Whether you're a college graduate ready to go out into "the real world" or you're just looking for some new resources to boost your productivity, this blog post is for you! Here are some helpful links and resources to help YOU get it together.
Consumer Reports
Website: www.consumerreports.org
Why it's great: Research reviews and reports on everything from kitchen appliances to cars to vitamins and supplements. I use this for car research to get unbiased reviews on what makes and models would be best for me.
Investopedia
Website: www.investopedia.com
Why it's great: Although Investopedia features news stories about the stock market and other financial news going on in the world, I used Investopedia to learn about my retirement plan, which is a SIMPLE IRA. You can also learn more about credit, budgeting and savings, loans, and many more topics that have to do with finance.
Nerd Wallet
Website: www.nerdwallet.com
What is it? NerdWallet is pretty much everything you want from a financial guide-like website. They have advice, content, and tools on the best credit cards of the year (based on the rewards YOU like) to how to compare/contrast savings accounts to how not to freak out about your student loans. I'd suggest doing some research on NerdWallet's website before making any major decisions on auto loans, insurance, banking, or applying for a new credit card.
Website: www.flipboard.com
App: Flipboard
What is it? When I started seriously applying for jobs during my senior year (and even after graduation), I ran across a lot of questions about what's currently going on in the Digital Marketing world. What are the trends? What's something new that's up and coming? I didn't know the answers because I wasn't well-versed in Digital Marketing. Flipboard is perfect if you need to (or want to) keep up with different topics around the world. Narrow down the topics you want to follow based on your interests (for example, I follow boards/topics on money, self-improvement, creative writing, and productivity). Then, during my train ride to work, I take a couple minutes to flip through my boards (see what I did there) and read on how to boost my productivity or learning new ways to make the most of my savings account.
Apartments.com (and other sites like it, but I like apartments.com the best)
Website: www.apartments.com
What is it? It's exactly what it sounds like--it's a website where you can find your future home, condo, or apartment. Narrow down your choices by using the filters for zip codes, number of rooms, square footage, and amenities. Funny enough, I found my current apartment using the website. However, be sure to verify the realtors you find on the website; avoid scams by doing your research!
Mint
Website: www.mint.com
App: Mint
What is it? Mint is a popular budgeting app available on your desktop/PC or phone. You can hook up your checking and savings accounts, credit cards, loans, bills, and goals to your account. Each month, you can create your own budgeting categories and monitor your spending because each transaction will be attributed to its proper budgeting category.
Why it didn't work for me: I tried Mint several times during and after college. I couldn't figure out why it wasn't working for me and why I kept going back to it--it was because that was the only budgeting site I knew. I didn't like Mint because every time I'd over spend in a category, it would alert me (and I often overspent). Also, I was budgeting money that I didn't necessarily have; I was essentially budgeting my paychecks, which made me feel like I was living paycheck-to-paycheck. Even on a good day, I wasn't too impressed with the flexibility of Mint. I needed something better.
However, Mint is free! If you're tired of using pen and paper or an Excel spreadsheet, do your research on budgeting software and get your feet wet.
Google Drive
Why it's great: I used to think I absolutely needed Microsoft Office. That may have been true for college (not really, I could've survived without it), but when I graduated and my 4-year Microsoft Office Student plan expired, I was SOL. I even downloaded the software again and decided to pay a monthly fee for it. But, I eventually saw the light and realized that paying for Microsoft Office each month wasn't a smart investment, especially since I'd never truly own the software.
Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides is FREE-99. All you need is a Gmail account, which is also free! Save your money and just use Google Drive. Plus, if you need someone to look over your homework or presentation, it's easy to share the link with them and work on it together from separate computers.
If you miss Microsoft One Note, use your computer's notepad instead, or just download the free version of Evernote.
You Need A Budget
Website: www.youneedabudget.com
App: You Need A Budget
What I'm loving so far: YNAB is the budgeting software I've always wanted and needed. While it is complicated to get used to and learn your way around, it is extremely helpful. With YNAB, you only budget the money you have in your bank accounts, that way, each dollar has a job. I never have excess left over to go to something unnecessary. Also, if I notice I'm going to overspend or go over budget, I can easily move my money around from category-to-category. Eventually, I'll only have to move my money around for emergencies. On top of that, I got 34 days to try out YNAB for free using my co-worker's referral code!
