The College Investor Audio Show

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 you hoped for – or you might decide management isn’t for you and you want to pursue a completely different career entirely.If you’re eager to learn the material covered in an MBA program without the burden of paying for one, you can create a DIY MBA curriculum. While this approach isn’t foolproof, it allows you to create a customized curriculum tailored to what you want to study while helping you learn the skills you’ll need to advance in your career.

Threats to your investment portfolio can come from anywhere, including politics, the economy, and even your own mind. Understanding the threats to your investments is the first step to combating them.Birch Gold, a company that helps investors buy and sell gold, polled its investors about their thoughts on the greatest threats to their well-being.We combined some of the Birch Gold responses with other sources to deliver these top 10 threats to your investment portfolio.

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 tax refund payment was more than $2,753, according to the IRS. That's a lot of money that you can put to good use.While you can probably imagine plenty of places to put your prized refund check today, you might not be thrilled with the choice tomorrow.Rather than spend all of your money frivolously, why not use it to boost your bottom line?Invest that money in one of the ideas listed below, and you can guarantee your future self with thank you. You may even have some fun along the way.Here are some of the best ways to put your tax refund to good use this year.

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 online, view your financial aid history, accept loans, and select student loan repayment plans.The sooner you get your FSA ID setup, the easier it will be for you to manage everything related to loans and grants. Let's explore how to set up your FSA ID.

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 think long term about your finances.Here are a few of the best ways you can use a Leap Year to maximize your finances.

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, but it is easy to get confused. Misunderstanding the terminology can present students with a trap that may mislead them into enrolling at an unaffordable college. Learn what these words really mean and what to watch out for.

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 you get your first bill, and you have no idea how you're going to make that payment.Or, maybe you've been on and off deferment and forbearance for years, and every time you're encouraged to start repayment, you simply don't think you can afford it.Sadly, too many people don't take action with their student loans - even if they can't afford it. That's why over 7% of student loans are delinquent according to the Department of Education. But simply ignoring it or going into default isn't the solution. There are better (and more affordable ways) to tackle a student loan debt payment you can't afford. If you're not quite sure where to start or what to do, consider hiring a CFA to help you with your student loans. We recommend The Student Loan Planner to help you put together a solid financial plan for your student loan debt. Check out The Student Loan Planner here.Let's break down the options here.

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 hope for a refund and look forward to getting their direct deposits (who gets a paper check anymore)?But doing your taxes can be hard, or so the mainstream media tells you, along with commercials and more. So, should you pay someone to do your taxes?As with most things, the answer is: it depends.It depends on a few factors, and we break down whether you should pay someone to do your taxes, or whether it makes more sense to do it yourself. And if you are going to pay someone, who should you be paying - does using one of those big companies like H&R Block even make sense. Here's what you need to know.

Over the last few years, I've really thought about what it takes to get rich and grow wealth. I've spoken with countless millionaires and I've responded to over 10,000 reader comments on The College Investor. In each instance, there are common themes that are either helping the person grow wealth, or preventing the person from getting rich.Being rich doesn't always mean having money, but 90% of the time, it does. However, there are habits, behaviors, and "rules" that will essentially allow you to get rich and grow wealth. It's not an overnight process. There aren't any get-rich-quick schemes here.What you're going to read below are my ten rules for getting rich and growing wealth - over time.

Curious about how to start a side hustle? You're not alone!“Side hustle” is defined as a secondary business or job with the potential to produce extra income. Recent data indicates approximately 39% of working adults in the U.S. currently have a side hustle, which is a sharp increase from the number of adults who held a one before 2020.A quick internet search will display endless lists of side hustle options, but there aren’t as many resources for how to get started on a side hustle.So, we will take you through the steps of starting a side hustle for you and helping it go live, plus all the other things to keep in mind as you venture into new territory.Check out the full article here: https://theci.co/start-side-hustle-pod

Life insurance helps support your dependents in the event of your death. How much you need and what that will cost depends on your specific situation. 

If you made student loan payments last year, here's what you need to know about your 1098-E interest statement when you file taxes.

The main difference between an IRA vs. self-directed IRA are the assets you are able to invest in. You have more options with a self-directed IRA, but they are more expensive and subject to more rules.

