Bargain Jewess

Archive for the ‘education’ Category

I would say that most people who know me find me a fairly intelligent person. I have a secret though….. I went to Community College. Most people automatically assume that Community College is for dummies who can’t get into to a four year college. This is not necessarily the case.

The second you mention that you go to Community College you suddenly get mocked that it’s not real college or your good grades are attributed to the fact that it must be a joke. I even had a professor in Brooklyn College suggest to me that the fact that I went to Community College, made me dumb when I mentioned I was having difficulty with the course material. He also managed to mention that he was superior to me since he went to Harvard. I thought many things about that statement that I won’t mention here, but number one was if you’re such a genius why are you teaching at CUNY?

To be honest I truly enjoyed my time in Community College. It gave me a love of learning that I had previously not experienced in my dismal yeshiva education. People were friendlier, professors cared more, they took stock in me. For the first time in my life I was a straight A student and not because it was easier but because I was engaged. I was made to feel like I had opinions that counted, things to contribute. For most of my time in Brooklyn college where I received my bachelors I didn’t feel this at all. Although I kept up my excellent grades I never found the same sort of kinship with most of my professors or my fellow students.

For me Community College was incredibly empowering and I am so heartened by the fact that our President has realized that as well. When I attended Community College there were so many people with such diverse backgrounds, but all with one thing in common, the desire to succeed.

I had people like me who were recent high school grads who couldn’t get in to four year schools because of grades, or people who had flunked out of four year schools because they didn’t take it seriously. Then there were the senior citizens looking to enrich their minds, and the immigrants trying to build a better life. It was so motivational to see all sorts of people working to attain something better; whether for themselves or their families.

President Obama has admitted that community colleges can be key to job training and financial success and security within this country.

For me Community College pushed me to reach my potential I became the first person in my family to attain a bachelor’s degree and I graduated Magna Cum Laude. I owe it all to community college.

So the next time you think that someone is dumb because they’re in Community College, think again they may just be smarter than you.

For more on this topic check out the following article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/education/28community.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=community%20college&st=cse

Every girl has a dream of what her wedding will be like. Some  want small and intimate while, others want a big over the top blowout. Some may want a designer gown complete with cathedral veil while others prefer a simple sheath, with loose flowing hair and flowers intertwined. whatever your dream there is a way to make it happen.

1. Time Counts: Unfortunately the time of year you get married dictates many things, most importantly the price of your venue. Anytime between may and September will be pricey with prices declining from there. The least expensive time of year is December through March. I got married in February in a beautiful country club for a fraction of the price. The pitfall is that you will deal with snow as we did but our wedding was still rockin’. If venue is not important than you won’t have an issue because certain places are affordable year round. More ways to cut costs is to eliminate the wedding cake, have a smaller smorgasbord or cut it completely and opt for chicken only as opposed to a choice. I wanted an elaborate wedding so I gave up my June wedding for February but had a beautiful place, a huge smorgasbord, free flowing liquor and three entree choices. You really need to decide what is important to you.

Some venues to check out:

• http://www.cresthollow.com
• http://www.themarinadelray.com
• http://theedenpalace.com
• http://www.grandprospecthall.com
• http://www.foxhollow.com

One of the most reasonable venues in New York is the New York city parks. In my neighborhood at fort Tryon park I have seen some beautiful weddings. This is obviously easier if you are not kosher but I’m sure there are vsome parks where kosher food is offered.  Another option is the Rotunda at Cuny Kingsborough located on the beach. Http://www.kingsborough.edu/center/rotunda.html This is truly a magnificent setting as the college is on the beach and possibly affordable as well.

2. Flowers: Flowers can truly be an exorbitant expense. If you get married certain times of the year such as spring you may have more options but florists will jack the price way up. One way to be cost effective is to choose one type of flower for the centerpiece. A really striking flower clustered in a bunch together can be exquisite especially if it’s showy. Add flashy greenery like ivy and different grasses along with tall branches to really make a statement. if you like tall centerpieces see if your florist will rent you the vases. Most should. Just make sure the Maitre d’ is aware that people can take the flowers only. If you would like to use the centerpieces for the ceremony make sure they are in floral foam so they can be moved into smaller containers. Another way to save is to wildflowers in baskets, have votives with small mini arrangements clustered together. If you’re really on a budget scatter rose petals on tables with votives or tapers, and  buy two small arrangemnts for the bride and grooms table.

