What This College Freshman Learned About Money May Surprise You

SAVING

What This College Freshman Learned About Money May Surprise You

3 MINUTE READ

College is getting more and more expensive. And students are going further and further into debt (to the tune of $1.2 trillion!). Parents know that. Students know that. Everyone knows that.

But as much as we know about the high cost of college, there’s plenty we don’t think about. That’s why we asked Caitlyn B., a freshman at University of West Florida, to spill about what she learned during her first year away at school.

Last year, Caitlyn won Dave Ramsey’s Financial Literacy Challenge and the $36,000 grand prize scholarship that went along with it. But even with a considerable scholarship to cover room, board and tuition, she still faced plenty of additional expenses.

“It’s the little things that add up to be the most money,” she says. “Tuition is set, and your room and board are set. But the little things add up, like your books, computer, cell phone bill, school supplies, and all the little weekly things [like shampoo and toothpaste].”

Students also hit up their fair share of Panda Express and Starbucks, she says. It’s an easy habit to fall into with hectic school schedules and busy social calendars.

To pay for all her expenses, Caitlyn holds down a full-time job on top of being a full-time student. But she doesn’t mind—it’s worth it in order for her to graduate without debt.

 

Ready to start saving? Learn how to pay for college without loans.

“Honestly, I think it’s a blessing to only have to work one job,” she says. “Some people work two or three jobs to stay afloat and stay in school. Thankfully, I don’t have to worry about squirreling away everything I can because I have such a great scholarship that takes care of a lot.”

It’s also not uncommon for students to take out loans to cover their fun money. They’ll take out a $10,000 loan, for example, and use $4,000 of it to pay for restaurants and movie tickets.

“That’s the worst thing you can possible do,” Caitlyn says. “Students think: Oh, I have $4,000 to spend this semester, everything’s great and dandy. Then midterms hit and they have no more money.”

Caitlyn advises high school students to save as much as possible before they start school—and to make a budget once they arrive. That way, they won’t have to stress about getting through the semester without maxing out three credit cards. And they won’t have extra interest payments from those student loans haunting them for years to come.

Because the less debt students rack up now, the more freedom they’ll have later on. What teen doesn’t want that?

Dave Ramsey’s $55,000 Financial Literacy Challenge, sponsored by Zander Insurance Group, runs April 7-25. High school seniors can enter for a chance to win one of three college scholarships, including one worth $40,000, and underclassmen can enter for a chance to win one of three Chromebook 2 laptops. Make sure your high school student enters today at daveramsey.com/challenge.

If a leader doesn’t convey passion and intensity then there will be no passion and intensity within the organization and they’ll start to fall down and get depressed. Get Your Free Position Now http://lock-in-your-position.com/lp3/?sponsor=homeprofitcoach

A Simple Guide to College Financial Aid

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A Simple Guide to College Financial Aid

5 MINUTE READ

For parents of high school seniors, late winter to spring is intense. While the rest of us are enjoying more sunshine and new blooms, you’re frantically shuffling priorities for the months to come. There’s prom, graduation, last-minute college decisions and the dreaded paperwork for college financial aid.

Your son or daughter is about to make the magical transformation from teen to young adult. As the one charged with sending them off into the world, it’s no wonder you’re stressed!

We’d love to help. No, we can’t slow time. What we can do is simplify one part of the process.

Terms of College Financial Aid

Below, we’ve broken down what you need to know about college financial aid by defining key terms and listing deadlines, starting with the FAFSA. It’s a pretty detailed list, so let’s get started!

FAFSA

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a form that must be completed before a student receives any funding for college. Keep in mind that if your FAFSA paperwork is not processed by the time the fall semester begins, you may be required to pay tuition costs out of your own pocket, and then be reimbursed when your funding arrives. States and colleges have their own deadlines, many of which have recently passed or are just around the corner. If you’d like to receive state or college-specific aid in addition to federal funding, you must apply early! To learn more about how to apply the right way, check out our simple FAFSA Guide.

 

Ready to start saving? Learn how to pay for college without loans.

EFC

Once the FAFSA is complete, you should see something called an EFC (Expected Family Contribution). Breathe easy. That number isn’t the amount of funding your teen will receive or the amount you’re required to pay. The score simply helps colleges determine how much aid a student is eligible to receive.

As a general rule, the lower the EFC score, the more funding your teen can get. Of course, nothing is set in stone at this point—you’ll find out the details once an award letter arrives.

Federal Grants

Grants are free money, meaning they don’t have to be paid back. Pretty awesome, right? The most common federal grants include the Pell Grant and the SEOG Grant.

The Pell Grant is awarded based on financial need, cost of attendance and whether or not a student plans to attend school full time. Students who qualify for a Pell Grant will receive it no matter where they go to school or when they complete their paperwork. The SEOG Grant is awarded on a first-come basis to students who are already getting the Pell Grant and are in extreme financial need. Unlike the Pell Grant, these funds do run out. That’s why it’s important to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.

Work Study

Work study opportunities are awarded based on need and provide federal funding in exchange for work. Most offices on campus have openings, so it should be easy for students to find a job in an area that interests them. Students receive a paycheck to help with tuition and occasionally have time to study at work.

Federal Loans

Loans are not free money. Taking out a student loan means going into debt, with repayment typically beginning just six months after a student graduates or stops attending college. That’s right—some students pay for a degree without the benefit of actually having one.

There are two main types of loans a student will be offered: subsidized and unsubsidized. On subsidized loans, the government pays the interest while a student is in school. On unsubsidized loans, the interest accrues and is included in the cost when repayment begins.

Why do you need to know this if you’re going to decline the loans anyway? Well, it’s easy to be convinced that keeping subsidized loans is a good idea since they don’t incur interest. Unfortunately, interest is only part of the problem when it comes to debt. Smart parents realize that all debt is bad debt, even when it comes with a “No interest for four years!” sticker.

Award Letter

After you are accepted to a college, you’ll receive an award letter detailing what kind of financial aid you can receive. Remember, this includes grants, work study and student loans. The letter should explain how to accept and decline funds from your school. Follow the steps and don’t be pressured into taking on debt.

If you’ve already accepted loans, don’t panic! You’ve got 120 days from the start of the fall semester to cancel your federal loan without being charged interest or fees. Of course it’s best to cancel the loan now, before you’ve actually got a check in hand.

Simplify the College Financial Aid Process

As the parent of a high school student, you need a clear understanding of the terms above. After all, that’s the trickiest thing about the college financial aid process. The words used, the paperwork required and the way student loan debt is sold as “good,” all make for an overwhelming experience.

