Does not sound very interesting does it? Well for those of you that like money and dealing with the stock market and investing might think differently. I happen to find all of this interesting, but due to the fact I am still learning it, it makes understanding it very complicated. I am finishing up on week 3 of my Finance class and I must say as I am reading this stuff, it can be very confusing.

The upside to this is I am still learning despite it all. The other day while visiting a client, I was able to speak in his language when he questioned me about the stock market. He is a major stock market watcher who sells and trades his own stocks. This process can be very tedious since you have to watch every second of it. He started talking to me about short selling and long selling. Which before this class I had no idea of what he was speaking and that would have made me loose some creditability. When you short sell a stock you make money on it before it starts to loose big. Basically you buy and when it makes a dip down you turn around and sell it right away. Long sell is when you buy a stock and sit on it until you make money over time. Wow…thanks for listening to that one. Point being even though this class is complicated; it is a great use of knowledge for me to carry.
 
This past week the Federal Reserve Bank dropped the interest rate to 3.5. This was huge for someone of us and I am hoping we can start to kick our economy into gear. It is truly becoming scary out there and I worry everyday about my job, finances and personal well being. I know this country has seen times like this before, but for me it is my first. The Fed Bank is there to help control our economy so at this time I am going to lean on them and hope they turn things around.

We wonder why life passes us by so quickly and I believe we do it to ourselves. The past week has consisted of work, moving into my new home, my birthday, my boyfriend’s birthday and let’s not forgets SCHOOL. Wow…talk about being stressed. These are all good things and things I chose to take part in, but boy am I tired. It is times like this when I wish I could freeze the clock and take a nap.

My move into my new place went really well; all though I was very nervous because the forecast called for rain and that would not have been good. As I am sure you all are aware of the head aches that come with moving. It consist of the pre-move which involves finding a place, qualifying for it, packing for the move, turning on utilities, furniture shopping (if needed), the move itself and then you have to unpack and put everything away. If you have someone to help great, if not I hope you have energy. So that is where I am at. It is time to start unpacking, but I have school work to do and work during the day. I live by myself so there is no one to help around the house. I hate having things sitting out and in the way so I get bother just by walking in the door.

For me school is the most important so for now I am going to learn to get to my homework first and then if I finish in time, I will focus on unpacking. As we get older most of us know what decisions are the right ones and what decisions are the wrong ones. It boils down to what we value as importance and non-importance. Being an online student we have to be sure of what is important to us because learning ultimately rides on our own shoulders. It takes lots of discipline to be an online student and this is what we signed up for.

Do times get tough?

Absolutely, but be strong and ride it out…It does not last forever and the rewards at the end are GREAT!

It did not feel like a new year until last week Monday. That is when the traffic was back to normal, school started for most and every company has set new goals for 2008. I was listening to the radio and they stated that January 7 is a popular day when everyone starts looking for a new job. It makes sense if you think about it… I am sure a lot of companies skipped giving Holiday bonuses and such do to revenue being down. Also if people are unhappy with their job, they will always wait until after the end of the year to look for something new.

I however have already been down that road so my focus is on other things. School is obviously one of those hot topics of mine, but I also am moving this Saturday and that I am not looking forward too. Well let me rephrase that, I am excited about moving into my new place, but moving is never fun. Especially when it is the same week school starts. Let’s just say I did not plan it this way.

I have been living with roommates for most of my adult years and I have finally decided that I am ready to have my own place. Yes, I know that lots of responsibilities come with this, but I am ready for it. I am not going to the extreme and buying a place or anything because that really scares me, however renting something seemed so much more pleasant to the thought. As we speak I am currently sharing a place and when it comes to studying and stuff I have a hard time. My roommate is not rowdy or anything. I just have a hard time reading and study with noise in the background. My brain tends to listen to what’s going on around me instead of focusing on what I am doing.

I think they might have a name for this…        

Yes… Break is over and it seems like I just went on break. It was really nice to have the time off during the holidays. I was able to spend time with family and friends, relax and be lazy. I will tell you when you are in school and working the breaks are truly appreciated!

Every semester I get a little scared because I do not know if the classes are going to be easy or hard. The anticipation can really be nerve racking. This semester I am taking Principles of Finance. I am not sure what to expect out of this class, but I will let you know what I think. And if any one has taken this course I would love to hear any tips you may have.

This class is going to teach me the fundamentals of finance and investing as well as put me on the road to being a great Business Manager. I took a class last year that showed me how to utilize the stock market and such, but I have a feeling that this class is going to be a bit more extensive. I really feel every household should be educated on finances and how to manage their money properly. 

Well for those that are ending your break too, I want to wish you the best of luck for the new semester! May you make it through with great strides and learn lots. Remember key tips such as studying, taking good notes and always stay caught up…when you fall behind it is hard to get caught back up.

Good Luck!!