Last night was the appreciation dinner for the contestants, their parents, coaches, and judges. It made me realize that this journey is almost over. And on that realization I began to reflect on the journey itself.
I have learned so many things that are so incredibly vital to life, I don’t know how anyone could go without this knowledge and be able to make it in the world. I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity to participate in this savings challenge.
The scholarship money will definitely be beneficial and will help me to afford attending Baylor University in the fall. But the knowledge I gained about saving, loans, credit, etc are going to help me so much more.
Being informed about finances is the best present I could have received my senior year, and I am forever grateful to A+ for this gift. I had not realized how naïve I was until after the fact; I was under the impression I had it all together. But thanks to both of the Kelseys, the A+ website, and all of the other resources that were provided to me, I feel like I am ready to be on my own physically and financially.
I was always financially independent, but was never quite comfortable with the idea of having to be completely on my own managing my own money. With this new found confidence and knowledge I know that I will be nothing less than successful. And I also know that if I ever need to, my coach, Kelsey, is just an email away.
I loved working with her and know that I can go to her with questions, concerns, or just to talk even after the savings challenge is over. There is not a moment or experience that I regret or would change in the least. Every memory I have of the challenge is a fond one.
I will miss my meetings with Kelsey, where half the time we wouldn’t even talk about the challenge. I will miss the lunch meetings with the other Kelsey, and all of the wisdom she had to share through her fun power points. And I will miss the constant guidance that I received while partaking in the challenge, even though I know that I will be just fine on my own.
I have no idea how to repay A+ for all they have done for me and my future, but I think I have an idea. I will continue to utilize all that I have learned and all of the resources that have been provided to me. And the best thing of all, I will pass on what I have learned to someone else…which is the goal of the A+ Savings Challenge.
Once again, thank you so very much.
- Katelyn S.
Figuring Out How to Pay for College
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Well last week was scholarship week at SMHS and I am so glad that I did not have to stress about it. I was one of the few seniors who was able to complete everything before the very last day.
Over the past year, I have applied for so many scholarships it is unreal. My only concern is not receiving as many as I hoped I would, then all my hard work would have been for nothing.
I have already been told by the University of Texas at San Antonio, the college that I have decided to attend, that I will not be receiving the Terry Scholarship nor any scholarship through the Honors College. As of right now, my only chances of getting a scholarship through UTSA are general scholarships.
On the bright side, I have received my first official scholarship by the Order of the Eastern Star that amounts to a grand total of $500. Don't get me wrong, I am glad for it, but I really hope that I receive bigger scholarships than that.
With only two months of my public education remaining, I have been getting really nervous about how I am going to pay for the next 4 years of my life. I have been crunching the numbers and I have figured out it is going to be costing me roughly $20,000 a year to go to school. That's more money than a used car! And the sad part is, even though this sounds like a lot of money, some schools cost nearly double that, not to mention that the price to attend a college increase every year.
In order to prepare for this huge investment, I have decided that I will be working at least 30 hours a week during the summer. Though I know most of the money I earn won't be going towards tuition, it will still be going to college related expenses. For example, I am going to need new sheets that will fit the size of my new bed, storage units, towels, dishes, and so on.
One thing I am so glad I don't have to worry about is buying a refrigerator and microwave, because they come with the dorm.
I am aware that there are plenty more expenses that I will need to worry about, but as of right now, I am going to set it in the back of my mind. I hope all of my finances will eventually find a way to get paid for without using student loans.
- Iris
Over the past year, I have applied for so many scholarships it is unreal. My only concern is not receiving as many as I hoped I would, then all my hard work would have been for nothing.
I have already been told by the University of Texas at San Antonio, the college that I have decided to attend, that I will not be receiving the Terry Scholarship nor any scholarship through the Honors College. As of right now, my only chances of getting a scholarship through UTSA are general scholarships.
On the bright side, I have received my first official scholarship by the Order of the Eastern Star that amounts to a grand total of $500. Don't get me wrong, I am glad for it, but I really hope that I receive bigger scholarships than that.
