Is It A Good Time to Buy a Used Car?

"This is the first material (car inventory) decline we've seen since the recession." -- Jonathan Banks, an analyst at J.D. Power. The Time is Right to Buy a Used Vehicle was published in the LA Times on December 27, 2016.

San Diego City College Scholarships Open!

Need money for school? Check out the San Diego City College Scholarships open until Feb. 24, 2017. Awards: $175 to $1000.

Music and Business -- Career Opportunities

Music majors at SDSU have options beyond a career in performance. By taking part in a five-course minor, they can expand their career prospects. SDSU Music Students On Track to Be Entrepreneurs was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on December 17, 2016.

Kindness Goes a Long Way

A Toys R Us employee steps in to help a mother who was a little short on cash, and the kindness was repaid tenfold. This story appeared on MSN News.

Ways to Avoid Spending Too Much

One way to help with holiday expenses? Sell some of your excess stuff and use the extra cash for your holiday budget. Here are some other tips: Prepare Your Finances for the Holidays from MSN.

Jobs Available!

Mental Health Peer Educators and Military Veteran Peer Educators needed for Spring 2017. Work 10 hours a week at the Mental Health Counseling Center on campus.

Duties:

• Oversee information tables
• Classroom presentations
• Represent the Mental Health Counseling Center at campus events

Contact: Alyssa Panyawai at apanyawai@sdccd.edu

Students Provide Food for Thanksgiving

"We started it because many students on campus are not able to spend Thanksgiving with their family." -- Yasmeen Obeid, social vice president for the Associated Student Organization at Southwestern College

Students Organize Thanksgiving Dinners for Others at Two Colleges was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on November 23, 2016.

Cell Phone Plans

Here are some no-contract cell phone carriers that could save you money over the big companies:

Consumer Cellular took first place in the PC Mag Readers' Choice Awards for mobile carriers and the company was recognized by JD Power for best-in-class customer service. Their plans start as low as $10 a month.

Republic Wireless also ranked high in the PC Mag Readers' Choice Awards. Republic Wireless has 4G LTE and WiFi. Plans start at $15 a month with unlimited talk, text, and WiFi data and you have the ability to change your plan based on your use needs.

Cricket Wireless plans start at $30 a month with 4G LTE, 1GB data, and unlimited nationwide talk and text. Cricket Wireless has been recommended by Consumer Reports and the PC Mag Readers' Choice Awards.

Page Plus has been recommended by Consumer Reports. Their plans start at $12 a month with 250 minutes or $39.95 with unlimited minutes.

Ting has been recommended by Consumer Reports. Their plans are based on your actual usage and their average customer monthly bill is $23.

MetroPCS is ranked highly in the PC Mag Readers' Choice Awards. They have a $30 plan that includes unlimited data, talk, and text.

Giving Away a Fortune

"We live only one life. When you die, there's nothing great about being the richest person in the world. That doesn't count. What's important is to have a positive attitude, come up with good ideas and have a willing heart." -- Charlie Yim

Self-Made Millionaire Plans to Give It All Away was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on Nov. 8, 2016.

https://www.sdfoundation.org/

Delivering Meals and Much More

"When I was here in this country, my mom was really sick. Some of the guys I grew up with, whenever she needed something done, they would do it. This is my way of giving back. If someone could help my mom, then I feel it's my duty to help someone else's mom." -- Meals on Wheels volunteer, Allan Thomas.

Retiree Finds Second Career With Meals On Wheels was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on Oct. 25, 2016.

Friendship

This is a touching story of friendship between a veteran and the young boy who lived next door.

Items that save you $

How can a crock-pot, coffee maker, or cable modem save you money? Check out this MSN article to find out.

100K Jobs

These 11 jobs can pay $100K or more a year and there isn't a medical doctor or lawyer in the group.

Forgiveness, Not Violence

Azim Khamisa lost his son, Tariq, to a senseless act of violence. Forgiveness gave his life a new purpose. Khamisa and Ples Felix, the grandfather of the boy who killed Tariq, have formed a bond to prevent youth violence. 

"I like to quote Gandhi. 'The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.'" -- Azim Khamisa

"Mr. Khamisa's forgiveness and the forgiveness of Mr. Khamisa's family helped my grandson realize he is not a throwaway person." -- Ples Felix.

