It may be that one day your parents cut off their doctors appointment logistical support. Maybe you got a job with your very own health insurance (hooray!) Or maybe you've simply decided its time to do this Adult Thing yourself. Navigating the healthcare system can be confusing even for Expert Adults. No time like the present to start making some sense of it, because you're in charge of all this now, no take backsies.
If you already have a doctor where you're currently living, victory is just a phone call away. Call up your doctor's office follow any automated prompts they may have (you're likely to get these if it's a big office. If you don't know what to do, just keep clicking the "other" option until you get to talk to a person) Then all you have to do is say "Hello, this is [Name] I need to make an appointment with Dr.[Name]. Then you answer all the questions. They're going to ask what the purpose of your visit is (try to say physical instead of checkup) what days and times work for you, etc. Then you just write it down and show up on time.
If you need a new doctor, maybe because you're too old for your pediatrician, your insurance has changed or you've relocated and it's time to find a doctor in your own city instead of where your parents live. Don't despair, there are only three steps!
First, get your hands on a list of providers near you that are covered. You're looking for a Primary Care Physician, also known as a General Practitioner, or an Internist/Doctor of Internal Medicine. Some will have other specialties as well, but don't go making an appointment with a cardiologist. My insurance company has a handy online portal where I can search for them. You can also call them up and get a list. But be ready for more automated prompts and probably some time on hold. If you have a doctor in mind you can call them up and ask if they take your plan (have your insurance card handy.) While you're looking into your insurance situation, find out if you have to notify them before receiving non emergency care or starting with a new provider. If you're on your parents insurance they'll know this. Not following their rules can cost you big money (we've all seen Sicko, right?)
Next, pick a doctor off your list. This is an intimidating endeavor, picking someone to trust with your health off a random list. Narrow it by location and, if it matters to you, gender. It's perfectly fine if your doctor's gender impacts your comfort level (especially an OB/GYN, amirite, ladies?) Your next stop is the internet, I recommend healthgrades.com. You can search your whole list and see where they went to school, how long they've been practicing, patient reviews and more. Treat it like you're shopping for a computer. Pick a few that seem good.
Now, call and make an appointment. Say ""Hello, I'd like to make an appointment with Dr.[Name] is s/he taking new patients? If they aren't, call someone else on your list. If they are, make your appointment. Of the day of, follow all the instuctions they've given you, bring ID and your insurance card, and arrive fifteen minutes early to fill out paperwork.
You did it! Remember that if you don't have a good experience, you can start again when the time comes for your next visit. You should feel as comfortable as possible with your doctor and you may need to try a few before you find a good fit.
I know that doing literally anything that has literally anything to do with insurance is a gigantic pain. You might have a breakdown over your youth being over. You might cry out of frustration while on the phone. You might swear to move to Canada. I am not speaking from experience at all here, pure speculation. But in the end you have a vital new skill, and you've taken control over your healthcare, which is a huge step towards adulthood, independence, and general badassery.
Friday, December 26, 2014
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Escape the Kids Table this Holiday Season
I have, for as long as I can remember, absolutely hated the "kids table," a staple in large family get togethers over the holidays. I know that it makes sense logistically, but we all know the kids get stuck at the rickety table with the uncomfortable chairs that only get dragged out when seating demand is high. The adult table gets first pick of all the food, and it hurt my little girl feelings that the grown ups didn't want to sit with us. Except my mom, shout out to my mom for sitting at the kids table with me. Amateur Adults, its time for us to rise up and claim our rightful places at the grown up table!
But Julianna! The holidays are steeped in tradition! I'm surrounded by people who changed my diapers! Everyone acts all weird and shocked when I skip the nonalcoholic eggnog! Fear not my friends, because I have some tips for you to take home for the holidays.
1. As a young person, especially when it comes to people who are used to you not being an adult, the only way to be treated like an adult is to act like one. I know that sometimes even this doesn't work, but it's all you can do and you also have to do it anyway. Not fair? Practice acting like an adult by getting over it.
2. Don't regress to your teenage self when you're home for the holidays. This means no bickering with your siblings, no sleeping until 2pm, no friends over causing a ruckus late into the night. No driving your parents crazy by taking their car without asking, no leaving your dirty dishes on the table, no lying or general shadiness. These old habits come back hard when we're back in the environment where they started, but if you're aware, you can nip it in the bud. Not only will you show everyone you've matured, you'll avoid having the same fights you've been having since you were 15.
3. Pay for your own trip home. After years of carpools and shuttling you around and booking you tickets, your parents deserve to be free of the responsibility of getting you from point A to point B. If they want to pay, or you really can't afford it, you should still be making your own arrangements. This time of year is a logistical nightmare, take the initiative to make yourself one less thing to coordinate. It's okay if you still need a ride from the bus station, but have the foresight not to book a trip that gets in at midnight.
