Does your COLLEGE DEGREE mean anything?

Whenever I read the “About Me” page on a blog, I always smile when I notice the energy of the author jumping off the screen, passionate about life and his or her interests and goals.  I want to catch the “bug” and I subscribe to their posts, eager to absorb their positivity.

But recently, I stumbled upon a blog whose author mentioned having a degree in theology, but feeling it was a pointless degree because she did not want to be a pastor.  This made me sad, wondering if perhaps she was experiencing something in life that devalued her achievements or if she was never guided to defend and boast of the skills she acquired in earning her degree.

Then I remembered a man I met on a flight to Atlanta a few years ago.  He told me that he earned his master’s degree in puppetry arts.  I was intrigued by such a narrow choice of expertise.  After talking to him throughout the flight, I learned that his love for puppeteering encouraged him to be the best puppeteer he could be, earning the highest level of education attainable.  Did others laugh at him and judge him? Undoubtedly.  However, he felt no shame in pursuing a lifelong goal and dream.

These experiences inspired me to think of all the hard-working undergraduate students, disheartened graduates, and fearful stay-at-home and work-at-home moms and dads who want to go to college.  When you are in college, you reach a point where most of your peers are on the same track as you, hoping to graduate with the same degree.  You are among “your own,” bright-eyed and bushy-tailed hopefuls who see light at the end of the tunnel.  But seldom do we prepare for the superficial and harsh preconceived notions about degrees that do not fall under the umbrella of “finance,” “business,” “accounting,” or any other “pragmatic” field.  Opinions are thrown at us from ignorant, however innocent people: “What are you going to do with a History degree?  Teach?” “Why do you need a master’s degree to become a librarian?  I thought they only shelved the books.  Aren’t libraries going to disappear soon because of the Internet?”

So to those college students who suddenly feel choked up about picking “the wrong major;” to graduates who have celebrated but now feel panicked in the “Now what do I do?” post-graduate-six-month period; and to the terrified stay-at-home and work-at-home moms and dads who want to go back to college or want to go to college for the first time but don’t know where to start, I say:

DO WHAT YOU LOVE.  The amount of pressure placed on college students to decide on their major is excruciatingly burdensome.  This weight comes from the dreaded “interrogation” at family reunions, over holidays, and on first dates.  Others define us by the path we take in college, sometimes forgetting that many people switch jobs, explore new careers, or choose to stay home after having children.  Therefore, it is better to find a major that interests you. For most people, spending 4-6 years in classes that you loathe is impossible. I started my college career in Hospitality, believing that one day, I would be happy working as a Hotel Manager at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.  After a few classes, I realized that I hated it.  Instead, I was drawn to my English and History classes.  I never wanted to miss one.  I wrote detailed notes, studied diligently, and sought relationships with my professors.  I learned that in life, I wanted my actions to define me: my kindness, my hard work, my positive attitude, and interest in learning and discovering.  So why would I make an exception with my degree?  I found it contradictory to live my life passionately, yet pursue a degree that bored me to tears.  I would do lots of things in life that I did not want to do: pay taxes, scrub the toilet, endure labor contractions, and stand in line at the DMV.  I did not want my college experience to be one of those things.

DON’T LET THE PRICE TAG SCARE YOU. I have met a lot of tenth-year college students who never graduated because college was “too expensive.”  I quickly learned that this was code for “I did not plan ahead,” “I missed the financial aid deadline,” “I was too lazy to apply for scholarships,” or “I would rather spend my waitressing money on going to Las Vegas this summer than on the Fall semester.”  These people dress up their excuses in a bane for student loans.  While I understand this need for freedom from debt, I also understand the shackles of minimum wage.  I think about disciplined students who save every penny and take one class at a time in order to accomplish their goals.  I think about the opportunities for loan forgiveness, like Teacher Loan Forgiveness, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and Obama Student Loan Forgiveness.  People will take out auto loans on ever-depreciating vehicles and mortgages for homes they can hardly afford, but refuse to invest in their education because of its high ticket.  At some point, the bill comes to the table, and you either have the bills or the pennies.

