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Explore practical tips on managing time effectively and mastering money management. Learn to prioritize tasks, set goals, and create a budget for financial success. Take charge of your life with expert advice from career specialist Jennifer Greenwood.
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Managing your Time and Money Jennifer Greenwood Career Specialist
Time Management Things you likely already know, and simply aren’t doing…
How are you using your time? • Each of you were given a piece of paper. On it, approximate the time you spend per day on each of the following tasks: • Sleep • School • Extracurricular activities • Meals • Studying • Relaxing (alone) • Socializing (with friends, via text, social media, etc) • Other What uses the majority of your time? Where do you see wasted time?
Are you using your time wisely? • We all manage our time –some just do so more effectively than others. • What is keeping you from being productive? • Procrastination? • Forgetting assignments? • Not enough time? • Getting distracted? • What are you doing that works well?
Calendars Paper Electronic Microsoft Outlook Google calendar If you have a smart phone, can sync your calendar Check and update on the go • School agenda • Planner • Blank template • How detailed do you need it? • Monthly? • Weekly? • Daily?
To-Do Lists • If a task will take less than 5 minutes to complete, don’t write it down. Just do it. • Prioritize & Organize • As your list gets longer, fewer things will get done unless you have a plan • Know which tasks are most important • Know which tasks are most urgent • Give yourself deadlines • Keep it simple and somewhere convenient. • Where will you see it often? Be able to update it regularly?
Find what works for you • Whether it be a hand-written calendar, a To-Do list, something you keep electronically, or a combination, you have to choose what works for you • Some people can just remember. Other people are like me. • If you are a visual person, consider color coding This is my calendar for the week. I have categories in my calendar, email and Task List that all match. I know just by glancing at my calendar what is coming up. **This may not work for you, and that’s okay. You just have to find what does!
Things to Consider • If you have an electronic version of your calendar or task list, your teachers may not let you update during class. Have a plan to be sure you record important due dates and homework assignments • As you’re planning, give yourself breaks • Breaks shouldn’t last longer than the time scheduled to be productive • Give yourself some transition time • Be structured • Have a time, location, and goal established ahead of time • Consider studying with a focused friend or using tutoring at school • Have a start time AND an end time –deadlines will help you stay focused • Don’t study in bed! • Use your “down time”
What, exactly, are you managing? • Before you can “manage” your money, you have to know how much you have! • Savings accounts, checking accounts, cash, savings bonds… • Not all of you have a job, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start practicing
Know where your money is going • Track your spending • How much do you spend on… • Entertainment? • Food? • Clothes? • Gas for your car? • Savings account? • Charities? **Are any of you already doing this?
What are your money goals? • A lot of people want to save money, but everyone has different reasons. • Are you saving up for a video game? • Christmas gifts? • A new outfit, or that pricey purse? • A car? • College?
Create a spending plan • Saying you want to save money, and actually saving, are very different. • It’s important to have a plan, or you’ll end up spending your money on something immediately gratifying. • Budgets are helpful –once you know where you’ve been spending your money, you may need to make changes. • Have spending rules! • Anyone already have a budget? • How could you change the way you spend in order to meet your money goals?
Feedback time • On the other side of your piece of paper, I want 3 pieces of feedback from you. You can choose from any of the following… • What did you learn? • What wasn’t covered that you think should have been? • What would you change? • My name, office location, and/or days I am at your school
Thank you for your time! Jennifer Greenwood Career Specialist