University S.W.A.G. (Save While Attaining Goals)

Ballin’ on a Budget

Yes, the title was stolen from here. In my previous blog, I explained how one can survive a semester in university and achieve great grades. Today, we’ll explore how one can survive on the generally frugal, tight, menial, limited budget of a university student.

No tax + coupons = Super Savings!!

1. Do you need this? That is the first step to spending money. Is the item something you need? If so, you should make an effort to get it. (This does not include the latest fashion, cell phone, tattoo or shoes).
2. Budget. It’s that simple. Draw up a plan and include all sources of income. List monthly needs first (bills, groceries, school supplies) and make that a permanent item on your budget. Pay your bills on time to avoid interest and late payment fees. This money is not to be touched for any other purpose. Then add your miscellaneous items and save the rest for a rainy day.
3. Coupons. If you have access to coupons, use them. In Atlantic Canada we have [some] tax-free weekends (Fri & Sat) and 10% Tuesdays (with student ID). I give these people a run for their buck when I pop in on a weekend with my coupons. This also helps you to stock up, so you don’t run out of much needed items every month. I’ve saved as much as

   

   Coupons help a great deal!!

   
   

   $63 on groceries before in one trip. This works!!
4. Sale days. You have clothes. You don’t need to shop every weekend. Wait for days that they have sales; hunt online for coupons of some of the stores and use the coupons on the sale days. Trust me, it’s worth it!!
5. Partying. Are you a party-goer? Sure you are! Include parties in your budget. That way, you won’t overspend and end up broke Monday morning.
6. Prepare lunches for school (learn to cook, too!). I know. It sounds tedious… inconvenient even. But picture this: A meal cost on average 7-10 bucks. If you’re at school all day, you may need to eat twice. That’s 20 bucks. You could purchase bread, some deli meat, chicken, pasta and some orange juice with that $20. You could make at least 3 days’ meal with the items listed (you gotta get creative)!

   

   Stock up for that rainy day!!

   
   

7. Purchase course materials online. Books are cheaper online. It’s as simple as that. Do you need a new book (only to get that “new book” smell)? Consider purchasing a used book from a large distributer or your local online book store. It works out cheaper in my case and I’m able to resell the material at a matched price (WIN!!!).

For my readers in Jamaica who do not benefit from coupons or sale days, I would recommend using the wholesales. Same items; less money. Shop around. Find different stores and compare prices. Oftentimes, brand name stores cost more than the local grocer.

I have saved a lot in the past school year, and with these simple tips, I’m sure you can too!

Have a great, successful (and frugal) school year JGIC fans!!

“Having money when needed is a balm to the mind.” ~JGIC

 

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Setting Realistic Educational Goals

I have been a student all my life and passed through one of the most gruelling education systems known to me. I have also been an educator in one of the most gruelling education systems; so in this blog, I will use my combined experience as an educator and the educated to assist you, my readers in high school or university, in setting realistic educational goals.

1. Do not procrastinate: Once you have received your assignment, begin working on it the SAME DAY. Gather the information for your Bibliography and work on formulating your thesis.

2. Get home work “Post-Its:” Gone are the days when people use “Home-Work” books. Grab some colour-coded Post-Its and label your assignments by urgency. As soon as you complete that assignment, you can remove that post it from your wall. This also helps you to actually SEE your assignments on your wall – sort of like a daily reminder.

2b. Use colour-coded folders: I often use red for the course I hate most (Yes, we end up with one course we hate every semester). Use the folders to safely store your hand-outs, work-sheets and past test papers for easy retrieval during your exam period.

3. Volunteer/Join Societies: This is very important. You are able to gain hands-on experience and form useful networks. Societies relevant to your course of study also help in gaining useful experience with relevant organizations.

4. Eat: It’s as simple as that. Try to remain healthy by eating. Do not become so pressured that you neglect your health and end up doing poorly in school. An empty stomach leads to an empty mind.

5. Stay organized: Use your Post-Its, folders and notes to stay organized. Date your work for easy location and keep your notes/folders in one easy to find location.

6. Make sure your professors know you: This is key. A student who shows interest by contacting the professor for clarification often ends up in the professor’s good book. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the professor before or after class (even if they seem evil/mean/intimidating).

7. Have a goal in mind: What grades would you like to achieve this year? I’m sure the answer is in the “A” range. This, however, takes work. Set your goals and find your niche. If you study alone, do it often. If you study in groups (I find this is a time-waster), make appointments early and get it done.

8. Do not compare yourself to others: If you see someone doing well and you don’t seem to be meeting your goals, take it easy. You may need to re-evaluate what you are doing and make changes to your plans. Find what works for you and stay focused.

9. All things in moderation: If you are a party-goer, do so in moderation. No sense paying money for school only to get mediocre grades and scrape through with a minimal pass.

10. Stay focused/Dream big: With school life comes part-time jobs (some that really suck), boy/girlfriends, and a tight schedule. Try to keep a level head and keep your dreams alive. Focus on your dreams and what you hope to achieve, and keep that at the forefront of your mind. Try to have some fun in between, too; the years in school will come and go quickly.

