Every post in this series so far has been about managing money you’ve already committed to spending — tracking it, protecting it, deciding where it goes. This one is different. It’s about avoiding a cost so large that it can outweigh every other saving tip in this entire series combined: an extra, unplanned semester or year of college.
Why this trap is so easy to fall into
Only a minority of students at four-year schools actually graduate in four years — most recent data puts on-time completion at roughly 40-44% nationally. That means the majority of students end up paying for at least one semester, often a full extra year, that a well-planned schedule could have avoided entirely.
Continue reading “Know Your Financial Direction: How to Set Goals and Manage Your Money”