students – Susman

June 11, 2015

Cheap Car Insurance For Students – Is There Such A Thing?

Cheap car insurance is out there

My college days were laced with phone calls from the motor vehicle department reminding me of my many speeding tickets and moving violations. Although they never revoked my license I don’t think a driving record can get much worse without losing your license altogether. A driving record like that along with being younger than 25 years of age and you are looking at some very expensive insurance rates. At one time I had fifteen tickets on my record. Cheap car insurance was not the question. Getting at all was the issue. Many companies would not even insure me. Those that did would not touch me for less than $600 per month. To make a long story short I did end up with insurance that was affordable. Even with tickets from my state and 3 surrounding states.

What to watch out for

Before running out and getting quotes from all over the internet there are some things to know. I was able to find insurance for about $136 per month while having that driving record. I also forgot to say that I had one accident claim on record also. I was able to find very affordable insurance. The difference is the coverage. I did have to give some things up. Many companies are very different in what they offer. It could range from free vehicle towing to very high deductibles. Be sure to compare not only the quoted rate but the coverage also. And remember, in three years most states will clear your driving record and when you hit the age of 25 your rates improve dramatically.

Please see our recommended source for all insurance quotes. We have done the research so you don’t have to.

EzQuoteGuide.com connects you to multiple brokers so you can find the cheapest insurance rates.

April 12, 2011

Payback Time: Facing Student Loans

It takes four years, on average, to graduate from most colleges and universities. During that time, students can amass some hefty debts. But, for many people, the degree is certainly well worth the burden of accumulated debt. So, these questions remain: How should you repay the debt? And, are there any plans that can help make the “payback” easier?

Today, there are more plans available that offer flexible payment schedules. Students applying for a federal student loan now can choose a graduated repayment plan that will allow you to make smaller payments upon graduating and larger payments at a later time when you may be earning more money in the working world.

Students also have the choice of an income-contingent repayment plan. This plan calls for them to pay a fixed percentage of your postgraduate income toward their student loans. This percentage could be approximately 5% to 10% of anything above the poverty level of a single person, which is $10,830 according to the Department of Health and Human Services (2009).

A third choice is an extended repayment plan that can lower monthly payments an estimated 20% to 30% and allow graduates to stretch out their loan payment schedules from 10 to 15, or even 20, years.

Consolidation Offers Flexibility

There is also good news for students who are already debt-laden. Under the Student Loan Reform Act of 1993, existing loans can be consolidated with a direct loan from the government. This plan offers a more flexible repayment schedule while interest rates remain the same.

To be eligible for this plan, student loan recipients need to ask their original lenders for an “income sensitive” repayment option. This plan adjusts the monthly payments for the loan’s capital, but not the interest, to annual income. If the original lender will not agree to this option, they may then be eligible for a direct loan from the government.

Two advantages of a direct government loan are as follows: First, the monthly installment payments of principal and interest are contingent upon income. Because the payments are withdrawn from wages, there will be less paperwork to muddle through. Second, as wages increase, the percentage withdrawn from pay will also rise, allowing the loan to be paid off more quickly and with less accrued interest expense.

For students who need to borrow for the current school year, direct loans ( and the income-adjusted repayment plan) are also available if they’re attending one of the schools participating in this plan. Parents may also be able to take out a direct loan for as much as the entire cost of their children’s college education.

For information or inquiries regarding federal student aid programs, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-433-3243, or check them out online at www.studentaid.ed.gov.

Material discussed is meant for general illustration and/or informational purposes only and it is not to be construed as specific tax, legal, or investment advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed. Please note that individual situations can vary therefore, the information should be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice. The client must rely upon his or her own professional advisor before making decisions with respect to these matters.

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This article appears courtesy of Karl Susman. Karl Susman is a representative of the New Engl and Life Insurance Company. He focuses on meeting the individual insurance and financial services needs of people on the West Coast. You can reach Karl at the office at (424) 785-4337. New Engl and Life Insurance Company, 501 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116

March 21, 2011

A Short Course in Budgeting for College Students

One “extracurricular” activity that every student should master while in college is personal money management. Typically, a student’s day-to-day spending is done on an improvised basis, meaning that overspending is often the norm rather than the exception.

It is estimated that during a school year the average college or university student will spend approximately $4,000 for books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses (Trends in College Pricing—2009, The College Board). However, there is often room for economizing. The first place to look is at food and telephone calls. Difficulty may occur in controlling these expenses, especially if pizza is ordered regularly at 2 am and long-distance friends are simply a phone call away.

While many students may assume it costs less to live off campus than in a dorm, they may be in for a surprise. In college towns with a high dem and for off-campus housing, accommodations within walking distance of the campus may tend to be expensive. Some l andlords require a one-year lease—a period longer than the school year—thus, subleasing privileges should be included as part of an “economical” lease. However, off-campus students can save money by sharing housing and doing their own cooking.

Money Smarts 101

The following may serve as important steps toward helping your student underst and college finances:

1. Before your student leaves for college, sit down and have an open discussion of expectations—both your child’s and yours.

2. Consider providing a lump sum each semester, making it clear how long the money must last.

3. Explain when checks or money transfers can be expected, the amounts that will be received, and any rules concerning the use of funds.

Since most students rely on savings and checking accounts—regardless of whether they include parental funds, their own, or a combination of both—it is important for them to underst and how these accounts work. The ability to balance an account accurately and make needed corrections is especially critical.

Many undergraduates may keep most of their funds in hometown financial institutions. However, managing financial affairs long-distance can be difficult. Verifying an account balance quickly with an out-of-state bank can be both costly and time-consuming. So, it may be a good idea to keep a smaller account on campus.

While some parents may fear a credit card can give a student who has difficulty managing his or her affairs too much of a cushion, others find a credit card can provide a useful backup, especially in an emergency or for certain expenses. For instance, it can help with car rentals, plane fares, and railroad tickets. In addition, trying to get money to college students in different locations can be frustrating, and it is often impossible for anyone to cash personal checks away from home.

Making the Grade

Ideally, college students should take full charge of a semester’s spending. Life becomes much easier for parents when college-age children can manage their own finances, and the students will learn valuable life skills in the process.

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Cheap Car Insurance For Students – Is There Such A Thing?

Consolidation Offers Flexibility

Money Smarts 101

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