Rolanda "DelaMartinez" Williams

jobs are what they are going for school to do, well ok careers. yes good idea for them to have small part time gig, not only for the financial responsibility but also for the work related responsibility!!

@ Shantay - I meant the parents requiring the child to get a job. I'm torn with the decision from both aspects. There have been students who have been very responsible in handling outside work and going to school but others who are use to having everything handed to them and when it comes time to get a job...they would rather rely on their parents... See More. It's a catch 22 situation in some cases. My father encouraged me to get a part-time job while in school and it did teach me a measure of responsibility....it only took one time for me to spend my entire paycheck and run out of gas in my car. :)
@ Tracelia - I totally agree with the latter part of your statement. It is very important to teach the value of money and for them to grasp it...which is not the case in the lives of many youths.
@ Gretchen - I agree with you 100%
Thank you all for sharing!

@ Mari - I totally agree. :)

hmmm, this is a skill that should be started earlier than college, even earlier than high school!! Even little kids can learn how to time manage, my kids are given watches when they play next door w/specific times to check in or come home at.

I upgraded my MPG's, do not warm the car up, use the breaks to stop--rather than the downshifting, and take shorter routes that may be less desired.

@ Lisa - Thanks for the insightful information!
@ Jessica - Are you driving a really fuel efficient vehicle or have you cut down on locations you have to drive to? (smile)
@ Wenso (Now..that's funny)...It's ironic that you mention that, my family and someone riding on a white horse a few weeks ago... :)
@ Alissa - Thanks so much for the tips. :)
@ Denise - WOW....that's pretty high...hope things change in the near future and SOON!... See More
@ Hugh - Thanks so much for the helpful information!

Cynthia Bradley really ministered to me when I need it the most she teaches me everyday spiritually and financially! THANK GOD FOR HER!

@ Wan - that is so very true!
@ Laurie - What an awesome experience!
@ Appollos - He sounds like he was a great man/mentor and its wonderful that you had an outstanding experience. Thanks you for also sharing the awesome insight. :)
@ Erica - She sounds like a wonderful woman/mentor. :)
Thank you all for sharing!

As a Customer Service Exec, I have interviewed well over 1000 people throughout my career. The following seems like an obvious question to have a prepared answer answer to, but I am amazed at the number of interviewees who have not given it any thought. It's probably because it is SO obvious, they think they need not practice.

Me: Tell me about yourself.
Candidate: What would you like to know?
Me: Nobody know you better than you, so whatever you want to tell me. ... See More

My advice to interviewees, practice with a friend or at least out loud in front of a mirror. (seems silly, but is effective.)

Having the above question rehearsed prepares you for many questions and gets you used to talking about yourself.

Excellent questions everyone...thank you so much for sharing this invaluable information. :)

My daughter drives from Ga to Ole Miss alone... 8 hours. We pray, got her a very dependable car, a GPS, a cell phone and we talk every hour to make sure she is OK.
She travels to my parents home and her cousins frequently. She always has the mechanic check out her car if she is going out of town.

@ Gretchen - great advice...thanks for sharing. :)
@ Debra - This can definitely works for those students who have a car :) Thanks for sharing Deb!
There are also some students who choose to share a ride with a friend who lives in the surrounding area and they split the gas and other expenses. Some also jump on Amtrak or Greyhound if they have the flexibility and time to travel. Saves lots of money as well!

one can black beans, one can rotella diced tomatoes, one cup minute rice.....can eat like that, put in tacos, etc, then if you add chicken or your left over burgers....mmmmm

@ Jamie - sounds absolutely delicious
@ Laura - I love the cheap meal ideas...thanks for sharing!
@ Gretchen - this dish sounds wonderful.
@ June - sis...that sounds really good...
@ Mr. Underwood - thanks for the information..."free information and nutritional knowledge" is great. :) ... See More
@ Carmelita - a classic indeed
@ Debra - very smart thinking and economical
@ Laurie - sounds great...
Thank you all for sharing such wonderful ideas. :)

Commitment Action Persistence....with the highest priorities in your life...everything else will work out in accordance with the master plan

@ Carl - excellent points and your latter statement is so very vital for our youths today. Thanks for being a person who genuinely cares about their welfare and contributing positive attributes to society. :)
@ Heather - Wonderful words of wisdom...nice and simple and gets "straight to the core" of what they need.
Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughtful words of wisdom. :)

