Tuesday, April 28, 2009

It's book buyback time!

Yay! It's my favorite time of the year - book buyback time, where I can attempt to recover a small percentage of money back on the books I had to buy for the past semester. I only have one book this year - from an online course I had to take - and have already had it "appraised" online. It's worth about $50 all around, which is good for me - that's a tank of gas! I usually end up at Off Campus , since they have always been able to give me more on my books, and buy back ones the Supe Store , who is pretty particular, won't take.

However, there are other places in the area:

Alabama Book Store,
has two locations on Bryant Drive (one near Tutwiler and one near The Strip) , and they're pretty friendly.

The College Store just opened a new location on 15th street.

Depending on how much you get back, you can use your money to treat youreself to an end of the year present, or put the money towards getting something for Mom - Mother's Day is May 10!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Sunday Blogroll


It's my birthday! Go ME!



Looking for a job? These Fortune 500 companies are all hiring as of right now.

Try something new in your diet and your wallet by going vegetarian to save money.

Check out these iPhone apps geared at money management.

If you are a discount member at this store, you are allowed to use their wi-fi for free- it's included in your discount. It's a great venue change from the library, so take advantage of it!

Thirsty? Be cheap and make your own Gatorade.


Friday, April 24, 2009

What did your mother teach you about money?

My mother, the oldest of five kids who lived in a two bedroom house all of her life, often told me of stories where my Paw Paw would make a game of being late with bill payments: when the water was cut off, he would run around the back of the house and cut it on again and shared a special bond with my mother over the fact that she was able to yell at creditors over the phone just like he did. Both he and my grandmother held steady jobs and worked hard all of their adult lives. Paw Paw, a WWII vet, was able to retire and live off his pension, but my Grandma continued to work after her retirement, partly because she wanted to and partly because she had to. She has been working up until this year, when she was forced to quit her part time job due to health problems. This is not uncommon, as most of the women who live on Grandma's block are over the age of 75 and still work 9 to 5 to make ends meet

Mother, on the other hand, has lived her life a bit differently. She has held a job since the age of 15 and supported herself through college working at the library and through scholarships (she was the valedictorian of her class!) At the age of 23, she got a job with The Penney Company as a manager and held her title and position with them until she retired this year, after nearly 37 years. She has an IRA, a 401 (k), life insurance policies, health insurance, and a house that is almost paid for, along with a monthly pension she will receive from The Penney Company. She has the luxury to road trip to her hometown of Memphis whenever she needs to, and at this point in time can just take it easy instead of having to look for another job.

With all this being said, I think the better question now is: what did Mother teach me about money stemming from what Grandma and Paw Paw taught her about money?

Know better, do better: My mother went to great lengths to make sure she had enough money to retire on and to have something to pass on to her heir. She knew she didn't want to work the rest of her life, and made it her goal to do so.

Take advantage of sales and discounts: My mother had an employee discount from Penney's, and because of that and the great sales they had, she was able to afford me amazing Christmases and birthdays, as well as be a "gift fairy" for my cousins and other family and friends

Use it til you lose it: My mother has only owned two cars since I've been alive: an Oldsmobile, which she drove for 12 years, and a Chevrolet, which she has been driving for the past eight years. I used to think she was just being cheap by not getting new cars, but now I understand it it wasn't broke, no need to fix it.

Own - don't buy - everything: My mother has always owned outright her own home and car, as well as other assets. She never had to worry about someone else taking it back, because she made her payments on time and in full.

Make the most of your investment: In the two homes my mother has owned, she has made vast improvements: hardwood floors, a storage house, and other indoor improvements have increased the value of her home.

If I think about it, my financial education has been with me all along - all I have to do is apply it accordingly.

Love you!


So, what has your mother taught you about money?

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Do you buy yourself birthday presents?

I think I am going to start a new tradition this year.

While browsing on ebay (as I often can be caught doing), I came across this to-die-for tote by Matt and Nat:

The Marais Tote retails for $260, but if I'm lucky I can get it for a fraction of that. I originally felt guilty for lusting for it, but then I realized that since my birthday is five days away, I want/need a new bag, and I'm trying to be more of a professional? why not treat myself and say Happy Birthday To Me!

