college planning - Dad of Divas

Is College Always The Right Choice For Your Kids?

April 26, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

If you asked most parents whether they should encourage their child to go to college or not, most people would say definitely yes. Education is so important and everybody wants their kids to have good job prospects so they can earn good money, nobody wants to see their child in a bad financial position when they’re older. But is college always the best choice? In the last decade or so, more people than ever have started going to college which is great, but there are downsides. A degree isn’t worth quite as much as it used to be because more people have them and there are also a lot of people that go to college because that’s what’s expected, not because it’s the best thing for them. Then there’s the cost to consider because college is so expensive these days and if your kids are taking out loans, they’re going to be paying them off for a long time to come. Some parents might be able to afford to help their kids out but a lot of people can’t, and even if you can, it’s going to put you in a very difficult financial position later in life. That’s why it’s important that you speak to your kids and let them know that they should think about it carefully before they decide to go to college.

Choose The Right Direction Career Direction Direction

Most people don’t know what they want to do when they finish high school but they may have some idea about their future career. If they have a career in mind and it requires a degree, then college is the obvious choice. But a lot of career paths don’t require you to have a degree and you might be better off taking a different route which isn’t going to cost as much and might not take as long. If your kids are starting to make decisions about their future and they’re not sure whether college is the right choice for them, here are some of their other options.

Online College

For a lot of people, the college lifestyle is a big part of the experience and moving to a different city and living on their own for the first time is just as valuable as the degree they get at the end of it. But some people don’t like the idea of it at all so, even though they want to get a degree to further their career prospects, they’re put off by the idea of college. If your child feels the same way, it might be worth thinking about online college instead. Online colleges have become a lot more popular in recent years and they offer a wide range of courses. If they study online @ Aston and other similar online colleges, it’s a lot more flexible. Your kids can continue to live at home if that’s what they want to do, so they’ll save themselves a lot of money. They can also complete the courses in their own time which means they’re free to work more hours alongside their studies to help pay for it. It’s a great option for people that aren’t interested in the college lifestyle and want a more flexible and affordable way of getting a degree.

Community College

So many people don’t even consider the idea of community college because it doesn’t have the same prestige as a traditional 4 year college but there are actually a lot of benefits and for some people, it’s a far better choice. The most obvious benefit of a community college is the cost. On average, you’re paying $300 for every hour of teaching at a normal college, at a community college, it’s only around $60. A lot of community colleges will offer free tuition to high school graduates with a good GPA so your kids might not have to pay at all if they perform well enough. It’s also good for people that don’t want to leave home yet because they can just attend a local community college.

The other major benefit of community college is that it’s possible to earn an associate’s degree in just 2 years. This is important because a lot of employers are starting to focus more on potential than qualifications and most of the fastest growing jobs only require an associate’s degree rather than a bachelor’s degree. That means that 2 years of community college might be enough for your kids to pursue the career that they’re interested in, and the financial burden will be tiny compared to what it would be if they spent 4 years at a traditional college.

Trade Schools

Blue collar jobs have a bit of a bad name because we’re pushing more kids into college and telling them that it’s the only way to get a good job, but that simply isn’t true. There are plenty of people that work in the trades and earn a good living doing something that they enjoy. Some people are well suited to office jobs, but other people are far more comfortable doing something more practical. The other benefit of working a job in the trades like welding, carpentry or painting is that you can’t easily have your job outsourced. If you work in an office, it’s easy for a company to pay somebody halfway around the world to do it for half the price, but you can’t outsource practical jobs. Learning a trade also gives your kids the opportunity to start their own business in the future when they’ve got a bit more experience so they can be more independent and make more money than a lot of people that went to a 4 year college.

Learning a trade is also a lot quicker and easier than doing 4 years of college. Some vocations will require them to do a 2 year associates degree at a community college but a lot of them don’t even require that. Instead, it just takes a single year at a trade school to get qualified. In recent years, people have lost interest in these jobs because we have a misguided view of people that work in the trades and consider them successful, which means there are a lot of positions out there for people that have the right training.

