Last fall we made a discovery, roasted vegetables. We found the likes of long neck pumpkin, beets, yams, turnips, and carrots for a dollar a pound or less. I suspect the color rich vegetables are especially nutritionally dense. Peeled, cut into fingers, tossed with a little oil and roasted, they turn into something quite lovely.
Go to class!! Figure out how much you are paying per credit hour and then think about that every time you feel like skipping or sleeping in. Save your money and don't try to 'keep up with the Joneses,' but also remember that college only comes around once so make the most of it! And if you have the opportunity, study abroad!
sometimes the best shoes to get are the plastic clogs! they come in so many different colors. I like that they can be washed with soap and water, and dried with a towel. lol also the jelly sandals are the same. kids grow so fast until being able to get those colorful plastic clogs in so many sizes, even for adults are great. they don't really wear out so when they out grow them, you just donate them back to the thrift store and give someone else's growing kid a chance to skip through them. [smiling]
Idk about the beans, I tried boiling some that were about a year old and they were so powdery in the bag. Then they were...weird.
I use what I get within a month of purchasing them. I wish they lasted a while though, I feel like they would be a great stock-up food for emergencies.
Have you ever tried to boil beans which are older than 1 year? Even if you soak them beforehand, it will take you at least 4 hours if not more. Unless in an emergency, I wouldn't rely on eating food that is that old. The taste will not be the same and the nutrients are going to be minimal anyway.
In order of importance, in my opinion:
1) Start your habit of saving... even if it's just $5 a month. It's the best indicator of future success. If you can't save $5 a month, try $4 or $3. If you can't save anything, you are virtually condemning yourself to live paycheck-to-paycheck for the rest of your life, regardless of what type of income you'll earn after college. Saving is a commitment, not an amount!
2) Skip the credit cards. Unless you're extraordinary (as in, you are way outside the norm), you'd likely end up with thousands of dollars in credit card debt, have several missed payments, and possibly even a few accounts in collections. It's much easier to build credit from scratch AFTER graduation than rebuild bad credit. If I were an employer or property manager (both of whom will likely check your credit after graduation), I'd rather see no credit than awful credit. If you insist on building credit with a credit card, ask Mom or Dad to put you on their account as an Authorized User (not a co-signer). You inherit some of their good credit while they are not impacted by yours. Plus, they're ultimately responsible for paying the bill, AND they get to keep tabs on what your buying with credit (yes, you'll be MUCH less likely to buy non-necessities on credit, which is the whole point).
3. Don't take the max on your student loans just because you can. Know what you really need financially and only take out that much. This obviously requires you to create a semester spending plan, which should become a habit anyway. If you take more than you need, you'll spend it. It's human nature. Whatever you do borrow, try to make at least the interest payments plus $10 a month. Otherwise, you'll graduate with a student loan that's reporting as greater than what you originally borrowed (this looks like a maxed out loan to your credit score).
In summary: LIVE LIKE COLLEGE STUDENT.
It's okay to eat ramen, mac'n'cheese and frozen burritos for a week or two (or three) at a time. If you're going to do any consumer spending (which I suggest you minimize), spend your money on experiences (a concert, a date, a trip, etc... this does not include eating out regularly, which is a waste of your money) rather than on amassing consumer products (TV, new car, Blu-rays, new smartphones, etc.) and getting into monthly payments (clubs, contracts, etc.).
Many libraries today have digital media labs where you can make videos, record music, shoot photography, and more. They also offer access to high-quality computers running the latest media creation software. They hold classes to teach media creation usually free.
You can get pretty much any magazine for free, but you do have to follow the blogs mentioned above and know when the offers are available. All you have to do is fill out a survey in order to get the magazines free. As other comments have noted there is no hassle or obligation after that.
I made my parents personal slideshows this year - it's really great idea for a cheap (actually it costs you nothing but some time and creativity) and heart-warming gift for everyone you love. I made mine with this app http://slideshow-maker.com - it's super easy and failsafe way to make someone happy)
I've just started freelancing, and I'm already learning some of these the hard way, so it's nice to just go ahead and read about the others ;-) one thing I haven't had to learn the hard way is knowing the value of my time. I already have a rate I'm not going below. I know it will cost me some opportunities (and yes, I might bend the rules for exposure), but I've got a family who needs me. If the opportunity isn't going to pay well, it's not worth it for several reasons - there are other opportunities that will pay well, my family needs me to, and I don't want to devalue my work.
Im so sick of seeing the recommendation to shop once a week. Not everyone lives in town, some of us are more than 20 miles from the nearest grocery store and going weekly isn't an option.
Take out as little debt as possible, pay back any debt you do occur as fast as possible, and read the book Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin, Joe Dominguez and Monique Tilford. I usually give that book as a graduation gift.
Take college courses in high school. Many public schools offer them and they are free. Credit will apply to a college degree. Also, take those AP courses! I knew one high school grad who had completed 2 years in college and had enough credits for a college math minor when she graduated high school.
Depends on the type of timeshare.
My sister was embarrassed to admit they had a been 'conned' into a timeshare. Now she uses it on interstate travel accommodation, sons Italian honeymoon, and gives to friends and family of discounted accommodation.
Last fall we made a discovery, roasted vegetables. We found the likes of long neck pumpkin, beets, yams, turnips, and carrots for a dollar a pound or less. I suspect the color rich vegetables are especially nutritionally dense. Peeled, cut into fingers, tossed with a little oil and roasted, they turn into something quite lovely.
One skill I would add is to learn how to file your taxes better. It is crazy how so many fellow freelancers miss tax breaks!
