The Education and Wealth writing project, hosted by Go Banking Rates, came to a close on Wednesday, September 7th. All the entries are in, so it’s time to vote for your favorites before the deadline.
There were 29 awesome articles entered for consideration as Readers’ Choice. Your votes will determine who wins a badge for their blog and bragging rights. Following up on our Week 1 and Week 2 roundups, here’s the last batch of entries and what you can expect to learn from each one:
J. Money at Budgets are Sexy, Is College Worth The Cost?
Usually when an article begins with this question, the author’s ultimate answer is no. J. Money, on the other hand, replies with a resounding “hell yes!” He argues that college isn’t just about earning a degree, but an integral part of how we learn to be independent and form our identity.
Control Your Cash, Trial and Error are Rotten Teachers
The old fashioned idea that discussing money is poor etiquette only produces an environment in which children don’t learn valuable financial lessons (like using a credit card responsibly). Parents who read this will want to be much more open about family finances going forward.
Darwin at Darwin’s Finance, Tutoring Gone Wild in America
You may be surprised to find out how expensive tutoring services have become and the expectations parents now hold. How are middle-class and low-income students supposed to compete academically with their wealthier peers?
Little House at Little House in the Valley, Education, Wealth, and You…a Trifecta Balance
When you’re getting ready to head off to college for the first time, everyone talks about how proud they are and what fun you’ll have. The lesser-mentioned, but highly problematic, issue no one seems to bring up is the student debt you’re likely to accumulate.
Erik Folgate at Money Crashers, 6 Ways To Save Money on College Textbooks
Textbooks are just plain expensive, even if you buy used ones. Even worse, the books are often only partially used in class or not even opened at all for the whole semester. However, textbooks are an unavoidable expense, so here are 6 ways you can cut the cost a bit.
Kate Kashman at The Paycheck Chronicles, Military.com, A Financial Education Pays More than A College Degree
Most learning happens outside the classroom, which is why obtaining a college education isn’t enough. A degree that snags you a high paying job is pointless if you don’t know how to manage the money you make.
Jesse at PF Firewall, Would You Bet On Your Own Academic Success?
Jesse details how a company called Ultrinsic is making grades a gamble–students can provide their academic information and then bet on their grades. Perhaps this is a new idea that will encourage students to try harder in school because they can enjoy cash rewards for doing well.
Ryan at Spilling Buckets, How to Save a Bunch of Money Buying College Textbooks
This isn’t just another take on how you can save money on textbooks. Ryan examines why books are so expensive in the first place, clears up a couple of myths and adds his own experience to mix.
Nick at Step Away From the Mall, College: Don’t buy a Rolls-Royce when you can only afford (or only need) a Honda!
Finding the right college is like finding the right car: don’t buy something you know you can’t afford. A college education may be worth the money, but only if you spend an amount that’s proportionate to your income. Don’t overspend “just to go.”
Suzanne at Straight Talk on Debt, College: An investment in yourself and your future, but is it enough?
Today’s students have serious concerns about their ability to earn a salary high enough to cover the debt they accumulated while in school. Suzanne compares the starting salaries of several entry level careers and compares them against the potential sum of four years’ worth of tuition.
Don’t forget: You may vote for your top three (other than your own) once per day until 11:59pm PST on Monday, September 12. Vote here!