4. Do the dishes or whatever else needs doing around your parents house. Volunteer for a grocery store run, sweep, make dinner, fill up mom and dad's gas tank if you've been driving. Even though they love to see you, your visit home is still disrupting the new rhythm of their day to day lives, and you want to demonstrate that you are appreciative, helpful, and mature. Besides, you're getting a ton of free and delicious food, and probably a nicer shower than you have at your place, so it's the least you can do.
5. Pay for things. If your situation is like mine, your parents have more money than you do, so this feels weird, and often you have to insist that they allow it. My mom once told me she would know I was an adult when we went out to eat and I just went ahead and paid. Paying for dinner can be a tough proposition, especially if your parents are interested in going to nicer spots than you frequent. What you probably can afford is to not asked to be reimbursed when you stopped for milk on the way home, or to buy dad's coffee as well as your own on your next pit stop. Don't make a big deal, a simple "No, I've got it" shows that you are willing to contribute and not be a moochey pants. Sometimes you have to put your literal money where your mouth is. You may be surprised how good it feels to treat the people who have taken care of you for so long.
6. If you still get seated at the kids table (literally or otherwise) be gracious. Your parents/aunts/grandparents/whoever are probably not treating you like a child to bother or hurt you. Your growing up may well be as new and emotional to them as it is to you. I have no idea how this feels, but I imagine it to be like that weird feeling when your littlest cousin or a kid you babysat enters high school, but many times over. Be patient, be kind, be the best grown up you can be and they'll come around eventually.
Disclaimer! I fully understand that family situations can be very tricky, and that I am blessed to have a warm and loving family that wants me to come back for the holidays. I also wrote a bit about money, but please don't think I'm assuming anything about your financial situation or that of your family. I'm writing this from the experience of my own family and personal situation, hoping that you will be able to draw something from it that will be applicable to you.
But Julianna! The holidays are steeped in tradition! I'm surrounded by people who changed my diapers! Everyone acts all weird and shocked when I skip the nonalcoholic eggnog! Fear not my friends, because I have some tips for you to take home for the holidays.
1. As a young person, especially when it comes to people who are used to you not being an adult, the only way to be treated like an adult is to act like one. I know that sometimes even this doesn't work, but it's all you can do and you also have to do it anyway. Not fair? Practice acting like an adult by getting over it.
2. Don't regress to your teenage self when you're home for the holidays. This means no bickering with your siblings, no sleeping until 2pm, no friends over causing a ruckus late into the night. No driving your parents crazy by taking their car without asking, no leaving your dirty dishes on the table, no lying or general shadiness. These old habits come back hard when we're back in the environment where they started, but if you're aware, you can nip it in the bud. Not only will you show everyone you've matured, you'll avoid having the same fights you've been having since you were 15.
3. Pay for your own trip home. After years of carpools and shuttling you around and booking you tickets, your parents deserve to be free of the responsibility of getting you from point A to point B. If they want to pay, or you really can't afford it, you should still be making your own arrangements. This time of year is a logistical nightmare, take the initiative to make yourself one less thing to coordinate. It's okay if you still need a ride from the bus station, but have the foresight not to book a trip that gets in at midnight.
4. Do the dishes or whatever else needs doing around your parents house. Volunteer for a grocery store run, sweep, make dinner, fill up mom and dad's gas tank if you've been driving. Even though they love to see you, your visit home is still disrupting the new rhythm of their day to day lives, and you want to demonstrate that you are appreciative, helpful, and mature. Besides, you're getting a ton of free and delicious food, and probably a nicer shower than you have at your place, so it's the least you can do.
5. Pay for things. If your situation is like mine, your parents have more money than you do, so this feels weird, and often you have to insist that they allow it. My mom once told me she would know I was an adult when we went out to eat and I just went ahead and paid. Paying for dinner can be a tough proposition, especially if your parents are interested in going to nicer spots than you frequent. What you probably can afford is to not asked to be reimbursed when you stopped for milk on the way home, or to buy dad's coffee as well as your own on your next pit stop. Don't make a big deal, a simple "No, I've got it" shows that you are willing to contribute and not be a moochey pants. Sometimes you have to put your literal money where your mouth is. You may be surprised how good it feels to treat the people who have taken care of you for so long.
6. If you still get seated at the kids table (literally or otherwise) be gracious. Your parents/aunts/grandparents/whoever are probably not treating you like a child to bother or hurt you. Your growing up may well be as new and emotional to them as it is to you. I have no idea how this feels, but I imagine it to be like that weird feeling when your littlest cousin or a kid you babysat enters high school, but many times over. Be patient, be kind, be the best grown up you can be and they'll come around eventually.
Disclaimer! I fully understand that family situations can be very tricky, and that I am blessed to have a warm and loving family that wants me to come back for the holidays. I also wrote a bit about money, but please don't think I'm assuming anything about your financial situation or that of your family. I'm writing this from the experience of my own family and personal situation, hoping that you will be able to draw something from it that will be applicable to you.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
What is Going on With my Credit Score?
