Below is a collection of tips to help you save gas and money. I follow many of these and was very pleased with my 28 mpg of city driving on my last fill-up. When it comes to saving gas it is important to remember a lot of little things can add up to real savings.

Keep a log book in your car to record your gas mileage. Challenge yourself to beat your highest miles per gallon. Write down the odometer reading and number of gallons purchased each time you fill up. Divide the number of miles traveled between fill-ups by the number of gallons purchased. That is your miles per gallon. A log will help you notice a drop off in gas mileage which is an indication your car needs maintenance.

Driving Tips to Save Gas

• Don’t do jack-rabbit starts. Instead accelerate slowly allowing your car to gradually increase speed. Work at it and you will find the “sweet spot” for your gas pedal where you are not accelerating too fast or too slow. The goal is not to reach the speed limit or beyond as fast as possible.
• Don’t idle for more than one minute. If you pull into a store while you friend runs in to get something turn the engine off. Letting your car run for more than one minute uses as much gas as it would require to start it.
• Drive-through is a convenience that waste gas. Rather than sit in a 5 minute drive-through line, park and go inside.
• Use your air conditioning wisely. At highway speeds roll up your windows to reduce drag and use your air conditioner. In stop and go traffic if it is cool enough, turn off the air conditioner and roll down your windows. Using your air conditioner in stop and go traffic can reduce your fuel efficiency by as much as 20%. Another trick you can use is to turn off your air conditioning before you reach your destination. Time it right and your will remain comfortable and increase fuel efficiency.
• When you see you are approaching a red light let up or off of the gas pedal. You can develop this to an art form of coasting to a stop while using as little brake as possible. You will save gas, possibly time the light better so you do not come to a complete stop (thus saving more gas) and reduce wear on your brakes. Racing from light to light and slamming on the brakes just in time to stop is dangerous and waste gas.
• Reduce your speed on the highway. Speed limits on highways and interstates used to be 55 mph for a reason, to save fuel. Now speed limits have risen to 65 mph and higher. While the American driver mentality seems to be to get there as quickly as you can, decreasing your speed to 55 mph will on average save you 2 mpg. For every 5 mph you reduce your speed you consume 7% less fuel. So if you can’t drive 55 dropping from 70 mph to 65 mph will yield a 7% fuel savings without costing you much time.
• If you are driving on the highway use your cruise control. A smooth and steady speed will increase your fuel efficiency. Watch for hills though and don’t let your cruise control accelerate you too much to maintain speed going up the hill.
• When you are approaching a hill accelerate a little before you get to it and keep the gas pedal in the same position up the hill. Accelerating up a hill will burn extra gas and the extra seconds it gains you in your trip is not worth it.
• In most major cities stop lights are timed to maintain the flow of traffic at the speed limit. As long as you maintain the speed limit you are more likely to hit more green lights than if you speed. Speeding waste gas and so does sitting at traffic lights.
• Get in a lane and stick to it. How many times do you see cars swerving in and out around traffic only to see them one or two cars ahead at the next light? All of this gas pedal, brake and turning action uses up gas, is dangerous and does not get you there more than a few minutes faster at best.

Price, Time and How Much

• Find the lowest gas prices. This is a no brainer since you will save money and get more gas for your dollar. You can check for the lowest gas prices in the University City are right here by click on the Gas Prices link on the navigation bar. The map expands so you can check other areas of Charlotte or click on the link to check gas prices anywhere. Gas prices keep changing so check back to find the lowest when you need gas.
• Time your gas purchases. Did you know that some gas stations raise prices for the weekend? They also raise them before rush hour. Surveys indicate the cheapest time to buy gas is Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. We all know gas prices tend to rise right before and during a holiday period. Be aware of this and fill-up before prices rise.
• If gas prices are stable don’t fill your tank up. Every gallon of gas you pump into your tank adds weight which means you car will burn more fuel to carry around that extra fuel. Wait until your tank is just below a quarter of a tank or even one-eighth. Then fill it to half or three-quarters of a tank depending on your driving needs. Don’t let your tank get too low! Deposits in the bottom of your fuel tank will be sucked into your fuel system, reducing efficiency and over time can cost you repairs.
• Buy your gas during the coolest time of the day. Gas pumps measure by volume and when it is cool gas is more dense, thus you get more fuel for your money.
• Don’t fill your tank to the top. When the pump clicks, stop. Any gas you put in beyond that will either evaporate, slosh out or pour down the side of your car (not good for your car finish!).