With only two months of my public education remaining, I have been getting really nervous about how I am going to pay for the next 4 years of my life. I have been crunching the numbers and I have figured out it is going to be costing me roughly $20,000 a year to go to school. That's more money than a used car! And the sad part is, even though this sounds like a lot of money, some schools cost nearly double that, not to mention that the price to attend a college increase every year.
In order to prepare for this huge investment, I have decided that I will be working at least 30 hours a week during the summer. Though I know most of the money I earn won't be going towards tuition, it will still be going to college related expenses. For example, I am going to need new sheets that will fit the size of my new bed, storage units, towels, dishes, and so on.
One thing I am so glad I don't have to worry about is buying a refrigerator and microwave, because they come with the dorm.
I am aware that there are plenty more expenses that I will need to worry about, but as of right now, I am going to set it in the back of my mind. I hope all of my finances will eventually find a way to get paid for without using student loans.
- Iris
Teaching My Friends
Monday, April 12, 2010
Hey, so I think my presentation went pretty well. Down side was that was the second day I had a presentation in a row, so I got blisters on my feet from wearing heels. But it’s alright I guess, I got a lot of compliments on how nice I looked.
My presentation was about saving; specifically, saving for college. I presented to my Health Occupation Students of America club during one of our regular meetings. All of us plan on going to college, and many to Med school, so I figured the topic would be appropriate.
I did my presentation in the form of a PowerPoint/speech, and I think it worked out fairly well. I don’t mind giving speeches; I’m not the kind of person that gets super nervous. I actually kind of enjoy the adrenaline rush, it’s like riding roller coasters or sky diving.
Many of my friends who were there for my presentation came up to me afterward and told me how much they enjoyed and learned from it.
I am so glad that I got the opportunity not only to learn, but also to teach. This is super valuable and pertinent information that all high school kids should have access to.
That’s why it is so awesome that we have an A Plus Federal Credit Union built right into our school. They focus so much on teaching the community, and especially high school kids since they have a branch at SMHS.
I definitely encourage everyone to get involved with the programs they have. Not only do you learn important information…. But they often give you money too! Seriously, don’t waste opportunities like these. It has made a HUGE impact in my life and has completely changed my outlook on a lot of different things.
College and life in general will be so much easier because of this opportunity I got to participate in the A Plus savings challenge.
My presentation was about saving; specifically, saving for college. I presented to my Health Occupation Students of America club during one of our regular meetings. All of us plan on going to college, and many to Med school, so I figured the topic would be appropriate.
I did my presentation in the form of a PowerPoint/speech, and I think it worked out fairly well. I don’t mind giving speeches; I’m not the kind of person that gets super nervous. I actually kind of enjoy the adrenaline rush, it’s like riding roller coasters or sky diving.
Many of my friends who were there for my presentation came up to me afterward and told me how much they enjoyed and learned from it.
I am so glad that I got the opportunity not only to learn, but also to teach. This is super valuable and pertinent information that all high school kids should have access to.
That’s why it is so awesome that we have an A Plus Federal Credit Union built right into our school. They focus so much on teaching the community, and especially high school kids since they have a branch at SMHS.
I definitely encourage everyone to get involved with the programs they have. Not only do you learn important information…. But they often give you money too! Seriously, don’t waste opportunities like these. It has made a HUGE impact in my life and has completely changed my outlook on a lot of different things.
College and life in general will be so much easier because of this opportunity I got to participate in the A Plus savings challenge.
Reality TV and Debt
Thursday, April 8, 2010
During the past year, I have learned that there are many reasons that people lose as much money as they do.
One reason is people use up too much fake money on their millions of credit cards and are incapable of paying back the debt. This causes them to go into debt, and occasionally can make them go homeless if they overspend too much.
Another reason is because they take way too many loans out of their banks and get to the point that they feel as if they don’t have to pay back their bills.
Issues such as this are becoming so popular nowadays that it has made the repo business very productive.