Your credit score is kind of a big deal. It's a number between 300 (impossibly disastrous) to 850 (perfect.) Lenders use this number to decide if you are a risky investment or not. With scores near and under 600, they are likely to determine that loaning you money is a bad call. This means you either won't get a loan at all, or you can expect to pay a high interest rate- they're taking a larger risk loaning you money, so the potential return needs to be higher to justify it. If you've got a great credit score FIRST why are you reading this blog I clearly have more to learn from you than you do from me, but second, you'll be likely to get loans at low interest rates. Some employers will also check your credit score before hiring you.
Amateur Adults generally do not have good credit. Not because we've done anything wrong, but because we haven't shown that we are doing things right. I took it weirdly personally when I first started getting rejected for loans when I went to buy my car. Don't they know I'm a responsible lady! I only needed like two extensions in college! Just ask my landlord! Or my Dad! This was an Important Adult Lesson: Nobody Cares. People who are willing to take a chance on you are rare and wonderful angels. One of these people can change your life. Creditors are not these people (unless they are family members or trusting personal friends) The good news is your credit score is not directly tied to your income, so with some know how you can get it up over time even if you don't make a ton of money. Here's what does go into that number:
Credit Card Usage: This is a biggie, and it looks at how much you spend compared with your credit limit. I only have one card, and it has an $800 limit. This aspect of the score looks good if you keep your debt at or under 30% of the limit ($240 for me) Even if I could afford to max out my card, it looks to lenders like my spending is over the top, and that I'm likely to default.
To improve this aspect: Limit credit card spending, not only with wise spending, but by paying for most things with a debit card instead. Try to avoid cash advances. Raise your credit limit by opening another card and spread the spending out, or call your company and ask for an increase, they'll often bump your limit up if you've been paying it off on time.
Payment History: This had everything to do with making your payments on time. It includes not only credit cards, but auto loans, student loans, any money you have borrowed and need to pay back. Your monthly utility bills are probably included if you haven't been paying, it is up to your provider if they give this information to the folks who compile your score. Some providers also provide information if you do pay on time, but many don't. What does that mean for you? Your credit score probably doesn't take your consistently on time electric bill into account, but probably does reflect if you've had problems paying NSTAR on time. Lame, I know.
To improve this aspect: Pay your bills on time, even if you can only make the minimum payment. Set up automatic payment or email reminders if you tend to be disorganized or absent minded.
Age of Credit: This is the one that tends to get us. An average of 9 or more years is considered excellent. I don't know about you, but 9 years ago I was not responsibly building my credit, I was shopping at Aeropostale and waiting on my first period. This is the first (and probably last) time I have ever thought "thank you, student loans" because those are my oldest loans, so they're really carrying the team in this area.
To improve this aspect: This is an average, so running out and opening a bunch of credit cards will ding you here, as will closing old accounts, so if you got a credit card a few years ago, hold onto it even if a better rewards program or interest rate has come along. Other than that, just wait. Negative: not much you can do. Positive: the very passage of time improves your credit score.
Total Accounts: Just how many accounts you have. Age of credit is more important though, so opening a bunch of accounts will do more harm than help.
To improve this aspect: Have a credit card or two, but mostly leave this one alone.
Credit Inquires: How often you're applying for loans. It is good to apply for credit, and seek a loan if you need it (and can pay it off!)
To improve this aspect: Applying for a store credit card to get the 15% off on a regular basis is a bad move in the long run. Apply only for the credit that you need.
Derogatory Marks: This includes accounts in collection, liens, and bankruptcy. You probably don't have any on your credit report. If you do, I am absolutely not your girl.
Keep it clean: Pay your bills, don't build up more debt than you can pay, make sure you've got insurance. We'll chat about insurance later.
You need to actually borrow money to get credit. Student loans count, auto loans do too. You have the most control with credit cards, and if you pay them on time and in full you can build credit without paying any interest! They are also easier to get than auto or personal loans. You'll start out with a high interest rate and a low limit, but its a start. Make sure you're signing up for one without annual fees. If your parents have good credit and are willing and able to help you out, you can leverage their good credit by asking them to cosign for you if you need a loan and can't get it on your own. Paying it off will build your credit. Someday we'll all be able to buy used cars with interest in the single digits.
Amateur Adults generally do not have good credit. Not because we've done anything wrong, but because we haven't shown that we are doing things right. I took it weirdly personally when I first started getting rejected for loans when I went to buy my car. Don't they know I'm a responsible lady! I only needed like two extensions in college! Just ask my landlord! Or my Dad! This was an Important Adult Lesson: Nobody Cares. People who are willing to take a chance on you are rare and wonderful angels. One of these people can change your life. Creditors are not these people (unless they are family members or trusting personal friends) The good news is your credit score is not directly tied to your income, so with some know how you can get it up over time even if you don't make a ton of money. Here's what does go into that number:
Credit Card Usage: This is a biggie, and it looks at how much you spend compared with your credit limit. I only have one card, and it has an $800 limit. This aspect of the score looks good if you keep your debt at or under 30% of the limit ($240 for me) Even if I could afford to max out my card, it looks to lenders like my spending is over the top, and that I'm likely to default.
