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Steps to Take Now to Save This Winter

By U.S. News & World Report

As we enter into the later summer months, there is still plenty of warm weather to look forward to, and hopefully mild, comfortable temperatures in fall. While a cold winter is a harsh reality for many parts of the country, it’s not something we have to completely dread. The holiday season brings together family and friends, and winter sports are a great way to enjoy the snow.

If you want to make sure the upcoming winter season is one of your best ones yet, there are a few steps you can take as early as this month to save money and be better prepared for cold weather. As we all know, the cooler temperatures bring with them potential money drains, including for heating and snow removal. We might not be able to control the weather, but we can control our preparation for it!

Stock up on off-season items.

If you know there are a few things you will need this winter, whether it’s warm apparel or snow removal equipment, you don’t have to wait until the first snowfall to make a purchase. Start searching around to compare prices and see if you can find any off-season bargains. You have the luxury of time to wait until you find a great deal, and you can avoid the marked-up prices during winter when everything is in high demand. In fact, shoppers can often see some of the lowest prices when the items are not most in demand. That means late summer can be a good time to snap up last year’s winter coats that haven’t yet been purchased.

As we enter another shopping season, many states have tax-free holiday weekends during August. Use this to your advantage if you’re in need of a new winter coat or boots, as these holidays usually are limited to apparel, computers and back to school supplies.

Prepare your home for the cold.

The summer is a great time to make sure your home is ready for cold weather. Check for air leaks around doors and windows, as these can be a major drain on your energy costs, and seal them with caulk. Make sure you have draft stoppers for any doors that are letting air into the house.

You can also prepare for winter by cleaning out your furnace, replacing air filters and getting the chimney cleaned out. If you need to outsource any of these tasks, it’s a good time to do so — you can get a jumpstart on the experts’ busy seasons, and maybe even bargain for a discount.

You can also bleed your radiators by opening the air vent to allow trapped air to escape. This will help them work more efficiently during the winter months. Also, check to make sure your furniture is not blocking radiators from circulating heat throughout a room.

Lastly, consider a programmable thermostat if you don’t have one already. Turning it down in the evenings and while you are away from the house can save a ton of money on your energy bills.

Make sure your vehicle is ready.

Now is a good time to get your vehicle tuned up and in good running condition before the winter weather hits. Not only can it save you money by avoiding costly damage down the road, but you are also taking steps to keep you and your passengers safe.

One of the most important parts in your car to get serviced is your brakes and brake pads. Hardworking brakes are essential for icy roads. Also, take a look at the pressure in your tires and the tread, and determine if you might need a set of winter tires. If so, start budgeting now and save toward these each month. That way it won’t be a huge hit to your bank account when the time comes.

Check that you have enough antifreeze — while you’re at it, you may need to clean and flush the cooling system as well. It’s also a good idea to stock up on supplies and tools to keep in your car at all times, including an emergency kit (which is also useful to have at all times of the year), a shovel and a heavy duty ice scraper.

Winter should feel a little less scary now that you’re armed with tips to manage costly winter expenses!

More from U.S. News

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Steps to Take Now to Save This Winter 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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