Also, I love that I can plan monthly recurring payments and one-time payments ahead of time so I'm not taken aback by any surprises.
What I dislike: The annual fee is around $84. No, you don't pay monthly. It's a one-time, annual fee of $84. But, if I didn't think YNAB was worth it, I wouldn't have subscribed to their service.
Zelle
App: Through your bank app
Why I'm loving it (more than Venmo): Venmo takes 2-3 business days for your money to transfer into your bank account. Now, Venmo is quick and easy to use, which is great, but if my friend needs to borrow $20 to get an Uber from a sketchy "friend's" house, I need her to get that money ASAP--not in 2-3 days. Zelle is available through most major mobile banking apps.
PayPal
Website: www.paypal.com
App: PayPal
Why it's great: Use PayPal for ALL online purchases. If you're buying something from a website you've never bought something from before, and you're unsure of whether or not you should enter your credit card information and address, PayPal is a great alternative. PayPal protects your information and its service is available as an alternative for payments through websites like Forever21, Etsy, GrubHub, and more!
Why it's great: Sure, Pinterest is a great place to find ideas for your next "popping out" outfit, but since I've moved out, it has become the best (and easiest) place to find recipes. Trust me, I've found recipes for the most basic meals (like rice, because real rice is cooked way differently than 5-minute rice) to a smoked sausage, tomatoes, and okra skillet meal.
Clue
App: Clue
Why it's great: EVERYONE WHO HAS A PERIOD SHOULD HAVE A PERIOD TRACKING APP. That's all I'm going to say about that! I've been using Clue for YEARS, and its technology has vastly approved. It knows exactly when I'm going to get my period because I update the information daily. I also know when my PMS symptoms will start because I've tracked them in previous months.
Clue is also great for when you take your birth control late (or miss it or take double), tracking your flow, tracking the type of pain you have (and where), your mood, how many hours you sleep each night, sex, energy levels, cravings, and SO much more. The more you use it, the more accurate it is.
Also, if you notice any major changes, it'll be easier to talk to your doctor about it because all of the information will be in the palm of your hand.
AfterShip
App: AfterShip
What is it? Who doesn't love to online shop? But also, who hates waiting for the package to arrive? I use AfterShip for tracking all of the items I order online. It shows who will be dropping the package off (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.), the location of the package during all its stops, when it's out for delivery, and when it has been delivered/is in my mailbox. You can start tracking your package as soon as you receive the tracking number.
I like AfterShip way better than opening the tracking number in my email, which takes me to the USPS/FedEx/UPS website, and then you have to re-paste the tracking number. What a hassle.
Other Good Things to Keep in Mind
Keep track of the books you've read with Goodreads
Think about investing in an e-Reader. I know you want to keep all those books, but when you move, it'll be a pain to carry them all.
Check your credit score once a month, and check your credit report every now and then. Discover tells you your FICO score for free whenever you want. It's also available after you've made your monthly payment. I use Experian (don't worry--it's free) for tracking my credit report to make sure there are no collections or errors on my report (because before I applied for my apartment, I realized there were collections on my report from several years ago that I didn't even know existed, but they're all taken care of). Remember, when you apply for a loan or credit card, companies take a hard look at your credit report. You may even be charged a higher interest rate for a below-average score.
If you have a full-time, salaried job that offers pre-tax retirement matching, take advantage of it if you can afford it. I know I'm only 23, but if I want to retire comfortably, I know I need to start now.
Check on your parents/guardians/grandparents every couple of days. I try to call my grandma every other day; I've done it since college, and I never really stopped.
I know it can be hard, but don't avoid looking at your bank account. Even if you've been keeping track of the numbers in your head, before you leave for anywhere, you should know how much debt is on your credit card, how much is in your savings, and what the available balance is in your checking account. This is not just so you don't overspend or overdraft your account, but to be sure you aren't a victim of identity theft.
If I'm missing any websites, or if you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact me! Also, check out my previous blog post if you're curious about filing taxes on your own, setting up your health insurance, and how I keep up my credit score.
With Love,
The Wrighter