Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and even those of us who rarely go on a date will be venturing out to celebrate love (or support Hallmark Holidays so we don’t feel like losers). If you’re in the same boat, you may have a regularly scheduled “date night” with your spouse, significant other, or best friend coming up as well. Here are some tips for taking the budget bite out of date night.
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One of the big issues debated recently is whether or not a four-year degree is worth the cost. The cost of education continues to rise at a pace that outstrips inflation — and definitely outstrips wage growth.
But why is education so expensive? There are various explanations for the rising cost of a higher education, and two that I think are likely contributors are:
- The idea that everyone needs to go to college
- The ease of obtaining student loans
Does Everyone Need a College Education?
I live in a metro area where many people wouldn’t dream of sending their children to public schools. It’s simply not an option that they would consider despite the high price of private schools (between $6,000-20,000 in my area). After all, the schools in my area are notorious for low test scores and discipline problems, so private schools are the only option, right?
From my perspective, and that of many dedicated public school parents, the answer is a clear no. Private schools can offer many things that public schools cannot (religious instruction, the ability to be more selective about which students they choose) but they aren’t always the best choice.
How to Make the Decision Between Public and Private
I don’t know many parents who don’t want to give their children the best possible start in life. That doesn’t always mean making the most expensive or exclusive choice, however. It also doesn’t mean going with the “common wisdom”, either. For example, there are more people than I can count who loudly declare that sending your child to one of my city’s public schools is foolhardy, despite having never set a foot in any school in the city!
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It’s that time of year again. Even the most frugal of homeowners is turning up the thermostat as the weather starts its yearly winter onslaught. This also means that my husband and I have begun our yearly “discussion” over better ways to heat our home. As someone who is always cold, I would certainly love to find a cheaper option than the natural gas we use so I could keep the thermostat higher — although I don’t want to do any extra work or more harm to the environment. And there’s the rub! Each heating fuel option offers various positives and negatives, from cost to maintenance to environmental factors. Here’s a quick run-down of what you can expect from each heating fuel option:
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Is a sense of entitlement holding back your finances? We all operate from an entitlement perspective at times when we believe we deserve a special purchase or have the right to spend our money how we see fit. And you do deserve to reward yourself for working hard, but what happens when those rewards get bigger and more expensive, like that HD television or that new Cadillac Escalade? What good is a million dollar house if you’re never home to enjoy it because you have to work overtime just to make your mortgage payment? Sometimes, that urge to buy something you deserve (or something your neighbor has that you think you deserve as well) can significantly hurt your financial health.
When considering a purchase, if the thought that you “deserve it” comes into play, here are a few tips to help you evaluate the financial soundness of following through with your purchase.
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