Its that time of year when upcoming college graduates are starting to freak out that the time has actually come to enter the “real world.” Lets be real, most of us are definately not ready for this transition…or for some, this giant leap!

When I was a Freshman at BU I thought 4 years would seem like an eternity. But looking back, I can still remember skipping many of my large lectures and regretting it when exams came around…attending parties where you maybe knew the 3 people you came with…and wondering when things with school would actually get any easier! Now looking back, its hard to imagine that getting a job seemed so far away and now it is just around the corner!

Last week I accepted my first job. It was not my first offer, but it was the first one that I had actually accepted. Its hard when you get offers, you think of all the pros and cons…and unless its the job you have been searching for your whole life, it really is hard to make that decision! I’m still not 100% positive about what I want to do with my life…so eventually you just have to take that leap right?

My job entails eventually becoming a buyer for a major company. Believe me, if you know anything about me…shopping is one of my MAJOR downfalls. I just figure why not put it to use at a company that NEEDS me to shop for them right? The salary (at $38,000) was not all I had dreamed for, but being a Marketing major I knew my first salary would be much lower than someone graduating with a Finance degree from the School of Management.

It took me a little while…but I really realized that money isn’t everything. The job was something I knew I would be good at. It is a really reputable company. And everyone I had talked to loves it there. It took me a while to come to grips with the money, but in the end I realized that I would rather be happy with my job and get paid less…than be miserable and making a ton of money (which is why I chose Marketing in the first place!).

My advice to and you of out there looking for jobs (and believe me…I know it is NOT a fun time to look for jobs!):

1. Don’t give up – No matter how frustrating the application process may get, something will come around. And if you accept a job and don’t love it…don’t worry! Most people don’t stay at their first job for life anyway!

2. Apply everywhere! — Although this may not seem logical, I have found out that only a few of the companies you apply to will even look at your application. You want to get yourself out there as much as possible. And so what if you have to go to a million first round interviews, it just increases your chance that you will get a second round interview!

3. Weigh your pros and cons — This is important. Like I said, the money aspect was hard for me to get over…but in the end I realized that money was not everything. You need to look at more than just the short run…consider also what you want for the future. Would you rather be happy and get paid less? Or unhappy and get paid more? If you’re very lucky, you won’t have to make this decision at all and you will get paid a TON at a job you love!

4. Don’t let people make your decision for you – For a while I got sucked into listening to my friends and family too much. Don’t get me wrong, I value their experience and advice a great deal…but in the end, the decision is yours and only yours to make.

5. Don’t get hung up on an offer you might let go – There is no point in looking back. If you turn down an offer because you think it isn’t for you…you have to move on! Having regrets won’t help you in the long run it will only hurt you. Move on without the regret, there was something about the job you didn’t want. So even if you end up without a job when you graduate, at least you won’t be stuck in a job you didn’t think was right for you.

6. Don’t let graduation freak you out – Don’t make rash decisions just because graduation is around the corner and it feels like everyone else around you has a job! THEY DON’T! The market is so bad right now that I know some people at my school that accepted jobs in the Fall and have had their offers revoked because the company just can’t afford to take on new employees! Many people are in the same boat…don’t think your the only one!

This is some of the advice that I have learned that I hope many of you can use as you move forward into the “real world.” It won’t be easy…but its just another step in your life, and like the past 4 years of college — it will probably go by much faster than you ever imagined!

Also, make sure to check out our college/university groups! Many students that attend the same school as you may have some advice to get you through!

(Image by Cohdra)

Attention soon-to-be college graduates! Enjoy the parties. Post-college will entail a lot of financial sobering-up.

Suddenly it will feel like everyone wants you to pay them. Here are three smart things to do to make sure you pay #1 first and build yourself a solid financial future.

1. Make your savings automatic. Use your online skills to set up automatic drafts from checking into long-term savings. Take it from all of us who didn’t do it. You’ll thank us!

2. Go card-free. Now is the time to build your first “real world” budget. The fastest way to do this is to use cash for all your expenses for a month. This will show you exactly where your money is going. If there’s not enough to go around now is the time to make lifestyle adjustments. You can also use Geezeo’s spending target tools. (Click here to join Geezeo.)

