We’ve talked in the past about the utility of online calculators, so it was decided it’d be fitting to list a few on the website that will prove useful to those currently attending college. No, they won’t help you get an A on that advanced calculus exam, but they will help you save some money at a time when funds are undoubtedly limited.
Student Loan Repayment Calculator: Every semester college students have to worry about covering the cost of tuition, with many opting to take out student loans to cover the costs of higher education. But what seems like an enticingly accessible source of money may end up being a loan agreement you won’t be able to get out of for decades. Use a student loan repayment calculator before borrowing for school.
Credit Card Repayment Calculator: Unless you’ve made it a habit to use a Green Dot card or other prepaid option, chances are you’ve racked up some credit card debt while in school. Before using your card for further purchases, run your figures through a credit card repayment calculator to see how much money you’ll wind up paying in interest with the maximum monthly payment you can afford.
Energy Savings Calculator: After the first year or so, most college kids choose to live in an apartment on their own or with roommates. To battle against outrageously high utility costs, use a home energy saver to find out the best ways you can reduce energy usage and increase efficiency. It can lead to a monthly savings of $50 or even more – no small chunk of change to someone in college (or anywhere).
Fuel Consumption Calculator: Many people own their first automobile during or right after college. With oil prices expected to skyrocket this summer, it’s critical that college students on limited budgets find the most fuel efficient vehicle they can afford. Apart from safety, it’s the single most important aspect of an automobile.
Cost-of-Living Calculator: It’s important to inspect a city’s average cost-of-living before deciding to travel there to attend college. While the tuition may be cheaper, the cost of food and fun as well as housing may be too much for your young pockets to bear. Especially considering how you’re likely to look for work in this city after graduation, take the cost-of-living seriously by using a calculator.
If you’re in college and strapped for cash, then it’s probably a smart idea to bookmark these calculators. Free assistance in any situation is hard to come by, let alone something that’s available to you 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
Mike, aka The Dividend Guy, authors The Dividend Guy Blog since 2010 and manages portfolios at Dividend Stocks Rock. He is a passionate investor.