Entry Level Jobs

Education isn’t always the best route for everybody and sometimes, it’s best to just get an entry level job. If your child is undecided about what they want to do, they don’t have to make these decisions right away. There’s no sense in going to college for the sake of it because they don’t know what they want to do. A lot of people benefit from working for a year or two while they decide what they want to do long term. They can earn a bit of money and get some work experience while they think about whether college is right for them or not. If they do eventually decide that they want to go to college, they can have a bit of money saved up

In some industries, there is a lot of upward movement within companies. If your child wants to pursue a career in one of these industries, there might not be any need to go to college at all. If they start out with an entry level job instead and prove themselves, they could quickly get promoted and move towards their eventual career goals. In the 4 years that they would have spent at college, they can progress a long way and they’ll be earning a good wage without having to deal with the financial burden of college.

Creative Careers

If your child is interested in a creative career like writing or music, college might not always be the best way to go. While there are some great courses out there that will help them to develop their skills, it’s very difficult to break into a creative career and sometimes, it just doesn’t work out. It’s important that they think about whether they’re willing to spend 4 years at college and put themselves in a lot of debt without knowing whether they’ll definitely have a career at the end of it.

There are other routes into creative careers and they don’t necessarily need to get a formal college education to be a success, a lot of people don’t. Instead, they might be better off finding a job that can support them while they pursue their creative passion in their own spare time. They may also be able to find jobs that are somewhat related to their creative field which will allow them to network with people in the industry and improve their chances of a successful career.

For some people, college is the right choice because they’re looking at a career that requires them to have a degree. But there are a lot of career paths where a degree isn’t necessary and there are alternatives that are cheaper and won’t take as long. Before you advise your kids to go to college, it’s important that you think about their other options.

How To Transition Your Child Into College

April 11, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

As any parent will tell you, the moment your child is born, they become your everything and you form this immense amount of love and protection over them. You created a life, and now you have to look after them which is an awful lot of responsibility. And yet, it’s such a gift and privilege that it’s worth every second. It’s a rewarding experience that teaches you how to grow up and see life differently now that you’re a parent.

You will go through so many stages through their childhood, both good and bad. They’ll push you to the limit, ruin your favorite carpet, break into the chocolate drawer – but then at the same time, they’ll look up at you with their little innocent eyes and you can’t not fall in love with them all over again. But there comes a stage where they really are getting older far too quickly, and it’s time to start talking about schooling and college. It may seem like a good while away for now – but you really wouldn’t believe just how fast life passes you by. That’s why you need to make the most of it and create as many memories with your children as you can so that you know you spent your days, hours, and minutes the best way possible.

So let’s talk college. This is the point in any parents life that’s both heartbreaking, exciting, emotional, and fearful, because it means that their baby’s leaving the nest and spreading their wings working to a career that will hopefully carry them through living a wonderful life.

The college expenses

First of all, let’s all be honest for a minute – it is expensive. This is why so many young students end up in serious debt because they’re still trying to pay off their loans years later as an adult. So one of the best things that you can do is to create a college fund early on, and every month (or whenever you get that extra cash in), put it into the account. Continue to do this and it will gradually start accumulating over time. Slowly but surely, but if you really invest in this then by the time your child is getting close to the college age, they should have a very nice number looking back at them to start them off. All you need to do is decide on a certain per cent of your income that will be put into their fund. So it may be twenty per cent, or you may have the freedom to put even more in every month. Then just set that up with an automatic transfer and you won’t even need to remember to do anything.

