THE HEALING POWER OF POLE

Confidence. Self-Love. Trust.

These are not the first words most people think when they’re introduced to pole dancing. People tend to think of shady establishments with low lighting and scantily-clad women who dance around a pole and remove clothing to entertain guests. Pole dancing is more than that.

Pole dancing is a sport, and that surprises many people. According to the International Pole Dance Fitness Association (IPDFA), the history of pole dancing dates back to before the 12^th century. The IPDFA says that modern-day pole draws from different styles of pole dancing, including Chinese and Indian style pole. While both styles did have artistic qualities, the focus remained on strength, skill, and agility. IFPA goes on to say that today’s pole dancing not only draws from its origins, but also adds in expressive elements that were influenced by various styles of dancing. Despite the long, rich history of pole dancing, very few recognize it as a sport.

Even fewer people realize that pole is a powerful healing and empowering sport. Paula Brusky, PhD, Founder and Owner of Aerial Dance Pole Exercise LLC, is trying to share that empowerment with all women. Brusky discovered pole fitness while she was in Australia doing graduate research. She returned to Wisconsin found no pole studios in sight. She had a dream of sharing the sport of pole with other women, so she started Aerial Dance Pole Fitness LLC in September 2010. “The reason I wanted to expose women to pole was the empowerment it naturally gives,” says Brusky. She has seen students come through her door who were frightened to wear shorts and fearful of the studio’s wall of mirrors. In a few months, those students are confident enough to wear the small pole shorts that allow for more movement. Those students also smile at themselves in the mirror now and no longer fear what they’re seeing. “It’s such a cool change,” says Brusky, who knows the empowerment of pole through her personal journey. “Pole made me accept myself as I was,” says Brusky, “I hated wearing shorts, and I was terrified of my body after a sexual assault. Pole made me realize that I am strong and O.K. just as I am.” She still recalls her pole-breakthrough moment vividly. “The first day I lifted my weight into [the pole move called] a Twisted Overhead V, I knew that I was the only person who could truly take my power by being afraid of my own potential.”

Aerial Dance Fitness Instructor Kim Simon has the opportunity to witness many journeys as she teaches, and she notices a change in her students as they continue through their classes. “When students start in a beginner class, they are generally quite timid,” says Simon, “but by their last beginner class, they have so much more courage and meaning in their movements. They become more self-assured and more confident in their skills.” Simon found the healing power of pole in her own journey as well. “I struggled with eating disorders when I was younger, and I had low self-esteem and a poor body image when I started at the studio,” says Simon,” Working out at the studio and being around such positive women has had a tremendous effect on me.”

One of those positive women, Kyra Evers has been dancing at Aerial Dance since January of 2014, and it’s been a powerful experience for her. Her gymnast background helped pique her interest in the aerial arts, and she hasn’t looked back. “Pole is a way to incorporate my love for all things acrobatic with sensual expression, which I’d never really felt comfortable with before,” says Evers, “Pole lets us revel in being physical, creative, emotional, and allows us to express sensuality in a safe way, on our terms, in a safe place.” It wasn’t just the love of the gymnastic and the appreciation of the sensual nature that got Evers started in pole. “Part of the reason I started pole was to celebrate the body I tried to destroy with eating disorders,” says Evers, “I spent nearly seven years struggling with bulimia and various other eating disorders. I was trying to die—not lose weight. For me, the disorders were about control, which I felt I didn’t have in my life.” Evers has heard Aerial Dance be referred to as a sanctuary, and she doesn’t disagree. “Everybody helps each other and celebrates each other’s accomplishments, large and small,” she says, “It’s a safe and welcoming place, and you are treated with respect, patience, and plenty of encouragement.


Each journey is unique, though they all come back to confidence, self-love, and trust. “Pole makes you trust yourself,” says Paula, “If you don’t trust yourself, you don’t take your feet off the ground. As you learn to trust your body, you climb and spin and laugh, and learn that you were strong all along." 

You're Moving--Now What?

I have a friend who is about to move out on her own for the first time. She asked me some questions, and for any advice I had on getting her first apartment and living alone. I tried, but I'm not sure how helpful I was! It got me thinking... what sort of things would I tell someone?

