Thinking Ahead: Paying for College and Staying Out of Debt

Rinaldo
  • 5.0 (1)
  • EDUCATION

A podcast with those new to "adulting" in mind, with a focus on planning for college, paying for college, and keeping your finances straight while getting through college and your post-college life. 

  1. Student Loan Update April 2026 – Part 2: It’s A T.R.A.P

    6D AGO

    Student Loan Update April 2026 – Part 2: It’s A T.R.A.P

    Send us Fan Mail April 28, 2026: Do you like options? The more the merrier, right? The Department of Education has a different idea bout that when it comes to student loan repayment. In fact, they’re changing the standards and expectations when it comes to repayment in general. Will the new plans on July 1st save higher education and borrowers? Or are they trying to treat a symptom of the bigger cost of rising education?  Just have your knowledge of T.R.A.P. (Tiered or Repayment Assistance Plans)... https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-court-actions https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF13075 https://www.nerdwallet.com/student-loans/learn/what-is-the-new-repayment-assistance-plan-rap-for-student-loans https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/higher-education-policy/negotiated-rulemaking-for-higher-education-2025-2026 https://www.studentloanplanner.com/repayment-assistance-plan-rap-calculator/ https://thecollegeinvestor.com/58820/repayment-assistance-plan-rap-student-loan-calculator/ Music by NEST-BEATZ Official from Pixabay Music by Aliabbas Abasov from Pixabay Music by OctoSound from Pixabay #StudentLoans #LoanRepayment

    23 min

  2. APR 16

    Student Loans - The Administration Has an ED Problem

    Send us Fan Mail EDIT: I accidentally uploaded the wrong audio the first time, so if you notice that it's a repeat episode please let me know and I'll reach out to the platform so that all files are updated.  April 16, 2026: One of the most frustrating and anxiety riddled facts about student loans is the repayment terms. And now the game has changed… again. Today, I take another check-up on the student loan terms and updates from the US Department of Education. With SAVE officially out of the picture, and a July 1 deadline looming, decisions must be made by borrowers. Court rulings and beautiful bills aside, you’ll want to listen whether you’re in repayment, or planning to take out a student loan.  Sources: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-court-actions https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF13075 https://www.nerdwallet.com/student-loans/learn/what-is-the-new-repayment-assistance-plan-rap-for-student-loans https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/10/save-plan-for-student-loan-borrowers-is-over-federal-appeals-court-.html https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamminsky/2026/02/27/student-loans-in-save-plan-thrust-into-new-uncertainty-after-major-court-ruling/ AFT v Dept of Ed: https://clearinghouse.net/case/46244/ https://www.studentloanplanner.com/repayment-assistance-plan-rap-calculator/ https://thecollegeinvestor.com/58820/repayment-assistance-plan-rap-student-loan-calculator/  Questions or Comments? Info@ThinkingAheadPodcast.com  #StudentLoans  #LoanRepayment

    26 min

  3. MAR 25

    It's Hard Out Here (Job Fair Interviews)

    Send us Fan Mail The talking heads say that things are both fantastic and terrible in the job market. What’s the reality? I talk to job seekers, some of which aren’t the first type you’d think to find at a career fair, which speaks to the changing American labor market.  EDIT: I recorded this episode before the ramp-up of the Iran War, but in my opinion the job market and prices will be affected for a while.  *** Occupational Outlook Handbook** https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ SOURCES: https://blog.theinterviewguys.com/how-many-applications-it-takes-to-get-hired-in-2025/ https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/beyond-online-applications-job-search/ https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/5-job-search-strategies-madeline-mann/ https://veteran.employflorida.com/vosnet/Default.aspx## https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t09.htm https://www.self.inc/info/americans-with-two-or-more-jobs/ https://www.statista.com/chart/35609/number-of-americans-who-have-multiple-jobs/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2025/10/21/career-change-after-50-why-midlife-is-the-best-time-to-pivot/ https://www.aarp.org/work/careers/50s-career-shift/ #JobSeekers #ItsHardOutHere

    29 min

  4. FEB 24

    Mission Possible: Financing Higher Education, Part 2

    Send us Fan Mail The first time anybody brings up college, university, or getting degree there is one lingering question that a lot of folks have… how do I pay for all this? In today’s episode, we get into the many ways of financing your post-secondary education, as well as some methods that think outside the box.  This is Part 2 of a 2-part series. "Too Cool" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License  http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Sources: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/slideshows/tuition-free-colleges https://www.usnews.com/education/articles/completing-the-css-profile-everything-you-need-to-know https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf Live Better U: Walmart’s Education & Career Benefits https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell https://finaid.org/scholarships/ https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/how-to-pay-for-college-without-loans-or-financial-aid/ #PayingForCollege #FundingHigherEducation

    26 min

  5. FEB 10

    Financing Higher Ed, Part 1

    Send us Fan Mail The first time anybody brings up college, university, or getting degree there is one lingering question that a lot of folks have… how do I pay for all this? In today’s episode, we get into the many ways of financing your post-secondary education,  whether it's college, university, or vocational school.  #PayingForCollege #FinancingHigherEducation  Links/Sources: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/slideshows/tuition-free-colleges https://www.usnews.com/education/articles/completing-the-css-profile-everything-you-need-to-know https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf Live Better U: Walmart’s Education & Career Benefits https://www.myfloridaprepaid.com/

    18 min

  6. JAN 28

    How the College Search and Job Search are Similar

    Send us Fan Mail When it comes to choosing a college, we try to base our decisions on where we really want to go. When it comes to choosing a job, we tend to base our decisions on who will pay us more. What if there are other factors that make these searches more similar than you think? I’ll discuss those in today’s episode including: Location, Size, Popularity, Incentives, and more… #GameOfLife #LocationLocationLocation www.glassdoor.com www.niche.com https://www.onlineu.com/ www.gradreports.com (A bit spammy with trying to get your info) https://www.bestcolleges.com/ (Online only schools)

    28 min

  7. JAN 13

    Choosing a Major for 2026 (Or Job, Focus, Interest, etc)

    Send us Fan Mail 2026 has arrived, and with that some new goals as well as some old goals with new revisions. And just as you have to take care in choosing your goals, you have to take care in choosing your interests, college major, career path, and even the jobs you apply to.  #Goals2026 #WhatTheFocus WORKSHEET: Know Thyself WORKSHEET: Friend Interview

    20 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    Student Loan Updates, Dec 2025

    Send us Fan Mail In this final episode of 2025, I go over some of the changes that recently came out from the Department of Education and the RISE (Reimagining and Improving Student Education Committee) meetings, and how that could impact your borrowing options in 2026. After all, the show is called “Thinking Ahead”.  #StudentLoanUpdate, #FederalStudentAid  Sources: ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES: https://www.aamc.org/ https://studentaid.gov/  https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/higher-education-policy/negotiated-rulemaking-for-higher-education-2025-2026 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-VI/part-674/subpart-A/section-674.1 https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12585 https://studentaccounts.ucf.edu/tf-doctorofmedicine/ https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-court-actions

    29 min
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A podcast with those new to "adulting" in mind, with a focus on planning for college, paying for college, and keeping your finances straight while getting through college and your post-college life. 

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