Friday Slump?

Friday slump? Missing that eventful, unforgettable or forgettable college party weekend you used to have all the time? And have nothing better to do but clean your place or grab a redbox? (Which both have its perks) You may be thinking your social life has fallen to the slumps. Truth is, it's OK to have a productive or lazy night in. Or call up a distant friend, and grab a bite to eat. It will make all the difference on your Friday night!

Money Tip for the day!

Money tip for the day: keep your money a secret. I have found that discussing money with others becomes too defensive and offensive in more ways than one.

If you are making a lot of money, and everyone knows it, people start to wonder where your money is going. If you don't make a lot of money, and everyone knows it, they will wonder where you got that new car from or why you picked up the bill at the bar that night. It's nobody's business.

Finally got that big paying job? Awesome! Just try not to brag about it too much. Your friends may wonder why you keep choosing to stay in and "save money". Resentment may grow. More likely than not, your friends do not know your financial situation and do not need to know. After all, it is YOUR situation.

Need help paying a bill? CALL YOUR MOM AND DAD! They raised you, and they are there to help you! Never forget that. Asking for money outside of the family usually ends up causing conflict. You won't want to call up that friend and hang out until you pay them back. Or they start to resent you because you haven't paid them back yet, and they really need to pay for something of their own. And when you see that friend, there will be an 'awkward turtle' in the room. *Always pay back whoever you owe. Don't get a reputation of breaking promises. Asking your family for financial help will save embarrassment from your friends and coworkers.

It's your life, your job, your money, and your future. You can share these things without sharing too many details.

Money Savers Guide Part 1

You have probably read numerous articles on the concept of saving money. That is, if you are looking to save a dollar. And this article is completely bias to a mid20s, unmarried, no children, college graduate female. But I thought this would be a good place to share a few tips I've learned since being on my own:

• You do not need a NEW outfit for every occasion. I know your girlfriends probably shop around for every big night out, but I promise this is not necessary. Most of us have been to weddings and college parties, and have dresses that have only been worn once. Pull one out, mix up your jewelry/accessories and make it your party dress with a new look.
• Buying good food is more important than another trip to the mall. I know a new shirt or scarf seems to have more value than food because well, they will last longer. But this can be a dangerous trap to fall into. You need to EAT well to FEEL well. If you starve yourself of good nutrients, quality brand food, and full meals, you will end up being more unhappy with your day, yourself, and your mood.
• When you purchase, make sure it's not an impulsive buy. Put a little thought into your buys. 
• Never spend more than you owe. If you are in your mid20s living in the Chicagoland area (cost of living differs), and Mom and Dad no longer support you financially, you probably have more than a few bills to pay each month including: 
• School loans
• Credit Card
• Car payment
• Car insurance
• Phone bill (insurance usually included in bill)
• Health insurance (unless through employment or parents' health insurance until age 26)
• Rent
• Utilities (electricity, water, heat/gas, trash, laundry)
• Cable/Internet

(Don't forget about gas, groceries, and I-pass costs, as well.)

I can almost promisingly assume your bills will cost AT LEAST $1000 per month total. And I would say you're lucky if $1000 is all you have to pay. This is a rude awakening into the 'real world' that no one enjoys. But you have to face it-you are an adult now. And adults shouldn't be coddled. Now, I'm not saying Mom and Dad helping out isn't a good thing. It's a GREAT thing! I would say that in this day and age, part of parenting is helping your children get out on their own. That could mean paying your child's phone bill or housing your child for a year or two or paying off their car until they get on their feet. However, some kids don't have this option, and their parents aren't able to stay afloat supporting their children and themselves. Moral of the story: never spend more than you owe per month. If you owe $1000 per month, do not go out and spend that thousand dollars before paying off all your bills for that month. 

