Over The Top and Over Budget, But Read On...

When you imagine your dream home (perhaps while taking a study break from finals?), do you envision an enormous and elaborate multimillion dollar mansion, complete with an indoor pool, a golf course, and a movie theater? Would you give your home its own title, like the $125 million Fleur De Lys Estate in Los Angeles or the $125 million Casa Casuarina in Miami? While a fantasy estate is only a dream for most, some builders are getting creative with their spaces. Up for sale right now (at exorbitant prices, of course) are homes pulled straight from a world of fiction that will make you feel like you're living on a movie set. And, leave it to the editors of Forbes, who recently pulled together a list of these over the top homes from around the world. We featured a few of our favorite's below...

1. The Hobbit Village-- Trout Creek, MT

It's hilariously relevant, given the recent release of The Hobbit movie, and it's absolutely adorable! Though it does come at a human size, the Hobbit village includes an elf communication center, a fairy house, and a troll bridge, all of which look like they come straight from JRR Tolkien's imagination. The Hobbit Village acts more like a hotel than a house you can buy. Guests can actually stay in the Hobbit Village overnight for $195/night or $1,365/week which is just slightly over the cost of one semester's tuition at Brandeis!!!

2. The Spaceship-- Australia

Calling all Trekkies-- This is the home for you! Built by a die-hard Star Trek fan, this modern mansion  is designed to look just like the Starship Enterprise spaceship from the show. While it probably wouldn't serve you too well in space, this home could make you the envy of all your sci-fi fan friends. This fantasy home does come with a price tag that sounds fictional-- it is selling for $10.5 million (roughly the cost of sending 177 student to Brandeis next year)! We assure you, however, that a real space ship will probably cost more

3.  Moated Fortress-- Homestead, Fl

Like a castle from a fairy tale, this amazing home will leave you feeling like royalty! Built in the middle of a private lake (which acts as the moat) this home is further guarded by a wrought iron gate and a sea of trees. It's grand entryway leads you to the enormous and sprawling manor, which looks like it belongs in a children's picture book. The price is listed at $10.9 million-- fire breathing dragon not included.

4. Global Earthship-- Phoenix, NM

This home can actually make you feel like you're living in a world of your own, because it takes you 100% off the power grid! Made completely out of recycled materials, this home works to be entirely eco-friendly. Even the food supply is independent and sustainable-- the home includes a vegetable garden, fruit trees, a chicken coop, a pool of tilapia, and various wild birds, so it can accommodate any dietary lifestyle. It is designed to look like a greenhouse, and everything from the roof to the fixtures looks futuristic and environmentally friendly. 

For a complete listing of all of these amazing fantasy homes, including castles, a guitar home, and a dome, check out the Forbes article on Strange Homes for Sale!

Best of luck on your finals and happy holidays!
 
Savvy Student  

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Tips for the Last Minute Shopper

With the stress of work, final exams, and papers, who has time to do holiday shopping? For all of you busy bees who forgot to place your orders online or who have not yet had time to get to the store, do not stress! Savvy Student is here to help! We have compiled a list of tips and information to help you last minute shoppers finish up your holiday shopping in style.


Buy a gift card!
Gift cards make great last minute gifts when you're not sure what to get. Although this idea may not seem personalized or creative, you can always add some personal touches to the presentation of your gift! Be creative and make a personalized card in which you can attach your gift card. Or buy a holiday-themed stuffed animal and secure the gift card around the arm or the neck of the animal with a piece of string or ribbon. You can find many gift cards for major retailers in your local grocery stores or department stores.


Buy a magazine subscription!
If you have a friend who loves to cook, he or she would probably enjoy a subscription to "Cook's Illustrated," or any other enjoyable cooking magazine. If you have a friend who loves to travel, maybe they would enjoy a subscription to "National Geographic." A magazine subscription can be a great gift for certain people. For gift presentation, you can buy the current issue of the magazine, wrap it up, and let the recipient know that there will be twelve more magazines coming to them with his or her new subscription. It is the gift that keeps on giving all year long!


Make a gift basket!
If you don't have time to place an online order or you can't think of a gift to buy, try making a personalized gift basket. All you will need is a basket, some creativity and a few inexpensive items.  If you have a tight budget, visit the dollar store. You can easily make a bath and body gift basket by purchasing travel toiletries from CVS, Walgreens, or other retail stores such as TJ Maxx or Target. You can even fill one with pens, notebooks, and stationary for your friend who enjoys writing. Think outside the box! Instead of filling a basket, use a planter for the person in your life with a "green thumb" or a bowl filled with candy and popcorn for the "movie lover." The ideas and possibilities are endless!