3. Contribute to your 401(k) — even if you have student loan debt. If you’re lucky enough to have a 401(k) associated with your first job make sure to take advantage of it! The money you contribute now will have a longer time to grow. Therefore, it’s the most powerful. If you don’t have a 401(k) option now is a good time to open an IRA. (You can do both!).

Happy graduation!

Related:
Graduation…celebration or another expense??
Graduating and entering “Adult World” — how to manage it
Are college tests testing your wallet?

Yes: reprogramming your mind is possible. Why not upgrade some thoughts about managing finances? Here’s how to start.

1. Choose your target. First, figure out one specific aspect of your financial life that you’d like to change. For example, maybe you don’t pay your bills on time. You frequently think, “I never seem to pay my bills on time”.

2. Now, choose the opposite. Instead of thinking “I never seem to pay my bills on time”, change that statement to it’s opposite: “I always pay my bills on time”. It should feel weird to say. That’s good. This signals you currently hold other beliefs. It’s those beliefs we’re going to erase from your brain.

Important key: Write this statement on paper. Write it in the present tense as if it’s already true. Here’s a bad example: “I will pay my bills on time”. Why is that bad? The word “will” makes your money affirmation in the future. You don’t want future results. You want NOW results. Your brain processes NOW a lot better. (For proof, check out the science book: Your Money and Your Brain by Jason Zweig)

3. Rinse and repeat. Repeating is the key. That will “rinse out” your existing belief. And if your current thoughts aren’t yielding much, why not try? Repeat your affirmation on a daily basis. (For directions, check out the lo-tech or hi-tech hypnosis approaches discussed Friday). Spend a few minutes each day doing this.

Do it for 30 days. By the end of the month you’ll see some money-making changes! Your newly-installed belief will begin to shape your thoughts. And those thoughts will influence your actions. New actions = new results!

Remember, while self-hypnosis is simple it takes repeated, regular effort. Here’s the good news. Doing this will take just minutes a day and costs you nothing. Does that sound familiar? It should because it’s similar to using Geezeo: it takes just minutes a day, costs you nothing, and can super-charge your financial life. Register now!

Ever been to a hypnotist? I have (to get over an irrational fear). My dad used hypnosis to quit smoking after 20 years. No joke — it works.

Hypnosis might sound a little hocus-pocus. But the power of the mind is incredible. You can harness it for your financial life, too. Here’s how to hypnotize yourself to better money management!

1 - You’re getting sleepy… very sleepy.

Movies and stage shows present hypnosis as fairly dramatic. But no need for capes and sparkling theatrical lights. You just gotta relax.

You can relax in a favorite chair or on the sofa. Pick a time you won’t be interrupted.

2 - Choose between hi-tech and lo-tech hypnosis. The “lo-tech” way is to write out your affirmations on a card. Then, close your eyes and slowly repeat each one multiple times.

The “hi-tech” way is to record your affirmations using your PC. Listen to the recording multiple times as you drift off…

3 - Visualize, visualize, visualize. In your mind do and be exactly as you describe in your affirmation. The more realistically you imagine, the better.

Do #2 and #3 until you fall asleep, or, the timer you’ve set goes off.

Sound like too much time? Here’s the short-cut. Tape your affirmations to your bathroom mirror. Repeat your affirmations as you brush your teeth, shave, or put on your make-up. Soon, you’ll retrain your mind for better money-making and money-management!

So how do create your own, personalized, money affirmations? Tune in on Monday.

….You’ll be compelled to tune in Monday….

bwwahhahaha…..

Today we are very excited to announce that TheStreet.com (TSCM) has made a strategic investment in Geezeo. You can check out the full press release here.

Having TheStreet.com as a strategic partner/investor is hands down the best next step in Geezeo’s evolution. Along with the capital needed to take Geezeo to the next level, our relationship with TheStreet.com will also help us reach millions of new potential users and expand our content offerings in the areas of personal finance and investing

There is so much alignment between Geezeo and TheStreet.com’s properties it’s easy to see why we are so excited for the future of our product. From their flagship site, TheStreet.com that will help strengthen our investment education and tools to the recently launched MainStreet.com “where life and money intersect”. MainStreet.com focuses on life events and takes a light informative approach to helping people address financial situations at different stages in their life. Two other fantastic Street properties that we look forward to aligning with include Stockpickr.com, the social investing site created by author and investor James Altucher and BankingMyWay.com, the nations leader in providing consumers with the largest collection of banking rates online.

