Scour your home for school supplies – One reason why back-to-school spending can go out of hand is that many people choose to purchase new products each year. But do you really need to buy everything new? You’ll be surprised at how many school supplies you can find in your own home if you look. For instance, you can let your children use your old company folders, notebooks, pens or pencils for school. Don’t buy new clothes unless your children have outgrown their shoes and clothing.

Be diligent when looking for bargains – Coupon stacking is a great way to save during this time of the year. In addition, you must always be on the lookout for clearance sales near your area. If you spot yard sales, be sure to pay a visit. Dollar stores are also good places to find excellent bargains. When you do find very good deals, remember to purchase for the whole school year to maximize your savings.

Be wise when buying clothing for your kids – If you have to buy new clothes or shoes for your children, purchase larger sizes to allow room for their growth. This will help you avoid having to buy new sets of clothes each year. Also, you don’t always have to purchase brand new items. You can find slightly used clothes (many of which are even branded items) in thrift stores, eBay or Craigslist for excellent bargains.

Be sure to instill money lessons to your children – In many cases, parents overspend because they simply can’t say “No” to their children. When your kids become unreasonable because they claim to need the latest branded apparel, be prepared to draw-the-line. Teach them the difference between needs and wants. Make it clear to them that money doesn’t grow on trees, and that it must be spent wisely, especially when times are bad. A good way to train them is to bring them along when you shop for school supplies. Show them how to compare prices so they can see just how much costs can vary between similar products. Then ask them why they should spend $15 on a product when another similar item is available for just a dollar.

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Based on the study, it’s clear that the demand for people who have college degrees will only increase in the coming years. If you want to capitalize on these growing job opportunities, be sure that you have the right credentials. Here are some of the college degrees expected to have the highest demand within the next decade:

Health Care

• Medical Technician
• Registered Nursing
• Medical Assistant
• Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy

Education

• Special Education
• Education and Teaching
• Child Care
•  Teaching Certification

STEM

• Computer Science
• Information Technology and Systems
• Programming and Applications
• Technology Support

Managerial and Professional Office

• Accounting
• Administrative Office Support
• Business Administration
• Human Resources Management
• MBA

Community Service and Arts

• Animation
• Graphic Design
• Multimedia Film & Video
• Visual Communications

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Why spend more money if you still end up unemployed after graduation? 

However, studies from the Georgetown University Center suggest that life with a college degree still provides better chances for success compared to life without a college degree. According to their research, the current unemployment figures are not just because of a lack of job openings. In their study, they found that there are many job openings still available despite the recession, especially In sectors such as Health Care, Education, STEM (Scientific, Technical, Engineering, Mathematic, and Social Sciences), Managerial and Professional Office, and Community Service and Arts. However, not enough Americans are completing college to qualify for these available jobs. In fact, an estimated 3 million new jobs will be left vacant by 2018, since there won’t be enough individuals with the proper education credentials to qualify for these jobs.

Based on the study, it’s clear that having a college degree holds an advantage especially when considering the long-term job outlook.

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Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – This is one of the most popular degree courses in the medical field. Demand for nurses remains strong, regardless of the state of the economy. And with nurses earning an average starting salary estimated at $52,700 a year, this degree program becomes even more appealing.

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration – This degree provides students with usable versatility, as the principles of business administration are applied in practically all major industries, including hot spots like health care and finance. This advantage is the reason why a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration isn’t just considered the most valuable business degree, it’s also the most popular college degree in the world. Majors in this field earn an average starting annual salary of $45,200 and their mid-level salaries can balloon to an average of $73,000 a year. Those who earn a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) along the way can even reach six-digit salaries at the height of their careers.

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting – One of the most popular business degrees, stricter laws in the financial sector have increased the demand for accounting majors. Accounting majors earn an average annual entry-level salary of $46,500.

Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies – According to the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for paralegals is estimated at 28% from 2008 to 2018. Aside from a promising job outlook, entry-level salaries for paralegals are estimated at $46,120 a year – not bad for a two-year course.

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Internships – Internship programs are a great way to check out the industry you’re planning to work in. Is your dream job something you truly like? The first-hand experience you gain while working in the industry of your choice is a good resume booster. Remember, not all internship programs pay. If you want income, do your research. Employers usually advertise their internship programs through schools, newspapers and the company website. Know exactly what’s being offered before making your decision.

Volunteer work – Some consider volunteer work as some of the best summer jobs for teens. Helping others in your community is always satisfying. You also get to learn new skills. Volunteer work also looks very good in your resume. It shows employers that you look beyond your own welfare, which is a valuable trait.