Talk about what their overall goal is

It’s always good to have a goal to reach so that you have something to work towards. It’s no good having your child go off to college without a good idea of what they want to do. Having said that, things do change, and you don’t want to put too much pressure onto your child to choose a career path that they may not actually want to do in the first place. It’s their choice. It’s their career. But it is wise to have some kind of idea so that your child knows what kind of direction they want to go in. Have a sit down with them and talk about what it is they want to do. They may not have any plan whatsoever, which is tricky, but still manageable. It’s all about communication and paying attention to what your child seems to enjoy and is actually good at. One thing that you should encourage though, is to never choose a course or class merely because their friends are taking the same class – it never ends well.

Teach your child how to stay safe and protected

It’s never a nice thought to think about as a parent of a child who’s going to college and they’re no longer under the safe protection of your wing. But as painful as it may be, and as much as you’ll want to take care of them, it’s entirely under the same circumstances now. It’s all about knowing how to create a safe college experience so they get by with little to no problems, as a pose to other children that aren’t as knowledgeable. It’s the little things like making sure your child stows away their laptop to avoid the possibility of theft. Change their passwords and don’t make them obvious like “password” because they’ll easily be broken into. And always have them buy and download all the necessary antivirus software to ensure that everything on their laptop is protected, especially if someone is trying to hack into it.

Tell them it’s okay to ask for help

Many kids struggle in college, some more than others, and it’s an extremely stressful time for a lot of them as the pressure builds up and they feel as though they just can’t take it anymore. While we all deal with stress through our lives, this period of theirs can be really overwhelming as they have so many choices and paths to cross and things to remember and targets to achieve. So it’s so important that they know they’re able to talk to someone if they feel as though they’re really starting to struggle. There should always be college counselors to speak to if they’re finding it hard, and they should be equipped to giving you the right kind of advice and support that you need to manage your days better. And make sure that you let them know you’re always there for them regardless of what it is they need. There’s no better feeling than knowing your parents have your back.

Encourage them to have a study buddy

A huge per cent of college is all the studying that goes into it. It’s something that everyone dreads and groans at the thought of, and yet it’s a necessary measure if you’re going to learn anything. Sure, you have classes and learn while you’re there, but you need to take all that knowledge back with you to your dorm and go over it again and again so that it’s installed into your brain. – That’s how you pass an exam. But again, the pressure and stress of this can really get to a whole number or students. One way to take off the edge is to encourage your child to have a study buddy. Someone that they can hang out with wherever they find relaxing, be it in their dorm room, the park, or even in a cafe. Having someone that’s in the same boat as your child will stop them from feeling so alone, because not only will they be able to study together and help each other out with questions and answers, but they create a bond, and even a strong friendship that may just last a lifetime.

Give them their freedom

One of the hardest things that you will find yourself doing, is actually letting your child go. You’ve been with them for all those years watching them grow into their personalities, getting bigger and bigger, more mature, as well as watching them make the typical mistakes every child makes. – That’s all part of growing up. But it can be a real shock to the system when you realize that they’re not going to be there forever, and it’s now their time to fly and soar through the air working towards the career of their dreams. They say that if you love something you have to let it go, and this is a necessary phrase to apply here. They will always be your babies, but they need to make their own way through and make their own mistakes – because that’s how they’ll learn. And of course, you will be there to pick up the pieces and encourage them not to give up.

Now that you have a good idea of what the transition period of college is, know that it will be a scary time, not only for your child but for you too. But it’s necessary if your child is going to have a job that pays well and more importantly, something they actually enjoy. It won’t be easy, and you’ll most likely have plenty of calls late at night with your child on the other end of the phone crying and asking to come home because it’s too hard or their not understanding the lessons, or they can’t find somewhere to sit in the cafeteria. But once you reassure them and let them know that everything is going to be okay – it will get easier, and you need to let them know that.

College is an exciting time where new experiences and memories and friendships are made, so although it’s important to take it seriously – tell your kids to make the most out of it too. You only do it once.

Why Is It Crucial To Encourage Your Teen To Take Up A Hobby In College?

