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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
November 13, 2025

IRA Contribution Limits And Income Limits (Annual Guide)

Contribute to an individual retirement plan like a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA? Here are the 2025 and 2026 IRA contribution limits.

This illustrative image depicts the concept of 403(b) retirement plan contributions, featuring a red pie chart on the left, symbolizing the allocation of funds or a financial portfolio. A black line extends from the pie chart, connecting to a clear glass jar on the right, which is being filled with red coins marked with dollar signs. Several coins are shown falling into the jar, while others rest inside and outside the jar, emphasizing the act of saving and contributing. The background is a light, off-white color adorned with various red geometric shapes, including dots, circles, and plus signs, adding a modern, abstract touch. The overall image visually represents the mechanics of saving for retirement and managing 403(b) contribution limits, aligning with the article's discussion of annual deferral and combined contribution caps for 2026 and prior years. Source: The College Investor
November 13, 2025

403(b) Contribution Limits For 2025 and 2026

Here are the 2025 and 2026 403b contribution limits, catch-up contributions, factors affecting limits, and tips to maximize your retirement savings.

what is an after-tax 401k
November 13, 2025

401k Contribution And Income Limits (Annual Guide)

401(k) limits increase each year. If you want to max out your retirement account, check out the 2025 and 2026 401(k) contribution limits.

A high-angle, over-the-shoulder shot shows two young professionals, likely Gen Z, intensely focused on a computer monitor displaying lines of code. The male on the left, wearing a denim shirt, types on a white keyboard, while the female on the right, with blonde hair pulled back in a bun and wearing a cream-colored ribbed sweater, observes. The brightly lit white desk features a black coffee cup, a white tablet, and black over-ear headphones, suggesting a modern workplace or collaborative environment. In the background, a whiteboard with handwritten notes adds to the coding context. This image visually represents the contemporary, tech-driven work settings where Gen Z individuals are making financial decisions like withdrawing from 401(k) or IRA accounts due to rising living costs, as discussed in the accompanying article on Gen Z's financial behaviors. Source: The College Investor
November 13, 2025

Gen Z Early 401(k) Withdrawals Surge

Nearly half of Gen Z has withdrawn from 401(k)s early, citing debt and distrust.

An illustration of a tidy dorm room, featuring a neatly made bed with a teal comforter on the left. Above the bed, a round orange clock hangs next to framed artwork, one depicting a steaming cup of "HOT COFFEE" and another showing a stylized figure running. To the right, a bright yellow desk holds a desktop computer with a teal screen, an orange desk lamp, a pen holder, and a small striped wastebasket. Above the desk, a floating shelf displays books and decorative frames. On the far right, a tall bookshelf is filled with numerous colorful books. The background consists of light-colored vertical stripes. The image contextually highlights the importance of dorm room renters insurance for students, protecting belongings like laptops, cameras, and clothing that are typical in such a space. Source: The College Investor
November 12, 2025

Best Dorm Room Renters Insurance For Students

If you’re living in a dorm room, one of the best ways to protect your stuff is through dorm room renters insurance. Here’s the scoop on the best!

A close-up shot shows a person wearing a light blue dress shirt, with the sleeves rolled up, holding a silver smartphone horizontally with both hands. Their thumbs are positioned over the screen, poised to interact with the device, which glows faintly. This image directly relates to the article's discussion of the "vice economy," where mobile gambling and sports betting apps blur the lines between entertainment and finance for young adults. The phone represents the ease of access to these activities, contrasting with traditional financial advice and highlighting how social media, betting apps, and speculative investing contribute to a culture of instant gratification. Source: The College Investor
November 12, 2025

How the ‘Vice Economy’ Is Quietly Emptying Gen Z Bank Accounts

Mobile sports betting, prediction markets, and social media are reshaping how young adults handle money.

What happens to an HSA when you die
November 12, 2025

Do You Report Your HSA On The FAFSA?

Learn how the FAFSA treats Health Savings Accounts and what to report.

open an HSA
November 11, 2025

How To Use An HSA As A Retirement Account (The Secret IRA Hack)

HSAs can double as a secret IRA and allow you triple tax benefits so that you can save for the future in a tax deferred account.

This illustrative image visually represents the key components and uses of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs), which are both crucial for saving for healthcare expenses with pre-tax dollars. The graphic features three prominent circles with yellow icons against a clean white background. In the top circle, two yellow pill capsules symbolize prescription medications and other qualifying medical expenses. The bottom-left circle displays a yellow credit card, indicating the payment method for these expenses and the financial aspect of managing these accounts. The bottom-right circle contains a yellow stethoscope, representing general healthcare, doctor visits, and the broader medical services covered by HSAs and FSAs. Scattered around these central elements are minimalist geometric shapes in black and yellow, including dashed squares, triangles, and plus signs, adding a modern and professional aesthetic to this financial planning visual.
November 10, 2025

HSA vs. FSA Explained: Main Benefits And Differences

What are the main benefits and differences of an HSA vs. FSA, and which should you use for healthcare and investing?

APMEX Gold and Silver Buying Review
November 10, 2025

APMEX Review 2026: Invest In Precious Metals

APMEX is one of the leading tools to use for buying gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and rare coins. Learn more about how it works in this review.

A loving mother with short, dark, salt-and-pepper hair and stylish round glasses, wearing a light blue button-down shirt, embraces her adult son from behind in a warm, brightly lit home. Both are smiling broadly, looking at each other affectionately, reflecting a close family relationship. The son, with short brown hair and a grey t-shirt, is facing forward, his hands resting gently on his mother's arms wrapped around him. This image illustrates the close bond between parents and adult children, which is central to the article discussing why shared bank accounts can create legal, tax, and financial aid risks as children become adults. The cozy home setting features blurred background elements like a light-colored wall, a painting with blue hues, and a plant, suggesting a comfortable, personal environment where financial discussions like those in the article might take place. Source: The College Investor
November 10, 2025

The Hidden Financial Risks of Parent–Child Joint Accounts

When kids turn 18, joint bank accounts can expose both parties to debt and legal risks. Here’s why it’s time to separate.

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