To improve this aspect: Limit credit card spending, not only with wise spending, but by paying for most things with a debit card instead. Try to avoid cash advances. Raise your credit limit by opening another card and spread the spending out, or call your company and ask for an increase, they'll often bump your limit up if you've been paying it off on time.
Payment History: This had everything to do with making your payments on time. It includes not only credit cards, but auto loans, student loans, any money you have borrowed and need to pay back. Your monthly utility bills are probably included if you haven't been paying, it is up to your provider if they give this information to the folks who compile your score. Some providers also provide information if you do pay on time, but many don't. What does that mean for you? Your credit score probably doesn't take your consistently on time electric bill into account, but probably does reflect if you've had problems paying NSTAR on time. Lame, I know.
To improve this aspect: Pay your bills on time, even if you can only make the minimum payment. Set up automatic payment or email reminders if you tend to be disorganized or absent minded.
Age of Credit: This is the one that tends to get us. An average of 9 or more years is considered excellent. I don't know about you, but 9 years ago I was not responsibly building my credit, I was shopping at Aeropostale and waiting on my first period. This is the first (and probably last) time I have ever thought "thank you, student loans" because those are my oldest loans, so they're really carrying the team in this area.
To improve this aspect: This is an average, so running out and opening a bunch of credit cards will ding you here, as will closing old accounts, so if you got a credit card a few years ago, hold onto it even if a better rewards program or interest rate has come along. Other than that, just wait. Negative: not much you can do. Positive: the very passage of time improves your credit score.
Total Accounts: Just how many accounts you have. Age of credit is more important though, so opening a bunch of accounts will do more harm than help.
To improve this aspect: Have a credit card or two, but mostly leave this one alone.
Credit Inquires: How often you're applying for loans. It is good to apply for credit, and seek a loan if you need it (and can pay it off!)
To improve this aspect: Applying for a store credit card to get the 15% off on a regular basis is a bad move in the long run. Apply only for the credit that you need.
Derogatory Marks: This includes accounts in collection, liens, and bankruptcy. You probably don't have any on your credit report. If you do, I am absolutely not your girl.
Keep it clean: Pay your bills, don't build up more debt than you can pay, make sure you've got insurance. We'll chat about insurance later.
You need to actually borrow money to get credit. Student loans count, auto loans do too. You have the most control with credit cards, and if you pay them on time and in full you can build credit without paying any interest! They are also easier to get than auto or personal loans. You'll start out with a high interest rate and a low limit, but its a start. Make sure you're signing up for one without annual fees. If your parents have good credit and are willing and able to help you out, you can leverage their good credit by asking them to cosign for you if you need a loan and can't get it on your own. Paying it off will build your credit. Someday we'll all be able to buy used cars with interest in the single digits.
Monday, October 27, 2014
On "What's next for you?"
It isn't that we don't like talking to people over thirty, it's just that we probably already know what they're going to say. "So, what are you doing now?" or "What's next for you?" get a lot of use, but a simple, "Now what?" or "Do you have a job yet?" is not unheard of. Or there's my personal favorite "Are you applying to graduate programs? Law school?" It's not that we don't love you and appreciate you, family friends, old teachers and folks at church. We're glad you care. Except for those random people that you've literally just introduced yourself to. Stay in your lane, super friendly ladies at the grocery store. The truth is, many of us have no idea what's next, and don't have professional jobs yet, and kind of feel like maybe we never will. We're still paying for that first degree and are struggling to build a life stable enough to justify signing up for a yearlong gym membership. I personally think it's rude to expect young people to make small talk about their life aspirations all of the time.
Intermediate and Expert level adults: I suggest you try this: ask yourself "would it be appropriate to talk to this person, in this situation, about their employment status and long term goals if they were my age?" Often it is; you are having an in depth conversation with someone close to you. You are currently employing or considering employing this person. Often it is not; you ran into your friends twenty something kid while running errands. You met this person within the last half hour. Every twenty two year old you meet for the rest of your life will be grateful.
As a recent grad still floundering about, I've found that my most common answer to this is "Right now I'm just babysitting, but I'm looking to get into blahblahblah" Hold up. Stop. Dramatic rewind noise. I'm not just babysitting. I'm inspiring the future! When I show up at work, I'm making it just a little easier for parents to raise their families, go to work, or sneak in a weekly yoga class. I'm wiping ass and taking names. My job is important, and I'm really good at it. It feels weird to say it. But it's true. When I tell people I'm just babysitting I dismiss the hard work that I do. I dismiss the way I spend most of my time. I dismiss what allows me to support myself and the work that I take pride in. And guess what, that doesn't feel good! It makes me resent my awesome job and think I'm not succeeding enough. I'm not alone in this people. I know I've heard my peers just their work all the time. I just work at the movie theater. I'm just a receptionist.
