Don’t Want To Move Back In With the ‘Rents After College? Tips for Saving Money in College

 Written By Lauren Lind

The words rang in my ears. “As of September 2014, you are cut off.” I have been extremely fortunate to have parents who have helped support me for the past 21 years. I have worked at various jobs for the past 5 years and learned the value of having money to spend, yet should have saved more than I did. Now with graduation approaching and not a lot in savings, I am left with no other option other than being financially aware and responsible. The thought of moving back in with my parents after college seems kind of nice at first, with no rent and free food, but ultimately I know that I will not be happy living back home for an extended period of time. I want to be independent and able to support myself using the skills I have acquired these past four years living away from home. I am currently doing these things to save money and I hope they will help you too!

• Make a budget. Plan out the amount you make every month and factor in different expenses on a spreadsheet.
• Be aware of what you are spending. It’s easy to make a budget and then never look at it again. The site mint.com does a fantastic job of keeping you updated on what you have spent every week.
• Buy groceries and cook. You’ll save an exponential amount of cash by not eating out. Maybe set a limit to one meal out a week or factor eating out money in your budget.
• Leftovers are lifesavers. Freeze meals after cooking if you have leftovers and that way you already have meals for another day.
• Snack time munchies are key. One day a week, prepare healthy snacks and keep them in your bag so you aren’t tempted to buy expensive food in between meals.
• Use coupons. You’d be surprised at the deals you can get.
• Seek alternative transportation and save on gas. This is especially easy living in Boulder where the bus, your bike or your feet can take you nearly anywhere.
• Free = Fun. Be creative with your free time and do activities that will not cost you a fortune.
• Leave the cards at home. This has proven to be very successful for me because it stops me from making impulse purchases.
• Don’t waste energy in your apartment. Turn off lights, unplug items when not in use, wash dishes by hand, only do full loads of laundry and do your best to conserve.
• Skip your morning coffee run. Make your own coffee and save $4 a day and over $100 a month.
• Cut out vices. Whether it’s smoking or tanning, remember that you can save that money and be able to afford more in the future.
• Rent your textbooks. In my experience I have found this to be the cheapest option.
• Sell what you do not use on Ebay or Craigslist. I have made some nice pocket cash by selling desks or clothes I don’t need anymore.

I have been saving money this semester and feel better about my financial stability because of these tools. I hope they will help you too, to not end up back home or couch surfing. Best of luck!

Hat tip: Elizabeth Hoyt with fastweb.com,  and John Fuller with howstuffworks.com

Why Do Employers Tell Me to Apply Online?

Written By Lauren Lind

Have you ever felt like you’ve made a great connection with an employer and then they tell you to apply online, as opposed to asking you for your resume or an interview right then and there? Don’t take it personally. There are laws that dictate who an employer has to consider as a candidate for an open job. Because of these laws many employers have moved to only accepting applications through email or online. Don’t take it as a brush-off. They really do want you to apply online so be sure to do so! Make a face-to-face connection with an employer at the fair and then apply within 24-48 hours for the best results.

In addition to these laws, our world today revolves around online interaction. The ability to copy and paste your resume or reword your cover letter to fit accordingly with each job you apply for is a wonderful thing. Employers can easily share your application and list them under their favorites.

Online means conserving paper and helps everyone to keep organized. It also saves employers time by being able to weed out qualified candidates without having each applicant come into the office. This also saves you gas money and time. Another main benefit for employers asking you to apply online is the ability to better screen prospective candidates. They can easily search your online presence and decide if you are qualified for the position. Online is efficient, inexpensive, and less time consuming than filling out a physical application. 

Here are some tips for applying to jobs online:

• Thoroughly read through job descriptions and make sure your content and experience match up accordingly.
• Tailor your cover letter and highlight your personality, qualifications, and desire for the job. Don’t send a generic cover letter to every job. You won’t see great results from this tactic.
• Use key words from the job description and use them in your resume.
• Proofread your responses so that they are error free.
• Fill out all fields of the application because you are giving more information that could make you stand out from other applicants.
• Clean up your social media profiles and update your professional social profiles. List your internship and job experiences and have as complete a profile as possible to increase your search rankings.
• Review all of the information you’ve written and read through the fine print before submitting your application. Don’t just click on the ‘I Agree’ portion unless you actually agree with it!

Online is the way of our generation and will continue to be even more prevalent in the future. Remember to pay attention to detail when filling out online job applications. You want to make yourself stand out from the competition in a positive manner. Best of luck with your online application process!

Hat tip: Miriam Salpeter with usnews.com

4 Awesome Tips To Help you Start Vlogging

 Written By Anne Reuss

You would have guessed I was going to send my very first video blog to the President of the United States of America if you spent the day at my house when I was making it. The video was only one minute long, but it turned into a colossal affair.  Four hours. At least. My final take ended with my brother holding a lamp up in the air Hollywood style because the sun had set and I needed more light. I was worried about lighting, my appearance, and how my facial expressions and sign language appeared. I don’t sign full ASL (American Sign Language) because I also grew up with some Signed English so I thought I’d get judged – but just like everyone has a voice unique to them, I realized I do too. I should have focused on personality.

Regardless of our confidence level (I’m far from bashful) the first time feels….raw. I was exposing myself beyond words and still images. It really can be daunting the first time and that’s OK.

