Teachers are our instructors of knowledge. Growing up, children quickly learn that their teachers are full of information and are always a reliable resource in our never ending world of gaining more and more knowledge to become, hopefully, well-rounded citizens.
However, once the college years roll around, students start to realize that there is definitely more than one "breed" of professor out there.
Let me explain by referring to an all to familiar incident.
Early in the semester of Fall 2008, I quickly realized that one of my teachers was extremely unreliable.
Homework assignments were never given a clear due date and for the most part forgotten about by the professor, which led all the students to feel that it was pointless to work so hard doing these assignments with no positive credit in return. Even worse, was that the professor would pretty much refuse to review any work we had done, so that we could at least know for our own personal benefit if we had done the assignments correctly or not. This, however, was too much work for our professor so our wishes were frequently denied.
This was just a foreshadow to how things would fly this semester.
Midterm number one was on a Friday of week three.
My fellow classmates and I crammed all week, and then some, for this dreadful exam we were to take.
Well Friday rolls around and we all arrive early to make sure we have everything we need and to fit in one last quick cram session.
No sign of the professor. Thirty minutes later, the neighboring professor comes out to tell us to just leave.
Great.
Monday, our teacher comes into class with no explanation and passes out the exam. About twenty minutes or so into the exam, the professor makes an announcement that he had passed out the wrong exam and that everything we have done does not count for credit and that we must start over.
At this point, all of the students were pretty pissed, to say the least.
Shouldn't the professor be more prepared? I understand things can happen in life, so I decided to roll with the punches and go with it. "No big deal," I tell myself.
Unfortuantely, things only progressed to get worse.
Throughout the following weeks, the professor was unable to be contacted [by email, phone, office hours, etc.] and refused to check any work that had been done by the students.
Any faith I once held onto regarding the course and the professor, slowly began to fade far, far away.
It is strange to think that these professors- these teachers that I grew up putting all of my faith into- can no longer be guaranteed to provide the quality teaching skills that students actually need [whether they realize it or not].
I sure wish things get better for the rest of the semester. If I'm going to be in this class two days a week for three months, I sure hope to get something out of it- not just a weekly headache from all the frustration.
If anything, I'll know exactly what I would NOT want to be like if I was to ever become a professor!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Marcos Breton
The week before Sacramento Bee column writer, Marcos Breton, was to come speak to our journalism class, we were shown a picture of the columnist. My first reaction was that he looked like a “New-Yorker”- big, bold and a little rough around the edges.
The following week, I realized that I was right on the money; Well, except for being an actual “New-Yorker” that is.
Marcos Breton came into our class to speak about himself and his life as a journalist, and to give us journalism students some inside perspective on what it really takes in the real world.
Breton, unlike many other industry journalists I have met this past semester, was one of the few who seemed to still have a spark inside of him regarding his life passion- journalism and writing- and offered basic yet effective advice on column writing [with an occasional F bomb here and there, of course].
Breton suggested that when column writing, unlike other types of journalistic writing [news writing for example], that there are a few things to always remember:
1.] The reader needs to be entertained
Whether the column makes the reader pissed off, laughing hysterically, crying with sad tears or causing frustration within, the column needs to be entertaining in one way or another for the reader.
2.] There needs to be a point of view
Column writing is not news writing- you can put opinion and a point of view into the column and it is perfectly okay! Actually, according to Breton, it is necessary. It gives the column better perspective and whether the reader agrees with the writer’s point of view or not, who cares- they are being entertained, right.
3.] The myth that column writing is “not reporting”- wrong!
Although column writers vary greatly from news reporters, they are still reporting what is happening in the world today- in whichever topic they choose to write in [ie. sports, national, local, health, etc.]
The difference is, is that columnists can put that point of view and opinion into their reporting without being criticized for not having an objective view.
Breton pushed the fact that the world of journalism can get quite ugly sometimes and that it’s not always just fun and games.
“If you don’t want to jump into the pile because you don’t want to get hurt,” said Breton. “Then you shouldn’t be doing this.”
