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Bio

My name is Megan Hammond, and I am an aspiring writer, blogger, and businesswoman. As a college freshman, I am transitioning into a new chapter of my life. Navigating this shift from high school to college is enabling me to become both financially responsible and educated.

During my free time, I am typically reading or writing. As a self-proclaimed bookworm, I enjoy all types of novels ranging from classic literature to mysteries to romance. My love for language extends beyond English, as I am fluent in Spanish. I am quite passionate about Spanish and plan to continue studying Spanish in college with the goal of studying abroad in a Spanish speaking country.

When I am not reading or writing, I am usually working on new graphic design projects in Photoshop. Designing logos and banners are my favorite types of graphic design projects. I hope that I can put all of these skills to use as I pursue a career in marketing.

Photo Credit: Mahdi Gransberry

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    Financial Situations Can Affect Your Whole Life Throughout your elementary and high school years, you’ve undoubtedly seen hundreds of charts or maps that teachers like to use to demonstrate how everything is related. All of these charts try to connect ideas, problems, and solutions to...

  • The Tuition Myth

      Growing up in Michigan, I’ve known so many people that solely apply to in-state universities. As I went through the process of college applications this past year, I talked to many of my friends and classmates to ascertain why they were so locked-in to...

  • To Infinity and Beyond–Financially Speaking

    Everyone has dreams or goals. Maybe they involve your plans for tomorrow, or perhaps they are long-term and look down the road five to ten years in advance. Goals are crucial to your wellbeing, and financial goals are no exception.   Now, I understand that...

  • How to Avoid Overspending on Textbooks

      New or used. Rent or buy. These four categories are what define the textbook industry. Most university textbooks come at a premium, a startling change from the price of books in high school.   To avoid overspending, keep in mind these criteria for each...

  • Breaking Down Co-Authorization and Co-Signing

      As you are reading the title of this blog, you may be thinking to yourself: co-what?!   While not complicated concepts, many young people are not familiar with the concepts of co-authorization and co-signing. Let’s start from the beginning.   Financial responsibility and financial...

  • The Best Membership and Rewards Programs

      “Hi, there. Would you like to open a rewards account today? You can save up to 20% on your purchase if you become a reward member today.” You’ve probably heard this hackneyed phrase at every department store you’ve shopped at. While some memberships and...

  • 3 Tips for Dorm Shopping

      It’s that time of the year again—time to start thinking about school. If you are a college freshman like me, the list of items you need for your dorm seems endless. Before you run all over the city to individually cross of each item...

  • Finding Your Niche

     Take the road less traveled. Be the fruitloop in a world full of cheerios. It’s okay to be different.   You’ve likely heard cliché or overused phrases such as the ones above in your childhood and teen years. While you may have your own version...

  • 3 Tips for Back to School Technology Shopping

      Every year you see the bright, colorful ads for college supplies. In years past, you have probably just ignored these ads as they seam irrelevant; yet, this year will be different. If you are an incoming freshman like me, there are so many new...

  • The 411 on Credit Scores

    You’ve probably seen all those hackneyed commercials about improving your credit score; yet, you’ve probably seen them so many times that the meaning has been lost. So what is credit score, and why is it important?   In simple terms, a credit score is a...

  • Truths and Myths About Apple Pay

    Truth or myth? With rumors swirling about Apple Pay and how it actually works, it becomes increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction. Here’s what you need to know about Apple Pay and the technology behind it. Innovative technology continues to infiltrate and impact day-to-day...

  • The Value of the Dollar

    I recently was shopping at a local convenience store, and I started to browse the gum and candy positioned at the front counter. I went to grab a pack of gum—nothing too fancy, just a standard minty gum—and I was disappointed to discover that I...

  • 3 Tips to Be a Smart Shopper

      Planning ahead is the key to any financial plan. This philosophy, especially when applied to entertainment and shopping, makes for a healthier financial lifestyle. Millennials are known for preferring convenience, but convenience comes at a premium. Here are a few things to think about...

  • Capitalizing on Technology

    Twitter. YouTube. Facebook. Instagram. Snapchat. Our generation is referred to as the generation of technology. We have the world at our fingertips with the click of a button. Technology is such an integral part of daily life that we don’t always take the time to...

