Having a credit card is a big responsibility, and truth be told, it’s not wise for everyone to have one. Some people are more disciplined than others and would be committed to paying off a credit card balance each month to prevent receiving penalties and fees. Others people…not so much.
So, how do you know if YOU are ready for a credit card? This is something you can figure out for yourself by answering a few questions.
Let me first say that neither plan is better or worse on its own. The best plan is the one that fits your finances and lifestyle the best. Let’s break each type of plan down so you can determine which is appropriate for you.
What’s for dinner?
Sure, you could grab fast food or pizza, but if you want to save money and calories, there’s a smarter way: preparing your own food. While it takes a little planning and time to shop and cook, think of the time you’ll save in the gym later, not having work off those extra junk food pounds.
If you’re making most of your own meals, here are some tips:
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our bills add up to more than we have. Although it’s tempting to ignore the problem, that will only cause more difficulty. Here are some tips on how to handle this short-term emergency.
1. Make a list of every payment owed, when it is due, how much is owed and any interest rate and any late fee charges.
Ever wonder why your parents complain about too many lights being left on or why they have a panic attack because the sink was left running? These things are done to try and save money on monthly expenses.
Don’t worry, you will find yourself doing these same things when you are finally out on your own. But why not adopt these energy saving habits in preparation for your move away from the nest? The water bill is one of the largest utility expenses a household will have. Here are some ways to keep this bill down to a minimum:
It’s a sad fact, but auto insurance is usually highest for teenagers and young adults—the people who usually have the least amount of money. Insurance companies look at statistics rather than individuals, and the statistics are alarming: teen drivers are more likely to be in a single vehicle car crash than any other age group.
Your driving may be flawless (maybe not flawless but really good!), and while you can’t always make the insurance industry see YOU, you can take some smart steps to help lower your insurance bill. Here are some tips…
In the U.S. it’s customary to give a tip to a person, like a restaurant’s server, who provides a personal service.
Many workers in the service industry, like a restaurant’s wait staff, aren’t paid the common minimum wage. Many are paid little more than $2 per hour, with the expectation that their remaining income is made up in tips. For the staff, that’s an incentive to provide better service in order to get better tips.
There’s nothing like the surprise of opening up the envelope and discovering that your bill is much more than you anticipated. Cell phone bills can end up costing much more than the advertised monthly fee. But, with a little detective work, you can figure out why.
Here are some of the usual culprits:
Leaving the house and moving out on your own brings about mixed feelings. As the teen, I’m sure you’re counting down the seconds until you can experience the sweet taste of freedom. There’s nothing wrong with that. That’s part of growing up. It’s now your moment to spread wings, leave the nest, and fly. But on the other hand, I’m sure it’s a little sad for you. For the last 18 years, all you’ve ever known was living with your parents and your family.
These mixed feelings are the same ones your parents are experiencing. Obviously, you see more of the sad side of them, but deep down, they are excited and proud that you’re moving on and growing up.
We all want the same thing with a job. Lots of flexibility, perks, high pay, work with friends, etc. Of course, it doesn’t always work like that. You can balance school and work but step 1 is to determine which one will dictate the schedule for the other. Meaning, if your classes end up being all day Monday, Wednesday, Friday and only until lunch on Tuesday and Thursday, then you’ll need a job with a decent amount of flexibility.
On the other hand, if you’re working a part-time job that requires you to work in the mornings, it means you can only take afternoon or evening classes. In general, businesses that hire a lot of college students understand that you’re in school and they need to be at least somewhat flexible with your schedule. They’ll be a lot more likely to work with you if you work with them. If you tell a prospective employer that you can only work one night a week and that you don’t do weekends and that you are only available from 4pm-6pm every other Thursday…good luck with that!
So as you start your job search, here are a few tips…