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How to Pick the Best Baby Registry for You

By WTOP Staff

One of the first things I did after learning I was pregnant was research the various baby registries that are out there. It is not that I am greedy or eagerly anticipating receiving gifts. Instead, I am using our baby registry as a shopping guideline for myself because otherwise I am positive I would go overboard and purchase way too much baby gear.

Since there are others that I am sure are currently researching baby registries or wondering what the differences are between those that are available, I put together a quick run-down on five of the biggest baby registries out there.

Amazon Baby

Personally, I liked the idea of Amazon Baby because I do most of my shopping online but the one thing that held me back from immediately going with this registry is that many of our family members prefer to do their shopping at the stores. Luckily, there is a way to print out the registry so that those shopping in-stores can still find the items you want. Then, if they are tech-savvy enough, they just need to go back on the Amazon website to indicate which items were purchased elsewhere.

Another reason I was interested in Amazon Baby is because their prices are frequently cheaper than at other stores, and shipping is free for Amazon Prime members. Amazon Baby is a universal registry, meaning you can add items from any online store to your Amazon registry.

Another benefit is that after everything is said and done, Amazon offers a 10 percent discount on select items that were never purchased off the registry. That “completion discount” could be as high as 15 percent for those who are members of Amazon Mom (which is a wonderful service in its own right, offering free two-day shipping and a 20 percent discount on automated diaper deliveries). The completion discount will become available 30 days prior to the baby’s due date and may only be used once.

Babies R Us Registry

Babies R Us is perhaps the most well-known of baby stores and it seems to carry pretty much everything one could need for little ones. The registry comes with a few great perks, including a Price Match Discount. If you head to your local store and show them a competitor’s printed ad or website with a lower price, the store will match it.

Babies R Us recently introduced a new perk that could save parents-to-be big money on future purchases. When the parents-to-be or others purchase items from the registry, parents will earn up to 10 percent back via a gift card that can be spent on future purchases at Babies R Us. The gift card will arrive via email approximately 10 weeks after baby’s due date.

Like Amazon Baby, Babies R Us offers a 10 percent completion discount for any items that were not purchased from the registry. This is a one-time-only coupon that cannot be used in combination with any other coupons.

Buy Buy Baby Registry

One of the biggest perks to registering and shopping at Buy Buy Baby is that it is a sister company to Bed Bath & Beyond, which means that it accepts any and all Bed Bath & Beyond coupons. Bed Bath & Beyond is notorious for sending out coupons valid for 20 percent off any one item, which can add up to big savings for the parents-to-be (and those purchasing gifts off the registry), especially on big ticket items.

Buy Buy Baby offers an incentive for those who encourage their friends to open up a Buy Buy Baby Registry by way of a coupon for $25 off any $100 purchase. Buy Buy Baby also offers two different completion discount coupons. The amount of the coupons seems to vary from 10 to 15 percent. These coupons can typically be used with other coupons for double the savings.

Kohl’s Little Ones Baby Registry

Kohl’s has a good baby registry, especially online. It carries some of the most coveted brands that can occasionally be purchased at prices lower than anywhere else thanks to Kohl’s generous coupon policy and frequent Kohl’s Cash promotions.

Kohl’s frequent release of coupons can really help those purchasing gifts off a registry, but Kohl’s also offers registry shoppers a coupon valid for 20 percent off a $100 purchase that is valid on in-store purchases. Kohl’s also offers a 15 percent discount on all items remaining on the registry that have not been purchased. The coupon will be mailed just before the baby’s due date and is valid for three months.

Target Baby Registry

One of the great things about registering with Target is that with 1,800 stores in the United States, almost everyone has one nearby, but registries can also be accessed online. One thing that may be worth noting for parents-to-be setting up a new registry is that the baby selection can be much better online than it is in-stores.

Target also offers one of the most generous completion discounts. Approximately six weeks before your due date, Target will send out a coupon good for 15 percent off any unpurchased items remaining on the registry.

In addition to these five store registries, there are quite a few universal registries, which allow you to register at any retailer, out there. Regardless of whichever registry ends up interesting you the most, be sure to take into account factors like completion discounts, return policies and store locations before deciding on the perfect one for you.

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How to Pick the Best Baby Registry for You 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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