My Education Journey

I decided to go to college in the summer of 2005, almost 20 years after high school graduation. My hubby and I registered at GCC and our life's journey has been very exciting and motivating since then. Even with all the financial hardship, it has proven worthy.

I'm scheduled to complete my undergraduate courses December this year... bachelor's in business administration with Capella University. It continues to prove a worthwhile decision. My hubby completed his unfinished associate's degree in computer science with GCC and will attack his bachelor's when I am done with mine. At the same time, I will be pursuing my MBA. I'm looking into scholarships to help defer costs, but I'm definitely going to invest in this goal. The PhD thingy is still a debate. It depends where I'm at at that time in my life.

The timing is right to pursue higher education. Everywhere I look...online, in magazines, on TV, radio...people are talking about higher education. Sometimes, just for a minute, I think about where I'd be if I'd done this a long time ago. Then again, I don't believe I would be acing courses and participating at the level I'm able to now. My work and personal experiences the last 20 years make a world of difference. They are vital to the quality of contributions I make in the class and in my work.

Don't get me wrong. I encourage all high school students to choose college over work...get in there as soon as possible and take your place in the world. Higher education promises higher salaries, but more importantly it promises to bring out the best in you. You are the light of the world...a model for others. I'm enjoying myself and all the new people I meet, even online. It's incredible and I know you'll agree with me, that the friends and colleagues we make are invaluable.

Worried about the expense? Don't waste your time with worry. Visit or call a college and speak to a financial aid advisor. Tell them what you want and your concerns about paying for courses. They'll take it from there. For you more independent people, visit www.fafsa.gov. Just make sure you have your previous year's income tax return forms to provide required information. Apply online and get a response within three work days. Once approved, aid is good for an entire school year...summer to spring. I love this part.

Worried about what to major in? Again, don't worry about this. You can figure it out as you move forward. Speak to an advisor or counselor. They help you figure these things out and will help you plan your academic journey. I recommend completing all general education requirements first, then you can move into what I call the fun stuff. Many students try to delay doing English and math classes. Get it done and move on.

For those of you who've done it, share your experience with at least one person today. Encourage them to pursue a degree and offer your support.

Thanks for allowing me to share some personal experiences with you. Peace.

www.capella.edu
www.guamcc.edu
www.uog.edu

Helping Ourselves by Helping Others

Once in a while I will mention a local organization I support and encourage everyone to do the same...with this or any local organization that helps people. Today, I'm sharing information about Island Girl Power Guam directed by an incredible woman, Juanita Blaz. Many of you probably know of IGP and its mission already.

IGP provides a safe place and planned activities for girls 7-14 years of age. Many of the girls who become members are from underprivileged families, but I know of a a few who "just wanna have fun" as we girls tend to do. Girls participate in educational and fun activities such as cooking healthy meals/snacks, music & theater, arts, computers & technology...even jump rope classes!

So, if you would like your girls to become members or you would like to volunteer or donate to a valuable and worthy cause, you are always welcome! Call Juanita and tell her I sent you her way. She would love to hear from you.

ISLAND GIRL POWER information:
www.islandgirlpower.com
Juanita Blaz, Director
#148 Catalina Court, Dededo, Guam 96929
Fax 671-473-3004 Office 671-637-3011 IGP Cell 671-688-4752

Purpose & Destiny

My favorite quote for the day:

"When we walk with purpose, we collide with destiny!"
Bertice Berry, PhD
Author of "The Ties That Bind"

Dr. Berry is a dynamic speaker, author, and spirtual leader. She has a beautiful voice as well. Dr. Berry believes we are all connected...as do I.

Keeping Up (with blogs/RSS feeds)

If you're like me...you want to know something about everything. I'd like to share with you that you can get your favorite blogs to come to you...if you have free e-mail from Yahoo!, Google, or Hotmail/Live.

Whenever you find a blog you like, look for the "RSS" feed button and click on it. Choose your e-mail provider and follow the steps. It's easy. Check your personal space when you log in to your email (Yahoo!, Google, or Hotmail/Live). For Yahoo!, click on "MyYahoo" on the upper left screen and you'll find the most recent blog feeds ready for you to click on and read at your leisure.

Doing this saves time...and aren't we all looking for more time? Enjoy your favorite blogs without having to go to individual blogsites. Enjoy!

Questions about this? Send me an email at veradc86@gmail.com

2009 Take Action

If you have not already downloaded Suze's newest book...visit the link above and download the FREE book. It's a must have and will help lessen the stress I know you're going through when it comes to our economy and the seemingly bleak future. Suze offers specific ways to deal with each concern when it comes to finances, investments, education, family, and more!

Tell me what you think about it.

Peace!

Financial Possibilities for 2009

My hubby sent me a link to an MSN article titled, "Best Part-Time Jobs for 2009". While people are laid off, seeking jobs, and trying to make ends meet...just like us...we've been discussing how to help ourselves and others. This article is his way of helping out. (Thanks, Honey.)