Amateur adults: this is a call t o action. Stop just-ing yourself! The fact that your work right now is temporary doesn't mean it doesn't matter. Lets ban just from these conversations for good. Try my mantra: My job is important and I'm really good at it. If your job was such a pointless waste of time, why would you be getting paid to do it? I know how frustrating it is, but what you do matters to somebody. When you get rid of just you come across as more confident, and we could all use a bit of that. While were at it, we should probably scrap the phrase "real job." If you get up and do work and get paid for it, your job is real. That's what real means. It certainly isn't imaginary (as my snot stained wardrobe will attest) and it certainly isn't fake (unless you're living off one of those crazy payroll scams) Try instead, "professional job" or "work in my field." It speaks to what you want to do without dismissing what you're doing now and sounds way adultier to boot.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Furnishing my Apartment- Quick List
Get the best bang for your buck by looking for these items.
A bed frame- The basic metal ones are $25-35, it'll give you extra storage space under your bed, and it makes your room look significantly more like you're planning on staying there for more than a few weeks.
A sheet or bedskirt- If you have a box spring, use one of these to cover it up. Even the top sheet of a set you own, or a fitted sheet you replaced because it was no longer suitable to touch your body will look better than a naked box spring.
A tablecloth- Literally $4, they keep the table clean and look really nice. The vinyl ones are easy to wipe off. Replace it every now and then with seasonal patterns and you'll feel like a regular Martha Stewart. I know this is my third or fourth mention of tablecloths, I just like them, okay?
A coffee table- It doesn't even have to be a table, I used a trunk I found at a garage sale until my Mom (shoutout!) build me a custom upcycled one (you'll have to ask her to start a blog if you want to learn how to do that.) It can be a frozen pizza dining table, a poker table, an ottoman, and your friends will have somewhere to put down their drinks. I live around my coffee table, and hardly ever lose my remote!
Bookcases- Not just for books! Organize just about anything you own in a bookcase and It'll look much better and be easier to find than having it in a big box. For a one-two punch of organization and adultliness, place your items in decorative boxes and your boxes in your bookcase. Those wire squares that you assemble into cubes are great too, and easier to carry if you, like me, live on the third floor.
Curtains- These are cheap at discount stores like Christmas Tree Shops, or can be found at a Salvation Army of Goodwill store- just be sure to wash them before hanging them up. For the winter, pick thick ones, or the special heat and light blocking kind (usually $10 each.) They look nice and you'll save on heat. You will also avoid one of the perils of city living- the neighbor five feet from your bedroom window seeing your personal Beyonce dance parties. If there aren't any rods up, the cheap white ones they sell at hardware stores will work fine, just make sure you're buying the right size.
Those ottomans that are also boxes- Buy them at Target, they changed my life. Easy to move seating for hosting and a place to dump things where nobody can see. The Dream.
A bed frame- The basic metal ones are $25-35, it'll give you extra storage space under your bed, and it makes your room look significantly more like you're planning on staying there for more than a few weeks.
A sheet or bedskirt- If you have a box spring, use one of these to cover it up. Even the top sheet of a set you own, or a fitted sheet you replaced because it was no longer suitable to touch your body will look better than a naked box spring.
A tablecloth- Literally $4, they keep the table clean and look really nice. The vinyl ones are easy to wipe off. Replace it every now and then with seasonal patterns and you'll feel like a regular Martha Stewart. I know this is my third or fourth mention of tablecloths, I just like them, okay?
A coffee table- It doesn't even have to be a table, I used a trunk I found at a garage sale until my Mom (shoutout!) build me a custom upcycled one (you'll have to ask her to start a blog if you want to learn how to do that.) It can be a frozen pizza dining table, a poker table, an ottoman, and your friends will have somewhere to put down their drinks. I live around my coffee table, and hardly ever lose my remote!
Bookcases- Not just for books! Organize just about anything you own in a bookcase and It'll look much better and be easier to find than having it in a big box. For a one-two punch of organization and adultliness, place your items in decorative boxes and your boxes in your bookcase. Those wire squares that you assemble into cubes are great too, and easier to carry if you, like me, live on the third floor.
Curtains- These are cheap at discount stores like Christmas Tree Shops, or can be found at a Salvation Army of Goodwill store- just be sure to wash them before hanging them up. For the winter, pick thick ones, or the special heat and light blocking kind (usually $10 each.) They look nice and you'll save on heat. You will also avoid one of the perils of city living- the neighbor five feet from your bedroom window seeing your personal Beyonce dance parties. If there aren't any rods up, the cheap white ones they sell at hardware stores will work fine, just make sure you're buying the right size.
