The Smart Way to Pay Off Student Loans (U.S. News & World Report)

US News & World Report’s money blog noted the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s recent ominous findings: Student loan borrowers, facing mounting debts and diminished prospects for employment, are retreating from other markets they customarily supported, such as housing and auto loans:

Whether you consider yourself to be financially responsible, or you always seem to come up short on cash, there are a few key indicators that may indicate you are living beyond your mean. And being aware of them can save you loads of money woes in times of a cash emergency.  

This post is sponsored by Lincoln Financial Group.

When my parents first announced at Thanksgiving that they were taking out a life insurance policy on me, I was taken aback and slightly offended. In fact, I thought it was a cruel joke. Why would they need to do such a thing? I’m only 27. The mere thought of it was grim.

It's interesting to watch some of the terms bandied about in headline news. For example, the LA Times headline reads S&P says student loan debt could be next financial bubble. Next? Could Be?

(Studio d’Xavier)

By Bret Jensen:The student loan market has been in the news recently for several reasons. Congress has been fighting with each other to figure out a way from keeping interest rates on student loans from doubling.