Author: thepostgraduate

Life

5 Throwback TV Shows and Films for 2000s Kids

thepostgraduate

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Do you ever wish you could go back in time? See what things were like, how people lives and what they talked about? With throwback films and television, you can!

Since we are in the 2020s, films and TV from the 2000s and 2010s can now be considered old-school. The 2010s were the last era before streaming really took off, so as you may or may not remember, whatever came on TV or hit the theater had to be good.

If you’re on an old school, throwback binge, you’ll definitely want to add these series and films to your watch list!

1. SpongeBob Squarepants Season One

When some of us were kids, and the topic of SpongeBob came up, we would make a clear distinction between the “old SpongeBob” and the “new SpongeBob.” You may not be old enough to remember, but for a time, the popular children’s series took a break and came back with a host of new episodes. If you’re a new-timer, you may want to check out the season that started it all. Can we get an, “I’m ready?”

2. Glee

Those who lived through the Glee era will never forget the passionate, largely offline fandom behind this hit musical series. Now a modern-day historic classic, Glee captured the hearts of many with relatable life stories told from the perspective of a group of misfit teens who just wanted to sing their stress away. Watch this if you’re in the mood for a heart-felt high school tear-jerker!

3. The Great Debaters

The Great Debaters was a big deal when it came out back in 2007! Everyone remembers the adult figure from childhood who pushed hard and helped them achieve greatness. In this movie, that figure is Denzel Washington who plays a 1930s HBCU debate coach. Through various rigorous training exercises, the predominantly Black team went on to challenge Harvard in a championship debate. 

4. Teen Wolf

Back in the day, it was all about vampires and werewolves. Teen Wolf is one of the last major TV series from that 2000’s era frenzy. It’s a classic supernatural teen drama in which an average 16-year-old boy gets bitten by a werewolf and then becomes one. The teen must balance saving his town from threats they can’t even see with the daily hassle of high school.

5. Survivor 

Before reality TV was ever really a thing, there was Survivor. It’s not the first reality television show, but it definitely counts as one of the most popular of the early 2000s. It’s kind of like the old school conversation starter, “if you were stranded on an island with nothing more than the clothes on your back, what would you do?” The show’s contestants, also referred to as castaways, answer this question throughout the series, and whoever is tough enough to stick it out to the end wins!

If you enjoyed this blast from the past, and would like to watch any of the series or the film listed above, try Amazon Prime free for 30 days using this link!

Cinematically,

Post Graduate 

Love

Encouragement for the 20-Something Single | Single in Your 20s

thepostgraduate

It’s so easy to just go through the motions in your 20s. You graduate, get a good job, save up for a place, travel the world, find someone to marry and then eventually settle down. Right?

Not always, life has a way of surprising us, sometimes in pleasant ways, and sometimes in temporarily painful ones. You may find yourself wanting something other than a romantic relationship right now, or you may be shocked that you’ve come to the end of a romance you thought would last forever.

Whether you’re single and “ready to mingle” or single and “not looking” right now, this time in your life is precious. It’s a great time to focus on who you are, what you want, and what you want out of a future relationship.

Romance takes a lot out of us. It affects our minds, our souls, our moods and even our bodies. Relationships also take up a lot of time, and after you hit 20, life begins to accelerate faster than it ever.

So when you put it all into perspective, you really see why singleness isn’t so bad. Of course, there are risks in everything. Take them, but think about what you have to loose in the process.

For the not-looking’s, wait until you really want a relationship. It may not be the most common way of doing things, but there may be an undiscovered calling you still have to fulfill. Who knows? You may meet your person doing just that.

It’s also not really fair to lead someone on because you’re bored in your intentional “not looking” period. Be honest, and if it’s really meant to be, they may still be available after your time of singleness is over.

In the same way, there could be an undiscovered calling, there could be a few character knots that need to be untangled before we let someone else in, something else that many of us can feel in our gut. You do not have to be perfect, because human perfection does not exist, but you can choose to be your best self.

For the ready-to-mingle’s, don’t have unrealistic standards, but don’t settle either. We usually know in our souls when we’ve met someone we could see ourselves with long-term. Don’t force yourself to like someone because of some non-existent relational clock or a false notion of scarcity.

You deserve a lifetime of true and honest happiness, and we believe in this for you! Stay strong during your single years! Treat yourself to some fresh flowers and learn to enjoy your own company.