He was also very helpful in explaining how he works as an editor to himself when writing his weekly columns. He suggests that you write, write, write until you can no longer write one more word. Then, you condense it- “squeeze it”, according to Breton. Take three sentences and make them one, etc.
“It’s all about clarity, brevity and simplicity,” said Breton.
After an hour and half of offering what advice he had, from experiences he has gone through and what knowledge he has gathered, Breton gave the best advice I had heard all night-
“Write as you.”
It is basic, simple and to the point- be yourself and write as just that, yourself.
The following week, I realized that I was right on the money; Well, except for being an actual “New-Yorker” that is.
Marcos Breton came into our class to speak about himself and his life as a journalist, and to give us journalism students some inside perspective on what it really takes in the real world.
Breton, unlike many other industry journalists I have met this past semester, was one of the few who seemed to still have a spark inside of him regarding his life passion- journalism and writing- and offered basic yet effective advice on column writing [with an occasional F bomb here and there, of course].
Breton suggested that when column writing, unlike other types of journalistic writing [news writing for example], that there are a few things to always remember:
1.] The reader needs to be entertained
Whether the column makes the reader pissed off, laughing hysterically, crying with sad tears or causing frustration within, the column needs to be entertaining in one way or another for the reader.
2.] There needs to be a point of view
Column writing is not news writing- you can put opinion and a point of view into the column and it is perfectly okay! Actually, according to Breton, it is necessary. It gives the column better perspective and whether the reader agrees with the writer’s point of view or not, who cares- they are being entertained, right.
3.] The myth that column writing is “not reporting”- wrong!
Although column writers vary greatly from news reporters, they are still reporting what is happening in the world today- in whichever topic they choose to write in [ie. sports, national, local, health, etc.]
The difference is, is that columnists can put that point of view and opinion into their reporting without being criticized for not having an objective view.
Breton pushed the fact that the world of journalism can get quite ugly sometimes and that it’s not always just fun and games.
“If you don’t want to jump into the pile because you don’t want to get hurt,” said Breton. “Then you shouldn’t be doing this.”
He was also very helpful in explaining how he works as an editor to himself when writing his weekly columns. He suggests that you write, write, write until you can no longer write one more word. Then, you condense it- “squeeze it”, according to Breton. Take three sentences and make them one, etc.
“It’s all about clarity, brevity and simplicity,” said Breton.
After an hour and half of offering what advice he had, from experiences he has gone through and what knowledge he has gathered, Breton gave the best advice I had heard all night-
“Write as you.”
It is basic, simple and to the point- be yourself and write as just that, yourself.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Madeleine Begun Kane
As a student journalist we start out at ground zero with a style of writing and eventually, with practice and time, we begin to develop our own style of writing that we just seem to fall into.
We get this style from a number of places. One that is prominent is by reading other journalist’s work and learning from their achievements and/or mistakes and taking what you like and slightly changing your personal writing style.
Some journalists don’t always start out as journalists either!
This is definitely the case for humor columnist Madeleine Begun Kane.
Kane is a national award winning humor columnist who resides in New York City with her husband, who she claims is her inspiration to her writing.
Kane started out with a degree in music and played the obo- she was an oboist. When her musical career wasn’t taking off as she had planned she decided to go into a completely different field- law.
She became a lawyer and soon realized that being a jewish lawyer wasn’t for her either.
A creative outlet Kane always carried was that of writing. She just began writing about whatever she wanted when she wanted and soon realized that she had developed quite a writing personality.
As mentioned previously, Kane is a national award winning humor columnist with the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.
This society was founded in 1977 and “exists to promote professionalism and camaraderie among North American newspaper columnists” as stated on their website.
Kane has been posting her writings onto her personal website- www.madkane.com -since August 2001. Kane writes anything from humor essays, song parodies, limericks, current event haikus, and columns on topics ranging from technology and politics to lawyers and marriage.
For Kane, the possibilities are endless.
Her different writings have been published in numerous magazine and newspaper publications such as: Family Circle Magazine, Career Magazine, First for Women, Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, Houston Chronicle and the New York Times.
