Purchasing Your First Car!

With the transition from college to the "real world" comes the option of purchasing a car! You finally have the chance to get your own set of wheels and let go of your dying vehicle or mom and dad's hand- me- down. Here are a few tips to get you started in your car purchasing process.

1. Plan, Budget, and Decide

Take sometime before even searching for cars to figure out if your budget can provide you with a car and if you even need one. Purchasing a car is a big monetary decision and requires planning and budgeting. Your current car (if you have one) may not even need to be replaced, and deciding not to buy a car after graduation can save you some serious money. During this time also decide what type of car you want. Used or new? What make and model? What features must you have? Asking people who know a lot about cars can be helpful.

2. Explore Your Financing Options

Purchasing any big ticket item requires some saving and budgeting, and buying a car is no different. If you are buying a used car, paying with cash out right may be an option. Check out your local bank or credit union to see what type of car loans they provide to assist you in the buying process. If you already have a car, look for the possibility of trading it in. Don't forget other expenses such as tags, titles, insurance and a down payment. Incorporate these things in your budget.

3. Shop Around

Buying your first car doesn't need to be a hasty process. SHOP AROUND! I repeat! SHOP AROUND! Visit online sites such as carmax.com and autotrader.com to compare prices and deals. Pay attention to advertisements and sales put on by your local dealerships. Don't be afraid to test drive different models to see which car is the best for you. Be sure to check the Carfaxs of cars you are seriously interested in! 

Happy Shopping!

Transitioning Your College Wardrobe for Corporate Wear!

So you've landed a job after graduation! You're so excited...until you look in your closet! We all will come to the point where we notice where our wardrobe is abundant in yoga pants and college tees and lacking in slacks and blouses! But don't worry. Here are a few ways to spruce up your current collegiate wardrobe and make it suitable for corporate or workwear. And on a budget!

1. Add a Statement Piece

You probably have at least one pair of slacks, a blazer and a few nice-enough shirts you could incorporate into your workwear. Spice up those pieces with a statement necklace or shoe that adds some personality to your outfit. Charming Charlie has great options for jewelry and they even divide their stores in sections by color. Check them out here.

2.Add a Pop of Color

You can also add to those staple pieces by purchasing items that add color to your outfit. Target and Forever 21 have options for colorful blazers and cardigans that are appropriate for the office. 

Target: Click Here

Forever 21: Click Here

3. Add a Bag

One sure way to upgrade your wardrobe for the office is with a sleek bag. Choosing an oversized tote or structured bag adds sophistication and class to any outfit. H&M is a great place to find these bags. Check their selection out here.

4. Spruce Up Your Makeup

Now don't go crazy here! We still want to keep a professional look. But don't be afraid to swap out your gloss for lipstick. Stick to pinks or reds and keep the eyes simple. Ulta is a great place to find brands that compliment your skin tone and won't break your budget. Look at some of their options here.

Transitioning your closet for the office can be easy, fun, and inexpensive! Which tip is your favorite?

Essential Leadership Skills

Yep. Another post on leadership skills. In the transition from college to the work environment,or any stage in your life, leadership characteristics are valuable attributes to have. They not only give you a one up on your colleagues but provide opportunities for growth. Here are 10 leadership skills to have that make will make you stand out!

1. You have to give more than you get in return right away.
2. You have to invest in yourself when no one else will.
3. You have to grind out the details.
4. You have to do your own research even when you are handed the "facts".
5. You have to be kind to people, even when they are rude to you.
6. You have to try and be prepared to fail. And then try again.
7. You have to be accountable for your actions.
8. You have to keep moving forward.
9. You have to take risks.
10.You have to lead, even when no one is following you.


Which characteristic is your favorite?

Sticking to a Budget for Groceries!

 

Budgeting can be hard for any circumstance, but with transition in the real world comes the budget for groceries! As of now, we live on a campus that provides lunch and dinner for us as well as surrounding restaurants that cater to all our cravings! This soon shall pass and creating a budget for grocery shopping will come in handy to prevent you from starving!

Before you even enter a store, you should plan ahead. This includes creating a budget and list of the foods you need and want to buy. You might want to go as far as planning out your meals to avoid any impulse buys. Budgeting should also account for your needs and wants as far as food. Meat and produce should account for this biggest part of your budget with other food groups following behind. Also NEVER and I mean NEVER go to the store hungry! This has happened to me plenty of times and I've ended up buying way more than I needed and the food has sometimes gone to waste!

Before shopping, you also want to check sales ads and circulars for coupons and stores that may have better deals than others. While shopping, be aware of the items that can take money from your budget where you can save. Like brand name vs generic brand. In some cases brand name items are better than the store brand but now stores are becoming better at making products that heavily compete with brand names. Brand names should apply to items such as toiletries, alcohol products, medicines and other items that may not compare to the store brand. But even when buying these, be sure to check for sales at stores and coupons that can help you save. Store brands can account for simple items like pasta sauce and noodles, spices, meats, and other snack items. These are things that are usually the same as brand name items.

Last piece of advice: try to avoid impulse buys. We always go to the store and end up buying more than we need. It's easier to do this when mom and dad are taking the bill. These "small" purchases end up taking well saved money from our budget and half the time are things that go unused. Also, use reusable bags! Its good for the environment and it saves the hassle of finding a place for those stupid plastic bags!