Category: Scholarships

  • A Closer Look at a Career as a Personal Financial Advisor

    A Closer Look at a Career as a Personal Financial Advisor

    Financial literacy sounds like a term coined by financial pundits to scare off those who aren’t exactly a whiz with financial matters, but recent data from Statistics Canada that revealed Canadian household debt has increased significantly in the last quarter of 2018, further establishing the need for financial literacy.  In addition, based on additional report from Equifax Canada, more and more Canadians have turned away from their financial obligations in the fourth quarter of 2018, and it’s expected to climb even higher this year.

    These alarming statistics definitely prove that Canadians should be more aware when it comes to financial matters. However, not everyone can be as financial-savvy, but thankfully, there are professionals who can prove to be extremely helpful in that department: the personal financial advisors.

    If you have a great ability for financial management and you are natural in helping people, this career can definitely be worthwhile for you. Let’s take a look below.

    Personal Financial Advisors – What You Need to Know

    The personal financial advisors’ primary goal is to help individuals assess their financial needs, establish a financial plan, set short-term and long-term financial goals, and suggest investment options such as stocks and bonds. Personal financial advisors are especially needed when there’s a big change in an individual’s life such as getting a high-paying job, starting a family, or acquiring wealth through other means such as inheritance. These are situations where personal financial advisors are essential.

    Because of what’s expected of them, personal financial advisors should have high-level knowledge in the financial and investment fields and must be in an expert-level when it comes to applicable tax laws that are associated with such options, such as inheritance tax.

    Salary

    According to PayScale.com, a personal financial advisor can earn an average of C$44,457 a year with potential for bonuses and profit-sharing opportunities.

    Skills

    To kick off a career as a personal financial advisor, a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, or any related field will be a big advantage. Ideally, personal financial advisors should also work to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of government (federal, state, and local) laws and regulations and Security Exchange Commission (SEC) rules and guidelines. If this will be the profession you’ll go for, keep in mind that continuous learning and keeping oneself abreast of monetary rules and regulations are beneficial.

    Being technology-savvy is recommended for personal financial advisors, and it will be a huge boost to one’s career if you learn to use the latest in self-serve tools such as automated portfolio management to accommodate your client base.

    Before you can practice as a personal financial advisor though, registration is a must for all provinces and territories. Practicing without the necessary credentials can be a big blow to your career and could jeopardize your reputation within the industry for the long-term especially now that consumers anywhere in Canada can double-check on a personal financial advisor’s certifications and qualifications via the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Registrant Search.

    Pros and Cons

    A career as a personal financial advisor is challenging as expectations in terms of duties and responsibilities are ever-growing. This is why personal financial advisors are recommended to consistently work hard to adjust to ever-changing business climates that Canada is exposed to, especially when it comes to technology, regulations, and market volatility.

    However, this particular career can be extremely rewarding both financially speaking and emotionally speaking. You earn the potential for huge bonuses and profit-sharing opportunities. In turn, you become essential in an individual’s realization of their financial goals, and that’s even a bigger reward than the monetary rewards.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Personal_Financial_Advisor/Salary

    https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/12/how-to-know-if-you-need-a-financial-advisor.html

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/household-debt-income-1.5056159

  • OSAP Changes: How Will They Affect You?

    OSAP Changes: How Will They Affect You?

    It’s human instinct to be wary of change, especially when something has worked wonders for you, be it your current classmates and teachers, your academic schedule, your social calendar, or the electives you’ve decided to take for the school year.

    If any one of these items happen to undergo a major change, the rest will be affected like dominoes. For instance, if you’re being transferred to another school, your social life will for sure take a hit.  That’s why it’s understandable that there’s a negative kneejerk reaction when changes are delivered to us. After all, there’s the old saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, you’ve probably come across the quote by Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who was later dubbed to be the “Weeping Philosopher” later in his life, “The only thing that is constant is change” that contradicts the former adage.

