Getting a Job After University: Where to Begin

Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of graduation? Check out this blog post where Cheap Students covers how to beef up your resume, and better prepare yourself for graduation.

Grocery Shopping Basics

An introduction on how to grocery shop better, save money and cut down on grocery bills in the future. Contains links to Canadian grocery flyers as well as prices to look for.

Textbooks: A How to Guide

A post covering how to purchase and sell textbooks at the beginning of each semester. Textbooks often cost quite a lot purchased brand new, use these tips to save money on your next textbook purchases.

Learning Tab

Check out the learning tab to view free online resources where you can learn new languages, develop your computer skills and find ways to further develop your resume.

Job Hunting

Check out the job hunting section, filled with resume, cover letter and job interview tips and resources all to help throughout the job hunting process.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Where to Find Jobs - Part 1

So you can totally know how to write an awesome cover letter or resume but if you can't find any jobs to apply for then those other things are irrelevant.

This is the first blog post on finding a job. 
It's important to remember though that it's often said that almost 80% of jobs aren't advertised or posted, so make use of the people you know; network, ask your professors, your parents, friends or family friends. They just might be able to help you get a job this summer or even after graduation.

Job opportunities;
One of my favourite websites is Talent Egg. You can also like them on Facebook and you will get updates of recent jobs on your newsfeed.

Check city/provincial websites;
Government of Ontario (this site is updated almost every week, beginning soon)
If the city you're from isn't listed here just Google it, it won't be too hard to find
Application deadlines will be very soon for these jobs. Make sure to check these dates.

University websites

Also Google "your university name" student job opportunities
Most universities/colleges will have a student job board.

This list obviously can't have all the jobs available on it, but it's a starting point. 
Good luck with any jobs you apply for!

___________________________________________________________________
Image: http://www.bluegrasschapter-ai.org/image/template/job_board.jpg

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Kraft Dinner. 10 Different ways


As students we love our Kraft Dinner. Especially Canadian students. 
According to an interesting statistic I found on Wikipedia..in 2008 over 7 million boxes of Kraft Dinner were sold globally per week, Canadians were buying 1.7 million of them.With a price around $1 a box how could you not buy it.


So we all normally eat it just like the box tells us to, easy enough.
But why not try something different.

Here are 10 different ways to change up your KD
(don't worry I made sure to pick the easy ones)
Click on the different titles to view the detailed recipes and instructions.

1. The Healthy Version
  • This is the simply on the box recipe, but a bit healthier then usual prep
  • Switch up your butter and 2% or higher milk, and use low fat margarine and Skim or 1% milk.
  • All you need is the following
    • 1 package of KD
    • 1lb of lean ground beef
    • 1 cup of pasta sauce (some Ragu works)
    • 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese

3,4,5,6. Mix and Match 
  • Check out the Kraft site, this has multiple different ingredients that you can add to Kraft Dinner.
7. Hot Dogs
  • My personal favourite, take about 2-3 hot dogs, cut them up into thin slices and put them into the boiling pot of pasta for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking.
  • Then prepare the KD like you usually do
8. Italian Style
  • What you need
    • 1 package of KD
    • 1 cup of chopped pepperoni
    • 1 cup of each chopped green peppers and mushrooms
    • 1/2 cup of pizza or spaghetti sauce
    • 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (you could probably substitute mozzarella here)

9. Tomato Soup
  • All you need is
    • 1 package of KD
    • 1 can of tomato soup (usually under a dollar for 1 can)
  • This is instead of completely drowning your KD in ketchup..save your ketchup for some chicken fingers and fries
10. Peas and Tomatoes
  • I usually use about 3-4 spoonfuls of canned tomatoes (usually around a dollar for a can of tomato chunks-make sure they are chunks) add a pinch of salt for taste
  • You can also add some frozen peas if you want 
    • These can be cooked in the microwave and then mixed into the KD after it's been completely cooked with cheese, milk and butter/margarine added
Other KD tips

How to fix KD leftovers so they taste just as good as they did the day before.
Option 1 - Half and Half
Cook the entire portion of pasta, once cooked separate half of the pasta into a Tupperware container.
Prepare the portion you're eating like usual (saving half of the cheese for later).
When you want to eat the second half of your KD, add margarine then put into microwave for about 30 seconds to a minute
Stir, then add cheese sauce and milk as you would normally and then to stir you can even just put the lid on the tupperware and shake.
Make sure to half your margarine and milk when making each half of the KD

Option 2.
Cook all the KD as you normally would. Any leftovers you may have put in the fridge in a Tupperware container.
When you want to eat your leftovers, add a bit of milk and then microwave. Stir and eat.


For Nights You Go Out....
Also as more of a portion control thing, and to prevent you from injuring yourself after a night of drinking. Buy KD easy mac cups instead, all you need to do is add water, microwave, add cheese sauce and stir. Maybe read the instructions..when your sober.


