You are currently browsing the daily archive for March 3rd, 2008.
I didn’t mean to write another post today. I just need to say that I’m officially starving. Well, extremely hungry at least. I obviously need to incorporate snacks into my diet as well as protein (or a larger lunch).
People questioned my desire for more protein. I guess somewhere in my mind I think protein+exercise=muscles, but I think it is really just exercise+food=muscle. Also, I don’t drink milk. Mostly because I think it is gross and haven’t really drank it for as long as I can remember. I can’t sniff it and tell if it has gone bad, because it always smells bad to my nose. I used to take calcium to justify this, and probably should start again. I do eat yogurt most mornings, but milk is expensive and I hate it so it always goes bad. Knowing my diet, I assume it lacks protein, but never having checked, I could be wrong. I think I’ll take a couple days and see if I am getting enough already, as some suggested. Starting with knowing the requirements, which were harder to find than I expected. It seems 45 grams is my recommended number. Strange that this number doesn’t seem to depend on whether or not a person exercises.
Due to the great suggestions (thanks everyone!) and then some related browsing, I’ve been ogling recipes for awhile. Oh, this is also due to some work related frustrations….. which I will discuss tomorrow.
Here are my discoveries:
- Baked apples, from Cheap Healthy Good, a blog I recently discovered and plan to frequent
- Broccoli Frittata from Sugar Laws. I love broccoli!
- These chokladbolls also look good. They have nothing to do with protein, but seem frugal enough. Did you know Wikipedia now is also a cookbook?
I considered ignoring all the deliciousness in my cupboards at home, destroying my food budget, and trying some of the new suggestions/discoveries. However, I can wait until next weeks grocery trip. I might still stop by the store on the way home for some graham crackers + peanut butter to bring to work so I don’t run into this snackless suffering again. And some chocolate, just because.
One hour until I can leave/eat!
I spent just $25 on groceries at Trader Joe’s yesterday, and it should feed me all week! My budget is $30, so if I decide later this week I need something else (chocolate?), I can pick it up! I turned down these incredibly tempting “Raspberry and Brie in Fillo” appetizer type things ($5), but I’m going to have to try them someday. Soon. They seem like a decadent treat for a nice evening in, perhaps to be enjoyed on the balcony on a warm March evening.
I also spent less than the allotted $25 on dinners out with the boy. I bought us some tasty Mexican from a dingy restaurant by my apartment for about $12, then I bought myself some deliciously unhealthy fast food on Sunday for another $5. Since there are 5 weekends this month instead of just 4, it is probably good to spend a little under budget in this category. It helped that a friend bought us some (unimpressive) Thai on Thursday and that my dad came through town on Tuesday and introduced me to the aforementioned Mexican joint.
The bad news is that I didn’t buy much in the way of protein at the grocery store. I had some chicken left from a previous shopping trip, but I really can’t get excited about chicken. I’m not vegetarian, but I don’t eat much meat–I just don’t crave it. Beans and tuna aren’t that tasty (to me) either, and fish is pretty expensive comparatively. (Plus I don’t know any good ways to prepare it.) Actually, I sort of enjoy tuna, but can’t find a good way to eat it, other than tuna sandwich. I’m just so over sandwiches for now. Maybe on a salad, but with what else? Just tuna and greens? Peanut butter sandwiches? I could add those into my diet as sort of a “side dish” to my lunches. Nuts themselves have protein, but they were surprisingly sort of expensive. Does milk have protein? I occasionally make smoothies and could add some sort of protein supplement to them, but that stuff is a little spendy.
Do any of you have any ideas for delicious and inexpensive ways to get more protein into my life?
RacerX and Single Ma both say they won’t (at least not 100%). Shuchong argues that her parents paid for hers and figures it was a good investment for the doors it has opened in her life. Trent makes some points on why you shouldn’t pay, but the only one that holds up as a rule is that it is a burden on the parents.
I find the whole debate a bit perplexing. It implies that most people have the choice, which I don’t think is the case. Most parents will help their kids to the best of their ability, and if parents can’t afford to, what is there to argue about?
Paying for your kids college will no doubt give them an edge in the early stages of their life, and maybe beyond. I find that is difficult to argue. If you take two identical high school senior and pay for Student A’s education at the best school he can get into, and send Student B on his own, in most cases Student A will come out ahead.
But who cares? We’re never talking about two identical students, but individual students with unique talents, goals, and personalities. I want to emphasize that kids can be quite successful in life even if parents “choose not to” (or can’t afford to) foot the bill.