What caught my attention with Madeleine Begun Kane is that she seems like such a free spirit in a crazy world of New York City. She is a musician turned lawyer turned journalist. Her passion for finally doing what she truly loves and has a deep desire to do- is what attracts me to her.
She just does what she loves, something she happens to be good at- and everything else just falls in place.
We get this style from a number of places. One that is prominent is by reading other journalist’s work and learning from their achievements and/or mistakes and taking what you like and slightly changing your personal writing style.
Some journalists don’t always start out as journalists either!
This is definitely the case for humor columnist Madeleine Begun Kane.
Kane is a national award winning humor columnist who resides in New York City with her husband, who she claims is her inspiration to her writing.
Kane started out with a degree in music and played the obo- she was an oboist. When her musical career wasn’t taking off as she had planned she decided to go into a completely different field- law.
She became a lawyer and soon realized that being a jewish lawyer wasn’t for her either.
A creative outlet Kane always carried was that of writing. She just began writing about whatever she wanted when she wanted and soon realized that she had developed quite a writing personality.
As mentioned previously, Kane is a national award winning humor columnist with the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.
This society was founded in 1977 and “exists to promote professionalism and camaraderie among North American newspaper columnists” as stated on their website.
Kane has been posting her writings onto her personal website- www.madkane.com -since August 2001. Kane writes anything from humor essays, song parodies, limericks, current event haikus, and columns on topics ranging from technology and politics to lawyers and marriage.
For Kane, the possibilities are endless.
Her different writings have been published in numerous magazine and newspaper publications such as: Family Circle Magazine, Career Magazine, First for Women, Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, Houston Chronicle and the New York Times.
What caught my attention with Madeleine Begun Kane is that she seems like such a free spirit in a crazy world of New York City. She is a musician turned lawyer turned journalist. Her passion for finally doing what she truly loves and has a deep desire to do- is what attracts me to her.
She just does what she loves, something she happens to be good at- and everything else just falls in place.
Thanksgiving Day Tradition- To Each His Own
Oh, Thanksgiving.
The leaves are falling off the trees and the crisp fall air is filled with the aromas of turkey and stuffing roasting in the oven as family and friends come together to enjoy a day of company, a delicious feast and to celebrate the thanks they share.
That’s the beauty of Thanksgiving- while the “perfect Thanksgiving dream” remains a hope for us all- the tradition varies from person to person.
Here is my take on Thanksgiving 2008.
My family is pretty traditional when it comes to holidays- Thanksgiving rolls around and we all head up to grandma’s house.
While the girls [I'm talking moms, aunts and grandmas] of the family are in the kitchen preparing appetizers and dinner, the boys [dads, uncles and grandpas] are all watching the football games and taking naps, and all the kids are playing games and getting a little crazy- just being kids.
I, in case you were wondering, am in the “kids” category. That is, until the “moms” category pull me in for some needed assistance.
Dinner is served hours later, usually around 6p.m. with everybody lusting for the juicy carved turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and homemade bread.
We say a quick prayer of thanks, and then- dig in!
Silence covers the room with only the noise of appreciative moans and groans coming from every mouth at the table.
When fullness finally sets in, usually after round two, then conversation really begins.
Uh-Oh. Red flag, red flag! Halt, halt!!
This is where the personal opinions on religion, politics and business are placed on the table where the once delicious and peaceful Thanksgiving feast used to be.
Yelling, laughing, leaving of the table, pacing the room, returning to the table- this continues for a good hour or so until finally someone raises the checkered flag indicating the final lap of “Thanksgiving discussion”, if you will.
Dishes are cleaned and all frustrations are washed away as well.
Peace returns to the Estes family Thanksgiving.
Scrumptious pecan pie and pumpkin pie are served with a dollop of miracle whip [as recommended by grandma] and a small cup of coffee.
Smiles and laughter fill the room as we all get ready for the annual Thanksgiving family picture.
Say cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese! :]
Overall, this year was just like every other year, simply perfect for me and my family.
Just remember- It’s about the thanks you have for what you have- regardless of how pleasant and/or dreadful your day was.
