I was accepted into NYU, but chose a community college certification instead. Being debt-free was more important than prestige.

Tech Insider : Business
Barbara Campos holding up an NYU flag
The author turned down NYU's offer of acceptance.

Courtesy of Barbara Campos

I'm a single mom with 2 kids in college. My divorce devastated me financially, so I feel guilty I can't help with their tuition.

Tech Insider
a woman on the phone surrounded by a pile of bills
The author, not pictured, can't pay for her kids' college tuition.

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I wanted my daughter to graduate from college debt-free, so I bought a storage unit business. It paid for her entire tuition.

Tech Insider
Nancy Brier cleaning out a storage unit
The author owns a storage unit business to pay for her daughter's college tuition.

Courtesy of Lauren Trippeer

Here's what the economy could look like with a Biden or Trump presidency

Tech Insider : Economy, Politics, Economy
President Biden and Donald Trump on a blue background
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have different plans for how they'd tackle the US economy if they win the November election.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty, Anna Moneymaker/Getty, Tyler Le/BI

Middle-class Gen Xers are facing a new retirement challenge: their student loans

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy
A man frowning at his computer.

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I graduated from college early to save money. It wasn't worth it.

Tech Insider
College graduate sitting outside
The author, not pictured, graduated early.

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Meet 3 people who landed jobs without a bachelor's degree and don't have to worry about paying off student debt

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy
Heather at work
Heather is an MRI technologist.

Courtesy of Heather

We moved to Mexico from Texas and have never been happier. We're saving $2,000 a month and can even afford to go to the dentist.

Tech Insider
Spencer (left) and Braelyn Stone (right) in Mérida, Mexico.
Spencer (left) and Braelyn Stone (right) moved to Mérida, Mexico in 2022.

Courtesy of the Stones.

I was drowning in student-loan debt as a single mother. But this year, I turned 53 and my $200,000 loans were forgiven.

Tech Insider
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I saved so much money by going to community college — and then, I was able to transfer to UC Berkeley

Tech Insider
Kaitlin Clapinski dressed in graduation regalia
The author.

Kaitlin Clapinski

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