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Dollar Duchess takes DC

On Hiatus

So, as everyone on this campus knows, it's exam week.

I am taking this week to concentrate on my work and move out and do all the things you have to do in your last week of school, but I will be back with new posts next week.

Stay loose and study hard!

If Money Weren't An Option...

What would you do as a profession?

Consider this: If you were guaranteed a comfortable living for the rest of your life, what profession would you pursue without abandonment?

For me, it would be photography. I love photography . I love taking pictures of family, friends, buildings... pretty much anything. I generally just love to capture the memories. However, the average salary of a photographer is $35,000, which isn't much.

If not photography, I would love to pursue cooking, organizing, or maybe writing.

What about you?

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 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.

I love you. You will be missed!

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?

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?