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
How Much Are Points and Miles Worth in 2025? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:42
#245: Ever wonder what points are really worth? I'll break down the different types of points, how to calculate their value, and the biggest mistakes people make along the way. You’ll also learn when cash back might be t…
How I Saved $10,000+ on Luxury Hotels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:56
#244: I'll explain how I saved over $10k on luxury hotels in Costa Rica and Carmel Valley using points, free nights, and elite perks. I’ll walk you through every step, from how to book with points, when to buy them on sa…
Deep Dive on Capital One Credit Cards and Miles (+ Why I Love Them) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:56
#242: Chris dives into the Capital One credit card lineup, breaking down earning structures for miles and cash back, exciting benefits, and redemption strategies. He also covers the best 2-card combo, transfer partners,…
Earn More Points with New Cards, Bonuses, and Challenges in 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:15
#241: We cover new credit cards, increased welcome bonuses, and major changes to existing cards and their benefits. Plus, learn how to rack up thousands of points through airline and hotel challenges and giveaways. Link…
18 Tactics for Booking Travel with Points & Miles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:44
#238: Chris shares 18 tactics he’s used to get the best deals booking flights and hotels with points. Learn how to leverage flexibility, navigate transfer partners, use the right tools, identify “sweet spots,” avoid high…
How to Design a Rich Life at Any Income with Ramit Sethi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:59
#237: Start living your rich life today regardless of your income. Learn how to spend without guilt, track the four key financial numbers that matter most, harness the power of decisiveness, and avoid the common traps th…
Deep Dive on Amex Credit Cards and Membership Rewards Points [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:22
#236: Chris reviews and ranks the full American Express lineup of 30+ cards. He also breaks down Membership Rewards, transfer partners, approval rules, card-linked offers, unique perks, and more. Link to Full Show Notes:…