Today is ” Super Tuesday” and with the constant talk of the major candidates the propositions on the ballot are often over looked.  Most people think about the commercial they saw or the ad they heard on the radio without looking into the fine print of the proposition itself.  Not only are the views of these ads obviously biased, but they ask questions that there is only one answer to.  For instance.  “Do you favor education?” If so, then vote yes on prop……”  What they don’t tell you is that what you are voting for affects other issues, like “where is the money coming from?” Or, “what did they do with the money the last initiative we voted gave to them?” 

Whenever you are considering which way to vote there are things you should look into.  Such as;

1. Who is supporting this and why are they supporting this?

   2.    What are they possible affects if this goes through?

Today on the ballot is Proposition 92 which affects community college cost.  A good source to look at the facts is. http://www.csusmalumni.org/htmlincludes/prop92.php

It’s February and this is still the beggining of many posts on Starving Student .NET’s blog.  While those in college are just getting back into the groove of school after their winter break, this is a crucial time for them as well as those planning to attend in the fall.This is the time to start filling out forms for financial aid.  Remember the FAFSA can be submitted over the web easily by June 2nd, but make sure you meet the deadlines of your individual state to take part of the grants available within your state. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is due by March 2nd (California).

To find out the deadline for your state visit http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before003a.htm . 

All students planning on attending college next year should fill out the form, it’s free!  Generally speaking the information on this form determines how much aid will be given.  Of course financial aid is a combination of grants, scholarships, and student loans. For more information visit www.fafsa.ed.gov 

HINT: Even if you haven’t done your taxes yet, you can guesstimate before sending in the form, you will recieve a transcript of it later that you can correct with the accurate data, but at least you turned it in early.

Brought to you by Anthony at StarvingStudent.NET (site coming soon)

If you are in college right now or planning on attending next year you should begin planning and sticking to a budget. Many people say “I’m going to wait til the beginning of the year, or I’ll start budgeting when I have more to budget, and so on.”  I think it’s so funny how people will drive all over town to save 5 cents per gallon of gas, but pay with their debit card that charges them 45 cents!  My point: PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES.

If you are in college, by now you have recieved your financial aid and might have realized it disappears quicker than you thought.  Identifying what you spend your money on is a great way to stretch your money and get ahold of your finances, after all you don’t want to use a credit card if you don’t have to. 

1. The first place to start is to make a simple spreadsheet with your expenses for 1 month. (or you can find a sample online) 
2.  The next step is to put the expenses into categories and find where you can make some cuts (think need vs. want)
3.   Lastly, figure out all of your expenses + 10% (things always come up) and stick to that plan.
   This last step of course is the hardest, but nothing worthwhile is easy…

HINT: Stash away all your pocket change in a piggy bank every night.  When it adds up (you’d be surprised) roll it and deposit it in the bank (don’t use the change machines that take a %)

Lastly, one great hint to not feel like you are depriving yourself too much is to be as boring and tight with money as you possible can for 1 month.  This will allow you to “get ahead” a little for the months you stick to your budget.