In today's show, we're talking credit cards. What to look for, what to avoid, and how to calculate a minimum payment. If you can't calculate your minimum payment, then honestly, you really shouldn't have a credit card. It's that important to know and understand how they work. Here's the basic formula:

Average daily balance + interest = total balance for period * 4% = minimum payment

Example: $1,000 average daily balance, 18% APR:

$1,000 + (1000 * (.18/12)) = $1,015 total balance for period * 4% = $40.60

Look for no annual fees, long grace periods, electronic payment options (stay on time), low interest rates, fixed interest rates. Stay AWAY from cash advances at all costs!

Finally, one secret tip you can ONLY find out by listening to today's show - why making one big monthly payment isn't as good as making four smaller payments totalling the same large payment.

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 30, 2006 at 7:13 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Figuring out what you can borrow for student loans can be tricky, particularly if you're still in school, or not even to college yet. Choose right, and you'll be able to enjoy a comfortable standard of living after college, pursuing the life path you want. Choose wrong, and you get crushed by debt, or you don't go to/finish college. How do you determine what is a reasonable amount to borrow?

Work in reverse. Debt has to be paid off, so figure out how much debt is sustainable. Most financial planners advocate not exceeding 10% of your net income for debt service, so that's a good number to remember. What you can pay is of course dependent on how much money you make.

Statistically, college graduates average a starting salary around $30,000 per year. This is highly dependent on where you live, the cost of living, etc., but $30K for liberal arts, up to $50K in medical and technology fields seem to be about the national norms.

Let's work backwards now. From gross pay, we're going to write of 1/3 of the salary to taxes and mandatory deductions (social security, etc.). Yup. Uncle Sam takes that much. Here's the result, your NET income after taxes:

$30K gross: $20,000 net
$40K gross: $26,700 net
$50K gross: $33,300 net

Now, divide each by 12 and you get your net monthly income.

$30K gross: $20,000 net = $1,666/month
$40K gross: $26,700 net = $2,225/month
$50K gross: $33,300 net = $2,775/month

Okay. Now, let's assume you are free and clear of all other debts (credit card, auto, etc.) at the time of graduation and you just have student loans. You can now afford to make the following maximum payments at a 10% debt service to net income ratio:

$30K gross: $20,000 net = $1,666/month = $166/month
$40K gross: $26,700 net = $2,225/month = $223/month
$50K gross: $33,300 net = $2,775/month = $276/month

Today's federal student loan interest rates are 6.8% for Stafford Federal Student Loans. Based on this, we can use a student loan consolidation calculator in reverse to see the maximum amount of money you can borrow at 6.8% with and without consolidating your federal student loans.

$166/month = $14,424 if you don't consolidate, $18,700 if you consolidate
$223/month = $19,378 if you don't consolidate, $29,213 if you consolidate
$276/month = $23,983 if you don't consolidate, $39,765 if you consolidate

The higher your estimated income at graduation is, the more you can afford to borrow, and if you consolidate your federal student loans upon graduation, you will be able to borrow more. This is a pretty good methodology for figuring out how much you can afford to borrow - and a good example of how overborrowing can limit your career choices to jobs that can pay for your student loans.

For more information about student loan consolidation, visit StudentLoanConsolidator.com on the web.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 29, 2006 at 1:18 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Today's topic is things you SHOULD spend money on, and how to make those decisions. I spend a lot of time on the Financial Aid Podcast talking about ways to trim expenses, save money, etc. but I don't usually talk about what you should spend money on. There are two measures by which I judge spending in my own life.

First, quality. There's a cliche about buying a cheap watch every year or buying an expensive watch once. There's a lot of validity to this cliche. Quality is very often cheaper in the long run.

Second, use. If you're going to do, use, or have something only rarely, there's no point in making a huge investment in it. Case in point, an iPod. If you buy an iPod just because everyone else has one and you don't use it all the time, then you probably could have either done without it or gotten something cheaper.

So, what should you spend real money on? Number one: the bedroom. I'll wait for the inevitable jokes in your brain to finish. Basic fact - you'll spend between a quarter and a third of your life in bed, asleep. The quality of that time is just as important as your waking time, so if you have substandard equipment, you're basically spending a third of your life miserable. Test out combinations of different kinds of sheets, pillows, and mattresses as you can until you find a combination that lets you wake up even after a short nap feeling refreshed. If you persistently wake up without an alarm after a normal night's sleep and you're tired, then your sleeping gear isn't doing the job.

