Last week, our son graduated from middle school. He will start high school in a few months. Wow, where did the time go? It feels like he just started preschool a few years ago! RB40Jr is a teenager now and he’s taller than I am. That’s nuts. Parents, enjoy your kiddos while they’re small. They’ll go off to college before you know it. Talking about college, it’s time to investigate FAFSA. We plan to help pay for college, but some financial assistance would be awesome. The estimated cost for four years of attending an in-state public college in 2029, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is approximately $140,000. Yowza! We saved for college in a 529 plan, but we don’t have that much. Today, I’m using the Gemini AI to help figure out FAFSA. The formula is more complicated than ever after the rework in 2024. I found the Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide online. It has all the details, but it is 60 pages long. You can take a look if you would like to see the innards of FAFSA. However, it is much easier to use AI to figure out your personal situation. Finally, AI impressed me. As a parent, the AI was way better than the internet for this job. I browsed through many sites, but they weren’t helpful. It’s hard to summarize because there are so many cases and exceptions. The AI could answer back as I narrow down our financial situation. It was extremely helpful. As a blogger, what can I say? This is why blogs are obsolete. The only thing I can add is the human element. Okay, let’s wrap this up quickly. FAFSA FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students use this form to apply for financial aid to help pay for college or career school. If you haven’t looked at FAFSA for a few years, you will be surprised at how complicated it is now. First, I went to fill out the Federal Student Aid Estimator at studentaid.gov. It was good, but there was no detail on how it got the result or what I can do to maximize student financial aid. The important number I got back is the SAI. The SAI estimate is 0 for RB40Jr. Apparently, 0 is very good. It was unexpected, and I’d like to know why. This is where the AI came in handy. SAI (Student Aid Index) SAI is an index number used by financial aid professionals when creating an aid offer. This was one of the changes made in 2024. SAI is similar to the old EFC (expected family contribution), but not exactly. It can range from -1,500 to 999999. A negative SAI indicates the highest level of financial need. Zero indicates a strong chance of getting student financial assistance. Formula: Cost of Attendance (COA) – Student Aid Index (SAI) = Financial Need Since RB40Jr’s SAI is $0, his Financial Need will be equal to the school’s full Cost

When the summer heat rolls in (or you’re just craving something sweet and citrusy), there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a cold, creamy lemon icebox pie. It’s tart, sweet, silky smooth, and comes together with just a few pantry staples — no oven required! This recipe is perfect for get-togethers, potlucks, or just a treat at home that feels a little fancy but only takes minutes to make. It uses simple ingredients: cream cheese, sweetened […]

The stock market outlook starts the week in an uptrend, pending market reactions to geopolitical events this weekend.

Over the past few years, we researched and visited many college towns as our kids made college choices. College towns are an essential criterion when choosing the college you wish to attend for your years of education. College towns offer much more than communities dominated by their university populations. They are attractive places to live or visit for a weekend stay or vacation. What makes a good college town? Besides academics and professional job opportunities, […]

Running a business in India today demands not just vision but also timely access to capital. Whether you’re launching a start-up or expanding operations, the right funding can make all the difference. One of the most accessible routes for entrepreneurs is a business loan. But how do you ensure your application stands the best chance of approval? Here’s a straightforward breakdown of the essential steps to apply for business loan in India—and how to do […]

This post is not a reaction to the rising political tensions in the Middle East, with the U.S. targeting Iranian nuclear sites on the weekend. Mostly, ‘got oil and gas stocks’ is a common question on this blog. You’re then ready for an oil shock. An oil shock can’t disrupt your lifestyle, in fact it would likely enrich you and your portfolio. With oil and gas stocks in the portfolio mix you’ll have a nice […]

Lately, many readers who are at the beginning of their investment journey have asked me about my choice of discount broker. To be more specific: Questrade vs. Wealthsimple Trade, which one is the better choice? … Read more

If you’ve ever felt guilty about not having more money in savings, you’re not alone—and you’re not necessarily the one to blame. In a world where you’re constantly told to “just stop spending” or “make your coffee at home,” it’s easy to believe that saving money is all about self-control and skill. But the truth is, most people aren’t struggling to save because they’re irresponsible. They’re struggling because the system wasn’t designed with their success […]