You can still order online from many major retailers!

Most online retailers promise a Christmas delivery as long as you place your order in time. The deadline for this Christmas delivery date is generally December 20th. Check the store's website under "shipping times" or a similar title in order to confirm the retailer's deadline. Click here for an article that highlights the worst stores to order from online for your last minute shopping needs.


Financial Tips
In addition to the ideas above, Savvy Student also has some tips to make sure that your last minute shopping is not a financial burden...

• Try to avoid using credit cards during your spending spree. However, if you need to use a credit card, stick to the credit card with the lowest interest rate. Using only one credit card will help you keep track of all of your spending and it will help you save on interest.
• Before you head to the stores, do some research online to compare prices and find the best bargains. Check out some of the great websites available for comparing shopping prices, such as Shopping.com, PriceGrabber.com, and NexTag.com.
• For all of you iPhone users, there are some great apps for price comparison, such as "Save Benjis," "RedLaser," and "ShopSavvy."
• Take advantage of free gift wrapping in stores and malls. This saves you time and money while doing your last minute shopping.
• Create a budget for yourself and stick to it! The holiday season is not an excuse to spend more money than you can afford to spend. Be aware of how much you can spend and keep track of your receipts.

With all of these tips, we are certain that you will be able to have a stress-free and financially responsible holiday season.

Happy Holidays!
Savvy Student

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Finals Procrastination: Shopping Edition

Dear Savvy Student,

We are not trying to stir up bad habits, but amidst the craziness we know as finals, we are also getting very excited for the holiday season. this time of year is full of joy, sparkles, and best of all, presents. While we love to come home and get that VIP treament from our family that miss us so much, this is the time of the year to give back.

That being said, we are also still in college, which makes our holiday budget minimal. We know that you can only be enthused by your Organic Chemistry textbook for so long, so here is a fun little study break. Take a look at our Holiday gift guide. Here are some great websites with unique, budget friendly gifts and ideas for any one on your gift list.

Uncommon Goods

This is a great site for some funky gifts and stocking sutfers. UG offers great ideas for your mom, dad, sister, and friends that will mak ethe perfect holiday gifts. Check them out at: http://www.uncommongoods.com/

Savvy Student Favorite:

Ticket Stub Diary- $11

Apple APP Sore

If you have a tech geek in your circle of gift receivers, buying the an iphone, iPad, or Mac App would be an easy, fun way to surprise them. There are thousdands of interesting apps to choose from starting from as little as $.99! 

Magazine Subscription

Who doesn't love a gift that keeps on giving. There are thousands of magazines to choose from that will cater to anyone's interest. Browse through Amazon's magazine subscription with 1- year deals for less than $5!

The Holistic Gift

Of course, there are those people who just have everything, so what to do? Take advantage and give them something that will make you feel good and make them happy at the same time by giving them gifts that give more. Check out the Hunger Site or Rent Mother Nature and find the perfect gift for your friends or family. you can contribute to education causes by sending an Afghani girl to school or by leasing a crop share and helping sustain it for a year!

The Homemade Gift

If you're really ina rut, who doesn't love some homemade goods. Do some pintrest browsing and take an afternoon with a fun interesting recipe you find on Pintrest and cook away.

Savvy Student Pick:

Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bark

Best of luck on your finals and Happy Holidays!!!!

Savvy Student

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6 Tips for Finding a Job

Dear Savvy Student,

Although election day is in the past and both of our promising candidates had comprehensive strategies to boost our economy, finding a job after graduation can still be a very difficult process. Since the unemployment rate is still so high, college graduates have been having a hard time finding a job right after graduation. Therefore, we did some research over here at Savvy Student and found a great article on Forbes.com talking with Daniel Schawbel, a "Forbes contributor and founder of Millennial Branding, a one-man research and consulting firm that focuses on so-called Millennials or Generation Y, aged 18-29." In the article, Schawbel outlines 6 things college undergraduates should do throughout their college career in order to guarantee a job after college.

Here is a brief summary of Schawbel's advice, as well as some of the ways we think you can implement his advice throughout your Brandeis career.

1.Create a LinkedIn Profile.

Schawbel suggests creating a LinkedIn profile as soon as you can, no matter how little experience you have had thus far. He explains that LinkedIn in is a great way to put your name out there and start expressing interest in a particular field you may want to enter into after you graduate. It gives you a good social media presence that most employers look at when reviewing job applicants.

We believe this is great advice for young professionals. LinkedIn is a great, easy way to build connections and find ways to enter a certain field just by connecting with people you know. The article states that only about 1/3 of college students have a linked in profile, so by creating one, you are already getting significantly ahead in the job hunt!