People such as the ones on the television show Operation Repo are able to pay their bills because of the repo job, and are trying to educate others how to keep on top of their bills so as to not get their things taken from them in a repo.
There are many things that can be taken in a repo, such as boats, cars, trucks, houses, and air planes. They are subject to repo because they are very expensive, and many people either can’t afford to pay for their property, or they don’t care. Most of these people have overspent and were taught that it was ok to do such things.
I also learned that if all the people in the world saved, and never had to pay any debt off to anyone else in the world, the world would be such a better place. Unfortunately though, borrowing has been overdone, and there is quite a bit of trouble paying off every ounce of debt owed.
For example, the United States is in such a large debt that some say we are risking going into another depression. We owe over seventy billion dollars by a long shot, and are going to be paying it off for centuries. Scientists and other people who are looking into this subject say that our grandchildren’s children will be paying off the debt that we are creating to this day.
- Lynda
One reason is people use up too much fake money on their millions of credit cards and are incapable of paying back the debt. This causes them to go into debt, and occasionally can make them go homeless if they overspend too much.
Another reason is because they take way too many loans out of their banks and get to the point that they feel as if they don’t have to pay back their bills.
Issues such as this are becoming so popular nowadays that it has made the repo business very productive.
People such as the ones on the television show Operation Repo are able to pay their bills because of the repo job, and are trying to educate others how to keep on top of their bills so as to not get their things taken from them in a repo.
There are many things that can be taken in a repo, such as boats, cars, trucks, houses, and air planes. They are subject to repo because they are very expensive, and many people either can’t afford to pay for their property, or they don’t care. Most of these people have overspent and were taught that it was ok to do such things.
I also learned that if all the people in the world saved, and never had to pay any debt off to anyone else in the world, the world would be such a better place. Unfortunately though, borrowing has been overdone, and there is quite a bit of trouble paying off every ounce of debt owed.
For example, the United States is in such a large debt that some say we are risking going into another depression. We owe over seventy billion dollars by a long shot, and are going to be paying it off for centuries. Scientists and other people who are looking into this subject say that our grandchildren’s children will be paying off the debt that we are creating to this day.
- Lynda
Why Insurance is so Important
Monday, April 5, 2010
At our last luncheon we learned about insurance. Most of us are pretty knowledgeable to an extent as to what insurance is, but not all the logistics that factor into it.
When life is smooth and going great we don’t tend to think of insurance as a necessary thing, however when the tables have turned and find ourselves in a crunch we are usually thankful we have insurance to fall back on.
Insurance allows people to save for unpredictable life events in a popular and efficient way that really pays off in the long run. There are some people that might say that insurance is just “beating the odds” but in reality insurance is the ultimate winning situation for everyone.
In my perspective it is easy to sit back and say that you will most likely never be faced with a type of disaster or situation that is necessary for you to have insurance.
The thing is though, your chances of life throwing you a curve ball could be one in a million, but that one millionth of a risk can make or break you and therefore all the more reason for you to have insurance JUST in case.
Some people may ask, “What type of insurance do I need?”---Usually people tend to be concerned with four areas: their life, their possessions, their health, and their finances.
Something you should know when committing to an insurance company is you're just a statistic. To your insurer, you aren’t really an individual person; you are a risk.
Insurance companies base the premiums you pay based on risk factors that include things like your age, driving record, occupation, assets and liabilities and health. Actuaries use these factors to determine how likely or unlikely the insurance company is to end up paying out money because you get ill, crash your car, suffer a home burglary or die (depending on your type of insurance).
I’ve learned that every insurance company is different and has their own way of doing things so it is important that you shop around and pick a company that works best for you. I encourage not to just pick the company that is the cheapest because usually the ones that may be a little more expensive are worth the extra couple bucks. Here are some questions to ask yourself before choosing:
When life is smooth and going great we don’t tend to think of insurance as a necessary thing, however when the tables have turned and find ourselves in a crunch we are usually thankful we have insurance to fall back on.
