Gold's Up, Silver's Up, and my waist size is down :)

So that's all good news, and I am not saying I am a fortune teller or anything regarding silver, but I have to say I told you so! Silver is on the rise, and even if it falls again, it is going up up up upppp! I am making money, and I wish other people could, too!

Financial Investments College Students Should be Making

It discourages me a little to know that most of my peers have no idea when, why, or how to invest in their future.

When: NOW

Why: Because you WILL NOT survive retirement without investing.

How: That is what this blog is about...

Their are an infinite amount of ways to invest in one's future, and although money is a huge part of it, I believe the biggest component of it is EDUCATION. I cannot emphasize enough about how important it is that we all have some form of education, whether it be vocational, scholarly, or whatever. That is the investment that will always give you a positive return and no one can ever take it away from you.

Ok, so education is important, but so is money, Jackie! What do we do with our money?!

Well, right now you should do a list of a few things.

1.) Open up a Roth IRA. Consider this a gift to your future self. Think long term!

2.) If you have a job that offers a 401k package, snag it!

3.) Buy savings bonds! It's virtually the same thing as depositing money into a savings account, but it's protected better and you gain better interest. You will also be less inclined to use that money for things that you shouldn't be buying anyway. Buy 'em!

4.) Buy silver and gold bullion. Don't get too crazy with it, but I spend about 10% of my paychecks on silver bullion. Almost every financial expert agrees it is a good investment, whether it goes up in the next 2 years, or the next 20 years, it is still a worthwhile investment (as long as you don't have all your eggs in one basket).

I am doing all of these things right now. I have a few financial goals when I retire, and they are to 1.) Be debt free, including owning my house outright; 2.) and to be a millionaire.

Ok, so the first one is a given, but the second one?! A millionaire?! Yes, a millionaire. It is very possible and quite easy to do if one makes wise decisions. Now, when I talk about wise decisions, I am not talking about making smart investments in the stock market. I am talking about things like contributions to your 401k and your Roth IRA, and putting at least 10-20% of your after tax income into savings/savings bonds. Don't waste money on things you really don't need, especially if you have debts to pay off. If you really really really want that new peacoat from The Gap, but it's $75, buy it. But first, pay any debts off! Rewarding yourself is great! What kind of life would we be living if we never indulged a little?! All I am saying is that when you have an $800 dollar credit card balance that is staring you in the face every month and you are just putting all of your money into STUFF, then what kind of delayed gratification are you getting out of that?!

In short, just do smart things that involve common sense. Follow your guts and your instincts. And get a damn education!

SILVER BUG

Recently I have taken to collecting coins. Not just any coins, but silver bullion, .999 fine silver, etc. There are a lot of people out there who are collecting it because they think we will be going back to a barter and trade system in which there will be no government yada yada yada. I find that hard to believe because humans love their governments and they love their technology and they REALLY like stability. Not that these are stable times, but neither is fending for yourself 100% in nature's world. 99% of the people in this country probably don't know how to build themselves a damn fire...

Anyways, enough with my rants. Just wanted to let everyone know, I am investing in silver and I'm happy about it. It isn't too expensive, so I have been able to put away about 9 oz of fine .999 silver and some coins that are between 40-90% silver (these are more of a personal collection thing) so far. It's fun and exciting finding good deals on beautiful coins. I will upload pictures of my collection as it grows. I would advise people to start buying some silver here and there if they can afford it, but don't go overboard. It's an investment and there are no guarantees!

UH-OH!

As part of my final project for the Nutrition course I am taking for school, I had to use a diet analysis program produced by the U.S. Gov. in order to see how my nutrition needs are matching up with my intake and output of energy. Let me tell you... it definitely made clear the reasons for my not so girlish figure. To be frank, it scared me a little. I think that once you actually look at how many calories you take in on a normal day, you begin to realize what you should be cutting out of your diet. I think this will have a huge impact on my lifestyle. I guess this course was a huge wake up call!