Senseless Violence, Unbelievable Forgiveness: The Tariq Khamisa Foundation was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on October 8, 2016.

Tariq Khamisa Foundation

Little Library

The message below was sent recently from Mesa College regarding a worthwhile project they just completed. Even though City sometimes sees Mesa College as a rival big sister, the project is notable for the spirit of promoting literacy in its community:

 

On Friday September 23, 2016, Mesa’s Honors staff collaborated with Principal Sarah Saluta of San Diego Cooperative Charter Schools to place the little library right outside of the elementary school located on the corner of Linda Vista Rd. and Genesee Ave. If you’d like to learn more about the little library project, please go to https://littlefreelibrary.org/

I got the idea for this project one day when I was jogging in my neighborhood, Hillcrest. I saw one and thought, Linda Vista, a community that Mesa is a huge part of, needs to have one of these. A lot of generous individuals put in time and money to make this happen, so I’d like to take a moment and give them all a shout out:

San Diego Mesa College Foundation; AFT Local 1931; and Mesa’s Honors program helped fund the project.

Professor Sam Lee, Math professor at Mesa and Miramar, volunteered his time all Summer 2016 to paint it.

Honors student staff members, Andrew Rice, Erik Tomlinson, and Carissa Carrasquillo, all of whom are works studies Veteran students, worked with the elementary school students to place it outside of the elementary school.

Arthur James, Stockroom Clerk at Mesa College Receiving, helped transport it to the elementary school. He helped with the digging too. :)

Mesa Facilities allowed us to borrow their shovels.

Please go and visit the little library located on 7260 Linda Vista Rd. San Diego CA 92111 (corner of Linda Vista Rd. and Genesee Ave.) Take a book, give a book, and spread the importance of literacy.

Best,

Pegah Motaleb

Best Used Cars!

If you're in the market to buy a used car, we are listing the best choices. According to the April 2016 Consumer Reports, these are the best used cars for reliability and safety based on model year. Make sure your vehicle includes electronic stability control for safety.

Less than $10,000:

Small cars:
Ford Focus 2009-10
Pontiac Vibe 2006-09
Scion xB 2008-09

Sedans:
Acura TL 2006
Acura TSX 2006
Hyundai Sonata 2007-09
Mazda 6 2009

SUVs and Minivans:
Honda CR-V 2006
Honda Pilot 2006
Toyota Sienna 2006

$10,000 to $15,000:

Small cars:

Honda Fit 2011-13

Kia Soul 2011-13

Mazda 3 2011-12

Sedans:

Infiniti G 2006-08

Lincoln MKZ 2009-10

SUVs:

Acura MDX 2006

Toyota Highlander 2006-07

$15,000 to $20,000:

Small cars:

Toyota Prius 2012-13

Hyundai Elantra 2014-15

Honda Civic 2013-14

Sedans:

Honda Accord 2011-12

Toyota Camry 2012-13

Lexus ES 2009-10

SUVs:

Mazda CX-5 2013

Toyota Rav4 2010-11

$20,000 to $25,000

Sedans:

Ford Fusion 2014-15

Subaru Legacy 2014-15

Toyota Avalon 2012

SUVs:

Nissan Murano 2012-13

Subaru Forester 2012-13

Toyota Sequoia 2008

Luxury:

Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2009

Acura RDX 2011

Lexus RX 2010

Teens Bring Dance to Seniors

"They're not too old, and it's not something they can't do. This is good for their physical and mental health." -- Sarah Ludington, who developed the nonprofit, Dance2Heal.

Teen Dancers Get Seniors on their Feet was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on Aug. 26, 2016.

Dance2Heal

A Drive to Help

Sue Chambers has helped many worthwhile causes in San Diego, including the Rancho San Diego Library. Volunteer Has a Head for Numbers, A Heart for Helping was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on August, 23, 2016.

Jobs!

Circle K has applications open for "In-Store Customer Service, Store Manager, and Office and Field positions.

Target is hiring. Check out their info online.

Best Buy has seasonal, part-time, and entry-level positions in San Diego. Search for positions and apply online.

Olympian Shows Compassion For Boy

There were a lot of exciting moments at the Rio Games, but none made a bigger impact than this gesture by Piotr Malachowski. Read why he is a real Olympic hero in the truest sense of the word.