Your Friend,
Post Graduate

Home

6 Self Defense Tools & Tips for People Who Live Alone

thepostgraduate

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You’ve officially finished packing and can hardly wait to move to that quirky, new city! After living with your longterm college roommates for years, you’re finally ready to move to your first place alone. 

Already, you’re thinking of the route for an evening run, what you’ve preselected as your favorite Starbucks and where to get fresh ingredients to make your favorite meals. One thing you want to keep in mind when living by yourself is safety.

Sure, your city is a safe place, but you want to make certain that if danger ever arises, you’re protected. As usual, we have you covered! Here are six practical ways to live alone safely.

  • Be Aware of Your Surroundings.

Everyone loves to zone out and enjoy the serenity of a nice walk. While doing so, you want to also be fully aware of your surroundings. Make sure you scan the area before you proceed into it and occasionally check behind you when out alone, especially if you’re walking through a nature trail or another type of secluded area.

  • Let A Loved One Know Where You Are.

Tell someone when you go out alone and let them know when you get back. That way, someone is expecting your return even if they won’t be physically waiting for your return. Give someone a text or ring!

  • Get Security Cameras.

Security cameras are a great investment for those who live alone. They provide an extra set of eyes on your home and capture the moments that just one person can’t catch by themselves. You can get a camera made into your doorbell, or for more complete coverage, a set of devices that covers the entirety of your property.

  • Use Pepper Spray

Pepper spray is ultimately harmless and can temporarily impair a predator in a dangerous situation. It comes packaged in a variety of styles and can even fit into a small bag. 

Photo by Taryn Elliott on Pexels.com
  • Personal Safety Alarm

Sometimes referred to a self-defense key chain, personal safety alarms are small, portable devices that when pressed, can make a loud sound that can be heard from far away. If you find yourself in a secluded area or in a situation where you’re being contained against your will, a personal safety alarm can send a signal to those nearby that you are not safe.

  • Go With a Friend.

You can’t beat having a buddy. Find an acquaintance who takes a similar path and sync your schedules so that you can go out together.

Enjoy your new town and stay safe!

Your Friend,

Post Graduate

Life

How to Stand With Women

thepostgraduate

This post contains affiliate links that help us stay in operation.

Our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our aunts, our grandmothers, our wives, our friends — where would we be without them? Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune says, “Next to God we are indebted to women, first for life itself, and then for making it worth living.” 

Women have played a crucial role in the development of society since society came to be. Whether young or old, single or married, shy or sociable, all women have blessed those around them in some unique way.

Despite advances in women’s equity, women are sometimes still treated less than in the spaces they occupy. No matter who you are or how many people know your name, you can contribute to the uplifting of women. 

Women are fully capable of standing up for themselves, but you can stand with them. Here’s how. 

1. Listen to them.

When women talk about adverse experiences they are too often labeled as whiners and sometimes just completely ignored. Great trauma ensues from being silenced in the middle of dangerous situations. Even if you can’t change the situation itself, be a listening ear. That in itself hold so much power. 

2. Ask yourself if you would do the same thing to a man.

Sometimes it’s really that simple. Would you taunt a man that way? Would you use that tone, that language, those words? Unfair treatment can be so nuanced that it’s sometimes hard to notice, even within yourself.

3. Give them credit for ideas.

We’ve all seen thoughts that were initially introduced by women not be acknowledged until much later when a man says it. If you experience this, redirect credit and praise to the woman who first gave the suggestion. Mention her name. Bring her back into the conversation.

4. See them as humans.

Women are people just like you and want to be treated as such. Don’t think of them as just a solution to a problem you have, but look at them holistically and embrace every part of who they are. 

5. Speak up.

Using your voice for a group who is often silenced can make a world of a difference. Don’t be ashamed to stay speak up when you see a woman being mistreated. Say something to someone, even if it’s anonymously.

You won’t regret taking the time to learn how you can stand with women, you will be better because of it. Support women-owned businesses throughout the month of March and beyond.

Happy Women’s History Month!

Post Graduate

Career

5 Things to Consider Before Quitting Your Job

thepostgraduate

It’s happened to many of us. You work a job for months or years possibly browsing other options here and there for one reason or another, and then seemingly out of nowhere a real opportunity arises for a change and you now have a life-altering decision to make.

What do you do?

That’s what many of us have asked ourselves. It can be scary, especially if you’ve been in a position for a long time, perfected your craft and made tons of work-friends. In many cases, the answer is clear, but sometimes we are left paralyzed and unsure of what to do which doesn’t mesh well with the sometimes short timeframe we are given to make decisions with such a lasting impact.

