Parents ask me, "Jeannie, I've got kids ages 12–18. What's the fastest, easiest way for me to get these kids through college debt-free and into jobs they love afterward?" My answer: "It's actually fairly easy to do this—if you can plan ahead just a little!" Let me...

Why would some parents find out that there's a path to debt-free college (and thriving future career) for their kids—and then say, "Nah, we're not going to walk down that path"? It's understandable! Parents are busy, and they can't do everything. The problem comes...

Who feels most excited and happy at college drop off day? It’s parents (at all different income levels) who've laid the groundwork necessary to get that kid through college debt-free—and then directly into a career that kid excels at and loves. Even if he or she never...

Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Weeks or months after your daughter has finished up all her college applications, you may find yourself wondering, "Is there anything else she can do to increase admissions chances—well after her applications have been...

Here's What We're Talking About This Week! If you've got a child between the ages of 12 and 26, you know how difficult it can be to motivate him or her to want to apply for college scholarships. Try this entertaining strategy, one that other parents are using with...

Note: This article isn't just about financial aid. If you're currently trapped in a physically, mentally, emotionally, or sexually abusive domestic situation, there's specific help for you in this article. In just a matter of days, Valentine's Day will be over for...

Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Every year, millions of high school students are fed this line: "Hey, you should take Advanced Placement (AP) classes! They're way harder, but if you do well on the test at the end, you'll get free college credit!" It sounds...

Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Increasingly, school staff are saying yes. For students who are achieving at high enough levels academically to do so, yes. Both public and private high schools are working to come up with new and better ways for students to...

The life and faith and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspires me. His words ring in my head: "I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never...

Here's What We're Talking About This Week! It was my happiest phone call of the day. "Guess what!?!" said the excited voice on the other end of the line. "I did it! I got my scores back--and I got a 514 on the MCAT! The 91st percentile! Better than 91% of the...

Here's What We're Talking About This Week! If you as a parent are out of debt by the day your kid starts college, you’ll have more cash on hand to help with college bills. If you start the process of getting out of debt years before your kid starts college, you’ll...

I'm spending the holidays with my family—and I hope you are too. Whenever I take time off like this, I like to point you to some of my most helpful past articles that you may have missed. This gives you a chance to catch up—right on a week when you may have a little...

Mom, Dad, I know your holidays are busy. You're working frantically to get all the shopping, cooking, and decorating done so that all the holiday magic will appear to flow effortlessly at your house. I know it's a lot—especially in addition to everything else you do...

Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Books make great gifts. Why? Because a carefully chosen book can literally change a life. In this short article I share the top 9 books I most love for parents, 20-somethings, and students ages 12 and up. (For anyone having...

Here's What We're Talking About This Week! You’re a loving parent—so of course you want to make your kid’s future college breaks as warm and memorable as possible. But will you be able to do that if your newly-flown offspring comes home snarly and inconsiderate? What...

Here's What We're Talking About This Week! There's little that's more trying for a parent than December college applications. If your 12th grader has put off completing college applications until the busy holiday season is breathing down his neck—you know what I mean....

You’re with extended family at Thanksgiving, and while you’re setting the table or washing dishes together—you want to say something about the fun, inspiring, exciting debt-free college journey your family's on. What do you say? Mention how fun and reassuring and...

Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Most grandparents love to dote on their beloved grandchildren, but let's face it. Older kids and teens are notoriously hard to shop for. How can grandparents give a relatively inexpensive holiday gift that will be remembered...

Here's What We're Talking About This Week! Most college students would love to earn significant money while home on a December college break. Tell the students you care about—UPS may be the place to apply (for more reasons than just the paycheck). What does UPS...