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How to Score End-of-Winter Bargains

By U.S. News & World Report

The winter winds are still blowing strong, the average temperature for the 48 contiguous states has dropped below freezing and snow now officially covers nearly 1.5 million miles of our country, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Though spring is only a few weeks away, this frigid season feels like it’s here to stay, and for most of us, the shimmer has definitely worn off the snowflake. Bring on the sunshine and crocuses, right?

Well, not so fast. While you may indeed be fed up with winter, there is a bright side to this enduring cold: Retailers are ruled by the calendar, not the thermometer. So no matter where the mercury falls, stores need to make room for their spring items (think patio furniture, hiking boots and swimsuits) and to do so, they’ve got to move their winter inventory out and fast. That means better deals on goods that you can still use as this season lingers. Here are your best bets:

Winter outerwear: Right now is Goldilocks season for buying a new winter coat. That is, it’s not too early to find big sales and not too late to miss out on the good inventory but just right. Major department stores, like Macy’s and Kohl’s, are known to offer deep discounts of 50 percent off or more on many styles. J.Crew’s classic coats have seen deep price cuts of over $150 dollars off, and since they’re classics, they’ll never go out of style. (Pro tip: Never buy a trendy item at the end of the season or it may look dated by the time you can really get enough wear out of it.)

Specialty stores, like EMS and REI, typically make way for mud season by running sales of up to 40 percent off on snow jackets. Splurge now, and not only will you be ready for next winter, but a fresh coat may be just what you need to get through the rest of this one.

Luggage: Whether you have a big trip planned for spring break or not, now is the time to nab a new suitcase set, or at least a new carry-on. (If the late-winter clearance sales aren’t enough of an incentive, then just remember, by taking a carry-on rather than that giant old suitcase you got as a college graduation gift eons ago, you’ll usually save about $50 in checked-baggage fees per round-trip flight per person.) Luggagepros.com and AltmanLuggage.com both have massive selections that can typically be found up to 80 percent off during this time of year. Just think: If you don’t have that trip booked yet, these sales may be just the thing to inspire you to get packing.

Snow blowers: Home Depot, incredibly, has stocked up on too many snow blowers. (Honestly, is there such a thing this winter?) As a result, it’s now selling its overstocked models online at 30 percent off. Another great option: SearsOutlet.com sells reconditioned snow blowers for up to 60 percent off. Your back could probably use a break now, don’t you think?

Skis and snowboards: Big resorts can usually extend their ski seasons into late March and even April, so don’t expect major deals at the mountainside specialty sporting good shops until then. Despite that, you can find deals while the snow is still falling by checking the big box sporting goods stores, whose sales are much less dependent on local snow conditions. Look to Sports Authority and REI for big-time sales on snowboards and downhill and cross-country skis.

For really great prices on pre-owned equipment, try Play It Again Sports. Added bonus: If you bring in your old skis or board (or bike or whatever other sporting goods that are collecting dust in your garage) to Play It Again, you can either trade it in for on-the-spot store credit or cash. (No fussing with Craigslist respondents, who then never show up.)

Even if you just use your new-to-you board a few times more this winter, chances are you’ll still come out ahead, given that rentals can often set you back $50 or more every day you hit the hill. Bottom line: Whether you like it or not, winter is not over yet. You might as well enjoy every last day of it. Come July, you’ll be thinking back fondly of all of these powder days.

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How to Score End-of-Winter Bargains 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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