Applicant #7: Elizabeth Merriman

Elizabeth Merriman is a 21-year-old from St. Louis.

Elizabeth's video application:

Elizabeth online

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Elizabeth's current situation:

I just finished my second to last quarter in college. 3 months left and I'm a graduate!!!! I'm applying to jobs, the job market is nuts!

Elizabeth's blog post:

Show me...how to save in St. Louis (or anywhere)

Missouri is the "Show Me" state, so how about I show you how to save and have fun?
Many people wonder, "How can I have fun, and not spend money?"

Everything costs now a days, going to the movies, going out to eat, going to see a show at the Muny or the Fox. You don't have to spend money in order to have a great time. There are things you can do that cost little to no money, so for you savers out there, grab your friends or loved ones and:

1. Go on a picnic - buy stuff to make sandwiches, some chips and fruit and stretch out on the lawn.
2. Play a sport - ultimate frisbee, soccer, volleyball, baseball, golf and so on.
3. WATER - balloon fight, swimming, sprinklers, hose.
4. Crafts - paint a picture, build something!
5. Lemonade stand - earn money!
6. Bike ride - exercise and pass time!
7. Games - Apples to Apples, Boggle, Monopoly, Life, card games (the choices are endless).
8. Ice Skating - doesn't cost too much, some days it's free skate.
9. Muny - get cheap seat tickets
10. Cardinals Baseball - Cheap tickets
11. Window Shopping - Don't go buy something, go browse to buy later
12. Truth or Dare - keep it clean, keep it safe, keep it fun!
13. Service - feed the homeless, go to a nursing home (give and you get)!

Try any or all these ideas and start saving! You don't always have to spend money to have a great time. The more you save, the more you can do in the future! If there is something I really want, I save for it, I won't buy it right away. When I have enough for the item I'll go back to look at it again, and if I still want it, I have saved for it. I have done this several times, and about 90% of the time I end up not buying.
The more you save, the better off you'll be, and the better habits you'll have.

Tip for the day: When buying something big, like a car, don't charge it, save up the cash and buy it that way. If you pay in cash, you won't end up in debt. You shouldn't spend what you don't have.

Elizabeth