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1030. SAVE plan is gone: What student loan borrowers must do before July 1
14:49||Ep. 10301030. If you have federal student loans or plan to use them to finance higher education, you must understand significant upcoming changes to the program. Find out the benefits and downsides of new legislation and how it could affect your finances if you’re a current or future student loan borrower. Key takeawaysDue to the One Big Beautiful Bill, massive changes to federal student loans will roll out on July 1, 2026, including annual and lifetime borrowing limitsThe SAVE repayment plan is shutting down, and those currently enrolled must choose a new repayment plan within 90 days of notification from their lender.Borrowers who miss the SAVE deadline will be automatically enrolled in standard repayment, which could spike their monthly payments.Federal student loan repayment plans will be cancelled or phased out and replaced by the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), which launches on July 1, 2026.RAP sets payments at 1% to 10% of your adjusted gross income, waives any unpaid monthly interest, matches up to $50 per month toward your principal balance, and extends loan forgiveness to 30 years.If you want to shorten your loan forgiveness, enrolling in a legacy repayment plan may be a better option to discuss with your loan servicer. Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308.
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1029. 5 summer travel hacks that really save money
11:51||Ep. 10291028. Does the cost of a summer vacation mean you have to stay home this year? Rising prices for travel, gas, food, and lodging can make a family getaway feel out of reach. But with the right strategies, you can enjoy a memorable summer trip without overspending or going into debt.In this episode, Laura shares practical ways to stretch your travel budget, from choosing affordable destinations closer to home to saving money on fuel, food, accommodations, and entertainment. Whether you're planning a road trip, a weekend getaway, or a staycation, you'll learn how to create meaningful family experiences while keeping costs under control.Key TakeawaysConsider destinations closer to home to reduce transportation costs and maximize family time.Save money on road trips with smart planning for fuel, meals, and routes.Cut lodging expenses by traveling during shoulder season and choosing accommodations with kitchen access.Find free or discounted activities that deliver fun without straining your budget.Build an affordable vacation around destinations that offer both low-cost attractions and reasonably priced accommodations.Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308.708. Good debt vs bad debt: Your plan for paying off debt faster
24:04||Ep. 708Do you know the difference between good and bad debt? Laura explains why it's a critical concept for saving money, building wealth, and creating more financial security. Plus, she covers a simple 7-step plan for paying off debt fast.Encore Episode: This episode originally aired on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.Money Girl is hosted by Laura Adams and is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips Network.1028. Should I invest a lump sum or equally throughout the year?
10:22||Ep. 10281028. Laura answers a listener’s question about investing a lump sum or using a dollar-cost averaging (DCA) strategy. Find out what DCA is and its pros and cons whether you have a little or a lot to invest.Key takeawaysDollar-cost averaging (DCA) is a simple strategy where you invest a consistent amount at regular intervals.DCA benefits include reducing market risk, needing smaller amounts of cash, and making investing less emotional.DCA can also be a wise strategy when you have a large amount to invest, such as a cash windfall. The main DCA downside is potential missed growth when the market is rising over time.Making a lump sum investment can be wise when your finances are in good shape, don’t need to be systematic, have a high risk tolerance, and want to maximize returns.Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308.749. 7 steps to recession-proof your finances (Reissue)
20:06||Ep. 749749. If you’re worried about a recession or just want to strengthen your finances, Laura covers seven steps to take now to ease the impact of a future hardship. Encore episode: This episode originally aired in November 2022.Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308.687. 8 Micro Money Habits for Guaranteed Success
17:06||Ep. 687Think you need to make monumental changes to achieve your financial goals? Think again. Money Girl has 8 micro money habits to help you take control of your finances, feel secure, and reach any realistic financial goal you desire.Encore Episode: This episode originally aired in June of 2022.Money Girl is hosted by Laura Adams. Find Money Girl on Facebook or subscribe to the newsletter for more personal finance tips. You can read the transcript here. Visit www.quickanddirtytips.com for more.1027. 7 money rules for new graduates
11:36||Ep. 10271027. New graduates can create financial freedom by consistently following a few fundamental money rules. Laura reviews seven tips that can set young adults up for a lifetime of financial success.Expert advice for navigating life after graduation — for new grads and the people cheering them on. From finances and freelancing to nutrition and knowing when to ask for help, find it all in our "Life After Graduation" playlist on Spotify.Key takeaways:Accepting various types of financial help from family can be part of a new graduate’s launchpad to independence.Maintaining a cash cushion in a high-yield savings account should be a top priority for creating financial security. Building your credit scores is an excellent way to get access to credit at lower interest rates and save on various products and services. Keeping debt to a minimum and understanding any student loan repayment options can improve your current and future financial well-being.The power of compounding makes it wise to invest sooner rather than later, even if you can only put away small amounts consistently.Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308.