25 an hour if you sign up with online companies that hire English tutors. Or you could make unlimited income if you build your own...

Learn how Credit Life Insurance works, its costs, benefits, and risks. Protect your loans wisely and make informed financial decisions with this guide.

Real estate has traditionally been one of the most sought after investment vehicles for its passive income potential , appreciation, positive cash-flow, and tax reducing deductions. However, real estate investing is also viewed as one of the more difficult investments to start due to the high risk and high up-front costs required to start. I want to break that myth and show you the exact steps tha...

Making payments on your student loans via credit card may sound like a bad idea, and that’s because it is — at least in most cases. In fact, the U.S. Department of the Treasury prohibits student loan servicers from allowing credit card payments directly. That said, there are other ways to make payments on your student loans using a credit card, and some of these ways allow you to earn credit card...

Work study is a form of financial aid that can allow you to earn money on campus to pay for your college expenses. However, we like to call work study "fake aid", because it's not that helpful to actually pay for college expenses - and you'll see why below. Working part-time during your college career is a great way to cover your living expenses, avoid some amount of student loan debt , and gain s...