Saving World

It’s a bit of a horrifying experience the first time you walk into a college bookstore. I remember the first time saying to myself, “You want a $145 for that?” To say I felt ripped off is an understatement, which is why this side hustle I’m about to share is all the more delicious. I’ve written previously about how I sell used books online for extra money (“How to Become a Used Book Hunter“), but that involves going to garage sales every weekend and sweating the summer heat. Today I’m going to show you how to buy textbooks online at sites like Ebay BookScouter.com. Consider it my sweet revenge against the bookstores that overcharged me as a college student. :) Here’s how to do it… There’s a handy little tool I use to make this work at BookScouter.com. Their site will let you plug in a book’s ISBN number (right next to the UPC) and then it will tell you how much the book is worth and which buyback company will give you the most money. I use this tool before buying a book to ma...

I just paid off my highest interest credit card that I’ve had for over 10 years. I hear different things about closing cards completely—mainly that it would lower my FICO™ score to close it. What is your take on this? Thanks!! To Close or Not to Close Dear To Close or Not to Close, I get this question a lot. It seems like it would be obvious to close your credit card account if you’re not going to be using it once it’s paid off but turns out, you actually should not close your credit card account. Credit scores consider factor such as how long you’ve had a credit card as part of how they evaluate what score you should be given. That means that if you close your credit card, paid off or not, that your credit score could get dinged. So, to answer your question, I would not close it. Don’t use the card, but don’t close it. So just go ahead and forget you even have it– except for when you review your credit report once a year.;) Anna What steps have you taken to get your...

What Prefabs Are Also known as “modular”, “factory-built” and “system-built” homes, prefabs are built in factories on a section-by-section basis. Quality control teams check the sections every step of the way, before they’re wrapped as individual modules – hence the name “modular” – and transported to the home site. There, they’re assembled on a pre-made foundation, and completed by your local builder. You can tell if a house is a prefab by the small metal tags on each section. These tags indicate the house’s manufacturing date, which you can also see on the electrical panel box. If you suspect that a house is a prefab, but can’t see any visible tags, check the house’s closets and cabinets for the distinct holes where the tags should be. Prefabs vs. Manufactured/Mobile Homes Although prefabs and manufactured homes look the same on the surface, they do have a number of key differences: • Prefabs have pre-made foundations at their destination, and are as immovable as site-buil...

1. You’re Late for a Very Important Date It is always bad form to be late for a set appointment. A job interview, client meeting, or doctor’s appointment is scheduled at a certain time for a reason. By being late, you are showing a lack of respect for everyone else’s time. (If getting to work on time is a trouble area for you then read:  19 Ways to Get to Work on Time (and Generally be Better at Your Job) . 2. Dressing for Un-Success If you are underdressed for the occasion, you may be inadvertently communicating that you don’t care. While your appearance is only one factor, it indeed influences how you are perceived by others. Find out what style of dress you should be wearing by doing some research. When in doubt, be sure your clothing is clean, pressed, and presentable. (Check out:  How to Wear One Look a Zillion Different Ways ) 3. You Are Annoying You may be up for a new job, and you’re excited, waiting for the offer. But there is protocol that needs to be fo...

1. Watch What Your Body Says Body language can be a dead giveaway—it can easily show how you really feel and what you really think. So it is important to be cognizant of how your body reacts in different situations such as when you are nervous or even over-confident. Smirks, eye rolls, and nervous tics can be perceived as disinterest or impatience, even if that is not your intention. 2. Watch Your Volume Some people talk loudly and appear to come on overly strong at a first meeting. Make sure you practice volume control. Remind yourself to use your inside voice when talking to new people. 3. Watch Your Tone How you communicate with others can be influenced by the tone you use. If your voice is monotone, you may appear to lack enthusiasm. Monitor your tone, keeping it light and friendly. 4. Make Eye Contact Nerves can sometimes cause us to look everywhere but at the person we are talking to, which can be perceived as rude. Focus on making eye contact when speaking and whe...