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A digital graphic promoting a "Merrill Edge Review" is displayed against a dark green, geometric background with faint white grid lines and abstract shapes, possibly representing a financial chart or global network. The title "Merrill Edge Review" is prominently featured in large, bold white sans-serif font, with a thin white line underneath it. Below this, in a slightly smaller but still prominent white sans-serif font, is the tagline "Low cost access to the best of Merrill," also underscored by a thin white line. This image serves as a visual identifier for an article detailing the Merrill Edge platform, which offers discount brokerage services, guided investing solutions similar to robo-advisors, and financial advisors, all while highlighting its competitive fees and integration of technology with traditional portfolio management.
December 31, 2021

Merrill Edge Review: Can It Compete With Online-Only Brokers?

Merrill Edge offers commission-free Self-Directed Investing, Guided Investing and extra perks for Bank of America customers. Read our review.

An illustrative image representing a 401k review for small to medium-sized businesses, featuring four stylized figures. Two figures on the left, one in a green shirt and one in a dark suit, appear to be observing a large blue clipboard prominently displaying "401(K)" in white text, symbolizing retirement plans. Above the clipboard, there are icons for money (gold coins), a calendar, and a calculator, all representing financial planning and management. Below the clipboard, there's a dollar bill and a wallet with a gold coin, indicating fees and savings. Two figures on the right, one in a grey suit and another in a blue shirt, are engaged in what appears to be a discussion related to investment options. The overall image, titled "The College Investor," visually conveys the concept of low-cost 401k providers like Employee Fiduciary, catering to companies with around 30 employees or less, emphasizing the accessibility of retirement plans for small businesses.
December 30, 2021

Employee Fiduciary Review: Bargain 401k Plans For Small Businesses

Employee Fiduciary is one of the lowest-cost 401k providers for small and medium-sized businesses on the market today.

This vibrant and conceptual image depicts a businessman in a dark suit and red tie, actively engaging with multiple upward-trending lines in various colors, including red, blue, green, and orange, suggesting the dynamic and often complex nature of stock market trends and investment research. A bright, glowing lightbulb with an illuminated filament is prominently displayed above his head, symbolizing new ideas, innovative strategies, and the critical insights gained from thorough investment research. The background features a subtle city skyline, hinting at the financial world, with "The College Investor" logo in the bottom left corner, reinforcing the article's focus on helping investors. This visual metaphor perfectly illustrates the challenge and reward of finding "winning investments" and "hot stock ideas" using platforms like Seeking Alpha Premium, where research and analysis lead to valuable investment ideas and opportunities.
December 28, 2021

Seeking Alpha Premium Review: Pros And Cons

Seeking Alpha Premium gives investors access to Author Ratings, Quant Ratings, Dividend Grades, newsletters, stock picks, and more.

This illustrative image depicts two professionals, a man and a woman, actively nurturing a plant with coin-shaped leaves that symbolize investment growth and income. The man on the left is placing a large gold dollar coin onto a leaf, while the woman on the right is watering another coin-leaf with a watering can, signifying active management and cultivation of investments. Above them, thought bubbles, lightbulbs, and rising arrows suggest ideas, financial planning, and increasing returns. The scene is set against a teal background, with subtle icons like a graph, an envelope, and a gear representing financial analysis, communication, and systematic processes. In the bottom left, the logo "THE COLLEGE INVESTOR" is prominently displayed, grounding the visual theme in financial education and guidance related to topics such as the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT), capital gains, and investment income for high-income earners.
December 27, 2021

What Is The Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT)?

Investors with net investment income will owe the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) if their MAGI is also above a certain threshold.

A graphic illustrating various types of real estate investments available through platforms like RealtyMogul, set against a subtle grey gradient background with "THE COLLEGE INVESTOR" logo in the bottom left corner. The image features six distinct, stylized buildings: a three-story apartment building with balconies, a two-story house with a green roof, a single-story yellow house with a tree, a light blue house with a white picket fence, a red house with an attached garage, and a large red multi-story commercial building. This visual representation highlights the diverse commercial and residential real estate options for investors, including those participating in crowdfunding and REITs, as discussed in the accompanying article on RealtyMogul's investment opportunities.
December 27, 2021

RealtyMogul Review: Pros, Cons, And Alternatives

If you would like to add exposure to the real estate sector in your portfolio, take a look at this RealtyMogul review to learn about it!

