College Life: Because We're Poor

We, as in my fellow college students, all know that while you go to college you can expect to eat mac and cheese or ramen noodles everyday of your life until you finish with your masters or doctorate. And why is it that we have to eat the cheapest food from the grocery store? Because, we are poor. It is so difficult to go to make time for classes, studying, activities, AND a job!

So, those of us supporting ourselves through college live on the bare minimum and study our little butts off until we can walk away with a paper in our hand that states; “YOU SURVIVED COLLEGE! GOOD LUCK WITH LIFE!” ….. Ok, so it doesn’t exactly say that verbatim (I only used that word because I’m a college student now and that’s what we’re supposed to do right? Sound smart and use “big” words...) But that’s clearly beside the point.  The point is… we are going to be poor for the next 4 to 8 years. So, now that we have accepted that, how do we plan on surviving?

Well let’s start week 1 with; RULE #1: AVOID EATING TAKEOUT AT ALL COSTS.

I know what you’re thinking and it’s something along the lines of “HA! This chick is crazy!” But let’s be honest, you can pay $5 or above for one meal when you can buy groceries and have a $1 pizza instead. We all know take out is generally faster and always less work, but us poor students have to pinch our pennies. Plus the less money you spend on take out is more money you can spend on going out with friends! No argument necessary for that one.

Now, let’s not forget an even better reason to avoid take out… Freshman Fifteen. That’s not a joke people! We all know in high school we never truly believed in the myth of the freshman fifteen but then we spent our first year in college and by summer time we were looking down wondering “When the hell did I got a muffin top?!” The important lesson in that is freshman fifteen is not specified to JUST freshman! So, let’s not turn into the Sophomore Sixty and instead start buying some salad and chicken instead of Whoppers and Big Macs.

I think that’s point made on rule #1 in surviving college as a typical poor college student. Eating take out is a no’s goes. Tune in next time for rule #2!

Stay classy, sassy, and spend less.

xoxo Sera

Applying for Veterans Education Benefits

In honor of Veterans Day, we talked to a group of veterans about money management. Some had not yet applied for education benefits.

Thus, we compiled information about resources available to veterans to help cover their education expenses. The following information was obtained from the US Department of Veterans Affairs website.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs can help veterans cover the cost of furthering their education and skills through benefit programs that may pay tuition, housing, training, and other costs.

We found a surprising statistic - more than 60% of Veterans have not applied for benefits. VA's education and training benefits are provided through these key programs:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill
• Montgomery GI Bill
• Survivors' and Dependents' Assistance

Veterans can use this Benefit Comparison Chart to determine the right benefit for you.

Once you identify the right benefit for your needs, apply. The Veterans Affairs website states that it only takes 30 minutes to apply online.
(See if you are eligible for one-on-one support, counseling, and training to boost your skills and build your career by reviewing VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program.)
Applying for education and training benefits is a three-step process:

1. Collect and prepare the necessary paperwork, including:
   • Copies of your discharge or separation papers (the DD-214 or equivalent)
   • Documentation of an enlistment incentive or College Fund—sometimes called a "kicker"—although this isn't required to apply for the GI Bill
2. Select a school.
3. Apply.

Other tips given on the Veterans Affairs website include:

• Plan ahead and apply early—benefits can take a few weeks to process.
• To secure housing benefits, plan to attend school for more than half time (e.g., seven out of 12 credit hours per term).
• To attend a private or graduate school, inquire about the Yellow Ribbon Program. (VA benefits may not cover all expenses—under the Yellow Ribbon Program, schools make up the difference.)

In addition, the Department of Veterans Affairs provides the interest and aptitude assessment tool known as CareerScope at no cost to all eligible benefit recipients. CareerScope has been used frequently by Veterans to determine the best career path for transition to civilian life.

It's Money Smart Nebraska Week

What is Nebraska Money Smart Week? Money Smart Week is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances.

Money Smart Week is organized by the Nebraska Financial Education Coalition, a diverse group of close to 100 Nebraska organizations working together to promote personal financial literacy. The UNL Student Money Management Center serves as one of the main organizers of this campaign.

In honor of Money Smart Week, we put together a collection of fun quizzes you can use to help assess your current level of financial literacy.

Test your knowledge on the My Money five financial principles and get access to resources that will further assist you on your journey to financial security.  

Learnvest offers a variety of fun money quizzes to help you identify your financial behaviors, including a budgeting quiz titled "Which Country Is Your Financial Twin?"

Wise Bread is a personal finance blog that offers fun quizzes to help you make good financial decisions, including their "Am I Really Ready to Buy a Home?" quiz.