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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

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 2025 – 2026: How To Qualify

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit designed to help those with low to moderate incomes. Find out if you qualify!

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.

A visually striking image depicting financial growth and increasing costs in the context of tax filing software. The foreground features stacks of green paper currency, representing money, alongside gleaming gold coins with dollar signs, symbolizing wealth and investment. Dominating the background is a series of red arrows pointing upwards and to the right, signifying rising prices and an upward trend, set against a subtle gray grid pattern. This powerful visual metaphor directly relates to the article's discussion of TaxAct's substantial price increases over the last two years without significant product improvements, prompting users to seek "TaxAct alternatives" and "the best tax software" for maximizing their refunds this filing season. The "THE COLLEGE INVESTOR" logo is prominently displayed in the bottom left corner, branding the image within the financial advice context.
December 28, 2025

TaxAct Alternatives 2026: 5 Other Popular Choices

If you’re not satisfied with TaxAct, there are lots of other great TaxAct alternatives to get you dialed in. Here are five.

Motion-blurred legs of people walking and running on treadmills in a bright gym. This image illustrates the common New Year's resolution of improving physical fitness, while serving as a visual hook for discussing the financial costs of gym memberships and offering budget-friendly alternatives for 2026 health goals. Source: The College Investor
December 27, 2025

Americans Expect to Spend $4,700 on 2026 Resolutions — Here’s How to Cut That in Half

Americans expect to spend $4,700 on 2026 resolutions. Here’s how to pursue health, career, and personal goals without overspending.

This image, "H&R Block Alternatives," features a collection of financial and tax-related items against a warm, light brown background, illustrating the topic of tax filing software options. In the upper left, a yellow tax document with the word "TAXES" prominently displayed at the top sits next to a dark red pen, signifying the process of preparing tax returns. To the right of the tax form, several green bills, likely representing $20 denominations, are scattered alongside golden coins, emphasizing the financial aspect of taxes and potential refunds or payments. Below the tax document, a dark grey calculator with orange buttons is positioned next to a blue credit card with a gold chip and magnetic stripe, representing online payments and financial transactions associated with tax preparation. The bottom left corner prominently displays "THE COLLEGE INVESTOR" logo in white text, indicating the source of this article that compares H&R Block with other tax software products like TurboTax, TaxSlayer, FreeTaxUSA, and CashApp Taxes.
December 27, 2025

H&R Block Alternatives 2026: 5 Other Savvy Options

H&R Block is an extremely popular tax software for many individuals, but not the best for everyone. Here’s our best H&R Block alternatives.

An illustrative graphic set against a teal background features two "TAX" documents with charts and lines, symbolizing tax forms and the process of filing. To the right, a large green money bag cinched with a lighter green ribbon prominently displays a white dollar sign, signifying money, savings, or tax refunds. In the foreground, three gold coins of varying sizes, each with a dollar sign, further emphasize the financial aspect. In the bottom left corner, the white text "THE COLLEGE INVESTOR" is visible, indicating the source of the article discussing TurboTax alternatives and comparing tax software products like H&R Block, TaxSlayer, FreeTaxUSA, and CashApp Taxes.
December 26, 2025

TurboTax Alternatives 2026: 5 Other Popular Options

With many great tax software programs available, there are several TurboTax alternatives if you aren’t satisfied with them. Here’s five.

Wooden gavel resting next to a black wallet filled with cash. This symbolizes the legal resumption of wage garnishment for defaulted federal student loans starting in early 2026. Source: The College Investor
December 26, 2025

This Week In College And Money News: December 26, 2025

Wage garnishment for defaulted student loans returns in 2026 as FAFSA filings rise and families rethink college costs.

Smiling elementary school students with backpacks running down an outdoor school corridor lined with brick walls and white columns. This image illustrates the expanded utility of 529 plans, which can now be used for a broader range of K-12 educational expenses, including tuition, tutoring, and materials, with annual caps rising to $20,000 in 2026. Source: The College Investor
December 24, 2025

529 Plan Expansion 2026: New Rules For K-12 and Career Training

The 529 plan expansion reshapes education savings, covering career training and higher K–12 limits beginning in 2026.

A graphic illustrating the "529 plan penalty" features a large, white trapezoidal weight with the number "529" prominently displayed in dark green. This weight rests heavily on a substantial stack of green bills, symbolizing money or financial savings. The background is a light, clean design with minimalist financial motifs, including three circular dollar signs, plus signs, and triangles in a complementary green and dark gray, subtly reinforcing the theme of financial planning and potential costs. In the upper left corner, the logo for "The College Investor" is visible, including a graduation cap icon. This image effectively visualizes the burden or "penalty" associated with misusing a 529 plan, emphasizing the financial consequences of not adhering to qualified education expenses, as discussed in the accompanying article on avoiding the 529 plan penalty. Source: The College Investor
December 24, 2025

What Is The 529 Plan Penalty And How To Avoid It

A 529 plan helps with higher education expenses so the last thing you want is to be hit with a 529 plan penalty. Find out how to avoid them.

Passenger jet plane preparing for takeoff on an airport runway against a vibrant sunset sky. This image symbolizes the journey of international graduate students pursuing education abroad, highlighting the complex financial planning, visa uncertainties, and funding decisions they must navigate before "taking off" on their academic careers.
December 23, 2025

International Graduate Student Financial Aid Options in 2026

International graduate education in 2026 brings higher costs, new loan options, and visa challenges.

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