I see young folks come into my office nearly every day with depression, anxiety, marital problems, family issues, and a host of others. More often than not, these young people are in their early 20... See More’s and either dropped out of school between the 9th and 12th grades or received a big financial aid award and dropped out of college a few weeks before the semester began. The only jobs they were able to land were telemarketers or minimum wage jobs at the local mall or restaurant. Not saying those jobs are bad, only that they are generally not enough to provide more than supplemental income. Usually, these young people fall in love, or get pregnant, within the first month of working. They try their best to combine incomes and rent an apartment. Of course, they forget the utilities, deposits, furniture, initial food supply, and all the extra’s that come with striking out on one’s own. After about a month, if it last that long, they realize what a mistake was made. Then all tarnation (an old word) breaks loose and the above problems set failure in motion. My answer to my clients; I can either get you all kinds of subsistence that will “temporarily get you by” or help you back up and start over. Unfortunately, they usually choose the easy, temporary way out and they are back in my office on a regular basis for therapy…paid for by the system. My heart goes out to these wonderful young souls and I try my best to help them get their lives back on track. If at all possible, present this scenario and give a couple of real life examples before such a decision is made. Useless pain and suffering that could have been avoided by just a few simple correct life choices!

@ Donya - thank you for pointing out a prevelant issue at hand....in many areas of the country, teens/people want "MORE" and the minimal just won't do for them..thus working at Mickey D's may lose its appeal.My heart continues to be heavy when selling drugs is made an option, yet as you stated, its a reality. :( It would be interesting to do some research onworkers there that have actually been disciplined by working there and have worked their way up the ranks to accomplish even more.
@ Laura - your mother is a wise woman!
@ Nakki - smiling in Minnesota :)
@ Rebecca - that's an excellent idea. It reminds me of an episode on the Cosby Show, where Theo thought he could live on his own without obtaining an education. His parents converted his room into a make-shift "rented" apartment and forced him to pay for everything he used...it was hilarious but instilled a very valuable lesson about money and responsibility.... :)
@ Laurie - I agree 100% as well. ... See More
@ Kathy - Thanks for sharing your personal story and I'm really happy that you were able to communicate openly with your house school counselor and have someone mentor you along.....right into success. :)
@ Lisa - I agree with your logic 100%...and the latter statement is indeed profound..thanks for sharing!
@ Michael - Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information. These scenarios are indeed the story of many young people and it is sad. Especially when they are void of a mentor(s) in their lives and the system/cycle keeps repeating itself. Your willingness to listen to them is to commended and we look forward to working alongside you to break this cycle in youths for the next generation and beyond.
Thank you all for sharing your wonderful thoughts!

Always buy the latest edition used and sell last year's books on consignment! Wonder if the e-market for college textbooks is saturated? Electronic license for a year, then the file self-destructs. There's a million dollar business idea for somebody!

Hi Juneau - I agree with you...some books become outdated for students but many remain for years to come and one can find good deals at amazon or barnesandnoble for 3/4th's off the original cost. The cost of books is astronomical. Someone mentioned that they paid $500 for one book...unbelievable!

thanks for the compliment, Rolanda, but I don't know about awesome. I just do my best, or at least try.

You're more than welcome and deserve to be commended. :)

Hi Tamara...I do like the concept...however, it has not hit the plateau that it should. As a Marketing professor it is something we discuss all the time and a conclusion that I've come to that will not change. No matter what I do, it won't change what the blue ribbon is, right? (Smile). Yes, MK is very involved with domestic violence (purple ribbon... See More) and has done a wonderful job and so have many other concepts. Again, I am on a national mission to raise national awareness and am so thankful for all of your input/feedback as I go forth with completion....

Craigslist ( view with a big friend) autotrader. I have bought lots of cars on both for less than 2000 but worth much more.

Thank you all for sharing your input....we all have so many experiences/lessons to learn from. Ideally, a student would do best by saving money and not driving at all but sometimes it's a must. Purchasing a car within ones means or accepting a "hooptie" regardless of what others think, can lead a student down the right path. Thanks for sharing...be blessed.....

@ Fran - you're a very wise woman and so is your CPA. A lot of people jumped on the bandwagon of getting rid of properties back in the day and didn't have the patience or conduct the homework to know they were sitting on a goldmind. :)
@ Jessica - thanks for the sound wisdom...yes, you're right....quite a few stories like that and very beneficial. :)
@ Orletta - small change definitely goes a long way. :)
@ Vicki - your friend is a wise man...even with the risk that investment(s) can present, the payout of some can be truly profitable. :)
@ Juneau - Amen...I could not agree with you more on the very first statement. I had to learn that lesson the hard way which is why it is important for me to educate youths about it. Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom. :) ... See More
Anise - Isn't that the truth....as a student...some words of wisdom are often taken for granted and the heartaches that could be avoided are gravitated to. Thanks so much for sharing your words of wisdom. :)
(cont)

@ Linnaya - I'm sitting here wanting to reach through the screen and give you a "high five"....thanks for sharing those valuable lessons. :)
@ Dr. T - I understand that logic as you definitely can't take money with you when you're deceased. Thanks you (one of my favorite mentors) for sharing that advice. :)

Everyone...your feedback is invaluable..thanks you all for sharing....you're appreciated!