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.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Student Travel: Keeping Reading Week Inexpensive

Whether you are going away to an all-inclusive down south or travelling somewhere else it's extremely important to limit your spending while you are away. It can be especially tempting to purchase a ton of stuff before prepping for your trip, or blow a huge chunk of cash while you are away. Trips are one of those purchases that lead to the need to buy more. You never just pay for a hotel and flight, there are a tons of purchases made before you go away from tanning to a new suitcase or (I really hope not) a brand new iPad so you can watch movies on the flight..



Here are a few tips for keeping costs low (since you already have paid for a flight/hotel or all-inclusive vacation).

Go to Walmart for your pharmacy type products.
  • I know I did suggest the place that everyone loves to hate, but its often a lot cheaper than Shoppers Drug Mart when your looking for sunscreen (and aloe) and all that other fun stuff.
Dollarstore
  • You can buy a variety of products for around a $1 or $2. There are airplane neck pillows to a variety of snacks you can bring on the plane.
  • Also you can grab travel size shampoos/conditioners/moisturizer etc. for cheap
Check Canadian Tire for Bubba's
  • Yup these are awesome, and I did already post a link the other day on the Facebook page. I'm going to be taking one away with me when I head south and it's relatively inexpensive while keeping your drinks nice and cold.
Take a set amount of money away with you and avoid using your credit cards unless its an emergency

There are also a few things that I hate forgetting;

  • Sunglasses
  • Loading up my iPhone with music/movies and other in flight entertainment
  • Books
  • Deck of cards and other stuff needed for drinking games 
Also just so you don't for get anything, check out Sunwings Trip Checklist (yeah I know it's kind of dated, who brings a camera anymore...)

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Monday, February 11, 2013

Reduce Your Student Loans: 30% off Tuition in Ontario


At the beginning of the school year (or the beginning of the semester) there are a variety of very important things that you need to get done, and forms that need to be filled out all in order for you to de-stress before the real stress comes. 

One of the most important things that residents of Ontario should apply for is the 30% of tuition rebate which students don't have to repay. It's approximately $1,680 for university students and $770 for college students both of which are allotted for a full 8-month school year. 


For everything you need to know about the 30% of tuition offer for residents of Ontario, click here.


The Ontario government currently has an ad campaign out trying to promote the 30% tuition program. 
I honestly think that instead of doing these commercials they should just provide more financial aid to students, but that's not a discussion for this blog...


Am I Eligible?

Check out this eligibility quiz here to see if you are able to get this government funded amount. If your parents make a huge lump sum of money in terms of combined taxable income it is highly unlikely you will be able to take advantage of this. 


Final Thoughts

This is money that you can use, while reducing your reliance on loans/lines of credit for a part of your tuition/fees/housing. Take advantage of programs like this that your provincial government offers so you can reduce your post grad debt. 

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Friday, February 8, 2013

Yakezie Challenge

So after putting in the time for the last year, mostly focusing on this blog as an experiment of sorts. Dabbling in social media; Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ I've decided to step it up a bit. I'd seen the website before but had been slightly intimidated by the 2-4 posts per week recommendations and the whole idea of the "Yakezie Challenge" and it's 6 month duration.

But here I am, about to start off for the next 6 months trying to further boost the ranking of my blog, build awareness and go from just another hobby to a bit more of a side gig.

Just warning all of you readers that I will be writing more content, helping you more and focusing on what you want to hear most. Doesn't sound like to bad of a deal to me.

So here we go, February 8, 2013 is when I start the Yakezie Challenge. You saw it here first.


Proud Member of the Yakezie Challenge

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Crock Pot Meals-Jambalaya

So no I'm not starting a foodie blog...yet. But here's the most recent crock pot recipe that I've tried. This one is for Jambalaya which is something I really like whenever I buy it in a restaurant but I've never made it myself.










The recipe I used was from Women's Health from way back and its a healthy version so do what you want. You can switch up the brown rice from white, turkey sausage for pork, you know the deal.





Makes 6 Servings. Cook time approximately 8-9 hours (on low)

large onion, peeled and diced (yes, these will make you cry)
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 medium size sweet red peppers
1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 C long grain brown rice
1 package of spicy italian turkey or chicken sausage
1 tsp hot sauce
2 tbsp fresh thyme, minced (or 2 tsp dried)
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 C water
3 tbsp fresh parsley, minced (I didn't use any)
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined (aka skinless and the tails are off)

Directions
  1. Place onion, garlic, celery, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, rice, and sausage in the crockpot in that order.
  2. Add hot sauce, thyme, salt, pepper, and water.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours.
  4. One hour before it's finished cooking, toss in parsley and shrimp. Stir until well combined, adding more water if needed.




Overall it was not too bad. I was at work for the whole day and may have left it on too long. I'm not a chef here. The taste was good anyways and I ended up with a bunch of leftovers.
I would definitely suggest trying this one out, it's got a nice kick to it (you can add more hot sauce or red pepper flakes if you want).

