How many times have you heard that phrase growing up? I would say numerous times and at first I looked at my dad and thought ‘what the hell are you on about?’. Of course it doesn’t grow on trees………
As I got older I realised the value of that statement and that value is ‘understanding the means of money’. We had a weekly allowance that was handed down to us every Sunday morning and to get that allowance we helped out with house chores, made sure all our homework was completed on an evening basis, got gold stars in our Friday spellings and tables test etc. I think the allowance was £1 at the time and that was ALOT of sweets! Having achieved this allowance also gave me a sense of accomplishment, freedom and independence. This is what money meant to me.
I started working in my mid teens and I have to say I loved my part-time job! Mixing with new people, learning new things, doing well in my job, being rewarded with a weekly pay check and earning that paycheck with hard work and determination was the best feeling!!! For me I felt grown up, independent and with that paycheck I could reward myself or simply start saving for a bigger prize. I continued working and since then I’ve always worked.
It’s not all about receiving either, giving back comes into play. I paid my way at home (mammy and daddy don’t do everything!) and I felt great for doing so. It was about being responsible and grown up that encouraged me to think about money in a different light. Money brings a feeling of having and giving and providing instead of going without. When you get that feeling you are in the vibe and understanding of money. You’ll know how to be wise and never go without.
I would consider myself wise with money, I know my limits and I won’t go beyond that. But I work hard and sometimes, as a treat, play hard and reward myself. I’m also abundant when it comes to finances, I know it will all work out. What you put in is what you get back.
I’ve also made mistakes, watch others make mistakes and learn from them.
I have put together some tips for all you teens to help you think wisely about money. Think smart and play smart!
Document for Making the Pennies Last Here
Tags: Budget Templates, Financial Responsibility, Money, Money management, Personal Finance
This app is really cool! Wish I had access to this when I was sitting the junior and leaving cert.
Check out the article here
Aural App: The app has a complete selection of Irish, French and German aurals available for both Higher and Ordinary level exams, testing the students’ listening skills.
Honestly if you’ve got a smartphone download this through iTunes.
Tags: education, Ireland, Leaving Certificate
The article was titled ‘Should I lie about my age….. AT 28?’……Being 29 this article was bound to catch my attention.
I love it when I find an article that grabs my interest. Initially seeing this I thought ‘are you bloody crazy!’.
I started to read. And according to statistics (wait for this), a quarter of British women feel ‘over the hill’ when they hit 29. It continues to describe how this narrator has a stable job, long term relationship, property, comfortable bank account and savings, and overall she is very content. However is this too comfortable?
I found myself ticking all the boxes here. Yep I have the exact same. Partying every weekend has been substituted with one night out a month (simply because I don’t so hangovers), restaurants as opposed to nightclubs and back home by 11pm, Sunday mornings reading the newspapers followed by cleaning and washing to get set for the week ahead. God even writing this I am sounding ‘settled’.
To continue on about the article it discusses should be down-age to fit it? Are we past it in our late twenties? Do we miss out on opportunities or fun because we’ve had our early twenties? Times have changed, new generations are coming through and their life seems much more interesting? To be honest my answer is NO.
I can recall two periods of my life when I felt crappy at birthdays. One was when I turned 19, simply because it is the last year of your teens and 20, to me, meant grow the hell up and take responsibility! The other was 25. Let’s face it-you are mid way and my early twenties were great fun, definitely my party times (we all have them). Hitting your late twenties is great! I’m in my dream job, have a great relationship, nice home and overall I don’t worry about ANYTHING as much as I did. You also get this sense of calm. Everything finally fits.
Please note: I still party and definitely have great times!!! (just realising how boring the above paragraph may sound)
So unlike the reader in the article I will not be down-aging, I am 29 (although recently I was told I looked 23, it really made my day) definitely not insecure about it and no one should be!
My advice: seize everyday. Life comes with many tumbles and falls but you’ll always get back up. Enjoy it!! New generations will always come, and always go…………..
Tags: Age, Growing up, People
I bloody have that feeling today where I wish I was 21 again!! It started first thing this morning when I logged onto Facebook and my good friend Neil had posted photos of the two of us from a couple of years ago. The first thing I found myself saying was ‘I want to look like that again’.
I have never ever been the type to diet; complain about my weight, body size etc but what I have noticed is that over the past couple of years, as I have gotten older, it becomes harder to keep your 21 or even 25 year old shape. I love food!! Love it……but my metabolism has definitely changed, and my life has changed. I work hard, travel frequently (hotel lifestyle), eat late at times, am addicted to dipping chocolate into a hot cup of tea (I have about 5 cups a day), love a Saturday night in front of the TV with a Chinese take away. I don’t go to the gym (hate it) or look like the crazy person in her apartment working out to a fitness DVD.
BUT I do need to exercise for a couple of reasons:
- I sit at a laptop all day and I find that taking a walk or doing a quick jog clears my head and gives me some energy.
- It makes you feel good. I went for a long jog last Sunday morning and I personally felt great for doing it plus I had one of the best nights sleep in ages!
- I need to burn off the chocolate
I am an anti-diet person. It has never been something I wanted to try (there are so bloody many out there) and I firmly believe you can moderate your meals and you know when enough is enough (except on a Sunday as this is pig out day).
I am challenging myself! I want to do a 30 minute jog 2-3 times a week on my lunch break at work and over the weekend I want to do a 1 hour brisk walk. I don’t want to give up chocolate, but I will cut back a tiny bit.
I am not 21 anymore. But I am happy, and that is all that matters.
I am Social!