The cost of center-based childcare for infants has risen twice as fast as median income for families over the past decade.
Educational Financing
Survey: College Isn’t All That Great an Investment
Last year, 80% of Americans believed that college was a good financial investment. Now, results from the same survey show a sharp drop in confidence in the rewards of higher education, with only 64% of people saying that college is a good investment.
This Summer Only! College at 50% Off! Get Your Learning On While It’s Cheap!
To attract students at a time when many families are wondering if they can afford college—and also, if higher education is actually worth the money—colleges are going all Crazy Eddie, offering deals like tuition freezes, 50% off and buy-one-get-one-free summer courses, and free housing.
Cheapskate Wisdom … That Should Be in College Graduation Commencement Addresses
“Visit Graceland at least once, to see what happens to some people when they get too much money.”
Friday List: Cheap Movies, Financial Concepts Not Taught in School, Worst Charities, Worst Money-Saving Tips, and More
Read on for advice on how to avoid money fights with your significant other, how to figure out what car will really cost you less money over the long haul, and how to dumpster dive like you’ve been living on the streets for years.
Cheapskate Wisdom about … Whether a College Education Is Worth the Money
“One needn’t necessarily be a liberal-arts graduate to regard as distinctly and speciously utilitarian the idea that higher education is, above all, a route to economic advancement.”
College Grad’s Guide to Reality: Essential Reading for Those Trying to Entering the Workforce
Congratulations! You’re a college graduate. On the one hand, it’s not going to be easy to find someone willing to pay you to go to work. On the other, at least you’re done paying—via tuition—for people to teach you and evaluate your work.
5 Weird Ways to Save
Corporate sponsorship for weddings, fake (but effective) medications, savvy business advice from prostitutes, and more.
How Far to Drive for Cheap Gas? Where Do Your Taxes Go? Why So Many Damn Movie Trailers Lately?
As is usually the case, I’ve got more questions than answers. Luckily, somebody has answers — to these and other puzzling questions.
Shout Out: ‘Why Top Colleges Squeeze You Dry’
“Based on my experience as the vice president for finance and administration at a prominent college in the early 2000s, I suggest that the answer is simple: Top private institutions charge what they do because a substantial number of people will pay it.”
No More $100 Handouts for Going to the Dentist
Apparently, paying people cash to do things they should be doing—like attending school, keeping a job, and going to the dentist—isn’t all that effective.
What’s Up? Also, What’s Down
The economy has had its ups and downs—OK, mostly downs of late. Here, some statistics showing the economic fallout on all sorts of things, including cheap booze sales (they’re up), military recruits with college degrees (also up), and excuses for getting out of jury duty (way up).
