Get a Life... After College!: A Starter Kit for a Life on Your Own

By MARILYN MC GREEN HOTZ

Marilyn Mc Green Hotz is the go-to-expert to call on if you are ready to
launch your life after college. You only have one life. Read this book and get
the practical and inspirational advice you need to make it a great one!
Marta Tracy - Author, Starring You
President, Marta Tracy Entertainment

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 25, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465340061

Book preview

Copyright © 2011 by Marilyn Mc Green Hotz.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2011912841

ISBN: Hardcover    978-1-4653-4005-4

ISBN: Softcover     978-1-4653-4004-7

ISBN: Ebook          978-1-4653-4006-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

102182

Contents

CHAPTER 1—PLANNING TO LAUNCH

The Launch

Your Career Starts With A Job

Keep Learning

Every Job Teaches A Skill

Your Career Portfolio

Your Personal Brand

Looking For Work

What All Employers Want

How Do I Learn?

The First Big Move

Think Budget

Make Deals With Your Roommate

Apartment Hunting

Know What You Can Afford

Find What Is Available

Important Steps Before You Sign

Make The Most Of Your First Apartment

CHAPTER 2—MAKE YOUR NEW PLACE YOUR HOME

Your Basic Needs

Furniture

Household Items

Explore Your Resources

Needs Vs Wish List

Create A Space Plan

Reflect Your Personal Style

Form Follows Function

Design Basics

CHAPTER 3—SETTING UP ROOM BY ROOM

Your Living Room

Your Dining Room

Your Bedroom

Wardrobe Essentials

Your Bathroom

Your Medicine Cabinet

Your Linen Closet (Or Storage Near The Bathroom)

Your Kitchen

Cooking Equipment

Products And Staples For The Kitchen/Pantry

CHAPTER 4—STOCKING THE KITCHEN

Your First Shopping List

Two-Week Menu

For Breakfast

For Lunch

For Dinner

For Snacks And Dessert

CHAPTER 5—GENERAL METHODS

Kitchen Safety

Cooking Safety

Cooking Methods

CHAPTER 6—ENTERTAINING

Planning A Party

Choosing A Theme

Cocktail Parties

Parties All Year Long

Holiday Menu Planning

CHAPTER 7—LIFE’S RITUALS

Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Seasonally

Annual Recurring Activities To Consider:

CHAPTER 8—MANAGING YOUR MONEY

Create A Budget And Stick To It

Use A Credit Card

Create A Savings Plan

Wealth Comes From Saving, Not Spending

Create A Permanent File

CHAPTER 9—LIVING YOUR LIFE AS YOU CHOOSE

Autonomy

You Are Never As Free As You Are Right Now

Seek And Explore Your Potential

Get A Life Before You Get A Partner

Sit Back, Breathe Deep And Enjoy

Have A Moral Code And Stick To It

GET A LIFE . . . AFTER COLLEGE!

A GUIDE FOR LAUNCHING YOUR LIFE!

TOOLS YOU NEED TO LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT!

PRACTICAL AND SOUND ADVICE THAT MAKES SENSE!

LIFE IS IN THE DETAILS!

EASY STEPS TO HELP YOU MAKE GOOD CHOICES!

•    FIND A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE

•    FURNISH AND DECORATE ON A TIGHT BUDGET

•    COOK LIKE A PRO

•    ENTERTAIN WITH GUSTO

•    SAVE & SPEND WISELY

•    ENJOY YOUR OWN COMPANY

This book is lovingly dedicated to Jackie and Mark, Jr

Acknowledgements

I always wanted to write a book, but could not decide on the content until I worked at Ridgewood High. Thanks to all my students who provided the motivation to write this book. Thanks to Josie Dvorken who photographed every meal I prepared for her and who made me realize I had something to share. Thanks Marta Tracy for telling me how to make the time and take the necessary steps. Thanks Angel Cicerone for telling me to think big and to write more and for all the discussions that pushed me along the way. Thanks Mae Greenwald for your optimistic support and encouragement. Thanks to Roland Bandelier, Desiree Bandelier, Marilyn Coughlin, Carol Moss, and Lucy Dolin for your editing and peer review. Thanks to Joel and Diane McGreen and Dennis and Beth McGreen for your suggestions, encouragement and humor. Thanks Otis Duffy, for reading Get A Life . . . and suggesting I get on Oprah! Thanks Scott Greenwald for seeing the need for a book like this. Thanks to the Bandelier family for your encouragement and support. To my Gulls, Mary Dietrich, Beki Scheinberg, Nancie Billingsley, Kathy Davis, Roz Mrozcka, Cheryl Peltz and Lynn Cutolo who have been there for me forever. Thanks to Mark Hotz, Euna Ball, Loreen Lesso, Lauren McPartland, Ruth Miller, Anna Claire Rasmussen, Greg Dolin, Karen Carroll, Debbie Alia, Marva Hanks, Armida Ferraiuolo, and Father Tom Quinn for all the love and encouragement. Thank you Helen Holterhoff for showing how to Get A Life. You are my role model and a constant source of inspiration.

A special, loving thanks to my wonderful daughter, Jackie Hotz for your encouragement, unconditional love and all the practice in cooking, baking, party planning and making life such a blessing. My warmest loving thanks to my wonderful son, Mark Hotz, Jr who shares a love of cooking and has perfected the art of macaroni and cheese. Thank you for decades of love, pride and for always surprising me with your unique and great viewpoint. The brilliance and beauty in both of you never ceases to amazes me and makes me so proud to be your mother.

To everyone who waited patiently for this book to be published, finally!

Marilyn McGreen Hotz

CHAPTER 1—PLANNING TO LAUNCH

Leaving home and on your own conjure up different feelings for everyone. Wrapped up in these emotions are a mix of excitement, anticipation, independence, and fear. Now that you are ready to take on your new life, it is time for thought, preparation and planning. A great deal of comfort and ease, as well as financial savings and stability will be achieved with a bit of smart preparation. Of course, you will meet bumps along the way. Everyone does but this guide is intended to clear some of the path to the life you wish to create.

THE LAUNCH

Your launch will start with most likely two significant occurrences; a job and your first move. At this stage in your life, leaving home and moving on your own is often appropriate for your job and/or your independence.

Here are a few scenarios you may be facing;

1.    You are hired for a job, but it’s a distance and requires a move

2.    You do not have a job, but wish to make a distance move

3.    Your job is in your area, but you wish to move to a new living place

YOUR CAREER STARTS WITH A JOB

A job is critical for every college graduate. Everywhere you work will render short-term and long-term influence on pursuing your career. You will most likely have a series of jobs over a long period of time that define and hone your career. Through this process, you hopefully seek a satisfying balance that incorporates your aptitude, abilities, skills and passion. It must also afford you the ability to pay bills and provide the life you aspire to.

KEEP LEARNING

You may feel like you are done with school, but guess what? Your career path will require you to continue to