Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/592671
Allaroundthecountry, newly minted high school graduates are heading off to col- lege. They'll be taking a lot of things with them, but we know that finan- cial literacy is not one of them. If I could spend just two hours with these awe- some students, this is what I would attempt to cram into their heads, then pray that it penetrates their hearts: A BUDGET IS YOUR FRIEND. That means you: 1) have a written plan for how you are go- ing to spend your money, 2) use that written plan like you would a road map, consulting it of- ten and 3) use a site such as Mint.com or a pen- cil and paper to record how you spend every nickel. SallieMae.com has a monthly budget work- sheet to help you esti- mate your costs and keep expenses under control. GET A FREE CHECK- ING ACCOUNT. It's not easy these days to find free checking accounts with no strings attached — no monthly fee, no minimum balance requirement and no minimum deposit. But many banks, such as U.S. Bank, do offer free student accounts that fit this cri- teria. Explore banking op- tions in the city where you will be attending school or find out if the bank or credit union that your par- ents already use offers free student accounts and has a branch near the college campus. CREDIT CARD DEBT? Don't be ridiculous. Credit card debt has the potential to sink your ship. Think of it like cancer. At first it's small, barely notice- able. But then it starts to multiply, and, if not dealt with swiftly, will do hor- rible things to your life. Never use a credit card to pay for things when you don't have enough money. That is the fast track to fi- nancial trouble. You do not need to have a cent of credit card debt to build a great credit score. Please do not use "build- ing credit" as an excuse to burden yourself down with credit card debt. LIVE WITH CASH. Your generation has been some- what brainwashed to be- lieve that plastic is the only safe way to pay for things. That may be true if you buy things online, but over all it is very un- true. I don't have the time or space to get into a long dissertation on the sub- ject, just believe me when I tell you that using cash — currency, greenbacks, dollars, coins — will sim- plify your life and keep you from overspending. EAT YOUR FOOD PLAN. If you or your par- ents have paid for the school's meal plan, you need to know how many meals are covered, and then do something re- markable: Actually eat those meals. If you're eat- ing pizza in your dorm room or driving through Burger King instead, you're just throwing away money. It might feel cool to spend your money like that now, but you will re- gret it later. DON'T BECOME A STARBUCKS REGULAR. I want to say "never," but I'll compromise a bit on this one. Seriously, the coffee at Starbucks or Coffee Bean or any other trendy coffee house is so expensive it al- most makes me choke. Let your grandpar- ents and others know how much you love Starbucks gift cards. They are anx- ious to know what they can send to you while you're away. Then use the gift cards instead of your cash. Think about it: If you spend $3 a day at Star- bucks, that's $90 a month. On coffee. Multiply by nine to see how much you'll spend in a school year ($810). You don't want to spend your money that way. Buy an inexpensive coffee maker instead, and make it yourself in your room. BUY USED TEXT- BOOKS. The cost of new textbooks is going to be so shocking, it will make you want to chew your hair. You can cut that cost in at least half by buying used books online or even rent- ing them. KEEP SEARCHING. Students who couldn't se- cure a scholarship for the fall semester shouldn't give up hope. Many schol- arships have spring dead- lines, so continue your search during this school year and next year, too. Just keep applying. Take these basic money principles and apply them to your life starting now. And have a great year. Wouldyouliketosend a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@ everydaycheapskate. com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Ste. B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. EVERYDAYCHEAPSKATE Acrashcourseforincomingcollegefreshmen The Resource Conser- vation District and the city of Red Bluff will pres- ent the final presentation of the four-part speaker se- ries Drought Busters 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the Westside Room at the Red Bluff Community Cen- ter. Guest speaker Michelle Dooley, with the State De- partment of Water Re- sources, will highlight drought symptoms, such as receding groundwater elevation and its impact in our community. KRCR Meteorologist Rob Elvington will discuss the science behind the El Nino and what it means in the fourth year of drought. Dave Schlom, a Corning High School teacher and host of North State Public Radio's The Blue Dot Re- port, will shed light on how the media reports weather changes. The guest speakers will answer questions after each presentation, there will be a raffle drawing at the end of the evening and every participant will go home with a free drought kit that includes water con- serving devices and a list of tips for dealing with drought conditions. Thanks to the Job Train- ing Center for providing staffingthroughitsDrought Reliefinternprogramtode- velop the Drought Busters speaker series and to the city for providing the West- side Room at the Commu- nity Center, as well as pro- moting this speaker series throughout the community. The RCD is a non-regu- latory public agency whose mission is "to assist citi- zens with managing, con- serving, and improving the natural resources of Tehama County." The dis- trict is pleased to be able to respond to community requests for educational workshops, particularly on water conservation. For further information, visit http://www.tehama- countyrcd.org or write to scott@tehamacountyrcd. org. DROUGHT Speaker series concludes tonight COURTESYPHOTO Brentwood Skilled Nursing Facility and Rehab will celebrate with a safe and sane haunted house 6-8p.m. Friday, with trick or treats provided by residents and staff. The event is open to the public. For more information, call Susan Phillips, actives director at 527- 2046. HALLOWEEN Business to host haunted house Friday Mary Hunt PineStreetPlaza 332 Pine Street, Suite G Red Bluff, CA (800) 843-4271 Every Wednesday November 4, 11, 18 & 25 Stacy Garcia, Hearing Aid Dispenser Lic. No. HA-7440 NBC-HIS, Certified by the National Board of Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences 1795 Walnut Street • Red Bluff (530) 527-2046 www.brentwoodsnf.com BRENTWOOD Skilled Care Rehabilitation Services Al is well loved by residents and staff. Al is always willing to help others. He is always positive and upbeat. Al is a great Oakland Raiders Fan. Alfonso Gomez as an outstanding employee. employee of the month "Brentwood Skilled Nursing is proud to recognize LIFESTYLES » redbluffdailynews.com Wednesday, October 28, 2015 » MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A5