Happy Fourth of July.
Somewhere today, there's a family grilling in the backyard while a stack of college mail sits unopened on the kitchen counter.
I know that family because I've been that family.
A few years ago, my son Shane told me he wasn't taking the path everyone expected. Instead of heading straight to a four-year university, he wanted to start at community college, play the sport he loved, and see where it led.
Even after 23 years in higher education, I had that little voice in my head asking...
"What if he's falling behind?"
He wasn't.
He transferred.
He earned his bachelor's degree.
And this October, he'll leave for the Peace Corps in Zambia.
Watching him build a life he loves has reminded me of something I think every family needs to hear—especially this week, after another round of student loan changes.
Freedom isn't found in an acceptance letter.
It's found in having choices after graduation.
This Week's Hack
Reverse engineer the finish line before you choose the college.
Most families ask:
"Where do you want to go?"
I think there's a better first question.
"What do we want life to look like four years after graduation?"
Do you want the freedom to travel?
To buy a home?
To start a business?
To take a lower-paying dream job?
To serve in the Peace Corps?
If the answer is yes, then the cost of college has to become part of the conversation before anyone falls in love with a campus.
When you start with the finish line instead of the college name, better decisions almost always follow.
Today...
Enjoy the burgers.
Watch the fireworks.
Laugh a little louder.
The college mail will still be there tomorrow.
On Tuesday, we're getting practical.
I'll walk you through one of my favorite strategies for lowering college costs before your student ever steps onto a college campus: earning real college credit while they're still in high school. We'll cover which programs are worth your time, which ones transfer, and how to keep track of it all.
Happy Independence Day.
— Angela