We are also fired up to be working with the talented team over at Promotions.com (recently acquired by TheStreet.com). Promotions.com works with many of the world’s largest brands and online publishers to create, build and execute online marketing promotions. We are working very close with their team on a number of initiatives. Check out this recent project they worked on for Verizon and you’ll get an idea of what’s to come.

We are totally confident that we are now partnered with the absolute best company to help us gain exposure, enhance content, and make Geezeo the very best free personal finance management site on the web.

Long Geezeo (GZO)

Entrepreneurship is a distinct part of the American Dream. Since our country’s founding we’ve applauded hardworking business owners. They create jobs for others and satisfy their own sense of independence and accomplishment. Sounds great!

If you’ve been bitten by the dream of owning your own business, what should you do?

1. Get comfortable managing money. This starts with your personal accounts. The pressures of owning a business will magnify your strengths and weaknesses in this department. Make sure you’re on top of things by using the tools necessary to see the “big picture”. (Guess what tool we like? Yep. Geezeo — sure we’re biased, but, it does give you an overview of all your accounts. Check it out.)

2. Get comfortable with risk. Not crazy risk — like jumping out of planes without a back-up parachute. Calculated risk. Conservative risk. And yes, sometimes crazy risk. The trick is being to evaluate risk options and stick with your decision. Financially you can prepare for risk by taking on small gambles (like lending money to someone) and train yourself to calmly evaluate your reaction. As they say: the only thing you can control in life is your reaction. Find ways to keep as level-headed as possible.

3. Have plans for both lean and fat times. If you know there is a possibility for roller-coaster-like available funds, make sure you have confident plans for both situations. Following your plan will remove some of the emotion associated with the financial situation at hand.

How many of you are your own boss? What are some tips you would add?

photo: Jay Malpass, of his boss dressed as a pig mascot for the Anderson County Fair (Anderson, South Carolina). Looks a little like our former piggie mascots, Pork & Beans?

Can “going green” give you more greenbacks? Here are some earth-saving, and wallet-saving tips courtesy financial planner David Bach (the guy who made “latte factor” a phrase).

• $50 per year on your energy bill by buying an EPA “Energy Star”-rated washing machine—and cutting your water use by 7,000 gallons a year at the same time

• $72 a year on your water bill by turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth, installing low-flow showerheads, and buying a dual-flush toilet (conserving 9,200 gallons of water)

• 30% on energy bills by getting an energy audit (reducing CO2 emissions by 9,545 pounds a year)

• $798 a year in gas by keeping your car well maintained (while keeping 5,800 pounds of CO2 out of the air each year)

• up to a third on many groceries by buying in bulk (helping reduce the 80 million tons of packaging that ends up in landfills each year)

• $40 annually by switching to recycled toilet paper (if we all did this, we would save 19 million trees a year) and $45 over the lifetime of a light bulb by switching to Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs)

• $94 a year on electric bills by buying a $35 power strip and eliminating the energy drain known as “phantom load” that accounts for 5 to 15 percent of your monthly electricity bill

• $8,580 a year by ditching one car completely

• $215 a year by using public transportation instead of a car for just one errand a week (if we all did this, we would collectively reduce carbon emissions by 149 million tons)

Just think what would happen if you invested the difference… for more similarly-themed ideas, check out Bach’s book: Go Green Live Rich.

Happy Earth Day! Discuss your earth-friendly, wallet-friendly tips at the Geezeo group Greentrees.

photograph: Lisa Solonynko

How do you become a millionaire by thirty (or hey, even earlier?) Could you do it if you’ve passed the 3-0 mark?

The book I read this weekend explains an unconventional approach. The book is “Millionaire By Thirty: The Quickest Path to Early Financial Independence”, written by best selling author Douglas R. Andrew and his twenty-something sons, Emron and Aaron. Douglas Andrew is known for his book series “Missed Fortune”.

The beginning of the book lays the groundwork for sound financial planning. It’s a great encapsulation of what an individual can do to build a strong financial future. One big concept is to “use credit to conserve, not consume”. Another is and the concept of arbitrage in real-life application.

