Poor College Students

How to survive as a poor college student.

[poorcollegestudentnet-blog]

I'm pretty sure that you've heard of Swagbucks.  If you already use it, great!  If not, I'm about to show you why you really should.

Basically, Swagbucks is an internet company that give you these coupon-like things (called "Swagbucks") in return for doing certain actions.  You can complete surveys, take polls, watch videos... all sorts of stuff.  When you get enough, you can turn in your Swagbucks for different items, including gift cards!

However, my favorite thing about Swagbucks is their search feature.  Basically, you go to their website instead of Google and do your normal searching.  You do what you would do anyways, and every so often they'll give you Swagbucks!

To be honest, you don't really need to waste your time doing all those other things.  Just use the search function and search as you normally do and earn a bit of extra cash while you do!

If you're interested, you can sign up for free here and give it a try.

[poorcollegestudentnet-blog]

Networking really isn't what you probably think it is.  It's not going to weird conventions and handing out your business card (if you even have one).  Networking isn't about that.  It's all about being someone valuable to your community, someone who helps out, someone who is present.  Real networking happens naturally.  That being said, what are some things you can do to jump-start the process, I'm pretending you asked?  Glad you did, I fake answer.

#1. Be Open and Available

The biggest and most important part of networking is being open and available.  Get active in your community and volunteer for things.  Introduce yourself to people at events.  Talk to strangers - I know your mom told you not to, but you're an adult now.  And besides, talking to strangers is the only way to make friends. 

#2. Have an Online Presence

Keep in mind that, as you get older, your Facebook page really reflects your maturity.  Keep it to things that you wouldn't mind future employers looking at.  Because they will.

Also, you're going to want to make a LinkedIn profile and get started on that.  I know it's a bit early and you don't really need it yet, but that's the idea behind networking.  You build a network and help other people out.  Then, when you need help, you've got folks there for you.

#3. Have an Offline Presence

Basically, you want to be someone who is both memorable and referable.  If you're anything like most students, once people find out you're in college they start grilling you with questions about your school, your major, your dorm... everything.  They want to know about what you do.

So tell them.  You know what they're going to ask, so prepare an answer.  This is called an "elevator pitch."  Basically, craft a 30-second explanation of what you do and why.  That way, you're not hemming and hawing while you try to explain your life's passion.  Doesn't look good.

There's lots more to networking than just this, of course.  For a little more information to help get you started, head on over to this post.

Best of luck!

[poorcollegestudentnet-blog]

We all have extra stuff lying around.  If you don't believe me, go look in your closet.  Or how about on your bookshelf - how many of those do you actually read?

Just about all of us could do with a little extra cash, too.  The good news is that it's easy to make that extra cash by selling some of that stuff you don't need or use.  The two best places to do that are on Amazon.com and Craigslist.

I myself have used Amazon.com to sell some of my sister's old textbooks and made over $200.  For the amount of work I put into it (next to nothing) it was great!

For more information on how to earn extra cash by selling your stuff, go ahead and read this post.

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The spare change jar.  It's kinda awesome.  For a long time, folks have been putting the spare coins rattling around in their pockets into a jar and saving it.  Penny by penny, it all adds up.  In fact, my uncle financed a vacation to Hawaii with nothing but money from his spare change jar!

Of course, you've got to have some other, more serious, savings plan, but the spare change jar is a great supplement!

[poorcollegestudentnet-blog]

The most important part of getting a job is the interview.  It's said that people form an impression of you within the firstfive secondsof meeting you!  That's not a lot of time to make them like you, is it?  The good part is that in an interview, you have a little more time - and you can prepare.

It's vital that you do things like learn about the company and prepare answers to common questions.  Dress the part, too - there is an old saying: "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have."  Also, something very important is to make sure youremain calm!

For some more tips on acing job interviews, read this post.

[poorcollegestudentnet-blog]

Hey everyone!  Our website is now up!

The whole idea is how to survive as a poor college student.  There's information about making money, saving money and spending money.

I'm still working out a few kinks with the layout.  Go ahead and visit and let me know what you think!