SMALL STEPS WITH A BIG IMPACT
They are the seemingly inconsequential financial decisions we face every day: Should I go out for lunch with my coworkers rather than eat the sandwich I packed? Is a pair of jeans that is 50 percent off worth buying? Do I get (another) fancy cappuccino? While it’s easy to dismiss these decisions as a matter of pocket change, the truth is, they add up. Mastering your money starts with holding yourself to a budget — a difficult task for many. While we may not be able to be there to advise you on each of these everyday decisions, we can share some good rules of thumb for managing your finances. PUT PEN TO PAPER Now that even street vendors are equipped with card readers, spending money has become easier and more abstracted than ever. So rather than simply swiping and forgetting, why not inscribe every purchase in your memory? Forbes contributor Thomas Dichter is a big believer in writing down every purchase he makes, even if he’s only paying a few cents. This practice, according to the finance writer, has helped him stay within 1 percent of his personal budget from year to year. Whether you keep a notebook with you or type up your expenditures on your phone, this extra act of bookkeeping will help illustrate just how far small purchases can swing your budget in the long run. USE DIGITAL TOOLS One advantage of our digital age is that there are plenty of apps available to help us keep track of our spending habits, down to the smallest expenditures. Often a simple spreadsheet can do the trick, but there are
more purpose-built tools out there for those less inclined toward all things tech. Free apps like Mint, Wally, and Pocket Guard bring budgeting into the 21st century. They are each geared toward slightly different experiences, so do some research to find the software that’s right for you! ACCEPT THAT IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS The simple truth is that many of us avoid tracking these purchases because we’re afraid of what we might find. Behind our unwillingness to become “penny pinchers” or “pencil pushers,” there’s an idea that not knowing about a budgeting issue is the same as not having one. The journey to a secure retirement is not made in a single bound. Controlled, measured steps in the right direction will get you farther than burying your head in the sand.
SUDOKU
OPENING DAY HAMBURGERS
Inspired by Saveur Magazine
With no fancy sauces, no frills, and no cheese, these all-American burgers are perfect for the start of baseball season.
INGREDIENTS
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1 pound ground chuck, 80 percent lean 4 soft, white hamburger buns, split 4 1/4-inch thick tomato slices
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4 small leaves iceberg lettuce
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4 1/4-inch thick yellow onion slices 1 teaspoon vegetable oil Salt and pepper, to taste Condiments of your choice
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12–16 pickle rounds
DIRECTIONS
1. Lightly grease a small nonstick skillet with oil. Heat over medium-high. 2. While heating, gently shape meat into four patties 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Be careful to handle the meat as little as possible to prevent tough burgers. Season liberally with salt and pepper. 3. Sear patties on each side, about 1 minute per side. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking until desired doneness, about 1 more minute per side for medium-rare, 2 more per side for medium-well. 4. Let meat rest for a minimum of 3 minutes. 5. To assemble, place patty on bottom bun and top with tomato, pickles, lettuce, and onion (in that order). Spread condiments on top half of bun and place on top of onion. Serve.
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