The semester is in full swing now for all college and grad students. For the first time in my life, I am not a part of this. Though working and applying for jobs has kept me very busy, my brain is still in the "I have to learn something because that's what I've been doing for 20 years" mode. Though I have several anthropology and art history books begging to be read, and a kindle with a bunch of free books downloaded on it and waiting for their turn to enlighten me, I have decided to divert some time from that to making my own class for myself. In learning the German language.
Yes, I have decided again to start back on learning German. This time, I'm not alone. My current boss is brushing up on her German and therefore we were planning on practicing together some time at work. I also have a few friends who speak German, and parents who will write random things in German on my facebook.
Why would my ancestors be proud of this? Well, because about half of them spoke German. That's right, I'm about 1/2 German/Swiss and have the last name to prove it (which for those family members reading, it's Swiss in origin according to countless hours on ancestry.com and google searches. And going through the family history book).
So, how do I plan on learning German (and actually sticking with it after stopping 3 times before)?
1. Learning German in the car.
If you haven't seen the VW Passat commercial, watch it here. While I do not make more than 1 roadtrip a year to visit peeps back home, I do spend a good deal of time in the car going to and from places. I've almost memorized one conversation from one of the cds included in my lesson book (bonus: I know the translation too). Doing just the car thing will probably give me just under an hour's worth of practice every day.
2. At home practice.
I also have a lesson book that came with the cds that helps me learn grammar and sentence structure (the hardest thing for me to learn for a new language). Also, my boss let me borrow a children's book she has to learn some German vocabulary. The best part is: it has pictures.
3. Time to practice.
Aside from job-hunting, I actually have free time after work. I plan on trying to dedicate 4 hours a week (1 hour 4 nights a week) to studying. That's not including while driving.
4. Practice makes perfect.
Lucky me knows a few people who speak German, therefore, I can practice with some.
I figure if all else fails, and when I get a real job and have the money, I can always sign up for a weekend German class as well.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
How Coupons Can Pay For Your Vacation
I haven't done a saving money post in a while. Though I've mentioned it before, I haven't done an entire entry on coupons.
Everyone has heard the saying that a little bit can go a long way. The same goes for money. Except in this case I like to say a little bit of saving goes a long way. The easiest way to save money: buy things when they are on sale and use coupons. What do you do with the extra money? It's up to you. For me right now, it's paying off a credit card debt and paying off student loans.
So how does one get coupons in the first place?
The most commonly thought of place is the Sunday paper. However, before buying the paper every week, it's a good idea to know how many coupons will be in it. The Sunday paper here varies each week with which coupons (SmartSource, P&G, etc) will be in the paper. If you use a lot of coupons from each, then it probably won't matter to you. If you're like me and only typically use coupons from one that's not in there every week then you may want to skip buying the paper the weeks those coupons are not in there.
Another source is from stores. Many stores, when you sign up for their email list they will occasionally send you coupons. A recent one I received from NY and Company: Spend $200, get $100 off meaning if I bought $200 worth of stuff, I would only pay $100. Good deal huh? I ended up doing their option of $25 of $50. Also, one advantage of signing up for store cards is they will mail you offers every month or so. Now, this also means you run the risk of debt from a store card. Just make sure you pay off the full amount each month.
A surprising source is the products themselves. You open up the product, and there sitting inside (or printed on the cardboard) is a coupon for your next purchase, or a rebate offer.
The last source (though there are more I'm sure) are magazines. Some advertisers will include a coupon in their ad.
Now, how the heck can coupons pay for your vacation (or house, or pay off debt)? Aside from an actual coupon, or redeeming credit card points, they can't directly. However, if you account for the money you save using coupons, it can very well help you pay for whatever it is you want. Keeping track of how much you actually save from coupons to use towards the fun requires a little planning though. Unless you are a human computer and can keep track in your mind.
Here's a suggestion:
First: keep your receipts. Most nowadays will have the total amount saved at the bottom from sales and coupons. Next: Create a savings account and put however much you saved into that account. So, if you used $7 in coupons at the grocery store, put $10 into the account. Put even small amounts in. It helps if your savings account is linked to a checking account, therefore you make do this all online. It may seem pointless to do this but, if you save $10 a week on your grocery bill (more if you include sales and whatnot or include extrabucks from CVS as coupons) then in one year you will have an added $520 in you account. Doesn't seem like much, but that could mean staying an extra 2 nights in a hotel on vacation. Oh, and lastly: enjoy the money in whatever way you feel fit.
I personally like to make it a goal to save "x" amount each month from sales and coupons and using that money to pay extra on my student loans that month. And then the next month, I see if I can beat that.
