Posts Tagged ‘advice’

One More Thing, Before You Go…

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011


(photo credit: bredgur)

It’s not often that the Wall Street Journal writes for readers under 40, but they just published a really good article with financial advice for the pre-college population. Now, we’re not trying to get all parenty on you, but as pseudo-grownups we can assure you that a little planning goes a long way.* (And it really doesn’t take that much time out of your schedule.) Here are some of the points writer Zac Bissonnette makes:

  • > Debt becomes part of your life once you take it on. If you’re planning to use student loans to pay for school, remember that paying back those loans after graduation means part of every paycheck will belong to the bank.
  • > Speaking of paying for college, do you really need to pay for an ivy league degree? Success doesn’t depend on which school you go to – it depends on the effort you put in.
  • > Don’t get sucked in by materialism. The vast majority of people are not rich but still perfectly happy. But there are a lot of forces around you conspiring to make you feel poor and deprived. Tell them to go away.

(TILE Fun Fact: A small amount of debt can actually help you, by rounding out your credit history and boosting your credit score. But ONLY if you use it responsibly – that means pay it off, and never miss a due date.)

The most important question you need to ask yourself is this: What is this college degree really going to cost me, in terms of my dreams? Maybe you’d like to travel the world after graduation, or take an entry-level job in the nonprofit sector, or buy your first house before you’re thirty. Massive debt can really screw up your plans, so plan accordingly.

* For example, if you chose to invest $1,000 at age 18 and earned a paltry 3% return, you could have $3,500 waiting for you when you’re 60. (And by the time you’re 60, 60 will be the new 30.) All that with absolutely no effort. Well, you do have to take an hour to invest that $1,000 when you’re 18. See what we mean about planning?

Play with your own numbers to see what a little investment today can earn you: Compound Interest Calculator

Dilbert Creator Says “B Students” Should Skip Math Class and Sell Candy in the Cafeteria Instead

Thursday, April 14th, 2011

If you’ve ever felt like certain school subjects just aren’t your thing, read this essay by Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams.

He tells the story of how he learned to run a business by simply going out and doing it. He didn’t need to be an expert in anything in order to be an entrepreneur; he just used little bits of different talents he already had, he failed a lot, and he kept trying.



(He apparently hasn’t heard that Algebra II is the key to success.)

Seems like every piece of advice ever tells us that the only way to accomplish anything is by trying to do something. Keep that in mind when your campus lemonade stand is crushed by a competitor. At least you’ve done something.

And next time, you may be the ruthless competition-crusher!

Check out some real-life class-cutting capitalists.

Smart Philanthropy in the Wake of a Disaster

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011


(photo credit: Kei!)

When something really bad happens in the world, we all feel hurt. And helping each other out is one of the best ways to alleviate that pain. But that common sense advice about not shopping when you’re hungry and not investing when you’re anxious also applies to giving.

Saundra Schimmelpfennig at the Chronicle of Philanthropy shared some advice on how to give smart in an urgent time of need. She encourages “disaster philanthropists” to think carefully before pledging their money to an emotionally compelling cause.

Here are some of her points that we think are especially important:

  • Make sure the organization you’re donating to actually has permission to operate in the affected area. (This is a no-brainer, but some governments refuse or limit access to foreign aid organizations.)
  • Consider giving to organizations that were operating successfully in-country before the disaster. They may have more resources and connections than many of the big-name international nonprofits.
  • Don’t be sucked in by projects that tug at your heartstrings. Sure, donating to an animal shelter seems like the natural thing to do after seeing this picture, but does directing your resources there really address the most critical needs on the ground?
  • Give aid organizations the freedom to choose what your donation pays for. They know better than you what the most important projects are.
  • Don’t forget about the disaster as soon as the news outlets do. Most of the expense and hard work happens after the initial emergency relief efforts end. Rebuilding houses, schools, communities, and lives can take years. Your donation will mean just as much in six months as it does today.

Ready to make an impact? Text a friend and ask them to donate with you. With two researchers on the job, you can probably find a perfect organization – and double your donation in the process!

Peter Thomas: The Secret To Basically Everything is Passion

Friday, February 25th, 2011

We found Peter Thomas hanging around at the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards while we were at the New York Stock Exchange this October.

Peter is a really wise and motivational guy. Here he talks about how following your gut (or your passion) is key to living a happy, successful, and prosperous life.

(You can watch the whole GSEA recap video here. To see all of SPEND.GROW.GIVE’s GSEA interviews, click here.)