I think I will.

Now I have to figure out what to buy myself for graduation!

Comments?

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Obama makes his departments cut back


Grrr!

President Obama has started making budget cutbacks in his own workplace, namely within the many departments that make up the Cabinet. He has begun a $100 budget cut challenge that will be in effect over the next three months. Small steps are key, ranging from ordering office supplies in bulk (Homeland Security) to switching to video conferencing (Veterans Affairs). Bigger changes though, like consolidating 1500 employees into a single office,(Agriculture) prove to be a bit more challenging.

Although you have to admire the President's tenacity, the cuts will only chip away at < href="http://hotair.com/archives/2009/04/20/obama-demands-00029-budget-cut-after-running-up-spending/"> less that 1% of the National Debt. I think that the President hopes leading by example will help others to focus on cutting spending. Thoughts?

Monday, April 20, 2009

How much have you been whipping out the plastic lately?

I'll admit for me, it's been quite a bit in the last month.

Generally, I only use my card to cover gas, which runs me around $40 a fill up, but lately I have had to use my card for what I consider "inevitable debt".

For instance, about two weeks ago at the Graduation Celebration, I plunked down about $400 for invitations and a cap and gown. Last week, I spent $200 on car repairs. And I still had to get gas. It hasn't been pretty, but I have not had the cash to cover these expenses. This worries me because I don't want to have any debt when I move to DC in June (yep, stilll going!)

According to CNN.com, more college students are using their credit cards as a means of survival. The average freshman has $940 dollars in debt, and only 15% of college students have a zero balance on their credit cards. While there are several people in the hole, this does not make me feel better, or even comforted by my situation. I don't ever want to end up near that amount, although it seems that I am on my way :-( Friday I declared that I wasn't going to use my credit card until it was completely paid off - but that was before I drove home and ended up on an empty tank. Generally I am able to pay off $300 a month, but it is clear that I am going to have to work extra hours or sell my books early to accomplish this goal.

Here's to the (quickly approaching) future...

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Sunday Blogroll

The New York Times explores the world of the Federal Work-Study Program .

New York Magazine talks with notable New Yorkers about the financial struggle but amazing fun of moving to New York for the first time.

CNN money has compiled a list of the best places to find jobs.

Check out this guide from discovery.com on living green when unemployed.

Thinking about investing? Get help from the MSN Money message boards.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

How far would you go to get a job?

This morning at the Rec, I was catching up on the US news and events in between commercial breaks from Keeping Up With The Kardashians (the number one show you're not watching!) , I saw a story on a woman who purchased a billboard advertising that she needed a job. She spent $7000 to post a billboard that tells those interested to go to Hire Pasha to find out more.

This is a big leap of faith - she should at least get an A for effort. What do you think?

Sunday, April 12, 2009

What People Earn



So although I can't afford the subscription, I love to read the morning paper while having my coffee. I inherit that from my mother. :-) She loves to do it on Sunday mornings, while I prefer Fridays, which are the least stressful days in our weeks, respectively. I like to take Friday morning, a day when I don't have class, sip on a Pike Place Roast from Starbucks (a splurge that I can't do without), and catch up on the news from the week past. I read my hometown paper as well as The NY Times and The Post, and The Huffington Post. Anyway, the reason I tell this story is because out of all the reading I love to do, there is one publication in particular that runs a certain article every year that I run out to grab: The annual Parade What People Earn issue. They always do spotlights on celebrities and regular people, and I love to see what people really make and how they save and spend their money. For example:

A Special Ed Teacher in Texas makes $51, 800 a year;
An Office Manager in Florida makes $52,000 a year;
A Landscape Gardener in California makes $77,000 a year.

Celebrities in particular:

Jennifer Aniston made $27 million last year;
Britney Spears made (only) 2.25 million(!);
and Tiger Woods made $110 million last year - gosh!


The article also reported yearly statistics:


■ The national average weekly income rose 2.5%, from $598 in 2007 to $613 in 2008. Inflation increased just .1% over the same period.

■ The personal savings rate rose from .9% in January 2007 to 5% in January 2009.

■ The average U.S. household had $10,728 in credit-card debt.

■ 56% of workers received health-care benefits through their jobs.

