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7 Ways to Fall Into Savings This Season

By WTOP Staff

Autumn is here. With the changing season comes new expenses, including increased utility bills, school programs for the kids and upcoming holiday purchases. These costs don’t have to wreak havoc on your bank account. Here are five easy ways to fall into savings this season.

Weatherproof your home. Before the temperatures drop, consider weatherproofing your home. Using weatherstripping on windows and doors can lower heating costs, and cleaning your gutters will help drainage and prevent any future problems. You’ll get a season’s worth of savings and peace of mind by taking a few steps in the fall to get your home ready for cold weather.

Cook at home. Stop spending money on dining out with friends, because let’s face it, eating out gets expensive. Plus, as the days get shorter and the weather gets cooler, why not stay in and be cozy with friends and family? Make it an outing by going to your local farmers market together. Cooking in season is not only a great way to get a taste of the fall, but it’s also a money saver since fruits and vegetables such as butternut squash, pumpkin, apples, potatoes and carrots are abundant and low priced. Cooking with a crockpot rather than a stove can also save you time and money this season. Hearty soups and stews are delicious meals in cold weather and can last for several meals.

Get out of town. Summer is over, but that doesn’t mean your best trips of the year are behind you. Fall can be the ideal time to get out of town because many airline prices decrease, temperatures cool off and most people stay home — making tourist destinations less crowded. But don’t wait too long! Most of these deals are only available for a short period of time as the holiday travel season approaches. Luggage and travel accessories typically go on sale in the fall season as well, so stock up on the deals.

Save money on automobile costs. When it comes to maintaining your vehicle in cold weather, keeping your oil clean and your tires filled can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs down the road. Fall is the perfect time to have your antifreeze checked, your windshield wiper fluid filled and new wiper blades installed. You can do most — if not all — of these things yourself for very little money and time.

Get crafty. Some of the most beautiful fall décor can be found in nature, and the best part is: It’s free! If you have a couple frames lying around, consider using them to display a leaf in orange, yellow or red. Creating a do-it-yourself festive fall wreath or centerpiece for your front door and dinner table gives your home a warm welcome at a very low cost. Now is also a great time to get a head start on those crafty holiday gifts! Sites like Pinterest have tons of easy ideas to get you inspired.

Move your workout outside. Bathing suit season may be wrapping up, but fall is also a great season to head outdoors for exercise. Why waste money on a gym membership when you can take advantage of the great outdoors? Make a commitment to go for a hike on the weekends, or sign up for a 5K race and train for it by running outside.

Save on entertainment. Find new and fun ways to spend time with those you love. Parks are a great place to go in the fall. They are usually free and offer many great family-friendly amusements. Between Oktoberfest, Halloween, pumpkin patches and other fall festivities, there are bound to be free things to do with your family in your area.

Each season has its perks, but none are quite like the fall. Follow these easy tips to save money, and experience everything the season has to offer.

More from U.S. News

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10 Quirky Ways to Save Money

Cheap Home Repairs That Could Save You Thousands

7 Ways to Fall Into Savings This Season 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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