January 15, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Stress in college is a serious problem these days. The most recent data shows that about 60% of college students have felt so stressed that they could not complete their work in at least one instance. Additionally, another 85% of students reported feeling overwhelmed by their workload/schedule in the past year. While much of getting your teen prepared for college involves academic and test prep, it’s crucial not to ignore their mental health. One way to help foster your teen’s overall well-being throughout college is by encouraging him or her to take up a hobby. Studies have shown many times over that hobbies of all kinds promote stress relief, mindfulness, and improved health. If you are looking to help your teen develop a positive way to take a break from daily stressors, suggest a hobby in one of many interest areas.

Play Music

Whether your teen wants to learn guitar, piano, violin or the drums, playing music carries with it many positive benefits. In fact, music-related hobbies have been shown to enhance one’s memory, significantly reduce stress levels, provide a mood boost, deliver a sense of achievement, strengthen relationships, and reduce the risk of developing depression and anxiety. In college, there are quite a few opportunities for your son or daughter to take up playing music as a hobby. From informal lessons at the college to joining the school’s band or performance group, help your teen find the option that is right for his or her schedule.

Practice Art

Art of all kinds can be an extraordinary hobby for all talent levels. Above and beyond the fun it provides, art has been used to treat individuals with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other physical and mental health ailments. Engaging in almost any form of art can cause the brain to release dopamine, which enhances an individual’s mood. Art can also promote resilience to stress, improved math, reading, and language abilities, and better problem-solving skills. It’s also another hobby that is easy to take up in college. Many schools offer drawing, painting, pottery, and other courses for credit. Alternatively, your teen can pick up supplies to create the art of his or her choice in the peace and comfort of a dorm or apartment.

Get Active

From tennis to running, there’s an endless list of hobbies that require physical activity. Exercise of all intensity levels has been shown to reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and enhance one’s overall health. If you and your college student share a favorite sport or outdoor activity, make plans on a regular basis to practice it as a shared hobby. You can also help your son or daughter find and register for local recreation teams or instructional classes. Many universities also offer the opportunity to play various sports for fun.

Connecting your teen with a hobby at the beginning of college is important for helping him or her to cope with the stressors of daily life. Homework, busy class schedules, work, and social events can make this time in life exciting, yet highly stressful. Encouraging the regular practice of a hobby can ensure that your teen is taking routine breaks, and is watching out for his or her mental health.

What Do You Need To Do To Survive Your Time At College?

January 2, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

College is one of the biggest changes that you are ever going to face and this is because it is something that you will have never done before. In fact, you have never even done something similar to this, and that’s what makes it so scary. As such, there are some things that you can do so that you can ensure your time at college is easier. If you don’t already know what these things are, this is okay because we are going to help you out. So, read this article carefully, and by the end of it, you will know what you need to do to survive your time at college.

Go To The Orientations

You need to attend the orientations. Some people think that only nerds go to these, but you are going to find that they are a big help when it comes to knowing what you need to. You will be provided with maps, a tour, and other stuff like this that will help you navigate your way around. Without this, you are going to find it difficult to find your way around the campus, and from point A to point B. It might also be the case that you feel like everyone already knows each other and you’re kind of on the outside. The orientations are a great way to meet new people and make friends so that you can head into the academic year with some people to share it with. If you miss out on this, you might find yourself feeling a little behind for a while.

Get To Know Your Roommate

Your roommate is going to be someone that you are spending a lot of time with, so you need to make an effort to get to know them. If you want to have a good time at college, you need to be able to get along with your roommate. Invite them out to social gatherings, go out together, and do things like this so that you will get to know each other. As time goes on, you are going to find that your roommate might be the only person that is always around for you, and this is why it is so important.

Some people just can’t get on with their roommate, and if this is the case then you need to get reassigned ASAP. You have to be careful here though, because if you aren’t you might end up with someone you get on with less than the first one you had. So, you really need to be putting a lot of effort into your relationship with your roommate if you want to survive your time at college. Can you imagine what it would be like to live with someone who hates you? A nightmare right? As such, you should be avoiding this as best you can.

