Personal Finance – An Olive Writes

How to Have Sustainable and Economical Jewelry for Less

For anyone who’s reading this who wants to have beautiful, sustainable, and (let’s be honest, most importantly) economical fine jewelry pieces: You’ve come to the right place.

For some background: I love fine jewelry. I love unique pieces. I have what some would call expensive taste. However, I don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on jewelry that was the product of exploitation of other human beings- just to have a sparkly rock? No way.

This is what compelled me to do some research beyond the overrated, overinflated diamond.

I researched different gemstones and their qualities. I researched what colors would look best with my skin tone. I researched what gemstones paired best with what metals. I researched everything I could, and I just didn’t feel like anything was a perfect fit.

Until I found moissanite. Moissanite was the answer to all of my questions. It is ethically and sustainably sourced. It’s affordable. It is a clear gemstone, like a diamond, with a more brilliant sparkle. It is basically the unicorn I was searching for. Let’s get into a little more of what this stone is and why it’s basically perfect (at least in my book it is!)

The way I like to describe moissanite to people is that it’s basically a space diamond. Yes, you heard that correctly! Let me explain. We all know that diamonds are formed under a lot of pressure over a long period of time. This is also true for moissanite as well, but instead of forming in the Earth, they form in space rocks(!!!)

Moissanite is just about always made in a lab. That’s because it’s not every day that a meteorite comes crashing to Earth filled to the brim with this magical, sparkly stone. The fact that they’re lab-made is the reason why they’re ethically and sustainably sourced- we aren’t digging into the Earth extracting stones that take billions of years to form. Using up materials faster than we can produce them is not what we’re going for here! We can produce moissanite just as fast as we use it, which is the beauty of sustainable sourcing.

Some things that I love about moissanite are that it refracts light different than a diamond. In this case, moissanite gives a rainbow sparkle instead of the white sparkle that diamonds have. This comes down to personal preference, but I’ll take the rainbow sparkle of a moissanite over the white sparkle of a diamond any day. They are also just below diamonds on Mohs Hardness Scale. They are similar to diamonds in a lot of ways; they’re not like CZ stones. They’re precious gemstones that maintain their quality against the test of time.

My favorite place to find moissanite jewelry is Etsy. There are tons of unique pieces and supporting small crafters is just another bonus to this whole unicorn situation!

Stay posted for more tips and advice on advancing in life on a budget. See you next time!

How To Travel for Free (or Close To It)

Have you ever wished you could just travel? Not worry about the finances of it, or where to stay, or even where to go? Do you wish there was a way you could just go?

Well, I’m glad I can be the one to deliver the good news.

And it’s not just good news- it’s tried and true, which in my book makes it great news! Enough with the build up- Let’s get into it!

If you have a vehicle, you can go wherever you want. You can take a trip to the lake, the beach, the mountains, or wherever your heart desires. As long as it’s on a piece of land and there are roads connecting you to your destination, you can go wherever you want.

And, your car isn’t just good for taking you places. It can also be your home while you’re on the road. Now, hear me out.

I’m sure you’re having either one of two reactions to this:

Umm, not what I was expecting… but I’ll hear you out
Yes! Tell me more!

Regardless of your initial thoughts, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to travel for free (or close to it)

Let’s talk money: How is this possible?

Other than gas money, there really aren’t any necessary expenses. If you want to pack water and food before you leave, and you’re just doing an overnight (or two) at the beach, you won’t need much. Bringing a portable charger means you won’t need to stop anywhere for a charge up and you won’t need to drain your car battery for any impromptu late night Netflix marathons. Even if you didn’t want to pack anything to eat, you can certainly eat a couple of cheap meals on the road.

So, where do I sleep?

Well, in your car- but I know that’s not what you meant. Where do you park your car? I personally find that parking in Walmart parking lots are almost always the safest bet. They’re usually well-lit, have security cameras, and have overnight workers at the store, so your car won’t be the only one in the parking lot. My advice is to just ask a store associate if it’s alright for you to overnight park in their parking lot, and if they say that’s fine, park near a more private area of the parking lot. If there are medians, or trees, or both, try to park nearby! These offer a little bit more separation and privacy than spots in the middle of nothing. Plus, you won’t be the first one to do this! There are several YouTube videos of people explaining how they camp in their car, and it often includes a Walmart parking lot!

How do I keep my privacy?

