Should you pay extra to have your tax prep fees taken out of your upcoming tax refund? It sounds like an appealing offer - paying nothing out of pocket. But is it really worth it?

The help of a tax preparation service can make your life easier and potentially lead to savings on your tax bill, but having to pay up front for tax prep services can feel like a hit to your wallet.

One option is to allow the company to take your tax preparation fees directly from your future tax refund. We explore when it makes sense to pay for tax preparation services, when it doesn't, and the logistics of paying.

If you’re a business owner, the end of the year can be a very busy time.

With the holiday season on the horizon, you may be juggling the demands of your business while making space to spend time with family and friends.

There are several things you can do by the end of the year to end on a high note and get ready for tax season. With only 12 weeks left, here are some things business owners should do before the end of the year.

With college costs and student debt on the rise, students and their parents need to think about ways to cut the overall cost of higher education. 

Even if a student wants to attend a four-year university, starting at a two-year university can conservatively lead to five-figure savings. Students who decide against earning a bachelor’s degree can gain a credential (associate’s degree) while spending less time and money than they would in a traditional public university.

Whether a student’s goal is to start a career as soon as possible or to earn a bachelor’s degree and beyond, using community college to save money and get ahead can be a smart move. In fact, attending a two-year college may be the most broadly-accessible method to reduce costs while still getting a head start on education.

The cost to join a sorority or fraternity can be high. There are lots of extra costs beyond just paying dues, luckily, there are ways to help pay for it. 

Will decreasing college acceptance rates hurt your chances of getting in to your desired school, and will the trend continue? Here's what you need to know. 

Joining a fraternity is a big decision. It can provide a solid network but it’s also expensive. Here’s what you to know when deciding to go greek or stay geed. 

In-state schools offer a comparable education at a fraction of the cost. Unless you have a compelling reason to, you should never apply to an out-of-state school.

Colleges look at grades, test scores and extracurricular activities when assessing your application, but do colleges look at your attendance? Find out. 

New Greek members at the University of Alabama, the largest U.S. Greek campus, can expect the cost to rush about $8,300 for their first year, not including tuition.

Early action vs. early decision, and regular decision: these are the three main options for college admissions. Here's what you need to know. 

Speak-writing essays, comparing exam score ranges, and using the college affordability index will improve your child’s chances of getting into an ideal college.

Whether you take the SAT or ACT, you’ll need to know how these college entrance exams are structured, the subject matter they include, and what kinds of scores are competitive.

How people physically handle their cash, whether organized or disorganized, directly reflects their money mindset.

Today's episode is an interview Robert had with Chuck Jaffee from the Money Life Show. He helps answer a reader question: what happens if you have money saved for college in a 529 plan, but then your child (or niece or nephew) don't actually go to college. What are the options? If you're starting from scratch, should you still consider a 529 plan?

We hope you enjoy the episode, and if you want to learn more about the Money Life Show, check them out on your favorite podcast platform.

You should not accept more than one college admissions offer. Doing so can have long-term impacts on you, the colleges, and other students. 

To defer enrollment in college after you've been accepted, you can work with your college’s admissions office to complete its formal deferment process.

If you wish to change your college decision after you've been accepted to college you can, but be sure to follow the correct procedures. 

Many grad students leave school with huge amounts of student loan debt, but there is hope, in the form of graduate school student loan forgiveness programs. 

A 529 plan is an education savings account with federal tax benefits. The plans can be complicated, so we've broken down how 529 plans work into simple terms.

When a borrower defaults on federal student loans, the only one hurt is the borrower,  Here's what you need to know about strategic default for student loans. 

We break down the best business checking accounts for August 2023. Learn more here.

Wondering how to choose a business bank account? All bank accounts are slightly different, so there are several factors you need to consider. Learn more. 

The Private College 529 Plan lets you lock in current tuition rates for the future. But which schools recognize the plan and is it worth the cost? Learn more. 

For many college students, dorm room move-in day is fast approaching. Our tips show you how to prepare and make dorm room move-in easy. Learn more. 

Did you know that your student loans could get you fired?