Everyone has heard the saying that a little bit can go a long way. The same goes for money. Except in this case I like to say a little bit of saving goes a long way. The easiest way to save money: buy things when they are on sale and use coupons. What do you do with the extra money? It's up to you. For me right now, it's paying off a credit card debt and paying off student loans.
So how does one get coupons in the first place?
The most commonly thought of place is the Sunday paper. However, before buying the paper every week, it's a good idea to know how many coupons will be in it. The Sunday paper here varies each week with which coupons (SmartSource, P&G, etc) will be in the paper. If you use a lot of coupons from each, then it probably won't matter to you. If you're like me and only typically use coupons from one that's not in there every week then you may want to skip buying the paper the weeks those coupons are not in there.
Another source is from stores. Many stores, when you sign up for their email list they will occasionally send you coupons. A recent one I received from NY and Company: Spend $200, get $100 off meaning if I bought $200 worth of stuff, I would only pay $100. Good deal huh? I ended up doing their option of $25 of $50. Also, one advantage of signing up for store cards is they will mail you offers every month or so. Now, this also means you run the risk of debt from a store card. Just make sure you pay off the full amount each month.
A surprising source is the products themselves. You open up the product, and there sitting inside (or printed on the cardboard) is a coupon for your next purchase, or a rebate offer.
The last source (though there are more I'm sure) are magazines. Some advertisers will include a coupon in their ad.
Now, how the heck can coupons pay for your vacation (or house, or pay off debt)? Aside from an actual coupon, or redeeming credit card points, they can't directly. However, if you account for the money you save using coupons, it can very well help you pay for whatever it is you want. Keeping track of how much you actually save from coupons to use towards the fun requires a little planning though. Unless you are a human computer and can keep track in your mind.
Here's a suggestion:
First: keep your receipts. Most nowadays will have the total amount saved at the bottom from sales and coupons. Next: Create a savings account and put however much you saved into that account. So, if you used $7 in coupons at the grocery store, put $10 into the account. Put even small amounts in. It helps if your savings account is linked to a checking account, therefore you make do this all online. It may seem pointless to do this but, if you save $10 a week on your grocery bill (more if you include sales and whatnot or include extrabucks from CVS as coupons) then in one year you will have an added $520 in you account. Doesn't seem like much, but that could mean staying an extra 2 nights in a hotel on vacation. Oh, and lastly: enjoy the money in whatever way you feel fit.
I personally like to make it a goal to save "x" amount each month from sales and coupons and using that money to pay extra on my student loans that month. And then the next month, I see if I can beat that.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Why I Don't Want a Wedding
*Note: I have nothing against traditional weddings, this is just a post on why it wouldn't be right for me*
The post on why I'm not getting married before 30 mentioned in the end that I don't want a traditional wedding: getting married in front of all my family and friends and a wedding reception to follow. I would rather get married in Vegas, preferably by Captain Jack Sparrow or Reba but I'll settle for Elvis. And before I get emails about it, no, there is no man (or woman for that matter) in my life right now. But I'm pretty sure that when I do find someone I can stand to be around for the rest of my life, they will have no problem skipping the risk of having a bridezilla on his hands days before the wedding.
Like most females, yes I have put some thought into how I would like my wedding to be. See, I can be a little girly at times. My ideas are just a little different than most.
So to answer the main question: Why Vegas?
I remember my mother saying when I was teenager that if she could do it all over again, she would probably get married in Vegas (yes mom, you said that, remember my memory is stellar). I thought about it and said yes, that would be a lot of fun. Plus, I get to skip the stress of actually planning a wedding (I really don't care about centerpieces and would probably drive a wedding planner crazy with that attitude). I'm not one to be at the center of attention, I don't want all eyes on me. Or dealing with all the hair, makeup, getting the dress on- picking a dress too! For something I'm going to wear once, those things can be expensive and I'm pretty frugal. I'd probably ask my mother to make one along with all her pillowcase dresses for her granddaughter. AND I get to avoid the whole hurting someone's feelings if I don't ask them to be a bridesmaid or pick one person to be the maid-of-honor over another (not saying that it would happen, the people I would probably ask are pretty cool about those things).
Plus, Vegas would be fun. If we wanted to get married in 2 months, we can. Don't have to worry about buying dresses and tuxes, reserving a reception place, caters, centerpieces, the money, sending out invites, posing for all the pictures (because I don't understand the whole looking at your flowers pics. Why do photographers do that? Yes, they're flowers, we all don't need to stare at them), getting a photographer. Okay, I would want some professional-like pictures being taken but not the staring at the flowers one ::note to self, no flower bouquets at the Vegas wedding.....HA! Can't make me stare at flowers then!:: I mean, when I see pictures like that from other people's weddings, I think they look nice but I would burst out laughing if I have to stare at flowers. Whoa, way off track. Where was I? Oh yes, essentially, I could get married faster with 1/10 of the hassle/stress of planning a wedding.
