Posted on 25 January 2009
Mint, is possibly one of the scariest yet helpful websites ever!
Why is it scary, you may ask? Well, because it puts everything into perspective all in one screen. This website inputs your bank account information, your loan’s, your credit card debt and anything else you might have accumulate. It informs you of your cash vs. credit card debt and sums it up in your net worth (plus it is completely safe to use).
- On top of that it gives you tips on how to save your money depending on your monthly flow of income, as well as allowing you to set up your own budget with their recommendations. For example, I only spent $47 in December on restaurants and from that it sets up an average of how much I can spend on restaurants vs. how much money I have and have been making.
- It also lists all your transactions, like you would see on your online banking account, with details of exactly how much money you have spent on at any certain store. For Example- Trader Joes: $40, Vons: $29, Coffee: $17.
- It also plan’s out a monthly savings plan as well as a plan on how to pay off your debt.
- This site is truly amazing! It updates you regularly by sending you overdraft alerts and Friday updates on how much money you have and owe.
This website I found to beneficial for us college students because we often spend with out checking our balance’s or we don’t plan ahead and we come up short when we really need the money. This website make’s sure you check your balance weekly, to avoid those horrid overdrafts, and also provides recommendations on how to save your money.
Posted on 12 December 2008
For Debt Management Counseling call:
Gregorio Alcantar, Financial Aid Counseling
email: gregorio.alcantar@csun.edu
call: 818 677-4085
He is just one of many counselors on campus who can help you with your questions or concerns
Here are a few more tips that will help you reduce your expenses.
- Stop using your credit card
- Limit your credit cards to one (1)
- Reduce cost of utilities, i.e. disconnect your cable TV service
- Stop spending for things you don’t really need
- Buy in bulk
- Don’t shop more than once a week
- Treat eating out as a luxury
- Pack a lunch and take it to school with you
- Carpool with friends
- Ask about student discounts
- Avoid membership to any expensive health clubs; take advantage of the school’s health club
- Avoid or reduce expensive luxury habits
- Look for sales and specials when you buy food and clothes
- Get a roommate or live at home, if bearable
- If you want or think you need something, wait a full 24 hours before you buy it
- Open a savings account
- Email or chat online instead of using the telephone
- Apply for scholarships
Provided by Financial Aid, CSUN
Posted on 08 December 2008
If you have been keeping up with the news, you would have noticed that many big name stores have been going under.
Well, one of those stores happens to be Wal Mart’s neglected counterpart Kmart! To be honest I am surprised its lasted this long, unlike Circuit City and Mervyns which I believed to be well established companies.
The last time I shopped at a Kmart was probably when I was still a pimply faced-brace-filled teenager. But I figure now is a good time to stop by and see what the sales are like. Seeing as my financial aid has been cut, I have to find ways to make with what I have.
Anyways, some of the sales they are having range from 10%-70% off of selected items.
Digital cameras @ $79.99 
Winter apparel @ 70% off
Air rifles @ $34.99
Navigation Systems @ $99.99
Now that the holidays are approaching it wouldn’t be too bad to buy some discounted items for Mom or Dad.
To find a Kmart near you click here.
