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**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 frugal life, he advocates side hustling and entrepreneurship to earn extra money to achieve your financial goals.

Latest Episodes:

How To Borrow From Your Investment Portfolio Jul 29, 2020

Show notes

Here's how you can use a margin loan to borrow from your investment portfolio as an alternative to a HELOC or other credit.

Comparing The Most Popular Budgeting And Money Apps Jul 29, 2020

Show notes

Organizing your financial life is the first step to growing wealth. Technology can help you move in the right direction - specifically using budgeting apps and money tracking apps. But with the number of apps mushrooming each day, it can be tough to know which to use.

What Is A Grad PLUS Loan? Jul 28, 2020

Show notes

A Grad PLUS Loan is a specific type of federal student loan that can be used to pay for graduate, professional, or medical school. It's important to note that Grad PLUS Loans are ending in 2026.

Going to graduate school, medical school, or a professional school are common goals for people looking to advance in their careers.

But figuring out how to pay for an expensive education can be difficult, especially for people who have only been working for a year or two.

If you don’t have sufficient savings to cover the cost of graduate school, a Grad PLUS loan from the federal government may be a good option to consider. Here’s what you need to know about this student loan designed specifically for graduate students.

Real Estate vs. Stocks: Why You Should Invest In Both Jul 27, 2020

Show notes

Real estate and stocks are two of the biggest asset classes that investors choose to invest in. But most don’t do both - many either stick to the stock market or stick to real estate. Sometimes, speaking to real estate investors, they think stock market investors are silly. And vice versa.

The truth is, there are pros and cons to both real estate and stocks. But when thinking about real estate vs. stocks - it’s not an either/or game. It should probably be an “and” game.

We’re partnering with Roofstock to show why you should consider investing in both real estate and paper assets (like stocks and bonds). And why, especially given the current economic conditions, this could be a smart move for your money.

How Does Leasing A Car Work (And Why You Shouldn't Do It) Jul 24, 2020

Show notes

Leasing a car allows drivers to experience new car luxury and reliability with a potentially lower monthly payment than they'd face with a car loan.

However, that does not mean leasing is less expensive than buying a car. The lower lease payments cover the cost of depreciation on the car and the cost of financing. But the payments do not allow you to build equity in the vehicle.

In this article, we explain how car leases works and why most cost-conscious drivers will want to avoid them. Here's what you need to know.

How To Find The Best Student Loans And Rates Jul 22, 2020

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Home / Student Loans / Best Student Loans And Current Rates In July 2026

Best Student Loans And Current Rates In July 2026

Updated: July 1, 2026 By Robert Farrington | 12 Min Read (Edit)

Many or all of the products featured here may be from our partners who compensate us. This doesn't influence our evaluations or reviews. Our opinions are our own. Investing information is for educational purposes only. Learn more here.

Borrowers hunting for the “lowest student loan rate” often grab their calculator, see a promising number and assume that’s what they’ll get.

But here’s the truth: the rate you see online rarely reflects what you qualify for (except for Federal loans, which are basically guaranteed).

Private student loan rates advertised can vary widely - often because of factors you can control (like credit score, cosigner, loan term, and more). But you only want to look at these private loan options after maxing your Federal loans.

Paying for college is already challenging enough, but how do you find a lender? What should you think about? How do you know you’re getting a good deal? It can all be overwhelming.

To keep it simple, you should always borrow federal loans first, then private.

When I was in college, there weren’t a lot of options. If you got Federal loans, you filled out your FAFSA and waited for your email from the financial aid office. If you were looking for private loans, you went to a major bank.

How To Make Money From Home: 80 Ideas To Start Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

The idea of making money from home is always one of the most talked about topics when it comes to earning more money.

Can you really make money from home?

What's the catch -- is this another MLM?

Do you have to pay to get started?

The fact is, there are definitely legitimate ways to make money from home. But it's not magic - it's still work.

It's just that you can do the work from the comfort of your pajamas if you want to.

The bottom line is that the Internet has made it easier than ever before to make money from home - whether you freelance, work from a company remotely, take part in random money making opportunities. or whatever new idea emerges next month.

There are limitless ways to make money from home - and we're going to focus specifically on that today.

What Is The Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF)? Jul 17, 2020

Show notes

In the early 1930s, a run on banks left some people who had deposited money in local banks without access to their life savings. To prevent such a run from happening again, the Bank Act of 1933 established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) which protects deposits up to $250,000 in checking, savings or money market accounts.

The Depositors Insurance Fund was one of the first precursors to the FDIC. It was established in 1932 to protect depositors in Massachusetts in the event of a bank run. Today, DIF is a type of deposit insurance that protects balances above $250,000.

Understanding how the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF) works can be valuable if you’re facing a liquidity event such as the sale of a home, the sale of a business or a large cash windfall that would push your savings above $250,000. Here’s what you need to know about it.

How To Pay For College: The Best Order Of Operations Jul 13, 2020

Show notes

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but a clear sequence of steps helps families stretch their resources and avoid taking on unnecessary debt.

Although many students rely on student loans, they should be the last resort. Student loans accrue interest, have long repayment periods, and can put families into financial hardship.

Snapshot: How Families Are Covering College Costs Right Now

Recent surveys show undergraduate families spent an average of $30,837 during the 2024-25 year. Parent income and savings covered about $15,754, and scholarships and grants accounted for roughly a quarter of total costs. Students also contributed through work, savings, and federal aid. Then, of course, student loans.

In fact, a study from the OneWisconsin Institute finds that it takes graduates of Wisconsin universities 19.7 years to pay off a bachelor's degree and 23 years to pay off a graduate degree. That's why you need to understand how much student loan debt you can afford to take out!

Top Crypto Based Savings Accounts Jul 08, 2020

Show notes

Cryptocurrency savings and high yield accounts are still extremely popular for their ease of use while still having real crypto exposure.

A crypto savings account could be a way for you to dramatically increase your rate of return.

But these accounts don't offer the same safety that a bank or credit union savings account can offer. Before you decide to invest, it's important to understand how crypto savings accounts work and their pros and cons.

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