Second: food. You'll spend an awful lot on this in your life, and what you spend it on is going to drastically impact the rest of your life. How many times have you sat down to eat, knowing what you were about to eat wasn't good for you, eating it anyway, and then asking yourself in half an hour, why did I eat that? Spending money on good quality food - food that is nutritious, fresh, and tasty - is never a loss. Now, that said, you can overspend on food very easily by buying prepared instead of doing it yourself, but that's a topic for another show. One other area I think spending is worth it - good quality filtered water. It can make a huge difference in your day.

Third: learning tools. I've made it no secret that I love my iPod and my Apple Powerbook. As tools go, these are much pricier than the bargain basement computers and MP3 players on the market, but they save me LOTS of time each day. I use my iPod probably 4 - 6 hours a day. Most of that time is spent listening to podcasts, audiobooks, training, and stuff that helps me learn. I spend 8 - 12 hours a day on my Powerbook, mostly work related. Having good, reliable, and easy to use tools saves time and stress. Good tools that give you access to knowledge are essential, because in this age of instant job portability, your knowledge and ability to use it are your top values. I should add that a great pair of headphones are also a must if you're going to consume a lot of audio. I use the Bose QuietComfort headphones at the office. They're pricey at $300, but they're well designed and kill the ambient air conditioning rattle, letting me do more work. The cord is also a breakaway cord so when you do something boneheaded like leave your desk and forget the headphones are on, you don't give yourself whiplash or destroy the headphones.

Fourth: a decent chair. At home and at work or in your dorm room if appropriate. Especially at work if you fly a desk. You'll spend an awful lot of time in it.

There's a theme here. If there's anything you'll be using for an awful lot of time every day, you want to make sure it's quality, it's something that is going to be reliable, easy to use, a pleasure to use, something that will add satisfaction to your day rather than stress you out.

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 28, 2006 at 6:38 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

So, you use an RSS reader, right? Like Google Reader? Then you're well equipped to find free stuff online that will save you money, leveraging the immensely popular service, Craigslist. Here's how.

1. Go to the Craigslist in the city nearest you.
2. Find the For Sale section.
3. Find the free section.
4. Browse the free stuff.

Now here's where it gets interesting. Know what you want? Search for it.

At the bottom of the page, in the lower right hand corner, is an RSS link. This will subscribe you to your search. Every time your reader checks the feed, it will pull up any NEW items that have been posted to the free section - it's one stop shopping delivered to your doorstep, and a terrific way to keep on top of the latest free stuff.

Give it a try, save some money! Dorm furniture, furnishings, even electronics - all free.

Also in today's show, fun with Northwest Airlines.

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 25, 2006 at 10:31 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

In today's show, we tackle interview questions in the Jobcast - the top 50 questions asked in interviews, and some strategies for a couple of the most loaded questions. The key phrase? Things that made me feel uncomfortable - because that's such an ambiguous sentence that it could imply harassment versus general stupidity. What am I talking about? You'll have to listen to the show to find out. Also, coverage of the Department of Educations' privacy breach over the weekend, and help with non-need-based private student loans.

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Here's the top 50!

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Why did you leave your last job/why are you leaving your current position?
3. What experience do you have in this field?
4. Do you consider yourself successful?
5. What do co-workers say about you?
6. What do you know about this organization?
going. What are the current issues and who are the major players?
7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
8. Are you applying for other jobs?
9. Why do you want to work for this organization?
10. Do you know anyone who works for us?
11. What kind of salary do you need?
That’s a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position?
12. Are you a team player?
13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
14. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?
15. What is your philosophy towards work?
Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That’s the
16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?
18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization.
19. Why should we hire you?
20. Tell me about a suggestion you have made to your manager.
21. What irritates you about co-workers?
22. What is your greatest strength?
23. Tell me about your dream job.
24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?
25. What are you looking for in a job?
26. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?
27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?
28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor.
30. What has disappointed you about a job?
31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.
32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?
33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?
34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
35. How would you know you were successful on this job?
36. Would you be willing to relocate if required?
37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead ofyour own?
38. Describe your management style.
39. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?
40. Do you have any blind spots?
41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?
43. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?
44. What qualities do you look for in a boss?
45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute betweenothers.
46. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?
47. Describe your work ethic.
48. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?
49. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.
50. Do you have any questions for me?