Maintain Your Car

• Check your tire pressures every week or two. Inflate your tires to the recommended maximum air pressure. Under inflated tires can reduce your gas mileage by as much as 15%, cause tires to wear out faster. Don’t depend on the air pressure gauge at your service station. Buy a decent digital air pressure gauge.
• Check your wheel  alignment. A car that is out of alignment makes your engine work harder and wears out your tires quicker.
• Get regular tune-ups. A misfiring spark plug will lower your engines performance and reduce your gas mileage.
• Replace your air filter every 3,000 miles or as recommended by your car owners manual. A dirty air filter will reduce the effectiveness of your fuel system and waste 10% of your gas.
• Wash and wax your car. What? Yes it has been shown that a clean and waxed car gets better gas mileage by reducing drag. You car looks good and you save money.
• Make sure your gas cap is tight each time you fill your car. If your gas cap is loose or damaged you should replace it. Gas will evaporate right out of your tank.
• Use the right grade of motor oil and get regular oil changes. It keeps your engine healthy longer and helps keep your engine cooler, which in turns helps you save gas. Synthetic oil may cost a little more, but it is better for your engine and improves gas mileage.

Other Gas Saving Tips

• Got junk in your trunk? Remove everything from your car that you do not need. All of that extra weight reduces your gas mileage.
• Wherever you go the shortest route may not be the most fuel-efficient if it includes traffic and stop lights. Look for alternative routes that have less traffic and require less stopping.
• Reduce your drag by removing ski racks or bike racks when you do not need them.
• Combine all of your errands into one trip. Plan out where you have to go so you save yourself time and gas.
• In the winter avoid warming your car up for more that 30 to 45 seconds.

Relax and Take it Easy to Save Gas, Money and Your Wits

The biggest factor in saving gas and money is your mentality about how you drive. With some people as soon as their butt hits the seat their goal is to get to where they are going as quickly as possible.

For these people I offer this challenge. On your next trip where you know how long it takes you to get there, slow down, relax and follow these tips. Time yourself and see how much more time it takes you to reach your destination. In most trips around the city it will be 5 minutes or less.

So ask yourself if 5 minutes of your time is worth wasting gas and wasting money? Is 5 minutes worth the cost of a speeding ticket or an accident? Just relax and take it easy. You will save gas, save money and arrive at your destination far more relaxed.

Do you have any gas saving tips you would like to share?

Related posts:

1. Five Easy Ways to Save Money in College
2. How To Save Money on College Textbooks with Chegg
3. Find The Lowest Gas Prices

In January the UNC Charlotte trustees approved a plan calling for no tuition increase for resident undergraduate students, but it was said student fees were likely to increase. (See “No Tuition Increase Likely for UNC Charlotte Students in 2009-10”).  All of this was pending the approval of the UNC Board of Governors and the NC General Assembly.

The UNC Board of Governors proposed a 2.8 percent tuition increase for UNC System schools in February. From there it moved to the NC General Assembly where a number of proposals were made. With the state of economy in North Carolina and budget shortfalls it seemed like this 2.8 percent increase in tuition was the most likely outcome.

On Tuesday the NC House subcommittee that is writing the bill agreed to an alternative plan that would raise tuition by 8 percent or $200, whichever is less. This replaced another proposal to raise annual tuition by $258 for every student in the UNC System.

Under that proposal schools with low tuition rates would have seen double-digit increases in tuition. Still the proposal is far higher than the 2.8 percent tuition increase submitted by the UNC Board of Governors.

Once the full House approves a budget proposal, the Senate and House would work out a final compromise and send it to Gov. Beverly Perdue for her signature. Alternative proposals could come with more changes, but one thing seems certain, tuition hikes will be coming to UNC System schools.

The Burden on College Students is Unfair

Is the General Assembly increasing the burden on students because they are unable to make the cuts needed or raise taxes? College students are struggling just as much as everyone else in this national recession but it appears the General Assembly is prepared to place their lack of fiscal discipline squarely on the back of students in the UNC system.

While it is true the state is facing a $4-5 billion dollar deficit (thanks @shrop), it seems unfair to place such a burden on those who can afford it the least. This also goes against UNC System President Erskine Bowles’ 6.5 percent cap on increases. While Bowles states he understands the problems the General Assembly faces it is clear the recommendation of the UNC Board of Governors and his cap hold no sway with the General Assembly in these tough economic times.