Disappointing Chronic Tacos

Today, I decided I would try these famous "Chronic Tacos" everyone raves about while I was in Lake Forest shopping at the 99 Cent Store. I must say, that after spending close to $10 on 3 unsatisfying and overrated tacos, I will not be frequenting their establishment...well, actually, I just won't be going there.... ever again. Their meat was far from fresh, their tortillas were substandard, and the ingredients were obviously not fresh, either. I want my $10 back, guys. Sorry, but I give you an F in taco making.

Being a First Class Citizen in A Second Class Worlds

About two weeks ago, I went to San Francisco with Cindy and a few other friends. Bottom line, we had an amazing time. There is nothing I would rather do than move there. I've been there before, but not able to go out and be free and discover this big city on my own terms. There was something liberating about it that I think every college student should experience. Whether you are in Chicago, New York, L.A., S.F., or wherever you want to go, just do it! Don't go with your parents. Don't go with family. Don't go with people who are going there with an agenda in mind. Go there to be free. My girl and I loved it there. We felt so at home. Normally, in Orange County (and most other places for that matter) we feel pretty much like second class citizens. It was so different up there. We felt like we belonged. Neither of us felt ashamed to hold each other in public or hold hands or to show that we loved each other. It was a dream come true... and I didn't want to come back home. I know this blog is a little off topic, but it is relevant to me. It should be relevant to everyone. I really really really hate preaching or acting like a martyr, but the fact is I can't be myself everyday. I can't casually mention that I have a girlfriend in any old conversation. I have to watch myself and who I am talking to and whether or not it could be potentially uncomfortable for them. The sad truth is that, even though the world has come a long way since the 1960s, etc., I still can't get married. I still can't fully be who I am around everyone. I am inhibited not by my own insecurities, but by the insecurities that society projects onto me.

Green Middle Finger

Yeah, I have a green middle finger. It's me saying, "Fuck you, pollution."

It's totally a cliche thing to say, but someone has to do it! I have said for years now that we need to do something to change the way we live, so that we don't exhaust our God- given resource, and now...I am putting my little mouth to action. Or rather, my finger. I have vowed to make the most of everything I come in contact with. I am writing a lengthy pamphlet right now that gives guidelines to living greener. I will be working on publishing a short booklet on it in the next year that I can pass out at my college and our sister college. Someone needs to do it, and since no one else has, I might as well put my resources to work. I have a brain, and I have will power. I know I can have some sort of lasting impression, whether it be to motivate someone else to do what I am doing at their own college or in their own community, or by motivating people to put these ideals into action and make greener living a reality. If you want a copy of my pamphlet, let me know and give me your e-mail so that I can send it out once I am done! Mother Nature thanks you :)

On Turning 21.

So, I will admit I am not a huge fan of drinking or of gambling, but I turned 21 last weekend and decided I might as well give it a shot- why not, I'm 21!!!! As it turns out, I didn't feel quite 21 until I was able to buy my own alcohol at Pavilions on the way to Pala Casino, where my girlfriend and I stayed along with my mom and grandmother. We had an ENORMOUS suite that my mom got for free for Cindy and I. Woohoo! Party! So, we drank a little, gambled a little, and had some fun ;)

Basically, all I'm tryin' to say is... turning 21 was fun, and I lived it up and treated myself to an amazing weekend with my other half. Don't miss out on the big milestones in your life, they don't ever come around again!

An Oldie But A Goodie...Homework

I wake up in the morning....homework.

I go to sleep late at night....homework.

I go on vacation....homework.

It follows me everywhere! I'm either reading a textbook or working on a group project, or finishing a draft for an essay. 

What's cool though, is that I have stopped letting my homework stress me out and control me. I control it! And my method is simple time management. One would take a look at my schedule and ponder where in the world I come up with the time to do four college courses' worth of homework, research, and reading.