As you can clearly see by the mere existence of A Day and A Dollar, I always have advice and an opinion at the ready :).  I've moved just four times as an adult (I'm 23 at the time I'm writing this). A couple of those times have been post-breakup start-overs for me, where it felt like I was in my friend's shoes--new apartment, all by myself. I'm also making a cross-state move after I graduate university this fall, so I've got moving on my mind. I've got some pieces of advice for the singleton moving into a new place. You can also mold these to fit couples too, if needed.

Before you find your apartment...

Housing should only account for 35% of your budget!

Set a budget. Do this before you even start apartment hunting! This will help you determine what you can afford for monthly expenses. Incorporate your predicted rent, and list all bills you will be paying and their proposed amount. If you don't know some of the supposed bill amounts, like water or electric, be sure to ask the landlord. After you finish that budget, assess it. Can you afford what you're looking for, or do you need to find something cheaper?

Set your priorities. Consider the qualities and amenities that you require from an apartment, and those that you can live without. The very first apartment I lived in (which I lived in with a significant other) had a dishwasher and it's own washer and dryer. That was stellar! When I started looking for apartments on my own after our breakup I realized that those weren't things that I needed to have. I could hand-wash my dishes and go to the basement to wash my clothes in the communal laundry machines. Options like air conditioning, covered parking, and pet acceptance are also some more popular variables to consider.

Do a site visit. These can take up a bit of time, but are absolutely crucial to the apartment-hunting process. Turn on and off all lights and all faucets. Flush the toilet. Open the cupboards. Listen to the environment--is it too loud for you? Too quiet? Don't forget to ask the landlord any questions that come to mind about the apartment you're touring. What are things that you want to know if you choose to rent this place? This would also be the opportune time to ask about the usual cost of utilities.

You've been accepted and are going to move in.....

Read and Ask--Everything. Listen to your landlord when you go to sign the lease, and read that thing through. Ask any and all questions that come to mind regarding your apartment and what is allowed. You probably won't be in a room with your landlord this long any other time in your tenancy, so ask away. Some questions I'd be sure to cover are:

• Whom do I make my payments to, and in what forms are they accepted?
• When does the power bill usually come? water bill?
• How can I contact Building Maintenance if I have a problem?
• etc....

Do the initial apartment evaluation. It's generally not required, but it is highly advised. You can do this before you move in, or just after. Unless you are renting an apartment that was just built, there's going to be some wear-and-tear. Document everything you find, or at the very least, cite "normal wear-and-tear" on the evaluation sheet if it's applicable.  Failure to complete this sheet could leave you paying for scratches and dents you didn't make and losing part of your precious security deposit.

You're preparing to move.....

Make a list. Start taking inventory of your belongings. What are you taking with you? What do you still need to buy? What can you donate? Write it all down, and put those decisions on paper. You can certainly change your mind if you need to, but if you can make the decision now, it's one less decision to make on moving day.

Get thrifty. Sure it's nice to have some new things, but unless your budget allows for all new things without taking out debt, you're going to have to get thrifty. Check your local thrift stores and consignment shops for deals on furniture and home items. You might be surprise by what you find, and how affordable it is! The money you save by purchasing thrift items can be put towards a bigger investment, or in your emergency fund.

Ask for donations. Not money, but necessary items--only if you are lacking them! I have quite an extended family, who happened to have a lot of things they were looking to get rid of when I decided to move into my own place. If your family has a few things to get rid of, take advantage of that. My cups, bowls, and plates that I still use today are donations I got from family when I moved out.

You're in, and now the fun begins...

Get organized. If you don't use a planner, I would start now. If you're not willing to have a paper

This is a very fancy version, but you get the idea!

planner or use an app in your phone, then I highly suggest a dry erase calendar board. Write your work schedule in, your paydays, and your bill due dates and amounts. Not only can it help you remember when you need to pay the bills, but it can also help you break down how much you need to save for bills each payday.

