The Conference Coach™

As a young adult with an active social life, a college student, and an employee of Copper Conferencing, I am currently learning the ins and outs of budgeting my time and money. The process of moving away from home and starting college are tough on most people, but even more so if you also have countless bills to pay. The key is money and time management, and without these, you are likely to end up in debt and/or not perform up to your full potential in school.

When leaving the comfort of home, young adults are suddenly faced with a great deal of freedom, and with that freedom, comes responsibility. While I am now free to do as I please without the direct guidance of my parents, I have found that now I no longer have the resources to do them. One thing I’ve had to cut down on significantly is eating out. I haven’t exactly reduced my diet to Ramen noodle and pb&j (yet), but I am learning to grocery shop on a budget.

Growing up with a mother who is extremely frugal, I was taught the value of saving a penny wherever possible. This is definitely something I have implemented in my shopping. My top strategies are as follows:

• Clipping Coupons – Sure, this sort of makes me feel like a middle-aged woman, but it is well worth the time and effort. Plan meals according to what you find coupons for and what is on sale.
• Buying Store Brands – Growing up I would only eat JIF peanut butter, but somehow when I started paying for food myself, my taste buds adapted. It’s just plain cheaper, and generally, they taste about the same.
• Making a list – Checking it twice. No, it’s not Christmas time yet, but it is helpful to make a list before going to the grocery store to avoid impulse buys.
• Snacking – If at all possible, don’t buy snacks. I’ve found that if I don’t buy them, I can’t eat them. It’s good for the budget as well as the tummy.
• Clearance racks – While I’m living on a tight budget, as a woman, I still can’t bring myself to not shop for clothes. I’m practically physically incapable. I go through withdrawals; it’s just not a pretty sight when I try to quit shopping cold turkey. Rather than stopping all together, I have become a pro at treasure hunting in sale racks. My theory has always been why pay full price for one item when you could get three sale items for the same price? Not only does this save money, but it’s also kind of an adventure.
• Haggling – Sure, maybe some would consider that tacky, but I consider it to be shrewd. I got a lower price on cable and internet just by asking. It never hurts.

While saving money is definitely a key to smooth sailing, the ability to manage your schedule well is also very important. I know that for me, having a nearly full-time job as a Customer Service Representative at Copper Conferencing on top going to school is sometimes a grueling schedule, but the best approach is to know your limit, both academically and physically. A good idea is to invest in a planner in order to ensure that you keep track of your daily tasks.

For some, maintaining a job and going to college may be too difficult, but I feel that being in the professional world is preparing me for the academic world, as backward as that sounds. Working for Copper Conferencing enables me to work directly with customers providing customer service and support. I feel that this is aiding me in my life outside of work, in that I now I have better people skills and have gained knowledge of life from a professional standpoint. While not everyone is equipped to handle this balancing act of life, for me I couldn’t ask to be in a better position than living on my own, going to college, and working for Copper Conferencing.  Be employed by a company like Copper Conferencing that is filled with a fairly large amount of young professionals, I feel right at home.

Have questions about Copper Conferencing or need to do an audio conference or web meeting?  Contact a Conference Coach today.