This question is only for people who went to public school in the United States. Did you receive any financial education there, and if so, what?

Help me learn about personal finances... Canadian style. I'll admit it: I know very little about personal finances, beyond "save for retirement now!" So, I googled, and found a few good blogs, mostly thanks to get rich slowly , but I am craving more. So: can you suggest any Canadian personal finance books, blogs, and websites? Bonus points if they are of the "hello, idiot, welcome to the world of money" genre!

College savings: Does the government care how you spend a college savings plan in Canada? More than a year ago, I asked about registered educational savings plans . Now I'm wondering how the (Canadian) government regulates how you spend them. I understand when my child(ren) can withdraw the funds and that they have to be registered in a post-secondary program. But, aside from that, how does the government check to see what you spent the money on? I see that there's a $42,000 contribution limit over your child's lifetime. Let's say this grows to $78k. Tuition in, say, 2023, is $12k per year and my child needs a total of $50k to cover four years while living at home. My child also works at some internships and part-time jobs that cover, say, $24k of expenses. After they kick that in, there's around $50k left in the RESP. Heck, let's say there's even $25k left.

Given the following choices, which would you say is the one that takes the least effort & time to complete, but still has a significant benefit to someone looking for a job? I suppose that any of these would satisfy my curiosity, but I'm looking to satisfy the above requirements I've listed too. 1) CPA 2) CFA 3) MBA 4) JD 5) MA (assume a 36 credit program) 6) Certificate in "X" - examples Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Certificate in Financial Analysis Certificate in Accounting I feel that the most practical and effective way to learn is through experience. Although, having credibility is an essential ingredient when embarking on a career in finance. The socially accepted measurement of this is done via degree/certification level.

Between Finance and Information Systems, which would be the more productive, proactive, desired, and usable degree? Keep in mind I have lots of programming and database experience, this is how I have paid my way through college. I am thinking that majoring in Finance would round me off, and give me a change to work in Finance, while majoring in I.S. might paint me as uni-dimensional. However, I think I would probably enjoy a job in IS more than a job in finance. Although, I have never had a job in the finance arena I have had many in IS and enjoy them. Which degree would pay better?

Are there student loans for continuing education programs? There is a music program in Italy that I am trying to attend. I've been accepted, and I am trying to figure out how to pay for it: $2800 for the program, and I'm betting $1200 for the flight. I thought I would have enough money saved up by now, but I don't. I don't have the best credit (it is improving though) so I don't have much faith in a personal loan. I don't even know if I have time for a long application process since the money is due by the middle of May. I haven't been able to find any information on student loans for those who already have college degrees, and not for grad school. Are there student loans for the in-between programs? I didn't use loans for undergrad so I don't know anything about this world.

Are there student loans for continuing education programs? There is a music program in Italy that I am trying to attend. I've been accepted, and I am trying to figure out how to pay for it: $2800 for the program, and I'm betting $1200 for the flight. I thought I would have enough money saved up by now, but I don't. I don't have the best credit (it is improving though) so I don't have much faith in a personal loan. I don't even know if I have time for a long application process since the money is due by the middle of May. I haven't been able to find any information on student loans for those who already have college degrees, and not for grad school. Are there student loans for the in-between programs? I didn't use loans for undergrad so I don't know anything about this world.

Help me fulfill my dream of becoming a massage therapist... I've been accepted at a good massage therapy school. It's a 6 month program that keeps me in class from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm every day (Mon-Fri). I'm all ready to quit my job (soulless government bureaucratic hell) and dive in head first. However, I just found out that the financial aid that the school can help me with will only partially cover tuition, leaving a large chunk of it up to me, as well as all of my living expenses (rent, food, gas, etc...). I wanted to go part-time originally, but it won't work with where my job is located, where the school is located, the scheduled classes, and the hours I can work. So, my only real choice is to go to school full-time, which leaves almost no time in which to get some other job. Any job that I could get (retail) would be minimal pay, hence not solving my problem.

Help me fulfill my dream of becoming a massage therapist... I've been accepted at a good massage therapy school. It's a 6 month program that keeps me in class from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm every day (Mon-Fri). I'm all ready to quit my job (soulless government bureaucratic hell) and dive in head first. However, I just found out that the financial aid that the school can help me with will only partially cover tuition, leaving a large chunk of it up to me, as well as all of my living expenses (rent, food, gas, etc...). I wanted to go part-time originally, but it won't work with where my job is located, where the school is located, the scheduled classes, and the hours I can work. So, my only real choice is to go to school full-time, which leaves almost no time in which to get some other job. Any job that I could get (retail) would be minimal pay, hence not solving my problem.