YOU ACQUIRE MORE SKILLS THAN YOU MIGHT REALIZE. I smile when I speak with others about having a History Degree and a Master’s Degree in Library Science because it baffles them.  Why would I invest so much time, energy, and money into disciplines that are not booming with jobs?  I get a thrill from defending my choices because degrees of these natures required lots of critical thinking skills.  During my six years in college, I honed my professional writing, public speaking, and oral presentation skills.  I gained experience collaborating with others, both in person and online.  I assumed leadership positions in these groups as well as in extra-curricular activities and clubs.  By earning a degree, I proved that I could turn in assignments in a timely manner, complete tasks expected of me, think creatively, find balance between professional and social life, be organized, and be self-disciplined for several years.  At minimum, these are the skills acquired by college students. I failed to mention acquired grant writing skills (when applying for scholarships and financial aid), technological skills (using a computer and its various programs to type papers, create slideshow presentations, format spreadsheets, and use social media), understanding target audiences (professors, students, parents, friends, and other people I needed to please throughout college), and countless other skills.  The list goes on and on IF AND ONLY IF you feel confident to defend yourself.  If you believe that these skills were among many valuable treasures you took from your college experience, you can sell a puppetry arts degree to a potential employer and ice to an eskimo.  Attitude and perspective is CRUCIAL.

DON’T BE DISCOURAGED BY THE 4-YEAR GRADUATE. This past June, my brother graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Entrepreneurship.  He has been in and out of college since 2004.  Pride and joy filled my heart on his graduation day because he never gave up. “Taking a semester off” never meant quitting. Similarly, my college classmate earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 1986 and went back to school in 2012 to earn his Master’s Degree in Public Administration.  As the Director of Public Transportation at our university, he knew that other commitments to his family, his job, and his Church justified taking one class at a time.  These people amaze me because they model the tortoise in the “Tortoise and the Hare” fable.  Slow and steady DOES win the race if you don’t stop.

FIND MENTORS. I met many amazing, inspiring people in college who enriched my experience, either challenging me to be better or encouraging me to keep going.  Some people helped me avoid certain mistakes or find golden opportunities.  Never be afraid to ask for help or ask for advice.  I will never forget the day I asked a girl in my history class where I could find the bathroom, which quickly led to a conversation about Library and Information Science, changing my life forever.

I would be happy to offer more guidance and tips!  Leave a comment or send me an email (email found on my Work with Me page).  At very least, I hope I have encouraged you to remember that your degree, your goals, your ambition, and your ideas have worth.  They mean something.

THRIFT STORE OR NEW? Closet Wardrobe

“Thrift is not an affair of the pocket, but an affair of character.” – S.W. Straus

When I was a kid, it wasn’t cool to shop at a thrift store.  It was embarrassing.  You didn’t want to be the kid with the USED, dirty things. Then, when I became a teenager, shopping at a thrift store meant vintage, chic, exclusive.  I visited consignment stores and loved my one-of-a-kind pieces.  Now, as an adult and mother, thrift stores mean spending money wisely, finding items with character, living an environmentally-conscious life.  

How do I choose what to buy at a thrift store versus what I buy in new condition?  When I need to purchase something, what criteria do I have for an item, sending me to check if it is available at a thrift store first?

I have had many people ask me these questions and I would love to help anyone I can.  Thrift stores are all they are hyped up to be… if you know where to look and if you know what to expect when you get there.  I am writing a series of blog posts that discuss different lifestyle areas, starting with basics of your home, that will guide your train of thought before you find a local shop.  First, let’s start with your CLOTHES!

WHAT WOULD I BUY AT A THRIFT STORE?

1. BLUE JEANS. Jeans can be tricky because you need them to fit just right (If you haven’t already, check out a recent post about denim). But that’s the beauty of thrift stores: lots of people have trouble finding the right jeans, or they feel right in the fitting room, but no longer feel good after walking and jumping around in them, so they donate their perfectly good, gently-used jeans.  I have found everything from 7 for Mankind to Rock & Republic to Gap and Banana Republic… all for a tenth of the retail price.

