Help your teen find a summer job
We found a great article at SnagaJob.com for you to share with any teen you know who’s looking for summer work:
Summer job search tips for teens
You don’t want to get stuck folding dad’s boxers for gas money. Start your teen summer job search today.
You just bought your first ice scraper of the season last week and your weird neighbors still have their holiday lights wrapped around their chimney.
But it’s not too early to start thinking about teen summer jobs…especially when you add up the costs of your Spring Break trip, whether you’re heading to Panama City Beach to catch some rays or Branson, Missouri to catch a Dolly Parton impersonator. (We know the former is much more likely than the latter.)
A summer job can teach your teen the value of money.
Here are a few tips to beat the competition for the choicest summer gigs:
Have realistic summer job expectations
Everyone has that one friend with the dream summer job – the one who makes more than you, works less and seemingly possesses an unlimited amount of sick days. (And by sick days, we mean days spent tanning by the pool while reading a copy of US Weekly). It may seem like that friend has won the summer job lottery, and we don’t want to be the fun police, but what is he/she really learning? Even if a summer job may not appear to be the yellow brick road to your dream career, you’d be surprised at what you can take away from the right seasonal job.
Get yourself connected
Just like electronica music fossils Stereo MC’s once proclaimed, now is the time to touch base with former bosses, employed friends, and dad’s buddy who owns that restaurant. Networking isn’t just for stuffy dudes in suits anymore.
Find out the local “release dates”
Find out when the local high schools and colleges close up for the summer, which will be easy if you’re a student at one of them. Despite our warnings, people will wait to find their teen summer jobs until the last possible minute. You don’t want to be a vulture picking over the leftovers.
Be honest with potential employers
This starts with being honest with yourself. If you’re a proud vegan who isn’t sure you could stand handling meat patties and prime-cut filets all day, then skip the restaurant summer job route. Being honest also includes your initial conversations with potential bosses. Don’t over-commit to the amount of hours you’ll be able to work up front and then back down. Also, don’t claim you posses certain skills and experiences even if you don’t. We know it’s exciting to be on the cusp of landing a job, but the quickest way to crash and burn in your new gig is by fibbing.
Don’t be “that guy” or “that girl”
When dozens and dozens of your peers are vying for the same coveted job, don’t make it easy for a potential employer to take you out of the running early. From having crass cell phone ring tones blowing up during an interview to dropping off a résumé while wearing a tuxedo T-shirt, the list of these embarrassing faux pas is long. When in doubt, pause, then exercise a little common sense.
Take sound advice
Job hunting and workplace clichés are a dime a dozen – see? You’ve probably heard to “dress for the job you want, not the one you have” or to “work outside the box.” As annoying as these are to hear – and as hard as that pesky “box” is to find – clichés serve a purpose in that there’s usually a meaningful nugget of truth at the core of each. Conversely, the time to serve up clichés is not during a job interview. When speaking with a potential employer, be candid but be careful. Likewise, be yourself but be sure to filter out the just plain weird stuff (your potential employer doesn’t need to know about your boy band fan club), and be one more thing…
Buy suntan lotion
A brief public service announcement: It’s always a good idea to have some SPF 30 on hand. Even if you’re not working outside, it will give you one less errand to run once your shift ends and it’s time to hook up with your crew. Plus, no boss likes an employee with third-degree burns.
About SnagAJob.com
SnagAJob.com is America’s largest hourly job website, featuring more than 100,000 active jobs in industries including: restaurant, retail, office and admin, hospitality, healthcare and more. With their quick ZIP code job search, you can easily find and apply to part-time, full-time, seasonal and summer jobs right around the corner – without ever leaving home. They’ll even email you new job alerts. SnagAJob.com also has job tips to help you land your dream gig and thrive on the job. It’s all free – and they’re open 24/7. SnagAJob.com is dedicated to making life easier for students and hourly workers. Search for full-time and part-time jobs now, and be sure to check out our job blog for regularly updated news, features and insights.