    Such is the dilemma that faced students upon learning that the provincial government has implemented changes in the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) early this year. Prior to the announcement, it was possible for low-income students to attend college or university free of cost since the Liberal government increased the number of grants to which they were eligible for. However, with the recent modifications to the program, this would not be the case anymore.

    Just a few days after the news release of several adjustments made to the province’s financial aid program for education, a number of students took to the streets to demonstrate their displeasure. Nour Alideeb, the Ontario chair of the Canadian Federation of Students, said the amendments would badly affect students from the lowest income families who have relied on grants for their college or university education.

    OSAP: Where We Were

    To better understand the situation, it helps to take a closer look at how OSAP worked before and how it is working now.

    Before, OSAP consisted of two portions: a loan, which needed to be paid back after completion of one’s studies, and a grant, which did not need to be paid back even after the completion of one’s studies.

    How the grant is calculated depended on a number of factors such as the school, degree or program, start and end dates, tuition, book expenses, a student’s own earnings, their family’s household income, and whether they classify as dependent or independent. The maximum grant payable for the previous years 2017 until 2018 for university students was $8,700 and $6,900 for college students.

    Previously, students who acquired loans through OSAP were granted a six-month grace period before they would be charged interest on their loans. This allowed a reasonable amount of time for them to get settled with their employment opportunities.

    OSAP: Where We Are Now

    Among the changes announced by the provincial government were the reduction of tuition fees by 10% in all educational institutions in Ontario. Currently, as it stands, Ontario students pay the highest tuition rates in the nation, and cutting the fees by 10% is expected to be a big help. This also guarantees a no-fee increase for the school years 2020 until 2021.

    The provincial government affirms that the changes ensure that low-income students have access to the financial aid they need to complete their education. The family income threshold that is necessary to be eligible for the Ontario Student Grant has been reduced. However, for many, this means that lesser students will have a harder time to have access to the grants if they are not eligible due to a household income that is higher than what’s needed.

    However, it is the elimination of the six-month grace period bore the brunt of student’s anger about the recent OSAP changes since this means that as soon as they graduate, the interest on their student loans is activated, regardless of whether or not they  have a job waiting for them upon graduation. This gives students less time to save up money and pay off their loans after they graduate.

    OSAP: Where We Are Headed

    How exactly would the changes affect students in the long-term remains to be seen. However, it seems like all the modifications are not off to a good start. Apparently, Ontario’s student loan program can’t accept new applications yet because Ontario’s universities and colleges still has yet to receive the complex government formula used in calculating the financial aid amount each student is eligible for.

    SOURCES

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/osap-grants-school-1.5084841

    https://news.ontario.ca/maesd/en/2019/01/affordability-of-postsecondary-education-in-ontario.html

    https://proliteracy.ca/blogpost/new-osap-cheat-sheet-before-you-apply

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/you-messed-with-the-wrong-people-students-demand-ford-government-reverse-osap-changes-1.4993886

    https://www.thesil.ca/provincial-government-announces-changes-to-osap

    https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/heraclitus/

  • Financial: Watch Out for Wasting Money

    Financial: Watch Out for Wasting Money

    Handling money isn’t easy for anyone, whether you’re a teen, a college student, or an adult.  Being good with money takes practice and effort; no one is magically a financial genius.  But it’s easy to lose track of your spending if you’re not paying attention, especially when you’re young and likely don’t have much money to begin with from an allowance or a part time job.  If you feel like you’re always short on cash or asking your parents for money, take a look at your spending to see where you might be wasting money without realizing it.

    “Treat yourself!” is a common refrain, and while it’s true you should get something nice for yourself once in awhile, it’s easy to let this snowball into significant overspending.  This can be particularly difficult if you’re often out with friends to the mall or browsing online shopping.

    Peer pressure from friends, even if they mean well, can lead to purchasing too many non-essentials: clothes your friends insist “look just perfect on you,” that extra book, video game or movie that “you just have to see/watch this one,” or going out to eat too often “because you should treat yourself.”  Online shopping is particularly dangerous, since shopping sites are geared toward convincing you to buy more — even when you don’t need it — by making sales or free shipping or add-ons seem appealing or “a great deal.”