Some questions I'm sure people are wondering.
1. Would my parents agree with this?
They save a ton on skipping the wedding/reception route AND get an excuse to go to Vegas......what do you think their response would be?
2. What if the guy doesn't want to do that?
Quite honestly, I don't think we would be getting as far as an engagement because our personalities probably clash too much. And the thought of a church wedding scares me.
3. Would you let family and friends come?
Sure, all who want to go would be invited (except crazy exes).
4. Why make everyone travel so far?
The way I think of it, if I was to have a wedding, it would either be here, back home, or wherever the guy is from or currently living (hopefully we are at the same address by that point). Someone is going to have to fly across the country regardless of where it is.
5. But....no reception even?
Okay, I was lying a little when I said that. I wouldn't mind having a small get together where I'm living at that point and back at home with friends and family to celebrate, especially if not all are able to fly across the country. But something small at either my parent's house or at a small banquet hall.
6. And your dress?
I'd buy a dress, not a wedding dress, but a nice one for the occasion.
If you have ever been married in Vegas (or somewhere similar) or skipped the whole ceremony (ie court wedding) please share your stories on what you did, whether or not you regret it looking back, and any ideas on who to be married by in the comments below.
The post on why I'm not getting married before 30 mentioned in the end that I don't want a traditional wedding: getting married in front of all my family and friends and a wedding reception to follow. I would rather get married in Vegas, preferably by Captain Jack Sparrow or Reba but I'll settle for Elvis. And before I get emails about it, no, there is no man (or woman for that matter) in my life right now. But I'm pretty sure that when I do find someone I can stand to be around for the rest of my life, they will have no problem skipping the risk of having a bridezilla on his hands days before the wedding.
Like most females, yes I have put some thought into how I would like my wedding to be. See, I can be a little girly at times. My ideas are just a little different than most.
So to answer the main question: Why Vegas?
I remember my mother saying when I was teenager that if she could do it all over again, she would probably get married in Vegas (yes mom, you said that, remember my memory is stellar). I thought about it and said yes, that would be a lot of fun. Plus, I get to skip the stress of actually planning a wedding (I really don't care about centerpieces and would probably drive a wedding planner crazy with that attitude). I'm not one to be at the center of attention, I don't want all eyes on me. Or dealing with all the hair, makeup, getting the dress on- picking a dress too! For something I'm going to wear once, those things can be expensive and I'm pretty frugal. I'd probably ask my mother to make one along with all her pillowcase dresses for her granddaughter. AND I get to avoid the whole hurting someone's feelings if I don't ask them to be a bridesmaid or pick one person to be the maid-of-honor over another (not saying that it would happen, the people I would probably ask are pretty cool about those things).
Plus, Vegas would be fun. If we wanted to get married in 2 months, we can. Don't have to worry about buying dresses and tuxes, reserving a reception place, caters, centerpieces, the money, sending out invites, posing for all the pictures (because I don't understand the whole looking at your flowers pics. Why do photographers do that? Yes, they're flowers, we all don't need to stare at them), getting a photographer. Okay, I would want some professional-like pictures being taken but not the staring at the flowers one ::note to self, no flower bouquets at the Vegas wedding.....HA! Can't make me stare at flowers then!:: I mean, when I see pictures like that from other people's weddings, I think they look nice but I would burst out laughing if I have to stare at flowers. Whoa, way off track. Where was I? Oh yes, essentially, I could get married faster with 1/10 of the hassle/stress of planning a wedding.
Some questions I'm sure people are wondering.
1. Would my parents agree with this?
They save a ton on skipping the wedding/reception route AND get an excuse to go to Vegas......what do you think their response would be?
2. What if the guy doesn't want to do that?
Quite honestly, I don't think we would be getting as far as an engagement because our personalities probably clash too much. And the thought of a church wedding scares me.
3. Would you let family and friends come?
Sure, all who want to go would be invited (except crazy exes).
4. Why make everyone travel so far?
The way I think of it, if I was to have a wedding, it would either be here, back home, or wherever the guy is from or currently living (hopefully we are at the same address by that point). Someone is going to have to fly across the country regardless of where it is.
5. But....no reception even?
Okay, I was lying a little when I said that. I wouldn't mind having a small get together where I'm living at that point and back at home with friends and family to celebrate, especially if not all are able to fly across the country. But something small at either my parent's house or at a small banquet hall.
6. And your dress?
I'd buy a dress, not a wedding dress, but a nice one for the occasion.
If you have ever been married in Vegas (or somewhere similar) or skipped the whole ceremony (ie court wedding) please share your stories on what you did, whether or not you regret it looking back, and any ideas on who to be married by in the comments below.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)