1. Financial Security How to live financially responsible, afford anything, and stop being a “normal” person

2. Overview Earning Money Budgeting Money Spending Money Saving Money

3. Earning Money Georgia Tech Division of Professional Practice Co-op Work Interning Work Abroad Work on campus ECHO WCHO CRC Library Other Tech Square (Tin Drum, Ribs & Blues, Rays, etc) Delta Upsilon  Work Assignments  Tasks for the House Manager

4. Co-op Program and Interning http://www.profpractice.gatech.edu/ Average Starting Salary : ~$15 / hour ( ~$10,000 / semester ) Hundreds of jobs available All over the country

5. Budgeting Money Make a budget! Track all expenses Rent, Meal Plan, Dues, Education, Groceries, Gas, Alcohol, Eating Out, Electronics, Computer, Photography, Entertainment, Gifts, Travel, Misc. Put money into a savings account If you are co-oping or interning, make sure you save money for the following semesters (when you aren't working)

6. Example Budget (Co-op Fall 2009) Income: $2,500 / month Expenses (per month) Rent: $387.50 Meal Plan: $175 Dues: $221.25 Gas: $25 Groceries: $100 Entertainment: $100 Miscellanous: $100 Total Expenses: $1,108.75 Extra Money: $1,391.25 / month (enough to cover expenses for the next semester (when not co-oping)

7. Spending Money Step 1 – Research Step 2 – Shopping Step 3 – Buying 3.1 – Buying New 3.2 – Buying Used

8. Step 1 - Research ALWAYS research the product you are looking to buy Read forums, Consumer Reports, customer reviews, etc. Learn to look past the big flashy numbers Cameras (MegaPixels, LCD size) Computers (HD size)

9. Step 2 - Shopping NEVER buy on impulse Use Google Shopping to quickly find the best places to shop If you are shopping at physical stores, make sure to only buy what you went there to buy Sure, look around and check the prices of other items you might be interested in, but don't buy them

10. Step 3.1 – Buying New Never buy any type of extended warranty on electronics All types of electronics today get outdated as soon as you buy them Never buy a new car or any device the day it comes out New cars lose thousands as soon as they are driven off the lot

11. Step 3.2 – Buying Used Craigslist is a great way to buy (and sell) used items Haggle! Always make an offer for less than what they want. The worst that happens is you have to pay what you expected

12. Saving Money Never pay full price Before buying anything, look for coupons, discounts, or sales that are going on Slickdeals.net Shop at Salvation Army and Goodwill Salvation Army is 50% off on Wednesdays Borrow or buy textbooks from students Sell them to students as well (cut out the bookstores) Don't eat out! One meal on the weekends will cost you at least $10 (more than you would pay if you bought deli meat and made sandwiches for the weekend) Cook a meal for your girlfriend (much cheaper and will make you look better) If you order food, do pick-up, not delivery

13. Saving More Money Don't get charged late fees or finance charges Only buy things that you can afford Pay with cash (it hurts more to watch your cash go away than using plastic) Walk or ride a bike Learn to do things yourself Learn to troubleshoot problems with a computer, a car, and other items that are costly to have someone else fix Buy online to avoid tax (assuming the shipping is reasonable) Use free cashback programs Bing Cash Back, Ebates, Add it Up Don't gamble or play the lottery (“the poor person tax”)

14. Questions?