Working Girl
To give PJers an opportunity to ask questions and read articles about jobs, careers, job hunting, businesses, saving and universities.
Francesca's comment: Welcome to Working Girl! As usual, I am here to answer what you want to know. If you have anything to say or ask, feel free to submit them to Working Girl!
Money Money Money
Hello Everyone!
Since I have been getting a lot of submissions about jobs, I thought this week should be about how you can save your money or how to spend it wisely.
Track your spending. Use a notebook, keeping record prevents you from overdrawing at the bank and it helps you keep track of what you're spending.
Make a budget. At the start of the month, estimate how much money you’ll receive and decide where needs to go. Remember you don't have to spend in one go!
Save your receipts. DON'T throw them out! Hold onto your receipts, keep them in a shoebox but remind yourself to go through them each month to compare with statements.
Guard your vital stats. Don’t give out your social security number or your credit card info!
Limit unnecessary vices. Beer, cigarettes, weed are megaly expensive and it is also a BIG NO-NO for your health. There's nothing wrong to have a drink on Friday nights but don't go overboard with it.
If you have a girlfriend or a boyfriend and feel as though dating is expensive, consider cheap dates. Take advantage of mother nature, just the two of you in the park under the stars. Lovely! You could go out for coffee or rent movies, if you are in college attend campus events. It's the thought that counts not how much you spend.
Live without a car. Cars are expensive: gas, maintenance, insurance, registration, parking. Use public transport, in the evening make sure you are with your friends.
Don’t hang out with big spenders. Some kids have parents with deep pockets. Hanging out with them can lead you to spend more than you can afford.
Campus Activities If you're in college take advantage of campus activities. There’s always something to do. Attend free movie festivals. Pay a few bucks to see the local symphony every month. Support the sports teams. Attend lecture series. Get the most from your student ID!
Do I need it? When you want to buy something, ask yourself “Do I need it?” If you think you do, then wait. Don’t buy on impulse. Write the object of your desire on a piece of paper and pin it to the wall. Look at it every day for a week. If, at the end of the week, you still think you need it, then consider purchasing it.
Learn to invest. Find a discount broker and begin making regular investments, if you can find a way to invest $200-500 a year for the next ten years, you can set yourself up for life.
Spend less than you earn. Don’t earn much? Then don’t spend much. If your spending and income are roughly even, you have two choices: earn more or spend less.
Be an outstanding employee. Good work habits is definitely worthwhile, it can lead to recommendations and contacts that you can use after you’re out of school.
Start your own business. Are you a passable guitar player? Charge cheap rates and exceed expectations. Word will spread. When you’ve built up a customer base, you can raise your rates a little. This is an awesome way to make money!
Since I have been getting a lot of submissions about jobs, I thought this week should be about how you can save your money or how to spend it wisely.
Organising and Planning your Money.
Track your spending. Use a notebook, keeping record prevents you from overdrawing at the bank and it helps you keep track of what you're spending.
Make a budget. At the start of the month, estimate how much money you’ll receive and decide where needs to go. Remember you don't have to spend in one go!
Save your receipts. DON'T throw them out! Hold onto your receipts, keep them in a shoebox but remind yourself to go through them each month to compare with statements.
Guard your vital stats. Don’t give out your social security number or your credit card info!
Personal Life.
Limit unnecessary vices. Beer, cigarettes, weed are megaly expensive and it is also a BIG NO-NO for your health. There's nothing wrong to have a drink on Friday nights but don't go overboard with it.
If you have a girlfriend or a boyfriend and feel as though dating is expensive, consider cheap dates. Take advantage of mother nature, just the two of you in the park under the stars. Lovely! You could go out for coffee or rent movies, if you are in college attend campus events. It's the thought that counts not how much you spend.
Live without a car. Cars are expensive: gas, maintenance, insurance, registration, parking. Use public transport, in the evening make sure you are with your friends.
Don’t hang out with big spenders. Some kids have parents with deep pockets. Hanging out with them can lead you to spend more than you can afford.
Campus Activities If you're in college take advantage of campus activities. There’s always something to do. Attend free movie festivals. Pay a few bucks to see the local symphony every month. Support the sports teams. Attend lecture series. Get the most from your student ID!
Do I need it? When you want to buy something, ask yourself “Do I need it?” If you think you do, then wait. Don’t buy on impulse. Write the object of your desire on a piece of paper and pin it to the wall. Look at it every day for a week. If, at the end of the week, you still think you need it, then consider purchasing it.
Making the RIGHT decision
Learn to invest. Find a discount broker and begin making regular investments, if you can find a way to invest $200-500 a year for the next ten years, you can set yourself up for life.
Spend less than you earn. Don’t earn much? Then don’t spend much. If your spending and income are roughly even, you have two choices: earn more or spend less.
Be an outstanding employee. Good work habits is definitely worthwhile, it can lead to recommendations and contacts that you can use after you’re out of school.
Start your own business. Are you a passable guitar player? Charge cheap rates and exceed expectations. Word will spread. When you’ve built up a customer base, you can raise your rates a little. This is an awesome way to make money!
" alt="Francesca" width="80" height="80" class="left" />Good Morning Sunshine, the World says Hello! I'm Francesca, 17 and boarding in Australia.I'm in my last year of highschool (Leavers'08!). I love to dance, travel, read good books, write short stories without planning (Bad, I know!) and watch movies until the early hours of the morning! My goal is to move to France, Paris to perfect my Francais and maybe do an internship there either for a magazine or television&film. That's all from me!