    The bottom line is that if you’re often buying things you don’t need, you’re not spending wisely.

    It isn’t just shopping that can drain away your money without you noticing how it adds up.  Having a social life is important, and involved anything from going to the movies, to school dances, clubs, and sporting events, or bigger things like car expenses or wanting to go on a trip.  While you can and should participate in social events with your friends, these can be expensive and add up to a significant portion of your spending.

    That’s not to say “never do these things,” but rather to pay attention to how much they cost and either limit yourself to a few events that are your favourite, save up for specific events, or simply take only a little bit of money with you and leave the debit card at home to reduce your chances of overspending.

    So, how can you make sure you’re not wasting your money?

    Planning a budget — and sticking to it — is the best way to be sure you’re spending wisely.  Make a list of your needs, such as basic clothing, school supplies, or car expenses, versus your wants, like a new video game, sporting equipment, or a social event.  Set up separate bank accounts too, one for daily spending and one for savings, and be sure to put most of your money into the savings account to prevent yourself from spending it on impulse purchases. Review your budget and your bank statements regularly to see your spending patterns — if you’re dropping hundreds of dollars in Starbucks or the mall, it will be easy to see.

    Lastly, your social life shouldn’t suffer from your budget, but there are ways to cut down your costs.  Libraries and community centres offer free or low cost access to books, movies, music, video games, and activities or events.  Or just choose to spend your movie night at home with a group of friends and some snacks, instead of at the theatre with fast food.

    As long as you pay attention to your spending habits, you will be able to spend wisely and save for the future!

    Sources:

    https://www.moneyunder30.com/how-teens-can-save-money

    https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2014/11/05/10-money-tips-for-teens

    https://www.businessinsider.com/how-teens-are-spending-money-2017-4

    https://www.brighthubeducation.com/parenting-teens/121414-how-much-money-do-teenagers-spend/

  • Bonus! More Entrance Scholarships in Canada

    Bonus! More Entrance Scholarships in Canada

    Student Scholarship Program

    Provided by: Wholesale Furniture Brokers

    Scholarship Value: $2,000

    Awards Available: 1

    Deadline: August 24, 2019

    https://www.gowfb.ca/pages/scholarship

     

    Arts Entrance Scholarship

    Provided by: University of Waterloo- St. Jerome’s University

    Scholarship Value: $1,000

    Awards Available: Unlimited

    Deadline: Mid-May, 2019

    https://www.sju.ca/feesfinancing

     

    University of Guelph Entrance Scholarships

    Provided by: University of Guelph

    Scholarship Value: $2,000 – $3,000

    Available Awards: Several

    https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/studentfinance/scholarships/grid

     

    Nipissing University Alumni Entrance Award

    Provided by: Nipissing University

    Scholarship Value: $500

    Available Awards: 1

    Deadline: May 1, 2019

    https://www.nipissingu.ca/sites/default/files/2019-02/Application_Entrance_Awards.pdf

     

    Humber International Entrance Scholarships

    Provided by: Humber College

    Scholarship Value: $1,000 – $5,000

    Available Awards: Varies

    Deadline: May 17, 2019

    https://international.humber.ca/student-services/managing-your-finances/scholarships-awards.html

     

    Renewable Entrance Scholarship(75%-79.9%)

    Provided by: University of Guelph-Humber

    Scholarship Value: $2,000

    Available Awards: Varies

    https://www.guelphhumber.ca/sfs/renewable-entrance-scholarship

  • April 2019 Scholarships: Apply Now!

    April 2019 Scholarships: Apply Now!

