Q: Help! My spouse and I are the parents of a college-bound high school junior who's starting to look at schools. We couldn't be prouder of our young scholar, but we haven't saved a dime to help with the costs. What can we do?

A: It may sound like a cliché, but now is a time to focus on the positive. Your child is college-bound! She has the ambition, intelligence, and drive to do something with her life! Take a moment and celebrate that little victory.

Student loan debt is terrifying. You left for school with the best of intentions. You worked your tail off for four plus years and got a degree. You throw your cap into the air in celebration, and by the time it lands, you have a bill for $29,400. Yikes!

When dollar amounts are that high, it's difficult to make them seem real. As a recent grad, you have all kinds of financial obligations. It's easy to let those student loan notices pile up and focus on furnishing a household, buying a fancy car or starting your adult life.