This comes at a time when all schools within the UNC System are preparing to deal with upcoming budget cuts from the state. Final details of the cuts will not be known until the budget is passed, but it could mean 400-500 layoffs system-wide, delays in construction projects and larger class sizes.

The tuition increase combined with the increase in fees already announced by most UNC System schools is placing a burden on students. The recession is hitting college students hard. Decent paying jobs are harder to find, the cost of food and gas continue to creep up, credit card rates have already risen and will likely rise more and private loans to pay for college are more difficult to obtain. In fact credit of any kind for college students is and will likely become harder to obtain.

Hope or Dashed Dreams?

In his speech before congress (see “President Obama Gives College Students Hope and a Challenge”) President Obama called for everyone to seek higher education and challenged college students to finish college. The President stated “In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity — it is a prerequisite.”

His speech gave present and prospective college students hope that it would become easier to attend and pay for college. Now it seems that lawmakers and the economy are making it tougher than ever to do it. I still believe the Presidents’ speech DID inspire hope among college students, but right now hope does not pay the bills.

Did college students cause the recession? Has the real cost of college risen by this much? No, so why is the NC General Assembly placing such a burden on college students?

The federal government can bail out banks, insurance companies, auto makers and nearly everyone else deemed “vital to the economy”. But what about college students, the very future of economic growth in this country? If a college education is so important where is the college bailout? Are you pissed yet?

Related posts:

1. No Tuition Increase Likely for UNC Charlotte Students in 2009-10
2. President Obama Gives College Students Hope and a Challenge
3. Financial Aid Urged to Help Students in Financial Distress

Here is the full text of the letter.

Publication Date: April 2, 2009

DCL ID:
GEN-09-04

Subject: Use of “Professional Judgment” by Financial Aid Administrators

Summary: This letter reminds financial aid administrators of their ability to exercise adequately documented professional judgment when determining the eligibility of students for federal student aid. It encourages aid administrators to consider special circumstances of students and families during these challenging economic times.

Dear Colleague:

I am writing to remind you of the authority you, as a financial aid administrator, have under the law (section 479A of the Higher Education Act) to make adjustments, on the basis of adequate documentation, and on a case-by-case basis, to address circumstances not reflected in a student’s original Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This authority is particularly important for families who may be struggling during these difficult economic times. When families experience a layoff, face a costly medical situation, or lose a house to foreclosure, they are likely to feel vulnerable and unsupported. Simply stated, most do not know about their right to request that you adjust one or more of the components that determine their eligibility for financial aid. It is for this reason that I encourage you to do more than provide good service to the students who request that you make an adjustment. I would ask you to reach out to your students (and prospective students), particularly those who seem to have hit a rough patch, to make sure that they know there may be ways that you can help.

Your thoughtful use of professional judgment, especially to address a student’s financial and family circumstances that may have changed from the base year information originally reported on the student’s FAFSA, may be critical in determining whether the student can enter or continue in postsecondary education. A changed circumstance certainly includes the loss of a job or a reduction in work hours or wages, but it also includes, for example, the income loss associated with a prospective student’s decision to leave the workforce or to reduce work hours in order to return to school.

When you make adjustments related to the student’s or the student’s family’s income, it is appropriate to use information that realistically reflects the individual’s and/or family’s current and near-term economic situation. For example, for an individual who has lost a job or has taken a significant salary cut beginning in November of 2008, you may choose to project income for the next 12-month period (December 2008 through November 2009) and use that figure instead of the base year income (calendar 2008) that was initially used in the calculation of the student’s expected family contribution (EFC). Of course, you should seek to obtain, and maintain verifiable third-party documentation of the changed circumstances in order to support your decision to use professional judgment. By way of example, if an individual has lost a job, and you choose to project income for the next 12-month period, you should seek to obtain adequate documentation of the individual’s loss of employment.

While we encourage you to exercise professional judgment where appropriate, you should be mindful of the statutory limitations. Professional judgment must only be used to address special circumstances, which are conditions that differentiate an individual student from a class of students. While students may face common or similar issues in these economic times, you may not establish automatic categories of special circumstances and provide identical treatment to all students in that circumstance. You could, however, identify a category to reach out to (for example, all students that had a parent that had recently lost a job) but then would need to assess and document how each individual student’s situation was affected. (It would not be permissible to assume that every student in that category was affected in the same way.) You should refer to the complete information on pages 99-100 of the Application and Verification Guide of the Department’s 2008-09 Federal Student Aid Handbook for further guidance on the use of professional judgment.