Those ottomans that are also boxes- Buy them at Target, they changed my life. Easy to move seating for hosting and a place to dump things where nobody can see. The Dream.
Adult Situation: Furnishing my Apartment
So here you are, in your wonderful first apartment, all moved in and snuggled up. But wait just one minute, look around the room and tell me it doesn't look a little something like this..
Your mattress is sitting on the floor, maybe with a box spring under it. You have a desk, and a chair, and maybe a dresser. Alternatively, your clothes are in plastic containers. Your'e still using your moving boxes as storage, and fifteen to fifty percent of your furniture, rugs, and decor were left there by the prior tenets, another crew of 18-25 year olds. Its the way of the first apartment, we haven't had time to build a collection of dish towels and throw pillows and we certainly don't have the cash to fill up our new places with new things. It's all fun and games until you find out how much real furniture costs.
But don't despair! If you don't want your home to look like a serial killer lives there, ready to bolt for a country without an extradition treaty at the first sign of trouble, I am here to help you!
First Stop: Free Stuff Central
Let your extended family and everyone know that you're moving to your first place, somebody probably has a few things they're getting rid of. Shamelessly troll for furniture with "free" signs out on the street. In Boston, this is particularly good advice around the first of the month (particularly September) when leases end and people are getting rid of things that don't make the cut for their new places. Feel confident about tables and other hard stuff, but mattresses or anything upholstered can have unsavory gook and even little critters that'll cause you a world of distress. If you get bed bugs, the place may have to be fumigated, and depending on your lease you may be responsible for the cost. I advise against street mattresses and couches. But if your aunt of friend had it and is just upgrading that's a major score.
Next Stop: Your local Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity Restore,
Great places to get super cheap furniture, and it's usually much nicer and sturdier than what you'll find at a place like Ikea. You'll have to really scour if you're trying to find something really specific, but remember that anything can be painted, and a $4 tablecloth can change your life. If you don't have a car (or a friend with a car) check out Zipcar (they even have pickup trucks!) rent a truck from Home Depot, or drag your parents along next time they're in town.
Next Stop: Amazon
If you're still in school, you can get a great discount on Amazon Prime with your .edu email account. With free shipping, you can use this to get all of the stuff you need and is particularly helpful if you don't have access to a car. Before I got my hands on a car, it was a huge pain to get day to day things like toilet paper, socks, ink for my printer, whatever, at reasonable prices. In the middle of Boston, I only had easy access to convenience stores and drugstores, where that kind of stuff is crazy overpriced. You can even shop for furniture here, you'll be amazed by what is covered by your free shipping.
Next Stop: Ikea
They have everything you can possibly need, and plenty of super cheap, basic furniture. You can save money if you can get to a physical location, but splitting delivery or shipping fees between all your roomies can make that route affordable too. Get any essentials you weren't able to find on the super cheap, but be warned that once you set something up, you probably won't be able to take it apart and move it to be used again.
Next Stop: Target, Home Goods, Christmas Tree Shops, Big Lots
While you probably won't have much luck here with furniture, they are great places to get decorative stuff, extra blankets, and curtains. You're gonna want some thick curtains that totally cover your windows when you're paying your own heating bills this winter. If you're more ambitious you can pick up the wall art, cute dish towels, and seasonal tablecloths that will really make your home feel homey
There's a lot of stuff to buy, so think of it like a process, grab the basics now, and you can improve your habitat as you find deals. I'm going on my third year in my place, and I'm still searching for the perfect under $25 storage solution for my bathroom. To help you out, my next post will be a list of the cheapest things that make the biggest impact.
Some of you may wonder why I advise spending precious beer money on lame boring home items. I certainly won't question your adultliness if you like your place relatively unfurnished. I personally found that I often feel transient, like everything I'm doing is temporary, kind of like I'm visiting my own life. I found that filling my home with things that I use and like, really getting comfortable in my space has brought a feeling that I'm staying for a while, building the home as well as the life that I want, making my apartment a place I want to be, edging out mom and dad's place as the control center of my life. I've even begun referring to my apartment as "home" and the house I grew up in as "my parents house."
Your mattress is sitting on the floor, maybe with a box spring under it. You have a desk, and a chair, and maybe a dresser. Alternatively, your clothes are in plastic containers. Your'e still using your moving boxes as storage, and fifteen to fifty percent of your furniture, rugs, and decor were left there by the prior tenets, another crew of 18-25 year olds. Its the way of the first apartment, we haven't had time to build a collection of dish towels and throw pillows and we certainly don't have the cash to fill up our new places with new things. It's all fun and games until you find out how much real furniture costs.
But don't despair! If you don't want your home to look like a serial killer lives there, ready to bolt for a country without an extradition treaty at the first sign of trouble, I am here to help you!
