Are you borrowing too much for college?

When it comes to soaring college costs, much of the blame has been leveled at the colleges themselves — and their nonstop spending on everything from lavish student centers to generous salaries for administrators.

Certainly the schools deserve criticism for their extravagant outlays. But what’s often overlooked is the role of the parents and students who are determined to pay lofty prices for brand-name schools, even if it means going deeply and dangerously into debt.

Want proof? Consider the recent efforts by ..read more

More Money Monday roundup: E-filing advice & and a hedge fund show tune

Looking to increase tax time efficiency by filing with the IRS online? Watch this how-to video on keeping your private financial information secure using e-returns. [MarketWatch] The Fed might have led you to believe that the recession ended sometime in mid 2009, but a committee at the National Bureau of Economic Research has released a statement that we are not yet out of the woods in the economic downturn. [New York Times] Build-your-own might be a great concept when it comes to ..read more

More Money Friday roundup: Spirit CEO speaks & Fannie execs surprised

Personal finance from around the Web:

Spirit Airlines CEO Ben Baldanza explains the rationale behind charging for checked bags. He says Spirit's business model is fundamentally "customer friendly." [Elliot] Home owners apparently were not the only ones caught off guard when home prices began to fall as the housing bubble burst. Former Fannie Mae executives tell Congress that plummeting prices consistently surprised them as well. [Associated Press] Are cruise ship nuptials the new destination weddings? The cruise industry has seen a 60% increase ..read more

More Money Thursday roundup: Five fees to dump & why blondes make more dough

Personal finance from around the web:

Tax day is fast approaching, and if you haven't filed yet, it's probably making you grumble. The Washington Post debunks five myths about your taxes. [The Washington Post] And would you tattle on someone you know is cheating on his taxes? The IRS hopes you will. If you have specific and credible evidence, you could score a payout. [WalletPop] Maybe a dye job should be part of your investment portfolio. Not only do blondes have more fun ..read more

More Money Wednesday roundup: Credit scoring via Facebook & high-interest banking

Personal finance from around the Web:

Do you find yourself telling the kids to be careful who they hang out with? Turns out the same advice goes for you, online. Creditors are turning to your social networks to help determine whether or not you will make a good customer. [PC World] The ever-capricious housing market defied economists predictions of a 1.9% increase in new-home sales for February, instead dipping 2.2 percent. [The New York Times] Never paid much attention to the near-negligible interest ..read more

More Money Wednesday roundup: Credit scoring via Facebook & high-interest banking

Personal finance from around the Web:

Do you find yourself telling the kids to be careful who they hang out with? Turns out the same advice goes for you, online. Creditors are turning to your social networks to help determine whether or not you will make a good customer. [PC World] The ever-capricious housing market defied economists predictions of a 1.9% increase in new-home sales for February, instead dipping 2.2 percent. [The New York Times] Never paid much attention to the near-negligible interest ..read more

More Money Thursday roundup: Accidental foreclosures & free cable TV

Personal finance from around the web:

A 46-year-old Pittsburgh woman is suing Bank of America for mistakenly repossessing her home and confiscating her prized pet parrot. The woman's mortgage was up to date, but she says it took her a week to recover her beloved bird and six weeks to get BofA to clean up the mess it left. As foreclosures rise, mistakes like this become more frequent, experts say. [ABC News] A financial reform bill will be released on Monday, says ..read more

More Money Wednesday roundup: Wealthiest religions & Google's guide to credit cards

Personal finance from around the Web:

New-home construction may be edging upward, but sales aren't keeping pace. New-home sales fell 11.2 percent in January, as reported by the Commerce Department, hitting a record low. [The New York Times] Exploding Ford Pintos, lead-laden toys — take a trip down memory lane with "the worst product recalls of all time." This gallery might just take your mind off of your Toyota anxiety. [The Huffington Post] You've probably compared incomes using every other variable in the ..read more

More Money Wednesday Roundup: tax-prep tips and Twitter deals

Personal finance from around the Web: Economic (re)construction? Housing construction activity was up 21.1 percent last month from the previous year — and the most prolific it has been since July 2009. Could be a hopeful sign for a key pillar of the US economy. [The New York Times] Does cutting costs have to mean sacrifice? Sure, recession time is all about trimming here and there. But there may be ways to decrease regular monthly expenses without eliminating convenience. It's all ..read more

More Money Tuesday roundup: Learn to bargain & clip some coupons

Personal finance from around the Web: Only 15 million or so American workers belong to a union. With this infographic, you can see you're most likely to find them in New York or somewhere around the Pacific Ocean. [mint.com] Whether it's the economy or the thrill of it that inspires you to haggle, you'll enjoy this reporter's journey towards bargaining nirvana. Too shy? You'll learn about a company that will haggle for you. [The Washington Post] Coupons are all the rage. In 2009, ..read more

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