Get lost. This piece of advice is usually a bit more applicable if you're moving to a place you're not familiar with. I moved across the state when I got my first apartment, and each time I've moved, I've moved into parts of the city that I've never been to before. In order for me to get familiar with the best ways to get around and to discover all the important places, I needed to get a little lost. I'd drive down one street and see where it took me, and the do the same in the other direction. Certainly do this with some caution, but know that once you find your way back home, you'll be far more familiar with your surroundings than you were before!

Talk to your teller. Yes, this sounds weird, but hear me out. An important part of living on your own is managing your money wisely. Your teller can't tell you how to do it, but he/she can let you know what kinds of products or services they offer that can help you. The credit union I work at has a Bill Pay service, which allows you to enter all of the people you owe and pay each of them, as needed, with a click of a button. I have a few different club savings accounts set up for specific bills, like rent and car insurance, and those are also things a teller can help you set up. They can explain automatic transfers (good for saving!) and the timing of  payments processing in and out of the financial institution. To explain the later--my credit union posts credits in the mornings, and pulls debits and automatic transfers after close. They also post ACH payments (think direct deposit or an automatic withdrawal by a company) once a day.  Knowing this information can help you time your bill payment appropriately, as well as help you save money for those bills.

Enjoy! This is your place--enjoy it! Make it your own. Revel in the independence. Have an adult beverage and give yourself a pat on the back for adulting :)

Hey, it's your place--you can drink wine in the tub if you want to! ;)

Move Towards The Light!

I have encountered a lot of people that do not save their money, and it blows my mind. Some of these people just spend every penny they have, and some  just do not know what saving money means.

If you are either of these types of people, please--- move towards the light. 

Move towards the light? Yes, the light at the end of the dark tunnel that you feel yourself walking down. If you are a spender or saving-illiterate, your cash flow probably causes you stress, and may even make you feel like you're never going to get out of this dark tunnel. I know. That was me, and it was definitely a terrible tunnel to be traversing. 

Never fear--there is a solution. But first... 

Pull your head out the sand and quit believing the lies you keep telling yourself, like: "But I just don't earn enough money to save any of it, I just can't." Anything along those lines--Forget it. That is the self-pity that got you in this mess in the first place. One slick solution to your money problems is to get another job. That's what I did, and I can save my money a whole lot easier now that my income has increased. If your excuse is that you just don't know how, please also pull your head out of the sand. There are resources everywhere. I've found some pretty good ones that you can check out on my What I Read page. Lucky for you, you've landed here, where I'm going to break it down for you. 

Here's the process:

Estimate: Sit down near the end of a given month and estimate how much you will make and what your monthly costs are going to be for the next month. You can separate these by bills (rent, car loan, electric, etc), but you also need to break them down into categories like entertainment, groceries, and gas. You can create as many categories as you think you need. Congratulations, you've just created a very rough budget! 

You deserve this--creating a budget is some serious adulting. Just don't break your computer screen.

Track: Every. Single. Transaction. You make. Cash, check, card, credit, anything. Yes, this takes some work--welcome to being a financially responsible adult. Every expense should match up to one of the categories you created when you estimated your monthly income and expenses. You need to track your expenses and your income because you need to become mindful of your cash flow and your spending habits. You can do this in a notebook, on a spreadsheet, or even in a smartphone app. 

Calculate: Alright, so you've made it through a whole month of tracking. Gold star. Now it's time to do a little bit of math. 

• Add up all of your transactions for each category. You can go further and calculate percentages. Most spreadsheet templates and smartphone applications will actually make those percentages into a pie graph, which can be really helpful. 
• Add all the categories together, and subtract them from your total income. 

Consider: Just take a good long look at these calculations and ask yourself: 

• Where is your money going? 
• What category is the biggest, besides your rent/house payment?
• Which category's total surprises you the most?
• Are you spending within your means? As in, are your total expenses less than your total income?

Your face when you realize how much you're spending. It was definitely mine when I did this the first time!