Go To All Your Classes

The next thing that you need to be doing is heading to all of your classes. You might have the urge to skip some of them, but you will feel like you have fallen behind and this is not something that you need. Certainly not in the first semester, but this still stands as the semesters go on. You need to be able to have all the notes necessary, and even the classes that are not relevant to your exam could be relevant somewhere else on your course. Because of this, unless you are sick, you need to be attending all of your classes on a regular basis.

You will also notice that your attendance is being monitored. There is no point in paying thousands to attend a college where you are not going to the classes. Not only is it a waste of your money, but it is also a waste of your time. So you should seriously be going to all of your scheduled sessions.

Know Where You’re Heading

The next tip to help you survive is to know where you are heading after you have finished the course that you are currently taking. For example, if you are into maths, have you considered Michigan Tech’s applied statistics ms program? This could be a great choice for you if you want to take your education one step further. Or, if this is not something that you are interested in, it might be good to know what field you are hoping to head into once you have finished your degree. The job market these days is tough, so you need to have your wits about you, plan ahead, and know exactly what it is that you need to do to get where you are going.

Aim For Good Grades

Another thing that you need to be doing is aiming for good grades. Some students think that a C is sufficient, and only put in the amount of effort that is necessary to get them this grade. But this is not the kind of outlook that you need to have when it comes to studying at college. You need to study hard to be getting the best grades that you could possibly accomplish. This way, you are going to be in a better position when you do finish college, and enter the job market. It is getting more competitive out there, and you need to be able to have a standout resume, including the best possible grades.

Also, if you are not trying to get the best grades, why are you attending college? You are supposed to be there to learn, and broaden your knowledge in a certain area to the best of your ability to aid you in the future. If you are not doing this, then it is a waste of your time. So, if you want to survive at college, and not get thrown out for poor grades, you need to be doing your best to aim for the highest possible grade that you could receive.

Get A Good Laptop

Something else that you should consider is getting a good laptop to aid you in your journey. You should be doing research into the best laptops in your price range to take with you when you head off to college. You might not believe us, but a good quality laptop is going to be your best friend when you are writing assignments at 3am. For example, if you forget to take your computer charger with you, you need a laptop that can last a good few hours of you doing research and typing your assignment. Without this, you are going to have to waste precious time going back to your dorm, picking up your charger, and heading back to the library.

Other than this, you need a computer that is fast. You need to be looking for one with a good processing speed so that you know it will be able to handle all the demands of a college student like having 20 tabs open at the same time. Without this, you are going to find it difficult to have all the information you need in front of you, so make sure you heed this tip especially.

Keep Yourself Organized

One of the most important things that you need to do to survive college is to keep yourself organized. You need to know when your classes are, when your deadlines are, when you are going out, when you are going to write your assignments etc. Without this, you are going to find your life really hard to manage and we don’t want this for you. Make sure that you have planned out your time, so that you can fit in everything that you need to do. You are going to find this a lot easier than just winging it.

We hope that you have found this advice useful, and now know what you need to do to survive your time at college.

How to Help Your Child Navigate a Route to Their Future Career

September 21, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Children should be allowed to be children; there’s no denying that. They should be allowed to enjoy their youth, and they should be afforded the chance to make mistakes and veer off track at times as they grow through life. This doesn’t, however, mean that you can’t guide your children at certain points in regards to what they’re going to do and how they’re going to act when they have a career in their future as an adult.

No matter how young they may be, you can help your children navigate a route to their future career by pushing them in certain directions and planting different seeds for them. Here’s how to do go about doing this without being an overbearing parent:

Keep yourself abreast of the changing world

If you want to offer the most suitable information to your children in regards to what their best career options are and what they can expect from the world of work when they step into it, then you need to keep yourself abreast of the changing world. You need to do so, quite simply, as dealing with starting a career will be different now compared to what it was like when you were just starting out on yours. Specifically, what employers are looking for out of first-time jobbers is now completely different to what they were looking for in your era, and you knowing exactly what they are looking for will help you to prepare your children for it.

