Shows / The College Investor Audio Show
The College Investor Audio Show
The College Investor podcast is a daily audio show that's dedicated to bringing you the best of TheCollegeInvestor.com. We discuss a variety of topics, all relating to millennial money - including student loan debt, investing, earning more money, and more! Robert Farrington, the founder of The College Investor and a Millennial Money Expert, shares how to get out of student loan debt so that you can start investing and building wealth for the future. Instead of cutting expenses and living a…
Episodes
- The College Investor Audio Show
The Pros and Cons Of Tax Refund Advance Loans
With tax season quickly approaching, you’re probably seeing ads for refund anticipation loans. Refund anticipation loans (also known as refund advance loans or…
The College Investor Audio ShowWill Student Loans Take My Tax Refund In 2025?
Student loans are back in repayment, and starting in 2025, that also means that collection activity has resumed on student loan debt. Could your student loans…
The College Investor Audio ShowDoes What College You Went To Matter?
Deciding what college to attend is a big decision. It could potentially affect your entire life. But will it? Does what college you go to actually matter?…
The College Investor Audio Show529 Plan Ownership Rules Explained
529 plans offer a dedicated way to save for education costs. Generally, parents or grandparents open up 529 accounts to build up a war chest for the…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhere TO Cash A Tax Refund Check If You Don’t Have a Bank Account
It’s almost tax refund season, and if you’re anything like the average American, you’re excited to get your hands on your refund check. But how are you…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow To Use A 529 Plan For Trade School
If you or your family have saved money for your education within a 529 plan, you can use those funds to pay for qualified education expenses without tax…
The College Investor Audio ShowWho's To Blame For The Student Loan Crisis?
The student loan problem is complex and has multiple underlying causes. Rising college costs, increased student borrowing, complicated repayment options, and a…
- The College Investor Audio Show
Warning: AI Can Seriously Hurt Your Finances
Curious about how AI answers work in personal finance? Hint: not very well. In fact, so bad that you could really hurt your finances. Robert joined the…
The College Investor Audio ShowAverage Net Worth Of Gen Z By Age
We break down the potential average net worth of Gen Z by age, based on available data from the Federal Reserve, as well as other assumptions.
The College Investor Audio ShowHow Much Does Your Student Loan Interest Rate Matter?
How much your student loan interest rate really matter when it comes to repaying a student loan? What is the impact of interest rates on loan payments? The…
- The College Investor Audio Show
How Accurate Are College Cost Estimates? Hint: Not Very
According to a new report from John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY), College Cash Uncovered, there are significant discrepancies between colleges’ published…
- The College Investor Audio Show
Financial Literacy For Teens And Parents On The Way To College
Today's episode is an interview Robert had with Shellee Howard from the College Ready podcast. He talks about financial literacy for teens and parents, the ROI…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow Does A College Admissions Waitlist Work?
Being placed on a college admissions waitlist can create a mixed bag of emotions for applicants. On one hand, it isn’t an outright rejection, but on the other…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow Much Money For Retirement Do I Really Need?
Many people wonder just how much money they actually need to retire. In fact, it’s actually one of the most common questions people ask in regard to…
- The College Investor Audio Show
Inside The Secret World Of Debt Settlement
Debt settlement is widely talked about as a way to get out of debt, but not many people truly understand how it works. You may have recently experienced a…
- The College Investor Audio Show
Best End Of Year Financial Tips (And To-Do List)
Here's our financial checklist of the best money moves you can make by the end of the year to maximize your savings and investments while minimizing your…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhy You Should Never Apply To An Out-Of-State School
Embarking on the journey to higher education is a life-changing decision. One of the first and biggest challenges many prospective students encounter is…
The College Investor Audio Show5 Scary Money Facts and Statistics
This Halloween’s most terrifying stories have more to do with your money than goblins and zombies. In light of this spooky season, we’re sharing some scary…
- The College Investor Audio Show
Should You Have Your Tax Prep Fees Taken Out Of Your Tax Refund?
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…
- The College Investor Audio Show
10 Things Business Owners Should Do Before Year End
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…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow To Make Money Using AI
More and more people are learning how to make money using AI (artificial intelligence). The impact of AI on freelancing has been the subject of plenty of…
- The College Investor Audio Show
What Is the Average Cost of College? (And How to Reduce Costs!)
How much will college cost for students aiming to enter in the fall? The most recent data on the average cost of college is out, and we're breaking down the…
The College Investor Audio ShowShould You Refinance Your Student Loans?
Most people should not refinance their student loans. However, for some niche situations, it can make sense to refinance your student loans. There are various…
The College Investor Audio Show10 Interesting Ways You Can Make Money Driving
If you have access to a reasonably reliable car, then congratulations! Making money driving is one of the best side hustles! A decent car is the biggest asset…
The College Investor Audio Show10 Biggest FAFSA Mistakes That Could Cost You Financial Aid
The FAFSA – or Free Application for Federal Student Aid – is required for students who want help paying for college. The application is managed by the…
- The College Investor Audio Show
What Is Tuition Insurance And How Does It Work
I was recently asked a question by a reader about the drawbacks of getting a private student loan. She asked why she shouldn’t get a private student loan, when…
- The College Investor Audio Show
10 Crazy Ways To Make $10,000 You’ve Never Heard Of
Let's talk about $10,000... how to get there and make it happen. Why $10,000? Because it's a number that's big enough to make a difference, but small enough to…
The College Investor Audio Show3 Ways To Minimize Your Student Loan Debt
If you’re listening to this, you probably either have student loan debt or you’re about to incur student loan debt and you're looking for ways to minimize your…
- The College Investor Audio Show
What To Do With A 529 Plan If Your Child Doesn't Go To College?