Cut: This is the hardest part for some people, because they actually have to engage their willpower and change their habits. Some will throw their hands up, flip their middle finger, and walk away--consequently walking away from a more secure financial future. Here's how this one works:

• Find a category where the expenses can be reduced. Most common are categories like Entertainment, Eating-Out, and Clothes/Shopping. Trust me, you can cut expenses here. 
• Set a goal to reduce spending in that category for the next month. I suggest starting small, maybe +/- $20, because it's easier to deal with small amounts if you've never cut expenses before. Think of it like a financial diet. If you go into a diet completely cold turkey, you're far more likely to make unnecessary errors. If you start cutting expenses big-time and aren't mentally prepared for it, you're likely to stumble a whole lot more.
• Actually cut your spending. Time to walk the walk! One less trip to Starbucks, cook a couple more nights a week, and/or pack a lunch--all of these things can help you cut your spending in Eating Out. If you're struggling to figure out ways to cut costs to meet your specific goal, use this wonderful invention that you are cruising right now: the Internet. Pinterest, specifically, is extremely helpful, though extremely addicting. :)

Save: Don't give up on me yet, this is the part you've been waiting for! Let's say you set a goal to cut your expenses in Eating Out by $20, and actually did that. Congrats! Now don't spend that money-- SAVE IT! I personally recommend putting it a savings account that is not attached to any debit or ATM card, so you are not tempted to pull it out. Some financial people will recommend an automatic transfer into savings, so you don't spend that money without realizing it.  Talk to your credit union Member Service Representative or your bank Personal Banker to learn about your options. Here's what you can do with those savings:

• Short-term savings goal: This is usually something that you will be paying for in less than a year. This tends to be a vacation, someone's gift, or perhaps some new furniture. It can be easier to save for these over time than to pay for them out of one paycheck. I save half the cost of my rent from each paycheck so I can ensure I pay my rent in full at the end of the month. I also save bi-weekly for my car insurance which comes due every six months. I saved up for my soon-to-be-done tattoo this way too!  
• Long-term savings goal: These can be as long-term as retirement, or a little shorter, like yearly property taxes. If you have children, their college fund also falls into this category. I save bi-weekly for my eventual move across the state. 
• EMERGENCY SAVINGS: For the love of everything financially holy, create an emergency savings account! Life is unpredictable, and tend to throw out a few expensive curve-balls. An emergency savings is meant for just that--an emergency. It should be able to pay for 2-3 months of your expenses if you lose your job. It will also come in handy to pay unforeseen medical bills or car repair bills that could pop up. I've been slowly building my emergency savings, and I can say that I could definitely live for at least one month off of what I have saved. I still have a ways to go, but I'm keeping at it! 

Evaluate: So, you've done this whole process and managed to put some money away. Reflect on your experience, and consider the following questions:

• What have you learned?
• Where did you struggle?
• If you made mistakes (we all do!), how can you avoid them?
• How close are you to your savings goals?
• What can you do to save even more?

When you start to see your savings balance increase.....

Repeat: This is not a one-time deal. This is a perpetual process that will, if you stick to it, lead you to build a healthy savings balance. You will find yourself completing these steps simultaneously--you will track as you cut costs and save money. As you continue to repeat this process and become more comfortable with it, you will probably modify it. For example, I used to track my expenses physically . I no longer do so, but I do keep a general ledger in my mind. Since I used to physically track those expenses, I know what my theoretical pie chart will look like if I go outside of a spending limit in any one of my categories--and it's not good!

There you have it. It's no longer a mystery. Now you can move towards the light at the end of that long dark tunnel, and join the rest of us who have decided to use our money for our future, and not just our present! Welcome--it's a great place, isn't it? :) 

Slightly Controlled Chaos :: My Working Student Survival Guide

I know I'm not the only working student out there. I've got friends who do the same as I do--and some of them have it even harder than me! They've got kids, car troubles, or other troubles. I feel the struggle, but I know my struggle could be harder.

Now that that's out of the way, let's be real--being a working student sucks!

Unless you're one of those "naturally talented" people, university classes can be tough and time-consuming. They're stressful at times. Add into the mix two part-time jobs and the need to fully self-support, and you've got a very interesting recipe.

I have had people ask me how I do it. Usually I answer with, "I don't know, I just do." This is fairly accurate, but I realize that doesn't really answer the question. There's certainly a nutshell version, but that wouldn't make for a very fun blog post, now would it? ;)

So, how do I do it?