Part-time jobs you can consider to supplement your current income or just to start with some sort of income include:
- massage therapist
- fitness trainers
- bill and account collector
- librarian (I don't think this job is available on island)
- cashier
- nursing aide (Check out Guam Community College for the NA program. You can complete in one semester with 4 classes, I believe. Call 735-5632.)
- dental assistant
- receptionist or information clerk
- teacher assistant (I believe there are some prerequisites for this job.)
- bank teller

Remember, we're talking part-time job and second source of income here. To read the full MSN article, click on the blog title above.

Another blog I read yesterday talks about planning and budgeting to get your finances in order for 2009. If you're like me, the plan can be great, but action is lacking. Another year, another plan...and I will try harder this year (I tell myself).

The blog talks about 10 steps to getting on track with your finances. They are as follows and I've added my own tidbits. I also need to find the URL so I can include here to give the author credit. I'll post it as soon as I find it.

ADD-ON: http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/01/05/9-methods-for-mastering-your-money-in-2009/

1. track every penny you spend; keep track of cash flow...write down every penny spent to see where your cash goes
2. develop a budget...there are many, many budget templates online, find one and use it...here you can use the rule of 3 (33% needs 33% wants 33% savings), or the author provides other budgets as follows:
Option A: no credit cards, invest 20% of earnings and never touch it, and live on remaining 80% no matter what
Option B: 60% for committed expenses, 10% retirement, 10% irregular/unexpected expenses, 10% long-term savings/debt (car, house, etc.), and 10% fun money (I think I like this one.)
Option C: 50% needs, 20% savings, 30% wants (I think I like this one even better.)
Choose what works for you, otherwise you won't stick to it.
3. optimize your accounts; bank with institutions that don't charge annual fees and open accounts that reward you and pay interest for depositing your money with them.
4. start an emergency fund...start slowly by getting $1,000 in savings, then attack your debt by paying those with higher interest first (This is a real goal for me this year.)
5. get out of debt...duh
6. fund your retirement (I opened an IRA last year...first steps count.)
7. automate your finances; pay bills online and make whatever deductions automatic so you don't "feel" it.
8. earn extra income (see part-time jobs above)...another option is getting a business license and offering your professional services...yard work, computer help, training, clerical...anything you're good at...find people willing to pay for what you know or can do for them. Put the extra income in savings or use to pay debt off faster.
9. educate yourself (I'm working on my bachelor's and will be done Fall this year. With times being so tough, I'm tempted to take the year off, but my hubby won't let me. We make it a point to think of the long-term and education is an investment, not an expense. It's sandwiches and soba for the year!)
10. Take control of spending and money. Schedule a personal money day. Take a day off to review finances and make sure you know what's happening. Change budget (plan) as your situation changes.

Again, if you're like me...trying to make ends meet, run a business, get an education, be a good wife, and fulfill every other role women take on...it has to be important to get control of our money. Let's make 2009 the year we do this.

Suggestions? Comments? I'd love to hear from you.

V

Joanna Alberti's Entrepreneur's philoSophie's

I recently subscribed to this RSS FEED and really appreciate the visuals. Joanna's illustrations for women entrepreneurs work for me. I susbcribe to quite a few blogs and feeds to keep up with business and life around the globe.

Click on the blog title above to see "Life's a Workout".

Enjoy,

V

Dos and Don'ts for 2009 by Media Post

MediaPost is another site with blogs I've subscribed to. They provide information using media tools and apps for your business, trends and controversial findings that make you think before you employ one or all of the new media tools. If you don't already employ e-mail marketing, you're missing out big time. According to MediaPost e-mail garners over 50% revenue than traditional advertising and direct marketing. Hmmm, worth a go for me.

Check them out (www.mediapost.com) and especially click on the link (blog title) above to read Whitney Hutchinson's Dos and Don'ts for 2009. My favorite on the list is, "Don't forget to say thanks, we miss you and happy birthday -- simple consumer relationship communications can go far."

Times are tough so we have to be extra smart and provide spectacular service to keep our most loyal customers our own.

Warm regards,

V

Resources I Love

Here are some resources I use for business, networking, and just plain learning about what's happening in the world, especially for women. Know any useful sites? Share them with us.

www.LadiesWhoLaunch.com - business/networking/groups/blogs
www.blogger.com - blog hosting...start your own blog
www.mybloglog.com - blog directories and communities
www.switchpod.com - podcasting host
www.twitter.com - social media
www.facebook.com - online community
www.blogarama.com - blog directories and communities
www.newmediamavens.com - resource for using new media for your business
www.pinkmagazine.com - for business women, lifestyle

It's a new year. Make learning about new media one of your goals this year. According to the "experts", your business and life should not be without it. If nothing else, you'll make new friends and associates or meet up with old ones.

Happy New Year all!