2. Establish a presence on WordPress or through your own blog.

As we stated before, having a social media presence in this day and age is very important when it comes to trying to find a job. Schawbel explains that it is important to have a blog to show employers your interest in their field or any personal interests you may have that you wish to write about.

We feel that a blog is a great way to exemplify your communication skills to employers as well as present them with your strong writing skills. At the same time, we do not feel this is a necessity for all career fields. For example, you are interested in law, an employer's top priority may not be looking at your blog. That being said, a blog is a great and casual way to show employer 'what you've got.'

3. Get an internship as early as possible.

This is a crucial component to finding a job! While 85% of students think an internship is important, only about 40% actually do an internship while in school. An internship not only gives you great work experience that your employers can inquire about, but it also gives you the opportunity to see if the career you are aspiring to have is really the right one for you.

Savvy student is a huge fan of internships! Many students tend to take on only local jobs, such as life guarding, to earn money, rather than pursue an unpaid job such as an internship; however, many internships now have a stipend offer or will pay a salary, and there are also many scholarships you can apply for to alleviate the financial burden of foregoing a paying job in order to take on such an opportunity.

4. Get creative about finding a mentor.

In the world we live in, networking is very important. While parents, family, and friends can be great  mentors, Schawbel says it is important to find a mentor in the field you are interested in. They can help you find interesting job opportunities and give you tips to being successful.

While LinkedIn is a great place to find such people, you are also on a college campus with faculty and staff who have had a lot of experience in an array of fields. We suggest setting up a meeting with a professor you really enjoy talking to so as to discuss your future job prospects and how to achieve those goals.

5. Use your school's career services.

YES! YES! YES! Schawbel suggests reaching your to your school's career center to connect your with alum and create your resume and cover letters for jobs you with to apply for.

This is a tip that we feel is essential to being successful at finding a job. Brandeis' Hiatt center is one of the best resources on campus, with so many options to get help. If you go to Hiatt, you can speak with an adviser about creating resumes, cover letters, and even practicing mock interviews. Hiatt has drop-in office hours all the time, and if you can't stop in, you may even chat with them online! Check out their website and all their wonderful services: http://www.brandeis.edu/hiatt/index.html

6. Join a professional development or industry-specific group.

A great way to be proactive on campus is to talk to other students interested in the careers you are interesting in. Schawbel suggests joining a group on campus that is related to the industry you wish to delve into.

Brandeis has over 200 student groups, and so there is a huge chance that you will find a group that specializes in your industry. You should browse through the student groups and get involved to get further ahead and get the job you really want!

For the full article click here. 

In addition to these tips, it is also important to remember to stay positive and not be bummed out if you don't get the job or internship or your dreams. If one door closes, another one may still open!

Good luck with the job hunt!
Savvy Student

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Study Abroad Financial Aid Info Sessions

Are you planning to go abroad but have questions about how to fund your trip? You're in luck! The Office of Student Financial Services will be holding three info sessions in the coming weeks about the Financial Aid aspect of Study Abroad. The sessions will take place on:
Monday, 11/19: 12-1 in Alumni Lounge

Thursday, 12/13: 11-12 in Levine Ross 1 and 2 in Hassenfeld

Monday, 12/17: 1-2 in Alumni Lounge 

See you there!
~Savvy Student

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Need a job? We're here to help!

If you want employment experience, networking possibilities, or even just some extra spending money, a part-time job is a great way to fulfill all of those desires while still completing your studies. Whether you are looking for an on-campus job, an off-campus job, or even potential internships, Savvy Student is here to help make you aware of a plethora of possibilities that are available to you!

• On-Campus Employment

If you're looking for an on-campus job, there are certain steps you need to complete before you start working. All on-campus and off-campus Federal Works Study job opportunities are posted on our website. Before you begin applying you will need to register and create a user account. Once you find jobs you are interested in you will need to upload your resume and submit your applications. As there may be a number of students applying to the same list of jobs it may be in your best interest to follow up with a department by phone, email, or in person. Once you are hired you will need to complete the I-9 Form and turn it in to the Office of Student Financial Services. After turning in the I-9 Form, you will receive your blue card and you will be eligible to start working.

Helpful tip: If you want to find a job that caters to your specific interests, talk to faculty or staff members in the department in which you are interested. Building relationships is a great way to find a job that you will truly enjoy. You never know which Psychology lab or Sociology office may need a student worker!

