ask the experts
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What is an asset?
When I talk to my parents about personal finance, they sometimes refer to big expensive things they own as “assets.” I understand that, generally speaking, assets are something we consider to count toward someone’s “net worth.” But I’m not sure I understand why. If you buy an engagement ring or a car or something, that money is gone--you’re not going to just sell that stuff off again to buy a new TV or whatever, so it’s not really cash, right? What’s the point of having “assets,” and what makes a house an asset in the way that a 4K TV is not?
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Getting around
Here’s a very specific question: let’s say that you have to get between two medium-sized cities, and they’re a few hours apart. And let’s say you’re trying to take the trip with your two or three friends, who can be very indecisive. And, finally, let’s say that there’s a big debate raging about what the most affordable way to get back and forth between these two cities is. What would you say to help bring everyone to a decision? And before you ask, yes, this is exactly what I’m dealing with right now!
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The power of the scale
My parents are always lamenting the disappearance of their favorite shops and stores in my hometown. They grew up in the same town, and they often mention little mom-and-pop shops that, they say, used to flourish and are now gone. They blame the big box stores that have popped up in the area: Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, to name just a few.
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Coursework for counselors
I could use some quick guidance. I’m a sophomore who recently changed majors from biology to behavioral psychology. I declared biology as my original major, because of the advice that was given to me by my guidance counselor in high school.
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Lifestyle and illness
My grandfather recently turned 85 years old. That’s amazing to me! So I had to ask him that stereotypical question that people always ask older folks--what he credited his long lifespan to. I got a pretty straightforward answer: luck!
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Valuables as assets
I consider myself to be a pretty frugal person, but I also believe that I’m pretty reasonable. I’m not super stingy about most things, and I would like to think that I’m generous when it counts. However, lately, I’ve been having trouble getting along with my longtime girlfriend because of my attitude regarding jewelry, especially engagement rings, which is a subject that comes up more and more often.
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The power of scale
My parents are always lamenting the disappearance of their favorite shops and stores in my hometown. They grew up in the same town, and they often mention little mom-and-pop shops that, they say, used to flourish and are now gone. They blame the big box stores that have popped up in the area: Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, to name just a few.
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The perfect answer to the "why social work?" career question
Lately, I’ve been very stressed out by my career plans. Or, more accurately, my lack of direction. I’m not a freshman anymore, and I still don’t know exactly what I want to do with my life. My parents are pressuring me to make a decision and choose a lucrative career, and all my friends already seem to know what it is they want to do.
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Hobbies and workouts
I’m looking for a way to get in shape, but nothing I do seems to stick. I eat reasonably healthy (I’m trying to get better), but I’m just awful about exercising. I’ve tried jogging and trips to the gym, but I just can’t get excited about those. After the first few days, they feel like chores. I lose interest, I get tired, and I start skipping workouts.
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The future of 3-D printing
I’m really intrigued by 3-D printing. It seems like such a cool and futuristic type of technology. I can imagine myself living in the future and having this awesome 3-D printer in my space. I see myself typing something up on a tablet or smartwatch (or some other futuristic device), and telling my 3-D printer to print… something. This is where my imagination fails me: I don’t know what the heck we’re going to use 3-D printers for. I get that they’re the wave of the future, but why? Why are we all so convinced that 3-D printers will be a big deal in the future? What will we actually use them for?
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Interior design tips
I’d like to spruce up my space. I live in a small place, obviously--I’m a college student, after all--and, lately, I feel like it’s stressing me out. After a long day of studying or a long night of socializing, I find it tough to come back to my tiny spot, which just doesn’t feel comfortable or beautiful in the way that I want it to.
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Guidance on small biz digital marketing essentials
I need some advice for one of my more challenging classes. I’m an undergrad studying business administration, and this one digital marketing class is a real struggle. The assignments have us cite at least three references, but more are encouraged.
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Start out skiing
I’m been invited to go skiing with a friend of mine over break. That’s pretty cool, but there’s a problem: I have no idea how to ski. I’ve never been skiing in my life.
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The future of digital marketing
I have a friend who graduated a few years ago and works in marketing. He knows a bit about my interests and how I’m doing in school, and--at my request--he talked me up to a few people around his office. One of those people suggested that I would be a good fit for “digital marketing” and offered to get on a phone call with me to discuss it. But I’m not really sure what digital marketing actually is, and, to be honest, my friend was not the most helpful in explaining it. I think my friend doesn’t entirely know the ins and outs of it, either, and I’d hate to get on a call with this coworker of his and find out that I’m not interested in this stuff at all. Can the experts provide me with some background?
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Fantasy first-timers
At the end of this past season, I took over a fantasy football team in a league that my friends run. Someone had quit on them, and they were desperate to get someone to fill the void, so they asked me--even though I’m not exactly a sports expert!
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Fire safety tips
I have a bit of a weird fear that’s been bothering me. I worry about fires. I guess that’s not a weird thing to worry about, exactly, but I think it’s weird how much I think about it lately. In particular, I think about fires in tall buildings like dorms and apartment buildings. I know there was a bad fire in New York City last year, and it made me freak out a bit about how people get out of buildings like that when they’re on fire. If you’re at the top, aren’t you just trapped?
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The renting process
I’m graduating this year and, if all goes well, moving to a new city to work. I’ll have to a rent an apartment there on my own, and I’m feeling a little unprepared about that. I know there are fees and things to worry about when you rent, but I don’t know which fees to expect, and I don’t want to end up getting scammed by someone who takes advantage of my ignorance. What can the experts tell me about what to expect in the rental process?
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Caring for a car
I’m going to graduate this year, and I have a job offer in a suburban area. That means it will be time for me to buy my first car. I’m a little nervous about that.
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