We hope it’s a little clearer now—and a little less stressful. This process takes time, but the payoff is so worth it. Your child will graduate without the weight of student loan debt. And that’s something that the majority of today’s graduates can’t say.

Want to learn more about how to go to school without loans? Debt-Free Degree is the book all college-bound students—and their parents—need to prepare for this next step. Grab a copy today or start reading for free to get plenty of tips on going to college debt-free!

If a leader doesn’t convey passion and intensity then there will be no passion and intensity within the organization and they’ll start to fall down and get depressed. Get Your Free Position Now http://lock-in-your-position.com/lp3/?sponsor=homeprofitcoach

SAVING Learn How to Get a Debt-Free Degree

SAVING

Learn How to Get a Debt-Free Degree

Learn How to Get a Debt-Free Degree

4 MINUTE READ

You know how it feels. After four-plus years of hard, bang-your-head-on-the-library-desk work, you finally walk across that collegiate stage and receive your diploma. The world is your oyster, and sweet freedom is finally yours! But is it really?

If you’re like the other 44 million student loan borrowers in America, you’re probably kicking yourself for taking out so many loans to go to that (overpriced) private university for a degree you may or may not even use.1 And on top of that, it’s going to take you years and years to pay it off.

Listen—it doesn’t have to be this way. We’re here to tell you just how possible it is to get a debt-free degree. You might be thinking that ship has sailed. But if you’re a family member, parent or friend of a school-aged kid (or a kid wanting to go to college), you might want to listen up.

What to Expect in Debt-Free Degree

That’s exactly why Ramsey Personality Anthony ONeal wrote Debt-Free Degree.  At age 19, Anthony was deep in debt and short on hope with no direction of where his life was headed. But after hitting rock bottom, he turned his life around and committed to helping students find and pursue their passions.

 

Ready to start saving? Learn how to pay for college without loans.

He’s the national best-selling author of The Graduate Survival Guide: 5 Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make in College, and he travels the country spreading his encouraging message to help teens and young adults transition into the real world. So . . . yeah, you could definitely say he’s passionate about helping students get a debt-free degree (and stay out of debt).

In his new book, Anthony explains how a college education is supposed to prepare graduates for their future, not rob them of their paychecks and freedom for decades. He wrote Debt-Free Degree to show parents (or future parents, family members and even students) just like you how to pay cash for college and get set up for a life of success.

He covers everything:

  • How to prepare your child for college
  • Which classes to take in high school
  • How and when to take the ACT and SAT
  • The right way to do college visits
  • How to choose a major

Why Does a Debt-Free Degree Matter?

Student loan debt has long been accepted as the norm for most students and parents today. But should it be? In Debt-Free Degree, Anthony ONeal shares a bold truth: “Student loans keep you or your kid paying for their past when you should both be enjoying your present and future.”

If we’re honest, we all know so many college graduates who are now pinching pennies to survive only to come up short every single month after every. Single. Paycheck.

So why do so many college graduates feel so . . . stuck? After years of dreaming about attending that “dream” college and even what life would look like in the “real world,” we’re willing to bet that living paycheck to paycheck and sending off an average of $393 to Sallie Mae for the foreseeable future wasn’t in the plan.2

In fact, the dream you and your parents had in mind for your life (when signing on the dotted line for those student loans) isn’t even close to reality.

“The only dream school out there is the one you can graduate from debt-free!”

—Anthony ONeal

A whopping 70% of college graduates leave that “dream” school with a degree and a mountain of debt.3 This means there are over 40 million Americans pinned to their student debt. In fact, it comes to a whopping total of $1.5 trillion dollars.4

Yikes.

It’s Possible to Get a Debt-Free Degree

Here’s the bottom line: It’s possible to get a debt-free degree.

All it takes is a little planning and some hard work. And if you’re a parent, you already know that you want to set your kids up to succeed—especially when they fly the nest.

If a leader doesn’t convey passion and intensity then there will be no passion and intensity within the organization and they’ll start to fall down and get depressed. Get Your Free Position Now http://lock-in-your-position.com/lp3/?sponsor=homeprofitcoach

SAVING How to Find Scholarships

SAVING

How to Find Scholarships

Laptop showing Anthony ONeal's Debt-Free Degree Scholarship Search website page.

7 MINUTE READ

Y’all, college is freaking expensive. If you’re in high school, you might be seriously stressed out right now trying to figure out how you’re going to afford to go to school in a few months or years—or maybe you haven’t been thinking about it at all (I get it. I didn’t think about it much when I was in high school either. But I probably should’ve).

Or maybe you think that student loans are the only way you’ll be able pay for college. But guess what? That’s not true!

Don’t stress, you guys. There are plenty of ways to get free money to help you cash flow your education (Yep—I said free! That means you don’t have to pay it back.). I’ve got three words for you: Look. For. Scholarships.

Here’s something I wish someone would’ve told me back in the day: Don’t assume that finding and filling out scholarship applications takes too much time to be worth it. Some scholarships only offer a few hundred dollars, and that might sound lame compared to the thousands you’ll need. But think of it like earning a paycheck. When you consider it’ll probably take an hour or less to apply, you’re talking about earning hundreds of dollars an hour! That’s pretty legit.

 

Ready to start saving? Learn how to pay for college without loans.

But with so many different scholarships out there, it’s hard to even know where to look. Here are some scholarship tips to get you started:

1. Fill Out the FAFSA.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that schools use to figure out if you qualify for financial aid, and how much financial aid to offer you. That money could come in the form of scholarships, grants or student loans.

Scholarships and grants are dope because you don’t have to repay them—ever. With student loans, on the other hand, you have to spend years of your life after graduation making monthly payments. Plus, interest rates on loans mean you end up paying way more than you originally borrowed. Not cool. So, just remember: Use the FAFSA to get scholarships and grants only.

How to Fill Out the FAFSA:

  1. Don’t panic.
  2. Use this guide that will simplify it for you.
  3. Go to the fafsa.gov home page and follow the prompts.
  4. Sign and submit the form. Your part is done! Once you hit that submit button, the form will be sent to the financial aid offices at your schools of choice. They’ll crunch some numbers, and if you qualify for aid, they’ll send you an award letter telling you what kind and how much.

To qualify to receive financial aid, you need to have a high school diploma or GED certificate and be accepted or enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program—so if you haven’t applied to any colleges as of right now, you don’t need to worry about the FAFSA just yet. But if you have applied and been accepted, you can (and should) start filling it out.