If you’re feeling like a professional ice cube at the moment frozen with uncertainty, here are a few questions to ask yourself.

Why am I doing this?

Sitting back for a moment and simply asking yourself “why” can surprisingly clear up a lot of confusion. Sometimes we’re in such a hurry to get to the finish line we forget why we started running in the first place. After you jot down what’s really going on in your head, you may have more clarity about what you really want and why. 

Is this an emotional decision?

Let’s be honest, we all have bad days. Your supervisor may have made you stay late for the third Friday in a row, a challenging colleague may have sent your task back with yet another round of heavy revisions or you may have gotten into yet another respectful, but uncomfortable disagreement. All of these scenarios happen all the time, but are they significant enough to turn in resignation papers? Learn to distinguish a bad day from a bad work situation.

How will this impact my career in the long run?

If you have longterm career goals, such as becoming an executive or occupying a hard-to-get position within your industry, you may want to think ahead and try to guesstimate how this change will impact that. Sometimes changing organizations means rebuilding trust and loosing a bit of authority, even if the new position is higher up the organizational ladder. Your previous employer has seen your skills and deemed you worthy of  great responsibility. If you transition, you may have to demonstrate who you really are for a while before you regain this type of power and flexibility.

Is money the motive?

Sometimes life circumstances will demand the need for more money, and that’s okay. But other times a bigger paycheck is just a glittery obstruction. We see those around us who we have about the same amount of experience or even less with bigger paychecks and automatically feel we deserve the same. While that may be true, we can’t always afford to have money be the driving factor. We must also take into consideration what the organization actually stands for, its core values, how it treats its employees, work culture and other important factors. A big salary shouldn’t blind us from seeing the big picture.

Am I afraid to admit the obvious?

Sometimes we know right away what we should do, but we’re just afraid. We’re afraid to turn down what seems like a once in a lifetime opportunity, even if it’s not right for us, or we’re afraid to leave a place where we’re now not only professionally invested, but also emotionally invested. Use the courage you do have to make what may be one of the hardest decisions and remember it can also be one of the best decisions. 

We believe in you and we’re excited for your future. Share this with anyone who is in the process of making a tough professional decision.

Wishing You All The Best  In Your Career!

Post Graduate

Love

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Every Type of Couple

thepostgraduate

Valentine’s Day is here, and although you can show appreciation for those you love any time of year, February 14th is a great excuse to go all out. The best gifts are often the most thoughtful, the ones that show you notice your significant other’s uniqueness so much so that it’s worth celebrating. 

His and hers gifts are both memorable and symbolic. They remind the one you love that he or she is truly an important part of you and almost always evoke feelings of joy and sometimes even laughter. 

Here are a few his and hers gifts for every type of couple!

The Couple That Likes to Entertain

Impress your guests and get a kick out of being in the kitchen with his and hers aprons. Newly-married spouses will love matching Mr. and Mrs. aprons while other couples may enjoy corresponding aprons with more cheeky messages like, “I’m her spicy,” and “I’m his hot,” or “King of the Grill,” and “Queen of the Kitchen.”

The Couple That Never Equally Shares The Blanket

We all know wives control the covers. Make sure you’re both on the same page with a cover set that speaks the truth. 

The Couple That Collects Accessories

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Jewelry can be very meaningful in a relationship, especially when it’s matching. Jewelry fans will love gifts like stainless steel half-heart rings or matching natural stone bracelets. 

The Couple That Enjoys Warm Drinks

There’s nothing like starting your day off with your favorite mug, especially when it reminds you  that you are loved. Everyone loves a nice mug, and these Mr. and Mrs. mugs are a Valentine’s Day gift that will not only be remembered, but used on a regular basis.

The Couple That Loves To Stay Home

Nothing combines romance and sophistication like personalized, satin couples robes. Get your names elegantly printed on high-quality robes that will serve as a keepsake for years to come.

Have any cute, couples Valentine’s Day ideas? Let us know in the comments.

XOXO,

Post Graduate

Travel

Virtual Reality: How to Travel the World in A Day

thepostgraduate

This post contains affiliate links that help us stay in operation.

What if you could travel to all your favorite international destinations in just one day, without leaving home? No plane tickets, no hotel reservations, no itinerary, just vibes…virtual vibes!