• Unless you are a picky toilet paper shopper, the Dollar Store sells four pack paper supplies. So a month's worth of toilet paper should cost around $3-$4. 
• Do not forget to pay your bills on time. You will save money by avoiding those late fees. Set reminders on your phone or pay all your bills in one day for that month. 
• Do not buy a new car unless you have to. This is a payment that can wait. If your car is paid off, safe, and driving well-drive it as long as you can! My car is not safe, nor driving well, and I am in the process of searching for a new one.  
• Coupons are magic! If a coupon catches your eye before you throw out the ads in your mailbox, snip it and pin it on the fridge. I always hang up the latest Victoria Secret coupon on my mirror in case I get to splurge that month. Who knows. Maybe couponing will become a hobby of yours and you can be featured on TLC: Extreme Couponing. 
• Create a budget! This ties into 'Never spend more than you owe'. Create that budget of yours. Set deadlines to pay off your credit card. And make sure you know how much splurging money you have before buying that Michael Kors watch. 

That about sums up all of my most recent thoughts about finances. You may wonder why this post is titled 'Part 1'-this is because I still have much more to learn and share as I go. Be on the lookout for Money Savers Part II in the future!

Challenge yourself today!

Whether it's a restaurant or workout you've never tried -I challenge you to try something new today! Happy Friday!

Lost your keys?

I cannot even count how many mornings I have lost my keys. And usually it's because I forgot where I put them the night before. Just another tip I have yet to implement in my daily life from The Happiness Project. Every night before you cuddle your sheets and shut out the light, tidy up! Your morning will be that much more refreshing, and you won't be late for work. This morning, since I lost my keys, I also got stuck at train, causing me to be even more late. If I had just had my things ready to go the night before, I would have left for work on time and probably would not have had to stop for a train-resulting in being on-time, maybe even early for work!

New goals for next week: get that workout in before work, and tidy up before bed.

Goal setter, Go-getter

Time to be that goal setter, go-getter! It's never too late. And there is never a "right time" to start. New years is about a month away. Yea? So what. New years is a cliche, typical day to start something new. But, that doesn't mean it will stick just because you started on the first of the year. Don't wait another month to get started.

My goals constantly run through my head on a daily basis. I'm consistently thinking of the next big accomplishment I can pursue or the next big project of mine or the next big item/event to save up for. I have read in multiple books and have been told numerous times-WRITE down your goals! For some reason, we find validation in writing. Think about it. Signing a contract is validation because all the ins and outs are written down. Writing a journal is validation for those secrets and precious moments in your life. So I encourage you to write it down. Take a minute, without exhausting your brain, and jot down a few goals you have for December. Heck, even for next week!

Wait a minute! Stop right there. Remember to jot down goals for December and December only! This process becomes exhausting when you start writing down long term goals. In my opinion, long term goals are extremely important to keep in mind, but don't put all your expectations on those goals happening when and how you want them to. The thing is, being in your mid-20s, you are probably not married (although, many folks are), in a job situation that could change day to day, and living in temporary circumstances. My life has changed drastically since college graduation. And I mean immensely. I stopped talking to the college ex, moved home, my family moved away, worked many jobs, started grad school, took a break from grad school, lost friends, gained friends, moved into my own apartment, found a love story of my own, learned to cook more than just mac n' cheese and cookies, accepted that I am now a soccer coach and not a soccer player, and the list goes on and on. Needless to say, our lives are not set in stone at this age YET. Who knows if our lives will ever be set in stone. Instead of focusing on your long term goals, focus on what you can do now. Embrace the mystery of these years, where they will take you, who you will become. 

I hope when I'm out of my 20's, I can look back at this blog and find my advice to be worth while. They call these the selfish years. Yes, think about YOU and what you can get out of your 20s. But still embrace your surroundings and the people that were put in your life, be kind and gentle to others, and keep on learning. That's pretty unselfish if you ask me.

Goal for this week: Start a blog.
Goal for next week: Wake up early and get that workout in BEFORE work.
(Writing this down to validate my goal for next week. Time to become a morning person.)

True Adulthood

Words of wisdom! Keep truckin' to where you want to be! True adulthood: love yourself.

"Accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher..."

