The College Investor https://thecollegeinvestor.com Navigating Money And Education Fri, 29 Nov 2024 16:51:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://thecollegeinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cropped-facicon-cap-32x32.png The College Investor https://thecollegeinvestor.com 32 32 Best Black Friday And Cyber Monday Personal Finance Deals https://thecollegeinvestor.com/49081/best-black-friday-and-cyber-monday-finance-deals/ https://thecollegeinvestor.com/49081/best-black-friday-and-cyber-monday-finance-deals/#respond Fri, 29 Nov 2024 16:05:00 +0000 https://thecollegeinvestor.com/?p=49081 The best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on personal finance tools, investing and banking bonuses to grow your savings and wealth in 2024.

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Black Friday Cyber Monday Deals | Source: The College Investor

Source: The College Investor

Black Friday and Cyber Monday aren't just for kitchen gadgets, technology, and fashion. It's also a great time to take advantage of savings and bonus offers for personal finance products and tools.

Right now, we're seeing a ton of offers for bank sign-ups, investment tools, and other personal finance apps. Some of these prices are the lowest we've ever seen.

If you've been looking for an excuse to open a new savings account or try that budgeting app, these Cyber Week deals could help you make the decision!

Banking Bonus Offers

Here are some popular banking promotions:

Barclays - $200 For New Tiered Savings Accounts

Barclays is offering a $200 bonus to new bank customers who open a Tiered Savings account and deposit at least $25,000 within the first 30 days. You'll need to maintain at least $25,000 for the next 120 days, and the $200 bonus will be added directly to the account. Terms apply. 

Check out Barclays Tiered Savings here >>

Raisin - Earn $10 for Every $5,000 Deposited

Raisin, the popular brokered savings app, is offering new customers $10 for every $5,000 deposited with code CYBER. See site for important details.

Check out the full Raisin promotion here >>

Budgeting And Personal Finance Apps

Here are some deals for budgeting an personal finance apps:

Monarch Money - 50% Off

Monarch is one of our best budgeting app picks for 2024, and they are currently offering 50% off your first year with code BF2024. Offer is valid from November 27 to December 2, 2024.

Check out Monarch Money here >>

PocketSmith - 30% Off Annual Plans

PocketSmith is a budgeting app and net worth tracker that has a lot of features. Right now, they are offering 30% off all annual plans through December 2, 2024.

Check out PocketSmith here >>

Quicken Simplifi - 67% Off

Qucken Simplifi is a very popular budgeting app from the makers of Quicken. They are currently running a promotion where you can get 67% off when you sign up by December 4, 2024 for an annual subscription.

Check out Quicken Simplifi here >>

Investing Apps And Tools

Here are some popular promotions for investing and retirement apps:

Benzinga Edge - 75% Off

Benzinga is a popular stock picking tool that provides trade insights, market movement, and more. They are currently offering 75% off for Black Friday!

Check our the Benzinga promotion here >>

Ledger - $70 Of Bitcoin

Ledger is running a promotion for Black Friday where if you purchase a Ledger Flex ($249), you can get a voucher for $70 in Bitcoin.

Check our the Ledger promotion here >>

Snowball Analytics - 30% Off

Snowball Analytics is one of the best portfolio tracking tools available, and they are currently offering 30% off all subscriptions from November 25 to December 4, 2024.

Check our the Snowball Analytics promotion here >>

Credit And Identity Protection

Here are some promos related to credit and identity protection:

Aura - Up To 75% Off

Aura is currently offering up to 75% off their identity protection and credit monitoring for Black Friday.

Check out Aura here >>

Dashlane - Up To 50% Off

Dashlane is a fantastic password manager and is currently offering up to 50% off for Premium Plans and 35% off for business plans. If you're looking for a password manager, check out this deal.

Check out Dashlane here >>

DeleteMe - 25% Off

DeleteMe is a service that removes your personal information from the web (those aggregator sites). I've covered my use of DeleteMe here in my article about how to De-Google your life. But right now, DeleteMe is offering 25% off for Black Friday.

Check out DeleteMe here >>

Financial Education And Learning

Here are some great financial education products with promotions:

Brilliant Bookkeeper - 50% Off

The Brilliant Bookeeper course gives you an A-Z education in bookkeeping, how to approach clients, and how to deliver your services. Whether you just want to make some extra cash on the side… or if you want to use this as a springboard to launch your bookkeeping empire and scale all the way to multiple six-figures, seven-figures, or beyond… then this is the side hustle for you. This course will be on sale from Friday November 29, 2024 through Monday, December 2, 2024.

Check out Brilliant Bookeeper here >>

Jen Henson ACT Prep - $649 Group Intensive

Jen Henson ACT Prep (who is probably one of the best in the business) is offering a fantastic deal on group ACT test prep - just $649 for seventeen classes! This is best for students with a 21-26 ACT score that want to improve it. Offer valid until November 30, 2024.