Nikita Krishnan Helps Animals

“I never was able to have pets of my own, so this is my way of being around animals. When I go to college, I plan to take my nonprofit with me and help animals wherever I go.” -- Nikita Krishnan.

Teen's Ingenuity Gets Animals Back on their Feet appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on Aug. 16, 2016.

http://www.creaturecomfortandcare.org/

https://houndsavers.org/

http://www.thelivingcoast.org/

Office Essentials Bundle from Best Buy

For a limited time, Best Buy has an Office Essentials Bundle: Office 365 Personal, Kaspersky Internet Security, and Wireless Mouse for $49.99 (regular $149.97)

Breaking New Ground

"I've Learned this myself: Go out and do it because you love it. Don't do it to prove somebody wrong because 'I'm a female and I need to make a statement.' Just go out and do the job because it's something that you want to do." -- Sarah Thomas, the NFL's first female official.

NFL's Lone Female Official in Position to Inspire appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on August 11, 2016.

Panera Bread job openings

The Panera Bread in Coronado has a sign in front of its store that indicates they are hiring. The store is at 980 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118. (619) 437-4288.

There are also openings at other locations including Downtown at 225 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101.

Info about job openings at Panera

Helping children as foster parents

 

“Foster kids always had a special place in my heart. They’re innocents caught up in an adult struggle they have nothing to do with. It grabs your heart because they need you so much. It becomes your mission to help them.” -- Foster parent, Susan Kurtik

Senior Couple Step Up As Foster Parents was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on August 8, 2016.

http://angelsfoster.org/ 

 

Burrito Boyz

"It was fun giving back to the (homeless) community. They deserve respect from us. They're people just like us, and they deserve the best." -- Alec Johnson, original member of Burrito Boyz.

Charity Cooks Up Milestone was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on August 1, 2016.

Burrito Boyz

Backpack deals

If you are looking for a backpack, check out these two deals:

Unisex Outdoor Sports Waterproof Foldable Backpack Hiking Bag Camping Rucksack for $6.49

High Sierra Curve Backpack on clearance price plus an additional 50% off if you use the code: "clearout" at checkout. The price will be reduced to $12.49.

Financial Advice from Comic Con

At Comic Con 2016, there was a panel on Thursday called "Be a Financial Superhero Even If You Aren't Tony Stark or Bruce Wayne." It was geared toward creative artists and their finances. Here's what I pulled from this presentation:

To succeed in your own business:
What do you have to give that is going to help people?
What can you do that no one else is doing?
What is your passion?

What you need to be a successful artist:
Passion for your work
Skill set to do it well
Hustle to get yourself known

Build an outstanding team:
Find a mentor to guide you.
Hire people you trust so you can focus on your craft.
Develop a fan base of support.

Lay out your goals with timelines to keep yourself accountable and measure your progress.

They also talked about credit. Your credit score is made up of five factors:
35% is based on your payment history (whether you pay your credit card bills on time).
30% is based on the amount owed on your cards (try to keep your balances under 25% of the limit on a credit card).
15% is duration of credit (don't close out a credit card; it's better to lower your maximum on a card you rarely use in order to maintain your history and duration of credit).
10% is based on new credit (don't open up other new credit accounts prior to taking out a loan).
10% is the type of credit you have.

Some suggestions: Pay off your debts aggressively, don't take out student loans, step away from a purchase before buying an expensive item to avoid impulsive decisions, and ask yourself how many hours you have to work in order to pay for the item.

Jobs at Discount Tire

Saw a sign in the Rancho San Diego Discount Tire showing they are looking for employees and will provide training. Here is a link to job opportunities with this company.

Discount Books!

If you're looking for discounted books, this book site is the ticket. They also carry textbooks. This information was provided by counselor, Hossna Sadat.

Microsoft Surface 3 deal!

pic by TranslucentCloud

This Microsoft Surface 3 refurbished tablet comes with a 30 day return policy and 1 year warranty. The $294.95 price is a 41% savings. Note that you have to buy a keyboard separately.

Which credit card to use

Here’s my take on credit cards. Use a credit card only if you pay off the balance each month. Otherwise you are paying an interest rate that will eat you alive. If you pay off the balance each month, there can be advantages to using a credit card: cash back or travel rewards on specific cards, additional warranty periods on products, fraud protection, and the ability to dispute a purchase. Be careful because it’s tempting to spend more with plastic than cash.

