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Robert Farrington

Robert Farrington is America’s Millennial Money Expert® and America’s Student Loan Debt Expert™, and the founder of The College Investor, a personal finance site dedicated to helping millennials escape student loan debt to start investing and building wealth for the future. You can learn more about him on the About Page or on his personal site RobertFarrington.com.

He regularly writes about investing, student loan debt, and general personal finance topics geared toward anyone wanting to earn more, get out of debt, and start building wealth for the future.

He has been quoted in major publications, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, ABC, NBC, Today, and more. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.

Robert’s latest articles

self directed ira vs ira
January 2, 2026

How To Do A Backdoor Roth IRA (And Pitfalls To Avoid)

A backdoor Roth IRA is a strategy that allows high-income earners to bypass the ordinary income limits on Roth contributions.

open an HSA
January 1, 2026

Best Health Savings Account (HSA) Providers In 2026

We compare the best health savings accounts (HSA) providers that offer free HSAs, investing options, and more.

popular investment newsletters
January 1, 2026

Best Stock Picks And Investment Newsletters For 2026

Some investment newsletters are more proven and trusted than others. These are a few of the most popular investing subscriptions.

Scholarship Mistakes
January 1, 2026

The 2027 Side Hustlin’ Student Scholarship Opportunity

We’re proud to offer a $2,500 scholarship opportunity to the student who shares the best story about how they are earning money in school.

A visually engaging graphic with a vibrant red background showcases various financial and educational planning elements. In the foreground, a bright yellow lightbulb sits atop a white mug, symbolizing ideas and growth in savings. To its right, a document with charts and graphs, representing a financial plan or statement, is partially unrolled with a yellow pencil resting beneath it and a black ruler standing vertically. Above these elements, a white paper airplane with a dashed flight path points towards an upward-trending arrow and various white line icons, including a bar graph, a pie chart, a gear, a dollar bill, and a percentage sign, all illustrating concepts like investment returns, market fluctuations, and educational expenses. The "THE COLLEGE INVESTOR" logo is prominently displayed in the bottom left corner, reinforcing the article's focus on 529 college savings plans, their contribution limits, and how these tax-advantaged accounts work for qualified education expenses. Source: The College Investor
December 31, 2025

529 Plan Contribution Limits For 2026

While the IRS doesn’t impose 529 plan contribution limits, states do set aggregate maximums for their 529 plans and may set annual caps too.

A family of four, including two adults and two young children, stands hand-in-hand facing away from the viewer, looking out over a sun-drenched, golden field at sunset or sunrise. The father, on the left, wears a plaid shirt and jeans, holding his daughter's hand. The daughter, in a striped shirt, holds her younger brother's hand, who is wearing a plaid shirt and a straw hat. The mother, on the right, wears a striped shirt, dark pants, and a plaid shirt tied around her waist, holding her son's hand. The warm, golden light of the sun, positioned centrally in the background, casts long shadows and illuminates the family and the expansive landscape of rolling hills and mountains in the distance. This image visually represents the "Family of Four Middle Class Squeeze" discussed in the article, highlighting the challenges middle-class families face with rising living costs and benefit cliffs, despite earning $100,000 to $200,000, as they struggle to get ahead financially. Source: The College Investor
December 31, 2025

The New Middle-Class Squeeze: Why $100K Feels Broke

The hidden math behind why America’s middle class can’t get ahead, even on six figures.

HSA Bank Review
December 30, 2025

HSA Bank Review: Pros, Cons, And Alternatives

HSA Bank is a health accounts provider that offers HSAs, FSAs, and HRAs with low fees and flexible investing options. Read our full review!

Close-up of a calculator, U.S. hundred-dollar bills, and a tax form with the word "Refund" circled in bold red ink. This image highlights the projected increase in 2026 tax refunds due to retroactive tax law changes, such as new deductions for tip income, overtime pay, and auto loan interest, which were not reflected in paycheck withholding throughout the year. Source: The College Investor
December 30, 2025

Why Tax Refunds May Be Bigger in 2026

New tax deductions could push 2026 refunds higher. Here’s why many Americans may see larger checks from the IRS.

Close-up of a finger pressing a computer keyboard key next to a bright green button labeled "EITC Earned Income Tax Credit." This illustrates that eligible taxpayers must actively claim the benefit on their return, as the IRS does not apply it automatically. Source: The College Investor
December 30, 2025

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 2026: Income Limits, Max Credit, And How To Qualify

The Earned Income Tax Credit is worth up to $8,231 for 2026 ($8,046 for 2025). See the income limits by filing status and number of children, who qualifies, when EITC refunds arrive, and how to claim up to three prior years.

A brightly colored, illustrated image on a light blue background depicts elements related to contacting the IRS and tax assistance. In the foreground, a prominent blue magnifying glass is centered, symbolizing the act of searching for information or examining tax documents. Behind it to the left, a white tax form or document with the word "TAX" clearly visible at the top is partially displayed, suggesting the need for help with tax issues. To the right, three golden coins with dollar signs are stacked, representing financial aspects and money associated with taxes. In the background, subtly visible green banknotes further emphasize the financial context of the Internal Revenue Service. The overall image, titled "CONTACT THE IRS (IRS PHONE NUMBERS)," visually reinforces the article's focus on how to contact the IRS the fastest and the best IRS phone numbers to call for assistance with tax-related problems. Source: The College Investor
December 29, 2025

Best Ways To Contact The IRS (And Actually Get Through)

Here’s how to contact the IRS the fastest if you need assistance with tax issues and the best IRS phone numbers to call.

An illustrative image depicts a large, dark grey building with prominent columns, resembling a bank or financial institution, positioned on a solid orange geometric shape. Above the building, a white square with a bold orange dollar sign signifies money or financial transactions. To the left, a black graduation cap with a tassel symbolizes education, specifically MBA student loans. The background features various abstract shapes, including an orange semi-circle, scattered black and orange dots, thin black lines, an outline of a speech bubble with a question mark inside, and a geometric triangle outline, all contributing to a modern, clean design. This visual effectively represents the core topic of the article: refinancing MBA student loans and the important considerations, such as interest rates, private loans, and federal loan protections, that borrowers should evaluate before making financial decisions.
December 28, 2025

Should You Refinance Your MBA Student Loans?

Should you refinance your MBA student loans? Learn when it makes sense, the pros and cons, and the best lenders for business school graduates.

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