Check out Jen Henson test prep here >>

PFC Investing Course (Build Wealth By Investing In Index Funds) - 30% Off

The Build Wealth By Investing In Index Funds, the signature investing course from Personal Finance Club, will be 30% off on Black Friday until Cyber Monday. The price will be $69, down from $99.

Check out the Build Wealth By Investing In Index Funds Course >>

PFC All-About-Money Course (How To Money Like A Millionaire) - 30% Off

How To Money Like A Millionaire is the all-about-money course from Personal Finance Club. It will be 30% off on Black Friday until Cyber Monday. The price will be $69, down from $99.

Check out How To Money Like A Millionaire >>

Princeton Review - $400 Off SAT/ACT Essentials

Princeton Review is offering $400 off their SAT or ACT Essentials course if you sign up online with the voucher code BlackFriday400.

Check out Princeton Review here >>

Salchow Coaching - 25% Off

Colleen Salchow offers financial coaching for couples, teens, and families. She is offering 25% off individual coaching programs for the rest of 2024!

Check out Salchow Coaching here >>

White Coat Investor Courses And Books - 20% Off

The White Coat Investor is offering 20% off on all courses and books until December 2, 2024, with code SAEV20 at checkout.

Check out The White Coat Investor Courses here >>

Other Products And Services

Here are some finance-tangential related products and services.

Mint Mobile - 3 Months For $15/mo

Mint Mobile is one of our favorite low-cost cell phone providers, and they are currently running a Black Friday special of Unlimited Premium Wireless for $15/mo for 3 months.

Check out Mint Mobile here >>

NordVPN - 74% Off

NordVPN is a popular VPN service and is currently offering 74% off AND 3 extra months free.

Check out NordVPN here >>

Verizon - Up To $1,000 Off A New Phone

Verizon is running a Black Friday sale where you can get $1,000 off a new phone with select trade ins and select plans. 

Check out Verizon here >>

Other Amazing Bonus Offers

Don't forget that many banks and brokerages offer awesome bonus offers all the time.

We keep a list of the best promotions going on here:

Editor: Colin Graves

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Raisin Cyber Week Bonus: $10 For Every $5,000 Deposited https://thecollegeinvestor.com/49071/raisin-cyber-week-bonus/ https://thecollegeinvestor.com/49071/raisin-cyber-week-bonus/#respond Mon, 25 Nov 2024 18:17:52 +0000 https://thecollegeinvestor.com/?p=49071 Raisin’s Cyber Week Deal: Deposit $5,000, earn $10! Maximize your returns with high-yield savings and cash bonuses.

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Raisin Cyber Week Bonus | Source: The College Investor

Source: The College Investor

Key Points

  • Earn More for Saving More: For every $5,000 deposited, savers earn a $10 bonus—there’s no cap on how much you can deposit to qualify.
  • Flexible Savings Options: Deposits can be spread across various savings products available through Raisin’s platform.
  • Easy to Get Started: Use the code CYBER at sign-up to activate the promotion. Sign up here.

Raisin, the popular online savings platform, is offering a $10 bonus for every $5,000 deposited by December 6, 2024, and maintained through March 6, 2025.

What's even more amazing is that this offer has no cap! You can deposit $50,000 or $100,000, and see your bonus grow!

This Cyber Week offer gives savers an opportunity to earn additional rewards on top of high-interest rates from Raisin’s partner banks.

To take advantage of this offer, sign up for Raisin here using the code CYBER >>

What Is Raisin?

Raisin connects savers with partner banks offering competitive interest rates on high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs.

While the national average for savings account interest rates is just 0.43%, Raisin’s partner banks often exceed 4.40% annual percentage yield (APY).

You can read our full Raisin review here to learn the details.

Bonus Offer Details

To participate in the Raisin Cyber Week bonus, customers must deposit funds into one or more savings products offered by Raisin by December 6, 2024, and maintain those balances through March 6, 2025.

Eligible customers will receive their bonuses within 30 days after the promotion ends.

This limited-time offer comes as Raisin continues to innovate in the personal finance space, making it easier for individuals to maximize their savings. While the platform’s custodial model requires users to manage transfers through Raisin’s portal, its higher-than-average interest rates and transparent fee structure make it a popular choice for savers.

Check out Raisin here >>

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Editor: Colin Graves

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Barclays Bank $200 Bonus For New Savings Accounts https://thecollegeinvestor.com/49043/barclays-bank-bonus-savings-accounts/ https://thecollegeinvestor.com/49043/barclays-bank-bonus-savings-accounts/#respond Sun, 24 Nov 2024 17:40:09 +0000 https://thecollegeinvestor.com/?p=49043 Earn a $200 bonus with Barclays when you open a Tiered Savings account and deposit $25,000. High-yield APYs up to 4.80% and no maintenance fees.