2. BOOTS. After checking the sturdiness of the heels and cohesiveness of the toes, boots are typically safe because they are worn with socks (check the insides of they’re clean and you’ll see whether or not the previous owner took care of them!).  Boots can be really expensive, especially as the Fall season approaches.  If you find a good pair that is comfortable, hop on it!  By the way, anything genuine leather (boots, purses, wallets, belts)… worth it.

3. DRESSES. Dresses reflect your taste and personality.  Find prints that you like and that fit you well, flattering in places that make you feel confident.  Watch out for fading, arm pit stains, stubborn zippers, and loose buttons, all of which have been deal-breakers for me.

4. BABY APPAREL. Everyone knows how fast babies grow, so if you see something cute, snag it!  They’re usually much less expensive than adult thrift store clothes and SIGNIFICANTLY less expensive than retail baby clothes (more on baby items in a future post… stay tuned).

5. RAIN-PROOF GEAR. Jackets, warm-up pants, etc…. Living in Southern California means that I don’t need to invest in a North Face jacket.  I hardly find stains or anything wrong with these items at a thrift store.  I have reasoned that most people have concluded, like me, that living in Los Angeles means having a ton of cute coats that you never use and should probably just donate.

WHAT WOULD I BUY NEW?

1. SOCKS, UNDERWEAR, BRAS. Yes, we are entitled to say that we deserve the feeling of new undergarments.  This is not about money and frugality, but quality of life. Admit it: putting on a brand new pair of socks and a brand new set of underwear makes you smile. And you need to wear bras that fit.  Most bras at thrift stores are several years old because most women hang on to bras longer than they should.

2. WHITE COTTON SHIRTS. Like socks, underwear, and bra, everyone deserves to feel fresh in a new white shirt.  Especially since most people do not take the time to care for white shirts the way they were intended, they fade and turn yellow.  Treat yourself to new white shirts.

3. SHOES: flats. Depending on your style and taste, many brands compete, so you can find your style inexpensively.  When people usually donate flats to a thrift store, they are already falling apart and have lived a good life.  I typically don’t even browse the shoe section.

4. SHOES: flip flops. Similarly to flats, flip flops can be anywhere from cheap to affordable, available in Targets and strip malls.  If I’m going to expose my feet, I like to show them off with flip flops that are hand-selected to complement them.  Not every flip flop looks good on every foot (my feet look better in slim thongs, not thick thongs).

5. LEGGINGS. I usually wear my leggings to death.  They become faded and end up with holes in them until I have to throw them away.  Leggings are very much like underwear to some people.  They’re an affordable staple and worth the investment.

 WHEN ELSE WOULD I BUY NEW?

– IF I’M IN A RUSH AND NEED TO BE SOMEPLACE SOON, WITH A SPECIFIC OUTFIT IN MIND. If I spilled soy sauce on a white shirt right before a job interview, I have no problem zooming to the nearest Target instead of trying to get lucky at Buffalo Exchange.  That would never make any sense, given the situation.

– IF I HAVE BEEN EYEING AN ITEM FOR A LONG TIME AND HAVE INTENTION WITH MY PURCHASE. If a new item suits my capsule wardrobe and I have clicked a link on the brand’s website a million times, I would definitely buy the dress or boots in new condition.  That is not binge or impulse shopping, but purposeful and thoughtful according to my budget and lifestyle. 

What would you buy at a thrift store? What would you buy new?  Do you agree or disagree with my lists?  I would love your feedback in the comments!!

STAY TUNED FOR MORE POSTS ABOUT THRIFT STORE VS. NEW, SUCH AS KITCHEN, BEDROOM, BABY APPAREL, AND MORE!