This vibrant illustration depicts a large balance scale weighing the values of Bitcoin (BTC) against the US Dollar ($), symbolizing the core theme of crypto lending and borrowing discussed in the article. On the left pan of the scale sits a large gold Bitcoin coin, while the right pan holds a gold US Dollar coin. A small figure on a ladder is meticulously adjusting a screen displaying a financial graph, positioned between the two pans, suggesting careful analysis of cryptocurrency markets. Another figure sits atop the US Dollar coin, looking apprehensive as they hold onto the scale's beam, conveying the inherent risks in crypto investments. A massive blue question mark with gears intertwined within it dominates the background on the right, further emphasizing the uncertainties and complex decisions involved in decentralized finance. The image effectively visualizes the comparison and potential volatility between traditional currency and digital assets like Bitcoin, directly relating to CoinRabbit's role as a crypto lending platform where investors and borrowers navigate these fluctuating values.
December 23, 2021

CoinRabbit Review: Earn Or Borrow Crypto

CoinRabbit offers crypto loans and interest accounts. Yields seem competitive, but CoinRabbit’s terms and policies are vague.

A cartoon illustration depicts a student managing finances and contemplating student loan repayment. In the foreground, a young man in a blue shirt and dark pants sits on a stack of large gold coins, holding a laptop. Behind him, a giant calendar with various notifications and highlighted dates suggests the passage of time and scheduled events, directly relating to the article's discussion of the student loan payment pause and its extensions. A black ladder leans against the calendar, symbolizing the steps or challenges involved in financial planning or debt repayment. To the right, a graduation cap with a golden tassel hangs from the top right corner of the calendar, and a bright pink price tag with a white dollar sign is attached, underscoring the financial burden of education and student loans. Several green potted plants are arranged around the scene, adding a touch of everyday life to the financial theme. The image visually represents the ongoing deferral of federal student loan payments and interest waivers by the Biden Administration, as detailed in the article.
December 22, 2021

Can The President Extend The Student Loan Payment Pause Forever?

With the Biden Administration announcing a fifth extension to the student loan payment pause, the question arises – can it last forever?

This illustrative image features a stylized man in a suit, carrying a blue briefcase, walking away from a large, abstract cloud of interconnected icons representing various creative and business elements. The man is depicted in profile, moving towards the left side of the frame, signifying progression or embarking on a venture. The cloud, predominantly in shades of blue and purple with yellow and red accents, contains numerous detailed icons such as gears, paint palettes, film reels, documents, a target with an arrow, a trophy, and other symbols related to design, production, and achievement. This visual metaphor effectively conveys the concept of diverse alternative asset classes and the potential for investors to diversify their portfolio by investing in collectibles, luxury goods, and other unique items, as discussed in the accompanying article about the Rally Rd. investment platform.
December 21, 2021

Rally Rd. Review: Buy And Sell Shares Of Rare Collectibles

Rally Rd. is a platform that allows investors to buy and sell equity shares of sourced and verified collectibles.

This vibrant, illustrated image visually represents a "PrizeRebel review," a popular paid survey site, by showcasing various elements associated with earning rewards and winning. On the right side, a happy woman with outstretched arms holds a bright green and white sign boldly declaring "WINNER" in red lettering, symbolizing the successful redemption of cash or gift cards through platforms like PrizeRebel. The background is filled with an array of colorful, abstract shapes and icons, including large, flowing yellow leaves, soft pink and blue geometric forms, and a faint golden coin, suggesting the diverse opportunities and digital nature of online tasks. Prominently featured are large, transparent purple and silver circular shapes, reminiscent of game wheels or virtual tokens, further emphasizing the theme of earning and prizes. The overall design conveys a sense of excitement and achievement, directly connecting to the article's discussion of PrizeRebel as a flexible side hustle for college kids, young adults, or anyone looking to make extra money by taking surveys, completing offers, or watching videos to earn PayPal cash, bitcoin, and gift cards.
December 18, 2021

PrizeRebel Review: Earn PayPal Cash And Gift Cards

On the PrizeRebel website, you can make money by taking surveys, completing offers, or watching videos.

A digitally illustrated graphic depicting the concept of student loans and income-based repayment options, featuring "The College Investor" logo in the bottom left corner. In the center, a young man with dark hair, wearing an orange sweater and blue jeans, sits casually on a stack of books while working on a laptop. The books beneath him are colored in shades of blue, orange, and gray, symbolizing education and knowledge. Two large, disembodied hands frame the central figure; the hand on the left holds a stack of gold coins, representing financial investment, while the hand on the right holds a single, large gold coin with a prominent dollar sign, symbolizing income or loan repayment. This visual metaphor illustrates the connection between investing in education through student loans and the potential for future earnings, directly relating to Edly's income-based student loans and income-sharing agreements discussed in the article.
December 16, 2021

Edly IBR Student Loan Review: Pros, Cons, And Alternatives

Edly IBR Loan payments adjust with your income. But this extra flexibility could come at a cost. Read our Edly IBR Loan review to learn more.

