Wow, high school was fun. All that Common Core felt more like a party to me. I can't wait to utilize everything I learned from the PSSAs and apply it to the real world where all of that information is considered bullsh*t.
I can't count how many times I've seen people on my Facebook or Twitter get angry about the fact that they were never taught anything "real" in high school. I mean geometry really made the Pythagorean theorem seem easy but when am I going to use it? At H&R Block? I don't think so. All this great educating in America has avoided teaching valuable things such as how to do taxes (or what they even are), how to understand what they're telling you when you buy an apartment or a car, how the bank works, and what insurance actually means. Granted, most of these things are things you could just ask your mom, but it's nice to be able to feel like high school was worth something especially for how much stress it causes. Right now in this article, I'm going to pretend you asked me how to do all of these things, and instead of giving you a simple explanation that makes things very clear, I'm just going to give you a link off of the internet.
1. So. Taxes? We're lucky to live in the world that we do that Google produces so many ready resources.
a. https://www.taxact.com/tax-information/articles/do...
c. http://www.wikihow.com/Do-Your-Own-Taxes
The first one gives you some information that you should know before diving in. The second one takes you step by step through the process and the third one gives you four different ways to do your taxes yourself.
2. Buying a car? What about an apartment? That's easy.
a. http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/10-tips...
b.http://auto.howstuffworks.com/buying-selling/car-b...
That first link can give you tips if you're a first-time buyer and the site can also give you an insurance quote. The second link actually takes you through the process and teaches you some of the language used in the car-buying setting.
3. This is the apartment part.
a. http://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/rental-applicat...
b. http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/art...
c. http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/apartment-n...
The first link gives you a list of everything you need, and what will be included in the application process. The second one includes mistakes many first-time renters make and the third actually tells you how to get approved for an apartment with no credit.
4. Insurance is confusing and expensive but maybe these links that Google provided will make it all OK.
a. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140731142605-1670...
b. https://www.geico.com/information/aboutinsurance/a...
c. http://www.aldoi.gov/consumers/HealthInsExplain.as...
That first link tells you about health insurance and the second link will tell you about auto insurance even though as of right now I'm fairly positive more of you have auto insurance and maybe understand it. The third is more about health insurance.
5. Now I'm going to help you with finding a new doctor because at some point in that life of yours you are going to need one.
a. http://www.cfah.org/prepared-patient/find-good-hea...
b. http://www.nextavenue.org/how-find-new-doctor/
Both of these provide very informative ways of finding doctors both on and off insurance.
6. I already told you about buying things and so here comes the best part about buying things -- paying for them. Get ready to learn about your bills.
a.. https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/pay-bills-onlin...
b. https://www.fpl.com/account/bill/pay-by-mail.html
These links include paying your bills online as well as how to send your payments by mail.
7. Hopefully you won't ever find yourself in this situation because honestly I only clicked the link because I was curious.
a. http://www.wikihow.com/Survive-an-Avalanche
This tells you how to survive an avalanche so bookmark it.
8. Remember that apartment you rented a couple of numbers back? Well it's going to sh*t and it's time to fix it. Maybe you don't have money to spend on the people who normally fix the things that seem to break so often. This might be too complicated for you but it's worth sharing just in case you're desperate.
a. http://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/drain-repai...
b. http://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/toilet-repa...
How to fix a clogged sink drain as well as a toilet, even if it is filling with water and you are panicking.
9. The bank is not as scary as everyone thinks it is. It's actually pretty easy and the ladies there are usually nice.
a. http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/banking/how-to-open...
This link if how to open an account in general and what you usually need because each bank might be different. If you go in though and explain that it is your first time, they will tell you specifically for that bank what you need to do.
10. This one might not seem important but I think it is, especially if this kind of confrontation makes you nervous! (Like me.)
a. http://www.wikihow.com/Quit-a-Job
This link will tell you how to quit a job with example resignation letters which I think can be applicable for a full time or part time position.
11. How to transfer a prescription from pharmacy to pharmacy. I know, most people don't even like making their own doctor's appointments but just like showering it has to happen sooner or later.
a. http://www.cvs.com/help/help_subtopic_details.jsp?...
b. https://www.walgreens.com/topic/s/request-a-prescr...
12. Where to get easy STD screenings because safety is important.
a. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/teens/going-to-t...
b.http://www.saferstdtesting.com/free-std-testing
These links will tell you how to get tested at Planned Parenthood and locate you to free testing centers because you never know, but they do, so I would participate if I were you.
13. I have wondered this essentially my whole life and I feel like no one wonders as much as I do but you WILL once you get out there on your own because this is important.
a. http://www.recyclenowphila.org/recycling_bins.html
This is a link to the recycling site for Philadelphia telling you how to get one of those city recycling bins. I guarantee you'll want one eventually and this is how you find them (specifically in Philly, I'm sorry).
14. We're back to the apartment, again, because honestly those things are a lot of work.
a. http://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/fo...
b. http://www.wikihow.com/Settle-Into-Your-First-Apar...
How to set up utilities, specifically internet because you will need it and want it and demand it at some point.
15. Let's jump back to that car for a minute because those are work too.
a. http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimgorzelany/2012/06/1...
b. http://blog.automatic.com/take-your-car-to-the-sho...
How to take your car to a mechanic because that can be intimidating because I think they know they are the only people in the world who know literally anything about cars. The first link will tell you some dos and don'ts and the second will tell you about the process as well as recommendations.
There it is. Literally everything that the internet can produce and everything that I can format. I do realize anyone can look any of this up but why not have it all in one location? Also this cuts out sifting through links and provides instant direction towards everything you need. High school produces some great parties but if they can't tell you how to unclog your toilet while it is literally filling with water, was it really worth it?
No.
