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students

Money Saving Tips

5 Easy Ways For First Year MBA Students To Save Money

tips for MBA studentsWhen you made the decision to enroll into an MBA program, once you saw how much the tuition costs, you already knew that it was going to be a pretty big investment. After all, no matter where you go, you are looking to pay anywhere between $12,000-80,000 a semester.

And while there is a lot of data to support the fact that having your MBA can increase your chances of landing a dream job, can earn you more money and it can also provide you with the skills that you need to be a successful entrepreneur, we’re pretty sure that while you’re in school, you want to do all that you can to keep as much money in your pocket as possible.

That’s why, if you’re a first-year MBA student, we wanted to provide you with five easy ways that you can save money below:

Buy used textbooks. Out of all of the things that you might consider buying new, one thing that should definitely not go on that list is a set of textbooks. Used ones work just as well and sometimes even better because previously owners will sometimes already highlight the information that you need to know. Amazon, Book Byte and Half eBay are all websites that can get you the textbooks that you need at a really great (discounted) price.

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Money Saving Tips

5 Essential Money Saving Tips For Nurses

tips for nursesAs a nurse, saving money is important, but it can be hard to know what some of the more essential money saving tips are. When you are a nurse, not only is going through training expensive, but so is purchasing text books, nursing applications, hospital parking permits and scrubs. When it comes down to it, it seems like the list is endless. However, there are numerous ways to remain frugal, so that you can put yourself through nursing school on a dime and so you can do your best at your job. As a nurse, worrying about the little expenses can get in the way of being the best care taker you can be to your patients. Here are five essential money saving tips for nurses.

Take courses online. Online courses can be vastly more affordable than going to an actual classroom. These days, getting your CNA certification is easier than ever and taking classes online is much more convenient than other means of getting the nursing education you need. Going to class everyday also incurs other costs to, like fuel and parking permit expenses – all of which can add up, so it is important to cut these costs where you can.

Use e-books instead of purchasing textbooks. When you are a nurse, not only do you need textbooks while you train to become a nurse, but you also need a number of other books when you are working at a hospital or healthcare facility. Books include materials on the basics of nursing and educational materials on different diagnoses and various medications. However, downloading these books on your personal computer or smart phone is vastly less expensive.

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Debt

5 Things To Consider Before Taking Out Student Loans

what you should know before you apply for a student loanWhile taking out a college loan can be a valuable resource to afford a higher education, it is incredibly important to consider a few things before you do. About 60% of people who go to college take out student loans to supplement their tuition and other costs, but it can have serious implications, especially if you have trouble paying it back. Out of all the students that do rely on loans, a staggering percentage is having trouble paying them back. This is not the fault of the lender or even the interest rates, but mainly because of the dismal job market. Basically, new college grads are finding it harder and harder to find work.

Here are 5 things to consider before taking out student loans.

Make sure that you read between the lines. Often there might be hidden fees or changes of interest rates, which can severely affect your chances of ever being able to pay back your loans. A financial aid counselor should be able to guide you through all the terms of your aid package so that you aren’t missing anything. If you are, they will certainly point it out or answer any questions that you might have.

There are different types of financial aid that are available, so it is important to know which one works best for you. There are financial aid programs that offer loans that you will need to pay back or you can apply for a state or federal grant, which is essentially free money to be applied to your higher education that you don’t need to pay back. It’s wise to find out what you are eligible for, before you sign up for anything.

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Money Saving Tips

How To Prevent Frivolous Spending In College

money saving tips for college studentsOn one hand, college is the most crucial educational experience you’ll ever have. It’s where you really set the groundwork for your future career, growing as a student and working harder than you ever have before in your life. But it’s also a crazy amount of fun. You’ll meet more people, have more experiences and yes, drink more beer than possibly during any other four year stretch you’ll experience. That’s an awful lot to balance, not only when it comes to time management, but also your financial budget. Simply affording the classes you need to graduate is a pretty tall order these days, and most people can’t even do that without taking on a mountain of student loan debt they’ll be paying off for years to come. If you’re on a tight budget each semester, you’ve got to watch every dollar. Hopefully that insures you can cover the basics and still have enough fun that you don’t feel like you’re missing out on a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Here are a couple of tips to help you prevent frivolous spending in college.

First of all, think long and hard about your approach to eating. Most college students start out with a food plan, so ideally your major meals are covered. Yet it never seems to work out that way. At some point in the semester you’ll get tired of the choices laid out, and will end up going out to eat, calling for food delivery, snacking from vending machines or shoving down some late night grease bomb you barely remember in the morning. All of those meals out will add up in a hurry, and most of the time these meals just blend in with one another. Try to stick to your meal plan as much as possible, and go on periodic supermarket runs so you have snacks around that aren’t nearly as expensive as what you’d pick up in the convenience store.

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Budgeting

How To Make Wise Financial Decisions in College

smart money tips for studentsMany college students are not well-equipped to make sound financial decisions, and there are a couple of reasons why. For one thing, they haven’t had to manage their own finances to this point. Even those that have held a job or had to maintain an asset like a car have had help from their parents. Very few students reach college with the experience of paying for rent and utilities under their belt. But even worse is the fact that they have received little to no education on the subject of personal finance. They might not even have a bank account, much less the knowledge needed to earn, save, budget, and build credit. Unfortunately, this makes them prime targets for credit card companies, who swoop in to offer young adults what seems to be “free” money, but actually comes with unfavorable terms such as high interest rates, annual fees, and more. So if it happens that you’re not particularly savvy when it comes to financial matters, here are just a few guidelines to help you make wise decisions during your time in college.

The first and perhaps most important lesson is that you must live within your means. This can be a tenuous undertaking when you are forced to take on the debt of student loans, you are living off your parents, or both. But you’re now an adult and it’s high time you learned how to handle your money in a responsible manner. And the easiest way to start is by creating a basic budget. You know what your expenses are, and if you don’t you should sit down with your parents to figure it out. Your list should include tuition, fees, and related expenses, as well as dorms, a meal plan, and other living costs. If you have a car, you’ll need to include loan payments and all associated costs such as registration, insurance, fuel, parking, and maintenance. And you’ll no doubt have other items to add.

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