HIDE YO WIFE, HIDE YO KIDS, HIDE YO.... CREDIT CARDS?

DON'T DO IT!! PUT... THE... CARD... DOWN!!

Let's face it we're college students and when we don't have money we rely on two things our parents or our credit cards. And since most of us are too prideful to ask our parents for a little more help we turn towards the credit cards. But that my dear friends is why we are poor in the first place.

So, for RULE #3: HIDE YOUR CREDIT CARDS.

Credit cards are the easiest way to get yourself into trouble. You think that you can just use it and then pay it off but pretty soon it's maxed out and your paying the minimum payment and it's racking up interest as we speak!

The best way to use a credit card is to ONLY use it when you have extra money put aside that you can immediately pay it off with. Doing that will save you money AND help to improve your credit all while avoiding those stupid interest fee's.

Also, a good way to use your credit card is to only use it for one thing every month. Like using it for gas only or for paying off a certain bill every month. It's best to use it for something that you can pay online that way you can leave your card at home in your bills folder. Then you won't be tempted to use it when you are out with your friends. "Out of sight, Out of mind!"

Stay classy, Sassy, and Spend less!

xoxo Sera

It's Christmas Time!

It's Christmas time and we all know what that means! Spending all your money on presents, cramming for finals, and NO sleep! As for your finals and sleep from one student to another I say good luck guys! But for spending all your money on presents I have some ideas!!

RULE #2: KEEP IT CHEAP AND BE UNIQUE! 

It's easy to get caught up in this seasons sales but if your going to spend you might as well save while your at it right?! So, how about we start with the easy ideas! First off if you have a smartphone or ipad or tablet you NEED to get "Retail Me Not"!! It is an app full of coupons that you can use in store OR online.  It also notifies you of stores in your area with sales going on. Can I get a hell yeah!

Secondly, keep it simple. For the girls in the family make crafts, buy cheap picture frames, or buy in bulk from Bath and Body (they almost always have buy 3 get 3 free on soaps, lotions, and perfumes). For the guys go on eBay and buy a phone case of their favorite sports team, or buy them a shirt on sale at their favorite store. 

 

It's important to remember you don't have to get them the most expensive present in the world for them to like it! Just stick with the things that you know about them and their likes and interests and look around for something cheap and unique! 

Watch for sales, use those coupons, and for goodness sake try and get some sleep during dead week! 

                                                                                                    Stay classy, sassy, and spend less.

                                                                                                               xoxo Sera 

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.

Quiz: Scary Money Stories

We were happy to be involved in numerous Halloween events all over campus. For one of these events, we created an online "Scary Money Stories" quiz. We dare you to try this quick quiz to test your financial knowledge! Help the characters find a way out of their scary money stories by helping them decide what their next action should be.

Link to Scary Money Stories Quiz

Saving Money While Studying Abroad

This semester we've helped many students prepare financially for their study abroad trips. Using our experience working with students and pinpointing what they need to know before they go abroad, we have created a resource with some quick tips for preparing for your study abroad tip and saving money on your trip.