Cell phones and electronics: If you’re hanging on to old cell phones that still work but that you don’t use, check out sites like BuyMyTronics, Gazelle and Simply Sellular that specialize in buying old cell phones and iPods.

Jewelry or a family heirloom: You can go through one of the online selling sites above or head to a pawnshop, consignment shop, antique dealer or swap meet. It might be worth getting the item appraised beforehand so you know its value before you negotiate.

Sports equipment: Do you have a treadmill or elliptical machine that has become a clothes hanger? If so, you might consider offering it to a sporting goods place like Play It Again Sports
or an online community like SwapMeSports where people sell, buy, trade and donate old equipment.

Clothes: Get together your best-looking unwanted clothes and consider selling them online or bringing them to your local consignment shop. Not only will the shop pay you, but your unwanted dress or suit could be a great find for someone else’s wardrobe.

If you end up making some money from your old stuff, consider using it to pay off some debt or invest for the future—this calculator can help you decide which to do.

1.  Rule LinkedIn. (And any other social media or job search sites you use.) A solid profile doesn’t always cut it; instead, use the tools available to take networking further. One example is to join LinkedIn “Groups” in your field with “very active” statuses and contribute thoughtfully.
2.  Break into the field. It can be rough trying to break into many professions when you don’t have a lot of experience or you’re fresh out of school. The Intern Sushi site can direct you to open internships. Think of interning not as free work but an audition and investment.
3.  Find your weak spot. Why are employers not contacting you back? It could be that your resume or cover letter aren’t polished, you don’t seem to have enough experience in the field, or you aren’t interviewing well. Once you know your weak spot, you can fix it—with resume help, interview practice or an extra class.
4.  Know your target. Think you want to get into marketing? Research companies, choose your top three (whether or not they’re hiring) and send a carefully tailored resume, using any inroads on LinkedIn.
5.  Switch up your efforts to stay ahead. Could any of these give you a leg up? Create a website for your resume or portfolio using a site like WordPress. Take an online course on the hottest topic in your field. Reach out to friends via Facebook or Twitter and let them know you’re looking.

There are bound to be some faithless moments in any search. Lucky for all of us, there are awesome resources out there.

1. Write a thank you note: Words of appreciation mean a lot. Think of ways in which your professor has helped you or taught you and let him or her know. It could be the energy she brings to a classroom lecture, extra tutoring during office hours, or even just being a good role model.
2. Make food or cookies: Give your professor a break with a simple, homemade meal like lasagna; get some fresh fruit, or bake a batch of cookies. You can also grab a few classmates and take your professor out to lunch one day.
3. Give a photo or video of your class: Frame a picture that your teacher can remember your class by. Or, make a videotape of you and your classmates saying a few words about why your professor makes such a difference.
4. Go with a charitable gift: In honor of your professor, get the class to donate books to a library or local nonprofit, or raise funds for his or her favorite charity.
5. Give a gift certificate: Find out your professor’s favorite place to eat, or get a certificate for an office supply store. Professors are usually busy people; so any gift that can give them a little break is great.

If you have had a teacher who’s made a difference in how you view and handle money, consider nominating him or her as an Innovative Educator at practicalmoneyskills.com.

1. Drive the speed limit: As my driver’s ed teacher said, “The car is not a time machine.” Did you know slowing down can also help you save as much as 20 to 30 percent on fuel mileage?

2. Check your tires: Under-inflated tires don’t roll as well so you may need more gas to keep the car moving. Invest in a tire gauge and check your tires every month or so.

3. Follow your car’s maintenance schedule: Every car is different so read your car manual and keep up with recommended care. This keeps your car in top condition and can help you avoid more expensive problems in the future. Here’s a car maintenance checklist from Forbes.

4. Find a trusted mechanic: Take time to research a good local repair shop that will tell you honestly what’s wrong with your car and not charge an arm and a leg to do so. The American Automobile Association can help.

5. Choose the right vehicle for you: If you’re looking to buy a new car, read this info. from Practical Money Skills first.

For more car-related money-saving ideas, read about the “Drive Smarter Challenge.”

Here is another shocker for you: I am (I’m embarrassed to say) one of the Americans who does not have three months’ worth of expenses saved. I am only revealing this sad little fact because I think there may be others of us out there. Despite having a budget I generally stick to quite closely and being pretty financially stable and responsible, I have just not made my emergency fund enough of a priority.

So why haven’t I (or you, if you’re in the same boat) made saving a higher priority? And what can we do to change the situation? For one thing, the amount I have earmarked for savings in my budget isn’t making it into my savings account. Things like unexpected car maintenance, the birthday gift I didn’t anticipate buying, and the pair of shoes I got on a whim are where the money is going instead. The fixes? Taking a second look at my budget, making my emergency fund top priority, and setting up an automatic transfer to my savings for each paycheck.

If you’re in the same boat, this Saving for a Goal calculator can help you know your goal amount and figure out how long you’ll need to meet it.