Which card should you use? Here are my top two:

The Citi Double Cash Card is a MasterCard that gives 1% back when you make a purchase and another 1% back when you make a payment for 2% back. The card is simple and has no annual fee.

The Citi Costco Anywhere Visa gives 4% back on gas, 3% on restaurant and travel, 2% at Costco, and 1% on everything else.

Compare the best credit cards by category at http://www.creditcards.com/top-credit-cards.php

From Cable to Streaming

Cutting Your Cable: If you're thinking about going from cable to streaming, reporter Jennifer Van Grove conveys her experience. How much did she save a month? $165. It's Not Me, It's You: Breaking Up With Cable was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on Oct. 19, 2015.

Deal of the Day

Pic by Rico Shen

This Linkworld college/school backpack is reasonably priced at 25.99 (saving 48% from the regular price of $50.00) and it has positive reviews, a couple with videos. It fits a 17 inch laptop, looks pretty functional, and has an assortment of colors. Video reviews are on the Amazon site. Note that Amazon prices can change at any time.

Volunteer Tutor Helps Troubled Youth

 

"Math was not a strong subject of mine. I had difficulty with that. I overcame it, but it took a lot of work. I had to get outside help." -- Social Advocates for Youth volunteer Nicholas Griffin.

For Math Whiz, Helping At-Risk Kids Adds Up was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on June 13, 2016.

https://www.saysandiego.org/

Deal of the Week

Pic by Coolcaesar

Staples has an office chair with a red-mesh back on clearance for $40.85, marked down from $109.99. It's out of stock online, but the Sports Arena store has two showing in stock. The reviews are good. Call the store to make sure they have it. Phone: 619-523-6005. Address: 3146B Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego, CA 92110.

Office Depot Is Hiring in San Diego

Pic by Lizsummers

Office Depot is hiring:

Retail Sales Consultants

Retail Sales Consultant Print Services

Retail Sales Consultant Print Services Supervisor

Job Opening at Goodwill

Picture by Maryland GovPics

The Goodwill in La Mesa has employment openings: http://sdgoodwill.org/jobs/

Address: 3713-3717 Avocado Boulevard, La Mesa CA 91941 in the Smart & Final shopping center.
Phone: (619) 741-2739
Store Hours: Mon-Sat 9AM-8PM, Sun 10AM-6PM

Video regarding jobs at Goodwill

Jobs at Staples

Job opportunities at Staples. The store in Rancho San Diego says they have openings and to apply directly in the store.

Address: 2879 Jamacha Road, El Cajon, CA 92019 -- in the Target shopping center and near Discount Tire. 
Phone:(619) 670-1094
Hours: M-F: 8am - 9pm, Sat: 9am - 9pm, Sun: 10am - 6pm                        

•  

Jobs at Chase Bank

pic by Chris Flook

Internships and job opportunities w/ Chase bank.

Project Linus Gives Security Blankets

"We have a twofold mission. One is to provide comfort and love to children in need. The other part is to provide an opportunity for individuals and agencies to make a difference in a child's life." -- Ursula Sorensen, Coordinator of Project Linus.

Ursula Sorensen's goal is to give security blankets to the San Diego children who need them the most. Wrapping Needy Kids in Layers of Love was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on May 27, 2016.

Harvard Graduation Speech

Pic by Sebastian Ritter

Jiang He tells the audience at Harvard why his mother set his hand on fire in this commencement speech at Harvard.

Powerful Graduation Speech at Harvard

Pic by Jacob Rus

"Our stories are the ladders that make it easier for us to touch the stars . . ."

Donovan Livingston lights up Harvard with this inspiring graduation speech.

Graduation Speech About Kindness

pic by David Shankbone

San Diego City College just held our largest graduation ever at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. Here is a 2013 commencement speech by George Saunders, writer, on kindness.

Most Americans Can't Cover $1000 expense

If you had an unexpected expense such as a major car repair, would you be able to afford it? If you're like most Americans, the answer is no. "Poll: Two-Thirds of U.S. Would Struggle to Cover $1000 Crisis" was printed in the San Diego Union Tribune on May 20, 2016.