A lot of people wonder if you have to fill out the FAFSA to go to college. It’s not required, but if filling it out means you could potentially get thousands of dollars in scholarships and grants to help you cover the cost of college, then why the heck not? There’s no income cutoff to be eligible for aid, and if you keep filling it out every year that you’re in college, you could get even more money. That’s what I like to see.

2. Talk With Your Guidance Counselor.

If you have access to guidance counselors or college advisors at your school, take full advantage of that and ask if they can help you find scholarships. There are all kinds of Educational Opportunity Programs out there—like the Federal TRIO Programs that help students from disadvantaged backgrounds, first-generation college students, and others. Your school should be able to give you more info on that and other programs like it, or you can research them on the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Since the guidance counselors are at your high school and familiar with the nearby area, they’ll probably also know about scholarships offered by local community organizations or local businesses who want to help college students. They may be able to help you start the application process by getting you in touch with those people. Sometimes, all it takes is a short essay to apply (If you’re lucky, your English teacher might even be down to proofread it for you.).

3. Contact College Financial Aid Offices.

When it comes to finding scholarships that come directly from colleges, your best bet is to reach out to the financial aid offices at each individual school you apply to, or to look up scholarship info on the college websites. Most colleges offer both need-based and merit-based scholarships and will spell out all the details you need to know.

And check this out: Did you know that some scholarships awarded by colleges have nothing to do with academics? That’s right! Not all scholarships are for straight-A students or geniuses who score a perfect 36 on the ACT (Real talk: How do y’all do it?). Plenty of money is available to students who have incredible leadership skills or an impressive list of extracurriculars, so be sure to look into those other scholarship options.

4. Ask Your Parents’ Employers If They Offer Scholarships.

Here’s one option that not many students think about: getting funds from your mom or dad’s workplace! There are actually a lot of companies that provide scholarships to their employees’ kids, but those opportunities aren’t always well promoted. Ask your parents to connect with their HR department—it could be as simple as having them talk to an HR staff member or filling out a short application!

5. Research Organizations in Your Field of Interest.

Know you want to major in engineering? Spend some time researching the college scholarships offered by NASA, the American Society of Naval Engineers, or whatever organization is most related to the specific type of engineering you’re interested in. Going to school for culinary arts? The National Restaurant Association, American Culinary Federation, and plenty of other organizations like those want to pay for talented students in that field to hone their skills!

All it takes is some research to find the scholarships that apply to your specific career goals. I promise you, the money is out there.

6. Use an Online Scholarship Search Tool.

Honestly, sometimes you just need help filtering through all the options out there. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a website or something that would do all the work of searching for you? Oh, wait. Hold up—there is. This Debt-Free Degree Scholarship Search will help you filter through thousands of scholarships and find the scholarships that fit your situation!

Now let’s be real: You still have to put in some serious time and effort applying for these scholarships. Some might ask you to write essays, answer tough questions, or even interview—but some could require little to no effort. If you treat the scholarship search process like a part-time job by spending at least an hour a day filling out applications, it will pay off.

Listen up, guys. Applying for scholarships is just one of the ways you can cash flow your college education—there are plenty of other things you can do to help you graduate with zero dollars of debt! Yeah, that’s right. Zero. Zip. Nada.

Want to learn more about how to go to school without loans? My new book, Debt-Free Degreeis the book all college-bound students—and their parents—need to prepare for this next step. Grab a copy today or start reading for free to get plenty of tips on going to college debt-free!

If a leader doesn’t convey passion and intensity then there will be no passion and intensity within the organization and they’ll start to fall down and get depressed. Get Your Free Position Now http://lock-in-your-position.com/lp3/?sponsor=homeprofitcoach

SAVING Planning for College While You’re Still in High School

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Planning for College While You’re Still in High School

Planning for College While You’re Still in High School

8 MINUTE READ

All right, if you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know that I’m passionate about a couple of things. Number one, I’m passionate about helping young people start off on the right foot with money—and in life. I’m also passionate about tackling anything that leads young people to make terrible choices with their money. I always say that the caliber of your future will be determined by the choices you make today.

Listen, guys, that is so true—especially when it comes to college. For some of you, college may be just around the corner, while for others it may still be a long way off. Either way, it’s never too early to start planning!

But planning for college while  you’re in high school is just one of those things that not enough people talk about. I know for a fact that nobody ever talked to me about it, and I ended up making a lot of mistakes as a result. There are so many things I wish I would’ve known before I ever hit the college campus.

The Huge Financial Crisis That’s Threatening Students

Here’s one thing I wish someone had told me about: not taking out student loans for college. But no one told me not to take out student loans, so I did—I took out a bunch! The sad thing is that I didn’t even need student loans because my college was paid for with a scholarship and my dad’s military benefits. But someone told me I could get some money by filling out the student loan form. (That was a stupid idea.)

 

Ready to start saving? Learn how to pay for college without loans.

Let me be real with you. I didn’t even understand what a student loan was at that point. And I certainly didn’t know about the dangers of debt. I’m telling you: taking out student loans was one of the worst money choices I made as a young man. And it took me years—YEARS—to pay back those student loans. That bill showed up in the mail every. single. month. And I hated it.

It wasn’t just a problem for me—student loans are a huge problem in our country. Today, the student loan crisis is the number one thing holding students back from achieving their dreams after college. It’s true. According to the Federal Reserve, the national student loan debt is $1.5 trillion dollars.1  Y’all, that’s trillion. Not million or billion. Trillion. Dude, that’s a lot of money.

Having to pay back student loans is causing millennials to delay some things in their lives. For example, did you know that 55% of millennials who are paying on student loans say they are postponing having children? Or that 41% are delaying getting married? Or that 86% have made career sacrifices because of their student loan payments?2 Y’all, that’s ridiculous.

In my opinion, the biggest college money danger is the lie that student loans are the only way to pay for college. Bump that! That’s just not true.

It takes some hard work and sacrifice, but it is possible to get a degree without borrowing a dime. There are some specific things you can do (and should be doing) throughout middle school and high school that will kick-start your debt-free college journey! Here are a few of them.

How to Lay an Academic Foundation in High School

1. Get great grades.

One of the most important things you can do to prepare for college is get killer grades. Listen, I get it. Grades may not be your thing. The reality is, though, that when it comes to planning for college, grades are super important.

When it comes to looking for scholarships, some of them require a certain GPA (grade point average) for you to be able to apply. So your grades can actually end up making you some money for college. Does that change how you view those assignments and tests now?