What would be even more beneficial to your child is you having some knowledge about the specific industry that they wish to forge a career in. Once your child has an idea about their future goal, even if it is only a rough one, you should be doing all you can to be kept abreast about the changes that have occurred and are containing to occur in it. To do this, simply do a bit go Googling!

Teach them skills outside of the classroom

If you want your children to stand any chance of hitting the ground running when they first step into their career, then you have to ensure that they have good grades behind them — this, of course, means pushing them towards academic success by ensuring that they go to school and do the work that they are set. If you want them to stand out from the crowd when they start their career, however, then you need to be teaching them skills outside of the classroom, too. You need to do so because an extra skill on their resume could put your child in a better position than his or her competitors when they start looking for jobs.

One such skill that you could teach your child or have them taught by a professional is how to play an instrument. By doing so, after you’ve used MusiciansFriend.com discount codes to buy the chosen instrument for a lower price than you would have otherwise paid, your little one will have the chance to be a pro at it by the time they reach adulthood. Even if they do not follow a career in music specifically, having the fact that they can play an instrument on their resume will show them to be someone that is willing to dedicate their time to learning new things, and that’ll make them a more appealing employee than somebody without such a stamp of approval.

Remain impartial

The most important thing that you can do when seeking to help your child navigate a route to their future career is to remain impartial throughout your task — importantly, this means refraining from pushing them towards following the exact path you took. Whether or not you have unfilled desires in regards to what you didn’t do in your career, it’s not fair for you to fill that void by asking your children to fill it for you. If they want to follow in your footsteps, then, great. If they don’t, make sure not to show your disappointment, ensure that you remain impartial, and remember to encourage individuality at all times.

Taking the advice above doesn’t mean impacting your child’s right to enjoy themselves and make the mistakes of youth. It just means pointing them in the right direction to ensure that they navigate that awkward period of being thrust into the world of work in as healthy and as worthwhile a fashion as possible. Seriously, when you do, they’ll thank you for doing so at some point down the road.

6 Lessons to Teach Your Daughter Before She Leaves for College

January 10, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

College is both an exciting and frightening stage for both parents and children. The best thing we can do as a parent during this time is offer our knowledge and insight on how to take on these exciting years to contribute to the already good head on our children’s shoulders.

These are six lessons to teach your daughter before she leaves for college:

Never allow anyone into your life that fails to meet your standards

Develop relationships with people who not only have your best interest in mind but theirs as well. Your social circle should be comprised of individuals that positively influence one another, share your values, and will always be friends you can rely on until the end of time. Don’t waste your time on people who are shallow, unmotivated, and unsure of themselves; their energy and attitudes will only bring you down with them.

Invest time into maintaining your emotional and physical well-being

The most important relationship in this world is the one you have with yourself. Putting time into your emotional and physical well-being is necessary since doing so keeps you grounded and clearheaded, decompresses stress and anxiety levels, and enables you to come back to center with yourself. With that said – love yourself, take more time to be in solitude, and explore all the classes and hobbies that interest you!

Put in the hard work, effort, and sacrifice into the goals you wish to accomplish

You will never get things done unless you take action. In the words of Manoj Arora, “You will either find a way, or an excuse.” Don’t expect to suddenly wake up one day and have everything fall into place. That attitude breeds a sense of entitlement towards success which prevents you from being motivated to take steps forward or accomplish goals wholeheartedly.

Trial and error is important, and should not be feared or resisted

No one is perfect, and trying to meet a standard that doesn’t exist is only a waste of time and energy. Embrace the fact that you will make mistakes, fail, and be disappointed – you’re human. What matters at the end of the day is that you get up back up again instead of criticizing yourself for things that already happened or cannot change. See your mistakes as learning experiences instead of setbacks.

