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PF Newswrap: Advice on paying for college, utilities, pets and taxes

Today we published a number of Wall Street Journal stories related to managing some of the biggest expenses in our lives: school, utility bills, (sick) dogs and taxes. Click on the headlines below to learn more.

The Best Ways to Get Loans for College Now
FiLife Take: Private loans are drying up and students are scrambling to get the cash they need to pay their tuition. This Wall Street Journal article offers helpful tips on getting the funds you need as lenders tighten their standards.

Home Heat: a Rush for Alternatives
FiLife Take: As fall approaches, many are looking for heating alternatives to lower their winter utility bills. But before you make the jump to natural gas or wood-burning stoves, do the math and make sure it’s worth the switch. Check out the calculators at the bottom of the article.

What is a Dog’s Life Worth?
FiLife Take: A few weeks ago, The WSJ’s Cheapskate columnist wrote about how expensive dogs can be. Many of his pooch-loving readers were unhappy with him. In this article he revisits the topic and responds to his readers comments. It’s a fun read.

How AMT Confuses Taxpayers
FiLife Take: It turns out that a lot of us messed up our tax returns when it came to the alternative minimum tax. Many Americans don’t realize they’re required to pay AMT, or don’t know how to compute it correctly. Read Tom Herman’s article to learn a bit more about this tax.