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5 frugal and fresh ingredients for fall

By WTOP Staff

With a change in seasons nearly upon us, now is the best time to find out what fruits and vegetables are in season, so you can cook with recipes that take advantage of these easily found (and cheaper) ingredients. Cooler temperatures and the back-to-school season usually means heading back into the kitchen and gathering around the dinner table again, so consider searching out these five frugal and fresh ingredients next time you’re in the grocery store:

Squash

You’re probably familiar with squash as a staple on the Thanksgiving dinner table, but in fact this vegetable is in season beginning in September in most parts of the country. Known as “winter squash,” the types of squash that are harvested in the early fall have a thicker, harder rind to allow for storing throughout the winter.

Winter squash is low in calories, rich in vitamins and and offers many nutritional benefits. Varieties include acorn, buttercup, butternut and spaghetti squash. Use winter squash to give a twist to classic pasta dishes like lasagna or gnocchi, or find a recipe that uses squash as a lighter alternative, like roasted spaghetti squash.

Berries

When it comes to berries, September offers a blend between late summer fruits including blueberries and strawberries and early fall specialties such as cranberries and huckleberries. Bake this season’s fruits into crisps, pies and tarts; not only can you get these fruits for a good deal in your local grocery store, but the desserts will taste especially good using fresh ingredients versus frozen.

Apples

There are certain foods that instantly bring to mind changing leaves and cool nights. These flavors of fall are some of the best the season has to offer. Even better, some of these delicacies can not only be eaten, but also harvested and enjoyed in fun outings.

Apples are an incredibly versatile fruit and can be used in snacks, beverages, meals or desserts. Picking your own apples is a frugal and fun daytime trip, and after you’re done there are endless possibilities for cooking up your bounty, whether it’s in a pie, hot mulled cider or applesauce to accompany your next pork dish.

Other fruits, including figs and pears, can also add to the bounty. These unique and sweet fruits can make any meal instantly feel gourmet, at little cost to you. On your next cheese plate, just add a few figs and drizzled honey for a seasonal and delicious twist. Pears are the perfect addition to autumn salads.

Roots

If you’re looking to transition your cooking from bright summer to savory fall flavors, try sweet potatoes or turnips, which begin their peak season in October. These hearty vegetables make great sides to a meal and brighten up your dinner plate.

Last but certainly not least is pumpkin, which exploded in the last few years as everyone’s favorite fall flavor. There is plenty you can do with pumpkin however, besides drinking it in your coffee. You can cook and bake with it (and because of its large size you can get a lot of bang for your buck) or even roast and season the seeds for a snack that will last beyond Halloween.

Greens

Root vegetables can’t get the entire spotlight this fall. There are plenty of green vegetables coming into season that you can find easily at low cost and high nutrition, including broccoli, spinach, curly kale and cabbage. Spice up your salad by using kale instead of your normal lettuce, which is known for its many health benefits including high content of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Fall’s fruits and vegetables are ideal for more than just the dinner table; mix up school lunches and keep your kids healthy by adding these flavors to the lunchbox. Apples are an easy snack, especially when accompanied with peanut butter (or different nut butter for schools that are more allergy- sensitive). Roasted pumpkin seeds sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar are a sweet treat they won’t expect. Berries and a few chocolate chips are the perfect addition to yogurt to keep kids from getting bored.

Visit your local grocery store and farmer’s market to see what produce you can cook and bake with (or snack on!) during the early fall months.

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5 Frugal and Fresh Ingredients for Fall originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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