Minimum Wage at Gap

Today, Gap — which is one of my favorite retailers for cheap basics like plain tees and basic cardigans — announced its plans to raise minimum wage for its employees from $7.75, which is the current federal minimum wage, to a minimum of $10 by next year.

via Forbes.com

This is AWESOME.

Aside from the fact that it's always nice to make more money, it's really hard to survive on the minimum wage. For a taste of this reality, try this simulator at Marketplace.org.

I think that it's especially important for girls and women — who, let's face it, are bigger consumers of clothing than boys and fathers — to be aware of how our favorite retailers treat their employees.

I haven't shopped at Gap since last December, mostly because there isn't one close to my college's campus... but I'm definitely going to make a stop at one at my next available opportunity.

Leave us a shoutout in the comments and let us know: do you think it's important to know how stores treat their employees?

FOMO: Fear of Missing Out

At college, there is ALWAYS something fun you could be doing (or missing out on). My freshman year, I really struggled to figure out how to balance my time. I felt like I was being pulled in so many different directions. Whenever my friends were doing something fun, I would be so afraid of missing out that I would completely abandon my work for the next day, so my grades slipped. I haven't been able to overcome my FOMO, but I've learned some really good tricks for time management...

via: http://thepassionproject.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/fomo.png

1. Make lists on lists: Whenever I start getting anxious about the all things I have to accomplish, I make a list of what I have to get done in order to be caught up with my work and my life.

2. Planners are your best friend: On my iCal, I keep an up to date schedule with classes, practices, meetings, and any social events, so I can instantly know when I have free time. Additionally, I have a Life Planner from Erin Condren that I use to keep track of all of my assignments. By keeping two planners, neither gets too cluttered!

3. Eat & study with friends: By working in the library with my friends or taking study breaks to get meals with them, I can hit two birds with one stone--I'm getting my work done and getting to spend (fun) quality time with my friends. Make sure they have work to do too though or else it will just be a distraction! 

4. Don't spread yourself too thin: One of the easiest ways to let the time slip away from you is by getting involved in too many activities. Freshman fall it seems like this is your one chance to join every single club. DO NOT DO IT. I promise almost all of the opportunities will still be there later. Get involved in 1 or 2 things and you can always ramp up from there if you want to.

Do you have any other great time management tips?

xx