Click here for the original article: Summer job search tips for teens
Related: Who will hire me? A first-job guide for teens
Money tips for new grads
Smart money management could save new graduates a lot of financial problems.
Congratulations! You’ve done it! You’ve survived four years as a “starving student”–forgoing lots of luxuries and instead using what little money you have to pay rent and tuition, plus buying those ridiculously expensive books. I know you’re tired of being broke but now you’re on your way. Soon you’ll have a real job and you’ll be able to have the life you’ve always wanted, the one you’ve worked so hard for.
But before you do, here are a few real-world lessons on money management to help you get on your way. These are some things I wished someone had told me before I donned my cap and gown. I hope they can help you now.
Your finances need a check-up
Take a good, hard look at your balance sheet. List all the debt you have, as well as the expenses and income you expect. Make a budget based on that information. It’s really helpful to see this on paper so you can get a better picture of how things stack up at the end of the month. Oh, and when you’re listing these numbers, remember to find a way to save. Cut out extra expenditures wherever possible: Are you really using that gym membership? Could you work out at home instead? Could you stop renting movies and set up a cheaper Netflix account? Do you need to go out on both Friday and Saturday nights?
It may feel daunting now, especially if you have student loans and credit card debt, but saving even just a few dollars a day helps you develop a habit of saving. And that will help you so much in the long run. (Just look at how much Americans are in debt. You can avoid all that with some simple habits.)
Manage your money with a little help
Now that you have your balance sheet in place, check out how your bank can help you manage your money. Have you bounced any checks? Ever been late on a car payment? Most banks offer free overdraft protection so you can avoid penalty fees for an overdrawn account, online bill pay to make paying bills fast and convenient, and e-mail or SMS alerts to remind you when a payment is due so you can avoid late fees and dings on your credit report. (Read our post, 5 easy steps to avoid bank fees, for more tips.)
Beware the credit card
You probably have at least one credit card you need to pay off. A new study by Sallie Mae finds that the average undergraduate carried $3,173 in credit card debt in 2008, the highest level since Sallie Mae began collecting this data in 1998.
If you carry any credit card debt, try to pay it down as quickly as possible. (It could take you years to pay off a credit card if you just pay just the minimum due every month.) And while you pay off your existing debt, try to use your credit card only in emergency situations. Spend only what you have. It’s a lesson a lot of us are learning the hard way as we try to pare back, given this recession.
And, while you’re managing your credit card debt, we have tips on improving your credit score too, since the higher the score, the better the loan rate you’ll be able to get when you’re ready to buy that new car or your first home–hey, the time will come before you know it! 
Start saving for retirement
I know it also sounds crazy to think about retiring when you haven’t even landed your first job yet, but this is so important. Trust me on this. If you start stashing away money for retirement at age 25 as opposed to 35, and you invest it wisely, you could have hundreds of thousands of dollars more by the time you retire. (Check out this retirement calculator to see for yourself.)
If you want more savings tips, check in with us regularly. We have all kind sof advice, from getting the most from your tax filings to getting rid of all those pennies in your pocket. You can also stay up-to-date with the latest ‘Grow Your Green’ posts; just follow me on Twitter.com/CashCat and join my network on Facebook. I’ll let you know when we’ve got new stuff on here.
Oh, and again, CONGRATULATIONS, graduate! Now it’s time to make your place in the world and we’re here to root you on! Now, go get ‘em!
Going back to the PI
I am saving up to go back to the Philippines and hopefully go scuba diving, have mini reunion with the family, and enjoy the land.
Money Savvy tips for the savvy vacationer
Airlines and hotels are offering great deals to entice travelers.
Memorial Day is the unofficial start of the summer travel season. Whether you’re flying to some exotic location (maybe your ‘Grow Your Green’ goal is saving for a vacation?) or staying right here in our own backyard, there are a lot of deals to be had.
Head over to Tech CU Money Savvy and check out some summer vacation savings tips. Oh, and while you’re at it, look how passengers have rated the airlines.
Happy travels!