Schedule K-1 forms are income tax documents associated with "pass-through" businesses. But why are K-1s so complicated? Learn more.

When you’re ready to apply you’ll need to assemble all of your application materials together, including test scores, transcripts, resume, essays, and letters of recommendation.

We break down the free tax software companies that actually allow free tax filing for federal and state returns in 2024.

We've ranked the best tax software for 2024, including best free file, best for investors, best for landlords, best for deductions, and more!

Filing taxes should be simple, and the IRS should provide a robust, free solution for filing taxes. But at this time, IRS Direct File is quite limited and unlikely to be a solution for most taxpayers.

In 2024, many U.S. companies will begin filing BOI reports, under The Corporate Transparency Act. But what is Beneficial Ownership Reporting? Learn more.

After-Tax 401k contributions can help you shelter more of your money from taxes. But what is an after-tax 401(k) and who qualifies? Learn more.

1099-k forms allow businesses to report income from payment apps and online marketplaces. But what if you receive one and you don't own a business? Learn more.

The MCAT is an entrance exam that is required by medical schools. Consisting of four different sections, your scores on the MCAT will be a major factor in your med school application.

You’ll likely need to take either the GMAT or the GRE to apply to graduate school. Here's the structure of the exams and the advantages of each.

For general graduate school admissions, you’ll likely have to take a test called the GRE. Here's what you can expect.

The GMAT is a standardized exam used by many graduate schools as part of the admissions process for graduate management programs such as an MBA or a Masters in Finance.

There are several big changes in 529s and students coming in next year. Here's what new in financial aid for 2024.

Test optional colleges give students the choice of whether or not they want to submit their results from a standardized test like the SAT or ACT. But that doesn't mean you should skip the exams.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit designed to help those with low to moderate incomes. Find out if you qualify!

College remains an expensive proposition, but the odds of winning a scholarship are increasing. Here's what you need to know. Learn more.

Sorority rush consultants guide prospective Greek members through the recruitment process, helping them get into the house of their dreams.

College admissions calculators can provide a baseline expectation for your likelihood of getting into a specific school. While not perfect, they can give insight

MLPs (or master limited partnerships) can be lucrative investments, but they can complicate your taxes and tax return.

Here are the largest U.S. Banks by assets - many of the names you'll recognize but some might be new to you.

The semester system is the most common, but the quarter system allows students to take few classes at a time, but actually take more classes throughout the year due to fewer breaks.

College admissions counselors can be worth it if you understand your needs and goals. While they can’t guarantee you’ll get into your dream school, they will put together a plan that increases your chances of success.

Some colleges offer schoolwide admission; others admit applicants based on chosen majors. Admission rates can vary dramatically from one major to the next.

Some of the best niche sports for college admissions are equestrian, fencing, and rowing. They offer good odds of making a roster and getting scholarships.

The cost to join a sorority or fraternity can be high. There are lots of extra costs beyond just paying dues, luckily, there are ways to help pay for it.

Will decreasing college acceptance rates hurt your chances of getting in to your desired school, and will the trend continue? Here's what you need to know.

Joining a fraternity is a big decision. It can provide a solid network but it’s also expensive. Here’s what you to know when deciding to go greek or stay geed.

Whether you take the SAT or ACT, you’ll need to know how these college entrance exams are structured, the subject matter they include, and what kinds of scores are competitive.

How people physically handle their cash, whether organized or disorganized, directly reflects their money mindset.

You should not accept more than one college admissions offer. Doing so can have long-term impacts on you, the colleges, and other students.

To defer enrollment in college after you've been accepted, you can work with your college’s admissions office to complete its formal deferment process.

If you wish to change your college decision after you've been accepted to college you can, but be sure to follow the correct procedures.

Many grad students leave school with huge amounts of student loan debt, but there is hope, in the form of graduate school student loan forgiveness programs.

A 529 plan is an education savings account with federal tax benefits. The plans can be complicated, so we've broken down how 529 plans work into simple terms.

We break down the best business checking accounts for August 2023. Learn more here.

Wondering how to choose a business bank account? All bank accounts are slightly different, so there are several factors you need to consider. Learn more.

The Private College 529 Plan lets you lock in current tuition rates for the future. But which schools recognize the plan and is it worth the cost? Learn more.