When we graduate high school, we tend to think about whether or not we want to go to college.  Although, in this economy today, we almost need a college degree to get by.  So, why doesn’t everyone go to college to get the job of their dreams?  It may be a lot of work now, but it will pay off for the rest of your life.  What is four more years of school when you can be less stressed out for the rest of your life?  As you may already know, college can be extremely beneficial when it comes to your future.

So, if you’re debating whether or not you want to go, check out how you can benefit your life by getting a college degree.

Dream job – Ever since we’re little we’ always have had a few dream jobs in mind.  So, if you go to college, you can finally do the job you’d love, instead of working a job that you hate waking up to every single morning.

Great pay -  If you want to make sure you won’t make minimum wage the rest of your life, a college degree may be needed.  A lot of companies can’t afford to pay higher than minimum wage, therefore, that may be all you’ll ever earn without a college degree. 

If you work now at a job that pays well, the less years you’ll have to work in the future!  That almost makes up for going to school those 4 years!

Benefits – How do benefits sound?  The field that you may be going into may offer some awesome benefits.  If you didn’t know already, things like great health insurance for your family, and future retirement packages are hard to come by without a college degree.

Back up – So lets say you didn’t go to college, and you worked at your local grocery store, they lay off people, and you’re one of them.  What are you going to do?  What if everything around you is laying off people?  If you had a college degree, at least you have something to show.  You’re more likely to have a job, and will always have a degree to back you up.

Retirement – Retirement is always something to think about.  If you can get a pension, or a 401k without a college degree, consider yourself very lucky.  Although, most college degrees will give them to you automatically.

When you think of college, think of your future.  If you want to work a dream job, get paid well, get some nice benefits, and retire earlier than you would working a regular job, definitely consider a college degree!

When looking to stay away from home for the first time, you may find that you would rather live in an apartment, rather than a dorm room.  While personally, I’d rather stay in an apartment, make sure you do your budget homework to see what will be best for you.  I would always encourage all college students to get a roommate when renting an apartment.

When it comes to renting an apartment, there are some things that you should know when it comes to getting one.  Since, it will probably be the first time you’re renting one, you’ll want to know what to look out for, so that you can find the perfect apartment.

Location is key here

Just like your future home, your location is going to be extremely important.  If you’re in a prime time area, you’re going to be paying an arm and a leg.  If you have to drive into town, you’ll find that these may be cheaper.  Never just apply for an apartment because of the price, because you soon may find out that the location isn’t what you expected.

Always tour your apartment

Like a car or a home, you want to know what you’re getting yourself into.  Yes, most apartment communities will post pictures online, but you really have to see it in person.  Always ask if you can see your unit before they lease it out to you.  You may find that the layout is different, or it’s something that you weren’t expecting.  What do you want when it comes to an apartment?  A big kitchen?  A big bedroom? 

Know what you can afford

Apartments are going to range everywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.  Once again, this will depend on where you live in the world, as well as the location of the apartment.  Your older apartments that are in the country are going to be more than your newer ones located in the heart of the city.  Know what you want, and what you can afford.

What is included in your rent?

All apartment communities will be different when it comes to your rent.  Some places are going to give you free heat, while others will only give you free water.  You have to know what’s included in your rent.  The more you can get for free, the better it is going to be for you when you’re renting, and paying your bills.

When it comes time to rent out that apartment, read over your lease so that you know what you’re getting yourself into.  Also make sure that you know when you can move in, as well as check into renter’s insurance.  You wouldn’t want to see your apartment building burn down, and be out of all of your belongings.  Follow a few of these tips, and let’s hope you find the place for you.

Becoming a college student isn’t cheap.  After you pay all of your tuition, and book bills, you’re probably going to think you’re going to be in debt forever.  Well, I hate to break the bad news to you, but it gets worse when it comes to spending money, especially if you live on campus.

When it comes to college, I want to give you some tips that you can use when it comes to saving money.  As long as you’re smart about your money, you can really save a lot, depending at how creative you get.

Cook your own meals: Nothing beats home cooking, and yes, I know you won’t have a full kitchen in your dorm room.  You can cook decent meals with a dorm microwave, or even without one.  Find recipes, and be creative with this one.

Get a roommate: If you’re going to live outside of campus in an apartment, try and get a roommate.  It’s so much easier to split costs, rather than pay for everything yourself.

No need for designer clothes: College isn’t about the image, it’s getting an education.  There’s no reason to go out there, and purchase those expensive clothes.  Stick to the cheap stuff, no one will care.

Explore your library: Before you go out and purchase books, check your school library.  You may find that they have the textbook you need, and you’ll be able to rent it for free!

