About this episode
In this follow-up episode, we zoom out and talk about the bigger picture of helping kids move into adulthood without being buried under student debt.
Kelly returns to share why college should be treated as a financial decision, not an emotional one — and why choosing a school based on the prettiest campus, best food, or football team can be a costly mistake. We talk about evaluating the return on investment, choosing schools that accept dual enrollment and AP credits, and why her daughter attended a local school that fit the plan.
We also discuss alternatives that don’t get talked about enough: trade schools, gap years, and going to college part-time while figuring out direction. If a student doesn’t know what they want to do yet, pushing them straight into full-time college can lead to major-jumping, dropping out, and still owing loans — which helps no one.
Kelly and I also dive into some hard but necessary questions for parents:
Do your kids really want to go to college — or do you want them to? And why?
We talk about how giving students time, ownership, and even their own money on the line often makes them more motivated to finish.
We wrap up with practical advice on starting these conversations early, helping kids build strong resumes, track test scores and activities, and gather references — plus how to connect with Kelly if you want help guiding your own family through this process.
This episode is about giving your kids freedom, not financial chains.
Related Episodes:
78 - How to Find $10,000 in Scholarship Opportunities in an Hour a Week
172 - 3 Ways to Search and Find the Scholarships Specific To You
173 - She Paid Off $20,000 in Student Loans in a Few Months, Before Ever Paying Any Interest! Learn How You Can Too (:
More about Kelly:
I’m the owner of Eleven 14 Financials and a certified Ramsey Financial Coach. My passion is to educate, encourage and empower parents and students to take control of their financial future. By being proactive and starting early, they learn to change the direction of how they can attend higher education. By avoiding debt, it sets them up to create a solid financial foundation.
Website: www.Eleven14Financials.com
Email: eleven14financials@outlook.com
FB: www.facebook.com/eleven14finacials
IG: @eleven_14_financials
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