This was April 2016.... see what I mean? :)

A LOT of Planning and Time Management-- Work shifts from two separate jobs, classes, homework, shopping, chores, appointments, and various other things all require time. I used to schedule everything in Google Calendars, but I've found I do better with a large book-style planner. Everything is written in and a majority of it is color-coded so I can make quick assessments regarding my day, week, and month. I also write down my bills and their typical due dates, because those dates tend to creep up. I've also got notes for myself regarding the dispersal of my paychecks, so I can make sure that I save for everything I need. It's important to stay on top of my money as well as my time!


Open Communication-- I do not hide the fact that I juggle two jobs and university classes. Both of my employers are aware of my situation, and I make sure that all of my project group members, and even some of my professors (if necessary), know too. This way, if I am unreachable or hard to schedule, they know why. People aren't always happy to hear this, but they tend to understand.

Prioritization and  Sacrifice -- In order to perpetuate this organized chaos without having it fall apart, I have to prioritize and sacrifice. My priorities are 1. School 2. Work  3. Social Life. Truthfully, 1 and 2 flip-flop depending on my circumstances, though I try to keep school first so that I can get done with it faster. Outside of school and work, I don't socialize all that much. I'm usually at home studying, sleeping, or cleaning.

Balance-- I just listed school as my first priority, but the truth is that I am my first priority. If I don't strike a fair enough balance between all of the things on my calendar, things tend to go badly. If I work too much, I will get sick, get migraines, and/or get very depressed. If I get too wrapped up in schoolwork, I can go a little postal. This balance is a constant struggle, but the closer I get to it, the better I feel. The better I feel, the more likely I am to survive the day with any semblance of sanity.

Hollywood Undead as my Fall 2015 pre-game. Please excuse the sh***y quality pic!

Rewards-- Even though sacrifice is required, rewards are too. If I'm going to work my tush off day in and day out without rewarding myself now and again, I'm going to burn out and break down a whole lot faster. I like to set up some short-term rewards, like going to my favorite restaurant, seeing a movie, or getting a new purse or item of clothing (if I know I can afford it!). I also like my pre-game/post-game ritual with my school semester. Before semester starts and after it ends, I treat myself to a really nice dinner, a concert, or anything else (within reason). It helps me look forward to the semester, and it really feels good when semester ends! Really though, a reward doesn't have to mean going out. Sometimes, it's really rewarding to have a day where I can sleep in, or maybe I get to sit and watch my favorite show for a while, instead of doing homework. I can't constantly reward myself, but if I do it regularly enough, it helps me get through.


Relaxation-- It's really easy to get wound up when you're a working student. Double shifts, no weekends, long days, and endless homework can be taxing. So, I do my best to make sure I get to relax. Imbibing an adult beverage or three is one way, but it isn't the only way. I like to head to the aerial studio when I get a chance. I get to be around some great people and I get a little exercise, and I always feel better when I leave. Sometimes I will write, and there are just some days where it's nice to just lay down in a quiet room and just breathe. When you're always surrounded by people at work or at school, and your brain is always running between everything, it's nice to have a moment where you can calm it.

Also this. This happens when I lose it.

Just Lose It-- There are some days of exceptional stress where I lose it. I get angry that I'm always working and can't do somethings that I would like. I get stressed over what needs to be done. I get frustrated because I feel alone and like I'm never going to be done with this work-work-school-work scenario. I will break down in tears, and I let myself get mad, sad, frustrated--whatever I need to do. I can't keep it together all the time, and losing it for a little bit helps me keep it together the rest of the time.


Suck It Up, Buttercup-- After I've lost it, I remind myself that I still have a lot to do. It was OK that I lost it, but now I have to suck it up and keep going. The world hasn't stopped turning, and there is still homework to be done and bills to be paid. I don't like having to juggle this, but this is how it is and I've got to just pull myself together and get it done. No excuses.

My support network is. For sure.

