Henry sits at his desk staring at his bank statements incredulously. He doesn't know how where all of his money went, and panic begins to set in. He thought that he used around the same amount on the same things each month, but now he is completely broke. The thought of the same thing happening is enough to send shivers down the spines of college or prospective college students, and that is why it is so imperative to have an airtight budget. This is a skill that I learned in my personal finance class, and it is so important in my life even now, before I am in charge of my financials. Write a clear list that includes expenses that have to be paid such as taxes, utilities, and any other bills. Then, set aside a certain percentage for personal costs such as eating out, admissions to fun events, or personal items. Finally, there should be a category that involves other personal expenses such as groceries, clothes, basic needs such as toothbrushes and soap, and anything else that may be needed. This should be done with exact dollars or percentages so that every dollar can be accounted for. Make sure that every transaction you partake in is in one of these, or any other that you make, categories so that you know where they are going. This has been extremely helpful to me and could benefit so many others because it creates an easy way for not only students, for anyone to be able to track their finances and never be surprised as Henry was.

Meet Happy! He is a 3 year old Whoodle which is a mix between a Poodle and a Wheaton Terrier. Happy loves to do anything outdoors including running, swimming, playing tug of war, and fetch, although I can not guarantee he will always bring back the ball. He likes to make you work for it! He can not stand to be left behind and will run to the door as soon as I start putting my shoes on, so a lot of the time you'll see me driving down the road with him in the front seat! Instagram Handle: @ni_hare

"'I don't know anybody in the world that ever read as much or as constantly as he did'" (58) Ethel Noland, Harry Truman's cousin, was quoted saying about him. It is quotes like these in the biography "Truman" written by David McCullough that have caused this book to become one of my favorites. Truman was debatably one of the most influential presidents in American history, yet he is not well known among the general population when we benefit from his decisions every single day. Reading about not only his presidency and decisions but life as a human being was fascinating. One never thinks about presidents or leaders as having feelings or even as humans. This book portrays Harry Truman as a human being who made decisions because of his profession and as one who faced many personal feelings and issues that we all face too. He dearly loved his wife and wrote to her on their 29th wedding anniversary, "'Twenty-nine years! It seems like twenty-nine days ... You are still on the pedestal where I placed you that day in Sunday school in 1890" (580). Moments and quotes like this demonstrate Truman's ability to feel human emotions and to act in a normal way which is something that is not often thought possible by presidents. People often only view them as self-serving and inhuman, yet that is not the case at all. It is difficult to see them as human when decisions are made that are against our views, and that clouds our ability to judge and empathize with them as people rather than their profession. "Truman" paints him as a human being in this biography which has influenced me to appreciate not only his presidency more but Truman as a fellow human being.