money

You Know What Really Grinds My Gears? Photoshop!

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by emilieflagg on March 20, 2012

Have you ever looked at a magazine and wondered how everyone looks so perfect? Are they from another planet? Are they robots? It’s natural to want to look like images that bombard us daily (magazines, billboards, internet, television, everywhere) because they’ve become ingrained in our heads. When we look in the mirror and see something different, it’s easy to be dissatisfied.

You know what I don’t like (besides everything else I’ve written rants about)?  These pictures aren’t people. They’ve been constructed by technology, plastic surgery, makeup, etc.  So I guess they are indeed a form of robot, which answers my own question! Guard your eyes- my intellect is showing…

Golly, these people don’t look perfect in real life?

Nope. Actually, there’s this program called Photoshop and boy, do they utilize the dickens out of it in good ol’ Hollywood (Watch how easy it is!). They can turn a 28 inch waist into a 24 inch waist, acne into crystal clearly textured skin, normal body fat into chiseled abs…the possibilities are endless. And so are the lies.

It’s Hollywood, Emilie. They aren’t lying.

I beg to differ, actually! I stand firmly behind my stake that fake images claiming to be reality are absolutely lies. I’ve wasted too much time wishing I could look like these celebrities, only to find out that my wish was kind of odd.  Why was it odd? Well, it was odd because- here it is again- I wanted to become a robot.

Their Plastic Surgeon= on their speed dial.

That’s an unfair statement to make; there’s a chance some celebs haven’t gotten anything “done” primarily for aesthetical reasons. But they certainly have the dough to do it, and don’t you think they may be… a little tempted?

Makeup Artists, Physical Trainers, Nutritionists- Oh My!

Most celebs have each of the on my above list. They aren’t specialists in these fields, they just hire them because- again, they have the dough to do so.

I could rant for hours on this subject. I do so because there are many people who believe they aren’t adequate based on their appearance, especially compared to robots. I would put a huge wager on You vs. Robots. So stop beating yourself up.

Do you ever compare yourself to pictures of celebrities?  Are you afraid of robots? 

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Get Money!!… and a Job

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by emilieflagg on March 1, 2012

If your Connect Card, like mine, feels a little lighter, my professional diagnosis is that it’s cash deficient and maybe it’s time to think about bringing it to the doctor. Just kidding. Actually, it’s time to get a job.

Motivation.

Looking for a job takes motivation. Money is obviously  a pretty strong motivator.   Or how about the elimination of that nervous feeling when we know we have only enough money for the moment, but what if-out of nowhere-you need a new tire? Or it’s suddenly someone’s birthday? Or your laptop breaks?

But how about if there is someone funding your needs and most of the things that you want all ready? Well, think of it this way: they won’t pay for you forever, and you also will need some job experience to get you by in this fast paced economic world we live in.  There’s also a strong sense of accomplishment we feel when we’ve truly earned something on our own. So find a motivation, and get on out there!

But where do I go?

Living on campus? The first place to check is the student employment office! And even if you don’t live on campus-although it may not be ideal, you can find a job on campus as well.  There may be some jobs on there that have been filled but are still posted online, so your best bet is probably to physically go to the employment office, located in Boyden Hall, room 101.

Dignity, SH-mignity!

Apply everywhere! I hate to tell you, but many of our first jobs won’t exactly be the most glamorous places in the world.  That doesn’t matter. There still IS a cool factor to that job- whether it’s scrubbing toilets at Taco Bell or holding a sign that says “75% OFF EVERYTHING” for passerby’s to see, and that cool factor= getting a paycheck (YAY $ !!).  Besides the student employment center (which may not have a job opening that works for you at the moment), and besides places you’ve applied to that are walking distance, where else can you look?

–The Internet, where else?

Okay, so Craigslist hasn’t exactly gotten the best rep in the last few years, but throughout my working life, I’ve found two successful jobs off of that site- so I can’t complain. If you are still completely against it, there are other sites that are more corporate(less privately regulated), such as Indeed.com. Type in Bridgewater in the “city” space, and nearby jobs will result from your search.

Bridgewater’s online news resource shows jobs nearby as well- at the top of the page it says “JOBS” and the link will take you to a job search site specified for the area.

Need transportation from campus? Look no further: BSU’s transportation page.

Make sure you are 100% prepared to fill out an application. Always bring a pen. Dress neatly, even if you are just walking in. And bring a list of references + their contact info with you. (Fellow RCC Blogger Ashley’s helpful article tells us all about references)

Remember, don’t give up. Finding a job takes time, and all ready you should be proud of yourself for your effort- it’s not easy! Keep your motivation in sight, and keep on truckin.’

Do you need a job? What are some things keeping you back from applying somewhere?  

 

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You Know What Really Grinds My Gears? Spending Money!

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by emilieflagg on February 21, 2012

I cringe every time I watch my bank statement go down.  Money, funds and bills are scary things! As students, calculating what we spend our money on isn’t an easy task.  Many of us have an enormous amount of things to pay for- college, books, gas, rent, car payments, food, clothes, etc. The Wu Tang Clan was right when they said “Cash rules everything around me.”

I have a peculiar obsession with “stretching a dollar;” I’ve been called frugal many times- which I consider a compliment.  But still, I feel guilty when I spend money on things I’d survive without-like getting my hair highlighted (robbery!).  To make up for some of the fun (but unnecessary) things I spend my money on, I go to great lengths attempting to save money in an effective way.

You don’t have to be cheap to be smart with money.  Us college students can save an extra dime without sacrificing quality, and without sacrificing(too many) guilty pleasures.

1.      Technology, man!

Yes, I AM that person who follows CVS, Amazon.com, and local grocery stores on Twitter. I don’t do this for laughs- I do it because they tweet discounts on a daily basis, and let’s confess that we’re all online more than we’d like to admit, so these savings will be on your brain- leaving you the hassle of remembering discounts.

2.       There’s an APP for that-

Although I’m that weird college student you know who gets the free phone whenever it’s time for an upgrade, most of you have iPhones, Droids,etc.  Lucky you, savings-wise: The ShopSavvy app will scan barcodes on certain products, providing pricing information and even locations with better prices  This app is SO worth it that I’m jealous that my phone is from the Middle Ages and not 2012.

3.      A little goes a long way.

Having a savings account is not only a potential life-saver, it’s also far less complex than it sounds.  Anytime you receive funds (get a paycheck, $ gift, etc), just set aside a small amount each time and put in savings. It adds up.

I hope these ideas can help you with saving money.  Remember, life is unpredictable, and saving money is much less painful than (dare I say it?) getting over your head in debt.   

 

How do YOU save cash? Do you use any finance apps? Have you ever used social media to keep in touch with your favorite store?

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