We are finally pleased to announce that our new SMB College Life Planning Guide is complete. Our 26 page planning guide is loaded with information that will help students to plan for their college education. Included in our planning guide is all the content from the planning section of our website. We have also added new content to add more information to help students. There is also a savings section in our planning guide which offers savings on specific items that students will need going into their first year of college. This planning guide is perfect for high school juniors and seniors as it will help guide you along the right path of planning your college education so that you can save and succeed throughout your college life.

You can read more about our planning guide at www.smbcollegelife.com/Planning.php?info=planningguide. Here you will find all the specifics of our planning guide, the contents, and our overall goals with the release of this guide. You will also find that we offer special discounts to school advisers and counselors who plan to customize their order or place a large quantity order. This planning guide is a perfect value for any student who is looking to further their education through college. It is also perfect for schools who are looking to increase the number of students who attend college after graduation. School counselors are always out numbered by students and have to spend time throughout the year talking to each individual student about their future plans. Sometimes counselors just don’t have the time to talk to each and every student, so what options do those students have who never see the guidance counselor?? Our solution is simple;

Counselors and schools can offer the SMB College Life Planning Guide to all their juniors and seniors so that every student will have the knowledge they need to further their education. If questions arise the counselor can further guide students in the proper direction. This solution will eliminate the need for counselors to explain the entire planning process to ever student so that they can focus more on the specific needs of each individual student.

Other college planning guides are loaded with useless information and can cost $40 or more while our guide is simple, direct and efficient in delivering only the information that you need to succeed. Don’t waste time and money when you can turn to our guide to help you plan, save, and succeed in college. For a small investment you will be well on your way to a successful college future. Check it out! It’s really worth the price.

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Don’t forget that the deadline for filing your 2007 taxes is quickly approaching.  For some college students this might not mean much because their taxes may be handled by their parents, or it they at least get help from their parents while doing their taxes.  For the latter, we are on our own when it comes to taxes and with the semester coming to an end we could be so buried in our studies that we forget to file our taxes.  I can assure you that the IRS will not take our forgetfulness lightly,nor will they listen to any excuses we have for not filing.

One of the few financial benefits to being a college student is that we are able to claim our tuition on our taxes and usually receive a nice chunk of change back for the government. Of course this money is already spent on tuition, housing, books, and other things, but it is still nice to receive some money for a change instead of spending all of ours.  If you have an accountant or use a tax service then they will handle the filing for you and make sure that you receive the maximum deduction from being a student.  If you do your taxes on your own however you will need to be sure that you add your cost for tuition as a deductible.  I’m not a finance major so I can’t give you all the details on this deduction…..my accountant handles that!  I’m sure if you need more information about it you can ask you financial aid officers and they will be able to help you.  After all, it is their job to be blood sucking parasites.  Just kidding, no pun intended. I’m just having a little fun tonight!

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Education and Finances: Two Top Priorities of a College Student

The first years in college are where the seeds of a financial foundation are planted. While many students can still rely on their parents for financial assistance while still in school, many young adults will take on this responsibility on their own. Some may get a job to support themselves financially during the years of school. Others may find work as a means of socialization and extra spending money.

One common roadblock for a lot of first time college students is a lack of credit starting out. Students who want to become more financially independent of their families or those who are planning early for a life after college, are interested in building their credit the right way.

A good place to start is at the bank. Approach the bank where you currently have an open account and speak to a manager about applying for a credit card or a line of credit. If you find you are not yet eligible for the card, ask about the steps you need to start taking to be in the right position. Once you do qualify for a credit card of your own, take the time to understand everything involved with credit card responsibility. Initially, your credit limit will be low – perhaps a few hundred dollars. As you begin to use the card and all of your bills are paid on time and in full, you will see your credit limit begin to increase. This does not mean you have to spend more. The credit limit increases also raises your levels of responsibility. By continually making on time payments for the require amounts, you are steadily improving your credit history and credit score.

As a college student, you may not yet realize the importance of good credit in the time after college. Without good credit, you may find it difficult, if not impossible, to rent an apartment, buy a car, and in some cases, find a job. If you ruin your credit early in life, it is a good bet you will spend a large portion of your life trying to build it back up again. Students have a lot to focus on during the college years. In addition to education, financial stability ad good credit should be the most important things students should focus on if they wish to remain ahead in the game of life after graduation.

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Tisha Kulak is a writer for www.creditorweb.com, where she writes about student credit cards and responsible credit card use.

Thanks Tisha for this great article! As college students we must all carefully control or finances so that we do not tarnish our credit history. If we get off to a good start now, we will be able to build a solid credit history that can help us with purchases in the future.

SMB College Life Blog