My Normal Weekly Schedule:

Sunday: 10:30-2:30 (work)

Monday: Disneyland/ work (depending on the week)

Tuesday: School from 9:30am- 3:30pm, work from 4pm-9:15pm

Wednesday: Work/ Disneyland (once again, depending on the week)

Thursday: School 9:30am-3:30pm, Dr. Sokol from 3:45pm-4:15/4:30pm

Friday: Disneyland/Work

Saturday: 11am-2pm (work)

Okay, so there are like three days during which Disneyland is mentioned, which may sound silly, but those are potential disneyland/date/homework days that I have alloted for myself pending my work schedule and my partner's schedule. It is so important not to devote every waking moment to doting over your assignments. It is, however, imperative that you get you time into your schedule (however hectic your schedule may be). My reasoning for this being that when we are able to have time to do what we want, we are more inclined to actually do our homework, and even be more successful at it because we don't feel such a grudge against it! So go ahead... give yourself a Disneyland Day! Or whatever you wanna call it ;)

The Never- Ending Request for Some Time OFF!

First, let me explain why I have this dilemma. I have a sister who lives in Utah (Susan Crivac, look at her blog "Sassy in Silver" she's a direct sales genius ;)), and along with my sister are her two adorable daughters, Siena (5) and Maci (3), and her husband Mark. My sister is my closest sibling, and I consider her to be one of my best friends, and as if that weren't enough, my beautiful nieces are like my daughters. As I'm sure you can imagine, it is hard to be away from them, especially when they live over 600 miles away from me! So, naturally, I visit them a few times a year. Okay, here's where the catch is- I have to beg for time off from my employer every time I want to go and see them. Now, I do not work a 9 to 5 job, so this gets tricky because they have to find someone to cover my shifts whenever I go on vacation. First of all, employers don't like it when you ask for a week or a long weekend off every 3-4 months because it indicates that you aren't "devoted" enough to your overworked, underpaid position. I know I'm not the only person out there who has this never-ending problem, so I am going to give everyone a few pointers.

1. Ask for the time off at least 2 months in advance, that way your employer knows and has ample time to find someone to cover your shift. This also indicates to them that you are on top of things and that you plan things out (a great attribute desired by employers).

2. Be reasonable about your time-off request! Don't ask for two weeks off and expect to get it willy nilly just because you asked for it off way in advance!

3. For the few months preceding your time-off request, try not to take too many days off or call in sick, because this will just say one thing about you- FLAKE!

4. Be honest with your employer! Don't say "Oh, I'm going to visit my Aunt Mildred in Kalamazoo, who is dying of a rare skin disease." No! Be HONEST! If you're taking a long weekend off to go to Vegas with your significant other to have a romantic weekend, just let your boss know that you are taking personal time off to go on vacation. We're all human! And an employer will appreciate this kind of earnestness from an employee, because it lets them know that they did make the right decision when they hired you!

5. Last, but not least, BE GRATEFUL! Let your employer know that you really appreciate them letting you have that time off, because they don't have to! It's a request, not a demand.

I know it can be emotionally trying to find the time off to spend with those that we love, but remember that at the end of the day, we need to be respectful of the commitment we made by working for an employer. Remembering all these things will help us grow into responsible human beings, and will promote our own good work ethic!

It's Nothing New

I'm 21 and I'm a starving college student. Starving for knowledge, starving for a future, but mostly...starving for success. Recently, I have discovered that success is defined by one's ambitions and goals, not by others' standards or expectations. It has been easy to lose sight (frequently) of this craving for success. It happens when you see others making more money than you who never obtained this pinnacle of "success"- the college degree. Working part time at Radio Shack is no longer enough to satisfy that never- ending need for sustenance and disposable income. It comes to the point where you are considering leaving everything behind and working full-time anywhere, just to have that cash in your hands right now. Well, this blog is intended to evaluate the college experience as a full-time student working from the bottom, up. There will be road blocks and invaluable experiences on the way, and I'll be telling you about every step of it, and letting you know how I coped with and handled every situation. Ready? I am.