Support Network-- This is, by far, the biggest reason I'm able to do the working student thing. Anyone who has to undergo this kind of stress needs to have someone, and hopefully a number of someones, to turn to in their darkest hours. I know that I can talk to my family and they will help me keep things in perspective and remind me that I CAN do this. I don't see my friends much anymore, but thankfully they understand what I'm doing and they've been there to listen and motivate on occasion, and their presence is a pick-me-up too. Just being around the ladies at the aerial studio is great, and the fact that they greet me so kindly every time they see me means a lot!  I know I could turn to them if I needed to. I've also founds some pretty great classmates who are great listeners and fun to be around. I also try to be supportive to others, because I'm so grateful to receive the support I do have. Listening to others helps me put my own things in perspective!


So there you have it! That's how I do it. I hope this helps you if you're going through this or are about to. I hope it gives perspective to those who don't have to do this.

It can be extremely stressful, but the rewards are that much greater. To all my working students--we got this! We can do this! :D

If a Teller Could Tell...

When most people think of a teller (or, in my case, a Member Service Representative :) ) position, they assume it is a boring job where you give people money and take money in. Most folks thinks that we perform that basic task, and that's it.

Well, they're wrong. 

We see a lot more than you think! You don't think we're watching you? See above!

I've learned a lot from my duties, but I've learned even more from listening to and observing the members I work with. There are a few things that I'd like to share with you!

You Have Resources: No matter what financial institution you go to, you have a wealth of resources, and your best resources are the staff. As a teller, I have a general knowledge of all of the products we offer, and I can help assess what best suits your situation-- just talk to me! In a bind? Let me connect you with a loan officer! They're all knowledgeable, though I know which one would be the best one for you! Want to know how to avoid fees? Ask me! Also, most financials have a TON of links to useful stuff on their websites!

You Have Power: You have it, and you need to exercise it, This is your money. There are certain limitations to today's financial technology, but your basic needs can often be met with click of a button or the swipe of a card. I tell members day in and day out that they have as much, if not more, control than I do over their account in their online banking and/or with a debit or ATM card. This is true no matter where you go! You can change how your money moves, change your information, and, for some places, even open an account and/or start a loan online. This is YOUR money--take control!

You Need to be Careful: Fraud is so common right now and a lot of it is motivated by the upcoming EMV conversion.  I process debit card disputes quite regularly, and it's frightening. Though there are certainly cases where people are unlucky, there are just as many cases where people made foolish and/or unfortunate decisions. NEVER EVER give out your debit card number or account number to someone (even a business) that you have not done your due diligence on! To avoid unlucky mistakes, stick to cash and credit. Credit cards tend to have less liability, and they're not directly attached to your account.

In this situation, you are the baby and the fraudster is the bunny.... and the cookie is your money. 

Bonus Advice: Avoid paying at the pump for your fuel if you can. The key for all of those units are universal, and the number-stealing card readers are often sneakily installed inside those pumps by crooks. Pay inside to keep your card information safe!

My Job is Highly Regulated and Highly Technological: Off the top of my head, I can list six federal standards that I have to abide to daily, and I know I'm forgetting the names of a few. If I break any of those standards, I can lose my job, be find hundreds of thousands of dollars, and/or serve jail time. I have been on the receiving end of some nasty phone calls blaming me for not doing something that "I should have done." One example that comes up more often than it should is post-dated checks. First, folks, you can't do that. That's a bad and outdated practice. Second--once that check is electronically scanned into the Great Unknown Land of Checks, you are S.O.L. because no human ever sees that check again. Your money comes out electronically. Are you starting to follow me here? Don't blame--learn. 

Things Are A'Changing: I've always grown up in the land of plastic, but it didn't use to be that way. Today, the financial world is making advancements in card security and person-to-person payments. The rules need to be changed to suit the new technology. Get informed, and prepare yourself. You will be dealing with government red tape, BUT you will also get to witness some of the greatest advancements in financial history. 

You are Your Greatest Enemy

Have you become the person you want to be? Have you reached your goals or achieved milestones that you're proud of? If so, congratulations! If not, why? What's holding you back?

I believe that there are two major things that hold people back from achieving their dreams: Fear and self-pity. Sure, circumstances play a part, but it will still come back to these two reasons. 

Fear is one of the strongest emotional forces we feel. This primal emotion has kept us alive for thousands of years.  While fear can preserve your life, it can also hinder your progression through it. I'm certain we've all turned down a great opportunity because we were afraid. 