Happy Thanksgiving :]
The leaves are falling off the trees and the crisp fall air is filled with the aromas of turkey and stuffing roasting in the oven as family and friends come together to enjoy a day of company, a delicious feast and to celebrate the thanks they share.
That’s the beauty of Thanksgiving- while the “perfect Thanksgiving dream” remains a hope for us all- the tradition varies from person to person.
Here is my take on Thanksgiving 2008.
My family is pretty traditional when it comes to holidays- Thanksgiving rolls around and we all head up to grandma’s house.
While the girls [I'm talking moms, aunts and grandmas] of the family are in the kitchen preparing appetizers and dinner, the boys [dads, uncles and grandpas] are all watching the football games and taking naps, and all the kids are playing games and getting a little crazy- just being kids.
I, in case you were wondering, am in the “kids” category. That is, until the “moms” category pull me in for some needed assistance.
Dinner is served hours later, usually around 6p.m. with everybody lusting for the juicy carved turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and homemade bread.
We say a quick prayer of thanks, and then- dig in!
Silence covers the room with only the noise of appreciative moans and groans coming from every mouth at the table.
When fullness finally sets in, usually after round two, then conversation really begins.
Uh-Oh. Red flag, red flag! Halt, halt!!
This is where the personal opinions on religion, politics and business are placed on the table where the once delicious and peaceful Thanksgiving feast used to be.
Yelling, laughing, leaving of the table, pacing the room, returning to the table- this continues for a good hour or so until finally someone raises the checkered flag indicating the final lap of “Thanksgiving discussion”, if you will.
Dishes are cleaned and all frustrations are washed away as well.
Peace returns to the Estes family Thanksgiving.
Scrumptious pecan pie and pumpkin pie are served with a dollop of miracle whip [as recommended by grandma] and a small cup of coffee.
Smiles and laughter fill the room as we all get ready for the annual Thanksgiving family picture.
Say cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese! :]
Overall, this year was just like every other year, simply perfect for me and my family.
Just remember- It’s about the thanks you have for what you have- regardless of how pleasant and/or dreadful your day was.
Happy Thanksgiving :]
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Big Red Box
Poor? College student? Layed off from job recently? Attempting to save money yet still enjoy a good rental movie now and again to get away from the realities of day to day life? The people of "Red Box" have officially come to the rescue!
Blockbuster and Hollywood video charge around $5 for a new release film to be rented for only 2-5 days depending upon which company you go with. Netflix, another movie rental company, charges monthly fees for customers to rent up to three movies at a time without ever even leaving the house because they literally mail the movies to your home.
In these tough economic times, however, it seems frivolous to spend extra money on monthly fees for movies to be sent to you directly or to spend five bucks a pop for a movie you watch in one night.
Red Box is a new form of movie rental-ism. (Did I just make up something? I'm thinking so..)
No contracts, no starting fees- nothing!
Here is how it works. It is a large vending type machine that holds hundreds of movie titles in every genre, including new releases, and it is only $1 per rental.
Let me repeat that- $1 per rental!
You choose your flick, slide your credit/debit card to be charged a total of $1 to your account and off you go!
The rental is good until the following day at 7p.m. when it is due. If it is not turned in by that time, the company simply charges your account another $1 as if you rented the film again.
It is so simple, quick, easy and best of all- cheap!
People may complain that, "Well I forget about the movie and end up not returning it for at least a week." Well, let's be honest, those people deserve to be charged the extra money if they are so damn forgetful.
It seems like such an obvious and brilliant idea to come up with this "Red Box".
People are always taking trips to the grocery store to pick up a few items for around the house or even for dinner that night, and taking a whole seperate trip to the movie store is just not convenient for us fast paced Americans; neither is waiting two whole days to receive the movie in the mail that you want to watch right here, right now!
Really the best part about the Red Box is the price. We are all trying to cut down costs these days without taking every damn pleasure out of our lives as well.
Red Box allows people to rent the same movies they have available at any given movie rental store at a much cheaper price and without the hassle of contracts and membership cards.
