Applicant #17: Nicole Vernier

Nicole Vernier is a 21-year-old from Glen Carbon.

Nicole's video application:

Nicole online:

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Nicole's current situation:

Summer is going by faster than expected! Summer school started monday and I'll be taking 19 credit hours for the next 5 weeks. I'm not used to waking up early so 8am classes Monday, Wednesday, Friday are interesting. Work is going well at Red Lobster and my bills are getting paid. I got back from vacation on Sunday and I wish I were still at the beach! It was nice while it lasted but now it's back to reality! :)

Nicole's blog post:

Paste your application blog post: After high school graduation, we are all cut loose to be free with our lives. Some people go to school, some get jobs, and some choose other alternatives. As we venture out into the real world, we are faced with many choices in which WE are the only one who can choose the outcome. Whether or not make the right decisions, we are free to do as we please. My generation is extremely lucky in this aspect. Just ask your parents! We have many more opportunities to make decisions on our own, and we must be smart about what we choose to do.
    As a college student, I have been through thick and thin. All college students know the burdens they face in a day-to-day basis. While education SHOULD be the #1 thing on our minds throughout the school year, there seems to always be one more hassle which we struggle with—MONEY!!! Because I’ve been there, I have some tips and tricks as to how to be responsible with your ca$h as a young adult in the STL area..

Reasonable Entertainment Choices:

The Zoo—FREE! And who doesn’t love animals?
Cardinals Game—Go to their website and look for Cardinals Ticket Highlights. They always have some sort of deal for cheaper game tickets.
Forest Park—Pack a lunch and have a picnic. If you play an instrument, go sit for a day and relax.
The Arch—Have you ever been?
Missouri Botanical Garden—BEAutiful! Go with some friends or a significant other.
City Museum—Be ready to get sweaty!
Concerts—There are always concerts and events in this city! Go online and check for them.
Gateway International Raceway—If you like cars, motorcycles, etc.
Six Flags—It’s probably better to get a season pass if you go here. Set at least a few dates to go over the summer, even if you only lounge in the water park. Pack a cooler with lunch and drinks to save some money.
Game Nights—Take a night off from going to the bars. Set a time and place to play board games or card games with a group of friends. It’s cheaper to buy beer by the case than one at a time at a bar!
Miniature Golf—Cheap and fun. Brings out the kid in all of us!
Bowling—Get on your iPhone to find one near you.

Extra Tips:

Ride the Metro Link to save gas
Take clothes to Plato’s Closet for extra ca$h
Go grocery shopping instead of eating out every day
USE COUPONS
Save a small portion of each paycheck for your savings account
Shop on Craig’s List or eBay

Nicole