Saving on the Cost of College with Brad Baldridge

Saving on the Cost of College with Brad Baldridge

Author: Chris Hutchins November 27, 2024 Duration: 1:00:44
#203: Learn to save on the cost for college. Chris and college funding expert Brad Baldridge discuss common mistakes, leveraging 529 plans and tax benefits, types of financial aid, creative tactics to maximize savings, and much more. Brad Baldridge, founder of Baldridge College Solutions and Taming the High Cost of College, is a Certified Financial Planner® who has helped hundreds of families plan and pay for college, their retirement, and more. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/saving-money-on-college-brad-baldridge Partner Deals Maui Nui: 20% off the most nutrient-dense red meat with code ALLTHEHACKS Vuori: 20% off the most comfortable performance apparel I've ever worn Daffy: Free $25 to give to the charity of your choice Cultural Care: Get $250 off flexible childcare with international au pairs DeleteMe: 20% off removing your personal info from the web For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: chrishutchins.com/deals Resources Mentioned Brad Baldridge: Website | Newsletter Free Scholarship Guide for Busy Parents Free Financial Aid Calculator 529 Plan Investment Options: A Quick Guide for Parents 7 Quick Tips for FAFSA Season The Best Student Loan Options for 2024-25 3 Last-Minute Strategies to Save on College Costs CSS Profile: Everything You Need to Know to Complete the CSS Profile Wealthfront: 529 Plan Rakuten ($40 for new members) Credit Cards: Rise Student Card Robinhood Gold Card U.S. Bank Smartly Card Gift of College Gift Cards CardPointers Pro (50% off here) ATH Podcast: Membership Chris' Newsletter Email us for questions, tips, deals and feedback Full Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (02:08) Biggest Mistakes People Make When Planning to Pay for College (03:18) Early Stage Planning vs. Late Stage Planning (05:56) Tax Benefits & Advantages for College Savings (16:40) How Your Assets Impact/Doesn’t Impact Need-Based Financial Aid (18:01) Recent Big Change On The FAFSA (22:41) What Is The CSS Profile? (27:31) The Different Types of Financial Aid (30:24) How to Plan for Scholarships (35:50) Transferring from A Local Community College to A Competitive College (37:49) Saving Strategies for Families with Higher Income (42:57) Ways to Utilize Student Loans (48:13) Student Loan Forgiveness Programs (50:36) Brad’s Final Takeaway (51:57) How Much Money Can Families Save on College Costs? (52:36) Where to Find Brad & His Services (53:16) Utilizing Credit Cards for College Tuition (55:08) How to Maximize Gift of College Gift Cards (1:03:35) Brad’s Disclosure Connect with Chris Newsletter | Membership | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like there's a smarter, more efficient way to navigate your finances, your travels, and your daily routines? That's the core question driving All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life. Hosted by Chris Hutchins, this podcast is built on a simple, powerful idea: maximizing value doesn't mean sacrificing enjoyment. Instead, it's about the strategic choices that free up resources-both money and time-for what truly matters. Chris approaches life as a series of systems to be optimized, drawing from his own experience saving millions through meticulous analysis. The conversations here are practical and wide-ranging, moving seamlessly from credit card points strategies and investment philosophies to the less tangible hacks for personal fulfillment. You'll hear from a diverse roster of experts and icons, including Tim Ferriss, Tony Hawk, Codie Sanchez, and Gary Vaynerchuk, who all bring their unique perspectives on building wealth and designing a compelling life. Each episode feels like a focused workshop, offering actionable advice you can use immediately, whether it's planning a luxury vacation for a fraction of the cost or rethinking your approach to career and leisure. This isn't just about frugality; it's about unlocking freedom and excitement through smarter decisions. Tune in for a consistently insightful blend of tactical moves and deeper conversations that challenge the conventional trade-offs between spending, saving, and living well.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life
Podcast Episodes
2025 Holiday Gift Guide and Top Ways to Save This Season [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:30
#255: Here are 100+ holiday gift ideas across tech, kitchen, home, clothing, fitness, kids, and games. I’ll also share tools and tactics to help you find deals and spend less this holiday season. For all the products, li…
The Cost of Always Optimizing with Chris and Amy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:10
#254: Chris and Amy share a candid look at their life together as two optimizers. They discuss everything from family finances and teaching their kids about money to managing their health, work, and travel. Link to Full…
10 Lessons That Challenged My Thinking on Money and Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:23
#253: My top 10 takeaways from a retreat for high-net-worth investors, which will cover investing, managing risk, investing in your health, building meaningful relationships, parenting with purpose, and defining success…
Family Travel on Points: Tips, Tricks and Tactics with Nick Reyes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:55
#252: Chris and Nick share strategies to make family travel affordable and stress-free with points and miles. They cover how to find multiple award seats, book business class for families, and their best tips for traveli…
How to Focus on What Matters and Let Go of the Rest with Ryan Holiday [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:43
#251: Discover why Stoicism matters more than ever and how to make it part of your daily life. We share practical ways to focus on what you can control, build resilience, and cultivate the four Stoic virtues: courage, se…
Earn More Points in Multiplayer Mode with Kai [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:10
#249: 3x your points and miles with a multiplayer strategy. We break down how to earn, manage, and maximize rewards with a partner, family, or friends. Plus learn how to handle the logistics, emotions, and systems that m…
How to Stop Over-Optimizing and Focus on What Matters with Tim Ferriss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:48
#248: Learn to escape the trap of over-optimizing and design a more meaningful life. We explore setting boundaries, resetting priorities, and turning failure into fuel for success. We also dive into Tim’s creative proces…
Deep Dive on Bank of America Credit Cards (Up to 5.25% Cash Back) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:24
#247: Chris dives into Bank of America’s credit card lineup and why he has 5 different BoA cards right now. He'll go over how the Preferred Rewards program can help you earn unlimited 3.3% back on everything. Finally, he…
Contrarian Takes on Money, Risk, and Retirement with Tyler Gardner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:50
#246: Today we explore contrarian takes on budgeting, the 4% rule, retirement planning, and the risks of blindly investing in bonds. We also cover strategies for investing, spending, and rethinking how to use money with…