Anne's Blog

The average college graduate in 2016 had $37,172 in student loan debt, according to the website Student Loan Hero. Thats a lot of money to pay off after graduation.

Paying it off should be as simple as writing a monthly check to the lender. Unfortunately, there are some potential student loan problems that borrowers should be aware of when repaying their student loans. Here are some of them:

Track your loans
Know how much you owe and to whom. This sounds straightforward, but it can be confusing. Why? Because the servicer of the loan that collects payments often isnt the original lender.

If you have federal loans, the National Student Loan Data System will help you track your loans after you set up an online account.

Banks that have given you private loans should contact you. If youre unsure, check your credit report to see if a lender has reported your loan.

Tie loan payments to your income
Federal loans have payment plans that allow monthly student loan payments to be reduced for borrowers with a family or lower income level. Youll have to re-qualify for the plan each year.

The Education Department has a repayment estimator tool to help determine if youre eligible. Your loan servicer should also be able to help, and its cooperation is needed for enrollment in an income-driven repayment plan.

Forbearance
If you cant repay your loan for a while, your loan servicer may offer you help through forbearance. This allows you to reduce or eliminate payments for an amount of time, though interest continues accruing.

Private lenders may not offer income-driven payment plans, but have something between them and forbearance. They may extend the term of a loan, leading to lower payments over a longer time, for example.

Dropping a co-signer
If a relative or someone else with good credit helped you by co-signing on your student loans " leading to a lower interest rate for taking on the legal obligation of repaying the loan if you cant " you can release them from this obligation after you graduate.

It requires making on-time payments for a certain number of consecutive months. However, if you skipped payments the clock will be reset to zero on your consecutive monthly payment count.

Make sure the bank or servicer is properly crediting your payments by using its online site to track your account.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

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Published with permission from RISMedia.

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Most everyone knows a healthy diet is important for a healthy body. But eating the right foods every day might be easier said than done"especially with so much tempting junk food available! If youre looking to improve your diet, start by making some small changes and learning the keys to healthy eating.

Try to include all the major food groups"fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy and protein"as part of your meals and snacks daily. Youll also want to limit added sugars, saturated fat and sodium. For further guidance, check out these 10 tips from ChooseMyPlate.gov for building healthy meals and meeting your eating needs throughout the day:

1. Make half your plate veggies and fruits. Vegetables and fruits are full of nutrients that support good health. Choose fruits and red, orange and dark-green vegetables, such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes and broccoli.

2. Include whole grains. Aim to make at least half your grains whole grains. Look for food labels indicating the product is 100-percent whole grain or whole wheat. Whole grains provide more nutrients, including fiber, than refined grains do.

3. Dont forget the dairy. Complete your meal with a cup of fat-free or low-fat milk. Youll get the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk but fewer calories. Dont drink milk? Try drinking soymilk or include low-fat yogurt in your meal or snack.

4. Add lean protein. Choose proteins such as lean beef, pork, chicken or turkey, as well as eggs, nuts, beans or tofu. Twice a week, try to make seafood the protein on your plate.

5. Avoid extra fat. Using heavy gravies or sauces will add fat and calories to otherwise healthy choices. Try steamed broccoli with a sprinkling of low-fat parmesan cheese or a squeeze of lemon.

6. Get creative in the kitchen. Whether youre making a sandwich, stir-fry or casserole, find ways to make them healthier. Try using less meat and cheese, which can be higher in saturated fat and sodium, and including more veggies that add new flavors and textures to your meals.

7. Take control of your food. Eat at home more often so you know exactly what youre eating. If you eat out, check and compare the nutrition information. Choose options that are lower in calories, saturated fat and sodium.

8. Try new foods. Keep it interesting by picking out new foods youve never tried before, such as mango, lentils, quinoa, kale or sardines. You may find a new favorite! Trade fun and tasty recipes with friends, or find some online.

9. Satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way. Indulge in a naturally sweet dessert dish"fruit! Serve a fresh fruit salad or a fruit parfait made with yogurt. For a hot dessert, bake apples and top them with cinnamon.

10. Remember that everything you eat and drink matters. The right mix of foods in your meals and snacks can help you be healthier now and into the future. Small, practical changes in how you eat can improve your diet and add up to big wins over time.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

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These four iconic destinations embrace outdoor living with serious style.

Bali, Indonesia

An abundance of greenery and teak furniture beside your pool or water feature will create a lush jungle oasis in your backyard.

Santorini, Greece

Introduce a rustic appeal with vibrant blue and white patterned textiles and a wooden pergola for your own slice of Greek paradise.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Combine tropical and desert plantings, like cacti and palm trees, with hammocks and Acapulco chairs to create a breezy vibe where you can laze the day away.

Paris, France

Embrace the elegance of wrought-iron furniture and antique gaslight lanterns to illuminate evenings spent enjoying wine on the terrace.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

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