Going To College? Check Out CampusBookRentals.com

When I started college at the University of Georgia, I was lucky enough to have the Hope Scholarship. I thought this meant my schooling would be taken care of, but I didn't take into consideration the cost of books. One book alone can cost over $100 and I've even had to buy some that were close to $300! I wish I'd known then what I now know. There is another money saving option thanks to CampusBookRentals. Instead of spending so much money purchasing books you will only use for one semester and only getting a small percentage when selling back, how about renting textbooks instead?

CampusBookRentals.com is the place to go for your textbook needs. You can save 40-90% off of those expensive bookstore prices. Plus, you get free shipping to your home and when you mail back after classes are over. The rental periods are also flexible, so if you need to keep the book for longer, you can do so! This is such a great idea and can save college students so much money.

As a mom and as a college student, I have always been on a budget, so I know how important it is to save money where you can. This is the way to save a great deal of money. Another reason we are huge fans of CampusBookRentals.com is because they partner with Operation Smile. This amazing organization funds life-changing cleft lip surgeries for children whose families could not otherwise afford them. So, know that when you rent books, you are also helping make a difference in someone's life. They have also set aside $90,000 in textbook scholarships for students, which is just awesome!

I am excited to tell you CampusBookRentals.com has a brand new program called RentBack! This new initiative allows students to rent out the textbooks they already own to other students. So, instead of selling them back to your campus bookstore and getting a ridiculously low amount of money, you can actually make 2-4x more money. This is such a great program and, if you have any books from when you were in school or if your kids have some, consider doing this instead of selling back and getting such a minute amount of money. Sadly, I've gotten less than $10 for a book I originally paid over $100 for when selling back to my campus bookstore. RentBack would have been such a better option and I highly recommend it! Here's a little more about it:

Are you going to college next semester or are any of your kids? Take a look at CampusBookRentals.com and see if they have course books that fit your needs before paying full-price!

Managing & Saving Money With Our Children & @MassMutual

As a high school student, I was discussing my future plans with my parents only to find out that no money had been put away for further education. I was stunned and worried that I would not be able to afford college, even though I knew I wanted to go. Luckily, I was able to get a scholarship and only had to pay for living expenses and books, but they still added up quickly. For this reason, I had to get a job and worked my way through college. For these reasons, I am thinking ahead for my own children. I want them to have many college choices and not to feel like they need to worry about expenses when the time comes for them to graduate high school.

The day I graduated from UGA many years ago!

MassMutual found that 74% of parents believe it is a never too early to start saving for their children's college fund and that's exactly how I feel. Of course, it is overwhelming to think about saving, especially in this economy. I, like many other moms, worry about my husband's business and our ability to provide for our children. My husband started his law firm in January, so we put off saving during that time, thinking later would be better for us. However, I am learning that there may never be a "better" time and we could easily put off saving money with the many excuses we can make. Saving money each month is always last on the list of priorities, but this really needs to change for our family. It's hard to know where to start first, I know, which is why MassMutual is a great place to start, providing tips and helpful information about planning your financial future.

Josiah's first day of preschool! He'll be ready for college in the blink of an eye!

Each year brings about the opportunity for a fresh start and that is exactly what we are taking advantage of for 2013. With our new business and a move to a new place, this is our chance to really make a difference and start planning for our future. It's so important to also teach our children about money management. Our children learn from us, so it is very important to set a good example for them. In fact, with us homeschooling, Josiah's favorite subject has quickly become math. He loves learning numbers and, now that he is also learning about money, this is the perfect time to teach him about managing his money, saving it and setting priorities. So far, I think we've done a pretty good job. He's been doing chores to earn money and was so excited to add $45 to his savings account this month! I'm so proud of him for being so interested in saving up for things he really wants and for being so interested in math.

Do you often think about your financial security and saving for the future? Well, MassMutual's State of the American Mom, a new research study, revealed that many Moms want to provide financially for our families, but where do we begin? We aren't the only ones who feel this way, which is why MassMutual put together a very helpful quiz just for moms. It helps assess your financial attitude and helps moms make small steps to saving for the future:

Take the Quiz

I took the quiz and my results say I am an Eager DIY-er! This means that although I am not happy with my current financial situation, I am eager to make a change I need to make more attainable short-term goals that progresses to bigger long-term goals. That is definitely a correct assessment! What are your results?

You can also check out the MassMutual website to read more and to find a representative near you! You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the latest news.

I wrote this post as participation in in a blog tour for Mom Central on behalf of MassMutual and received compensation in the form of an Amazon gift code to thank me for taking the time to participate.

What college is right for your child?

One of the most challenging activities faced by American parents is helping a child to select a college. Many parents focus on making sure that a child can get into a good college without giving much thought to the end game: successful completion of a bachelor's degree.  It's therefore crucial to think just as much about being able to get through college as about getting there in the first place.

College logistics

The best college for a given individual must meet a variety of needs, not all of them strictly academic.  One of the most important considerations is location.  Some students need distance from their parents in order to fully adapt to adult life, while others do much better attending a local institution that allows for frequent visits home.  

Since colleges also vary widely in facilities, students should choose a college that can help support their individual interests.  Living facilities are another key issue.  Many freshmen entering higher education thrive in a dorm-and-cafeteria environment because they don't have to concern themselves with shopping and cooking; this allows them to focus on their courses much more effectively.  Freshmen who live off-campus, in contrast, are more likely to struggle to adjust to college life.

Course types and fees must also be taken into account.  At some colleges, students pay per class; others organize fees on a "full-time" or "part-time" basis, which means that five or six courses will cost no more than four.  New freshmen, however, should be careful not to overload themselves, particularly during their first semester.

Career paths

The most critical consideration, of course, is a good match between the student's projected career path and the strength of a college's programs.  It makes little sense for a student fascinated by chemistry to attend a fine arts college.  Likewise, a student interested in pursuing a bachelor of business administration should consider an institution such as CBT College, which emphasizes a hands-on, practical approach to the discipline.

Applications and scholarships

One mistake many families make is to apply only to those colleges that appear affordable at first glance.  The truth is that the advertised cost of attendance is often much higher than the true cost; private colleges in particular often offer generous scholarships that greatly reduce the fees students pay.  

Colleges are not the only source of scholarships.  In many American communities, local organizations and businesses are eager to help students afford college.  Students should also leverage the power of the internet to look for aid, basing search terms on their own unique circumstances.  "Scholarships for rural students," for example, may produce a surprising number of useful results.  To cover all bases, however, students should be sure to apply to at least one institution that would be affordable without taking scholarships into account.

College can be an exciting and rewarding time, but like most good things in life, succeeding there will require effort and dedication.  The first and most important step is choosing the right college to begin with.  

Get The College Education You've Always Wanted Online at Walden University

I know how quickly life can pass you by, especially when you have children. How many of you have wanted to go to college or to grad school, but just never have the time or money? I know exactly how you feel, but now, more than ever before, there are resources that make a college education possible. Plus, with the economy right now, jobs are becoming not only hard to find, but competitive. WaldenU.edu is an accredited online university with more than 50 degree programs and 225 specializations! With available scholarships, loans, grants, and the ability to take classes online, you can get that education you've always wanted.

Take a look around on-line and check out your options. I'm sure you'll be excited to see what available compared to only 10 years ago! Walden University is a great place to start, so why delay? I never would have been able to attend college or graduate school without my scholarships. Believe me, the scholarships and reputable online schools are there just waiting for you!