My daughter starts kindergarten August 6, which is a big step for any child -- and parent. As difficult as it may be to send my child to school for the first time, I have it easy compared with parents who are sending kids off to college this fall for the first time.
I just have to make sure my daughter's backpack is filled with crayons, glue sticks and tissue. And I had to teach her four-digit code she has to use to "buy" lunch at school. Parents of college freshmen have a lot more they need to do to make sure their child is prepared. So I dug up advice from Kiplinger's kids and money expert, Janet Bodnar. Janet is editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, writes our Money Smart Kids column and is author of Raising Money Smart Kids. Below you'll find her tips on how to talk to your freshman about handling his or her finances in college.
- College Checklist for Parents You've taught your kid how to do his own laundry. Now it's time to sit down and talk money.
- Freshman Finance 101 Here's how to handle the unexpected expenses when your kid heads off to college.
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