2. Learn how to study.

In addition to your grades, just learning how to study better will be a huge help in getting ready for college. And honestly, it’s going to help you in high school too. That means setting aside the right amount of time to get your homework done. It means spending time studying for a test—and giving yourself time to get some rest too.

There are lots of ways to study: Some people want to study alone, while others prefer to study with friends. Some people want it completely quiet, while others need some music or some noise in the background. Some people want coffee, while others need flaming hot cheese puffs. Find what works best for you.

3. Prep for the tests.

Don’t forget about the ACT and SAT tests, you guys! Use prep books, take practice tests, and get a tutor if you have to. And don’t be afraid to take the test multiple times. Your score really can make a big difference when it comes to earning scholarship money and figuring out which college courses are right for you.

How to Lay a Financial Foundation in High School

I get frustrated all the time when I hear, “Anthony, the only way to go to college is with student loans.” No, it’s not. That’s just what culture wants you to believe.

Don’t get me wrong, I know college can be expensive. But I also know there are ways to save on some costs, get free money with financial aid, and pay cash for your education. It’s not going to be easy, but it can be done. Really.

Besides student loans, which I want you to avoid, college financial aid also includes scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. Let’s break those down:

1. Scholarships

Scholarships are free money to pay for college expenses. You don’t have to pay back scholarships—that’s dope! Most scholarships are merit-based, meaning you have to do something to earn them—like get good grades or be an athlete. And you do have to meet certain criteria, fill out an application, and write an essay (usually). But it’s really worth your time.

For example, let’s say you spend an hour completing four scholarship applications. Later, you find out that you got one of the $500 scholarships. That was $500 for an hour’s worth of work. You’re not going to get that much money flipping burgers.That’s why I tell high school students to spend some time every day—at least an hour—searching for college scholarships. Make that your part-time job. Make it a priority. I’ve personally known several students who were awarded scholarships that not only paid their tuition, but also paid them money each semester just to go to school. That’s right! They got paid to go to school. How awesome is that?

2. Grants

Grants are also free money to pay for college expenses. Grants are generally need-based and typically awarded based on your family’s financial situation. Grants may be more difficult to find. They have stricter rules and criteria, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t search for them.You may find a variety of federal and state grants. For example, a Pell Grant is one of the most common federal grants. Some states even have grants specifically for students going to an in-state school. Make sure to check all available grants to see if you qualify.

3. Work Study

Work-study opportunities through a college involve . . . work. Yep, that’s why it’s called work study—you work and study. Don’t be afraid of a little work while you’re in college. Some of the jobs may even let you study when you have downtime working at a desk. You won’t get rich with work study, but you’ll earn a little cash that can help cover some of your expenses.One great way to work on campus is to become a Resident Assistant (RA). RAs monitor the dorms and help out with student activities.   The trade-off is that you may get free room and meals, as well as a small amount of money. That can help you save a ton!

You Can Go to College Debt-Free

Do you know what my answer is whenever anyone asks me, “Anthony, is it really possible to graduate from college completely debt-free?” Absolutely! Do you know what it takes to get that debt-free degree? A plan. And a decision.

I wish I could go back and do some things differently, but I can’t. What I can do is help you avoid the same mistakes I made. My new book, Debt-Free Degree, will guide you through all the things you should do throughout high school to get on track for college—and graduate with no debt. You can to do it all without the burden of student loans. You’ve got this!

If a leader doesn’t convey passion and intensity then there will be no passion and intensity within the organization and they’ll start to fall down and get depressed. Get Your Free Position Now http://lock-in-your-position.com/lp3/?sponsor=homeprofitcoach

How to Save Money in College

SAVING

How to Save Money in College

A young woman reads a book on the floor while eating from a pot.

11 MINUTE READ

Listen, you guys. I want you to be able to save as much money as possible in college so you can cash flow your education and still graduate with something in the bank! (Y’all know that song “Young Dumb & Broke”? It’s a great jam but not a great way to live while you’re in school. Well, the “young” part is OK. But not the “dumb and broke” part. You feel me?)

The more money you save during college, the more prepared you’ll feel and the less you’ll freak out about getting into the real world once you finally get your diploma. Plus, you won’t have any of those lame student loan payments to worry about.

And guess what? You don’t even have to eat ramen every single night in order to save money and ditch the debt. There are plenty of ways to stack that cash. Let’s talk about how you can cut costs on some of your biggest college expenses!

How to Save Money on Housing

Gotta take care of those four walls first, right? You need somewhere to live––no argument there. But when you’re a college student, housing can mean anything from a small apartment that you share with roommates to a luxury dorm with a hot tub and a view of the city skyline. Let’s keep this budget-friendly, people.

 

Ready to start saving? Learn how to pay for college without loans.

Live at home if you can.

OK, y’all. I get it. You’re probably ready to get out of the house and bask in your new freedom, and living at home might be the last thing you want to do. And obviously, this won’t be an option for everyone. But just think about not having to pay thousands of dollars per year on rent, utility bills or food (homemade food is way better anyway––can I get an amen?). All that extra money in your bank account will be totally worth it.

Compare the costs of living on vs. off campus.

Renting an apartment isn’t always going to be cheaper than living on campus, and campus housing isn’t always going to be cheaper than renting. You just have to look at all the options available at your school of choice and in the nearby college town to see what’s most affordable. Don’t forget to factor in utilities and transportation costs!

Find a roommate.

If you do rent an apartment, having a roommate (or two or three) will cut your expenses way down. Make sure your landlord has approved each individual roommate and that they all sign the lease so you won’t be left hanging financially if one of them has to move out.

Ask yourself how much space you really need.

You might want a huge kitchen or your own bathroom, but really be honest with yourself about whether you need extra room while you’re trying to save money. You might be able get by in a smaller space for right now, and then once you have a fully funded emergency fund and are financially stable, upgrade to something bigger!

Get creative with your bills.

Unplug your electronics when you’re not using them (it actually saves energy), use cold water when you can, turn off the air conditioning or heat when the weather’s good, check for dripping faucets or lights left on before you leave the house, and hand-wash some dishes (it won’t kill you).

How to Save Money on Food

Food––another one of those things you kind of can’t live without. But you can live without daily avocado toast. You just have to be wise about your food choices!

Split food costs with roommates.

You guys can save a ton if you go in on groceries––especially if you buy in bulk. You could even grocery shop and cook together to get some solid roommate bonding time (hopefully, you like your roommates).

Be strategic about eating out.