A digital illustration shows two women engaged in financial activities related to order routing for stocks and crypto. On the left, a woman with dark hair, wearing a black top and red pants, stands while holding a smartphone with a green screen, representing mobile trading or checking market prices. On the right, a woman with curly reddish-orange hair, dressed in a teal top and dark pants, sits at a desk working on a laptop, symbolizing more in-depth trading or analysis. A potted plant sits on the desk, adding a touch of a modern office environment. Above them, dotted lines curve and connect towards a prominent orange Bitcoin symbol, illustrating the concept of order routing and how trades for crypto tokens and stocks navigate through various channels to reach exchanges or market makers, ultimately leading to execution. The image visually supports the article's explanation of what order routing is, its importance for successful trading, and how platforms like TradeStation facilitate efficient routing for both stock and crypto investors.
December 15, 2021

What Is Order Routing For Stocks And Crypto?

Order routing is an important part of successful trading, especially for crypto traders. Learn how order routing works and when it matters.

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A dynamic infographic illustration titled "The College Investor: Best Side Hustles" features a stylized figure of a man in a black shirt on the lower center, gesturing with an open hand towards a list of icons on a light blue panel on the right. The background is a mix of white and light blue, adorned with scattered light blue polka dots and minimalist black line art shapes like plus signs and triangles. The man's gesture highlights three black icons arranged vertically: a funnel, a camera, and a chef's hat, each accompanied by five blue stars, suggesting high ratings for these side hustle categories. This visual aims to help readers identify worthwhile side hustles with high earning potential, good scheduling flexibility, and growth opportunities, tying into the article's focus on effective ways to earn extra money to achieve financial goals like paying off student loans or saving for retirement.

20 Best Side Hustles of 2026: Ranked by Earnings, Flexibility, and Growth

Photograph of the historic Vassar College, a private, coeducational, liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York. Founded in 1861 by Matthew Vassar

30 Most Expensive Colleges in 2026: Tuition Tops $72,000 at Every School on the List

A man with blonde hair, dressed in a white collared shirt, sits relaxed on a wooden bench with his hands clasped behind his head, gazing out over a calm body of water at sunset. A silver laptop is visible next to him on the bench, suggesting he has just finished working or is taking a break while his investments generate passive income. The warm, soft light of the setting sun creates a tranquil atmosphere, emphasizing the freedom and peace of mind associated with achieving financial independence through passive income streams. This image perfectly illustrates the article's core message about earning money without continuous active effort, highlighting the desired outcome of strategic monetary or time investments.

30 Passive Income Ideas To Build Wealth In 2026

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MINNEAPOLIS/USA - July 23: Tate Labratory on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The University of Minnesota is a university in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN and the 6th largest university in the USA.

Why Is College So Expensive? 5 Forces Behind Rising Tuition Costs

EVANSTON, IL,USA - JUNE 20, 2021 - Entrance sign and gardens to Northwestern University.

Are Expensive Colleges Worth It? New Data on Price, Selectivity, and Graduation Rates

Profile views of a young woman and a young man facing each other, set against a grey background adorned with hand-drawn lightbulbs. A single bright yellow lightbulb glows centrally between them, symbolizing the realization or "bright idea" regarding the shifting gender dynamics in higher education. This visual metaphor accompanies an analysis of the growing gender gap in college degree attainment, where women now outpace men in earning Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees. Source: The College Investor

Gender Gap in College Degrees: 50 Years of Data Explained

Institutional Merit Grants

Who Gets Merit Based Scholarships At Private Colleges?

This image depicts a stylized graphic representing college education and its perceived value, set against a dynamic background of gold and black shapes. A prominent white circular icon in the center showcases a black graduation cap with a tassel, positioned above a rolled-up diploma tied with a ribbon, symbolizing academic achievement and a college degree. To the left, the top of a person's head and shoulders are visible, suggesting a student or individual considering their educational path. The background features various abstract shapes, including long, rounded rectangles in black and gold, smaller white dots, and thin diagonal lines, creating a sense of movement and modern relevance. This visual reinforces the article's theme about Americans weighing in on college costs, education policy, and the worth of a college degree in 2025, particularly given that public sentiment on college value is currently low.

New Poll Reveals How Americans Feel About College

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