Happy Thursday! Not. What a morning. I work with children, and anyone with experience in the education and child development fields KNOW how different kids can be one day to the next. I still find it so alluring but yet amusing how my 'troublemaker' child can be well-behaved one random day, and my 'superstar' child can be a wreck that same day. Then I realized, nothing has changed since I was five-years-old. Even now, one day I can be joyful and happy, and the next day I can turn into a complete mad woman. Lesson learned, do not write anyone off based on one day or one simple moment. Yes, first impressions are always key, but they are not always accurate. 

Today, try to give that annoying somebody a chance. Maybe there's a coworker you completely despise. Try grabbing lunch with that person. At least give that person an hour of your time to redeem themselves.

Another Eat, Pray, Love quote for today:

"...if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared-most of all-to face (and forgive) some very difficult realities about yourself....then truth will not be withheld from you."

I try to remember this EVERY day with every person I come in contact with, whether they are five years old, or fifty. This has really helped me become more loving to those around me, even when my first thought was to write them off. I've come to the realization that the people I cannot stand the most are usually a mirror image of what I don't like or what I used to not like about myself. Not in every case, but definitely in some. Now these people are teaching me, and I'm the student still learning at age twenty-three. There is no age limit on learning, and we are never too old to continue to grow as an individual. 

I'll say it again, and I'll mean it this time. HAPPY THURSDAY! And look at every moment today as a part of a journey, and every person as a teacher. 

Any great experiences today pertaining to this blog? Feel free to leave comments. I'd LOVE to hear from you and read YOUR story!

Lucky #7: YOUR WORK MATTERS!

Yes, that would be me. A college grad who took on six jobs before finding lucky #7 in these hard economic times. I've been a server, cubicle lady, babysitter, sales associate-even answered phones for a living. I am very blessed to have found so many opportunities in a short amount of time. And I am even more blessed to have found a career path I am passionate about. You can too!

Some believe that work is work, and it doesn't matter if you like it or not. This is absurd! Ladies and gents, WAKE UP! You will spend more time at work on a daily basis than anywhere else. YOUR WORK MATTERS! If you have the option to choose where you work, I advise you to explore that option. If there is a job that you want, and would do anything to have, keep working hard. Hard work pays off (cliche again, but true).

I remember about a year ago now, how frustrated I was over the idea of spending eight hours of my day working for the rest of my life-until I retire, if I even get to. And people wonder why the divorce rate is so high? How on earth can family come first in a world where work takes up a majority of your time? Now if I were President, and had access to all the money in the world, I would create a world with no work, just play. Of course, this will never happen. I remember becoming emotionally ill at the thought of how much time in my future will be spent working:

• working towards vacation days
• working towards a family
• working towards a new car
• working towards groceries
• working towards a big night out 
• working towards retirement
• working towards paying off a credit card
• working towards owning a house
• working towards a raise or promotion
• working, WORKING, WORKING

Think about it. If we ALL decided to work jobs we didn't enjoy, without a thought as to ever pursue a career path you are passionate about, we are all doomed. This world NEEDS passionate people. Our country NEEDS passionate minds. If you have a passion or a job you desire, I encourage you to go after it! Think about how much more you will enjoy your day, your friends, family, and loved ones if you are doing what you love day-in and day-out. Find that job you'd kill for...even if it takes working six jobs to get there.

$Lotto Winner$

As a fellow citizen of Chicagoland, I am saddened by my chances of luck tonight for the Powerball lotto. I'm not a lottery junkie by any means, but today I bought a ticket, hoping to be that lucky duck. Obviously, when there's a better chance of a hurricane hitting Chicago (a little sarcasm, I know), I didn't win. But the hours leading up to the Powerball drawing were spent pondering the idea, what IF I won?

No one person can be prepared for that amount of money being handed to you. I can only imagine what I would do with the money. Money is a powerful object. But there are even more powerful forces beyond money.