It is the middle and last half of the book that really stands out as unconventional. The book illustrates how you can use real estate mortgage(s) and life insurance to grow your net worth. Many view a mortgage and the cost of life insurance as shackles to growing wealth. The Andrews, however, present these as the key to a building a strong fiscal foundation. There method is likely a concept different than most you’ve heard before (unless you’re already familiar with the “Missed Fortune” series). The Andrews compare the benefits of this tandem approach to other long-term savings vehicles. They end up with a pretty compelling argument.

My only complaint is that the book’s additional online material isn’t yet online.

The book is written in a clear and concise manner. Still, for anyone who is new to some of these concepts it is well-worth owning this book so you can read and reference it multiple times. The book challenged the way I view some expenses (like my student loans). In the end gave me a new way to think about debt. For that alone the book is highly recommended!

GET A COPY! I’ve got 2 copies to give away. I’ll give it to the first two Geezeo users who send me an internal Geez-mail with a link to their group or goal. Make sure to include your mailing address. Good luck!

Discuss these and other books in the Geezeo Group Bookworms Unite.

With graduation just around the corner (for both college and high school graduates…but mine being college), I am realizing that not only is this a celebration, but just another expense to add to mine (or my parents) credit cards!!

I was surpised how quickly all the expenses add up…and how I always thought of graduation as a celebration, not really as a time to spend a lot of money. I suppose high school is a little different, graduation just kind of happens and your parents deal with the money aspect of things. But college is a little bit different, there are the parties, the celebrating at bars, senior week, the drinks…you name it the expenses just keep on coming!

Here are a few things I have realized in the past few weeks:

1. Cost of Cap and Gown — In high school we didn’t have to BUY our cap and gowns…they were given to us on “loan” and the tassle was FREE! Nope…that definately is not the case with college. A basic package of cap, gown, annoucements, and your tassle at Boston University cost $85.00!…what a bummer! When am I EVER going to wear my cap and gown again? I mean come on!

2. Adding a Frame to your Basic Package — The frame for your diplomas were nice, I will give BU that. But I mean come on, over $200 for a frame with the BU crest on it. I thought that was a little bit excessive. I figured I would just get mine framed once I received it.

3. Cost of Dinner and Celebration — This my parents will pay for for the obvious reasons…its my celebration I suppose and they want to be a part of this. But with 7 people attending this dinner, drinks, appetizers, you name it…the price will definately add up!

4. Cost of “Senior Week” — This is fun! And actually, the prices weren’t so bad. Senior week in total probably cost me about $150, but we are doing some really fun things. Martha’s Vineyard trip, Mogegan Sun, Jake Ivory’s (I highly recommend this Piano bar…it’s near Fenway Park and it really is just amazing), and we are also doing a few other trips as well, all at a reasonable cost. But the catch is…NO DRINKS INCLUDED! That kinda puts the cost of these trips up a little bit. Besides our “Champagne Reception”…drinks are not included at any of the other events…we shall see what my bill accumulates to after that week is over.

I think the costs are definately worth it though! This is a once in a lifetime thing. I won’t be graduating from college again…and this achievement is much greater than high school. I just can’t believe 4 years has gone by so fast. I’m sure many of you are stuck in the same predicament…where the heck did the time go? And can’t I just live this lifestyle for a little bit longer!?

haha, really the answer is nope! After you walk across that stage…it really is time for the real world! But don’t worry…”Work Hard, Play Hard” is how I think of it! Don’t look at this as the end of all your fun, its just another stage in life with more fun to come! :o)

(Image by Heather)

Do you have a high-fever case of Affluenza? What is it, and how do you get it? Geezeo investigates.

Most of us probably agree better money management isn’t just about numbers. It’s also about choosing to live wisely. How do you define “living wisely”?

Some might say that it means living below your means, spending conservatively, and choosing few items to own and maintain. There is always room for improvement when it comes to how much “stuff” you own. (Believe me! I just moved!)

Do you find yourself trying to “keep up the Joneses”? Many of us strive to do just that — whether we admit it or not. How does that affect us culturally?

Some say Americans in general are struck with a severe case of “Affluenza” — consuming too much and caring too little about the financial (or environmental, or psychological) ramifications. Do you have Affluenza? Here’s a quiz.

Here’s some more diagnosis information (courtesy PBS). And here’s the treatment!

So: spend wisely. Use your Geezeo account and the “spending target” feature to manage your case of Affluenza. Good luck with the cure!