    The RBC Capital Markets Diversity Scholarship

    Open: Friday, April 12, 2019 – Friday, May 31, 2019 at 11:59 PM EST

    Up to 4 awards worth $5,000 each PLUS a 2019 summer analyst position with RBC Capital Markets in Toronto

    Address: https://www.rbc.com/dms/enterprise/scholarships.html

     

    The RBC Capital Markets Scholarship for Women

    Open: Friday, April 12, 2019 – Friday, May 31, 2019 at 11:59 PM EST

    Up to 4 awards worth $5,000 each PLUS a 2019 summer analyst position with RBC Capital Markets in Toronto

    Address: https://www.rbc.com/dms/enterprise/scholarships.html

     

    Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

    Scholarship Value: $10,000

    Awards Available: 25

    Award Deadline: April 15, 2019

    Address: https://barronprize.org/apply/

     

    Pretty Actions Scholarship Program

    Scholarship Value: $500

    Awards Available: 2

    Award Deadline: April 15, 2019

    Address: https://www.photoshopactions.com/pages/pretty-photoshop-actions-scholarship-program

     

    Women’s Cyber Security Scholarships

    Scholarship Value: $6,000

    Awards Available: 10

    Award Deadline: April 15, 2019

    Address: https://iamcybersafe.org/scholarships/womens-scholarships/

     

    IWSH Essay Scholarship Contest

    Scholarship Value: $1,000

    Awards Available: 3

    Award Deadline: April 30, 2019

    Address: http://www.iwsh.org/hidden/iwsh-essay-scholarship-contest/

     

    Brower Youth Award

    Scholarship Value: $3,000

    Awards Available: 6

    Award Deadline: May 1, 2019

    Address: http://www.broweryouthawards.org/apply/

     

    Fraser Institute Student Essay Contest

    Scholarship Value: $1,500

    Awards Available: 3

    Award Deadline: May 1, 2019

    Address: https://www.fraserinstitute.org/education-programs/west/students/essay-contest

     

    Greg Goff Leadership Awards

    Scholarship Value: $2,000

    Awards Available: 5

    Award Deadline: May 1, 2019

    Address: https://nshssfoundation.org/scholarships/greg-goff-leadership-awards/

     

    ITWC Scholarship Program

    Scholarship Value: $500

    Awards Available: 2

    Award Deadline: May 1, 2019

    Address: https://teamster.org/content/review-requirements-and-apply

  • March 2019 Scholarships: APPLY NOW!

    March 2019 Scholarships: APPLY NOW!

    TVStoreOnline Scholarship

    Scholarship Value: $500

    Awards Available: 1

    Award Deadline: March 31, 2019

    Address: https://www.tvstoreonline.com/2018-tvstoreonline-com-scholarship/

     

    Toptal Scholarships for Women

    Scholarship Value: $10,000

    Awards Available: 5

    Award Deadline: March 31, 2019

    Address: https://www.toptal.com/scholarships-for-women

     

    Kezian Science Scholarship

    Scholarship Value: $1,200

    Awards Available: 1

    Award Deadline: March 31, 2019

    Address: https://www.drkezian.com/science-scholarship/

     

    Illustrators of the Future Scholarship

    Scholarship Value: $5,000

    Awards Available: 4

    Award Deadline: March 31, 2019

    Address: https://www.writersofthefuture.com/contest-rules-illustrator/

     

    GRHS Scholarship Essay Contest

    Scholarship Value: $1,000

    Awards Available: 5

    Award Deadline: March 31, 2019

    Address: http://www.grhs.org/youthn/current/current.html

     

    Doteasy Bright Future Scholarship

    Scholarship Value: $1,000

    Awards Available: 3

    Award Deadline: March 31, 2019

    Address: https://www.doteasy.com/scholarship/

     

    FormSwift Scholarship

    Scholarship Value: $1,000

    Awards Available: 1

    Award Deadline: March 15, 2019

    Address: https://formswift.com/startup-scholarship

     

    Durnin Family Health Services Award

    Amount: $6,000

    Provided by: Vancouver Island University

    Deadline: March 31, 2019

    Renewable: Yes, 1 year(s)

    Type of Award: Scholarship

    Automatic Consideration: No

    Address: https://services.viu.ca/student-affairs/financial-aid-awards/scholarships-awards?area=21

     