Participate in Camps – Many college students are already too old to be campers. But don’t worry, becoming a camp counselor or a counselor in training is a much better way to boost your resume. These jobs highlight traits like responsibility and leadership. They’re also some of the most fun summer jobs around.

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Account for all your savings and expenses – Accounting isn’t everyone’s favorite subject, but it is your best friend if you want to protect your finances. Many people lose money through overdraft fees, just because they didn’t know how much money they had left. Always check your balance and receipts to monitor your spending.

Think before you buy – Impulse buying can easily drain your wallet. Avoid buying things purely based on your emotions. Hold off on your purchase and think about your decision. If you wait until the next day, your emotions would have mellowed down, and you’ll be able to think more clearly. People who do this usually end up forgetting about the item the next day because they really didn’t need it in the first place.

Stick with cash – One of the best money saving habits you can follow is to stick with cash. Credit cards can give you a false sense of wealth. If you use cash strictly, you’ll be forced to spend only what you can currently afford.

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Restaurant Jobs – High turnover rates make it easy for college students to be hired in this field. They can earn a decent paycheck and get good tips on the side during the summer. But more importantly, college students get the chance to make a good impression on branch managers and other supervisors. This gives them the opportunity to expand their network.

Retail Jobs – This is another good job for college students, as it does not require much experience. Most college students usually get a retail job in electronics or clothing, since the products are very familiar to them. One good advantage of this job is that students get to hone their customer-relationship management skills, which are important in business administration and marketing.

Summer Camp Jobs – People who are outgoing, love the outdoors and enjoy spending time with kids may like summer camp jobs. Keep in mind that even if the job revolves around fun activities, you must be very responsible during the shift to ensure the safety and protection of those attending the camp.

Lifeguarding – For those who love to swim, being a lifeguard is an excellent way to earn good money and be in beaches or resorts for the summer. Don’t get too comfortable, though. Discipline and responsibility is required in this job. Lifeguards will be trained how to conduct water surveillance, prevent accidents, apply rescues and provide first aid measures when necessary. 

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Don’t go big on housing right away – Most fresh graduates can’t afford to live in large apartments. In fact, many are forced to live with their parents first when starting out. Some double or triple up with roommates to cut down on rent costs.

Plan your food costs carefully – It’s very convenient to use vending machines or eat fast food fare. Unfortunately, eating out all the time can cost you a lot of money. In trying times, you need to be practical. Plan your groceries and list down only the food items you need, not what you want. Imagine how much money you can save if you stopped buying soda and bottled water altogether? If you can learn how to cook, it will be easier for you to save on food costs.

Avoid credit cards – Other than emergencies, it’s best to avoid using your credit cards. By living strictly on cash, you’ll be forced to buy only what you can afford. Learn how to compare prices, so that you end up buying the most affordable products. In addition, avoid impulse buying. Quit any vices you may have, such as smoking or drinking, to reduce any unnecessary costs.

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“As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible.”

Many students think that having credit gives them more leeway to spend. This false sense of wealth only leads people to purchase more than they can afford. They end up becoming delinquent in payments and damaging their credit history in the process. Don’t get into this cycle of debt.

Keep in mind that credit doesn’t equal the money that you have. It simply is the amount of payment you can defer. Always remember that you will be required to pay that amount back when your billing arrives. Defer too much payment and you’re in sure trouble.

Take George Washington’s statement to heart and use credit as sparingly as possible. Live frugally and only use credit during emergencies. Living on a cash basis will force you to plan your expenses much more strategically and help you minimize your debt. Life is much easier if you are not burdened by debt.

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According to reports from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the number of food-insecure households in America has risen from 36 million in 2007 to 49 million in 2008, when the recession hit the country. 16.7 million of the 49 million were children.

The report of Feeding America, one of the country’s largest networks of food banks, is equally bleak. Around one in four children live in food-insecure households and one in five children live in poverty. 

The School Breakfast and Lunch Programs help alleviate this problem by providing nutritious meals to schoolchildren of low-income families. The District of Columbia and 13 other states go even further: they provide after-school suppers to kids in need.
The purpose of this after-school supper program is to provide at-risk kids with a healthy meal before they go home. Currently, around 49,000 children benefit from the after-school supper program. However, more states are expected to participate as the problem of hunger increases. The after-school supper program is expected to cost around $8 million from 2009 to 2013. 

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