Bride on a budget
Save money and enjoy your special day even more!
It’s that time of the year again: whether you’ve been invited to a friend or family member’s wedding or you’re planning your own nuptials (lucky you!), the madness that is June weddings will soon be upon us. And weddings–whether they’re in June or January–are expensive! On average, U.S. couples spend nearly $20,000 for their wedding.
So if you’re tying the knot soon, here are a few things you can do to keep expenses down. Because wouldn’t it feel better to put the savings in your ‘Grow Your Green’ account? For, say, an exotic honeymoon or a down payment on your first home? We think so!
1. Cut your guest list
This is probably the easiest way to trim your costs. Don’t invite friends you haven’t talked to in years. Don’t feel obligated to let single guests bring a date. Avoid the pressure to invite all of your co-workers and/or distant relatives.
You are usually charged food and beverage costs per guest, but also remember the extra costs of centerpieces, favors, chairs, etc. Trimming the guest list could save you thousands of dollars.
Check out Wedding Planning on a Budget on how to manage your guest list. A checklist and budget tracker also helps you rein in the costs.
2. Consider different dates
The most desirable times (like a Saturday night in June) come with the highest price tags, so consider having your wedding on a Sunday or during an “off-season,” such as winter. Many venues offer big discounts for less busy times of the year. In fact, weekday weddings are becoming more common, as couples look for different ways to save.
3. Get creative
Instead of paying a florist to arrange your flowers, why not do it yourself? There are a lot of websites with great ideas, such as Do It Yourself Weddings. Find the flowers, bouquets and centerpieces you like, then buy the flowers and arrange them yourself. You could save hundreds of dollars, since the bulk of the cost for flowers is in the labor and not the actual blooms themselves.
And how about DIY party favors? Personalize your wedding for half the cost by visiting a craft store that has projects and instructions for making party favors and center pieces. Michaels has an entire section devoted to weddings.
Discount wedding invitations can also save you a pretty penny.
4. Find the perfect dress… on sale
Check out sample sales or bridal conventions–find out when the next Great Bridal Expo or Bridal Show will be in your neighborhood. Exhibitors showcase the latest styles; you could score a designer dress at a discount rate. Don’t have time? Here are 15 dresses under $1,500 at Bride.com.
5. Ask for help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. This is your special day and your loved ones are thrilled to be a part of it so why not enlist their help? Is your uncle a talented musician? Ask him to play at your wedding. How about Cousin Maple, the seamstress? Can she alter your wedding dress? And maybe your cousin, the graphic artist, can design the invitations and place cards.
As you plan for your wedding, remember that saying your ‘I do’s’ is an amazing experience that you should savor and enjoy. If you plan your money-saving strategy in advance, you won’t have to stress over the tab at the end of the event. And you’ll have plenty left over for that honeymoon… and your future together as husband and wife!!
No more penny pinching
To save money, try carrying larger bills.
I found a very insightful story on NPR’s “All Things Considered” on how we think about and spend money. It’s called the Denomination Effect, which is the theory that we are reluctant to break large bills but more willing to spend that same amount if it were in parsed out into smaller denominations and/or coins.
Researchers conducted a series of experiments in the U.S. and China where they gave test subjects four quarters and a dollar. The researchers found that people were less likely to spend the bill than the four quarters they were given.
The experiment was featured in a New York Times article:
“People overvalue large bills,” said Joydeep Srivastava, a professor of marketing at the University of Maryland and one of the study’s two authors. “It’s partly a self-control mechanism—I want to hold onto it, because if I do break that big denomination, I lose track of my spending.”
I know that this is true for me. Say I’m at the grocery store and I want a candy bar. If I have a $20 bill, I’m less likely to break it for the candy. However, if I had coins or several $1 bills, I wouldn’t think twice. My friend, Jordan, agrees with the psychology: “No one wants to break a $100 bill. It just feels too significant.”