While not every student will become eligible for a Federal Pell Grant as a result of an adjustment based on your exercising professional judgment, many may become eligible for a subsidized Federal Stafford Loan or for assistance from one of the three campus-based programs. And, of course, most students are eligible for Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans from either the Federal Direct Loan Program or from the Federal Family Education Loan Program. These federal student loans have much better interest rates, repayment options, and other terms than those that are available with private educational loans, credit cards, or most any other method of credit-based financing.

Most non-federal loans have high, variable interest rates, loan fees well above those for the federal student loan programs, limited repayment options, and almost none of the features and protections provided in the federal programs, including payment deferment, forbearance, and cancellation.

For more information about the advantages of federal student loans over private, non-federal loans, I encourage you to share with your students the information found at: http://www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov/federalaidfirst/index.html.

If you have questions regarding the information provided in this letter, please contact Carney McCullough by phone to (202) 502-7639 or by mail to carney.mccullough@ed.gov.

Within the next few weeks we will establish a “Frequently Asked Questions” page on our Information for Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP) website at www.ifap.ed.gov. An announcement of this new page will be posted to IFAP as soon as the page becomes live.

On behalf of Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, I thank you in advance for your cooperation as together we provide opportunities to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to participate in our country’s outstanding postsecondary education system.

Sincerely,

Daniel T. Madzelan
Delegated the Authority to Perform
the Functions and Duties of the
Assistant Secretary for
Postsecondary Education

Attachments/Enclosures:

GEN-09-04: Use of “Professional Judgment” by Financial Aid Administrators in PDF Format, 816KB, 3 pages

Related posts:

1. No Tuition Increase Likely for UNC Charlotte Students in 2009-10
2. President Obama Gives College Students Hope and a Challenge
3. Tuition Hike and Budget Cuts Coming to UNCC

President Obama’s speech at times sounded a lot like President Kennedy’s famous “Ask not what your country can do for you” speech. He spoke of the responsibility of government to ensure that its citizens can get a higher education.

He also called on those citizens to take advantage of the opportunities provided that will allow them to get one. Saying “we are not a nation of quitters” this news is just what many college students and those planning for college needed to hear.

In his speech before Congress and the nation President Obama said:

“In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity — it is a prerequisite.”

“Right now, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require more than a high school diploma. And yet, just over half of our citizens have that level of education. We have one of the highest high school dropout rates of any industrialized nation. And half of the students who begin college never finish.”

“It is our responsibility as lawmakers and educators to make this system work. But it is the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it. And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It’s not just quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country – and this country needs and values the talents of every American. That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a new goal: by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.”

In the stimulus bill the Obama administration is putting money behind those words. By more than doubling the Department of Education’s budget the economic stimulus package will reportedly make 4 million more college students eligible for expanded tax benefits and significantly increase federal grant funding for an estimated 7 million students.

Some highlights of how the economic stimulus bill will benefit college students include:

• A new tax credit will temporarily raise the currently available maximum education tax credit by 40 percent, from $1,800 to $2,500. The approved stimulus bill also expands eligibility for the education tax credit by opening up the benefit to students from lower-income families who don’t currently pay taxes. The new tax credit will be refundable up to 40 percent for those families who don’t owe any taxes, and all eligible families will be able to write off non-tuition expenses like textbooks.Under the current Hope Scholarship Tax Credit program, the education tax credit is nonrefundable, meaning only those families who owe taxes are able to benefit from the tax credit. The current Hope credit also covers only tuition and fees, leaving many low-income students with hefty room and board, transportation, and textbook costs that they can’t count towards the tax break.
• An additional 130,000 college work-study students may have jobs next year thanks to the economic-stimulus bill that President Obama just signed into law which allocates approximately $200 million in new funding for Federal Work-Study Programs. The money, which colleges should receive by April 1 of this year, will not be tied to a new community service requirement as some higher education officials had expected. Work-study funds will be distributed to undergraduate and graduate students next year based upon “existing formulas and information that colleges have already submitted.” With the additional $200 billion in stimulus money, Federal Work- Study Programs could receive $1 billion in total funding this fiscal year — a level not seen since 2001.
• The federal Pell Grant program — the widely used grant program for financially needy students — will get a $17.1 billion increase in funding. Current legislation pending before Congress could add an additional $347 million to this number.
• In the speech President Obama also said “make sure that you can afford a higher education” in exchange for community or national service. Although he did not detail it in the speech, Obama’s proposal was for a fully refundable tax credit to cover $4,000 a year in college costs for four years, in exchange for 100 hours a year of public service. Tuesday night, he urged that legislation to create such a program be named for two lions of the Senate, Orrin Hatch and Edward M. Kennedy.

