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How to Support Small Business Owners on a Budget

By U.S. News & World Report

This holiday season, it’s really easy to hit up Walmart and Target and knock out every single gift on your list in one go.

However, we’re increasingly becoming a society that craves “one of a kind” and unique gifting experiences. While I’m all for literally gifting experiences, doing some or all of your shopping at small businesses or websites like Etsy can be a rewarding experience for both you and the small business.

Are you interested in putting some money into the hands of small business owners now but still have a tight budget? Check out these 10 items under $10 that you can purchase on Etsy that will brighten anyone’s holiday. (To find the stores, just go to Etsy.com and type the store name into the search bar.)

Bubble and Geek: Everyone’s got that one friend who is super into pop culture and really on top of their TV viewing. This store has the baubles for them. From wax melts to scented roll on fragrances to (my personal favorite) lip balms in scents and flavors that reference Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones and more, Bubble and Geek really does have every geek in your life covered.

2Marys: Is there a dapper gentleman in your life who could stand to spice up his wardrobe a little? 2Marys has a wide variety of fun bow ties. You can pick up a music note bow tie for your favorite music teacher or an under the sea scene for your favorite marine biologist and those are just two of many options.

GeorgiaTeaberry: For less than $10, you can find a nifty pendant for most of the ladies in your life, although you will have an especially wide selection of options for bookworms and women of faith. That being said, there are also a wide variety of song lyrics and clever ways to personalize the pendants.

Earthgrowncrayons: For the kids on your list, check out these adorable collections of eco-friendly crayons. Do you know a little one who is super into dinosaurs? Frogs? Whales? These handmade soy candles are created from earth minerals and organic ingredients and are entirely non-toxic.

PassionWoody: Everyone has one gypsy wanderer in their life and one thing every gypsy wanderer is on the lookout for is a way to distinguish their suitcase. Sure, you can tie a piece of ribbon on the handle, but a much cooler option is to find a unique baggage tag. PassionWoody has a wide variety of wooden baggage tags, along with quite a few other carved wood items under $10.

When you buy from Walmart, Sam Walton doesn’t notice. When you buy a unique lip balm with a fun pop culture twist from Bubble & Geek, she does. Mom and pop shops also tend to minimize waste, so don’t have to worry as much about shipping. They often also serve as a more direct link between the production of the goods and getting them to you.

In my experience, the customer service aspect is usually so much better, too. Not to knock some big box store employees, because certainly plenty are terrific, but when you’re in a clothing store where most of the clothes were made by the proprietor, she’s going to be happy to have a knowledgeable conversation about what will look best on you. A local furniture maker will be able to take into account the types of wood you love and the durability you’re looking for better than a part-time Ikea worker.

Small businesses also offer coupons and deals to their customers. Many places have loyalty cards, but the most common way to score deals with smaller shops is to sign up for their mailing lists. This is the main way online businesses and even brick and mortar mom and pop stores keep their customers in the loop about inventory changes, deals and clearances.

The Etsy handbook encourages sellers to promote their coupon codes on Facebook and Twitter, so those are often the first places you’ll find them. Sellers are also encouraged to include discount codes for future purchases in their packaging. Finally, be sure to scan the seller’s actual Etsy site, which are common places to find coupon codes include in the shop announcement area, banner and profile.

So as the holiday season winds to a close and you’re in the thick of the last-minute shopping hustle and bustle, don’t forget about all the small local stores and the great internet resources like Etsy to help out small business owners while also putting a unique spin on your gift giving. Don’t forget, local doesn’t always mean more expensive!

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How to Support Small Business Owners on a Budget 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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