It’s the same with my savings account–the more money I have in it, the more I want to save. (There’s just something so satisfying about watching that balance grow.) If the balance is lower, I start thinking, “Oh well, it’s just a few dollars,” and withdraw to my heart’s delight. It’s not a very effective way to save, quite honestly.
So here’s a thought: If you’re having a difficult time saving money, why not get larger bills when you go to the bank? Apparently, we should stop trying to pinch those pennies and instead opt for larger bills because they don’t burn a hole in our pockets as quickly.
Seriously, we may not be able to depend solely on the government when we retire–Social Security and Medicare are dwindling in the recession–so this simple habit could really help down the line.
Improve your credit score
Review your credit report annually to protect against identity fraud.
Have you ever been late paying a bill? Your credit score might have been affected by just one skipped payment.
Whether you’re trying to repair your damaged credit or you just want to improve your credit standing, here are a few easy tips to get you to your ideal score.
1. Know your score
In order to improve your credit score, you should start with finding out where you stand. (Get your free credit report.) Credit scores range from 300 to 850–lenders believe that the higher your score, the lower your risk as a borrower.
You have three FICO® scores, one for each of the three credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Each score is based on information the credit bureau keeps on file about you. Lenders use these scores to determine the amount and terms of your loans. A high score could save you thousands of dollars in interest.
Also remember that credit scoring is not just limited to banks. Other organizations, such as mobile phone and insurance companies and government departments use similar techniques. If you’re applying for a job, an employer may also run a credit check on you.
Credit scores range from 340 to 850. The higher your score is the less risk the lender believes you will be.
2. Pay your bills on time
Late and delinquent payments and collections can have a major negative impact on your credit score.
If you have any past-due bills, pay them now and then stay current with future payment cycles. If you cannot afford to make payments, call the lender and see if you can work out a payment plan. Most lenders are willing to work with borrowers to get current on their payments. If your home is in jeopardy, some lenders even offer loan modifications, so that you can stay in your home.
If you have trouble remembering to make payments on time, check with your bank to see if it offers e-mail or SMS alerts to remind you when a payment is due. Tech CU has this service in eNotifications.
Oh, and if you need more help, the Federal Trade Commission has tips for those who are knee-deep in debt.
3. Pay down your debt
High outstanding debt can also negatively impact your credit, so try to pay more than the minimum amount due each month. In fact, if you can significantly pay down–or even pay off–all your installment loans such as mortgage, auto, student, and credit lines, this can drastically improve your scores.
It may sound difficult at first, but there are several things you can do today to get those loan balances down. And, while we’re at it, be careful to avoid “dumb ways” to pay off debt that could actually get you into more financial trouble.
4. Review your credit report
You should review your credit report annually to check for inaccuracies and/or fraud activity. Correct these issues as soon as possible. If too much time passes before you try to resolve an issue, it may be too late, and that inaccurate mark could stay on your credit report for as long as seven years.
- Make sure that your name, address, Social Security number, and all other personal information is correct.
- Make sure that there are no accounts, debts, bankruptcies, or court judgments on your report that don’t belong to you.
- Make sure that payment histories and balances are correct and that any errors you have reported have been fixed.
If you believe that you may be a victim of identity fraud, contact the U.S. Department of Justice immediately.
We also found a helpful Bloomberg video tutorial on improving your credit score:
Additional resources:
5 tips for improving your credit score
10 things you can do today to improve your credit
15 ways to establish and improve your FICO score
Low mortgage rates should launch strong home buying season
There’s a neat article on home buying in the spring at eMoney Savvy:
Many homeowners are recognizing that bargains are to be had and are calling their broker.
May is the month that signals summer. Warmer days, flowers popping up everywhere, the start of baseball, and of course, the aroma of barbecue coming from your neighbor’s backyard.
It’s also the time when many head out to look for a new home. This spring, new homebuyers and homeowners who are thinking about refinancing have something extra to be excited about—historically low mortgage rates!
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I am a Teacher
Another reason to save money is for my classroom. I teach at an elementary school in Santa Clara. This will help me buy supplies for my classroom..