First Stop: Free Stuff Central
Let your extended family and everyone know that you're moving to your first place, somebody probably has a few things they're getting rid of. Shamelessly troll for furniture with "free" signs out on the street. In Boston, this is particularly good advice around the first of the month (particularly September) when leases end and people are getting rid of things that don't make the cut for their new places. Feel confident about tables and other hard stuff, but mattresses or anything upholstered can have unsavory gook and even little critters that'll cause you a world of distress. If you get bed bugs, the place may have to be fumigated, and depending on your lease you may be responsible for the cost. I advise against street mattresses and couches. But if your aunt of friend had it and is just upgrading that's a major score.
Next Stop: Your local Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity Restore,
Great places to get super cheap furniture, and it's usually much nicer and sturdier than what you'll find at a place like Ikea. You'll have to really scour if you're trying to find something really specific, but remember that anything can be painted, and a $4 tablecloth can change your life. If you don't have a car (or a friend with a car) check out Zipcar (they even have pickup trucks!) rent a truck from Home Depot, or drag your parents along next time they're in town.
Next Stop: Amazon
If you're still in school, you can get a great discount on Amazon Prime with your .edu email account. With free shipping, you can use this to get all of the stuff you need and is particularly helpful if you don't have access to a car. Before I got my hands on a car, it was a huge pain to get day to day things like toilet paper, socks, ink for my printer, whatever, at reasonable prices. In the middle of Boston, I only had easy access to convenience stores and drugstores, where that kind of stuff is crazy overpriced. You can even shop for furniture here, you'll be amazed by what is covered by your free shipping.
Next Stop: Ikea
They have everything you can possibly need, and plenty of super cheap, basic furniture. You can save money if you can get to a physical location, but splitting delivery or shipping fees between all your roomies can make that route affordable too. Get any essentials you weren't able to find on the super cheap, but be warned that once you set something up, you probably won't be able to take it apart and move it to be used again.
Next Stop: Target, Home Goods, Christmas Tree Shops, Big Lots
While you probably won't have much luck here with furniture, they are great places to get decorative stuff, extra blankets, and curtains. You're gonna want some thick curtains that totally cover your windows when you're paying your own heating bills this winter. If you're more ambitious you can pick up the wall art, cute dish towels, and seasonal tablecloths that will really make your home feel homey
There's a lot of stuff to buy, so think of it like a process, grab the basics now, and you can improve your habitat as you find deals. I'm going on my third year in my place, and I'm still searching for the perfect under $25 storage solution for my bathroom. To help you out, my next post will be a list of the cheapest things that make the biggest impact.
Some of you may wonder why I advise spending precious beer money on lame boring home items. I certainly won't question your adultliness if you like your place relatively unfurnished. I personally found that I often feel transient, like everything I'm doing is temporary, kind of like I'm visiting my own life. I found that filling my home with things that I use and like, really getting comfortable in my space has brought a feeling that I'm staying for a while, building the home as well as the life that I want, making my apartment a place I want to be, edging out mom and dad's place as the control center of my life. I've even begun referring to my apartment as "home" and the house I grew up in as "my parents house."
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Adult Necessity: Registering to Vote
As a political science grad, the changing leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, and back to school sales signal more than the changing season. It means that ELECTION SEASON is approaching. Election season is every year, folks, not just during presidential elections. We have the opportunity to vote for our Senators and Representatives as well as State and Local officials. This year in Boston, we're voting for all sorts of fun things, including a new Governor, expansion of the bottle deposit system, and the indexing of the gas tax! You can check out Rock the Vote to see what's on the ballot where you live.
But in order to get in on the fun, you need to be registered to vote first! In most states (including Massachusetts and my original habitat, New York) you need to be registered 30-60 days in advance of an election to vote. That gives you time before Election Day to get involved. How do you register? If you live in MA, you got a voter information booklet in the mail with a registration form inside. Fill it on out and mail it on in! Forms are also avalible at your friendly neighborhood DMV/RMV or online. Literally google "Register to vote in [your state]" and print it out, and mail it in. Don't own a printer? Still no excuses, you can call the number on the site, which will likely be the website of the Secretary of the State/Commonwealth and they can mail it to you. You can also keep your eyes peeled for voter registration drives, often on campus, at the train station, outside the grocery store, or your local library.
Important to know!
Students are legally permitted to vote in either the state of their permanent residence (mom and dads house) OR the state where they attend school. It is up to you, chose for whatever reason you want. One is a swing state, you want to vote for a favorite politician, you'd like to vote on the school budget in your hometown, absentee ballots seem like a pain in the butt (though I will post on these later!)
In some states, proof of residence is required (this can be a bill or lease with your name on it, you license or passport, or if you live on campus, you schools Housing people can give you an official letter stating that you live there) You will need this in MA, but only once, either the first time you vote, or you can send it in with your registration. Some states require photo identification, either at the polling place or when you register. Look into what is required in your state.