Tip 1: Don’t plan it out too much
The first video I did? I practiced repeatedly, took notes and….basically I overthought. How was I going to remember everything I wanted to say? Would I have enough facial expression? I was a bit stiff and would do a repeat if I didn’t do an exact word or sentence I had planned on. It’s not like writing where we can delete and replace it in a flash. But as long as you absolutely know what topic you’re talking about, the few main points and you’re excited about it, you will find a flow. If you have an abrupt idea, take advantage of it, and just do it. Wherever you are! Spontaneity is a good ingredient for video.

Tip 2: Clear lens & good light
Every good video needs a clear lens and lighting. I haven’t invested in a good lamp so I always try to do it in daylight. Luckily, our technological devices are improving camera quality but I recommend using the best you can afford. I use my iPhone, my computer (though I’ve learned the hard way it’s only better outside) and I just bought a mini iPad with 720P. You want to show that beautiful face of yours and it’s no fun watching something blurry.

Tip 3: Brevity
Just like with blogs, people skim. My rule of thumb is a minute or two unless it’s a very particular step-by-step video. But look at the Vine app (love Jason’s tips). People really dig short. Movement and interaction. Entertaining and personable. The more chill you feel, the easier it is to be quicker and yourself.

Tip 4: Don’t fret over getting judged or negative comments
Once you let go of this worry, it’s very liberating. Let loose! I’ve done a video after getting rained on or put on a fedora because I didn’t have time to do hair. After all, if you DO get a little hatin’ – it’s because you did something right. There are going to be many supporters…don’t quit after the first few tries! It gets exciting figuring out what I’m going to reveal to my viewers every time. Different facial expression? Hairstyle? Attitude? It’s raw. Real.

Need a little more before you become a believer? Check out the difference a year does. I cringe a little every time I watch my very first video but it’s also nostalgic.  I’m not using my voice but it’s the same with speaking and body language. Your composure, confidence, speed and vibe improves the more you do it. I hope this convinces you!
We are living in a visual revolution – getting yourself on video is a killer opportunity to expose yourself to your audience – and bond.

Click here to see Video #1: Social Media Levels the Playing Field (done super fast)
Click here to see My experience with Hailo Taxi App

Grad School: Is it the right choice for you?

Written By Lauren Lind

The thought of grad school was never an option I had personally considered given my major; however, now that I am in my final semester of college, the thought of being done with school forever has become slightly terrifying. The real world is fast approaching and I have found that many of my classmates are in the same position. When deciding whether or not grad school is for you right after graduation, there are some factors to consider. Here is some advice that I have found to be useful.

• If you don’t know what you want to do with your life, then you should figure that out and explore different paths before investing in a graduate degree. Work, travel, volunteer, intern, explore your options and realize grad school is dependent upon what career you aspire to get into. Grad school will always be there but some other opportunities may not.

• Talk to people who are currently involved in the job or field that you want to do and ask them if a degree is necessary or matters for that particular job or field. If they say that it is, ask which degree they recommend and seek their advice on when you should go to grad school. If not, ask them what the steps are to get to where they are and do what they are doing.

• Weigh the benefits and costs then decide if you can afford to go to grad school. Consider financial aid, as well as fellowships and grants, and ask graduate programs what they usually offer students. A lot of grad students work part-time while studying, however this may not work for you.

• Ask yourself “How will a higher degree affect my family life? Social life? Finances? Career?” After careful consideration, you might gain more clarity as to whether grad school is in fact for you at this time in your life. 

If you have your heart set on grad school and know it will aid you in your future career and life plans, then go for it! If you are still unsure, review the advice listed above and take some time to consider all your options. You are not alone if you are feeling a little apprehensive about grad school. Remember that you don’t have to go to grad school, depending of course on what it is you want to do with your life. Best of luck with whatever you decide!

Hat tip: idealist.org, Chuck Cohn , and Catherine Alford

Why 2014 Is Your Year

Written By Lauren Lind

Every new year is usually accompanied by new resolutions and goals to make the year better than the last. We all tend to start out really strong then lose sight of what our original intentions were. Well, this year is different. And I mean it. This year is YOUR year. A good friend of mine once told me that it’s not about how many years you live it’s about making the most out of each year. So here are some reasons why 2014 is going to be your year:

You’re an entire year smarter. Look back over the past year, and as obvious as this might sound, you have learned a ton of new things in the past year. Take what you have learned to continue to make yourself better. Consciously avoid slipping back into poor patterns.

• This year is an opportunity for growth of innovation. This is the year that the last baby boomers will turn 50. This leaves room for the spread of innovation by a new generation.

• There’s never been a better time to be creative. Digital media will become even more applicable and desirable for people to show off their art, fashion, or interesting quirks.

• Intellect will continue to spread. Twitter and other social media platforms not only allow people to ramble about themselves, but also allow for public thinking. We write about 400 million tweets a day, and that’s projected to grow by about one third in 2014. We share ideas and questions with an audience, which forces us to be clever and work harder to be smart. We seek answers from like-minded people and are sometimes approached by those who challenge our thinking, which in turn make us think in different ways.

• Gratitude is trending across the globe. With a new year comes a desire for optimism and fresh beginnings. Join the movement.

• There’s no better time than the present. I know that saying is cliché but the truth is, you don’t need it to be New Years in order to start acting on resolutions. Every day poses as an opportunity to better yourself. Quit with the excuses and decide that everyday is YOUR day and then 2014 will be YOUR year.

There will be days when we feel that we might have fallen off the bandwagon, but that does not define who we are. With many reasons to be thankful for 2014, take advantage of each day and make this year awesome. 2014 will officially be your year when you have declared it so.

Hat Tip: Readers Digest