The College Investor Audio Show

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50 Ways To Save Money In College Feb 02, 2026

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The idea of saving money in college might sound impossible - but it's totally doable!

For most college students, this is the first time really having to budget and manage money on your own. You might not know all the tips and tricks to make your money last. That's what this list is for.

Here's some of the best ideas on how to manage your money and save money in college. These all come from experience. If you have more ideas or suggestions, want to share your hack, or want to tell us how silly these ideas are, leave a comment below!

Let's dive in on the best ways to save money in college!

7 Best Ways To Save Your Tax Refund Feb 01, 2026

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Looking for the best ways to save your tax refunds? We have seven ideas that can help you build wealth with your tax refund.

The April 15th tax filing deadline may bring dread to taxpayers everywhere, but the storm cloud comes with a silver (or dollar-covered) lining.

Last year, nearly 100 million taxpayers received a refund, with the average refund being $3,138. This sizable payday could be the cash you need to set yourself up for financial stability and a growing net worth.

Here are the best ways to save your tax refund.

Should You Pay For Audit Protection Jan 31, 2026

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Audit protection is a service most tax preparation companies advertise as an upsell to help you if you get a notice from the IRS.

These services can involve responding to IRS letters, representing you when speaking with the IRS, or even reimbursing you if the tax prep company made a mistake.

I hate dealing with bureaucrats. The thought of spending time in line at the DMV is so repulsive that I tried to pay someone to wait in line for me (the person didn’t show up, so I eventually had to go).

If the DMV causes me this much pain, you can imagine how bad I would feel getting audited by the IRS. I know this is hyperbolic, but being audited sounds like death by 1,000 paper cuts. Which brings me to the crux of this post. Should you get audit protection for your taxes - which is a big upsell of most of the major tax software products out there.

Personally, I put my extra money towards bookkeeping software. I think that’s the better use of the dollar.

However, the peace of mind factor may ultimately push you towards buying audit protection. In that case, I recommend being as smart as possible. Or use H&R Block software to get the most protection for the least cost.

Should you (or I) pay for audit protection for your taxes. You may be surprised that in most cases, I think the answer is no.

New Bill Would Expand Definition Of Professional Degrees Jan 29, 2026

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The Professional Student Degree Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and several other House Republicans, would expand the list of degrees considered “professional” under federal law. If enacted, the change would allow students in dozens of graduate programs to borrow up to $200,000 in federal Direct Loans - double the cap that would otherwise apply.

The proposal comes amidst criticism from industry trade groups and students about the upcoming loan caps. Under last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Grad PLUS loans will be eliminated for new borrowers starting July 1, 2026.

In place of the uncapped borrowing for grad school, there will be new limits on Graduate Direct Loans. Those caps depend entirely on whether a program is classified as “graduate” or “professional.”

Three Myths About Leaving the SAVE Plan — and What Borrowers Should Know Jan 28, 2026

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As federal student loan borrowers weigh their repayment options in 2026, confusion around the SAVE income-driven repayment plan has grown. Data from the loan servicers is showing backlogs, but the reality is much different for borrowers at this moment. The repayment plan processing backlog is generally overblown and outdated because of applications from last year.

Persistent myths that do not reflect how the system is actually working right now, and what borrowers should be doing. The result is that several widely shared assumptions about leaving the SAVE plan are simply wrong - and it could be costing you money!

Here are three of the most common myths and what borrowers should understand before making a decision.

What Families Really Pay For College Out Of Pocket Jan 27, 2026

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For many families, the cost of college feels unknowable until the bills arrive. Sticker prices climb past $70,000 a year at some private colleges, while headlines spotlight rare “full-ride” scholarships. The reality for most households sits somewhere in between — and it looks far different from the prices advertised on college websites.

Based on an analysis of federal education data, scholarship data, and student loan statistics, most families are paying tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket over the course of a degree - which can come in the form of savings, cash flow, and student loans. Very few families pay nothing for college.

College Scholarship Gotchas: How To Avoid Mistakes When You Apply Jan 26, 2026

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There are many benefits to receiving one or more private scholarships. It eases the financial burden of getting a college degree and minimizes the need for student loans. And it allows you to focus on your studies while at school.

But scholarship applicants can face several potential pitfalls along the way. The odds of winning scholarships are often low, and you must be mindful of scholarship scams, displacement, and scholarship taxes.

By learning how to anticipate and respond to these scholarship gotchas, you can increase your chances of scholarship success. This article guides you through the many considerations you need to make before applying for scholarships, so you can feel more confident throughout the process.

How Do Tuition Payment Plans Work Jan 25, 2026

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A tuition payment plan is a lesser-known way to pay for college as you go. It breaks your tuition bill up into smaller payments, allowing you to pay in installments over time.

Remember, how you decide to finance your college education is going to be one of the most important decisions you make in your life.

While a lot of students opt for student loans or financial aid packages, that isn’t the only way to pay for college. In this article we’ll dive into how tuition payment plans work, how much they cost, and some things you’ll want to be aware of before you enroll in one.

How To Create Multiple Streams Of Income Jan 24, 2026

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If you are thinking about diversifying your income, you may be asking yourself, “How do I diversify my income?” It's actually pretty straight forward, and many of us have already created multiple streams of income, we just don’t realize it.

The goal of creating multiple income streams should be to maximize your potential in each category available to you. If you are just starting out, it really isn’t reasonable to expect you to generate tons of rental income.

However, if you start maximizing your income generating potential through your primary salary, you will find yourself having excess income that you can reinvest to generate additional income streams use different buckets of assets.

Remember, the average millionaire has 7 different income streams. Seven! Here are the most common ones.

Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche: Which Debt Payoff Method Is Best? Jan 22, 2026

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The debt snowball and debt avalanche are two of the most popular methods for paying off debt.

When you first start paying off debt, the most important thing is to have a plan. Without a plan, paying off debt can seem like a daunting task, which will quickly deflate any motivation you have to, you know, actually pay off debt.

Having a plan can help you realize that debt is not forever and that it's possible to be debt free. So often, debt feels like a lifetime sentence, but it doesn’t have to be.

As you explore the different types of debt pay-off plans, the debate between the debt snowball vs. debt avalanche is bound to come into play. Each side of the debate makes strong points for their favorite debt repayment strategy. But, which is the best debt payoff method? Let’s take a closer look at how these two strategies compare.

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