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?

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 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.

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?

What People Earn

Yeah, he's kinda paid.

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!

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?