    Study and Go Abroad – Spring Madness Contest – $1000 Apple Gift Card Giveaway

    Amount: $1,000

    Provided by: Study and Go Abroad Fairs

    Deadline: March 03, 2019

    Donor Study and Go Abroad Fairs

    Renewable: No

    Number Available: 1

    Type of Award: Contest

    Automatic Consideration: No

    Address: https://www.studyandgoabroad.com/contest/

     

    Begin at Brock $10,000 Prize

    Amount :$10,000

    Provided by: Brock University

    Deadline:: April 07, 2019

    Renewable: No

    Number Available: 1

    Type of Award: Contest

    Automatic Consideration: No

    Address: https://discover.brocku.ca/enter/

     

  • Financial Aid Available for Post-Secondary Students with Disabilities in Nova Scotia

    Financial Aid Available for Post-Secondary Students with Disabilities in Nova Scotia

    We are soon coming to the end of this series of articles outlining what financial aid is available to post-secondary students with disabilities in the provinces and territories across Canada. This article focuses on Nova Scotia, the last province to be featured. The Northwest Territories and Nunavut are the only territories yet to be written about.

    The program responsible for student financial assistance in the Nova Scotia government is called the Student Assistance Program. Students with disabilities are supported in three significant ways. One, they are given more time to complete their studies: a maximum of 520 weeks of funded studies, compared to 340 weeks for other students.

    Two, full-time students will generally be given more funding than part-time students. For reference, full-time studies is defined as taking at least 60% of a full course load. Students with disabilities are given greater flexibility in this determination: if they are taking at least 40% of a full course load, they are considered to be full-time students. This designation allows them to hold a more manageable schedule and access greater funding.

    Which brings us to three: students with disabilities are given additional funding to ensure equitable access to education. Read on below for the details.

    1. The Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities

    Students with disabilities in Nova Scotia will complete the same general application as other students—except the application must indicate that the applicant is a student with disabilities. With this one application, the student is assessed for both federal and provincial financial aid.

    This grant is a federal grant, giving students with disabilities a maximum of $2,000 per school year (August 1 to July 31 of the next year). This funding may be used to cover tuition and related costs.  Students are eligible if they are found to have at minimum $1 of financial need; are taking either part-time or full-time studies; and submit documentation of a physical or learning disability.

    1. The Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities for Services and Equipment

    This federal grant provides additional support for students with disabilities who may need specialized services and equipment in order to access their education. A maximum of $8,000 is available per school year. As long as the applicant has been approved for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities, the applicant is eligible for this second grant.

    A separate application is required for each year students want to apply for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities for Services and Equipment. This application will require students to clearly indicate what services and equipment are necessary as well as their associated estimated costs.

    The general application process for students with disabilities is to first complete and submit the general application. This application will ask if you are a student with disabilities and you will indicate yes to that question. The next step is to gather and submit your medical documentation. Of the two grants above, you are automatically considered for the first while the second requires a separate application. The key is to apply early!

    References:

    1. https://novascotia.ca/studentassistance/apply/new/FundingAvailable.asp
    2. https://novascotia.ca/studentassistance/apply/new/StudentsWithDisabilities.asp
    3. https://novascotia.ca/studentassistance/Apply/returning/ReturningStudents.asp
    4. https://novascotia.ca/studentassistance/Apply/New/FundingLimits.asp#Max_Weeks
    5. https://novascotia.ca/PSDS/grants.asp
    6. https://novascotia.ca/studentassistance/apply/new/FullTimeStudy.asp#full_course_load
    7. https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/education/grants/disabilities.html
    8. https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/education/grants/disabilities-service-equipment.html
  • Financial Aid Available for Post-Secondary Students with Disabilities in Prince Edward Island

    Financial Aid Available for Post-Secondary Students with Disabilities in Prince Edward Island

    This is the next article in my series of articles outlining the financial assistance available to Canadian post-secondary students with disabilities. Every province will be covered and given their their own article in order to accurately reflect their own unique financial aid availability. Prince Edward Island will be the focus of this article.