It’s OK to go out with your friends every once in a while, but when you’re constantly getting waffles at 2 a.m. on impulse, it really starts to add up. And your body starts to hate you. Budget the amount of money you can spend on eating out every month (that includes bougie lattes), and once you spend that money, you just need to have some self-control until next month.

Be smart about your meal plan.

Meal plan costs can vary depending on your school––cheaper ones can be about $1,000 per semester, but some can be three times that (or more)! Some colleges might make you get a meal plan for your freshman year, so if you have to have one, make sure you actually use it. But if you don’t have to have one, meal prepping and making food from scratch are your new best friends. (Grocery shopping pro tip: If you buy generic brands, you’ll get pretty much the exact same thing as name brand for way less.)

Use coupons.

You guys, there is no shame in using coupons––and yes, they can actually help you save money, even if it’s just a few cents at a time. You’re in college. You need every quarter you can get. How else are you supposed to buy vending machine snacks in between classes?

How to Save Money on Tuition and Supplies

This is one of the biggest and most intimidating categories for college students. But don’t stress, y’all––I got you.

Buy used books.

It’s crazy how you can save just by getting your textbooks from Amazon or a used bookstore instead of the campus bookstore. You probably won’t find all your required reading at those cheaper places, but even if you do have to use the campus bookstore, they’ll usually give you the option to rent instead of buy. Definitely go with renting. Trust me, you won’t need to go back and read your physics textbook once the semester is over.

Take classes at community college first.

You can save a lot on tuition by getting all of your General Education requirements out of the way at a community college before heading to your school of choice, because the price difference is insane. I mean, seriously––a year of tuition at a private is school is, on average, more than nine times the cost of a year of tuition at a community college!1

Go to an in-state school.

The average tuition at a public, in-state school is $10,230 per year, and the average tuition at a public, out-of-state school is $26,290 per year.2 That’s a yearly difference of more than $16,000! If it’s an out-of-state, private college, the tuition skyrockets even more.

Apply for scholarships.

It’s kind of a no-brainer: If you find scholarships, you won’t have to worry about tuition costs (and some scholarships even cover your books, food and housing!). To make your life easier, try using an online scholarship search tool like the Debt-Free Degree Scholarship Search.

How to Save Money on Transportation

Not everyone remembers to factor this into their college budget, especially if they know they’re going to be living on campus and walking a lot. But the truth is, you’ll need to get to places off campus at some point, so it’s smart to think about this stuff ahead of time.

Ride a bike.

Nobody likes spending money on gas. With bikes, you don’t have to. Enough said.

Carpool.

Did I mention that nobody likes spending money on gas? I’m not saying you should make friends in college just so you can split the cost of fuel, but it’s one of the perks of friendship (for real).

Use public transportation.

This could be anything from the bus system to subways to rideshare services. According to the American Public Transportation Association, a household can save almost $10,000 by using public transportation and having one less car.3 Depending on how often you use public transportation, you might want to buy passes instead of individual tickets––it costs more up front, but it will help you save in the long run.

How to Save Money on Entertainment

A good way to save on entertainment is to never do anything fun. Ever. But let’s face it: You’ll need to kick back between classes and tests, so you could at least do it without breaking the bank.

Cancel the cable.

Let’s be real—cable TV is pretty much a waste of time and money. There are plenty of cheaper options that let you pick what you want to watch on demand so you’re not flipping through the channels for hours and paying for junk you don’t watch. Hulu, Netflix, Google TV, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Sling TV are all good, but a word to the wise: You really just need one streaming service at a time. If you’re feeling super brave, you could try not watching TV at all.

If you have a gym membership, cancel it.

I’m all for getting ripped, but if you really need to save, that should be top priority. Plus, your school will probably have a student gym that’s included in the price of tuition. And there are plenty of ways to get exercise without going to the gym—like running, intramural sports, throwing a frisbee around, or walking back and forth in front of your crush’s dorm hoping they’ll notice you.

Go to the library.

Yeah, remember those? If you’re bored because you canceled your cable and gym membership and you can’t buy anything, there’s always the option of reading all the books and watching all the movies in the library—for free.

Break up with your significant other.

Just kidding. But the amount of money you spend on a date can get out of hand pretty fast, especially if you’re trying really hard to impress them. Some fun, budget-friendly date ideas are volunteering together, exploring a nearby city, going on a hike, finding a free concert, or looking at the stars and other romantic stuff like that (but let’s keep it PG, OK?).

Build strong friendships.

I’m serious: Building good relationships in college has way more to do with the amount of time you invest than the amount of money you spend. Even if it’s just getting a group together for a game night, going thrift shopping, or having a regular ol’ heart-to-heart conversation, the time you spend with your friends is something you’ll remember way past graduation.

Bonus Money-Saving Tips

Because I love you guys, and because I really want you to graduate with some serious stacks in your bank account, I’m gonna give you a couple extra tips—and you don’t even have to pay me.

Sell your stuff.

If you need cash, Craigslist is your new best friend. Or eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or posting pics of your stuff on Instagram—whatever gets the stuff you don’t need out of your house and the money into your pocket.

Have a part-time job or side hustle.

Don’t underestimate the effect that a few babysitting or dog-walking jobs per week can have on your savings. For a steadier income, a part-time job (no more than 15–20 hours per week) is a great idea too.

Find all the student discounts and coupons you can.

We’re talking Groupon. We’re talking Yelp. We’re talking all the restaurants, museums and movie theaters in your area that give discounts to college students. Wherever you go, don’t be afraid to flash that student ID and ask if there are any deals available!

Stay the heck away from debt!

If you really want to save money and build a solid foundation for your future, don’t have debt of any kind. No student loans, no credit cards, no nothing. It will only weigh you down and keep you from hitting your financial goals!

There you go, you guys––those are just a few of my tips for saving money in college. But if you need even more advice on how to go to school without student loans, check out my new book, Debt-Free Degree. It will give you a practical step-by-step action plan for cash flowing your entire college education (and saving thousands of dollars in the process). Trust me, it is possible!

If a leader doesn’t convey passion and intensity then there will be no passion and intensity within the organization and they’ll start to fall down and get depressed. Get Your Free Position Now http://lock-in-your-position.com/lp3/?sponsor=homeprofitcoach

Mind Your Manners: 7 Money Mistakes to Avoid at Restaurants

SAVING

Mind Your Manners: 7 Money Mistakes to Avoid at Restaurants

4 MINUTE READ

If most of us are honest, we’ll fully admit that we love going to restaurants.

Eating out is one of the biggest issues for people when it comes to tightening up their budget. That’s why some budget-conscious people will do anything to keep from giving up their eating-out habit—and that includes breaking some basic rules of money etiquette in restaurants.

So if you’ve adopted one of these habits as common practice in the name of saving money, then it’s time to come to the realization that you simply can’t afford to eat out right now.

1. Undertipping

If you tip less than 15% for standard, good service, then you’re a bad tipper.

Most restaurant servers don’t make the federal minimum wage of $7.25. The minimum wage for workers who make more than $30 a week in tips is only $2.13 an hour.

Waiters and waitresses live off tips. If you receive good service, then tip well. If you can’t afford to tip well, then you can’t afford to eat out. It’s as simple as that.

Related: How to Tip in All Situations

2. Splitting the bill (unfairly)

There’s always one in every group. You order a salad and a glass of water. Your friend orders a burger, fries and a milkshake. When the check comes around, he pipes up and says, “Let’s split the check!”

 

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Come again?

Your order cost $6, while his order cost $18. Split the check? No way! Tell him (nicely but firmly) that he needs to check himself before he wrecks his budget—and yours. Trying to split the bill without agreeing on it before the order is just bad form. Don’t do it.

3. Freeloading

Don’t be the guy who always seems to “forget” his wallet when he goes out with friends. Or the girl who “isn’t hungry” but somehow manages to grab a portion off everyone else’s plate.

You might be saving a few bucks here and there, but you’re doing yourself no favors in the end. Living on a budget is much more fun when you still have friends who enjoy being around you.

4. Complaining about your food (after you’ve eaten it)

Your steak is overcooked? Your mashed potatoes are too salty? Then you should bring that up to your server right away.

Don’t eat half your steak, complain about it, and then attempt to get a free meal or a second portion out of the whole deal. That’s just a basic integrity issue, and you should never lie or gloss over the truth in order to save a few bucks.

5. You asked? You pay.

Use common sense here. If you’ve invited a bunch of friends out to dinner, you shouldn’t be expected to foot the bill—unless you’ve set that expectation in the past.

But if you invite that potential special someone on a first date, then it’s just basic common decency to pick up the tab. And if you can’t afford that, then you might need to settle in for a date night of ramen noodles and Netflix.

Related: First Dates and Coupons – A Controversy Like No Other

6. Taking advantage of the all-you-can-eat buffet

In other words, you’ve enjoyed four slices of pepperoni pizza, so you think it’s perfectly fine to grab four more pieces in a to-go box for lunch and dinner tomorrow.

We don’t think that’s what they mean by “all you can eat.” If you disagree, go ahead and grab a moving truck, back it up to the front door, and load up the entire buffet. It is all you can eat after all!

7. Hogging tables

You’re with a big group or a couple of friends, and you finished eating nearly 45 minutes ago. There’s a crowd standing in line waiting for a table.

While you chat, your server is losing money every minute. Be considerate. And if you do choose to talk it up a long time after finishing your meal, then you should tip very, very well—like well over 20%.

As long as you’ve budgeted for those restaurant meals, and as long as they aren’t breaking your bank, then there’s nothing wrong with eating out.

But just make sure your thrifty spending doesn’t include forgetting these basic common courtesies. You can get out of debt and be a nice person too!

Looking for an easy way to budget? Check out our free budgeting software EveryDollar! You can budget from your computer or the iPhone app.

If a leader doesn’t convey passion and intensity then there will be no passion and intensity within the organization and they’ll start to fall down and get depressed. Get Your Free Position Now http://lock-in-your-position.com/lp3/?sponsor=homeprofitcoach

SAVING The Super-Size Challenge

We live in a fast-paced culture where most folks find themselves eating on the run. As a result, eating out tends to take a larger portion of our budget than we anticipate. If the local restaurants are keeping you from building that emergency fund, it’s time to get weird with the Super-Size Challenge!

Take these small steps throughout the week—and throughout the year—and watch your food budget grow!

Split An Entrée.

Most restaurant portions are too large anyway. If you haven’t tried splitting an entrée with someone you’re with, you will be pleasantly surprised when you do. If you’re single or eating alone, try asking for a half portion.

Super-Size No More.

It’s the fast-food restaurants where we so easily super-size our meals and our waistlines. If you have to hit the burger joint or chicken place this week, don’t upsize your meal. Your wallet will thank you.

Water, Please, Mr. Waiter.

Businesses have to look for new ways to increase revenue, but you are paying the price. Some eateries are charging nearly $3 for a soda! Whether you’re single or in a large family, you can reduce your food bill by 20% or more by just ordering tap water with your meal.

 

Ready to start saving? Download our free budgeting tool today!

Coupons Are Key.

Now the challenge gets a little more difficult, because you are starting to make small adjustments to your lifestyle with this task. If you don’t have a coupon for your favorite restaurant, then don’t darken its door. Consider this a baby step toward planning your restaurant spending. Put your coupons in an envelope and carry it with you like cash. You will be glad you did.

Pack A Lunch.

Millions of folks take their lunch to work every day; now it’s your turn. If you’re not currently organized enough to plan out an entire week’s lunch menu, set a goal of taking your lunch at least two days this week. You don’t have to eat at your desk and sulk, thinking brown-baggers have no friends; find a break room or a picnic table to make it feel like a real lunch break.

Eat At Home.

You knew we were going to get to this sooner or later. For many, eating out is a budget-wrecker, but it can be fixed. Eating at home—or at least creating your meals at home to take with you—can pump up your pocketbook. If your friends are determined to keep eating out, try inviting them over and ask them to bring a dish. If you are going to be weird, you’ve got to eat at home the majority of the time.

Make A Meal Plan.

Eating at home can be intimidating because it involves planning your meals. If you don’t plan your grocery-shopping trips, you can end up spending more than you would eating out. Remember, you don’t have to spend two hours cooking a fancy dinner each night. Make a list of your favorite meals and be realistic about prep time. If you’re still lost, try using an inexpensive meal planning service. Dave recommends E-Mealz.

If a leader doesn’t convey passion and intensity then there will be no passion and intensity within the organization and they’ll start to fall down and get depressed. Get Your Free Position Now http://lock-in-your-position.com/lp3/?sponsor=homeprofitcoach

SAVING 10 Starbucks Hacks That Can Save You Money

Money

Two disposable Starbucks cups, one is larger than the other.

6 MINUTE READ

Life without coffee is not an option. But what about those mornings you’re just trying to get out the door looking presentable when you suddenly realize the worst. You forgot to caffeinate! Oh, the temptation of that green sign and all the energy brewed up inside.

But what’s that convenient caffeination costing you? About $3.50 a trip. If you do that all week, you’re looking at $70 a month—which adds up to about $840 a year! Wouldn’t it be nice to save some of that Starbucks-run money?

You can. And it isn’t even that hard. You don’t have to break the bank on your coffee, and you don’t have to break up with your barista. Just use these 10 Starbucks hacks to save some serious cash on your next visit.

 1. Become a Rewards Member.

Question: What’s free, has loads of benefits, and gets you free coffee? Answer: a Starbucks Rewards membership. Sign up online or in the app to get all the perks. We’re talking free refills on brewed coffee, exclusive offers, birthday freebies, and the chance to earn “stars” to redeem on various rewards.

Here’s a venti-sized callout, though. Do not, we repeat, do not get the Starbucks credit card. When you sign up to be a rewards member, you’ll get a hard sales pitch, but just say yes to the membership and no to the credit card.

 

Ready to start saving? Download our free budgeting tool today!

2. Get Creative With Your Drink Choices.

You can drink well for less. Want a cheap latte? Order a double espresso in a venti cup, then add your own milk and sugar over at the bar area. Want something for the hot days? Ask for a regular iced coffee with a pump of classic syrup (which is free) and—again—add cream to your liking. Want a chai tea latte? Order a Tazo Chai tea. Then, you guessed it, add that free milk.

These are easy substitutes for your favorite drinks. Try them out and save big.

3. Pick a Brewed Coffee Over a Latte.

The brewed coffee options at Starbucks are cheaper than the fancy-pants coffees, but you still get the Starbucks goodness and experience. Consider these three brewed facts:

  • A tall coffee has more caffeine than a venti latte (235 mg to 150 mg), and it’s half the price.
  • You get discounted refills on brewed coffee when you drink in the store (free if you’re a rewards member!). So if you’re putting the finishing touches on your screenplay and enjoying the coffee shop atmosphere, keep walking up to the counter for cheap re-caffeination!
  • If you think brewed coffee is boring coffee, think again! Try the Caffè Misto. It’s half brewed coffee and half steamed milk, giving you that latte feel without that latte price.

4. Order a Short Size.

Did you know Starbucks has more than just the three sizes you see on the menu? Yes, it’s true. You aren’t just limited to tall, grande or venti! There’s a secret smaller cup—the short size. (Shh. Keep it secret. Keep it safe. JK—tell all your friends! Help them save money too.)

On the flip side, when you need that extra oomph, save money by ordering a bigger size instead of adding an extra shot. It’s one of those rare “more is less” situations.

5. Bring Your Own Cup.

Want to be good to the planet and your budget? Bring your own reusable cup to save 10 cents on every drink. It may not sound like a lot to start, but if you go often, that 10 cents really adds up. Literally. Plus, throwing fewer cups in the landfill is always a good thing.

6. Never Buy a Bottle of Water.

Sometimes you need some extra hydration. But listen: The tap water at Starbucks is filtered and even used in a lot of custom drinks. Don’t pay $3 for a bottle of water when you can just ask for a cup of tap.

7. Share and Save.

The venti size is 24 ounces. The tall is 12 ounces. And it costs a lot less to get one venti than two talls. So, how about you split one venti with a friend. You both get 12 ounces of awesomeness without paying the cost of two drinks!

We experimented to see about how much you’d save here. At our local Starbucks, a venti Caffé Vanilla Frappuccino with whipped cream is $5.25. One tall of the same drink is $3.95. Add that up, and you’d save $2.65 total ($1.32 each) by using our tip. That’s about a 33% savings!

8. Order Through the App.

There are very few times in life when you can stride straight up to the counter in a place, grab your coffee, and walk right out. Like a boss. Or a celebrity. But that’s what happens when you order through the Starbucks app. And if you wear sunglasses and a hat, people might think you actually are famous.

But even better than being mistaken for a superstar is the budget-friendly aspect of this ordering approach. Load your app with a set amount each month—and use only that to get your Starbucks fill. With that predetermined amount, you can use all the tricks above to stretch your money as far as possible throughout the month.

And the best part of ordering on the app is knowing your total before you finish the order—that way you can tweak it to something cheaper if you realize you went a little too far with the extras. When you’re in the store, it’s easy to overspend because you might not know the final total until they tell you at the register. With the app, you’re in the know the whole time. Hey, you are a boss—a budgeting and coffee boss.

9. Be Your Own Barista.

Here’s an insider secret: You can make your own coffee at home. (Yes, really.) Buy the beans or grounds from your supermarket when they’re on sale and be your own barista. You’d be looking at around $10 a month instead of $70. That’s a savings of at least $720 a year.

10. Set a Budget and Stick to It.

We touched on this above—but no matter how you order your brew, it’s up to you to stay in budget. So go ahead and add a budget line for coffee, but make it something you’ll actually stick to. Balance your adoration of caffeination with all the other budget lines and money goals you’ve got.

Because let’s get real: Coffee may be a need, but Starbucks is a want. If you’ve got enough green in the budget to cover trips to the green siren, then do it! But never go overboard. Think of all the money goals you could hit that much quicker with all the money you’ll save by sticking to your budget.

If you want to budget as quickly as you caffeinate, sign up for EveryDollar! Use the free app to keep up with your spending—so you can keep your spending in line. From your desktop or phone, EveryDollar goes where you do so you can—and will—show your money who’s in charge. Coffee is. Just kidding. You are!

10 Hacks to Save on Starbucks

If a leader doesn’t convey passion and intensity then there will be no passion and intensity within the organization and they’ll start to fall down and get depressed. Get Your Free Position Now http://lock-in-your-position.com/lp3/?sponsor=homeprofitcoach

SAVING 14 Cable Alternatives to Save You Money

Money

14 Cable Alternatives to Save You Money

8 MINUTE READ

Let’s be real: Cable television is ex-pen-sive. If you’re trying to pay down debt or save up some cash, one of the best ways to do that is to cut the cable cord. We know—nothing beats kicking back on the couch and getting lost in your favorite show. But these days, you don’t need cable to do that. There are plenty of cheaper cable alternatives out there. And if you make the switch, chances are you won’t even miss it!

