23 things I have learned in my 23 years

At 23,

At 23, I’m happy to have a full-time job, apartment, a fiance, and friends and family who love and care about me.

Today, I turned 23. It doesn’t seem nearly as trendy as 22, mostly because Taylor Swift isn’t singing about it. Nonetheless, happy birthday to me!

While all of my friends have now declared me ancient, I’m liking 23. Life is a little more certain than it was when I was 16 or even 21, for that matter. But, I’ve learned how to roll with changes when they do come.

Here’s a list of 23 things I’ve learned:

1. Plans change, and sometimes for the better.

2. The best moments are often the simplest.

3. If you don’t floss, you will get cavities.
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Do not overspend at the grocery store, stick to your list

If you find yourself overspending at the grocery store, try shopping without the cart. You will force yourself to buy only what you can carry (and what you came for). (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

If you find yourself overspending at the grocery store, try shopping without the cart. You will force yourself to buy only what you can carry (and what you came for). (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

I go in for milk and toilet paper and come out with granola bars, cereal, sausage, bananas and toilet paper. I got distracted. I overspent. And, I forgot milk. Great.

This happens. And, for 20-somethings on a budget, this is not good for savings.

Here are some tips to save money and stay away from distractions at the store:
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What to watch: ‘This is Water’

It’s been about a year since my own college graduation (I actually graduated in December, but went back to do the whole cap and gown thing) and as we move into graduation speech season, I ran into a speech that might be my favorite.

I found the the video Wednesday after it was posted to Reddit. It’s a version of David Foster Wallace’s “This is Water” speech from Kenyon College’s graduation in 2005. The audio is from Wallace speech, but the visuals were added by The Glossary, “a fine purveyor of stimulating videograms.”

As graduation speeches go, it isn’t the happiest or most optimistic. It doesn’t tell graduates that they’re going to do great things or how to get there.

What the video does is convey the frustration of reality, with message that attitude is everything.

If you watch one video today, watch this one.

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If a friend suggests cooking with bacon…

Asparagus, bacon and goat cheese pizza

A wonderful way to enjoy the first local asparagus of spring! (iPhone photo by Sarah Chain)

Sometimes in exploring a new recipe, I feel a little bit like the book “If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.” I end up needing this strange ingredient, and then this one other one but only half the can, plus a whole jar of a spice I’ll use only for this recipe.

But this weekend, I mentioned to a friend I planned on making an asparagus, mozzarella and goat cheese pizza for lunch the next day. She made the glorious suggestion to add bacon.

And that, friends, I had in the freezer.

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When in your 20s is it normal to feel ‘old?’

Me (left) and my twin sister, Emily

Despite recently finding my first few gray hairs, I don’t normally think about being “older.”

Sure, a lot of my friends are married, many have kids. And I work the night shift and tend to go out more. Being in my later 20s never really seemed to matter.

But as of Monday, I’m 28. And I have to admit, that feels pretty darn close to 30.

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A quest for freebies at the York Revolution game

York Revs game

As the sun set, the temperatures dropped — too cold for baseball, I say! (iPhone photo by Deb Chain. Thanks, Mom!)

In January, I would’ve been pumped for a 50-degree day full of sunshine and bright skies.

This past weekend, I was less than thrilled. As I watched the sun creep down behind the York Revolution stadium and pulled my fleece coat tighter, I prayed the temperature wouldn’t drop too quickly… and that my family might not be too mad if we left early.

Saturday night’s game was part of my birthday present to my 11-year-old brother, who was in York overnight with my mom on their way home from a Charlotte-Pittsburgh-York spring break excursion. Around 6, we bundled up and headed downtown.

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My first Parkinson’s fundraiser: A giant success

Me behind the bar at York’s Holy Hound Taproom for Pints for Parkinson’s.

While Monday, April 15 was a dark day for many people, especially in Boston, it was one of the best days I’ve ever had. It was also a resounding reminder (much needed that day) that there is good in this world.

When everything is counted, Pints for Parkinson’s — my first fundraiser for the Parkinson’s Unity Walk — will bring in at least $2,000.

I am shocked, surprised, flabbergasted. And I find it hard to describe what that feels like.

It was a night that I will never forget, and that was even more special because of the surprise visit from my parents, and the planned visit of some Parkinson’s warriors who drove all the way from New Jersey just for a few beers.

Read more at my blog for Parkinson’s Cure Research Funding.

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What this 20-something remembers about gas prices

Gas prices

Dawn Mogren of York fills up in York Township in 2010. Mogren said she filled up her first car, a 1934 Ford, for 25 cents a gallon. (YORK DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS — FILE)

Gas prices in the York area have been dropping in the past week, with Monday’s average at $3.36 for regular, according to AAA.

A commenter on the York Daily Record/Facebook page remarked that even $3.25 a gallon for regular is “still outrageous.”

Which, I suppose, it is. But for 20-somethings who’ve never seen gas prices below $1.50 — and have been paying upwards of $2/gallon for most of their driving lives — it’s starting to feel like the new normal.

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Five questions with a 20-something: Courtney Miller

Courtney Miller. Submitted photo

At age 26, York City resident Courtney Miller has completely paid off her student loan debt from her bachelor’s degree and a few semesters at graduate school. Not only that, the financial accountant for Penn-Mar Human Services has owned a home for about three years!

In a world where 20-somethings are drowning in debt and need to go home to live with parents, Miller is an example for this generation. “The simplest way to pay off student loans and own a home by the age of 26 is to work hard and live below your means,” Miller said.

Here are some ways Miller cut her costs:

  • Working full-time while in college (and a lot during high school)
  • Paying for things out of pocket
  • Starting student loan payments while in college
  • Not spending money on yourself very often
  • Using coupons
  • Stocking up on necessities when they are on sale
  • Unpluging appliances when not using them
  • Not getting cable
  • Shopping around for a great price on Internet connection
  • Getting water with meals at restaurants; limit going out to eat to once or twice a week
  • Shopping the clearance racks or wait until there is a sale (online discount codes are also a great tool!)
  • When times were tough, stopping takeout altogether and only driving somewhere if it was absolutely necessary

“I would like to emphasize that although I live frugally, I am not deprived. I attend concerts often, I’ve visited a lot of great places, I own some designer brand items, and I have a great workout room in my home,” Miller said. “It’s important to cut where you can so you can spend where you want.”

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Why I’m not going to miss catcalls

“Damn girl.”

People tell me I’m going to miss this when I get older. They say when men stop yelling things to me on the street, it will mean I’m old, and I’m not attractive anymore. They’re wrong. I’m not going to miss it.

“You look good.”

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