    The provincial government’s Department of Workforce and Advanced Learning administers among other programs, Student Financial Services. The Canadian and Prince Edward Island governments together provide student financial aid, with the latter responsible for processing and distributing the funding. Below, the first two are courtesy of the federal government and the third is unique to Prince Edward Island.

    1. The Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities

    Eligible students with permanent disabilities may receive a maximum of $2,000 per academic year. This funding is meant to assist with paying for education-related expenses.

    To be eligible, you must have been assessed to have a minimum of $1 in financial need; enrolled in either full-time or part-time studies; and provide evidence of physical or learning disability. Students with physical disabilities must submit a Permanent Disability Medical Form; this form can only be completed by a relevant health care professional. Students with learning disabilities must submit their psycho-educational assessment; these evaluations are must be performed by a registered psychologist. Note that Student Financial Services will only look at your application once the all medical documentation has been submitted and received.

    1. The Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities for Services and Equipment

    Eligible students with permanent disabilities may receive a maximum of $8,000 per academic year. This funding is meant to assist with paying for services and equipment that allow students with disabilities to access post-secondary education.

    The eligibility requirement is simple: in order to be eligible for this grant, you must have been approved to receive the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities.

    The application process is a little less simple: wait until your general financial aid application has been reviewed and approved, then you will need to meet with your school’s accessibility services or disability coordinator. Together, you will determine what services and equipment will be needed for that academic year. The school must be involved because they will be the one receiving the cheque with funds to cover the requested services and equipment. However, it is your responsibility as the student to ensure all spending is accounted for; you must keep all receipts and send them to Student Financial Services. Should you have leftover funds that do not get used, they have to be paid back.

    1. Prince Edward Island Severe Permanent Disability Benefit

    This benefit is unique to Prince Edward Island. Having a severe permanent disability can mean the person cannot pursue further post-secondary education or join the workforce. If this reflects your circumstances and you have student loans, you can apply to have these loans terminated through this benefit, so you no longer have to pay them back.

    In order to apply, you must first apply for approval for the Federal Severe Permanent Disability Benefit. Note that approval for this benefit ensures your federal student loans are voided. The next step is contact the provincial Student Financial Services and apply for the Prince Edward Island Several Permanent Disability Benefit. You must complete an application; part of this application requires evidence documenting your approval for the Federal Severe Permanent Disability Benefit. If you receive provincial approval, your provincial student loans will be cancelled—note that this approval means you may not apply for any student financial assistance in the future.

    Prince Edward Island Student Financial Services provides students with disabilities access to two federal grants as well as a benefit that essentially turns previous loans into grants. The first two are available to students with disabilities across Canada while the last is available only in Prince Edward Island.

    References:

    1. https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/grants-bursaries-and-awards
    2. https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/workforce-and-advanced-learning/canada-student-grant-students-permanent-disabilities
    3. https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/workforce-and-advanced-learning/services-and-equipment-grant-students-permanent
    4. https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/workforce-and-advanced-learning/severe-permanent-disability-benefit
  • So, You Want A Job?

    So, You Want A Job?

    Jobs. They’re one of the first steps towards truly feeling like an adult and many young people start their first job in high school. It’s a great way to not only gain money, but also learn essential skills that will no doubt be an asset later on in life. However, having a job during the school year is not an easy task. This is why many students opt to work only during the summer. Though, if you’re planning on getting a job during the school year, it’s best not to go in blind.

    Getting Your First Job

    Often, students find that a lack of experience is the main thing preventing them from getting a job. Employers like experience, so how on earth would one go about getting a job without any? Everyone has to start somewhere. If you can’t list work experience on your resume, focus on your skills and qualifications and any volunteer work you might have done. Maybe you’re a hardworking individual who works well under pressure, or you’re extremely involved in your community. Those are some characteristics that will get you hired. Having references will also help. So, if you know any teachers or community leaders who recognize that you’re a good worker, knowing their contact information will be beneficial.

