First Job Fantasy vs. Reality

I had big aspirations when I landed my first post-grad gig.

With the money flowing, the promotions brewing and all the magic that accompanies the working world in between, I thought I had arrived.

Au contraire.

Life after college isn’t quite what I thought it would be — both for the good and the bad.

The huge downtown townhome I pictured with incredible views and impossibly high ceilings has been replaced with a modest one-bedroom apartment near the highway. But hey, at least I still have hardwood floors.

And I haven’t been promoted, but being only two months in, I think I still have time to make an impression. Everyday isn’t world changing. There are times when my day is mundane or stressing or dare I say, boring. But more often than not come the days when I’m excited, engaged and looking forward to the next project.

That huge fortune I imagined would be immediately plopped into my checking account still hasn’t surfaced, but thanks to some savvy saving tips and efficient money management I’m certainly making a dent in securing my financial future. Although perhaps I should cut back on the Starbucks so I can fork over some more dollars to those student loans.

All in all, my pre-conceived fantasy of taking over the post-graduate world isn’t what it was cracked up to be, but that’s okay. I might not be making a massive impact on humankind, but I am making an impact somewhere, somehow. And besides, there is always room for improvement.

That considered, I’m taking these first months in stride. I have a lot to learn, on the job and in my own life. So here’s to dreaming big and taking it one day at a time.

What about your first job was most shockingly different than your thoughts going in?

-Marilyn

Pecuniary Prescriptions for the Precociously Poor

I love a good alliteration — sue me.

With energy costs rising and a stubbornly sluggish economy, I braced myself for the dent a move to a new city was going to cost me. But what I thought my spending would be was no where near what it actually was. Between rent, gas, insurance, groceries, taxes and utility bills my paycheck left little to be desired.

So I did what any good bargain-huntress would do — streamlined.

Here are some of my tried and true tips to manage your income while not skimping out on the good stuff.

1. Cut back where you can. Does that box of Cheerio’s really taste better than Kroger’s generic version? Not so much. Opt for the store brands whenever you can. Just that little difference can make a huge impact on your wallet. But no need to get all crazy — I refuse to buy anything besides Lipton’s iced tea and real Oreos, there’s just no substitute.

2. Quality over quantity. This may be the mantra favored by the ever fabulous style gurus Stacy and Clinton, but some of us can’t seem to really live it. I have a friend who refuses to pay a little extra for a classic J. Crew cable-knit and instead drops $50 total on thin, itchy bargain-priced sweaters each season. There is absolutely no excuse for this kind of behavior. Spend a little more now and you will reap the benefits my friend. Plus, with outlet shopping, discount stores like TJ Maxx and, my favorite, Ebay, there are too many options for you not to be able to live luxuriously while saving some Benjamins.

3. Two words: happy hour. Don’t go out at night just to buy over-priced, watered down drinks in that ritzy new bar downtown when you could buy two or three equally delicious beverages a little earlier in the day for the price of one. Plan your social romps around places with the best specials or opt for a night in with homemade margaritas and a game of poker. Either way you’ll save some cash. And besides, who doesn’t love a little taste of the Jimmy Buffet lifestyle after work? Just remember to be adult about it – always drink responsibly.

4. Secure what you save. Okay so this one I’m still having trouble with, but with my new required company savings plan I’m hoping I can learn the value of stashing extra cash for the future. Even if it’s just $20 a month, deposit what you can into a high interest savings account and don’t touch it. Starting a little nest egg now will pay off big in the long run.

-Marilyn

The Funniest Resume I’ve Ever Seen

While watching the news recently, I saw a report about the funniest, and most creative, way to post your resume – wear it.

DamnINeedAJob.com, a new Web site that’s all about the job hunt, allows people to create a shirt which boasts their skills and abilities, just like a resume. The $25 shirt, written as a type of cover letter, includes text chosen by the buyer and even starts with a hand-picked salutation. And to make sure no potential employer misses the message, the shirt boldly displays the words, “Damn, I Need A Job. Know of Anything?” across its front.

The creator, who seems to prefer being anonymous- I couldn’t find his name anywhere on the Web site- is completely changing the way people look for jobs, while at the same time poking fun at the “your next employer could be anywhere” mentality. He says the shirts attract so much attention that he’s started carrying around resumes to hand people who are interested.

Several new features have been added as the Web site gains popularity, including a blog, discussion forum for the unemployed and DamnINeedMoney.com, a collection of articles and other resources for those finding the job hunt difficult and tedious.

No word on if the idea has actually landed him a job, but I think he should get props for sheer creativity.

-Haley