Also if you didn't see my previous crock pot post check out Crock Pot Meals-Mac and Cheese

Monday, February 4, 2013

Sports Tickets: Cheap

Don't get the wrong idea with this post. I'm not going to be able to find you $15 dollar tickets to Leafs games. No matter how many years in a row they miss the playoffs I'm pretty sure prices wont ever drop that low. BUT there are some great sports events that you can check out on a  Friday or weekend that won't break your budget.


Travelzoo
Travelzoo is one of the better websites out there that has some great daily deals/newsletter with their top 20 deals of the week. This week they have a discount on for 3 Toronto Raptors games, the Sunday game tickets are priced as lows $15 each.

Check out this weeks Top 20 here. (There are a lot of hotels/vacations mixed in here)

Ticketmaster Ticket Deals Section
Ticketmaster is your one stop shop for concerts, sporting events and everything else in between. They also happen to have a deals section on their website with below $40 tickets, 2 for 1 ticket deals, tickets under $25 etc.

Check out the website here. Also hockey tickets under $40 here

Daily Deal Sites
Yes I know, it may feel as though I constantly suggest daily deal sites, but there is a reason. Sometimes I agree there is a bunch of crap on these sites, but if you check back enough you can often find some great deals for local sports teams and even your occasional pro sports tickets.

Groupon
Living Social
Team Buy
Wagjag

Check out Local Sports
More than likely if you live close to your university campus you can catch one of the varsity games during the week or on the weekend for relatively little money.
Full schedules for all sports can be found on the CIS website or your individual provinces websites.

OUA
Canada West
RSEQ
AUS

There are also some great options when it comes to semi-pro/major junior sports teams. In terms of hockey there are a variety of major junior leagues including the OHL-with teams in usually smaller cities (which often works out well for those that go to university in smaller towns/cities).

CHL-Check out individual provinces/regions websites for team/ticket info

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Saturday, February 2, 2013

Making the Most of Your Credit Card

I know a lot of people absolutely hate the idea of credit cards and yes most often they aren't a good thing for people who are careless with their spending habits. For those that are responsible when it comes to credit card's there are some great ways to take advantage of the perks that come with having one.


One rule that I like to follow is don't make purchases just so you can get the rewards. Charge things like your rogers bill that are necessary and you have the cash to pay them off. You can take advantage of the points for these types of purchases instead of paying for them with cash/interact etc.

Master Card-Priceless Toronto
Unfortunately or fortunately for some the Mastercard priceless program is available in Toronto only. All Mastercard holders can take advantage of these deals including discounted premium Leafs tickets, Raptors tickets, savings at restaurants, stores and many more. Check out the site to take advantage of some of these deals.

BMO Airmiles Mastercards
Of course I have a bit of a bias towards Airmiles Mastercards but there are some great ways to accumulate additional points. Check out airmilesshops.ca , login with your airmiles card and double dip on points by using Airmiles shops promo's and using your Mastercard to pay. I'm currently saving miles up for a flight to California or Europe.

Other Loyalty Programs (these are for zero annual fee cards)
TD Canada Trust-TD Rewards
RBC- Shoppers Optimum points or RBC rewards points
Scotiabank-Scene points
BMO-Airmiles
CIBC-Petropoints

Discounts
Certain credit cards, including the card that I currently have can give you discounts through the SPC discount program. Check out the website for your credit card to see if there are any discounts that you qualify for.

Travel/Car Rental Insurance
Most Visa/Mastercard cardholders have travel insurance built into their credit cards or can easily purchase are affordable insurance options for travel or car rentals. Travel agencies and car rental companies often try to gouge you when it comes to insurance options. Call your credit card company or check out their website to see what is offered in terms of insurance..or what you already have.
 
If you don't have a credit card and want to check out some of the options for students view one of my posts here.

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Friday, February 1, 2013

Not So Extreme Couponing



We all know a few years ago how much couponing in the United States blew up. And if you didn't congrats I'm kind of jealous you didn't have to hear about it. There were women out there who managed to pay about $6 for a $200 grocery bill or something ridiculous like that...only in the US.

Now for the less crazy people out there who don't want to be carrying around a folder full of coupons or basically fill their basement like a personal grocery store...there are less drastic savings options.

What I'm here to tell you is that you can't find a few coupons here and there and save a few bucks. We don't  need to develop our own store room of food, but by following a few tips and checking out the following websites you can save some money...without being crazy.
  • First off check out my coupon page which has some of the better websites out there for coupons that can be printed or directly mailed to you.
    • These are some of the best websites out there in terms of coupons
  • Also check out a previous post I put together on how Facebook can save you money.
    • Make sure to like these pages on Facebook. Basically you will get a variety of contests, offers as well as coupons for sometimes free product right to your newsfeed.
  • Keep coupons in your wallet-the amount of times I've forgotten coupons is annoying and then I end up not saving as much
  • Double up coupons on top of sale prices, it helps you save even more
  • If you are printing coupons make sure your grocery store accepts printable one's. Some store's are coming around to the idea of printable coupons (fraud was one of the main concerns previously).
Also here's a little gift from me..for all those ice cream lovers.
All you have to do is click on the link above and write in the comment area that you would like to request the $5 coupon from Chapman's and then they mail it to you. Simple as that.
Oh and then double up the coupon with sale prices and you've got yourself a pretty sweet deal.