• Use less power: Turn off lights, computers (energy-saving mode) other electronic equipment when you leave the room. Put on a sweater and keep the thermostat at 68 degrees. For more tips on saving energy around your home, click here.
• Be water savvy: Be aware of how much water you use when doing the dishes by hand, only turn on the washer and dishwasher when they are full, shorten your shower by a minute or two and fix leaking faucets and toilets. Get more ideas here.
• Recycle and re-use: Buy rechargeable batteries; use real plates vs. paper plates; grab a rag rather than paper towels; and recycle papers, cans and bottles.
• Get active: Ride your bike to work, carpool, use public transit or walk. Encourage a friend, coworker or classmate to join you.
• Bag it: Whenever you shop, save a plastic bag from heading to a landfill by using a fabric bag instead.
• Consider composting: Composting keeps organic waste from going into landfills and returns important fertilizer to the earth.

For more tips on celebrating Earth Day by leading a greener life, click here.

1. ChoosetoSave.org: This site is loaded with tips on budgeting, managing debt, saving for retirement and more.

2. Clearinghouse of Free Materials: Brought to you by the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, this is a great spot for free books, brochures, videos and games.

3. MyMoney.gov: On this site, 22 government agencies pool their free and tools and materials.

4. 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy: Created by certified public accountants, this site is around to help Americans prep financially for every stage of life.

5. Ready.Save.Grow: The U.S. Department of Treasury says you can buy a savings bond for just $25.

6. Answers at your fingertip: Check out the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) tool for answering basic financial questions.

7. Money Games: If you need a quick break from learning about money, check out these online games.

And for beefing up your credit score—a number that is key to financial health—don’t forget to check out the resources at whatsmyscore.org.

1. Pay the rent on time. It’s important to talk about how much each of you owes for the rent, when it is due, and who will make the official payment to the landlord each month. Not paying the rent on time could literally cost you a place to live. Read this before you sign a lease.

2. Discuss living expenses. Decide how you will pay for other costs outside of rent including electricity, water, garbage, heat, phone, television, the Internet, etc. Consider creating a joint budget.

3. Figure out groceries. Some food and home basics like milk, cereal, cleaning products, and even shampoo can be shared, but it’s worth talking about what foods you want to share, who will do the shopping, and how often.

4. Split chores. Before the dishes pile up too high or the dust bunnies take over, discuss what cleaning needs to be done around the house then decide how each of you can contribute to keeping your place in tip-top shape.

5. Tackle problems when they are small. Whether it’s putting the toothpaste cap back properly, turning down the television volume after 11:00 PM or hosting uninvited guests – you need to be open and honest with each other about the things that bother you. It might feel uncomfortable to raise an issue, but it’s better to talk about it than to let it fester.

6. Have fun together. You might not become best friends with your roommate, but consider throwing a party together or creating some good memories while you live together. This online calculator can help you budget for your next get-together.

For extra advice on what to look for in a roommate, click here.

Obstacle 1: Account overload. I had about three credit cards and a few different kinds of student loans. That meant it was pretty hard keeping track of where my payments were supposed to go and when. It also made it tough to get a grip on my balances and interest rates.
The fix: Keeping all of my debt paperwork in one place and making a sheet with the contact info., due dates, balances and interest rates for each account.
Obstacle 2: Interest oblivion. I had some of my biggest balances on my highest interest cards, which meant I was making payments and still getting nowhere. Once I figured this out, I consolidated my debt onto one lower interest card so I could pay more per month and less interest.
The fix: Consolidating to a low-interest account. (Just don’t close all those high-interest accounts—it can actually lower your credit score).
Obstacle 3: Avoiding the number. Knowing how much I really owed was something I avoided for a long time. I even paid my bills without looking at my balances.
The fix: Adding up the balances and creating a plan for paying off my debt as quickly as possible. This was actually such a relief.
Obstacle 4: Bad habit slipback. I was never a huge reckless spender. BUT I did have some bad habits that kept me living just outside of my means. My weak spots were going out to eat or going clothes shopping when I knew I was heading into the red. This kept me in debt a lot longer than if I had just said, hey, I can’t afford that right now.
The fix: Think about the habits keeping you in debt and vow to change even a few of them.

What are the things keeping you from tackling your debt? Once you know, it’s easier to fix them. For more on getting out of debt, check out the Practical Money Skills website and these free credit and debt calculators.

Look the look.
• From hair to shoes, think polished, professional and together.
• Keep it comfortable. As in, it could be distracting if you sport pumps you can’t walk in.
• For tips on looking as good in person as you do on paper, click here.

Get prepped.
• When it comes to recruiters’ interview advice, most say candidates need to be able to explain convincingly why they are right for the job. That’s all about prep and practice.
• Research the company to show the hiring staff that you know what the organization is about.
• Prepare questions for the interviewer, so he or she knows you’re engaged

Body language, baby.
• They say we make decisions about each other within seconds. So…deep breath and come in calm, professional, confident and friendly.
• Try to avoid nervous habits like looking toward the door, slouching, shaking your leg, playing with your hair… Neck rubbers, that means you too.

Talk the talk.
• Why not pull out those old-fashioned manners and make a great impression? “Nice meeting you,” “Thank you for taking the time to meet with m.” You get the idea.
• Be yourself. The goal is to put your best foot forward, but also to find the right fit for you.

To seal the deal with excellent references, check out our post on Asking for References here.