■ 56% of workers participated in an employer-sponsored retirement plan.

So, in reality, I guess some jobs are (or aren't) "worth it" in terms of a dollar value. And, your salary can increase or decrease by where you live. I guarantee you the landscape gardener wouldn't make nearly as much in Alaska; and I thought that with her endorsement deals Kelly Ripa would be earning more.

The article is featured here. Thoughts?

Sunday Blogroll




Being cheap is so in right now. Who knew?

Are you in between jobs right now? Take some time to volunteer - it can boost your self esteem, your resume, and the economy.

Learn how to make this inexpensive, delicious chocolate cake - in the microwave!

Get Beyonce's look for under $100

My new favorite source of sarcastic entertainment

Have a good week!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

What's on your life checklist?

You know, what are the things that you really want to do in this lifetime? Go on safari? Start a business? Eat Fugu sushi? According to the site Life After College , this list should be about your true passions, what you would love to do rather than what you are expected to do. In my personal opinion, writing these things out allows you to visualize them more and work towards attaining these goals in your life.

Here's mine:

Go to Paris
Own a house in Georgetown with a pool
Live in DC for at least five years and start my life
See Stevie Wonder, Robin Thicke, Beyonce', and Harry Connick Jr in concert
See Mount Rushmore
Take a professional cooking class
Become a yogi and then get good enough to do one hour of yoga with Russell Simmons



What about you?

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Sunday Blogroll

Applying for jobs? Here are 6 tips to get your resume noticed.

Get Hilary Duff's California style for under $100.

Apparently you can now get rewards from stores for recycling

Here's a pleasant food change - find out the 10 foods you should always splurge on .

Find out the 10 best ways to get free stuff .

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Life After College Option 5: Pull An Erin




So, I've given you guys some pretty good ideas to mull around as graduation is (literally!) around the corner! But now, yours truly is here to give you the rundown on what I have been doing and what I have been doing/ plan to do:

How I would like for everything to go: I want to graduate from UA and have a paid internship waiting for me in DC. I want to complete the internship, which would be either in PR/marketing or government, all the while looking for jobs after my internship is over. I want to get a job as a Staff Assistant or some related position in the House of Representatives or the Senate and work there for a couple of years. I plan to start my graduate degree either online or at a DC area school in Fall 2010.



What I've been doing to get there: I have applied for every paid (and some unpaid) internship under the globe and have been doing phone interviews and email correspondences all semester. I've used every resource available, including Craigslist, the going on individual websites, and even scouring DC magazines just to find out the names of random PR groups to see if they are hiring. I have contacted every person I know who has a DC connection to see if there is anything open, as well. I have done and redone my resume, cover letter, and have distributed it everywhere the sun touches down in the District.

I decided not to apply for grad school right now just because I'm not feeling it. I know that if I were to go to school in the fall I would hate it and wouldn't be able to reach my full potential. I feel burnt out, anyway.

I thought about a few more places to apply for internships but shot them down for the following reasons:
- Atlanta: too crowded and I would need a new car (my old one is two oil changes away from the grave.)
- New York: way too expensive and I wouldn't want to live there.
- Los Angeles: I would want to live just like Lauren Conrad, but that is impossible.
- Memphis: not enough opportunities in what I want to do.
- Nashville: I don't know enough about the city except that it's pretty.

I know that in theory I could live at home, but it would only be a matter of time before the arrangement would go sour. I do plan on spending a few weeks there though before I move on.

I already have a place to live in DC for the month of June, so if my plan falls through and I have no place to intern with at all, I am going to go out there for the month and do as many informational and job interviews that I can. If it's no dice, then I am going to take the GRE and apply for grad school for Winter 2010.

I've been doing a lot of reading ( No More Ramen, Gradspot.com, What Color is Your Parachute ) and praying. I just hope something comes through soon - I'm booking a plane ticket on May 1.


I've been saving money like crazy and will have enough to cover my first month's rent and a decent amount of spending money saved by May. I hope to collect enough in graduation money that I can save some and spend some this summer. I've been thinking about investing in a mutual fund, but I digress.

So, in a nutshell, I am wanting to go to DC after I graduate. How about you?