Families with school-age children are expected to spend over $500 on back-to-school merchandise, according to the National Retail Federation. They'll also likely spend many days driving from store to store to get all the right items. It's no wonder parents are looking for creative ways to save money and limit their time in the car. Here are some easy ways to save time and money when seeking back-to-school bargains this year.

It's only natural to feel a little down about being stuck inside all day when the weather is cooling down and becoming very comfortable. If you do have a case of the indoor work blues, here are some ways to cheer yourself up.

Remember when dorm food meant cooking on a hot plate? Times have changed. Here's what savvy students are doing today.

For many people, college marked a time when they forged friendships and romances that last a lifetime. Is it any wonder, then, that so many college graduates seek creative ways to nourish their bond with their alma mater years - often decades - after they've left the college's hallowed halls?

Each year, anti-discrimination laws open the doors to higher learning for millions of disabled students. It's up to the students to navigate the world beyond those newly opened doors, and many have found that choosing a college where they receive the caring support of faculty, staff and fellow students can help pave the path to academic success.

After three hot months of keeping the kids busy, you may find yourself with some time to breathe once they return to school in the fall. While it's probably not hard to think of ways to fill those few extra hours of free time, you may be wondering what the best way is. For many parents, the answer is to go back to school themselves with career-building certificate programs.

Your 4-year-old may already know how to tie their own shoelaces and spell out their first and last names. But as preschool looms around the corner, are you worried how well they'll fit in with the rest of the classroom? According to a nationwide survey conducted of 1,000 parents, 90 percent consider social skills to be vital to their children's happiness and confidence.