APPLICANT #5: Lena BouFakhreddine

Lena BouFakhreddine is a 25-year-old from Edmonton.

Here is Lena's video application:

Here is Lena's current situation:

I currently work as a personal banker but I'm looking for a change! It's time for all of us youngsters to wake up and smell the french vanilla, machiatto, corretto....whatever you want to call it! I want to help you guys get smart about money and life in general!

Here is Lena's blog post:

Okay, so I'm an older applicant, (that doesn't mean I'm old, I'm just older), and with age comes knowledge and wisdom! My goal is to be able to share with you all I've been through, from student to full time employee, in hopes that you'll maybe pick up an idea or two of ways to get yourself to financial freedom! Saving money now doesn't mean living a boring life! It simply means learning clever ways to save a couple bucks! And why not!? I mean, that's YOUR hard earned money! So sit down and listen up, because what I'm about to tell you might just blow your mind..and if not, at least it'll save you a lot of money!

Tip #1
Okay first year students, it's the first day of class and you want to be an eager beaver. You go out and buy all those brand new textbooks right after your first few classes are over!

STOP! Put those brand new books back on the dirty university/college bookstore shelf! Follow these steps:

Step 1: Make friends with your professor (but not the annoying teacher's pet that the rest of the class can't stand!). Ask if last years version will do the trick or if you even need the textbook at all! Buying last years version will save you $$, and even more $$ if it's used!

Step 2: Checkout your local big box  bookstore or their online website. Mega-savings are just a click or a walk away. And let's face it, you need the exercise to fight off the freshman 15...trust me, I've been there before!

Alternatively, check out advertisements on university billboards. Usually second year students are desperate to get rid of those first year textbooks! Many colleges and universities also have bookstores that sell used textbooks!

Tip #2
Myth: Eating vending machine food makes you smarter than that Stephen Hawking dude!

Fact: Vending machine food will not only contribute to the previously aforementioned "Freshman 15" but it'll also make you "broke as a joke" as the saying goes!

Opt for hardy (and hopefully home cooked) meals that leave you feeling fuller, longer! Trust me your wallet & your arteries will thank you! Buy yourself a stainless steel water bottle and fill it with tap water, juice or whatever you like! You'll be saving "dolla dolla bills ya'll" and saving the environment! You'll be money-wise, health conscious and environmentally friendly in the snap of a finger!

Tip #3
Set a Goal and Make a Plan!

This applies not only to students, but everyone!

How will you know how to get to financial freedom if you don't have a plan?

Imagine going on a road trip, only you haven't decided where your going or how you are going to get there!? You'd not only get lost, but you'd waste a lot of money trying to get to ...well, where ever it is your heading! The same principle applies to money. Set a goal and make it realistic. Then go about planning HOW you are going to reach your goal! If you don't know what your goal SHOULD be or HOW to get there, ASK FOR HELP! Whether it's a student finance office or your personal banker, it's okay to ask for guidance and advice!

Until next time Alberta!

Lena