  • How Direct Deposit Actually Works

    Would you like to enable Direct Deposit? This is a common question employers are asking teens during the hiring process. While this question seems straightforward for seasoned employers, many teens starting their first job remain unsure how to answer the question or respond without understanding...

  • Buying a Used Car

    Transportation is a simple part of everyday life for the average college student. Maybe your campus has access to buses or a metro station or maybe you have access to a car. At some point, though, you will likely need a car, and the car...

  • Sticking to a Budget

      Sticking to a budget isn’t the easiest task in the world. It seems as if there is always some temptation that breaks the bank. While these temptations will never disappear, here are a few tips and tricks to help you stick to your budget....

  • Summer Travel Safety Tips

    With the summer travel season underway, it’s time to start packing your bags and wallet to make sure you’re ready for that exciting trip. Whether you will be taking a family vacation to an exotic island or traveling east to visit friends, it’s important to...

  • The Summer Job Hunt

    Your summer plans may include binging on Netflix, tanning at the pool, or heading up north, but maybe it’s time to think about a summer job. Summer jobs are a great way to earn money, but they will also teach you invaluable lessons such as...

  • Eating Around Campus

    Eating on college campuses can be challenging, but eating off campus can present its own set of unique problems. Students are spending their money on tuition, room, and board—and now food. All universities offer various meal plans, but these meal plans are not always the...

  • The Cost for Studying Abroad

    Any college student that loves to travel fantasizes about studying abroad. The idea of traveling to a foreign country appeals to a wide variety of students. While studying abroad can be exciting, fascinating, and eye-opening, students should be cautious before flying halfway across the world. ...

  • Make Money Being a Beta Tester

    Beta Testing – Get paid having fun! I can’t count how many times I’ve heard some of my friends say, “I really want to make some money, but I just don’t have time for a job.” While this may be an excuse for some people,...

  • The Cost of Graduation Parties

    For seniors, it’s that time of the year. Graduation parties are on the calendar! Here are some tips to keep a handle on the expense.   High school graduation parties are only becoming more elaborate and expensive, so here are four things to keep in mind when...

  • Check This Out – Prepping for College 101

    Heading to college is both an exciting and nerve-wracking time in a teenager’s life. While there are so many lifestyle things to consider before move-in day, it’s also important to keep your finances in mind. To take financial responsibility, think of these three main necessities....

  • Available Scholarships You Might Not Know About

    The cost of tuition can be overwhelming, and there’s no way to sugarcoat it. Sure, financial aid and merit scholarships can help, but that likely won’t cover all the costs. This is where outside scholarships come into the picture. Catholic Vantage is the perfect place...

  • Five Tips to Keep Hackers at Bay

    I have always heard stories about data theft and hacking, but this past week made me question how safe my data actually is. This week, I had to submit a video project to my Spanish teacher. The file was large, so I needed to use...

  • Check This Out – Cash vs Credit

    Cash vs. Credit – Which is better? Spending becomes such a habitual part of life that it can be easy to loose sight of your spending methods. However, in order to be financially responsible, it’s important to analyze your money patterns. This way, you can...

  • Check This Out – Filing for FAFSA

    The idea of paying for college can seen overwhelming, and before you know it, dollar signs are adding up. College is expensive-that’s not a lie-but there are ways to manage the cost. FACT OR MYTH There’s a common myth that out-of-state tuition is inherently unaffordable....

  • Check This Out – A Night At The Movies

    With the release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 and the heightened anticipation for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, heading to the movies seems to be the norm this holiday season. While going to movies can be a fun option to spend time with...

  • $1,200 for coffee? Who does that?

     It’s 6:45 AM on a Tuesday in December. It’s twelve degrees outside, and you can see the snow starting to fall gently on the once green grass. You get into your car and crank the heat up as you’re driving to school. On the way...

  • Check This Out – It all starts here.

      “Everything affects the bottom line.” This is the cliché phrase that our parents, teachers, and other adults try to drill into our heads. We hear this phrase so frequently that it tends to lose its meaning. Checking accounts, debit cards, and ATM fees all...