____________________________________________________________________
Images:
http://www.premierlife.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/kraft-dinner.jpg

http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/kraft-dinner-easy-lasagne-89421.aspx

Friday, January 20, 2012

Job Hunting






New updated tab all about Job Hunting. The first section published is just about resume's.
Let me know if it's helpful.
I will keep adding to this tab and getting more information up about cover letters, job searching, interviews and more.

Thanks for reading :)



Image source: http://www.yupedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/about-the-job-search-sites.jpeg

Monday, January 16, 2012

Summer Jobs

http://www.brimg.net/images/6-hot-summer-jobs-1-intro-lg.jpg
So it's about that time of year when you need to start looking for summer jobs..to pay for school next year and all that other stuff. Stay tuned for tips as well as a guide on how to apply for jobs and how to get the job you want.



Just a link to tide you over. for all those Guelph students.
http://www.cecs.uoguelph.ca/students
Also you can sign up to this website and you can check out job listings through the University of Guelph
http://www.cecs.uoguelph.ca/rg

There is some interesting information here. I am sure other schools have similar websites to help aid you when it comes to job application/preparation as well.

If you don't attend the University of Guelph. Check out the post below.

      

Thursday, January 5, 2012

How to Save Money on Gym Memberships

It's the time of year where most people have created a new year's resolution. Usually the most common one is related to weight loss or getting to the gym more.

To help you save money while achieving your weight loss and gym/workout related goals, here's a little advice;

  • For students, their University athletic center often offers a relatively cheap gym membership for a full semester to a full year
  • Also check to see if your school's gym has free drop in classes or free admission into the gym for the first few weeks of school. See if you like the classes or if you like the school gym, if you do, inquire about memberships 

*If you have purchased a membership to your school's gym you also receive the benefits of a much cheaper price for classes which may include spinning, yoga etc.

Now if you have decided that you can't deal with cramped school gym's, check out this article from Self Magazine on how to save money at chain gym's


I always like to find deals on websites like Groupon, Wagjag etc. where you can often find great daily deals with savings on gym memberships. This tactic is mentioned in the magazine article as well. You can sign up for e-mail alerts to constantly get updated deals from daily deal websites.

*In many cases daily deals require buyers to be first time members at these gyms, make sure to read the fine print before purchasing

Also some great workout routines that you can complete without leaving your house.
Bodyweight Core Exercises
Quick Workouts
Image Source: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.aisledash.com/media/2010/03/woman-lifting-weights-arms590wy031610.jpg 

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Textbooks for the New Semester: A How to Guide


How to buy textbooks

The first week of the new semester consists of lineups, and lots of them as well as buying textbooks for all of your courses. Here are a few tips I like to follow when it comes to buying textbooks and saving money - since they are so expensive!
  • Check out the University’s main bookstore, take your schedule and find out all the textbooks you need for the semester. These are the textbooks you will actually need since most often the professors have told the university bookstore what the required books are for their courses
  • While at the bookstore, find out the editions of the books, how much they cost and figure out if there are any additional e-books or codes that you need to purchase
  • Make sure to write all of this information down somewhere, now you’re ready to check out online classifieds
  • Which classified site you use depends on your university, but these are most often the best way to get deals on textbooks
  • Make sure to get the price that you want, within reason obviously, barter negotiate a little bit with the people selling these textbooks
  • Make sure to have a lot of cash on you during the first week of school in order to pay for the textbooks you wish to purchase
  •  Find a convenient location for the both of you to meet and purchase your textbooks, it’s usually best to meet on campus

How to sell your textbooks

Another way to fund the purchase of textbooks for the current semester of school is to sell your textbooks from the previous semester. This requires a bit of time and effort but you will make a ton more money than if you were to trade them in when your university bookstores do buy backs.
Go on the most used classified site for your university and post your textbooks, make sure to provide a lot of contact information (or as much as you’re comfortable with) to make it as easy as possible for potential buyers to reach you and ask questions.
Make sure to post as much information as possible including;
·         Title of the textbook
·         Authors name
·         Edition
·         Condition of book, if there isn’t any highlighting make sure to emphasize this!
Determine a price for your textbooks based on the prices listed for similar books on the classifieds, as well as using the prices listed at your school bookstore as a guideline.
  • Price high based on the condition of your textbook and/or scarcity of similar textbooks
  • Price low to sell quickly or because the textbook isn't in great condition

If you have any questions make sure to post comments on this blog post. I will be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.

Helpful online classifieds

Ontario
University of Guelph

Nationwide

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Budgeting in the New Year

Now that its a new year, time to start managing your finances right from the start. Click on the Files tab on this blog and download my 1st version of the Cheap Students budgeting and financial organizer.

Leave your feedback!