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4 Ways to Protect Yourself From Financial Disasters

By U.S. News & World Report

When it comes to unexpected bills, such as car repair or medical bills, most of us are not prepared. And as financial disasters, such as a job loss or a debilitating medical condition, get more serious, the less prepared we are. A 2015 study from the Pew Charitable Trusts found that more than half of Americans are not prepared for unexpected bills. Another Pew study from 2015 found that 55 percent of American households did not have the cash savings to replace one month of income. While worrying about the unexpected will keep you up at night, there are some simple steps you can take to prepare your finances and ease your mind.

[See: 8 Big Budgeting Blunders — and How to Fix Them.]

Understand your current finances: You can’t prepare your finances unless you have a clear picture of your income and spending. First, determine your average monthly income, including salary and any other money you bring in. Then list your average monthly spending, including everything from your student loan debt or car payment to what you spend on hobbies or entertainment. Add up all your spending and that is your total expenses for the month. If your income is higher than your expenses, then the difference is what you can apply to saving for the unexpected. If your expenses are higher than your income, then you need to evaluate your finances and find ways to reduce your spending.

[Read: No Savings, No Backup Plan, No Fairy Godmother: How to Handle a Financial Disaster.]

Make an emergency budget: Once you have a clear picture of your finances, you need to calculate the minimum you need every month to cover your expenses. Start by prioritizing your bills. Look at your expenses and list just your monthly necessities. These are expenses you couldn’t live without or need to pay every month, such as rent, mortgage, car payment, groceries and utilities. Now list your optional spending, such as a gym membership, cable TV, eating out and Netflix. The total of your necessities is what you need on hand every month.

Examine your optional spending and see if there is anything you can drop or reduce. Instead of going out to lunch every day, go out every other day. Instead of the full cable package, go for the basic channels. Whatever is left on the list is now your emergency budget. If something unexpected does happen, the emergency budget is the first place you can go to drop the spending you can live without and lower your expenses.

[See: How to Live on $13,000 a Year.]

Get your finances in order: With all your information in front of you, now is the time to evaluate your finances. If you have credit card debt, look to pay off or pay down your credit card balances. Keeping your credit card balances down gives you more available credit for emergencies. Is the interest rate on your mortgage high? You might be able to refinance at a lower rate. Make sure you’re contributing the full amount to your retirement fund or 401(k).

You should also check whether you are adequately covered with insurance. Check your health insurance to see whether you and your family have the right coverage in case of a medical emergency. Check your homeowners or rental insurance to make sure you are covered in the event of a natural disaster. Consider getting optional coverage such as life insurance or disability insurance to make sure you and your family are taken care of if the worst happens.

Build an emergency fund: One of the most important tools you can have to prepare for financial disasters is an emergency fund. Usually kept in a savings account, so you can easily access it when you need to, an emergency fund is money you set aside to cover your essential bills. The goal is to have at least enough money to cover you for three months. This money would go to living expenses such as food and rent. Most households don’t have that much, so don’t panic.

Even if you are starting from zero, having that total of your essential expenses gives you the number you need to reach. Contributing what you can afford each month will still give you that much more of a cushion in case of an emergency. Once you reach your three-month number, don’t stop contributing. Financial disasters can come in unexpected ways, so the more you have, the better your chances to make it through.

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4 Ways to Protect Yourself From Financial Disasters 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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