I am not sure how it is for the rest of you, but when tax season rolls around, it calls for a busy time at my work. Even when the economy is down and people get their tax refunds they still go car shopping. I work on the finance end of things and we have been slammed with applications on people wanting a new or used automobile. Do not get me wrong…I am not complaining, because I have been waiting for this season to roll around so I can make some more money.

Even though I knew this time of the year would be busy, I was not sure due to the economy being down. I must say that even when things are tough, people get a little money in their pockets and if they do not spend it, it might burn a hole in it. I know that things have been tough, but there are some people who have been struggling and really need transportation. What do you do with your tax money? I personally like to save some and the rest I use to pay off credit cards. I really hate having balance on my cards so I pay them whenever I have an opportunity too.

When it came time to prepare for homework, career work and time-management, I was not sure how to plan. I must say that it has been a bit of a task trying to do everything and I have also had some health problems that I have been trying to handle. Like I said in one of my other blogs…time-management is KEY. This time of year for me means working more, seeing more clients and helping out my funding department with any and everything. This is the department that finalizes the loans and sends the money out to the appropriate parties. This requires someone who can be a great team player for sure because busy times equals stressed out people. I seem to do pretty well with this. I think for the most part I tend to be the happy person and when something does bother me, I suck it up and move on. Unless of course it is an important matter that should be handled. 
 

When school is involved we should plan ahead if we know work is going to keep us busy. In worse case scenarios if you are unable to plan ahead or if you are having trouble getting an assignment in on time, I have found that the teachers are pretty flexible with you as long as you notify them in a timely manner. I must say all if my teachers this far has been extremely helpful and understanding when needed. I would love to hear how you handle your time management… Can you please share your stories with me?

The winter semester is half way through…How are you doing in school? Well I am hanging in there like a champ, but let me tell you something…this Finance class is not easy. I am have been doing fairly well, however the further we get through the semester the harder it gets.

Has anyone ever checked out an annual report for a company? Companies provide their annual statements for the public to view and decide if they want to invest with that company or not. Well there are different ratios to be calculated to determine this information. I have been having more troubles trying to figure this out. I just can not imagine how people love to do this type of stuff. Okay… that was a joke. However on a serious note, I need help.

I know they have finance calculators out there and I actually borrowed one, but I could not come up with the same calculations as the examples that were provided to me. Is there a certain Finance calculator that is better than the other? Has anyone taken this Principles of Finance class before? Do you have any suggestions as to what might have helped you through this? I am totally open for ideas…

This class is a very interesting class and I think it is great for everyone to take, however it is not easy. I want to know this stuff and be able to do it without having such challenges, but just can not seem to grasp it. So who can help???

Hope everyone had a great Valentines Day! And for those who don’t have that special someone to share it with…best wishes with finding that special someone this year! 

Wow what a rough start to 2008!

I was hoping for a great year, but this year has been more challenging and worrisome than all the others. As you all are aware, there are people being laid off everyday from work. Plus, people already are having troubles making ends meet. My company has also been lying off people and it really makes me worry.

Go figure, move into a new place, pick up a few more bills and then “BOOM” lose your job. My goodness, I hope that does not happen. The word in the office is they are going to keep me as the company marketer and offer the other marketer a different position due to the income is not coming into to make up for our pay. The good thing is that they are considering offering an alternative position verses just letting him go. However the position pays less so it is almost as if they know he will quit.

This is my first time experiencing a down in the economy. I am 31 and was a child last time something similar happened. I could not image the old days when depression was a lot worse. I hope that we do not get to that level. And just think all of this stems from the economy and government being greedy. That is my opinion because when the real estate market took off, people started buying and selling and buying and selling….until it crashed.

Well, I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope that my job stays secure and that the economy starts to shift upward. Florida is hurting pretty bad and it makes me wonder how the rest of the world is doing…

Hang in there guys!!

That is what everyone in the Tampa Bay area was saying last weekend. In Tampa, FL once a year the whole town along with many others from all over come to celebrate what is called Gasparilla. I do not know much about the story, but it has something to do with an old pirate named Gaspar, that took over the Gulf of Mexico back in the 1700’s. It is amazing how the whole city gets together to celebrate this event.

The streets are blocked while everyone roams free to drink and eat the food that is supplied for the event. A lot of people bring their own food and drinks. Beads are flying everywhere as if we were at Marti Gras in New Orleans. They have a pirate boat show which re-in acts the taking over of Gaspar’s ship. The streets are filled with camaraderie and happy faces.

While I knew this event was coming up, I did not know that my boyfriend and I were going to be attending. Of course the work week was already filled with craziness and jammed pack with lots of things to be done. There was no way I could make it and get my home work done. Well, that’s what I thought, but I figured it out. You know that saying “If there is a will, there is a way."

It is so true. Moral to my story is I got right on top of completing my homework and made it to the parade and had an awesome time.

We get so wrapped up in our everyday events of life that we tend to leave things on the table because we do not believe enough in ourselves to get them done. “Oh, I do not have enough time” or whatever our put off statement might be. However when we really want something we work our hardest to get it. This is how I am making it through school. I have my days where I feel so over whelmed and want to shoot myself (not literally), but I take a minute to stop and ask myself… “What am I doing this for?” I am doing this because I want to have a better education and have more flexibility with my career options. Once I make myself realize that, I then kick right back into gear.

Times are hard, but nothing is impossible.