All posts by Regan Blume

Time vs. Money: How Red Kite Helps Parents Save Money

For parents planning their child’s future, two resources can feel impossible to find: time and money. The balancing act of managing your own workload, family, and the many things that go into preparing for college can seem impossible. With so many decisions to make–scholarships, financial aid, career planning, military education benefits, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. This is where Red Kite steps in, offering a solution that helps parents navigate these challenges with ease, helping save both time and money.

Key Takeaways

Simple Planning

Red Kite was specifically designed for parents who need a quick, straightforward approach to the many challenges of college and career planning. The last thing parents need is to spend hours trying to navigate between 20 tabs, trying to decode confusing forms, or worrying about whether they have missed that crucial deadline. Red Kite gets rid of the chaos by bringing everything together in one place. The platform organizes all of the essential information, tools and resources, and takes out all the complicated stuff to make a user-friendly place for parents. You can see the full picture without spending endless hours scrolling for the answer.

In just a few clicks, you’ll have a clear roadmap that highlights everything you need to know, whether it’s upcoming deadlines, financial aid opportunities or career pathways. Red Kite saves you the headache of juggling multiple resources at once and helps you focus on what truly matters: your child’s future.

How We Can Help You Save Time

When it comes to financial aid, most parents don’t have time to become gurus. Between work, home life, and everything in between, there’s no room to become a financial aid expert. Thankfully, Red Kite does the heavy lifting for you. The platform simplifies the entire process, guiding you through the key steps knowing which deadlines are most important to meet, gathering the right documents, and understanding how to build a financial aid strategy that works for your family. This allows parents to stay on top of everything without becoming overwhelmed or stressed by the hustle and bustle of the system.

How We Can Help Save You Money

Not only does Red Kite save parents valuable time, but it also helps uncover hidden opportunities to save money. Many parents don’t fully understand how scholarships, grants or military benefits could change the trajectory of higher education cost for you and your family. Red Kite helps you find these opportunities, making sure you don’t miss out on financial support that could make college much more affordable.

The platform lets you compare the true costs of various college or career paths, so you and your family can decide what’s best and aligns with your budget. Whether it’s choosing the most affordable college option or exploring career training programs, Red Kite has you covered from day one.

Smart Next Steps for Parents

Now that you know what’s coming, here’s how to prepare:

  1. Make an “Extras” Budget
    Build in at least $1,500–$2,000 for non-tuition costs. Track spending with a simple app or shared spreadsheet so your student knows where the money’s going.
  2. Start Shopping Now
    Don’t wait until August. Shopping early helps you avoid rush shipping fees and gives you time to compare prices or buy secondhand.
  3. Look for College-Specific Discounts
    Many schools partner with companies for student deals. Your student email address can unlock discounts on everything from Adobe software to Amazon Prime.
  4. Talk About Money Now
    Before they leave home, make sure your student understands basic budgeting: debit cards, ATM limits, how to avoid overdraft fees, and when to ask for help.
Feel More Confident About College Costs

Whether your student is college-bound now or still a year or two away, knowing what to expect makes a huge difference. Red Kite helps parents prepare, not panic.

“Red Kite’s checklist saved us hundreds before classes even started.”
— Jen M., Red Kite Parent

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The Real Cost of College: What Parents Wish They Knew Sooner

Your student got accepted. The dorm is picked. The excitement is real.
But as you start ordering bedding, reviewing the book list, and booking that plane ticket home for Thanksgiving, the numbers start to pile up fast.

What Most Parents Don’t Expect

Many parents are blindsided by how expensive college becomes after the deposit is paid. Tuition might be the headliner, but it’s the hidden fees that steal the show (and a big chunk of your budget).

The Sneaky Stuff: Hidden Costs That Add Up

According to the College Board, the average public college student spends over $1,200 per year on books and supplies alone. And that’s just the start. Other often-overlooked expenses include:

  • Dorm must-haves (bedding, storage, cleaning supplies)
  • Lab and fitness center fees
  • Transportation to and from campus during holidays
  • Laptop upgrades, software, and tech support
  • Off-campus meals and “late-night” snack runs
  • Club memberships and social activities

By the time classes begin, many families realize college costs way more than just tuition and room & board.

“We thought we had everything covered—until move-in day.”
— David D., Red Kite parent

What Parents Are Really Asking

At Red Kite, we hear from parents navigating these surprises every day. That’s why we’re launched a Parent Resource Newsletter that tackles questions no one tells you to ask, like:

  • Are there scholarships or aid available for supplies and tech?
  • What hidden costs should we budget for?
  • What does a realistic freshman year budget look like?