•  Off-Campus Employment

Many students who are looking for a part-time job do not think to search for off-campus options when sending out their applications. If you're wondering how to find off-campus job opportunities, the Office of Student Financial Services is here to help! SFS has a list of off-campus job opportunity postings that is constantly being updated, no matter what time of year it is. If you're interesting in finding a low-commitment tutoring job, a baby-sitting job, or even a job as a waiter/waitress at a restaurant, SFS has job postings that will interest you. Check out the list of job postings by clicking here!

Helpful tip: You don't need a car to have an off-campus job! There are some off-campus employers who are willing to travel to Brandeis or accomodate your traveling needs if they wish to hire you. Find out all the details before ruling out an off-campus job opportunity.

Helpful tip: Ask your friends about off-campus jobs they may have, especially if they live in the area! If you have a friend who may be going abroad, you might be able to take over their job. In addition to this, faculty or staff members that you build relationships with may know of job opportunities as well. Make sure to ask around and network.

• Internship Possibilities

Although SFS doesn't handle internship opportunities in our office, there is a great on-campus resource for all students interested in finding an internship. This resource is the Hiatt Career Center. At Hiatt, there are counselors who are well-equipped to help you perfect your resume, write a great cover letter, and find internships that will make you excited to get off campus and get involved. Be sure to make use of this great resource!

Helpful tip: Before visiting Hiatt, try to have your resume, cover letter, and a list of internship opportunities available. The counselor can make better use of your time if you have some information and ideas ready before you have your appointment.

We may be more than half way through the semester, but that doesn't mean that you can't find some great job opportunities. The most important thing to do if you're interesting in finding a job is to make sure you take advantage of all of your options! Whether it is an on-campus job or an off-campus job, SFS has lots of postings available. Now it's up to YOU to apply!


Happy job-hunting!
Savvy Student

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Don't start swiping just yet...

With the first snow fall of the season occurring today, there is no doubt that winter is very quickly approaching. The beautiful winter wonderland outside reminds us that the holidays are officially here and that for many of us, we will be tirelessly swiping our credit cards in order to celebrate a joyous holiday season. However, before you begin pulling out your credit cards, you may want to read the latest information we've found on which credit cards you do not want in your wallet, especially during the season of superfluous spending.

According to Time.com and a study conducted by Cardhub.com, these are the five credit cards you should be sure to avoid...

• Visa Black Card - The Visa Black Card seems very similar to other "black" cards, such as the American Express Centurion. However, as Time.com reports, "It comes with a hefty $495 fee — and you don’t really get all that much for your money, according to CardHub, which labels it the worst general consumer credit card for rewards among the 1,000-plus it evaluated" (Time article).  In addition to this, the card offers one point per one dollar spent while many other cards offer two points per every one dollar spent.
• Best Buy Reward Zone Credit Card - While it generally isn't a great idea to invest in retailer-issued credit cards, this particular card is especially bad. Along with the usual low credit limits and high APRs associated with most retailer-issued credit cards, the Best Buy Reward Zone Credit Card has apparently burdened people with massive amounts of accumulated interest for years. According to Time.com, "The APR... default rate is 29.99%" (Time article).
• UBS Preferred Visa Signature Credit Card - Similar to the Visa Black Card, this card has a $495 per year fee and, according to Cardhub.com, "This card has the highest introductory balance transfer APR — 9.99% — of all the cards it evaluated, and it also charges a separate 3% balance transfer fee" (Time article). Despite its benefits of having no foreign transaction fees and accelerated rewards on gas and groceries, these pros do not outweigh the clear pitfalls of this card and these perks can be found with many other credit cards.
• Apple Barclaycard - Although many, many people love Apple and all of its revolutionary and entertaining products, the Apple Barclaycard is not as revolutionary or as wise of an investment. According to Cardhub.com, "The current APR on this Visa card, which is issued by Barclays, is a variable 22.99%, even if you have stellar credit. Like the Visa Black card (also issued by Barclays), the penalty rate on this card is a whopping 30.24%" (Time article). Though the card offers many "perks," all of these perks are widely used by other credit cards.
• First Premier Bank Gold Credit Card - Many Cardhub.com experts flagged this particular credit card as being a bad choice for any consumer. The APR is an aggregious 36%, and in addition to that payment there is still an annual fee to pay. While many who do not have good credit scores may see this as a viable option because it is easier to achieve, the experts at Cardhub.com do not recommend this card: "It even charges cardholders a “credit limit increase fee” of 25% of the amount of the increase. Even if your credit is poor, you can likely do better" (Time article).

There are many scams and bad deals waiting for all of us out there, especially during the holiday season. However, if we take the time to educate ourselves and become more financially literate, we can avoid these money-eating options and have a happy and affordable holiday season!

Happy shopping and happy holiday season!
Savvy Student

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