Insurance allows people to save for unpredictable life events in a popular and efficient way that really pays off in the long run. There are some people that might say that insurance is just “beating the odds” but in reality insurance is the ultimate winning situation for everyone.
In my perspective it is easy to sit back and say that you will most likely never be faced with a type of disaster or situation that is necessary for you to have insurance.
The thing is though, your chances of life throwing you a curve ball could be one in a million, but that one millionth of a risk can make or break you and therefore all the more reason for you to have insurance JUST in case.
Some people may ask, “What type of insurance do I need?”---Usually people tend to be concerned with four areas: their life, their possessions, their health, and their finances.
Something you should know when committing to an insurance company is you're just a statistic. To your insurer, you aren’t really an individual person; you are a risk.
Insurance companies base the premiums you pay based on risk factors that include things like your age, driving record, occupation, assets and liabilities and health. Actuaries use these factors to determine how likely or unlikely the insurance company is to end up paying out money because you get ill, crash your car, suffer a home burglary or die (depending on your type of insurance).
I’ve learned that every insurance company is different and has their own way of doing things so it is important that you shop around and pick a company that works best for you. I encourage not to just pick the company that is the cheapest because usually the ones that may be a little more expensive are worth the extra couple bucks. Here are some questions to ask yourself before choosing:
- What conditions or exclusions does the company have that may prevent your claim from being paid?
- Will the company process your claim quickly?
- Will the company still be in business when file a claim?
Things people forget when it comes to insurance-
Read your policy!
- I can’t stress how important this is, because some types of insurance plans have loop holes that you don’t think about unless you have read your policy. Homeowner’s insurance is a good example. Certain things may not be covered so it is your job to find out and know before assuming and ending up in a tight spot.
Is there a discount for that?
- There are tons of things you can get a discount for so ask, it doesn’t hurt you, only benefits you. For example if you quit smoking your Life insurance may go down or if you install alarms in your home your homeowner’s insurance may go down. Also, stop speeding! Maybe that will make your auto insurance go down. So don’t forget to ask!
There are many things to know when buying insurance, so do your research and you will find yourself in a better situation in the long run.
Senior Year Costs
Friday, April 2, 2010
Trying to get ready for college is very hard.
You have to know what college you want to attend and more likely what you are interested in, like specific classes.
After you have all that done figured out you will want to start applying for financial aid. Examples of financial aid would be FASFA, loans, grants, and scholarships.
You have to be prepared for what the future holds, some of us may get rejected and some of us may get lucky.
It’s a big challenge, and for me it was very stressful. You have to turn in all of the scholarships and their requirements by the deadline. My experience of applying for college and all the financial aid forms was very difficult and it stressed me out bad!
Your senior year is what hits you the hardest, for example dealing with money and credit cards, and there is so much that you have to purchase. For example it was time for me to purchase my cap and gown and as I went through it the cheapest packet was $140, and the most expensive was $400.
Then of course you have your senior class trip and every one wants to attend that! All of this takes money, and in my opinion they should let you know as a junior to start saving up because your senior year is going to be very expensive.
- Katherine
You have to know what college you want to attend and more likely what you are interested in, like specific classes.
After you have all that done figured out you will want to start applying for financial aid. Examples of financial aid would be FASFA, loans, grants, and scholarships.
You have to be prepared for what the future holds, some of us may get rejected and some of us may get lucky.
It’s a big challenge, and for me it was very stressful. You have to turn in all of the scholarships and their requirements by the deadline. My experience of applying for college and all the financial aid forms was very difficult and it stressed me out bad!
Your senior year is what hits you the hardest, for example dealing with money and credit cards, and there is so much that you have to purchase. For example it was time for me to purchase my cap and gown and as I went through it the cheapest packet was $140, and the most expensive was $400.
Then of course you have your senior class trip and every one wants to attend that! All of this takes money, and in my opinion they should let you know as a junior to start saving up because your senior year is going to be very expensive.
- Katherine
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