Money In My Pocket

Packing a Lunch

Several of the people where I volunteer go pick up something for lunch.  They will either get in their cars and drive to a restaurant or walk to one close to our office.  I joined them a couple of times, but after a while, I realized that it would be so much less expensive to pack my own lunch.  Sure I have to go to the grocery store more often, but a less than $5 lunch beats their $10 lunch any day.  Sure many places advertise lunch specials for under $15, some even advertise for less than $10, but that is not including tip (if applicable) and many times does not include a drink.  Also, the food I make for lunch is much healthier than what I could get while eating out.  So I am doing myself two favors by packing my own lunch—looking out for my health and my pocketbook. 

VCR or DVR

My dad is a pretty slow adaptor when it comes to technology, but when I sat down with my family to see if they would donate some things from our house to my cause of setting up a new place to live, dad quickly volunteered the family TV.  I gladly accepted, playing into his plan.  He wanted a new flat screen TV, and he even got a DVR.  It was so cool to be able to record shows I like and what whenever I want, but I am afraid I have gotten used to it.  When classes start, I know I will, as in undergrad, have only a little time to watch TV, so I might want to record my favorite shows.  It costs a bit more to get these features, so for now I am going with the free VCR I already have.  Maybe I will get a DVR in the future, but for now old technology will be fine.

Donations in Memory

Recently someone affiliated with my college passed away.  He worked with students throughout his career as an administrator, and even into his retirement he continued to mentor and inspire students, which is when I met him.  When the students were notified of his death, the family asked that instead of sending flowers, we make donations in his honor to the school.  I have heard of families doing this before, and I really like the idea.  Flowers will wilt after a few days and while they are pretty to look at, even a small donation in honor of a great man will do good for a long time.  I plan on sending in a donation tomorrow, and along with the donations of many others whose lives he impacted, I am sure we can continue to make a difference, honoring his memory and his service to our school.

Volunteering

As I think I mentioned before, I am spending part of my summer volunteering at an organization I support.  I thought it would be a great way to have hours as flexible as I want them, yet maintain some structure in my summer schedule, and do a good deed while I am at it.  The one thing I did not consider is that I am volunteering more than just my time.  It takes about 20 minutes for me to drive to the office, depending on traffic, but coming to and from uses up gas I have to pay for.  I don’t know why, but I did not even think about this aspect of my volunteering job.  I wish there were some way to have my gas paid for, but then it would not be volunteering I guess.  At least I can see I am helping and feel appreciated for the work I do.  Knowing I am doing something to help makes it worth it.

New Computer

I am currently researching what type of computer I should get for law school.  On the law school’s Web site, it lists the things I should look for when buying one, and even tells me that I need to get a laptop.  Though desktops are less expensive, I can understand why they require us to have laptops.  I am sure it is so we can do research in the library without overcrowding the computer labs during exam prep time, or maybe we will need them in class.  When I sat in on a couple of law classes, everyone took notes on the computer, so maybe I should try it too.  This just adds even more to the initial expenses of law school.  I want a good computer, but it seems the better it is, the price goes up by leaps and bounds.  I am sure I will find a happy medium, but it just takes a lot of searching.