Portfolio

John Baughman was pursuing a career in information technology in the Systems and Cybersecurity program at ITT Technical Institute in Boise, ID. With just six months left to go, Baughman was looking forward to graduating and getting a job. But on September 6, 2016, after spending more than three years in the program, he was … Continue reading The Huffington Post: ITT Tech Closure →

About 3.5 million high school students are expected to graduate from high school this spring, and most will go to college. While this a proud moment for students and parents, many families are stressed about how to pay for school in the fall…(read more at USA Today)

The new iPhone 7 is out, and demand for the latest device from Apple is huge. Along with the hype is a sky-high price tag — the 256GB version with 5.5-inch display costs just under $1,000. To offset the steep cost of the new phone, selling your old one is a smart idea… (continue reading at Money … Continue reading Money Magazine: 5 Sites That Will Buy Your Old Phone →

One of the best methods to reduce the cost of college is attending a two-year community college and then transferring to a four-year university. This strategy can save students significant amounts of money while still empowering them to earn a degree from a well-known institution…(Continue reading at Credible)

On Tuesday, the United States Senate narrowly confirmed Betsy DeVos as the new Secretary of Education. Her confirmation comes after a historic, tie-breaking vote made by Vice President Mike Pence, despite Democrats’ tireless efforts to thwart her appointment. Here’s a breakdown of what DeVos potentially stands for as America’s new education secretary, what happened during … Continue reading Huffington Post: 4 Reasons Betsy DeVos is So Controversial →

If you’re a homeowner, chances are housing costs are your largest expense. According to Zillow, the median mortgage payment eats up 20% of households’ income each month. But what if you could cover the cost of your mortgage without working extra hours or taking on a side hustle? (continue reading at MarketWatch)

On May 23, the U.S. Department of Education, led by Betsy DeVos, announced a major change to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Those who previously were denied for being on the wrong repayment plan might now be reconsidered thanks to a temporary $350 million expansion…[continue reading at Student Loan Hero]

Owning a home is part of the American dream. But for many people, coming up with a down payment is an enormous obstacle to buying a house. Continue reading at HuffPost

Mark Parrett and his wife, Amelia are high achievers. He went to business school to become a financial planner, and she went through medical school to become a doctor. While their education helped prepare them for careers with excellent earning potential, it also led them to six figures of student debt. [Continue reading at Earnest.com]

If you’re looking for a rewarding career that allows you to spend time with horses while helping people, consider a job as a therapeutic riding instructor. As an instructor, you’ll provide equine-assisted therapy to help children and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. [Continue reading at LendingTree.com]

When it comes to President Trump’s tenure in office, people are divided on how well they’re doing financially. [Continue reading at FinanceBuzz.com]

Whether you want to consolidate high-interest credit card debt or need a small loan to cover an unexpected car repair, you may be more likely to qualify for a loan from a peer-to-peer lender than from a traditional bank. We’ve rounded up our picks for the best peer-to-peer lenders. [Continue reading at CreditKarma.com]

In recent weeks, unemployment rates have skyrocketed due to the coronavirus outbreak, leaving many student loan borrowers concerned about how to afford their payments. [Continue reading at Forbes.com]

The Petal Visa card is an excellent starter card for those who have no credit history. Unlike many cards for those with limited credit, it requires no security deposit, and also has no fees of any kind, including no annual fee. You can qualify for a credit limit between $500 and $10,000. The card allows … Continue reading Investopedia: Petal Visa Card Review →

While most students can’t wait to start college in the fall, a handful of students decide to put off enrolling and instead take a gap year. The Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California reported that less than 3% of high school graduates in the United States typically take a year off before attending college…(Continue … Continue reading Earnest: Should You Take a Gap Year? →

Unfortunately, identity theft is incredibly common and criminals can use your information to open up credit cards or take out loans in your name. In fact, Javelin’s 2019 Identity Fraud Study found that 14.4 million people were victims of identity fraud in 2018…(Continue reading at Investopedia)

If you’re in high school, guidance counselors, teachers and other well-meaning adults have likely told you—repeatedly—that you need to attend college to earn a good living. But is a college degree worth it?…(Continue reading at Forbes)

Claiming the tax credits you’re eligible for can help you maximize the amount of money you receive back from the IRS, and refundable tax credits can be even more valuable. A refundable tax credit is a tax credit that allows you to get a tax refund when you don’t owe any taxes or the credit … Continue reading MagnifyMoney: What Is a Refundable Tax Credit? →

Here’s What to Avoid When You Need Money Quickly Your pet needs life-saving surgery. A relative passed away unexpectedly, and you need to travel for the funeral. Your car breaks down and needs to be fixed. Whatever the scenario, an unplanned … (Continue reading at Next Advisor)

If you’re planning on attending college, you may be worried about the cost — and with good reason. With rising tuition and room and board fees, the majority of college graduates leave school with student loans. However, you can reduce the need for loans by taking advantage of… (Continue reading at Mediafeed)

When it comes to paying for college, most students have to turn to student loans and parent loans to foot the bill. However, many students and parents don’t fully understand what they’re getting into; they just sign their name… (Continue reading at Saving For College)