Imagine this: One day your boss pulls you into his office, sits you down, and says there is a problem. However, your work itself has been flawless. But he doesn't want to talk to you about work — he wants to talk to you about your credit report.

You see, when you were hired, you agreed to let your employer run your credit report (maybe unknowingly, simply signing a form in your hiring packet). And now, for whatever reason, your boss lets you know that HR has concerns about your debt. Suddenly, you go from star employee to looking for a job.

You already know that student loans suck. It's a fact of life. But did you know that your student loan debt can get you fired? It's happened, and here are eight reasons why, and what you can do to prevent it.

The student loan double-consolidation loophole can make Parent PLUS loans eligible for all income-driven repayment plans, but it's ending in 2025. Learn more. 

A guaranteed return on investment is a fixed rate of return you can count on. But there are downsides to chasing investment guarantees. Find out more. 

A liberal arts college emphasizes undergraduate studies in the liberal arts. But with expensive tuition, is a liberal arts degree worth the cost?

We dive into whether parents should give their child a credit card to use for when they go off to college.

Federal student loan repayment, paused for almost four years, is about to restart. Here are the important dates you need to know.  

Student loans can weight heavily on your finances after you graduate. Find out how student loans impact your credit score, both negatively and positively. 

The friends you make in college can be as valuable as the degree you earn, but meeting new people is hard. Follow these tips on how to make friends in college. 

Here are ten money mindset quotes that can help you frame budgeting, building wealth, and more.

College is more expensive than ever, but if you need to withdraw from school early, tuition refunds are not guaranteed. Find out how college refunds work. 

If you are paid hourly, how does it translate to an annual salary? The math is easier than you think. Here's how to convert hourly wage to annual salary. 

A FERPA waiver, when signed by a student, allows parents to gain access to academic records during college. However, this raises an interesting question: should parents push their college-bound children to sign?

Many parents, accustomed to having access to their child’s academic records throughout high school, are surprised when they no longer have the same access once their child enters college. As a result, some parents may consider requesting – or even pressuring – their child to sign a FERPA waiver. But is this a good idea?

We’ll explore the nuances of FERPA, the implications of signing a waiver, and the potential consequences of forcing a college student to comply.

You may know that you need a will. But what other documents will be helpful for your estate planning needs? Take a look at this list!

The SAVE repayment plan is a new, updated version of the REPAYE income-driven repayment plan. How will it impact you? Learn more. 

As you prepare for college, have you considered that there may be risks in attending? Here are five of the biggest risks of college. Find out more. 

Investing for dividends is a key way to grow your portfolio and your wealth over time because dividends compound and grow over time.

Is a sudden loss of income or other circumstance leaving you unable to pay your college bills? Find out how to write a financial aid appeal letter. Learn more. 

It's difficult to get a loan when you're unemployed. Find out what factors lenders consider, and how to manage your existing credit when you've lost your job. 

Many college graduates have considered using their 401(k) to pay off their student loan debt. But is it a good idea? Learn more.

Considering taking out subsidized or unsubsidized student loans? Read this first and know the difference when it comes to Federal Direct loans.

We explore a few 529 studies that compare the performance of each state's 529 plan with a lower-cost, out-of-state plan.

This step-by-step guide helps you prioritize which debts to pay first, how to keep going, and ways to better pay off loans and credit cards.

One of the biggest fears families have about using a 529 plan to save for college is the dreaded 529 plan penalty.

There are many ways to save and pay for college, and the absolute best way to do it varies depending on your specific situation. A 529 plan, which is designed to help you with higher education expenses, is a type of tax-advantaged account that allows you to save and invest money.

As long as you withdraw that money for qualified expenses, you can do so without paying taxes on it. However, if you don't use the funds in your 529 plan for qualified education expenses, you may be assessed a tax penalty.

Thankfully, it's fairly straightforward to avoid this 529 plan penalty, as long as you take a few precautionary steps.

If you work for a 501(c)(3) or other nonprofit organization, you may be able to get nonprofit student loan forgiveness or other help.

Prepaid tuition plans are benefit plans, while 529 plans act like contribution plans. Find out which one might be best for your needs.

Feeling the pinch when it comes to saving for college? If so here are practical tips on how to save for college for multiple children.