This is a cheap fix- go to your local Lowe’s or Home Depot and buy a roll of reflective insulation (this is the same stuff that comes precut for you to put in your windshield when it’s sunny outside) and a couple large cardboard boxes. Cut out the cardboard boxes to fit your windows, and cut the insulation to the same size as the cardboard cutouts. Secure the two together, and you instantly have sturdy, insulating, privacy covers for your windows.

How do I stay safe?

This is a valid concern, and your gut knows best! If you get into an area that doesn’t feel great, it’s completely up to you where to go next. That’s the beauty of this! You’re not held down to just one location. Other safety tips are to tell people where you end up for the night, choose a well-lit area with security cameras, and keep you phone charged and pepper spray on hand. Another tip is to keep your keys close by, so if you need to set off your alarm, or turn on your car quickly, you have the ability to do so.

If you want to know more, stay tuned on my instagram @anolivewrites to come along with me on all of my future adventures!

6 Simple Ways to Build Savings on a Low Income (That Aren’t Investing)

I hear you asking yourself the question, “How am I supposed to save money if I hardly make enough as is?”

I get it. I really get it. Without a good foundation to begin with, it’s hard to even imagine yourself in a comfortable financial situation. It’s even harder imagining yourself being able to do the things you want to do with the money you don’t (yet) have!

Luckily for you, many people have traveled this road before you got here- including my family. Here’s how we have learned in only 6 months how to save money AND live with a better quality of life

1. Create a budget.

Here is a previous article I wrote about budgeting for beginners. I suggest you take a look at that for a step-by-step process of creating a simple budget. Knowing the basics of spending is important for understanding how to save!

2. Cut the subscriptions.

This is easier said than done. We get used to living the lifestyle we have been leading- but that’s the same problem that got us into our current situation to begin with! According to a study performed by West Monroe Partners (a management and technology consulting firm), 84% of Americans underestimate how much they spend on subscriptions each month. Recent data shows that the national average spending on subscriptions is $273! That’s a good chunk of change that can easily be pared down!

3. Rethink your grocery list.

Well, first of all, just making a grocery list can keep you on track to spending less since you’re not just picking things up randomly as you see them. Once you’re past that, consider what you’re buying and where you’re buying it from. Is it possible (and maybe even likely) that some of your smaller local grocery stores are going to cost less than larger grocery stores for the exact same items.

4. Set a limit for eating out.

This is easier than just saying “don’t eat out as often.” If you actually set a hard limit for yourself, you’re much more likely to adhere to it. For example, I allow myself to eat out once a week from a cheap place and once a month from a restaurant. Easy math, quick savings!

5. Quality, not quantity.

Saving money is all about being creative and frugal with things. Buying reusable items saves you money in the long run, and it often feels better to use something nice than something that’s basically trash as soon as you use it. For example, a box of 100 plastic straws on amazon will run you about $8. Over the course of a year, that’s about $32 dollars if you use one straw for one drink every day. On the other hand, a single reusable straw costs less than a dollar on amazon. That’s over $30 in savings for a straw. What can you do with that $30? You can change your oil once, eat several meals, invest it, or put it towards a larger savings goal. This specific $30 won’t take you far, but a penny saved is a penny earned!

6. Put systems in place to set yourself up for success

Let’s say you get paid $800 one paycheck. By the next paycheck, you have $100 left over in addition to the new money coming in. Yay, an extra $100! Right? Wrong! That is not an extra $100 for spending money- that is an extra $100 towards your savings goal. Having a saving mentality is the most important piece to this puzzle.

For more personal finance tips and information, check out the Personal Finance section here on my blog.

How To Make A Living Wage Without A College Degree

Whether you’re someone who is in college working towards your degree, someone who isn’t ready for college yet, or someone who has decided college isn’t for you- I’m sure you’ve come across this dilemma at least once in your life:

“How am I going to afford things without having a good education?”

While it is often easier to break into better-paying jobs with a college degree for most people, there are plenty of options for those who don’t have one. (Also keep in mind having a college degree isn’t a guaranteed pathway to jobs. It’s about the bigger picture (or resume))

1. Get Certified!

Getting a certification is a great option for many reasons. First of all, there are certifications for positions in just about any field that you can possibly think of. Certifications and/or training courses are often aimed towards trade jobs. If a traditional trade isn’t your thing, look into certifications in healthcare, cosmetology, or highly in-demand skills like computer programming. This is what I did before I entered college, so I am definitely biased towards this option!