Now, who doesn't love that?!
Blockbuster and Hollywood video charge around $5 for a new release film to be rented for only 2-5 days depending upon which company you go with. Netflix, another movie rental company, charges monthly fees for customers to rent up to three movies at a time without ever even leaving the house because they literally mail the movies to your home.
In these tough economic times, however, it seems frivolous to spend extra money on monthly fees for movies to be sent to you directly or to spend five bucks a pop for a movie you watch in one night.
Red Box is a new form of movie rental-ism. (Did I just make up something? I'm thinking so..)
No contracts, no starting fees- nothing!
Here is how it works. It is a large vending type machine that holds hundreds of movie titles in every genre, including new releases, and it is only $1 per rental.
Let me repeat that- $1 per rental!
You choose your flick, slide your credit/debit card to be charged a total of $1 to your account and off you go!
The rental is good until the following day at 7p.m. when it is due. If it is not turned in by that time, the company simply charges your account another $1 as if you rented the film again.
It is so simple, quick, easy and best of all- cheap!
People may complain that, "Well I forget about the movie and end up not returning it for at least a week." Well, let's be honest, those people deserve to be charged the extra money if they are so damn forgetful.
It seems like such an obvious and brilliant idea to come up with this "Red Box".
People are always taking trips to the grocery store to pick up a few items for around the house or even for dinner that night, and taking a whole seperate trip to the movie store is just not convenient for us fast paced Americans; neither is waiting two whole days to receive the movie in the mail that you want to watch right here, right now!
Really the best part about the Red Box is the price. We are all trying to cut down costs these days without taking every damn pleasure out of our lives as well.
Red Box allows people to rent the same movies they have available at any given movie rental store at a much cheaper price and without the hassle of contracts and membership cards.
Now, who doesn't love that?!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Rain, rain DON'T go away...
"Rain, rain go away.
Come again another day.."
This is what we Californians typically think when summer has left and fall has arrived- with winter soon to follow.
What was once days filled with sunshine and warmth has turned to days of drizzling rain and chilly air.
Some people find this change to be a bit too drastic and tend to wish upon warmer days of sun and days at the pool.
Well, no more wishing summer-lovin' people!
Embrace the change of weather with open arms! With this change of weather comes a change of activities as well.
With the rainy days it is difficult to enjoy activities that involve being outside.
So here are some ideas that you may fill your fall/winter days with!
1.] Scrapbook!
Remember all those pictures that you have saved onto your laptop and/or printed out and shoved in shoeboxes that stack all inside your already super tiny closet?
Well put them to use!
Organize your pictures by events, dates, travel adventures, etc. Then go to a local Michaels or Target, for example, to purchase photoalbum[s] and things such as markers and stickers to decorate the book with.
This can cost you anywhere between $25 - $100+ depending upon how much you want to spend and how in depth you want to go with your scrapbooking skills!
This is a great idea to do alone or with friends and/or family who want to get down and dirty with scrabooking!
2.] Make some delicious hot apple cider!
There is nothing better than a warm beverage to contrast the cold weather outside.
Here is a recipe I found on www.delish.com for a 'delish' hot cider:
Ingredients
1 gallon(s) apple cider
4 (each 3 inches long) cinnamon sticks
1 1/2 teaspoon(s) whole allspice
1 teaspoon(s) whole cloves
1 navel orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 cup(s) rum, or to taste (optional)
Cinnamon sticks, for garnish (optional)
Directions
1. In 6-quart saucepot, heat cider with cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves, orange slices, and lemon slices to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer about 45 minutes.
2. Add rum; heat through. Do not boil. Pour cider through sieve into heat-safe punch bowl. Discard spices and fruit slices. Serve hot cider in warm cups accompanied by cinnamon-stick stirrers if you like.
Nutritional Information
(per serving)
Calories 100
Total Fat 0.0g
Saturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0.0mg
Sodium 5mg
Total Carbohydrate 24g
Dietary Fiber 0.00g
Sugars --
Protein 0.0g
Calcium --
Bon appetit!