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 24, 2006 at 7:38 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

All music show yesterday. Today, lots of questions answered, particularly about financial aid for international students. Most US companies don't deal in this because, frankly, the risk to return ratio is unacceptably high. If an international student takes out a loan without a US citizen cosigner, and skips the country, there's no way to recover that debt. That's why international student loans and financial aid need someone stateside to provide insurance that anything lended will be repaid in one form or another.

That's also why you shouldn't ever offer to cosign anything for someone you don't know or know casually. It gets REALLY ugly when the bills come, and cosigners are legally liable if the principal borrower skips town. Caveat emptor!

International resources:
+ InternationalStudent.com
+ InternationalStudentLoan.com
+ InternationalScholarships.com

Enjoy today's show!

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 23, 2006 at 8:38 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

In today's show, we tackle basic money theory and inflation - what it is, why it's bad, and more:

+ The role of money as a store of value, medium of exchange, and unit of account
+ Prior to money, you bartered everything
+ One cow is worth how many chickens?
+ If you needed goods for which no one wanted a cow, you were in trouble
+ Enter money - people agree upon money as a medium of exchange. A cow is worth $20. A chicken is worth $2. A wool cloth is worth $1.
+ Money has no worth in and of itself - it's only worth what it can buy
+ Money is arbitrary - the Federal Reserve creates it and puts it into the system
+ If there were a total of 20 bills printed, and 20 bills used, the system would have no inflation
+ If one day someone created 5 more bills, there would be more money than goods used
+ This is bad, because it means that the system will absorb that money - banks will lend it, etc.
+ Net effect: prices go up - it takes more bills to buy something
+ Just like if ten cows suddenly appeared - you'd have more cows to trade, and someone who wanted to trade with you could say, well, you have 10 cows now instead of one, so you can afford to spend more, so I want two cows for 10 chickens.
+ This is inflation.
+ There's a disconnect between when more money is created and when it arrives in your pocket to be spent
+ Wages very often don't keep up with inflation because banks (who receive the money from the government) lend it - and you are paid but don't receive loans as pay
+ That's why inflation is very bad - because a seller of goods says, there's more money available now, so I want $3 for a chicken instead of $2. But you as a wage earner don't get paid more, so you get poorer.
+ Put another way, $1 will buy you 1/3 of a chicken today instead of 1/2 of a chicken.
+ Controlling inflation is the Fed's job - but they're losing control because more of the money is out of their control - a combination of the national debt and things like oil

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 21, 2006 at 7:55 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Nothing makes a college student happier than free stuff, especially when it's high quality free stuff. Today's show delivers in spades. We've got TONS of free stuff! Check it out:

Free Stuff Friday!
+ FreeMacWare.com - terrific site for the Mac community
+ Free videos on iTunes
+ Got a video you like on YouTube? YouTubeX will save it for you.
+ Free Scholarship Search eBook
+ Free comic books from the Federal Reserve Bank
+ Free FAFSA filing
+ Free podcast directory at AmigoFish
+ Free podcasting seminar at PodCamp

Free stuff abounds. Go get it! One I really recommend, from FreeMacWare.com - it's called Schoolhouse. Coordinate your courses, papers, and more all in a very slick interface on the Mac.

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 18, 2006 at 8:33 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

In today's show we talk about the zero based budget, the idea that once you have your personal finances under control and your cashflow is positive on a per-pay-period basis, you have to allocate the extra cash before you fritter it away. There are three buckets you need to set up - savings, debt service, and investments. Learn which ones to use and when. We also talk higher education legislation and the commisson on higher education's conclusions regarding Stafford federal student loans, parent PLUS loans, and alternative student loans.

Also, on an unrelated note, if you want to learn more about podcasting, blogging, and new media, be SURE you are attending PodCamp Boston on September 9-10, 2006. It's at Bunker Hill Community College, sponsored by a whole bunch of companies like the Museum of Science, Boston, Porter Novelli, The Student Loan Network, and many more. As such, it's COMPLETELY FREE to all attendees. Free learning, free food, free non-alcoholic drinks, and a chance to meet up with some of the greatest minds in new media. Register on the PodCamp website, PodCamp.org.

In today's show we talk about the zero based budget, the idea that once you have your personal finances under control and your cashflow is positive on a per-pay-period basis, you have to allocate the extra cash before you fritter it away.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 17, 2006 at 7:26 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Today's show answers listener questions and has followups about using federal student loans to pay off private student loans.