Minimalism: Less Starbucks

“The morning cup of coffee has an exhilaration about it which the cheering influence of the afternoon or evening cup of tea cannot be expected to reproduce.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., Over the Teacups, 1891

I’m “one of those”: not just a coffee addict, but a Starbucks snob. Starbucks is my morning hare krishna.  My best friend and I joked about the love affair we have with our vice.

What’s our love story?

When I started college, my love for coffee resurrected. 

BACKGROUND: My mother used to “joke” about my babysitter giving me coffee at 2 years old.  And I believe her.  I vaguely recall, at a young age, learning how to make instant coffee from my grandmother.  I was one of the taller girls in my class and in the fifth grade, I wanted to stunt my growth, so I drank lots of coffee.  Whether it worked or genetics and puberty chimed in, my classmates caught up with me and I have been 5’2 ever since.

Then a Starbucks opened by my school during the summer before 8th grade and we would visit every once in a while to “be cool.”  But I realized that I didn’t really like the taste of coffee and could live without it.  For 4 years in high school, coffee had no part in making or breaking my morning.

THEN… in college, I started to associate PRODUCTIVITY with a CUP OF COFFEE IN MY HAND.  I loved the way I held the paper cup in one manicured hand, my purse, books, and phone in the other.  I knew that as soon as I hopped on the MUNI (SF transit) with my coffee, my day would have a [caffeinated] spring in its step.  I knew that if I sat with a fresh cup of coffee and my notes at midnight, I would magically absorb all of the crammed information before my final exam the next day.

Seven years later, I’m still in a committed relationship with coffee.  AND WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH MINIMALISM?

THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE AND OBVIOUS. For 5 of those years, I was addicted to GOING TO STARBUCKS.  I loved the idea that I could start my morning with a magic cup of goodness that did not have ingredients I would understand and make at home for a tenth of the price, but included pixie dust, unicorn hair, cotton candy extract, and a pinch of sugar that could only be found in Bilbo Baggins’ cupboards.  I loved the fact that the start of my morning would guarantee SOMEONE would take care of ME before I spent the rest of the day taking care of someone or something else.  My sanity and productivity were worth the five dollars I spent every day.  And I loved getting the rewards!  Darn that gold card.

Even during my maternity leave, I loved taking a ten-minute break from motherhood to grab my caramel macchiato.  I felt like a sane human being, like I was not a “typical new mom” who pulled her hair out and couldn’t shower or leave the house.

But I wanted to make changes. I wanted to save money for my son, for my family, and for our upcoming Alaskan adventure (coming in a few short weeks, by the way!).  I wanted to start learning how to stick to a strict budget, and I knew coffee was a big part of that.

And it worked.  Not only did I start saving at least a hundred dollars a month, but I started saving time in the morning. The Starbucks drive-thru line was frequently unpredictable and I was always at least 5 minutes late for work.  But when I started to brew my coffee at home, I found myself arriving ten minutes early to work.  It calmed my caffeinated nerves to sit in the car for two extra minutes and say a prayer.

In addition, I was no longer the annoying “applies makeup in the drive-thru and at every stop light” woman.  I had enough time to do my makeup BEFORE I LEFT THE HOUSE, like most responsible mothers I imagined.  My eyeliner and mascara no longer baked in the car!

Anyway, non-coffee drinkers may never understand this junkie post.  But coffee-lovers will probably have a chuckle or two after reading this silliness and empathize (guilt-free, I hope! You’re not alone!).

In summary,

LESS STARBUCKS supports MY MINIMALIST JOURNEY because:

1. I save money (I “cheat” and buy the Starbucks grounds at Costco!).

2. I save time (no more Starbucks lines and no more makeup application in the car!).

3. I consume less disposable cups (which is great for the environment! I use the same travel mug every day!).

4. I focus more on God. I have more time to pray.  When I make my own cup in the morning, I am reminded of how strong God has made me, breaking a habit I never thought I could.  I see his glory in making me efficient and creative and full of will-power.

Now I get to be the Starbucks-as-a-treat person, not the I-Know-all-of-the-Baristas-and-they-memorize-my-drink person.  I feel stronger and happier.