    Regardless of how convincing you appear on your resume, you will most likely face rejection. It’s all a part of the process. Applying to lots of different places will increase your chances of being employed. There are plenty of places to find work: fast food chains, grocery stores, and retail stores, to name a few. The key is determination.

    Having A Job

    Once you have a job, say goodbye to a good chunk of your free time and say hello to time management. Procrastination will definitely not be your friend if you get a job. You need to be disciplined. Having a job in high school means that you have to be able to get your homework and studying done in significantly less time than before. Having any extra curricular activities such as clubs or sports will make this even more difficult. You must be prepared to deal with this; otherwise having a job will end up being more of a burden than an asset.

    Moreover, working in general is a task that requires your energy and attention. Customers won’t always be friendly and in these cases, patience is key. Communicating with people who are frustrated with you may be something that you will have to learn how to deal with. Communication in general is extremely important in any kind of job. Know that you will probably make mistakes and that’s completely normal. After all, mistakes are what help us improve.

    Getting your paycheck is extremely gratifying. It’s nice to see that all your hard work has quite literally paid off. Though, it’s best not to go too crazy with spending. While the urge to immediately use all the money you’ve earned to treat yourself is understandably strong, it’s not exactly the wisest decision. Rewarding yourself for your hard work is good but it shouldn’t cost you all of your money. Learning how to budget and save money is a skill that people need to practice and it’s best to start when you’re young. Being responsible with money will be beneficial in the future, especially if you plan on doing post-secondary education. Tuition isn’t exactly cheap.

    Although tiring, having a job in high school is incredibly satisfying. It makes you feel more responsible and a bit more prepared for the future. First jobs give you some experience in the work place so that when you do pursue a career, you’re not quite out of your depth. Not to mention, it allows you to treat yourself at the end of the day.

  • How To Avoid Buying Things While Out

    How To Avoid Buying Things While Out

    It’s a typical day in the neighbourhood. Everything is going fine until you pass by a window with a giant sale tag. Or you pass by your favourite store and convince yourself you need something. Next thing you know, you’re lugging home several bags’ worth of items you can’t exactly squeeze into your budget. How do you prevent this typical scenario from happening in the future?

    It’s tempting to grab new things for a little retail therapy session, but there are some crucial warnings to keep in mind.

    Extra Money Helps The Future You

    Think of all the things you could do with more money in your pocket. A little extra spending money can be used toward a trip, put into a rainy day fund, or even towards schooling. Plus, think of emergency scenarios like car expenses and medical care. You’ll feel much better knowing you have some spare change saved for when you really need it.

    Things Don’t Make You Happy

    In the long run, when you grab that new item, you won’t be happy for very long. You know you shouldn’t have spent the money, so that sinking feeling in your stomach accompanies you home from the store. And it’ll accompany you at home when you unload your bags.

    Not only that but there are only so many trips to the mall you can take before filling your home with senseless items. Keep your mind and wallet happy by walking away from stores when you don’t need anything.

    Those tips sound well and good, but how do you keep from actually splurging in stores? A few things to keep in mind are:

    • Sit down with your money; speak to a professional at the bank or go through your statements yourself to see where your money is going and how you can trim spending.
    • Go on a cash diet; once you have your budget all worked out, withdraw a suitable amount of money and use that until your next paycheque. Even if you need to make changes to your lifestyle, you’re doing future you a favour.
    • Make a list of your inventory; seeing toiletries or small items on sale usually draws us in, but bringing home the sixth deodorant or tenth pair of socks isn’t doing you any good. Take stock of what you have at home and whether you really need to buy any more of it. You might surprise yourself with how much you currently own.
    • Think purchases through; don’t grab something impulsively! This method works wonders for online spenders, as you can return to your cart at a later date. Better yet, if you’re shopping for non-essentials, close the tab without saving your cart. When you return, you may have forgotten what it is you even wanted to buy, thereby proving how unnecessary it was.

    Saving money is hard enough when you’re a student. Think your actions over and work to understand your money and how to better manage it. You’ll thank yourself later.