Earlier tonight, I found myself surprisingly tearing up while watching an episode of Back Story: Blake Shelton. You might call me a wuss, and I'll take that because I do indeed feel certain emotion at any given circumstance. Blake Shelton knows the feeling of loss, failure, triumph, and love just as any other human being would. It amazes me how present the people I have lost in my life are today. And how much I admire my mother for her strength after losing close loved ones. I looked over at my guy tonight, and once again, became overwhelmed with gratitude. I am so grateful to have such a loving, strong, supportive man in my life that I call my best friend. I am so lucky to be where I am today. After working six jobs in the last year, I finally found one that I am passionate about. After this long year and a half out of college, I really have discovered the meaning of friendship. And my family is safe and sound living in my old college town this very second. I am LUCKY! I am a lotto winner in my own life. And I know there's luck somewhere in your busy, confusing, flustered, mid 20's crisis, as well (or wherever you're at in your life).

Be your own lotto winner!

Be Generous

I can't believe there is only an hour left in my humpday frumpday workday. I'm learning the more positive energy you bring to your day, the smoother and happier your day goes.

More food for thought before engaging in Wednesday dinner:
"Generous acts strengthen the bonds of friendship, and what's more, studies show that your happiness is often boosted more by providing support to other people than from receiving support yourself." (The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin)

If a friend needs a friend, be there. If your man or woman needs support, be there. If your family needs your presence, be there. I have found that giving an hour to a friend who needs to rant about their situation, encouraging your significant other rather than nag, and spending time with your family is much more rewarding than focusing on yourself all the time. Give a little of yourself, and you will find little bursts of joy in return.

Be generous! Give a little! It is the holiday season afterall.

DO WHAT YOU LOVE!

This may sound cliche, and you probably have heard this from every college professor, friend, and family member you've ever had. But it's a good reminder. We only get one shot at life afterall (depending on your beliefs).

Writing has always been a hobby of mine-a place to release my thoughts, opinions, and emotions-because a piece of paper/computer screen won't judge what I have to say. Second to sports of course, writing is my passion.

It's only been a few days up and running, but I am so pleased with the joy I get from writing these blogs. DO WHAT YOU LOVE!

Another tip I learned from The Happiness Project: you can't make yourself love to do something.  But you can choose what you do.

Choose to do something you love today. It will make all the difference on this hump day.

Lunch-break Happiness

Here's a little lunch-break happiness for your hump day! Eat, Pray, Love is another one of my favorite self-discovery books of all time. Pulled this sucker from Elizabeth Gilbert's book during my lunch break:

"Happiness is the consequence of personal effort."

This book, also, reminds me of why I love The Happiness Project so much. Eat, Pray, Love is probably a self-discovery journey that everyone would love to venture on. However, most of us have a job you can't up and leave, rent to pay for the next year, kids, a significant other, or family you just can't leave behind. The Happiness Project is a much more realistic journey. I do encourage both books! And I cannot wait to finish The Happiness Project!

Make today a great hump day! What you put in, you will get out. Smile through the exhaustion and stay positive!

Hump Day

We all are so familiar with the term "Hump Day". But once we get over this "hump", it's the final stretch to the weekend! 

I can't speak for everyone, but Wednesday is by far my most exhausting day of the week. But, I always try to think of it like this:

IF I CAN GET THROUGH TODAY, I CAN GET THROUGH ANY DAY!

And it's so true. If you can get through your most exhausting day, whatever day that is, you can get through any day!

Wear your hair different today, switch up your typical sandwich and chips lunch to a Chipotle burrito bowl or a Portillo's salad, finish that project at work for brownie points from your boss, and remember that everyone around you is going through "hump day", too.

Happy Hump Day to all, and to all a great day!  

Tuesday Bluesday

You ever have those days where it wasn't spectacular, but it wasn't too shabby either? That would be my Tuesday and about every Tuesday that I can think of. I scratched a few things off that dang to-do list, made it to my kitchen table for a decent breakfast this morning, and completed a few mini projects to finish up my bedroom.