With the latest virtual reality technology, you can go anywhere in the world, and even invite friends, hassle free. Apps like Wander create realistic, highly-visual travel experiences that allow VR headset users to explore the most sought-after travel destinations across the globe.

After opening the app, users can type in where in the world they want to go and pinpoint specific locations within that area using the map feature. If you’re a solo traveller, you can go alone, and if you’re used to exciting excursions with friends, you can ask them to put on their headsets and invite them to a virtual getaway.

Users can change app settings, such as navigation style, based on their comfort level and customize their experiences in the way that’s most enjoyable for them. 

VR apps like Google Earth provide similar global travel experiences, while others like Let Hawaii Happen and Around Egypt provide more guided trips through specific destinations. Some apps even allow you to go back in time and see how places looked during different eras. The choice is yours! 

Many use VR travel apps to plan their next in-person vacation, relive an unforgettable trip or purely for entertainment. There aren’t any rules, just fun. In additional to travel, there are a host of other things you can do with a VR headset like exercise, watch 360 degree movies, attend live events and even complete tasks for works.

Some of the most popular VR headsets include the Oculus Quest 2, Play Station VR and the HTC Vive. Each has its own unique features and perks.

Where would you go or what would you do with your VR headset? Maybe you can finally go on that post graduation trip, virtually!

Bon Voyage Virtuel!

Post Graduate

Home

10 Cookbooks for 20-Somethings

thepostgraduate

Microwave noodles and pizza just don’t taste as good as they used too, and you’re tired of the few “real” dishes you do know how to make. You finally have your own kitchen. Now what?

That’s what we’re helping you answer!  When you’re new to cooking, there can be a bit of a learning curve. Even home cooks with several years of experience sometimes hit a creative cooking rut. 

We’ve handpicked a few cookbooks that will help you keep cooking creative, simple and exciting!

The Complete Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners on a Budget

You’d be hard pressed to find a young kitchen owner without an air fryer. Air fryers cut calories by up to 80% and reduce excessive oil intake. The Complete Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners On A Budget is made specifically for novice chefs and contains 600 out-of-the-box recipes that are as easy to make as they are healthy. 

5 Ingredient Semi-Homemade Meals

Great for minimalist chefs, 5 Ingredient Semi-Homemade Meals walks you through how to make   amazing meals by making good use of ingredients you probably already have around the kitchen.  From snacks to main course entrees, you can learn how to make it all with just a little. No more grocery store guesstimating! You’ll know exactly what you need.

Magnolia Table

For those who love cooking from a place of love and warmth, Magnolia Table, co-created by Home Renovation Superstar Joanna Gaines, may be just the cookbook you’ve been searching for. Your family and friends will love bonding over classic, family-inspired recipes like Chicken Pot Pie, Overnight French Toast and Chocolate Chip Cookies. Make your house a home with these comfort classics.

The Complete Plant Based Cookbook

Eating clean does not have to be complex. The Complete Plant Based Cookbook simplifies vegan and vegetarian cooking with practical techniques for transforming vegetables into top tier meals. Not only is this cookbook internationally inspired with hundreds of recipes, it is also educational with several pages dedicated to understanding how to shop for and store food, meet critical nutrition goals and create plant-based substitutes.

Bread Baking for Beginners 

Do you know the do’s and don’ts of dough? Bread Baking for Beginners can teach you how to go from amateur to expert when it comes to baking kneaded, no-knead, and enriched breads. Great for those looking for a new hobby at home, this cookbook goes a step further by focusing in on the best bread baking techniques and providing answers to the most common bread baking questions.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook

Relive your Disney Parks experience through food with The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook! Eat your way down Main Street USA, Adventure Land and other familiar areas with recipes that resemble Disney Park classics like Star Wars Blue Milk and Mickey Pretzels. Get ready to make some magic in the kitchen!

Pasta Grannies 

We didn’t forget about the pasta lovers! Pasta Grannies is a collection of recipes, and stories, passed down with love from Italian Nonna’s (Grandmothers) to you. This diverse array of recipes will teach you to pick just the right ingredients to make authentic pasta that tastes just like it came straight from the heart of an Italian home.

Cooking Solo

Just because you live alone, doesn’t mean you can’t cook elaborate meals. Cooking Solo is the ultimate guide to spoiling yourself with meals made for one. You can learn to make attractive meals like Mackerel with Lemon and Capers and Tahitian Noodle Sandwiches just for you, plus how to better entertain your friends!

