Prep Costs in Tough Times

Counselors at high schools are worried that the amount of money people think they need to spend is out of control. The inclination to buy every product and service possible to get a child into college is adding to the frenzy already surrounding the process.

Many families already spend thousands of dollars even before their kid graduates high school.

But in these stressful economic times, more is not always better. Countless test preparation courses and dozens of visits to college campuses are not really necessary if you have the essentials. In fact, a school counselor is just as good as a private one. Most people, however, turn to expensive options for the security they provide.