More could come when President Obama presents his budget to Congress.

During these tough economic times many college students are worried if they will be able to continue their education. Many seeking to go to college are equally worried the money will be there. The stimulus package and the speech give all who worry what they need right now. Hope.

Related posts:

1. Tuition Hike and Budget Cuts Coming to UNCC
2. The Top Five Money Mistakes College Students Make
3. No Tuition Increase Likely for UNC Charlotte Students in 2009-10

UPDATE: Things have certainly changed since this post. Read “Tuition Hike and Budget Cuts Coming to UNCC” for the latest tuition increase news. To view the latest estimated 2009-2010 cost visit the UNCC web site Cost of Attendance 2009-2010!

The proposal will still require the approval on the UNC System Board of Governors. The news is not all good. Overall student fees WILL increase $143 annually to $1907 from $1764. However tuition will stay the same at $2516 per year. Adding it all up the overall cost of attendance will increase 3.3 percent to $4423 per year.

This is good news students who are already cash strapped. A college education is more important to landing a good job now more than ever. At the same time college costs have risen making it unaffordable to many.

Now many college students are forced to take on huge loans to pay for college unless they were lucky enough to have parents who could afford to save for it. Any increases will add to the burden these college students must face when they graduate.

“While additional tuition revenue would be helpful as we deal with the impact of budget reductions, current economic conditions require that we focus on solutions that avoid additional financial hardship to our students,” says Chancellor Philip Dubois.

Most of the proposed fee increase will be dedicated to the operation of a new student union on the UNC Charlotte campus that is scheduled to be completed in May. The student union will replace the Cone University Center, which was completed in 1962.

UNC Charlotte is the fourth-largest campus among the 17 institutions of the UNC System. It is the largest institution of higher education in the Charlotte region. The university offers 18 doctoral programs, 62 master’s degree programs and 90 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees.

Related posts:

1. Tuition Hike and Budget Cuts Coming to UNCC
2. President Obama Gives College Students Hope and a Challenge
3. UNC Charlotte Hosting College Version of “Iron Chef”

Chegg lets students rent as many textbooks as they like with just a few clicks. Books are delivered in less than a week. Renting textbooks through Chegg not only saves students up to 80 percent on their textbook bills, but it also eliminates the hassle of waiting in long lines at the bookstore.

Best off all, with Chegg there are no monthly subscription fees or hidden charges. Not only do students—and those paying students’ bills—save money and time with Chegg, but they also help the environment. Over the past three years the U.S. book publishing industry has consumed an average of four million trees per year to print textbooks sold in America. Each student purchases an average of one tree per year in textbooks.

How Does Chegg Work?

Students find the books they need by searching the ISBN number, author, title or keyword. The results returned include rental price and detailed information on the book. Once an order is placed, students receive their books within eight business days. When it is time to return the books, the student prints a pre-paid shipping label from the Chegg Web site and drops the book in the mail.

How Does Chegg Benefit Students?

Chegg saves students up to 80% on textbooks. Chegg provides convenient access to more than 2 million books. Additionally, Chegg users no longer have to wait in line at the bookstore or worry about how little money they will get back for their books at the end of the semester.

What if a class is dropped or a student needs to return a book for any reason?

Students may return books within 15 days for a full refund provided that it is in the same condition as when it was delivered.

Can users highlight their books?

Yes. Highlighting in the book is OK within reason. Writing in books is not accepted. We ask that you are considerate while using the book; a book returned with every line of every page highlighted is overdoing it.

For more information visit the Chegg web site.

Related posts:

1. Five Easy Ways to Save Money in College
2. The Top Five Money Mistakes College Students Make
3. How to Save Gas and Money

5 Tips To Save Money In College

1. Reduce your meal plan options. Even if you use all of the meals/money that you have, see if you can change to a lower plan. Little things, like providing your own milk and cereal for breakfast in your room, can greatly reduce this expense. (Can’t change your plan this semester? Make sure you know how to choose the meal plan that’s best for you when the time comes to change.)

