The College Investor Audio Show

Latest Episodes:

Dogs Of The Dow: Is This Strategy A Winner? Mar 13, 2020

Show notes

The Dogs of the Dow is an investment strategy with history. Michael B. O'Higgins suggested that one should purchase last year’s losers in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The methodology is very simple:

Each year investors are to:

Find the dividend yields of all Dow Jones Industrial stocks.
Invest 10% of their capital in 10 of the highest-yielding companies.
Liquidate and select new positions on January 1 of the following year, using the same methodology.

Sounds pretty simple, right? Well, let's break it down, see if the strategy is a winner, and what stocks make up the Dogs of the Dow.

Bask Bank Review: Pros, Cons, And Alternatives Mar 12, 2020

Show notes

Bask Bank is an online-only bank that offers a high-interest savings account and an interest-bearing checking account. They also offer certificates of deposit (CDs) and a savings account that allows you to accumulate American Airlines Miles with every dollar you save.

It's a great way to accumulate travel rewards without needing a travel credit card. It all sounds pretty impressive, but should you switch your savings to Bask Bank? In this review, we'll cover the pros and cons and let you know how Bask Bank compares to other online banks.

What is a Direct Student Loan Mar 11, 2020

Show notes

A Direct Student Loan is another name for a federally issued student loan in the United States. If you borrowed money from the U.S. Department of Education, you likely took out a Direct Loan.

Since 2010, all federal loans have been Direct student loans. Prior to this, most loans would have been FFEL loans. More on this below. It's called a "Direct" loan because, unlike the old FFEL loans, Direct loans are directly loaned by the U.S. government.

Here’s what you need to know about these loans. If you're just shopping for loans, here's where to find the best student loans.

Student Loan Forgiveness for Doctors: A Step-by-Step Guide Mar 09, 2020

Show notes

There are more paths to student loan forgiveness for doctors than almost any other profession.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), half of newly minted doctors graduate with over $200,000 in student loan debt. But at the same time, there are amazing opportunities for student loan forgiveness for doctors and other medical professionals.

With large loan balances and low salaries during residency (and sometimes during a secondary fellowship), figuring out how to get the loans to zero can be a huge challenge. If you’re one of the unlucky few who graduated with over $500,000 in debt, paying back the loans can seem nearly impossible, especially if you opted for a lower-paying specialty such as pediatrics.

But if you’re a doctor, some upfront work can help you to qualify for partial or complete loan forgiveness, so you can do the work you’re trained to do without the burden of debt.

This is a step-by-step guide to student loan forgiveness for doctors.

Tax Tips For New Families Mar 06, 2020

Show notes

Parents have special tax situations and benefits. Tax breaks for parenting expenses can result in a lower tax bill and a higher refund. Here are some key things new parents need to know.

High-paying Side Gigs That Earn $1,000 Or More Per Month Mar 05, 2020

Show notes

Are you looking for a high-paying side gig? You're not alone, but the bar for "high-paying" is higher than most people realize.

Here's the reality: according to LendingTree's 2026 survey, the average side hustler earns $1,242 per month. But averages are misleading. Bankrate's data shows the median side hustle income is just $200 per month — meaning half of all side hustlers earn less than that. A small group of high earners pulls the average way up.

So the real question isn't "can you earn $1,000 per month on the side?" It's "which side gigs actually get you there?"

After interviewing people who've done it, we can say the answer comes down to one number: $25 per hour or more. At $25 per hour, you need about 10 hours per week to hit $1,000 per month. That's achievable alongside a full-time job. At $15 per hour, you'd need 17+ hours per week — and that's a second job, not a side gig.

In this article, we outline 11 side hustles where real people earn at least $1,000 per month, based on our interviews. If you're looking for more ideas, check out our 80 Ways To Make Money At Home.

HSA vs. FSA Explained: Main Benefits And Differences Mar 02, 2020

Show notes

A Health Savings Account (HSA) allows you to contribute funds into the account and use those funds to pay for medical expenses. A flexible spending arrangement (FSA) allows you to contribute funds into the account and use those funds to pay for medical expenses.

Did we just repeat ourselves? On the surface, an HSA and FSA don’t seem any different. But there are differences.

There are differences in contribution amounts, employer contributions, and qualifications based on your health plan and employment status.

Let's break down the similarities and key differences between an HSA and FSA.

Best Tax Software for Estates and Trusts | Form 1041 Feb 28, 2020

Show notes

If you had a loved one who died last year, you may be faced with the need to file taxes for an estate or a trust.

When a person dies, their assets belong to an estate. Any income generated from assets in that estate is income from the estate. If the estate generates more than $600 in income, the estate is responsible for paying income taxes.

This is what you need to know about taxes for estates and trusts. If you're simply looking for the best tax software in general, check out our guide to the best tax software here.

Student Loan Planner Review: Expert Help For Student Loan Debt Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

With all the changes happening to student loans, have you thought about paying for professional help to get the specific and personal answers you need? That's where Student Loan Planner comes into play.

If you have had to pay for medical school, pharmacy school, law school, or graduate school, then you know that student loan debt climbs very quickly for people who pursue these paths.

It’s not uncommon to meet a medical resident or new pharmacy graduate who has at least $250,000 in student loan debt.

With such high amounts of debt — and usually, high interest rates — the answer to paying off debt is not simple.

What’s someone with over six figures in student loan debt to do? Should you pursue student loan forgiveness? Should you refinance your loans? Can you save money on your loans even if you’re a high earner? How about your tax situation? How will that factor into your journey to debt freedom?

What if you could get someone to look closely at your numbers and give you a plan tailored to your specific situation? That’s what Student Loan Planner — a consulting service to help people in the exact situation I’ve described above — does. They help people come up with a plan to get out of debt faster. And as they say on their website, “Ditch Your Student Loan Anxiety For Good.”

Best Places To Sell Your Used Textbooks Online Feb 24, 2020

Show notes

Reselling your textbooks is a great way to recoup some of your costs as a college student. You're not going to use that textbook any longer - so you might as well get some money for it!

Students at public four-year colleges spend about $1,225 a year on textbooks. It's an unavoidable expense, but that doesn't mean students can't get their money back.

If you're smart about how you buy your textbooks (or even rent your textbooks), and you make it a focus to resell your textbooks after class - you might not find yourself as hard up as you'd have thought.

Some savvy students have even found ways to make profits when reselling their textbooks. Try these five ways to make money from your textbooks so you'll have extra cash for other expenses.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The College Investor Audio Show

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected