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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
January 20, 2009
/ 24 Teves 5769
How to save for college during a recession
By
Gail Marks Jarvis
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | (MCT)
Saving for educational expenses in an economic downturn is a daunting task.
It's scary enough to face a price tag of $80,000 to $200,000 for four years of college under any circumstances, but with the economy growing weaker and people losing jobs, it's terrifying for many families.
But there are strategies, experts said, that can help parents sock away money for education and obtain aid to help defray the costs.
For families still a few years away from the college years, for example, Somnath Basu, a financial planner and finance professor at California Lutheran University, encourages families to plan ahead in case they suffer a financial setback as college looms.
All families thinking about college should be saving more and spending less, Basu said. He suggests that parents tell high school students that education is a priority, and spending cuts must be made immediately to ensure that college is possible.
"This is not a time to run up clothing and cell phone bills," he said. "Families can eat meals together at home. College students can be told to eat the meals at the college cafeteria. There is no need for limos at the high school prom."
Whether for college or private elementary or high schools, experts recommend automatically putting aside a designated amount from each paycheck into savings, if possible.
But some families cannot afford to build up emergency savings and adequate retirement savings, plus stash money for education. So if there are compromises to be made in saving, they should focus on less college saving rather than less emergency or retirement savings.
Young families often set their priorities backward, wanting to make sure they do as much as possible to help children through college. But financial planner Sheryl Garrett of the Garrett Planning Network said that too many families crimp their retirement needs by overspending on college.
Parents should realize that college students can borrow money at low interest rates for college and pay it back during the 10 to 30 years after they complete their education. But parents cannot borrow money for food, medicine and a roof over their heads if they are 75 and without adequate retirement savings.
Given the uncertainties in the current economic climate, Garrett advocates that even college saving be done in a way that won't interfere with a family's options.
She suggests that parents save as much as $5,000 a year each in a Roth individual retirement account. With that type of IRA, parents could tap their original contributions in an emergency without penalty, or use it for college or retirement if no financial problems arise.
Putting money into a 529 college saving plan or Coverdell education account locks the family into spending the money only for education. If they withdraw the money for other purposes, they will be taxed.
Families already saving for college with 529 plans or other college savings do not have to close the accounts. They can route new savings into a Roth IRA, provided their income levels allow them to do so. Meanwhile, they should be reviewing any college investments now to make sure they are not invested too aggressively in stocks at a time when the market is shaky.
A rule of thumb is to invest no money in the stock market that will be needed within five years. So by time the student turns 17, it's considered risky to subject college money to the stock market.
A person wanting to make sure college money would be completely safe could open a Roth IRA at a bank and invest it all in certificates of deposit.
Many parents look at meager savings and worry how they will pay for school. But some middle- and low-income families should be less concerned than they are: Many will be eligible for financial aid.
Aid could include low-interest loans, campus jobs and scholarships that come in many shapes and sizes. Also available are grants - free money that does not have to be repaid. Qualifying is not contingent on grades or SAT or ACT scores. The grants are given to families by colleges based on the parents' and students' income, savings and other assets. At an Ivy League school, a family with an income of $180,000 might qualify, while at a public university incomes over $70,000 might not.
Many private high school or elementary schools also will grant scholarships to families in need or will allow people to defer payments.
Still, at both the college and private-school level, the economic downturn is eroding some opportunities for aid.
The plunging stock market has hurt college endowments and donations, making it more difficult for schools to deliver the aid they would have during better times. Consequently, families with students headed to college this fall need to apply quickly for aid so they are in front of the line.
"There is aid available, and people should go after it," said Kalman Chany, a New York financial aid consultant and author of "Paying for College Without Going Broke."
To apply for aid, families must complete a form known as the FAFSA and submit it to colleges along with their tax return. Private colleges might want another form, the Profile. College financial aid offices will tell you what they require.
Even people who qualify for grants usually must come up with additional money of their own for college. But combined with college savings, low-interest federal and state student loans, as well as work-study jobs on campus, frugal families can often make the situation work.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Gail Marks Jarvis is a personal finance columnist for the Chicago Tribune and author of "Saving for Retirement without Living Like a Pauper or Winning the Lottery." Comment by clicking here.
Previously:
01/12/08: Bonds still risky option to stocks
12/24/08: Some predict mid-2009 for return to investing joy
12/09/08: A small dose of short funds may be useful
11/11/08: Mutual funds can get caught in downward spiral
10/27/08: Investors can bounce back from even the worst of times
10/20/08: Want to sell? Look at 401(k), but don't leap
10/16/08: Want to be like Buffett? There are ways
09/29/08: Money protection only goes so far, so know the risks
08/26/08: Retail stocks may not be best fit for investors
08/20/08: Rear-view mirror investing can be dangerous to a portfolio
07/01/08: What do we do? My daughter didn't get a scholarship
02/25/08: Before abandoning your mutual fund
02/14/08: Dirty little secret of some funds may be haunting
01/29/08: Sorting out the stock market
01/03/08: One word for 2008 crystal-ball gazers: Caution
12/11/07: Buy and hold isn't necessarily tried and true
11/26/07: Translating the falling dollar's implications for investors
11/13/07: Gradual retirement may not be key to happiness
11/05/07: Rate cut won't offer immunity to investors
10/29/07: Employers set to help workers save in 401(k) accounts
10/22/07: Playing bounce may be costly to stock investors
10/10/07: Investors find boring often can be fruitful
10/01/07: Make up lost time with swift, smart action
09/24/07: Balance is key for investing by retirees
09/18/07: Homeowners who wait see options fade
09/04/07: Easy matter to rate fund's performance
08/27/07: Mortgage mess could be good for savers
08/17/07: Small stocks are coming with large caveats
© 2007, Chicago Tribune Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
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