For the Love of Lists

Engineering life one step at a time

Archives for April 2015

Financial Resources for Beginners

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Financial Resources for Beginners

Like most of you, I recently finished filing my taxes.  Yay!  But after about 20 calls to my mother I realized that, with six years of college education under my belt, I should know a lot more about this subject than I do.  Until now, I hadn’t thought of making it a priority.  So I set out on a mission to collect some go-to resources to teach myself more about finances and managing my money.  If you’re looking to understand the basics too, check out some of these sites, books, and apps:

Financial Education
Better Money Habits
MyMoney.gov
Khan Academy
LearnVest
Investopedia

Blogs/Experts
Dave Ramsey
Suze Orman
Money Crashers
Frugal Rules
Money Saving Mom

Books
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Personal Finance in Your 20s and 30s
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Personal Finance in Your 40s and 50s
Personal Finance for Dummies

Apps
Mint
Mobile Banking (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, etc)

News/Magazines
Business Insider
Forbes

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it’s enough to get started.  Don’t be turned away by the book titles – if you’re like me, you want to start with simple explanations and work your way up to more complex strategies.  Of these, Business Insider, the Mint app, and the videos from Better Money Habits are my favorites.  So browse a few sites, learn how the systems work, and you’ll be all set when next year’s tax season rolls around.

Do you have any favorite sites or tips?  Please share them in the comments!

Quick 10: My 10 Favorite Books from School Reading Lists

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School Reading List Favorites

I was always the kid who couldn’t wait until the summer reading list came out.  In fact, I still scour the school-suggested tables at Barnes & Noble.  So now when I hear kids say they don’t like to read, I believe they just haven’t found the right book yet.  With that in mind, here are 10 of my favorite books I read in school.

  1. The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
  2. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
  3. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
  4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
  5. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
  6. Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes
  7. The Crucible by Arthur Miller
  8. Night by Elie Wiesel
  9. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
  10. Macbeth by William Shakespeare

What were your favorite books?  Were there any you wish you got to read in school?  If so, add them in the comments below!

3 Motivating Playlists to Power Through a Rough Day

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Motivating Playlists

We all have those days where we’re staring down the minutes on the clock, reading our to-do lists over and over hoping they’ll finish themselves.  Fortunately, good music can work miracles.  Next time you’re feeling sluggish or down, try out one of these playlists:

Girl Power

  • Firework – Katy Perry
  • Raise Your Glass – P!nk
  • Edge of Glory – Lady Gaga
  • One More – Superchick
  • Stronger – Kelly Clarkson
  • Titanium – Sia
  • Brave – Sara Bareilles
  • Burn – Ellie Goulding
  • Born This Way – Lady Gaga
  • Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar
  • What the Hell – Avril Lavigne
  • Roar – Katy Perry

Determined

  • Headstrong – Trapt
  • You’ll Never Catch Me – Steve Harwell
  • You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid – The Offspring
  • Devour – Shinedown
  • Diamond Eyes – Shinedown
  • Boom – P.O.D.
  • I Will Not Bow – Breaking Benjamin
  • How Far We’ve Come – Matchbox Twenty
  • Light It Up – Fall Out Boy
  • Savior – Rise Against
  • New Divide – Linkin Park
  • Faint – Linkin Park
  • Bring Me to Life – Evanescence
  • Rise Above This – Seether

Classic Rock/80’s Montage

  • Shoot to Thrill – AC/DC
  • Walk This Way – Aerosmith
  • Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
  • We Will Rock You – Queen
  • T.N.T. – AC/DC
  • Carry On My Wayward Son – Kansas
  • Wanted Dead or Alive – Bon Jovi
  • You’re the Best Around – Joe Esposito
  • Something So Strong – Jim Capaldi
  • You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
  • The Final Countdown – Europe
  • Welcome to the Jungle – Guns & Roses
  • Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
  • Rock You Like a Hurricane – Scorpions
  • Working for the Weekend – Loverboy
  • Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins

What music would you add?  If you have any favorite songs, playlists, or Pandora stations, please share them in the comments below!

Quick 10: 10 Ways to Renew Yourself this Easter

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Easter Renewal

With the start of the Holy Triduum, it’s a good time to remember that this holiday is about more than bunnies and chocolate.  Here is a list of 10 ways you can renew yourself and your faith this Easter:

  1. Pray
  2. Attend Mass at least once a week (check out MassTimes.org for options)
  3. Meditate for a few moments each morning and before bed
  4. Go to Confession (think of it as an opportunity to start fresh – check out this guide to get started)
  5. Write a gratitude list of all the things you’re thankful for
  6. Volunteer, both at your church and in your community
  7. Spend time at Eucharistic Adoration (this site has great information about it)
  8. Say the Rosary
  9. Listen to your favorite hymns and chants (my husband loves Pandora’s Gregorian Chant station)
  10. Read: The Bible, catechisms, or any interesting theological study

This time of year can be great for a fresh start with your faith, or for first-timers to see what the Church is all about.  I am celebrating my first year as a Catholic this month, and overall it has been a rewarding experience.  I hope these suggestions can help you as they have helped me.