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…
The College Investor Audio Show8 Ways That Student Loans Can Get You Fired
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…
The College Investor Audio ShowFERPA Waiver: Should Parents Force Their College Kids To Sign It?
A FERPA waiver, when signed by a student, allows parents to gain access to academic records during college. However, this raises an interesting question…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhy Do Smart Low-Income Students Not Enroll In Selective Colleges?
Low-income students are half as likely to enroll in selective colleges as compared with high-income students with similar grades and test scores. This is…
The College Investor Audio ShowShould You Ever Withdraw A College Application?
When you’re getting ready to attend college, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of the college application process. You start by considering state…
The College Investor Audio ShowAnswering The Question: What To Do After College?
I don't know what to do after college!?! It's one of the most common questions I hear - from high school grads, to college students, to even some nearing…
The College Investor Audio Show6 Elements Of A Solid Personal Financial Plan
Are you ready to take control of your financial future? You don’t need a financial advisor to develop your own financial plan. In fact, YOU are the best person…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhat Is The Average Cost For Tutoring?
The average cost of tutoring can vary based on a number of different factors. While it used to be something only the wealthy could afford lower costs and new…
The College Investor Audio ShowTuition Insurance And Dorm Room Renters Insurance With GradGuard CEO John Fees
Today's episode is a live stream interview with GradGuard CEO John Fees. We talked about tuition insurance and when it makes sense, and then covered dorm room…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow To Start Investing With $100
Did you know that you can start investing with $100 or less? Most people think that you need thousands of dollars to get started investing, but that's simply…
The College Investor Audio Show5 Reasons To Use Tuition Insurance
Life during college often comes with many ups and downs. Sometimes, life throws an unexpected curveball that requires students to withdraw from school…
The College Investor Audio ShowShould Students Take A Gap Year Before College
As high school graduation approaches, you might find yourself at a crossroads. Should you take the conventional route and go straight to college, or have you…
The College Investor Audio ShowFinancial Benefits For Married College Students
Did you know: marital status can be a factor when determining financial aid eligibility. If you are making your way through college after tying the knot, your…
The College Investor Audio Show10 Tips For Living With Your First College Roommate
Sharing a living space with someone for the first time, whether it’s your best friend or a total stranger, can be exciting and intimidating at the same time…
- The College Investor Audio Show
SSA vs. SSI vs. SSDI: Key Differences And FAFSA Impact
Social Security (SS), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI) are three federal benefit programs that can provide…
The College Investor Audio ShowCan You Take Out More Student Loan Debt Than You Need?
A common question we see every year is "can you take out more student loan debt than you need?" It sounds crazy, but some people want to take advantage of the…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow Do Parents Afford To Send A Kid To College?
With college becoming more expensive, how can parents afford to send a kid to school? More than a decade after completing college, 7% of Millennials still have…
- The College Investor Audio Show
How To Save Money On Your Property Taxes
Property taxes are typically your largest homeownership expense after paying your mortgage. Any way to save on your property taxes can be a big win for your…
The College Investor Audio ShowCredit Repair: What Is It And Should You Pay A Company To Help
Bad credit can limit your ability to do a lot of things, including purchasing a car, home, getting a credit card, and in some cases, even a job. Being…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow To Handle Deflation: Best Investments For Deflationary Periods
In its nearly 250-year history, the U.S. has experienced more periods of inflation than deflation. The last big period of deflation occurred during The Great…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhat Is An Escrow Or Impound Account And How To Cancel It?
Around 80% of mortgage borrowers in the United States have an escrow or impound account. In fact, these accounts are required by some lenders. These accounts…
The College Investor Audio ShowIs A 401k A Scam?
When you think of financial scams, you may think of Bernie Madoff and Nigerian Princes. But if you listen to enough “financial experts” on YouTube and TikTok…
The College Investor Audio Show8 Last-Minute Tax Reminders For 2024
The tax deadline is almost here! Here are some last minute tax reminders if you're still working on filing your taxes. Although it might not be the most…
The College Investor Audio ShowCan You Use A 529 Plan For SAT Prep?
The short answer is no, you cannot use a 529 plan to pay for SAT prep. However, all is not lost. While SAT prep courses can be expensive, they don't have to…
The College Investor Audio ShowDIY MBA: How To Learn Business On Your Own
Getting an MBA, especially at a top school, can come with an expensive price tag. After investing in an expensive degree you might not get the high-paying job…
The College Investor Audio ShowTop 10 Threats To Your Investment Portfolio
Threats to your investment portfolio can come from anywhere, including politics, the economy, and even your own mind. Understanding the threats to your…
The College Investor Audio ShowWhat To Do With Your Tax Refund
If you’re one of the 80% of taxpayers who will be receiving a tax refund this year, here's what to do with your tax refund according to experts. The average…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow To Create An FSA ID
A Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) is a unique identifier that allows you to log in to Department of Education websites. You need this ID to complete the FAFSA…
The College Investor Audio ShowHow To Use A Leap Year To Maximize Your Finances
Leap Year's extra day can serve as a reminder to stop and evaluate. An extra day in the year represents an opportunity to earn more money, pay off debt, or…
The College Investor Audio ShowThe Financial Aid Terminology Trap
Learning financial aid is like speaking a foreign language. There is an alphabet soup of different words and acronyms. You may think you understand the babble…
- The College Investor Audio Show
What To Do If You Can’t Afford Your Student Loan Payment
It's one of the worst things you can face when it comes to your student loan debt - you can't afford your student loan payment. Maybe you're out of school and…
The College Investor Audio ShowShould You Pay Someone To Do Your Taxes?
One of the biggest questions we see every tax season: should you pay someone to do your taxes? Getting a tax refund is a big part of that question. Most people…