14 Cost-Effective Cable Alternatives

There are cable alternatives

1. Disney+ ($7–13 per month)

A whole new world is coming your way soon thanks to Disney’s streaming service. At this point, Disney basically owns everything, so why not step into the streaming service space? Now you can watch original shows and films along with classic favorites from Disney’s catalog, like FrozenMary Poppins and everything else in between. Oh, and we do mean everything else. Let’s not forget all the Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and National Geographic you can handle (because remember, Disney rules the world and owns all of those things).

But get this: The Disney+ triple package bundle will also offer Hulu and ESPN+. So if watching sports was the only reason you were clinging to your cable cord, your excuse just met its match. Of course, ESPN+ doesn’t carry every single athletic game known to humankind, so just keep that in mind there, sport.

 

Ready to start saving? Download our free budgeting tool today!

2. Hulu ($6 per month)

Hulu is a great option if you want to watch a Hulu original series or currently airing shows right after they broadcast. The only catch? Unless you want to upgrade to the commercial-free version ($12), you’ll have to sit through some repetitive ads. So if you’d rather not wait to keep watching, maybe cough up the extra six bucks. Still, it’s one of the best cable alternatives on the market.

3. Hulu Live ($45–51 per month)

If you love streaming Hulu’s shows but also want access to things like live sports and news, then opting for Hulu Live might be the right fit for you. Sure, watching shows live in real time is nice, but the best thing about Hulu Live might just be the ability to record shows and watch them later.

4. Netflix ($9–16 per month)

Netflix is a great place for binge-watching entire seasons all at once. But unless it’s a Netflix original series, you’ll have to wait until a season finishes airing to get started. But hey, no commercials!

And you just can’t beat how easy it is to access Netflix. You probably have 10 devices in your house right now that came preloaded with the Netflix app. But if you want to use Netflix on more than one device at once, you’ll have to upgrade to the standard ($13) or premium ($16) plan.

5. Amazon Prime Video ($9 per month)

That’s right! Amazon—it’s not just for shopping. It’s a major contender in the online streaming market. A membership to Amazon Prime Video gives you access to a wide selection of popular movies and TV series, plus a bunch of Amazon original series.

And if Prime Video doesn’t include the show or movie you want to watch, you can usually pay to download it outright (you own it) or rent it. But just remember, if it’s a “rental” your access to it will expire.

If you can afford it and you’re a frequent Amazon shopper anyway, an even more cost-effective option is to opt for Amazon Prime for $13 a month. If you pay for it as an annual membership it’s one payment of $119. That comes out to just $9.91 per month (which is about a dollar more than the monthly basic Prime Video rate). Plus, you get access to all the other Amazon Prime perks, like free two-day shipping.

6. Apple TV+ ($5 per month)

Being the dominant tech company of the universe wasn’t good enough for them, so look out world, here comes Apple’s own streaming service! Just like their powerhouse contenders Netflix and Amazon, Apple TV+ will showcase their own original television series and movies. And at just $5 per month, Apple is coming out swinging. To top it all off, if you purchase an Apple device, you’ll get the streaming service for free for an entire year. If you were already saving up for a new gadget, they just sweetened the deal.

7. HBO NOW, Showtime, or Starz (starting at $15 per month)

After HBO launched its own streaming service a few years ago, Showtime and Starz wised up and followed suit. You can subscribe to each as stand-alone services or add them to your Amazon Prime, Hulu, Roku, or Apple TV accounts for an extra fee.

8. Sling TV (starting at $25 per month)

With Sling, there’s no more waiting on a show to air. You can watch it live just like with cable or satellite, except you’re watching over the internet! The basic package includes 30 live channels like AMC, CNN, ESPN, ESPN2, HGTV and the Disney Channel. You can get Sling Blue or Sling Orange (each with a different lineup of networks) for $25, or get both for $40. There are also $5–10 add-on packages for sports fans, movie buffs and your little ones too.

9. HDTV antenna (prices vary)

If you really want to cut back, all it takes is an antenna. Luckily, they’ve come a long way since your grandma’s rabbit ears. Not only do they look better than the finicky metal rods, but the HD quality is better.

10. Philo ($20 per month)

If traditional cable still has your heart, fear not—here comes Philo to the rescue. You can get 58 popular cable channels like Nick, AMC, TLC, and yes, even Hallmark for $20 a month. Philo’s biggest claim to fame? You can stream it on up to three devices and record as many shows as you want. That means no more family feuds over what you watch every Friday night!

11. Cable network channels online (free)

Most major networks post recently aired episodes to their websites for a limited amount of time. CBS even offers online viewers an additional paid subscription option (starting at $6 per month) to unlock more than 10,000 episodes of everything from Frasier to The Brady Bunch.

And if you own a smart TV or other streaming device (like Apple TV or Roku), you can download many network apps straight to your device and watch there—and most of them are free! Why, hello, reruns of Fixer Upper!

12. YouTube (free)

YouTube is known for hosting thousands of viral videos. But it’s also a great place to learn. In the span of a few minutes, you can discover everything from how to fold a fitted sheet to how to make delicious recipes that won’t bust the budget. You can even watch many classic shows and movies there too!

13. YouTube TV ($50 per month)

Not to be confused with the viral video app where everyone watches cute cat videos, YouTube TV actually lets you stream your favorite channels—more than 70 of them, to be exact. You also get access to local cable TV channels in your area, plus 24-hour news networks like CNBC, Fox News and CNN.

YouTube TV also boasts a pretty good lineup of sports programming like ESPN and CBS Sports, plus very specific channels like the Tennis Channel and the Olympic Channel, if that’s your thing.

14. Library (free)

Here’s a shocker: You can find everything from modern TV shows to workout videos at your local public library. The only downside is that you actually have to drive to a physical location—but at least you can keep your rentals for a week or two!

What Are You Waiting For? Just Cut the Cord.

So, why pay for premium channels you never use when, for a fraction of the cost, these cable alternatives can fulfill all your television binge-watching needs?

This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the cable alternatives that exist, but it’s a great mix-and-match way to get started. Something to watch out for though: If you sign up for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and Hulu, things will start to add up. Will it still be cheaper than a cable bill? Sure. But be careful that you actually use the streaming services you sign up for.

If you aren’t sure what’s worth it and what isn’t, just dip your toe in the water. You can usually get a free trial of almost any of these services before you fully commit. If (after all of these fine options) you’re still not quite ready to give up cable, you can always call your provider and try to negotiate a better deal. Knowing your options will usually work to your advantage!

If a leader doesn’t convey passion and intensity then there will be no passion and intensity within the organization and they’ll start to fall down and get depressed. Get Your Free Position Now http://lock-in-your-position.com/lp3/?sponsor=homeprofitcoach