Do you know how much it stinks to finally grow up and deal with things in the "real world"? I definetly figured this out quickly last week. As I have discussed before, I am signing my lease for my apartment on Friday. This is all exciting news and such, however along with an apartment meant I have to set up arrangements to get TV/Cable, internet, and energy. Naturally, I assumed this would be a fairly simple process, much like signing up for a new email account, or something of the sort. WOW WAS I EVER WRONG...

First of all, I logged onto the websites of the local cable and internet providers, hoping to compare prices and get some basic information on their packages. No. That's asking too much, apparently. I found it ironic that their websites did not list any clear prices for me to compare, but rather I had to CALL the companies individually and begin setting things up (whether or not I wanted the service) in order to understand a price. I found the sales representatitves to be pushy and confusing, and I was quickly overwhelmed into agreeing to mystery packages of services for my new place. After wasting THREE HOURS (this is not an exaggeration) on the phone, giving out my credit card and social security number to these companies (which was required, mind you. I am not normally one to give out either information very easily), I had two dates set up for service men to come out nd set up my cable. I found that there was no other way to get the information I needed to make a decision about my services without actually making the decision...if that makes sense.

i think/hope I finally got this sticky situation figured out It took a lot of research, talking to friends who have been through cable/internet/new home setup, and a few firm responses to the pushy sales representatives. This situation taught me how harsh and confusing the real world is going to be, and that not everything is simple and cookie-cutter. Preparing for this new apartment has definetly helped me realize how nice it has been to live in the dorms for two years, because you don't have to worry about cable, heat, water, internet, etc...bills. However, we all have to grow up sometime, and perhaps this is my time?

Hey everyone.  Welcome back of course.  I just wanted to talk a little bit about how dang hard it is to save money when you're a college kid.  I worked over the summer of course, and what do I have to show for it?  Well, I do have a new apartment, but after that, only an empty wallet.  I am trying to be more "responsible" as my parents would call it, when it comes to money.  Here are a few do's and don'ts when it comes to using your hard earned cash.

What you do want to do:  Always make sure you have enough stashed away for the essentials.  This means make sure you can make all your payments to the electric company, pay rent, etc.  You don't want them turning off the power when you're in the middle of a 10 page essay.  You want to plan some kind of budget.  Mine is still a work in progress, but it's getting better.  I can estimate what I'm going to need for groceries and gas and then I go from there.  You also don't want to kill your social life.  Make sure you still go out, but try to find cheap places to go.  Hang out with your friends at someone's pad.  Let them pay for the Payperview fight your about to watch, then leave as soon as it's over.  You know their parents are paying for it anyway.

More importantly, here is what not to do:  Don't go golfing so much.  I know you want to, but it's just not in your budget.  Maybe play every once in a while at a public course.  That should hold you over until the PGA calls.  Try to avoid the movies.  I know they're fun, but if you can wait a while you can rent it for less than half the price.  Don't splurge for things you don't really need.  I have been living the past few months without even basic cable.  I thought it would be impossible, but I am able to pick up enough ESPN highlights online to hold me over.  Do not, under any circumstances, buy that Ralph Lauren sweater that you want so bad.  In many cases, you will end up like me, scrapping for enough pennies in the couch to put some gas in your car.

If you follow some of these tips as they relate to you, you should be alright.  At the very minimum, you want to get some kind of budget in order so you can start seeing the benefits of all those pizzas you tossed over the summer.  See ya later.

Hey everyone.  As many of us like to do, I have started planning for summer a few months in advance.  I know many of us can't wait for school to be out.  It's a bittersweet moving process for me.  I will likely be leaving my apartment in Delhi to move back in with my dad for the summer.  I like the apartment, but I need to go home and work to support my healthy spending habits.  My roommate is also planning on heading home for the summer.  I don't know how many more opportunities I will get to mooch of my dad during the summers, so I definately value the time I get to spend with him.

Aside from that, I am already planning a golf trip with some of my high school buddies.  It's a good way to spend money that I haven't even made yet.  On the other hand, I would never put a price on getting out of town and golfing with my friends.  It's my ultimate form of relaxation.

The highlight of my summer has already been set in stone though.  I am lucky enough to have a very thoughtful girlfriend who bought me Red Sox v. Yankees tickets in Boston on June 11th.  That's right.  We'll be packing our bags and heading to Fenway Park, one of the oldest stadiums in baseball.  It's about every baseball fan's dream.  I told her I'd make the trip worth her while by taking her shopping in New York City on the way up.  I guess we'll make a real vacation of it.  On the downside, you can't get a hotel in Boston during Yankee series for under $300.  We're still deciding if we want to stay outside of the city a little bit to avoid some of the costs. 

I realize that I am going to be having a great summer, but I also know I am going to have to buckle down and save some serious cash.  My dad is about to disown me with the way I spend.  I tell him it's not fair because the majority of what I spend is on food, and I gotta eat.  I'm a growing boy.  Not so much upwards these days though.  I find my jeans fitting tighter and tighter these days.  Anway, I am definately looking forward to a great summer.  I hope everyone out there is planning some fun things too.  See ya everyone.

So I noticed today that I am going into the RED ZONE!  My bank account is down to $15.00 I have a credit card bill of more than $200.00.  I don’t want to turn to my mom because as I am she is going through a tough time.  As I am lucky enough to have developed a great relationship with the management at Hollister where I work, I hope to get more hours.

College is rough.  It costs a lot of money and I know that.  I am lucky enough that my parents did what I hope to be able to do in my future.  My parents both worked 60-70 hour weeks and my father traveled for the longest time to help earn enough money to help pay my education.  I have to pay parts of it here and there but in this time of the slow economy I am picking up more of the cost.

I am going to have to stop shopping, buying groceries and cut back on going out.  I hate borrowing money from my mom.  It is really hard for me to say “Hey.  I know you have taught me to save and not spend but I need to borrow some money.”  She will make me pay her back before I am allowed to borrow more money.  It just stinks that I have gotten my hours cut back to 6 hours a week at $7.30.  That’s a tiny pay check.

Well I have learned my lesson finally.  I realize that these luxuries have to go and I have to buckle down for the time being.  I can’t frivolously spend my money anymore.  It seems we all have to make cuts.  I am going to have to sit down and realize what is important and what’s a luxury and what is a necessity.  We will get through this and then I can spend my money more freely yet still be saving more than I spend.  Hopefully  this time comes sooner than later.

Car troubles seem popular right now, the high volume of friends complaining about running me everywhere and high prices on gas. See the problem is I don’t drive. I can’t afford a car, especially when the gas prices are almost four dollars a gallon. Its trouble finding a decent car the runs on good gas mileage, and the fact that I’m having a hard time trying to get a job while working my tail end off on my studies. It’s kind of hard getting a job when you don’t have a car. It would take me fifteen minutes just to walk there. That’s if I got a job down in Delhi Plaza.

Also, my girlfriend drains me of any cash I do have, whether it’s on buying her gifts, taking her to expensive fairs, paying people gas to see her, or supporting her filthy smoking addiction. Once we went to the brown county fair and I spent nearly fifty bucks on a stupid balloon game while trying to win her a big stuff animal.

Anyway back to the point. I’m starting the matt rose fund to try and get my car purchased. I’m going to place banners all around the school and jars with my name on it labeled as; “Matt's Car Fund”. It would be unacceptable if anyone put pennies in it. I only accept cash, though plastic works great too. I hope through this fund that I can raise 15,000 dollars so that I can get a nice new car.