Education is a priceless gift to be treasured by those who have the privilege of obtaining it. ~JGIC 

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

**** Photos obtained from Google 

What Jamaicans think about Foreign/Foreigners

So I went home recently and was classified as a “foreigner.”

Jamaican Definition: Farina: Smaddy who go a foreign fe more than 6 days.

Translation: Foreigner: One who leaves Jamaica (to go anywhere) in an aircraft for more than 6 days.

As a foreigner, this means I am expected to take home lots of goodies for my people back home, have lots of money to spend and visit everybody I’ve known since childhood. So as usual, my dilemma was pre-destined before even setting foot outside of Canada. For one, I’m a student and flat broke and secondly, ain’t nobody got time for driving down all of Jamaica looking for everybody. So I went home and made a few observations. This is not one of my blogs to laugh about, just something to think about.

This is: What Jamaicans think about foreign/foreigners: (Video Soon)

1. Beg yuh a money nuh?/There is money everywhere: No, unlike Jamaica, if you miss a day of work, you miss a day’s pay which can affect your entire budget.
2. Carry one Galaxy S100 fe me nuh!/You can always take home a cell phone: Contrary to popular belief, cell phones here aren’t cheap. You need a plan in order to get them cheap/free. Plans are costly. So no, I can’t bring a cell phone.
3. Yow, Missa Chin!!/ Every Asian is known as Mr./Ms. Chin: This is one of the most hilarious things ever!Once you look Asian, you're now known as Mr./Ms. Chin.
4. Carry suppen fe me nuh!/ You must be able to take something home: This ties in with #1. No. Without money, we can’t buy anything.
5. Yuh nah sen a barrel?/ It’s Christmas; barrel time is imminent: With my student’s salary, it would take me approximately three years to pack and send the smallest barrel on the market. No.
6. Gimme dat nuh!/ Give me whatever you are wearing, you can afford another. So, you want me to walk around bare-butt, bare-back and barefoot because I can afford to get clothes/shoes cheap overseas? So what do I wear for the remainder of the time I’m home? Important questions.
7. Carry two bakkle a cologne fe me/Bring some perfume please. Well, the airlines have started to charge for bags, so the colognes might be cheap, but to check that bag might cost more than the cologne itself. Highly unlikely.
8. Carry two name-brand shirt fe me/Bring some brand name clothing home, will you? What is considered brand name is often everyday wear for people overseas. So, that is often just plain irrelevant.

So my foreigner status obviously needs to be revoked. I’m still a bruck-pocket hustler trying to survive in a country unknown to me. I go to school, I do darn well at it and I miss home. I miss the good cooking, the fish and festival/bammy. And yes, our food is superior! Bursting with flavour and goodness. I don't get that luxury here; and I’d like to enjoy my visit without feeling guilty that I didn’t remember to take something for someone. It’s not as easy as you perceive it to be. The dollar is stronger, yes, but harder to work for and even harder to come by without a job.

Much love same way. ~JGIC

 Comment with anything you'd like to add to this list. Video in the works!!

 

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies Major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

***Images acquired from Google

The Spirit of a Nation

Did you guys miss me? Please allow me to explain:

I was home recently… just in time for the IAAF track meet in Moscow. Can I tell you that everyone’s TV everywhere was locked on the event? I went to the local bank to handle some business; I noticed a massive crowd and rolled my eyes in anticipation for the long wait. Turns out the patrons AND the tellers were watching the event. Luckily for me, I was able to sneak in front of all those people to one of the tellers and was in and out in less than ten minutes.

Come on… I’m sure you would have done the same thing.

On the day Jamaica fought for the silver in the men’s 4x400m event in Moscow, I was in the supermarket. Again, this was the exact moment the event was being executed. Unfortunately, everyone was so transfixed on the event that I couldn’t get to squeeze past anyone to get to the front. Even the store managers were busy beating the life out of the counter top… as if sending their cheers through the television screen to the athletes. The anchor pushed from 5^th place at the 100m line to 2^nd place and held his position to the very end. As a result, counter tops, plastic bags, grocery carts and any object that can be pounded or pushed made a rhythmical TAP TAP TAP in celebration of the men’s heroic feat. Ok, I’ll admit… I was kinda celebrating too, but it was pretty generic compared to the screams and shouts from the crowd in the store.

Our spirit… our tradition of celebrating every little thing is one thing the world knows about us! Bronze? No problem, we ago celebrate same way! Silver? No worries, man. We gonna rejoice and make ourselves heard. Gold? Well… this is where everybody can identify us as Jamaicans: We ago lick the pot-covers together like cymbals, scream, block traffic and end up hoarse the next day! We have a spirit of rejoicing! I heard a patron in the supermarket comment that this is the only time that everything stops in Jamaica and I proved her to be correct. Our spirit overflowed into our athletes and we celebrate them with every fibre of our DNA. Well done team Jamaica! You have made us proud!!

 Likkle but we Tallawah! Jamaica: To di Worl'!!!

 

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.
** Images acquired from Google, Usain Bolt's Facebook page and "I am a Jamaican" on Facebook