Real Estate Investing

I recently found the blog Afford Anything written by Paula Pant. I have to say after reading 12+ articles I really like the advice she dishes out. I really enjoy how she focuses on freeing time over everything else (one of my goals too). I especially honed in on her real estate investing articles.

Passive Income...Not as Easy as it Looks

Building wealth is all about getting money to work for the Refined Grad. It is about taking control of personal finances and getting more zeros in the asset column and less in the liabilities.

New Book Recommendation

The Four Hour Workweek

This book has been out for some time now and I finally got around to reading it. It is a really easy light read with lots of tips on how to use time more efficiently. Tim Ferriss also goes into why more money does not make a person happier. I have said this for some time on this blog that in order to be happy try to buy experiences and time not material items. Enjoy!

Let me know what you think on Facebook and Twitter. 

Assessing your budget and working within it when getting married young is vital - Brandon Sun

I found this while looking for advice for the Refined College Grad.

Assessing your budget and working within it when getting married young is vital - Brandon Sun

Logic Statements

Hi this is the first post on Logic statements. The function used is one of the most common in Excel and can really help make a spreadsheet work and look better. This function is really great for auto filling cells (meaning less work for you).

Excel of the Day: Average

Here is the newest Excel of the day (with a twist).

Excel Tip of the Day: Sum Function

Here is day two of the daily Excel tip of the day. As stated yesterday I will start easy and work into more complex functions as time goes on.

Excel Tip of the Day

I have decided to start a new series. I will publish an Excel tip of the day. Most users of my blog seem to enjoy my free budget template so I figure I will help teach Excel to my users.

A few drinks?

This Drinking game looks like good clean fun for the refined college grad. What college grad doesn't love a little risky drinking. Click read more to see a great game for Friday night fun.

Love Wine?

The refined college graduate knows how to have a good time.

Starting an Investment Portfolio

Investment Portfolios: Getting Started

The refined college graduate knows the hardest part about investing is getting started. In the first few months after graduation, the recent college graduate likely has little to no savings. Starting one step at a time is the best policy. This post will give some basic tips on the first (and hardest) steps.

This post will assume that the refined grad is already at least matching their company’s 401k plan, has paid off credit card debt and also is following the suggestions in the STUDENT LOANS post. If the refined grad does not have a company 401k (or any retirement plan) there is nothing to panic about just move to step one of this post.

Two Great Books on Etiquette

We could all use a little more Etiquette. Here are two great books to get college grads where they need to be in social situations.

Personal Finance Budget Template

Refined college grads have asked me for various different templates they can use to track expenses and estimate debt payment.

Here is a budget template I use to track expenses and savings. I find this useful to check once a month to make sure goals are being met. I also highly recommend using Mint.com to track all expenses and budget on a more daily basis.

Leave some comments so I know what all the refined college grads think.

Email me with questions at therefinedcollegegrad@gmail.com

Student Loans Templates for Download

Dear Refined Grads,

As requested here is a link to the Student Loans templates that can be downloaded (FO FREE!) to serve as a rough guide for paying off those student loans. Thank you for the suggestion!

Stay refined,

Otis

Great ideas

Watch "How to Make a Soda Can Beer Sleeve" on YouTube

Student Loans: How the refined college grad handles them

Student Loans: How the refined college grad handles them

Student loans can make or break graduate life after college. Student loans can be a source of constant worry and strife or seldom thought about. This post will go into what student loans are, how they work and how to manage them.

Four amazing years have come to a close. The books are sold or donated, final grades are in, the beer soaked rug is removed from the fraternity house and the first job is already lined up. One of the top comments of recent college graduates is: Now I will have Money! No more Ramen and Milwaukee’s Best Light (Ice for the real men). Now it will be all about Miller lite and steak (a ton of steak). There is one thing the typical college graduate is not thinking about that can come back to haunt them. Six months from graduation student loan bills will start arriving (if not enrolled in a graduate program). These are some of the most important bills a college graduate will have.   

The refined grad knows there are two main types of student loans private and federal. These loans are structured in similar ways and have similar payment terms. They are VASTLY different in the interest rates they hold though.

5 Refined Grad Credit Cards

Credit Card pitfalls…

Credit Cards specifically credit card debt is the number one way young college graduates get themselves into trouble. They are suddenly thrust into the real world and need to buy lots of things (new apartment furniture, food, pay utility bills and rent and of course go to the bar). All these expenses add up and can soon swallow the grad in a mountain of debt (not including student loans).

Do not be afraid Credit Cards can be great….

The refined college graduate is not afraid of credit cards and instead sees their usefulness in tracking expenses, building good credit history and most important keeping their money safe. The refined college graduate has a recent credit report and knows their score. These can be obtained at freecreditreport.com. The refined college graduate pays off the entire balance of their card every month. The refined college graduate does not have more than two cards (why waste time keeping track of all of them). The refined college graduate knows they look really cool at the bar in front of the ladies when they pay with plastic.  

There will be more posts on credit, credit history and debt but for now here our five great cards we have researched and tried.

Twitter

Knows that 'it isn't what you make, It's what you keep' that matters #frugal #refinedcollegegrad #spending #money -- Refined College Grad (@RefinedGrad)

Getting the New Website Geared Up

The new website will be organized into different advice sections for easy navigation. New Post on good credit cards and credit card tips for young people coming soon.

New Website in the works

The Refined College Graduate website is now being created...Stay tuned for updates.....