Self-pity is a little more complex. If something traumatic has happened, it's perfectly normal and acceptable to feel sorry for yourself. Also, we need a little self-pity in order to make sure we take care of ourselves! When that self-pity keeps you from reaching your full potential, it's become a problem. When you start singing the "Woe is Me" song as soon as someone starts asking the hard questions, then you've succumbed to self-pity. 

The good news? You don't have to succumb to those forces any longer. You have the power to move past those forces to better your life. 

This can be you :)

Identify: Where have these emotions held you back? What triggers them? Why have you succumb to them? Progress can't be made until you can answer "why."

Plan: Now that you know why this is happening to you, you need to figure out a way to combat it. When you feel yourself give into these emotions, what are you going to do resist?

Act: The first two steps are all for nothing unless you follow through. When you're presented with a situation where fear or self-pity could hold you back, will you follow your plan and fight it?

I recently learned that my hours were being cut drastically this fall. I knew it was coming, but I was in a blissful state of ignorance.  I didn't realize how much of a problem it would be until it was right there in front of me. I began walking down the road of self-pity. This wasn't bad at first, since I had ever right to be worried and upset. It then joined the path of fear, where I began wondering if I could even pay my bills this fall. Would I be able to make it?

My first reaction: panic

Then the September schedule came out. I looked at it, and my heart dropped. The first words out of my mouth were, "I need to get a second job." It was both an obvious statement and a full realization of what needed to happen. I started taking steps, and now I'm waiting to hear back on a job. If it doesn't work, I'll keep looking!

Am I scared for my near future? You bet. Do I feel sorry for myself? Unfortunately, yes. Yet it has not stopped me from making positive change in my life. I will not be a victim of circumstance, because I intend to make my own.

No complaints. No excuses. Just actions.

I want to hear your thoughts and plans! Comment below or tweet me at @Violet_Lyte !

I'm not Broke, I'm a Money Ninja

I'm a college student, and that means exactly what you think. I'm becoming well-educated and (hopefully) establishing my future. I'm learning new things and solidifying skills I already possess. I'm also short on money quite often.

I'm not usually that low anymore, but it's scary when it is!

Part-time work allows me to attend classes and complete homework, but that same arrangement doesn't lend itself to a copious amounts of money. The logical step is to seek secondary gainful employment, which I'm in the process of doing. Until it comes to fruition, I've got to do with what I have.
In order to stretch the dollars and pinch the pennies, I've got to be creative and resourceful. If there's a way I can save money, I'm all for it. Between my own experiences and what I've heard from others, here are some of the ways we're able to make ends meet:

Collaborate: We live downstairs from some of our long-time friends. Not only can we be social, but we can also share. Instead of each cooking a meal on our own, we will have nights where we make food to share.

Use your resources:  There are local food pantries in larger cities. Green Bay has a couple! Also, if your situation is extremely tight, you might consider applying for state food benefits.

Coupon: Whether you go all in and buy a bunch of stuff or you just buy what you need, these lovely little scraps of paper can really help out.

Search engine+"coupon" = winning

Watch Your Community Calendar: You never know, there might be free food. If the right opportunity arises at the right time, it could mean the difference between eating well or being hungry.

Sell Things: I'm only 23, but I've got some things I could stand to get rid of: clothes, books, purses, knick-knacks, etc. I find that yard sales are good for the little and older things, while it's faster and easier to sell the more valuable items online. You'll find a system that works for you
NOTE: AVOID THE PAWN SHOPS. Sure, what they offer might seem like a good deal, but its not. The interest on those short-term loans is ridiculous and they tend to low-ball you when you sell. They are not looking out for you, they are looking out for their bottom line.

Odd Jobs: Ask your friends and family if they have any odd jobs they need help with. Perhaps you'll get a few bucks, or maybe they'll "pay" in a meal. It certainly depends, but it's always worth a try.

Get Creative: Instead of giving into the urge to drain your money with fast food, get creative with what's in your kitchen. Take a gander through your cabinets and see what you can combine!

These are what I've seen and/or used most often, but do you have a better idea? What have you done to pinch those pennies? Tweet me at @Violet_Lyte or comment below!