3.] Watch a scary or romantic movie!
Two quite different types of movies, I know, but both genres are best when watched with winter type weather glooming outside. Mu-ah-ah-ah-ah!
If you choose to watch a romantic movie like The Notebook, you can snuggle up close with your honey [or even a pet!] and enjoy the romantic love story that every girl and boy [yes boys too!] dream of.
Or, you can choose a scary movie like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, that always pairs perfect with dark and gloomy type of weather.
So cheer up summer lovers!
Fall and winter months bring a whole new type of enjoyment too- so embrace the change of weather and have some fun!
Come again another day.."
This is what we Californians typically think when summer has left and fall has arrived- with winter soon to follow.
What was once days filled with sunshine and warmth has turned to days of drizzling rain and chilly air.
Some people find this change to be a bit too drastic and tend to wish upon warmer days of sun and days at the pool.
Well, no more wishing summer-lovin' people!
Embrace the change of weather with open arms! With this change of weather comes a change of activities as well.
With the rainy days it is difficult to enjoy activities that involve being outside.
So here are some ideas that you may fill your fall/winter days with!
1.] Scrapbook!
Remember all those pictures that you have saved onto your laptop and/or printed out and shoved in shoeboxes that stack all inside your already super tiny closet?
Well put them to use!
Organize your pictures by events, dates, travel adventures, etc. Then go to a local Michaels or Target, for example, to purchase photoalbum[s] and things such as markers and stickers to decorate the book with.
This can cost you anywhere between $25 - $100+ depending upon how much you want to spend and how in depth you want to go with your scrapbooking skills!
This is a great idea to do alone or with friends and/or family who want to get down and dirty with scrabooking!
2.] Make some delicious hot apple cider!
There is nothing better than a warm beverage to contrast the cold weather outside.
Here is a recipe I found on www.delish.com for a 'delish' hot cider:
Ingredients
1 gallon(s) apple cider
4 (each 3 inches long) cinnamon sticks
1 1/2 teaspoon(s) whole allspice
1 teaspoon(s) whole cloves
1 navel orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 cup(s) rum, or to taste (optional)
Cinnamon sticks, for garnish (optional)
Directions
1. In 6-quart saucepot, heat cider with cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves, orange slices, and lemon slices to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer about 45 minutes.
2. Add rum; heat through. Do not boil. Pour cider through sieve into heat-safe punch bowl. Discard spices and fruit slices. Serve hot cider in warm cups accompanied by cinnamon-stick stirrers if you like.
Nutritional Information
(per serving)
Calories 100
Total Fat 0.0g
Saturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0.0mg
Sodium 5mg
Total Carbohydrate 24g
Dietary Fiber 0.00g
Sugars --
Protein 0.0g
Calcium --
Bon appetit!
3.] Watch a scary or romantic movie!
Two quite different types of movies, I know, but both genres are best when watched with winter type weather glooming outside. Mu-ah-ah-ah-ah!
If you choose to watch a romantic movie like The Notebook, you can snuggle up close with your honey [or even a pet!] and enjoy the romantic love story that every girl and boy [yes boys too!] dream of.
Or, you can choose a scary movie like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, that always pairs perfect with dark and gloomy type of weather.
So cheer up summer lovers!
Fall and winter months bring a whole new type of enjoyment too- so embrace the change of weather and have some fun!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The B word - Budget!
It seems as if these days this "economic crisis" that we as Americans find ourselves to be in, is all that we can think, hear, read and talk about!
Well I am no different.
Let's face it, it is a harsh reality in our world today and we need to help ourselves financially in any and every way possible.
So, make a budget for you and/or your family.
First, cut out the crap. For three days straight, write down every singly purchase you make throughout the day. Whether it is a latte, lunch at Chipotle, a grocery store run, gas for your gas guzzling SUV or anything else that you buy.
After these three days, go over everything and you will soon realize that there is MUCH that you can live without.
That is right, you CAN live without that daily starbucks!
There are things that we do in fact NEED such as food- the basic breakfast, lunch and dinner, water, gas to drive to and from our daily obligations, etc. Starbucks coffee, however, is not one of them.