Kimberly writes: Yes, the federal loan can replace the private loan, and in most cases, aid administrators would reduce the private loan if adding the federal loan made the student have an overaward. We have one student who does this every year, but our costs are so high that she doesn't totally pay off the private loan. She does end up with a smaller private loan at the end of the year since her federal aid covers some of what the initial private loan covered. It all depends on the cost of attendance, the student's grade level and the directly billed costs. Make sense?

Gerrie writes: Usually the alt loan has to be taken into account in the cost of attendance. However if the cost of attendance is high enough that the student can take out the max Stafford as well as the amount of alt loan already borrowed, what that student does with the funds disbursed to him or her is up to them. As long as the student has maintained enrollment, you can retroactively award fall (taking into account the alt loan as a resource). However, if the COA is low enough it's possible that the earlier alt loan could impact the total Stafford borrowed.

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 16, 2006 at 8:03 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Keeping track of deadlines for school can be a daunting task. From papers to exams to financial aid, time is of the essence. Happily, the tools to manage your time have never been more accessible or easier to use. In today's show, learn how to set quick reminders for your calendar that appear on your cell phone as an SMS, and learn how to CREATE reminders for your calendar using your cell phone's SMS/texting features. So simple, so convenient, and you're never far away from your calendar.

Also, Alice Cooper on a podcast. Heh.

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 15, 2006 at 8:19 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Seems like "things to bring to college" lists are popping up everywhere. We'd be remiss not to have one. On today's show, 5 things to bring to college that you never thought of:

- A laptop
- A digital camera with movie function
- A knife
- A stored value card
- A USB headset

What's behind this crazy list? Why should it make sense? You'll have to tune in to find out. (hint: #5 lets you make free long distance phone calls so you don't have to chew up valuable airtime on your cell phone or rack up charges at college phone companies)

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 14, 2006 at 8:00 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I've been a part of the hiring process here at the Student Loan Network for several weeks now, reviewing applications for technology and marketing positions. I am consistently shocked at how people who are supposed to be cutting edge in technology and new media fail to incorporate any significant technology in their self-marketing. Out of hundreds of resumes, exactly ONE has had a personal web site with it.

In today's show, I talk about how you can use new media - podcasting, blogs, video podcasting/vlogging - to land yourself a new job and help you stand out from the crowd, particularly in today's stagnant economy.

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 11, 2006 at 8:17 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

There's been a lot of controversy recently about private student loans and their role in the financial aid process. Charlie Miller's Commission on the Future of HIgher Education recommende scrapping federal student loans like the Stafford Loan in favor of private student loans. The Project on Student Debt says he's headed 180 degrees in the wrong direction. In today's show, I talk about:

+ What a private student loan is
+ Where to get one
+ When to get one
+ When NOT to get one

The short version: private student loans are ideal for bridging the gap between what aid you've received and what's left to pay for. They're not a good first resort simply because their rates are higher than federal student loans at the moment, and certainly they're much less appealing than scholarships and grants.

Private student loans come into play if you don't qualify for federal financial aid, or the aid you get isn't enough. Line up as many scholarships as you can, get as much grant aid as you can via the FAFSA, get your federal loans, and then get private loans.

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 10, 2006 at 8:41 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

In today's episode of the Financial Aid Podcast, I decided to talk an awful lot about simple tips to save money at college. For example, cut your laundry costs in HALF by buying a simple dryer rack. You'll stop pumping quarters into the dryer, conserve energy, be environmentally friendly, AND not shrink your clothes to Barbie-doll proportions. I also talk about where to find textbooks at 20% of cover price.

What ideas do YOU have or tips YOU can share about how to save more money at college?

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 9, 2006 at 8:44 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I talked yesterday with an LJ Blogger whose private student loan had been turned down, and she was inquiring what to do, who to apply with next. Before she did, I made some recommendations that are vitally important.

First - find out WHY you were declined before you do anything else. Remember - applying for a loan, any kind of loan, takes a bite out of your credit score. The more loans you apply for, the lower your credit gets. Why? Because it's assumed in the FICO formula that the more loans you apply for, the more desperate you must be - and therefore, a higher risk. Higher risk = lower credit score.

In this case, the borrower's cosigner, her grandfather, was the reason for the decline. Read more...