Chuppahs are expensive no matter how you slice it. Sometimes you get lucky and the place does it for a lower fee than a florist. Their are also gemachs that do this check out the bridal secrets website for more info. http://Bridalsecrets.com

3. Gowns, Veils and Tiaras: These can cost multi thousands or sometimes hundreds it all depends on what you want. It also depends on material beading etc. I payed on the lower end for my gown and it still cost 2,000 dollars. Natural silks, and lace are the most expensive. Polyester satins are relatively inexepensive and can really look beautiful. If you cand find a good reasonable dressmaker it can sometimes save you a lot as opposed to buying from a bridal salon.

Filene’s Basement has a huge bridal sale every year. This year’s takes place February 27th in their manhattan location get there early to get the best selection.

Kleinfeld’s the fabulous designer bridal outlet holds their sale on February 5th. Look for designer names like Reem acra, Monique Lhuillier, Priscilla of boston, kenneth Pool and Many more. Gowns start at $499.

In your local bridal salon be honest about what your spending know what you want and tell them that. Don’t look at things out of your price range only to have your heart broken. Also ask if it’s an older style say from last season, if the sample is for sale. A friend of mine got a $2,000 dress for $800 doing that.

What is a bride without a veil? When I got married I was super shocked at how much they wanted for a simple piece of tulle. My friend loaned me hers but my mother-in-law’s cleaning lady threw it out. Do not ask. I ended up finding a beautiful cathedral length veil to match my train with three layers:blusher, fingertip, and cathedral. It cost me $20. So I seriously advise checking eBay. Also look into rental places or gemachs they usually have a nice selection for far less. if you’re really crafty consider making one yourself. You can find instructions by googling it.

Tiaras, Hair clips and Ornaments- one of the best places to find these is in the garment center btween 36th stree and 5th ave and 40th street and 8th avenue. Look online as well because you can find many affordable things on the web. If you are looking for something really unique check out gemachs and rental places. I got the most magnificent tiara from a gemach in Boro Park for get this nothing. It was really and truly out of this world. Be creative. My new favorite look is one side swept back with a jeweled feathered clip. Tres Chic.

4. Liquor: I discussed this earlier but i feel it needs it’s own paragraph. A good way to have liquor but cut costs is to wither only serve it at the smorg or have wine bottles on every table. This will significantly cut your liqour costs.

Weddings done on a budget can be really beautiful. It’s just how you go about doing it. For more tips feel free to contact me.

Stay tuned for Part Two.

May we only have happy Occasions.

Bargain Jewess

I am turning 24 in 2 weeks and I am at that panicky stage where I know I need to figure out what to do with my life but I’m completely unsure of anything. I’m a person who has a hard time committing and making a decision. If I love something I will do it, but when it comes to career choices so many things sound interesting that it’s hard to commit to just one. In college I thought definitively that I would be a lawyer. I majored in subjects that really only worked for law school and when I got to the end of college I suddenly wasn’t so sure the law was what I wanted. In the year and half since I have finished school I’ve had a string of mindless jobs that are a big road to nowhere. So I finally decided to suck it up and go to law school.

I’ve now been studying for the LSAT for a month. My already low self-esteem has become non-existent as I struggle to understand the concepts of this patience trying test. When I don’t do well at things I tend to give up thinking that there is no way I will ever excel. I like to succeed at things very much, in fact I’m a highly competitive person but I also hate to fail and so I’ve come to a point where I wonder what am I doing? Am I giving up too easily or realizing that I’m just not cut out for this. I always thought I was pretty smart, honor student, always able to hold my own in conversations, but lately I feel if there’s a scale of intelligent people, I am at the lower end. I’m starting to wonder if I’m wasting time and money and making a huge mistake, or if I’m just worried because I’m not doing well. It’s like being between a rock and a hard place. I fervently wish on many occasions that I was one of those people who knew exactly what they wanted to do. Or that my degree had been useful instead of useless.

I’m starting to wonder when it is that I’ll find myself or maybe I never will, which is an even scarier thought.