Platters & Boards

Who doesn’t love a good board? Platters and Boards is your all inclusive guide to creating beautiful “casually chic” spreads for every type of occasion. With over 40 contemporary arrangements categorized into breakfast, brunch, appetizer, antipasto, charcuterie, and cheese board sections, this cookbook will make your get-togethers unforgettable.

The Complete Instant Pot Cookbook

Sometimes after a long day, we just want a quick, yet quality bite to eat. The Complete Instant Pot Cookbook was made for days when you just want to throw something in the Instant Pot and go. From desserts and drinks to soups and stews, this cookbook has everything you need to become an Instant Pot master.

We hope these cookbooks can bring your kitchen to life and make cooking for yourself a tasty, fulfilling adventure. Use our Post Graduate link by April 18 to get 54% off of a COKLAI 5.5Qt Electric Mixer 6 Speed Kitchen Mixer Stainless Steel Bowl Food Mixer. 

Eat Up!

Post Graduate

Faith

Scriptures to Soothe the Twenty-Something Soul

thepostgraduate

Our twenties can sometimes feel tumultuous. Everyone is going their separate ways and life is no longer uniform. A strange adult variant of peer pressure re-emerges and society sometimes tries to push us around.

Some old friends may leave and new ones may come. It’s this unglamorous part of early adulthood that few like to discuss. People like to talk about the good old days but never the bad ones. 

This can lead to feelings of sadness and confusion. Sometimes it can seem like you’re the only one, but you’re not. We’re all transitioning together. Here are a few scriptures to help renew your strength, soothe your soul and restore your faith.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”‍

~Philippians 4:19

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 

~1 Peter 5:7

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” 

~Hebrews 10:23

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” 

~Psalm 23:4 

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” 

~Jeremiah 29:11

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.”

 ~Ecclesiastes 3:11

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

~Philippians 1:6

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

 ~1 John 4:16

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,”

 ~Philippians 3:12 – 13

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 

~Romans 8:28 

“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

~James 1:3

Remember God is with you and available to talk whenever you want to.

May Peace  Be Yours,

Post Graduate

Career

4 Top Side Hustle Ideas To Help Pay Off Student Loans

thepostgraduate

Starting a business in today’s society is easier than ever. Unlike aspiring entrepreneurs of the past, those with the business bug today can simply file paperwork online and become a legal business owner in just a couple weeks. 

Entrepreneurs today can sign up for a free website or monetize their social media account in seconds to begin making sales or providing services instantly. You’ve seen it all over social media and even traditional news outlets – young adults who dedicate time, research and attention to a business for a few hours a day and end up achieving unprecedented success. 

Some are able to quit their jobs and run their businesses full-time, while others enjoy a few extra comforts or pay off critical debt, like student loans. Though every generation gets smarter and smarter about paying for college, US student loan debt still sits at $1.6 trillon. 

Whether you have student loans or want a little extra cash for luxuries like travel, here are four ways recent graduates can make extra income.

1. Create a Product

Apparel, jewelry, ebooks, you name it. Unlike the businesses of yesteryear, companies today don’t need brick-and-mortar stores to sell products. All you need is an idea and a website, many of which offer free plans allowing you time to build and earn money before purchasing a more extensive website option. Research top-selling products, conduct your own research about what people really need and make a product for it.

2. Freelancing

What special skills do you have that people would be willing to pay for? Decide what you’re good at and offer your services as a freelancer. You can build your own website and audience or work through an online service provider that connects businesses to freelancers.

3. Courses

You can monetize your knowledge while simultaneously helping others by building your own course. Think about something you’ve mastered and share it with others. Websites like Teachable  can help facilitate the course creation process and get you in front of an audience.

4. Influencing 

The influencer industry brought in $8 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow up to $15 billion by 2022. People love following others’ life stories in real time. Whether there’s a specific niche you’d like to share with others or a distinct lifestyle you live that others would be interested in, you may have a shot at becoming the next big online personality. In a world where online celebrities are now almost more popular than mainstream ones, influencing may be just the hobby you need to bring in a little extra income. Get yourself a good camera  like the Sony DSCHX80/B High Zoom Point & Shoot Camera and best selling influencer guidebook, Influencer: Building Your Personal Brand in the Age of Social Media and get to work.

If you have any additional ideas on how to begin paying off student loans, let our Post Graduate community know! We wish you the best success in your business endeavors.

Your Friend,

Post Graduate