Her grandfather didn't meet what's commonly called the 2-2-2 rule for alternative student loans:

- 2 years of US citizenship
- 2 years of full time employment
- 2 years of good credit history

In this case, he was retired, and therefore as a cosigner he didn't meet the employment rule. Had the borrower continued to apply over and over again at different loan companies, she would have gotten the same declined message, and may never have gotten an indepth explanation as to why.

Second, once you know why, do your best to fix it before applying elsewhere. In this case, get a different cosigner.

Third, reapply at the places you were declined first. Why? Because in most cases, the lender will not need to run another credit check on you, which means that your score won't decline any further. If you just can't make it work, then consider a different lender, but always retry first.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 8, 2006 at 7:21 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I've been talking today with a listener about credit-based private student loans, like the ones at AlternativeStudentLoan.com, and reminded her that every time you apply for a loan somewhere and you're declined, it's a ding against your credit rating. Make sure you've got your house in order first - all your information gathered, a cosigner who is credit-worthy, etc. before you apply, so that you maximize your chances of qualifying for the loan. If you don't, then each successive loan application is less likely to be approved because your credit score is declining.

If you haven't already, be absolutely certain your credit is clean with a free report from www.AnnualCreditReport.com (ignore all the ads).

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 7, 2006 at 2:33 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

From the newswires: Legislation has removed the sunset clauses for 529 savings plans, making them a now-permanent fixture of the college savings landscape. If you're a parent who has been looking at savings options for college and have been hesitant about 529 plans because they might become taxable in 2011, your worries are over - 529 plans and their tax benefits are now permanent. (or will be very shortly)

Covered in today's Financial Aid Podcast.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 7, 2006 at 7:55 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Last week, I covered:

+ Tracking your expenses using your cell phone
+ Interviewing Raza Khan from My Rich Uncle
+ Finding good deals when shopping
+ The PLUS Loan process
+ Podcamp Boston (http://www.podcamp.org)
+ Revisiting the basics of cover letters and resumes

Be sure to check out my show. Thanks.

http://www.FinancialAidPodcast.com

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 7, 2006 at 7:54 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Hey folks. Incredible show today - you can't miss it. Learn how to use your cell phone and a couple of free services on the Web to manage your budget. Includes a description of the one page budget - if you can use a cell phone, you can track your expenses, and it's so easy that you'll wonder why you never did it this way before!

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 4, 2006 at 8:14 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Yesterday's podcast was an interview with Raza Khan from My Rich Uncle - and his take on the provocative, controversial ad campaign his company is currently running.

Check it out at:
The Financial Aid Podcast Web Site

If you have iTunes, visit:
FinancialAidPodcast.com/itunes

As always, please contact me with any feedback, either here, on the show, or on the phone.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 4, 2006 at 8:11 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Hey gang! I'm jumping aboard here as the newest blogger in the group. A quick introduction - my name is Christopher Penn, and I'm a whole bunch of things. First, I'm the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Evangelist at the Student Loan Network, an education financial aid company just south of Boston, MA. I've been working in financial services since 2001, and in financial aid since 2003. Second, I'm the host and producer of the Financial Aid Podcast, a daily internet radio show (no iPod needed) about financial aid. Each day, we cover news, scholarships, and more. I'm pleased to be joining up here. My general plan is to post my show notes here in addition to other topics, since each day I have links to great scholarships, as well as other tips for personal finance, job hunting, and more. If you have questions about anything, PLEASE don't hesitate to ask! You can email me directly at financialaidpodcast at gmail dot com, or call me and leave a voicemail for the show at 877-328-1565 x529. Today's show notes are below.

Welcome to Podcasting!

Hello there! For some of the audience listening today, this may well be your first time listening to a podcast, and I welcome you to the revolution of new media. There are two things that I think make podcasting special. First, unlike traditional media where everything is measured in commercial breaks, we can afford to go beyond the 30 second sound bite and delve into things.

Second, and most important, podcasting is a two way conversation, so as or after you listen to today's show, I invite you to subscribe to the podcast and to participate in it by submitting comments and discussion at my web site, www.FinancialAidPodcast.com. You can also send email to financialaidpodcast at gmail dot com, leave voice comments on our comment line at 877-328-1565 x529, or again, right on the web site. If you enjoy today's show, please tell a friend or colleague about it.

Posted by FinancialAidPodcast.com on August 3, 2006 at 7:22 PM | Leave a Comment (0)