Here are my tips on how to make college affordable and still be able to compete with those who had an advantage. These tips are geared at those students who, given different financial circumstances, might have found themselves at a top school. These thoughts are not new, but I want to emphasize that they really do work and won’t put you at a huge disadvantage in life.
Scholarships/Financial Aid
This is obvious. Apply for all the scholarships you can, fill out the FAFSA, and with any luck, you won’t need to do any thing else on this list! However, don’t be fooled–it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Most students will get some help, but few will get everything provided.
Get a job while in college
Working full time is not ideal–school really does have to come first. However, in my part time jobs I never had a problem getting off of work when I needed to study. I hate hearing “my parents really wanted me to focus on school and be involved on campus, so I didn’t work.” My parents also wanted those things for me, yet I still had jobs throughout college and had a great experience. You can “do it all”, so to speak.
Very few kids who didn’t work spent more time studying than I did. For the most part, they just spent more time relaxing and goofing off with friends (which may have it’s benefits, but doesn’t further education/career. You can still “network” without having excess free time.) The worst cases simply spent a lot of time partying or smoking pot.
After the jobs related to my major, waitressing was a the best college job I had. The most money could be made on Friday or Saturday nights, and you would be done in time to go out with friends. Even if you have a job, make time to be involved in campus activities. Even if you are an officer in an organization, being involved on campus isn’t that time consuming. As an added bonus, you can add a nice bullet on your resume: “Maintained a [X] GPA while working 20 hours a week.”
Take Out Student Loans
I’m also tired of “I’m so thankful I’m not burdened with debt”. My $133/mo really is not burdening me, especially when I think of the opportunities it provides me. Don’t be scared of loans, but don’t be careless with them either. You have to be smart about this, but student loans can be a good tool. It is silly to go into a bunch of debt to get a degree that won’t earn you much money. However, it is equally silly to forgo a low interest loan (especially subsidized) if you’ll have a strong earning potential once you graduate.
Pick a marketable major
There is something to be said for studying what you love, but understand the implications. I am not arguing that the world doesn’t need majors in comparative literature. However, studying something that has lower earning potential is a luxury. If you can get scholarships to do this, wonderful! If your parents are footing the bill, great! Have fun! Just don’t go $120k into debt to become a pastry chef (true story, saw it on Suze Orman). You’ll regret it, even if you love baking. (I do love math/science, but not everyone is a nerd like me.)
This isn’t to say you are limited to majors that lead directly to a lucrative career. If you are majoring in something impractical (or actually, anything) have a plan and be able to justify any money spent on that degree. Truly loving what you do can be justification enough, as long as you can afford to pay back any debt you incur.
Don’t go to a “brand name” school (unless financial aid makes it worth it)
I am going to admit it–a good school helps your resume for your first job. I doubt my current job would not have hired me based on my college resume, solely because my undergrad school is unrecognizable outside of the region. However, I’m less than two years out of school and working primarily with people whose college educations cost a lot more money than mine did (and getting an M.S. at top university fully paid for).
Without a brand name school, good grades are especially important. If you have mediocre grades at a mediocre school, you won’t stand out. If you are a bright student at a mediocre school, take advantage of it. Get high marks and get to know your professors. They might be able to hook you up with a grading or TA job, or they may have connections in industry. Be involved on campus, become an officer, and be an outstanding well rounded student.
After college, get your first job at the best company that recruits at your school. Do well in it, get some good experience. Perhaps you’ll find you really like your job and you are well paid, so no need to move on. If not, with a little experience you will have a good chance of getting in to any company you want to work for.
Bottom Line
Kids whose parents pay for college (especially fancy ones) simply do not have to be as motivated and outstanding those who are on their own. I’m not saying that they aren’t (there are talented and motivated students everywhere).
However, average (and below average) students at those schools will likely do better than average students elsewhere simply because of the parental advantage. Doors will be opened for them more easily, but you can open your own doors. If you are committed, hardworking, motivated, and have some sort of aptitude in something, you should be able to do just as well, even without your parents financial support.
What I’ll do for my kids
I’m not sure yet. I’ll help them to the best of my ability if they show the motivation and aptitude for college. If I can’t afford much, I’ll help them in ways my parents did–encouragement and support. I’ll also help them in ways my parents didn’t (because they didn’t know). I’ll be sure they apply for every scholarship they are eligible for. (I would have qualified for free tuition based on my ACT score had I taken them in the right month. Still bitter.) I’ll have solid advice about the admissions process and show them outstanding schools that provide excellent financial aid. I’ll also help them navigate the financial aid office and truly understand any loans they take out. They will be personal finance experts by the time they graduate high school! And I’ll tell them everything I just wrote here (provided it still applies when my theoretical unborn children go to college!)
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