Say “no” to the things that make you uncomfortable

College will open your doors up to new experiences – especially parties, concerts and music festivals. Since attending these events may interest you, please be safe! Say no to drugs such as ecstasy or LSD. They completely warp your sense of reality, thus leaving you in a vulnerable state where you might unintentionally injure yourself or be taken advantage of by another person.

Plan for the future

When you’re young, you feel like you have all the time in the world. However, while you may feel that way – it is imperative for you to be diligent about mapping out a game plan for your future, save money, and have a general idea of where you want to go with your career. You don’t need to have your entire life figured out by any means because no one can predict all that! Instead, focus on what matters most in adulthood: financial and professional security. These things determine the quality of your life for the next few years.

Because college is an incredible time of independence and exploration of one’s interests and abilities, preparing our daughters to take it on is the best gift we could give them. When your little girl finally leaves for college, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that she has the six lessons mentioned above to rely on.

10 Weird & Unusual Ways To Save & Invest For College

August 19, 2016 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Everyone wants a bright future for their children which includes saving for a college education. If you have an infant or toddler, by the time they’re ready to attend a University, the US Department of Education reports the cost for a four-year degree will likely top $200,000 in some cases.

As any parent of a grown child will tell you – time flies – it seems that one day they’re in diapers and the next thing you know – they’re driving off to school. So the time to think about investing in their future is – the sooner the better – no time like the present.

Here’s ten unusual and often overlooked ways to invest and save for college to ensure your child receives a stellar education:

DELVE INTO DIAMONDS: Many people think about investing in precious metals, but diamonds have an unbelievable ROI compared to gold or silver. Globally speaking, diamond prices have continued to increase by as much as 37% in some countries over the past few years.

KICK A BAD HABIT: Kicking caffeine to the curb, deleting soda from your diet, going on the wagon and quitting smoking are not only ways to live a healthier lifestyle, if you take the money you regularly spend on these bad habits and invest those funds instead, you may be surprised on what you could sock away in a decade.

CAMPAIGN FOR COLLEGE: Consider starting a crowdfunding project for your child’s education. USA Today recently reported on three platforms that are ideal for this unique form of fundraising for educational purposes.

OVERSEAS EDUCATION: In many cases, it’s cheaper to get a college education in other countries. For example, getting a law degree at Oxford takes only three years, compared to four in America, saving an entire year’s tuition.

HOUSING HELP: Consider investing in a rental venue such as a small home or condo and rent it out until your child reaches college age. Sell it for a profit and this could help to pay their tuition.

RARE COINS: According to the Business Insider, rare coins have experienced gains of over 13% in three years. In some rare cases, increases have reached 20% or more during the same time period.

STAMPS: Although they have a much lower return rate compared to coins, in some very rare instances, their ROI can be also as high as 20% or more.
SELF-STORAGE: Bloomberg reports that investing in self-storage units have continued to remain a consistent and rewarding ROI, in the best cases, over 35% in three years.

EDIT ENTERTAINMENT: If you’re paying for extra channels with your cable provider, drop down to basic and invest the difference in other venues. Take the amount you’d pay for dining out and add this to the coffer.

BUNDLING & PACKAGING: The same goes for things like smartphone usage, cut down on data usage and bundle with family members for some significant savings.

Take a good look at your monthly and annual budget and look for creative ways you can trim the fat and put this money towards your children’s future. Education can be priceless and rewarding, but a college education still comes with a high price tag that’s worth saving and investing towards.

Want some additional assistance in planning for college. The is an amazing resource that was written by the one and only Dad of Divas himself, Dr. Christopher Lewis. With 20+ years of experience in the college admissions field, this book really is an amazing resource that will help you and your child in asking the right questions and preparing at the right time for college! Learn more about the book!

About Hilary Smith

Hillary Smith loves technology and hasn’t met an app that didn’t catch her attention. After graduating from the Northwestern Medill School of Journalism, Hillary began a career as a freelance writer focusing on the challenges of digital parenting. She works out every day and spends time with her children, ages 4 and 7.