When you are selecting a party, follow your heart! But there are a few things you may want to keep in mind. For many people, the most important thing about choosing a party is voting in primaries (yeah, you also have get to vote to pick who you can vote for in general elections, Democracy is not a spectator sport.) The difference this makes depends on the type of primaries you have in your state.
Closed Primaries- registered Republicans can only vote in Republican primaries, same with Democrats, if you register No Party you can't vote in primaries at all.
Semi-Closed Primaries- The Parties in states with these types of primaries can pick if they want to allow non members to vote or not. All parties may not have made the same selection. The Democratic Primary may be closed, the Republican may be open. If you live in a semi-closed primary state, you're going to have to do a little extra research if you're not sure what party to register with.
Open Primaries- When I changed my registration to MA, I was thrilled to be in an open primary state, because I am registered with no party affiliation. In open primary states, you get to pick each time what primary you want to vote in. You do, however, have to do every office in that party, you can't vote for a senate candidate of one party and a presidential candidate of another.
If you want to register without party affiliation you should consider the primary situation, but also note that your state likely has a party called something like Independence. It is super easy to check this off when you want to be "Independent" and I know a lot of people who have done it. So just double check.
Also remember that its easy to change your registration, your address, your party, even your state. If you move to a new state, you simply register in your new home state and fill in the area that asks about where you were last registered. They will take care of the rest, so don't worry that the Feds will come knocking on your door accusing you of voter fraud.
So get out there and register to vote. You can literally do it during the commercial breaks while you catch up on all your shows that are back for the fall.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Why amateur adults?
I remember, at seventeen, feeling that when the clock struck midnight and I was eighteen I would be a bona fide adult. I mean it was the law. I would literally be the law that I was an adult, you can't argue with that! On my eighteenth birthday I drove my parents car to the mall, took the last twenty five dollars out of my checking account and got a piercing all on my own. I didn't feel like an adult, I felt broke and like my new earning was kind of cute. Six months later I went to college thinking maybe this would be what it took to make me an adult. Long story short, I cried a lot, I changed my major, I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up. My debit card got declined at a convenience store. I didn't feel like an adult, I felt overwhelmed and lonely and broke. It got better, I loved college, I learned and grew in ways I had never imagined. I worked hard. I got an apartment with my friends. I felt independent and fabulous and loved and challenged (and broke.)
By the next milestone I had figured out, for the most part, that everyone is just winging it. On my twenty first birthday I bought a dress that looked like judy jetson in da club, wore tall shoes, and went to bars with my friends. We sat on the floor of that same apartment eating french fries and singing hymns. I started to realize the switch I had imagined would never flip, and instead I might just start to feel like an adult a growing proportion of the time. I got some great babysitting jobs and killed it at school. I felt full and capable and, with a growing savings account, fabulously wealthy. Then I graduated college and began to feel like I was suddenly playing for keeps. I went on vacation with my boyfriend, bought throw pillows for that apartment, one of my student loan payments bounced. I feel like an adult sometimes, other times I stare at the dishes in my sink and then go back to bed. With the help of my very wise mother, and some great articles on impostor syndrome I'm realizing that this whole adult thing is a process, and I'm not in some strange extended adolescence, I'm just new to this. An amateur adult, but an adult nonetheless.
I don't think that my experience is unique. I believe that most of us trying to navigate this time in our lives are a little lost. amateur adults is a spot for me to take this journey with whoever wants to join me. To reflect as well as share what I've learned about the practicalities of living independently. Why do I feel like an impostor in my own life? What the heck is the deal with renters insurance? How do I file my taxes? I'm figuring all of that out, and I want you to join me!
By the next milestone I had figured out, for the most part, that everyone is just winging it. On my twenty first birthday I bought a dress that looked like judy jetson in da club, wore tall shoes, and went to bars with my friends. We sat on the floor of that same apartment eating french fries and singing hymns. I started to realize the switch I had imagined would never flip, and instead I might just start to feel like an adult a growing proportion of the time. I got some great babysitting jobs and killed it at school. I felt full and capable and, with a growing savings account, fabulously wealthy. Then I graduated college and began to feel like I was suddenly playing for keeps. I went on vacation with my boyfriend, bought throw pillows for that apartment, one of my student loan payments bounced. I feel like an adult sometimes, other times I stare at the dishes in my sink and then go back to bed. With the help of my very wise mother, and some great articles on impostor syndrome I'm realizing that this whole adult thing is a process, and I'm not in some strange extended adolescence, I'm just new to this. An amateur adult, but an adult nonetheless.
I don't think that my experience is unique. I believe that most of us trying to navigate this time in our lives are a little lost. amateur adults is a spot for me to take this journey with whoever wants to join me. To reflect as well as share what I've learned about the practicalities of living independently. Why do I feel like an impostor in my own life? What the heck is the deal with renters insurance? How do I file my taxes? I'm figuring all of that out, and I want you to join me!
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