Don't run up credit card debt.
Be careful with student loans and understand what you are getting into.
Don't use a credit card unless you are going to pay it off every month.
Go to class!! Figure out how much you are paying per credit hour and then think about that every time you feel like skipping or sleeping in. Save your money and don't try to 'keep up with the Joneses,' but also remember that college only comes around once so make the most of it! And if you have the opportunity, study abroad!
sometimes the best shoes to get are the plastic clogs! they come in so many different colors. I like that they can be washed with soap and water, and dried with a towel. lol also the jelly sandals are the same. kids grow so fast until being able to get those colorful plastic clogs in so many sizes, even for adults are great. they don't really wear out so when they out grow them, you just donate them back to the thrift store and give someone else's growing kid a chance to skip through them. [smiling]
Idk about the beans, I tried boiling some that were about a year old and they were so powdery in the bag. Then they were...weird.
I use what I get within a month of purchasing them. I wish they lasted a while though, I feel like they would be a great stock-up food for emergencies.
My library doesn't have Rosetta Stone, but it has another language thing called Mango Languages. I'm learning Russian with it!
Have you ever tried to boil beans which are older than 1 year? Even if you soak them beforehand, it will take you at least 4 hours if not more. Unless in an emergency, I wouldn't rely on eating food that is that old. The taste will not be the same and the nutrients are going to be minimal anyway.
In order of importance, in my opinion:
1) Start your habit of saving... even if it's just $5 a month. It's the best indicator of future success. If you can't save $5 a month, try $4 or $3. If you can't save anything, you are virtually condemning yourself to live paycheck-to-paycheck for the rest of your life, regardless of what type of income you'll earn after college. Saving is a commitment, not an amount!
2) Skip the credit cards. Unless you're extraordinary (as in, you are way outside the norm), you'd likely end up with thousands of dollars in credit card debt, have several missed payments, and possibly even a few accounts in collections. It's much easier to build credit from scratch AFTER graduation than rebuild bad credit. If I were an employer or property manager (both of whom will likely check your credit after graduation), I'd rather see no credit than awful credit. If you insist on building credit with a credit card, ask Mom or Dad to put you on their account as an Authorized User (not a co-signer). You inherit some of their good credit while they are not impacted by yours. Plus, they're ultimately responsible for paying the bill, AND they get to keep tabs on what your buying with credit (yes, you'll be MUCH less likely to buy non-necessities on credit, which is the whole point).
3. Don't take the max on your student loans just because you can. Know what you really need financially and only take out that much. This obviously requires you to create a semester spending plan, which should become a habit anyway. If you take more than you need, you'll spend it. It's human nature. Whatever you do borrow, try to make at least the interest payments plus $10 a month. Otherwise, you'll graduate with a student loan that's reporting as greater than what you originally borrowed (this looks like a maxed out loan to your credit score).
In summary: LIVE LIKE COLLEGE STUDENT.
It's okay to eat ramen, mac'n'cheese and frozen burritos for a week or two (or three) at a time. If you're going to do any consumer spending (which I suggest you minimize), spend your money on experiences (a concert, a date, a trip, etc... this does not include eating out regularly, which is a waste of your money) rather than on amassing consumer products (TV, new car, Blu-rays, new smartphones, etc.) and getting into monthly payments (clubs, contracts, etc.).
Many libraries today have digital media labs where you can make videos, record music, shoot photography, and more. They also offer access to high-quality computers running the latest media creation software. They hold classes to teach media creation usually free.
Dont open any new credit cards!
You can get pretty much any magazine for free, but you do have to follow the blogs mentioned above and know when the offers are available. All you have to do is fill out a survey in order to get the magazines free. As other comments have noted there is no hassle or obligation after that.
I made my parents personal slideshows this year - it's really great idea for a cheap (actually it costs you nothing but some time and creativity) and heart-warming gift for everyone you love. I made mine with this app http://slideshow-maker.com - it's super easy and failsafe way to make someone happy)
I've just started freelancing, and I'm already learning some of these the hard way, so it's nice to just go ahead and read about the others ;-) one thing I haven't had to learn the hard way is knowing the value of my time. I already have a rate I'm not going below. I know it will cost me some opportunities (and yes, I might bend the rules for exposure), but I've got a family who needs me. If the opportunity isn't going to pay well, it's not worth it for several reasons - there are other opportunities that will pay well, my family needs me to, and I don't want to devalue my work.
Im so sick of seeing the recommendation to shop once a week. Not everyone lives in town, some of us are more than 20 miles from the nearest grocery store and going weekly isn't an option.
Learn to manage your money now, so you're not paying for mistakes for years to come!
Make sure you get a good anti-virus program for your computer--malwarebytes antiviral and avast are the 2 I have used and work the best.
Don't take out more student loans than are necessary!
Take out as little debt as possible, pay back any debt you do occur as fast as possible, and read the book Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin, Joe Dominguez and Monique Tilford. I usually give that book as a graduation gift.
Take college courses in high school. Many public schools offer them and they are free. Credit will apply to a college degree. Also, take those AP courses! I knew one high school grad who had completed 2 years in college and had enough credits for a college math minor when she graduated high school.
save save save! and definitely don't be embarassed to take a part time job (or two)
My advice would be to learn to cook for yourself! That way you can save money on going out to eat!
Depends on the type of timeshare.
My sister was embarrassed to admit they had a been 'conned' into a timeshare. Now she uses it on interstate travel accommodation, sons Italian honeymoon, and gives to friends and family of discounted accommodation.