Robert Farrington

San Diego

Founder and Host at The College Investor Audio Show

Financial news, insights, and commentary to help you make better financial decisions as you navigate money and education.

Articles

TikTok Dentist's $1.2M Loan Sparks Real Talk On Grad Debt

5 days ago | thecollegeinvestor.com | Robert Farrington |Colin Graves

A dentist showed over $1.2 million in student debt in a viral TikTok post, drawing attention to growing graduate school loan burdens. An estimated 100 borrowers owe more than $1 million in federal student loans, with dental and medical programs among the costliest. Forgiveness through Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or income-driven repayment plans remain the most realistic ways to manage or erase balances this large.
How Side Hustles Are Helping Grads Tackle Student Loan Debt

5 days ago | thecollegeinvestor.com | Robert Farrington |Colin Graves

Many students and recent graduates are turning to freelance work, delivery services, and content creation to pay for school or repay student loans. Platforms like Lyft, DoorDash, Etsy, and TikTok are allowing flexible income opportunities that fit around academic schedules. Side hustles are helping Gen Z build business skills and boost financial independence at a time of high education costs and resumed loan payments.
How U.S. Tax Rules Quietly Penalize Marriage

6 days ago | thecollegeinvestor.com | Robert Farrington |Colin Graves

Married couples often face higher taxes or reduced benefits due to thresholds that are not doubled from single filers. Common marriage penalties appear in tax brackets, student loan repayment, welfare eligibility, and Social Security taxation. These penalties run counter to family-first rhetoric and could be revised to better support working families.
Should You Wait For PSLF Buyback Or Switch Out Of SAVE Now?

1 week ago | thecollegeinvestor.com | Robert Farrington |Colin Graves

PSLF Buyback processing can take 6 to 7 months, leaving many borrowers stuck in limbo. Borrowers fewer than 6 payments away from forgiveness may benefit more by switching to an active repayment plan. Legal challenges are complicating IDR plan availability and forgiveness timing, prompting caution for SAVE plan users. For public service workers inching toward loan forgiveness, timing matters.
Senate Parliamentarian Blocks CFPB Defunding Push

1 week ago | thecollegeinvestor.com | Robert Farrington |Colin Graves

The Senate parliamentarian has ruled that defunding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) through budget reconciliation violates the Byrd Rule, meaning it will require 60 votes to pass. The ruling disrupts efforts in the Trump administration's "One Big, Beautiful Bill" to eliminate the CFPB by cutting its funding to zero. A separate federal court has also temporarily blocked the administration's attempt to lay off most of the CFPB workforce, questioning its legal basis.
Employers And States Are Dropping College Degree Requirements

1 week ago | thecollegeinvestor.com | Robert Farrington |Colin Graves

Nearly half of U.S. employers dropped degree requirements for some roles in the past year. At least 16 states no longer require a bachelor's degree for most government jobs. For teachers and social workers, degree inflation continues to lead to high debt burdens without added value. A major shift is underway in how employers evaluate job candidates. According to ZipRecruiter, 45% of companies surveyed in 2024 removed bachelor’s degree requirements for some roles.
Banks And Markets Closed For Juneteenth: What to Expect

1 week ago | thecollegeinvestor.com | Robert Farrington |Colin Graves

Banks, credit unions, and the U.S. stock, options, and bond markets will be closed on Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Settlement timelines for trades will shift due to the midweek holiday. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, recognizing the end of slavery in the U.S. Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, the day when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
How To Plan For The End Of SAVE And What To Expect

1 week ago | forbes.com | Robert Farrington

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 03: Education Secretary Linda McMahon testifies before the Senate ... More Appropriations Committee's Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee about the proposed 15-percent cut to the Education Department's budget in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on June 03, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Personal Finance Classes Are Now Mandatory In 28 States

1 week ago | thecollegeinvestor.com | Robert Farrington |Colin Graves

28 U.S. states now require a standalone personal finance course for high school graduation. The trend has gained momentum in the past five years, tripling the number of states with mandates since 2021. These classes typically cover budgeting, credit, taxes, and saving, helping students prepare for real-world decisions. As of June 2025, 28 states have passed laws requiring high school students to complete a personal finance course in order to graduate.
What to Know About the Proposed Trump Accounts And Baby Bonus

1 week ago | thecollegeinvestor.com | Robert Farrington |Colin Graves

The Senate bill advances the creation of "Trump Accounts," tax-advantaged savings accounts for children under age 8, with strict rules on contributions and distributions. A pilot program will provide $1,000 in seed money to qualifying newborns, with automatic accounts created by the Treasury for eligible children. The accounts are restricted to U.S. equity index fund investments and have age-based limitations and penalties to prevent misuse or duplication.