2. Cut out “treats” during the day. Are you known for always bringing a fancy cup of coffee to class? Grabbing a $5 smoothie as a snack in the afternoon? Try to cut these out of your daily life (completely, or just as a treat on Fridays, for example), and you may be surprised by how much you save. You can always make your own coffee or use a snack packed at home for an afternoon munch.

3. Buy used books. Used books are often significantly cheaper than new ones. As long as you have the right editions, you should be good to go.

4. Take a course online. Online courses can reduce or eliminate all kinds of expenses, from gas (if you commute to campus) to paper, ink, notebooks, and the dining hall lunch you otherwise would have bought if you had to head to a traditional classroom.

5. Recycle, recycle, recycle. Have paper leftover in that notebook at the end of the semester? Use it again next term. Would your current sweatshirt last another 6 months? Then pass on the cuter one you just saw while out with friends. Does your iPod still work, even though you want a newer and bigger one? Keep it until it dies, and give your friends and parents the perfect idea for a graduation gift.

Related posts:

1. How to Save Gas and Money
2. How To Save Money on College Textbooks with Chegg
3. The Top Five Money Mistakes College Students Make

Mistake # 1: Getting Into Credit Card Debt

Credit card companies prey on college students. They know if they issue cards they will use them. Research shows the average college student has over $2000 in credit card debt. By the time they graduate the average student has over $5000 in credit card debt.

At interest rates of 18% or higher you may be paying off this debt well into your 30′s. Since most college graduates are already cash strapped setting up their lives and beginning to pay back college loans, they opt for the minimum credit card payment. This compounds the problem as the credit card company wants you to do just that and extend your debt, and their profit for as long as possible.

Mistake # 2: Ruining Your Credit Score

In today’s world now more that ever with the tightening credit market, a good credit score is essential to get a car loan, house loan or a personal loan. Poor credit can even make it difficult to get an apartment and utilities without a co-signer.

If you max out your credit limits, don’t pay your bills on time and keep adding credit cards as you max out the ones you have, you will have a poor credit score. Once you graduate from college your credit score may come back to haunt you. Some companies have been known to check the credit scores of potential new hires.

Mistake # 3: Wasting Your Student Loan

Your student loan is intended to finance your education, not your college lifestyle. Your tuition, room and board, and books are the smart ways to spend your student loan money.

Eating out and treating your friends to your declining balance is not. Bankrolling your social life with your student loan money can make life harder if you run out before the semester is over. Once you graduate it will take 10-20 years to pay off student loans. For this reason alone you should streatch your student loan funds.

Mistake #4: Not Budgeting Your Income and Expenses

A budget is an essential planning tool for a college student. It shows you how you need to allocate for bills and expenses and wisely use your money. It helps you to plan ahead by knowing about how much money you will have coming in, and your known expenses shows you where it is going out and when.

Living life paycheck to paycheck and living life to the fullest, without any consideration to where they money is going to come from when you need it is a recipe for disaster. You may find out your college career is abruptly over because you are broke.

Mistake # 5: Choose The Right College Path

I don’t have to tell you college is expensive. You see the bill each semester and the statements on your college loans. If you or your parents have little or no money saved for college you not be able to afford more expensive colleges.

Picking a college that will cost you $12,000 per year as opposed to $40,000 per year can save you tens of thousands of dollars once your college career is over and you pay back your student loans.

For those who are cash strapped, it is not really that important where you spend the first two years in college. You can attend a community college to get your general education requirements, then transfer to another school for your major. Just be sure that the school you want to transfer to will accept the credits from your community college.

In-state public colleges and universities offer a much better education for the dollar than do out-of-state or private colleges. I’m sure if you look at your in-state options you will find a college somewhere in your state that offers the major you wish to pursue.

In Summary

Making smart use of your money and your credit in college will enable you to spend the money your earn after you graduate on the things you really want. You may want a new car, a nice apartment or even buy a house a few years after graduating. Travel may be in your plans as you start your new life.

Remember what you are in college for, an education. You will take away many great memories of your college life. Just be sure you do not take away the nightmares of a ruined financial state with you.

College may seem like it last long, but in reality it is only a short time when you put it into the perspective of your entire life. Many of the choices and decisions you make in college can impact your life far into the future. Make sure they are positive ones!

Related posts:

1. Five Easy Ways to Save Money in College
2. How To Save Money on College Textbooks with Chegg
3. 50 Resources For College Graduates – Life After College