By the way, LIVE ON YOUR OWN! It is so exhilarating. And I don't mean go buy a house just yet, but grab a roommate or two, and get your own place. Living with Mom and Dad gets old, and feeling like you're imposing on the peace in someone else's house doesn't get easier. However, times have changed, and living with Mom and Dad straight out of college is more the norm nowadays. Nothing wrong with that. Just as long as you aren't living there for comfort. Step out of that comfort zone, save up a few paychecks, and spread those wings. I will not be deceiving and say that living on your own is easy, because it isn't. You have to budget and plan, keep track of rent money, and make sure you can feed yourself from the most likely empty pantry/fridge of yours.

I have the luxury of finally getting my own apartment, and having my car give out on me in the same few months. But that post can wait for another time.

A few things that can uplift your Tuesday 'bluesday' (figured it was a good rhyming word to accurately describe Tuesdays) going into Wednesday mood that I found to surprisingly work:

• Change your ringtone to one of your current favorite songs. You will look forward to hearing your phone ring even if you would rather not pick up.
• Change that phone background of yours that you are tired of looking at to another picture you love. You will instantly feel a sense of joy every time you look at your phone.
• Check into those extra boxes of clutter leftover from college.

I totally did all of these things and felt instantly relieved. I scavenged up a few old, still taped, boxes from college with some surprisingly useful items: cups, plastic wrap, plates, kitchen appliances, Christmas lights, an old Christmas tree, coffee mugs, paper towel holders, and towel hangers. I am still utterly amazed at what I found in my "college stash" that I never knew I had. 

Two things to definitely work on: 

• Get to bed earlier.
• Put my restless mind to sleep.
• Finish The Happiness Project book. 

After all, it was my motivation and inspiration for this blog.

Signing off tonight before my typical, mid-week crisis Wednesday,

Carissa

That dang TO-DO list

Halfway through this workday. Tuesday lies on a good place in the week. Not a sleepy, crabby Monday but not a midweek "hump" day break down either. Mondays and Tuesdays are great days to cross a few things off your mental to-do list. This is because both days won't interfere with weekend fun, and since they are dragging, typically miserable days, it will feel good to accomplish something that's important to you.

My roommate and I just decided to make Monday dinners our time to interact, catch up after the weekend, and stay involved in eachother's lives since after all, we are busy 23-year-olds.

Make today a great day! Cross a few things off that dang to-do list!

Rise and Shine!

After years of ignoring breakfast, and feeling like superwoman because I "didn't need breakfast", I am trying to treat myself to getting up just a few minutes earlier for breakfast.

TRY THIS! You owe it to yourself and your dreadful morning at work. Get that metabolism going and the brain flowing. I promise you will have a better morning. Rise and shine!

Boats

My mid-20's life crisis. Or so it feels. I am a 23-year-old college graduate, finding my way in the "real world", something that even parents and college cannot fully prepare you for. This blog is completely inspired by Gretchen Rubin's book: The Happiness Project. I started reading The Happiness Project a little over a week ago, and even words cannot describe my joy that has come from that book. Over the past few days, I have found myself talking to friends about the book and applying little "pick-me-ups" to my everyday life.

I am writing this blog for YOU, the 20-something year old who is completely in a, what feels like, mid-life crisis. And since, we are no where near an actual mid-life crisis, I call this a mid-20's crisis. I am in YOUR boat:

• The Entitlement Boat-where any and every aspiration, dream job, and hunk-of-love man should be yours because you are entitled to it. 
• The "I miss college" Boat-where you would do anything and you mean ANYTHING to be back in the endless partying, no responsibility, fast-paced, people everywhere, college lifestyle. And did I say party?
• The Broke Boat-where you realize how much money mom and dad used to spend on you, and how expensive you really are...and how broke you really are.
• The Useless Boat-where you think you have no significant use in this world, and you become depressed about it.
• And many more....

You name it, and I'm probably in that same boat with you every day of my existence. I am determined to tackle this mid-20's crisis if it's the last great challenge I accomplish. Not that I've accomplished the great, but I've had a good life. 

I am not writing this blog to make a point or cause turmoil. I do not have a specific audience or time-table. I just believe that I can experience this mid-20's crisis with YOU, whoever YOU may be. 

Signing off tonight,

Carissa