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Barclays Bank $200 Bonus | Source: The College Investor

Source: The College Investor

Key Points

  • Earn a $200 Bonus: New customers must deposit $25,000 within 30 days of opening the account and maintain that balance for 120 days.
  • High-Yield Savings Rates: Barclays offers competitive interest rates of up to 4.80% APY.
  • No Maintenance Fees: Barclays’ savings accounts come with zero monthly maintenance fees.

Barclays Bank has launched a $200 bonus promotion for new customers who open a Tiered Savings account and meet specific deposit requirements.

This bonus offer runs through January 6, 2025, and is open to new Barclays customers.

Beyond the bonus offer, Barclays currently has one of the highest interest rates for high-yield savings accounts.

Open A Barclays Tiered Savings Account here >>

About Barclays

Barclays, a banking institution with roots dating back to 1690, has been expanding its footprint in the U.S. online banking sector. Known for its high-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs), the bank is positioning itself as a top choice for savers.

Customers must note, however, that Barclays is an online-only bank in the United States and lacks physical branches. Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000, ensuring peace of mind for account holders.

Key Tiered Savings Account Features

Barclays’ tiered savings account structure provides flexibility for a variety of savers. Whether holding a modest balance or larger sums, customers benefit from competitive rates.

Right now you can earn up to 4.80% APY, with minimum balance requirements.

The tiers are:

Balance

APY

$0 to <$250,000

4.50%

$250,000 or more

4.80%

Final Thoughts

As savings rates fall, Barclays Tiered Savings account remains one of the strongest offerings. Even their lower tier is extremely competitive versus other banks.

However, the bank bonus landscape is getting competitive as the year ends. Many other banks are now offering bonus offers to entice deposits. Check out this full list of Bank Bonus Offers and Promotions.

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Editor: Colin Graves

The post Barclays Bank $200 Bonus For New Savings Accounts appeared first on The College Investor.

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FAFSA Opens Early For 2025-2026: What Families Need To Know https://thecollegeinvestor.com/48666/fafsa-opens-early-for-2025-2026/ https://thecollegeinvestor.com/48666/fafsa-opens-early-for-2025-2026/#respond Thu, 21 Nov 2024 17:02:15 +0000 https://thecollegeinvestor.com/?p=48666 FAFSA early access is live! File now to secure your financial aid for 2025–26. Learn how to file now, avoid issues, and secure financial aid for college.

The post FAFSA Opens Early For 2025-2026: What Families Need To Know appeared first on The College Investor.

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FAFSA Opens Early For All Families | Source: The College Investor

Source: The College Investor

Key Points

  • Early Access: Families can begin filing the FAFSA now, but should be aware it remains in beta testing, meaning minor technical issues may arise.
  • Prepare Documents: Applicants should have their 2023 tax returns ready to streamline the application process and ensure accurate income reporting.
  • FAFSA Deadlines: While the federal deadline is June 30, 2026, schools and states often set earlier deadlines for priority aid consideration

The Department of Education announced that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open for families to begin filing, weeks ahead of its official December 1 launch. 

Families eager to secure financial aid can now visit StudentAid.gov to get started.

The early opening follows widespread criticism of last year’s FAFSA rollout, which suffered delays and technical errors. Traditionally launched on October 1, the FAFSA underwent significant revisions for the 2024–25 cycle, causing a months-long delay that disrupted financial planning for families. Federal Student Aid (FSA) officials aim to restore confidence by providing students with early access to the application.

Related: FAFSA Deadlines For Financial Aid

Trending Article Right Now
How To Fill Out The FAFSA

How To Fill Out The FAFSA

  • Step-by-Step Guide To Filling Out The FAFSA
  • What Families Need To Know About The Process

Tips For Early FAFSA Filers

Experts emphasize the importance of early filing, especially for families with high school seniors. Early submissions often receive priority consideration for state and institutional aid.

This is especially true for scholarships and grants offered directly by colleges. Once all the funds have been given out, there won't be any left for late filers. As a result, families should fill out the FAFSA as early as possible.

However, it's important for families to remember that the FAFSA is still in beta-testing right now. So, while it's open for all families, there may be downtime or errors. As such, families who do file early should give themselves time to address issues, or they may want to wait until the full release in December.

Extended Call Center Hours

The Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) call center will add special FAFSA-only evening and weekend hours from November 22, 2024 to May 2, 2025.

  • Monday-Friday: 8am to 10pm
  • Saturday: 12 to 5pm
  • Sunday: Closed

Looking Ahead

While the FAFSA beta test has seen improvements, the Department of Education acknowledges the possibility of minor hiccups as the application scales up. Institutions, counselors, and families are still encouraged to provide feedback during this phase.