2. Profit Off Of Your Passion

This one may be a bit controversial, because there’s always the question of if your passion should be your career, or if that causes burnout and therefore your passion should be your hobby. Whichever way you lean on the discussion, the potential to earn money is still there. Crafty hobbies may do better on a platform like Etsy, whereas if digital design is more your thing you may find something like Fiverr more suitable.

3. Invest Your Time In Getting Experience

While this isn’t as quick to get into as some of the previous options, you do have to consider your long term plan at one point or another. Maybe four years spent getting a bachelor’s degree sounds horrific, but four years of experience in your career feels right. If this is the case, consider gaining work experience in lieu of education. This won’t work in all fields- imagine if your doctors just played doctor for 12+ years and then got their title (eek!) However, for something that can be self-taught, like web design, this may be a viable option for you.

4. Become an Entrepreneur

This, of course, is an easy answer to the question of what to do without a college degree. However, becoming an entrepreneur still takes a lot of time and effort. Maybe you’ve been a plumber or electrician for years and want to have your own business. Or maybe you have solutions to problems that haven’t been tapped into by anyone else. If you’re considering starting a business, remember that it can be whatever you make it- the sky really is the limit here.

Hmm… None of those answers felt right? Lets ask this:

Why not go to college? If nothing that you read here sounds appealing, you may want to reconsider why you don’t want to attend college.

Is it the cost? Consider community college.

Is it the time commitment? That time will pass either way. Whether or not it’s spent obtaining education or valuable experience, the next one, two, four, six, years will pass no matter what you do. Make your time worth it!

Are you not ready to make a commitment to one thing (and spend thousands of dollars on it?) Choosing a college major can be scary. But, really, what’s the pressure? Who is making you decide what you need to do? It’s okay to take your time to figure things out. This actually is exactly what I’m doing- fumbling my way through school and finding out what I like and what I don’t. In the meantime though, I pay my bills as a Pharmacy Technician.

Let me know what your experience has been with this commonly faced dilemma! Reach out to me or leave a comment below!

Budgeting: What It Really Is and How to Start Doing It

Budgeting may seem like it’s a difficult, time consuming thing that can only be done by people who have their lives together. Well, I’m here to tell you that the idea that budgeting is only for some people is harshly incorrect.

Before we get into the nitty gritty, let’s take a look at what budgeting is:

Budgeting is really just a personalized plan that allots resources to areas that need those resources. You can budget many things, but in this article we’re going to focus on money.

While budgeting may seem like it is complex, difficult, time consuming, or energy draining, it is meant to be the total opposite of all of these things- it is meant to be simple, easy, efficient, and freeing.

How do I get started?

Obviously, you’re here for a reason- you want to know how to get your financial life together, and you’ve decided that budgeting may be a good place for you to start. Well, let’s start with making a budget. It should look a little something like this:

Calculate your income. Figure out your net income- that is, everything you actually get to keep at the end of the day. We don’t want to do this based off of your gross salary (what you make before deductions like taxes) because we want to be able to see what we’re actually working with.
Calculate your fixed expenses. These are things like your rent/mortgage, phone bill, insurance bill, and any other bills or pre-set contributions (like putting x amount into your retirement account every paycheck.) These are things that do not vary.
Now, subtract your fixed expenses from your net income. This will give you the amount you are able to spend after your for-sure set-in-stone expenses are covered. This is not your “fun money”… we’ll get there soon, though! Hang in there!
Roughly estimate your variable expenses. Variable expenses are expenses that can change from one pay period to the next. These can include things like groceries, gas, craft or hobby materials, pet costs, childcare costs, and whatever else is a priority in your life that you spend money on. This is meant to be a rough estimate, and it’s a good idea to budget just a little bit more than you think you may need. Having cushion room within your variable expenses is important… life happens, so it’s good to be prepared!
Savings Savings Savings! After you subtract your fixed and variable expenses, you can allot some of your money to savings. You can make this fancy and create sinking funds, or keep it simple and contribute a certain percentage to your savings.
Now… time for the fun money! After you’ve covered all of your expenses and even set aside some into savings, you’re left with a little chunk of change that is for whatever you want to spend it on!

And… It’s easy as that! If you’re interested in more specific budgeting tips and methods, stick around for more!