We’ve created a simple, practical guide that includes:

✅ A summer checklist to avoid last-minute expenses
✅ Cost-saving tips that actually work
✅ Real examples from families like yours
✅ Tools to help reduce out-of-pocket costs—before they sneak up on you

Feel More Confident About College Costs

Whether your student is heading to college this fall or you’re planning a year or two ahead, knowing what to expect is half the battle. Our Parent Resource Newsletter helps you go in prepared, not panicked.

How Red Kite Stands Out

Unlike other scholarship platforms, Red Kite goes beyond search tools:

  • We equip families with real-world financial insights
  • We’re creating content specifically for parents, offering resources that go beyond what Fastweb or Going Merry provide.
  • We offer practical planning tools that reduce stress and surprise expenses

“Red Kite’s checklist saved us hundreds before classes even started.” — Jen M., RedKite Parent

Let us help you feel more confident, supported, and financially prepared—because every dollar (and every tip) counts.

 

 

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How To Financially Prepare For After College Graduation

COVID-19 has turned everything upside down, including college graduation. These uncertain times make it more important than ever to make sure you are financially prepared for whatever lies ahead. Graduating college and starting your career comes with additional expenses and responsibilities, so making sure you are financially set for the future is crucial. Plus, ensuring financial preparedness can help ease some of the anxiety that comes with graduating. Here are just a few ways you can ensure greater financial stability post-graduation.

Set up a plan to pay off your student loans

According to Forbes, there are 45 million people who have taken out student loans. If you are one of those students, it’s crucial to set yourself up for success to ensure you are able to pay off your loans as soon as you can! This will allow you to save more of your money and live debt-free. Some best practices that will put you on the path to success include:

  • Creating a strict budget.
  • Paying over the minimum payment to avoid accumulating interest.
  • Starting with the smallest loan first and working your way up (often called the debt snowball method).

Seeing that balance drop to zero will not only be a huge weight lifted off your shoulders, but it will also leave you better prepared to tackle future big purchases such as buying a house or a car.

Open up a checking account with direct deposit

Once you’ve landed your first job out of college, it’s time to open up a checking account and set up direct deposit. This will allow you to get your paychecks paperless and automatically deposited into your account, making payday much easier on you and your employer! Many checking accounts also provide you with a debit card, making it easy to access your money and make everyday purchases.

There are many options available when choosing the right financial institution to set up an account with. If you don’t already have yourself set up with a checking account, consider signing up with a financial service  that will directly deposit your paychecks in advance! This can ease some of the stress between pay periods and get you your money days earlier than most would.

Begin contributing to a retirement plan

Besides saving for your emergency fund, it’s important to make contributions to a retirement fund such as an IRA as early as you can. It can be easy to focus on the short term goals like paying off rent and keeping up with your student loans, but it’s never too early to begin planning for retirement.

Even if you are only able to contribute a small portion of your income, every little bit counts! Check with your employer to see their options. Many employers will have a 401(k) plan and may even match some of your contributions! If you’re unfamiliar with these types of plans or where to start, check out these key points.

Build your credit

Lastly, you’ll want to make sure you’re focusing on building up your credit. Applying for a credit card and making small purchases can help you to slowly increase your credit score.

Building or improving your credit score can help you get approved for future purchases such as a new car or mortgage on a house. Finding a credit card that’s right for you can be a challenge for some, so make sure to do your research and ask about these questions to yourself:

  • Is there an Annual Fee?
  • What is the APR?
  • Do they offer benefits such as cash back or travel miles?
  • What kind of fees do they have?
  • Do they have a credit score requirement?

If you are not sure where to begin your search, be sure to check out these student credit cards to start your journey student credit cards to start your journey.

Being proactive about maintaining your finances is a crucial habit to get into, so starting off your college graduation on the right foot will be key. Given the circumstances we are in right now, it’s more important than ever to be conscious of your finances and start off on the right path. Now it’s time to finish off the semester strong!

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Scholarships for Black Americans

Photo by William Stitt on Unsplash

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” -Nelson Mandela

In celebration of Black History Month, we are highlighting eight scholarships specifically for Black Americans! We’ve included scholarships for students with a variety of backgrounds and interests. Your ethnicity, race, and heritage is part of what makes you unique, celebrate your individuality with with a scholarship! 

Continue reading Scholarships for Black Americans →

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