So compromise with yourself.
Let's say you get a starbucks latte for $3.75 every morning before class and/or work. That is $26.25 a week and $105 a month; just one latte a day!
Instead, go to the local grocery store and purchase the store brand (safeway for example) coffee in the large economy size for only $9.99! This should last you at least 3 weeks and you save almost $100 a month from doing so.
So now look over everything else that you have listed as purchases made.
Do you tend to eat out more often than not?
Take the same advice from the coffee example and apply it to food. Instead of going to a restaurant (where they upcharge absolutely everything including food and drink and where you tip on top of the meal cost for their services), go to the local supermarket and buy your own products like chicken, bread, soup, rice, salad, fruits and veggies- just to name a few!
You can save incredible amounts of money from doing this and along the way you can become a great cook!
Something else that is predominately expensive is gas.
Although, gas prices have gone down in the recent weeks, it is still quite expensive to drive around to your daily obligations such as work, school, events, etc.
You can do a number of things to save in this area.
One, carpool! Figure out who else is attending the same event/meeting or whatever it may be and drive in one car. Take turns doing so that no one in particular gets screwed for always using their car and their gas.
Two, use public transportation! Here in Sacramento we have what we know as RT- Regional Transit (aka. lightrail). You can buy a monthly pass, daily pass or if you are a student at a local school you have automatic free unlimited usage of RT. RT runs throughout Sacramento and is safe and efficient. You should definitely check it out.
These are just a few ways that you can quickly and effectively SAVE MONEY by budgeting yourself and cutting out the stuff that you don't really need.
So say goodbye to your Grande Iced Nonfat Caramel Macchiato and say hello to a happier bank account!
Well I am no different.
Let's face it, it is a harsh reality in our world today and we need to help ourselves financially in any and every way possible.
So, make a budget for you and/or your family.
First, cut out the crap. For three days straight, write down every singly purchase you make throughout the day. Whether it is a latte, lunch at Chipotle, a grocery store run, gas for your gas guzzling SUV or anything else that you buy.
After these three days, go over everything and you will soon realize that there is MUCH that you can live without.
That is right, you CAN live without that daily starbucks!
There are things that we do in fact NEED such as food- the basic breakfast, lunch and dinner, water, gas to drive to and from our daily obligations, etc. Starbucks coffee, however, is not one of them.
So compromise with yourself.
Let's say you get a starbucks latte for $3.75 every morning before class and/or work. That is $26.25 a week and $105 a month; just one latte a day!
Instead, go to the local grocery store and purchase the store brand (safeway for example) coffee in the large economy size for only $9.99! This should last you at least 3 weeks and you save almost $100 a month from doing so.
So now look over everything else that you have listed as purchases made.
Do you tend to eat out more often than not?
Take the same advice from the coffee example and apply it to food. Instead of going to a restaurant (where they upcharge absolutely everything including food and drink and where you tip on top of the meal cost for their services), go to the local supermarket and buy your own products like chicken, bread, soup, rice, salad, fruits and veggies- just to name a few!
You can save incredible amounts of money from doing this and along the way you can become a great cook!
Something else that is predominately expensive is gas.
Although, gas prices have gone down in the recent weeks, it is still quite expensive to drive around to your daily obligations such as work, school, events, etc.
You can do a number of things to save in this area.
One, carpool! Figure out who else is attending the same event/meeting or whatever it may be and drive in one car. Take turns doing so that no one in particular gets screwed for always using their car and their gas.
Two, use public transportation! Here in Sacramento we have what we know as RT- Regional Transit (aka. lightrail). You can buy a monthly pass, daily pass or if you are a student at a local school you have automatic free unlimited usage of RT. RT runs throughout Sacramento and is safe and efficient. You should definitely check it out.
These are just a few ways that you can quickly and effectively SAVE MONEY by budgeting yourself and cutting out the stuff that you don't really need.
So say goodbye to your Grande Iced Nonfat Caramel Macchiato and say hello to a happier bank account!
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