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Rita writes the "Cheap Thrills" column on Student Savvy.
Where are you originally from and where do you live now?
I am originally from Huntsville, Missouri -- a town with more cows than people -- but am now residing in Las Vegas. What a change!
Have a personal quote?
I've always liked "He that would eat the fruit must climb the tree," which is either a Scottish or German proverb. It serves as a constant reminder that I must put forth an actual effort in order to reap any rewards!
Pick one word to describe yourself and tell why it describes you so well.
One word? ... Sensitive. I'm sensitive about everything, most of the time excessively so. I once ran over a frog with a lawnmower (accidentally, of course!), sat down in the middle of the grass, and bawled for thirty minutes.
What do you like most about Student Savvy? (be honest)
The subject of handling finances gets so overlooked in school -- which I don't understand, because smart money management is one of the most crucial life skills. At this time in our lives it doesn't seem like there are enough people interested in starting us out on the right financial foot, so to speak. We get bombarded with pre-approved credit cards and so many other things that can ruin us financially before we even really get started. Student Savvy is a great resource because it's not about steering you wrong; it's about teaching you how to avoid those common pitfalls and be, well, savvy.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
My grandfather used to say that action is better than reaction, which is so true! Reaction almost never gets you anywhere. Action, on the other hand, can get you everywhere.
What is your best money saving secret/technique? (c'mon, everyone has at least one)
I like to shop. Sometimes I just get in the mood to spend money. When the urge strikes me, rather than running out to the mall and completely blowing my budget, I hit a thrift store or a yard sale and see what I can find. Sometimes I challenge myself with, say, a $5 limit. I don't know if it's just me, or if this strategy would work for anyone, but I find that it really quells that spending urge.
What is your greatest athletic achievement?
I can touch my tongue to my nose. The tongue is a muscle, so that's considered an athletic achievement, isn't it?
You have 2 hours to kill. What are you going to do?
I'd love to say I would have all these grandiose plans, like going for a hike or something equally active and invigorating. But in all honesty, I'd probably spend the two hours on the Internet ... on MySpace or something. (hides face in shame)
Ever had a brush with fame? Explain.
I once went backstage at a Snoop Dogg concert with my friend Kamasi, who was playing saxophone with the Snoopadelics. I sat right beside Snoop himself on the couch, but I was too star-struck to say anything. I felt so dumb!
Name one person you'd most like to meet and why.
Myself, so I could know exactly who I am!
Which celebrity or public figure do you most resemble?
There's actually a website where you can upload a face shot of yourself and it scopes out your dimensions and tells you what celebrity your face proportionately matches up to. I just did it recently, and was matched with Celine Dion, Hilary Duff, and Ashley Judd -- although I don't see any of them when I look in the mirror!
You're stuck on a deserted island. What is one possession you couldn't live without?
A laptop ... and it had better pick up some wireless Internet from somewhere! You can only play so much Solitaire. And I guess I'd need some sort of everlasting battery. Let's pretend such a thing exists, okay?
Name one thing you wish you could do/have.
Endless and abundant financial resources!
What's the best product you use that most people don't know about?
A lot of people aren't aware of it, but plain uncoated aspirin tablets dissolved with water into a paste will make your skin really soft and smooth. Plus it's cheap: just a couple bucks for a huge bottle!
What is your favorite movie ever and why?
I love Napoleon Dynamite because it's just this ridiculous, hilarious portrait of a goofy guy and his equally goofy family.
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