College Without Crushing Debt with Shellee Howard

Shellee Howard is on the show today to talk how to do college without crushign debt for your kids. She shares how her journey as a "mom on a mission" led her to help families navigate the college process strategically, emphasizing early preparation, self-discovery, and return on investment rather than prestige alone. She explains why overcrowded school counselors fall short, how students should clarify their values, talents, and career goals before choosing colleges, and why college should be viewed as a business decision and a stepping stone to adulthood, and not a status symbol. With the right planning, families can avoid debt, maximize scholarships, and choose schools that truly align with a student's future goals.

We discuss...

• Shellee Howard explained how her experience guiding her own children to graduate college debt-free inspired her career as an independent college consultant.
• She described why high school guidance counselors are often unable to provide comprehensive college planning due to overcrowding and competing responsibilities.
• The discussion emphasized starting college preparation early by helping students identify their core values, strengths, and long-term interests rather than focusing only on grades or test scores.
• Shellee stressed that college readiness is about preparing for adulthood, not chasing prestige or comparing against other families.
• We explore how poor financial literacy leads many students to take on unnecessary debt without understanding return on investment.
• Shellee argued that college is a business decision and should be evaluated like an investment, with scholarships, fit, and outcomes prioritized over name recognition alone.
• Many students are not ready at 18 to make high-stakes decisions and why exploration through service, internships, and extracurriculars matters.
• The value of college branding versus actual educational and career outcomes are debated, with examples showing that different paths work for different students.
• Shellee outlined key timing considerations, including the critical importance of middle school and early high school years for maximizing opportunity and financial aid.
• Parents were encouraged to stay actively involved in guiding their children rather than leaving major financial and life decisions to teenagers.

Today's Panelists:

• Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
• Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance
• Phil Weiss | Apprise Wealth Management

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For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/college-without-crushing-debt-shellee-howard-784