If you're uncertain about filing early, you can always plan to wait until early-December when the FAFSA is officially launched. However, the Department of Education has shared that since beta testing started in October, more than 14,000 students have successfully submitted their 2025–26 FAFSA forms. Furthermore, the Department has successfully processed the forms and sent over 81,000 records to more than 1,850 schools and 43 states.

If you're looking to get started on the FAFSA, now's the time to get ready. It's essential to maximize your financial aid.

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College Application Checklist

Editor: Colin Graves

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What Trump Eliminating The Dept Of Education Could Look Like https://thecollegeinvestor.com/48378/what-trump-eliminating-the-dept-of-education-could-look-like/ https://thecollegeinvestor.com/48378/what-trump-eliminating-the-dept-of-education-could-look-like/#respond Tue, 19 Nov 2024 19:04:09 +0000 https://thecollegeinvestor.com/?p=48378 What are the implications of Trump’s plan to abolish the Department of Education, including effects on funding and civil rights enforcement.

The post What Trump Eliminating The Dept Of Education Could Look Like appeared first on The College Investor.

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Source: The College Investor

Source: The College Investor

Key Points

  • Proposal To Eliminate The Department of Education: President-Elect Donald Trump has proposed eliminating the Department of Education as a key campaign promise
  • Congressional Approval Required: Eliminating the Department of Education would require congressional action, likely requiring a super-majority in the Senate.
  • Redistribution of Responsibilities: Programs and responsibilities would be reassigned to other federal agencies or state governments.

President-elect Donald J. Trump has reiterated his intent to abolish the federal Department of Education. This proposal aims to return K-12 educational authority back to individual states, while distributing other responsibilities to existing federal agencies.

The Department of Education is actually one of the "youngest" Federal agencies, having been formed in 1979 and really only started operating in 1980. For context, the first Federal agencies (State, Treasury, War/Defense, and Justice) were formed back in 1789.

The Department of Education also came into existence well after the first student loans were ever issued in 1958, and also after the first Higher Education Act of 1965 (which is the foundation of the current Federal student loan program).

However, closing the Department of Education is not a unilateral decision the president can make. It requires congressional approval. And beyond the actual closing, there will need to be a lot of legislation to adjust all the other various Departments to accommodate the change.

What Trump Has Said About The Department Of Education?

Trump has called the Department of Education a poor investment for taxpayers, claiming the U.S. spends three times more money on education than any other nation. Here's a clip from Twitter/X where he shares his thoughts on the matter:

It's important to remember, though, that closing the Department of Education requires congressional approval.

According to legal analysts, such a move would likely need a super-majority of 60 votes in the Senate to overcome any filibuster. Given the current political landscape where Republicans only hold 52 seats, achieving this threshold would require bipartisan support.

For reference, in a 2023 House vote, 60 Republicans opposed an amendment to eliminate the department.

Where The Functions Of The Department Of Education Will Go

Eliminate The Department of Education Infographic | Source: The College Investor

Source: The College Investor

If Trump does eliminate the Department of Education, it's important to realize that the functions of the Department would simply be reassigned to other areas of government. There is no proposal to eliminate the actual functions of the Department as a whole (though some programs would inevitably face cuts).

Programs like Federal student loans would transition to the Department of the Treasury. Civil rights enforcement might fall under the purview of the Department of Justice. Other initiatives, such as special education programs could move to Health and Human Services.

However, the biggest change would impact K-12 education. President Trump has signaled that he would like to see this return to the States (which already control most of the policy around K-12 education). This would be done by providing block grants of money to the states to fund their K-12 education programs.

Here's where some of the Department programs could move to:

  • K-12 Education Funding: Block Grants To The States
  • Federal Student Loans: Department Of Treasury
  • Civil Rights Enforcement: Department Of Justice
  • Special Education And Disability Programs: Department Of Health And Human Services
  • Vocational And Adult Education Programs: Department Of Labor
  • Educational Statistics And Research: National Science Foundation

Notably, unless the administration also changes what programs exist, the only elimination would be overhead for the Department of Education. Most of the functions would simply be moved to other Departments, employees and all.

Implications For Education Funding In The United States

The Department of Education had funding of $238 billion in 2024, but the bulk of the funding went to three key areas: K-12 education funding, the student loan program, and federal Pell grants. Of that $238 billion, $119 billion went to supplement state education budgets.

Eliminating the Department of Education could jeopardize these funding streams, as each state would have to adapt and outcome discrepancies would likely emerge on a broader scale nationwide.

However, the public sentiment towards the Department of Education is mixed. A Pew Research study found that only 44% of Americans hold a favorable view of the Department. And there are have been several attempts to dismantle the Department of Education before - about once each decade since it was created.

President-elect Trump's proposal to eliminate the Department of Education has huge implications for the future of education in the United States. However, until the actual bill is proposed, it's impossible to say for certain how the actual elimination of the Department could play out.

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Editor: Colin Graves

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