Buy your textbooks used: Never ever buy your textbook at the college bookstore, you’re just asking for a disaster.  Instead, try websites online like Chegg, where you can rent your textbooks instead of buying them.

No need for a car: Don’t waste all of your money when it comes to maintaining a car.  Instead, use your bike, walk, or find someone that has a car that you can use or carpool with.

Be cheap on entertainment: Entertainment doesn’t need to be expensive.   Instead of going out every night, check your college for free events, or be creative when it comes down to spending your money.

Consider community college first: Community college is so cheap, and many students just pass it up.  Attend the community college for two years, and work with one that works with the university that you want to go to.  After the two years, transfer your classes, and you just saved a fortune.

Watch your spending: This one sounds easy, but many students just buy, buy, and buy.  Only buy what you need, and there’s no reason to spend every dollar you have each week.  Just learn how to watch your spending.

These are some broad tips when it comes to saving your money.  As long as you’re smart with your money, and you know how to spend right, you should have no problems with your budget.

Legislation was passed just last week, and the credit card market is going to change as we know it.  Are they going to be big changes?  Most of them are minor, but it’s a regulation that is going to help the people more than the credit card companies. 

In this bill, there were some rules when it came to student credit cards, and how they can be distributed.  I wanted to point out a few of these new rules, and how they match up to today’s standards.  When looking for a credit card today, you may find that the process is a little harder, but it’s always good to know what’s going on in the credit card world.

Credit limit can’t exceed $500 or 20% of income

College students are notorious for racking up debt into the thousands, and the only reason they are able to do this is because of their credit cards.  On average, the typical student carries more than 9 cards!  This new rule will make it so that you can’t give a student more than a credit line of $500, or 20% of their income, whichever one is higher.  If you make $10,000 next year at your job, you will be able to get a $2,000 credit limit.  Today, you’re able to practically reach the sky when it comes to applying.

Marketing is going to be limited on campuses

The new law wants to make sure that credit card companies show you what kind of relationship they have with your college.  Many colleges have agreements with the credit card companies on how they can market on their campus.  Some ban it, while others allow it.  The ones that do, are the ones that get a kickback from the companies themselves.  This way, when you sign up for a card, you’ll know exactly what the card companies are all about.

No more freebies

If you went to college, or you’re going now, you probably remember all of those freebies you used to get.  Sign up for a hat, and get a credit card.  The new rule will ban this type of marketing to influence students to sign up.  Instead, they can stick to traditional marketing where they can tell you exactly what you’re signing up for.  The bad thing about freebies was that you weren’t able to really look at the application, since your whole objective was to get the free item.

Besides the student credit aspect when it came down to the Credit Card Act, credit card companies now have to give you a 21 day notice when they send out statements, 45 day notice when terms are going to be altered, and banks have to wait 60 days before they can raise the rate on the cards.  You can read more information about this bill at WhiteHouse.gov.

The life of college, it can look great on paper, and in person, but many find that once they start the college life, they find themselves to be a little depressed at school.  While this doesn’t happen to every student, a recent study has shown that a majority of college students are in fact, stressed and depressed.

One of the main reason that students are depressed in college is simply because of grades, relationships, financial worries, and their outlook in the future.  Yes, life can be tough in a down economy, especially when you’re ready to graduate, but we came up with some tips that you can use if you’re feeling down in the dumps at college.

Think outside of college

I know college is going to take a lot of your time up with life, but you have to think outside of college once in awhile.  Go out, party, have a fun time with friends once in awhile.  If it means that you have to go to a baseball game, the movies, or mall.  The less you think about something that makes you depressed, the better.

Try stress free exercises

If you live on campus, find a local gym that specializes in yoga, meditation, or any other form of exercise that can help ease the mind.  When you’re depressed, you’ll find that your mind is going to go a mile a minute, and all you’re going to think about is negative things.  Try your best to use these exercises, and see how they work for you.

Change your atmosphere

Believe it or not, you may be stressed out because of your atmosphere, and it may be time for a change.  Instead of doing the same old routine every day, try switching things up.  Make your life a little different each day, and make it for the better.  If you’re having problems with your roommate, try and find a new one.  If you’re having problems with a class, try and find a new one, etc.

Eat healthy

Just like your atmosphere, you’ll find that eating is going to affect your mood as well.  If you eat a lot of junk food, and soda, you’ll find that this will affect your brain more than you think.  Try and eat healthy when it comes to being stress free.  Use your vitamins, eat fruits, vegetables, and maintain a healthy diet.

Surround yourself with happiness

Your friends are a bigger influence than you think.  If you’re hanging around people that are negative, and depressed all the time, how are you going to feel?  Try and find others that love life, and make something of it.

College is going to be a stressful time of your life, but think of the future.  You’re going to have a better job in the future, you’ll meet great friends, and so much more.