So, let’s get into it. First, you will need to call the number on your card and activate it. You will need to know the last 6 digits of your social security number for this process. You will also create a 4 digit pin number to protect your funds.

Next, you need to create an online account with the issuing bank. You will need to have your card with you for this part. You will also need your checking account number and your banks routing number.

• Go to EIPcard.com
• Select “Login,” then “register now”
• Follow the prompts until you have an account, then login to your account.
• Click on “Money out”
• Click “Transfers in U.S.”
• Follow the steps to create a transfer to your bank.
• Wait a few days, typically 2-3 and your money should be in your checking account.

You can also transfer funds via the Money Network Mobile App

1. Be sure you have activated your EIP Card before attempting to transfer funds.
2. Download the Money Network Mobile App² and register for mobile access by clicking “New User?”. Follow the steps to create your User ID and Password. Be sure to have your EIP Card handy.
3. Click the top left menu and click “Send Money to an External Bank Account” under Move Money Out.
4. Follow the steps to set up your destination bank account prior to completing your ACH transfer.
5. Transfers should post to your bank account in 2-3 business days.

WGU has a fairly easy to follow whiteboard policy. They allow you to use any whiteboard that meets the following criteria:

• May not have logos, letters, or other designs printed on them, with the exception of grid lines.
• You must be able to erase the whiteboard completely before and after your exam.
• It cannot be electronic, or have a memory.
• It cannot be mounted to a wall
• It must be of a size that can remain fully in view of the proctor during the exam
• You may only use one whiteboard during the exam
• Preferred size, 9 x 12 inches or smaller.
• We recommend this whiteboard from Amazon.

Markers to use during the exam:

• These dry erase markers are the best, as they are easy to erase, and write with a fine point, making it easier to see your work.

Best eraser:

Having a proper eraser is much nicer than using a cloth during exams. When every minute counts, having a proper eraser speeds up downtime between questions.

For general majors, especially those taking courses C278, C459, C463, C784, C955, C957, L121, C958, C959, or C960, WGU recommends these calculators:

• TI-30XS Multiview
• TI-30XIIS scientific calculator

For business courses/majors, WGU recommends this calculator:

• TI BA II Plus

Here is a list of other permitted calculators (not inclusive, see below list for details):

• TI-30
• TI-34
• TI-36
• TI-82
• TI-83
• TI-83+
• TI-84
• TI-84+
• TI-85
• TI-86
• TI BA II Plus (Note: the Professional series is not permitted)
• TI-Nspire (Only the non-CAS version)
• HP 10b
• HP 10bII
• HP 12c
• HP 12cPlatinum
• Sharp EL-738C
• Casio FC-200V
• Casio FX300

*In a testing environment, an embedded calculator may also be used.

Calculators that are NOT allowed:

• Calculators that have CAS systems
• HP calculators that aren’t listed above
• Computer calculators
• PDA’s
• Calculators that include an electronic writing pad
• pen-input device calulators
• QWERTY calculators (such as some TI-Nspires)

WGU calculator general rules, per their website: “You may use one basic, scientific, business/financial, or graphing calculator, unless it has a built-in computer algebra system (CAS)… Calculators with paper tape are allowed if the tape is removed and they are not prohibited for other reasons. Calculators with memory, including permitted graphing calculators, must have their memory cleared prior to beginning an assessment. Programs stored in a calculator’s memory are considered material not approved for use during an assessment.”

As of June 04, 2020, this information was accurate. Please verify with WGU if you aren’t sure. We are not affiliated with WGU, we are just passing along helpful information.

*NOTE* To get these all of these discounts, you’ll need to have Amazon Prime. You can get 30 days for free, and then pay monthly and cancel anytime if you want, or get the annual subscription at a discount after your trial ends. Click here to sign up for the FREE 30 day trial.

Get a free $35 gift for your baby:

When you register (sign up here), you are able to add all the items that you want for your new baby. As soon as somebody buys an item from your registry, you are able to redeem a credit for the Amazon baby welcome gift. This gift is awesome, and the items change often. Regardless of what it is though, it is free baby stuff. So, that’s pretty awesome.

Once you’ve signed up, and somebody buys a gift ($10+ value), a “Claim Now’ button will appear on the side of your screen in the registry. You click it and it will give you more information.

You can get that expensive stroller you want, even your friend can’t fund it by themself:

With an Amazon registry, you can add items to your hearts desire, from inexpensive items, to high end items. Your friends and family can contribute any amount that they are comfortable with towards your registry, and you can buy the item with the balance. You can allow them to contribute toward a particular item, or just towards your registry in general.

1: Sign up for a baby registry using this link

2: Read the details here after you’ve signed up.

You can get the diapers you want, and your friends won’t have to guess which size or brand you need at the moment:

The registry gives you the ability to enable a diaper fund. This function, similar to the one above, lets people contribute toward a diaper fund which will convert into an amazon gift balance for you. When you need more diapers, just order the exact kind you like from Amazon. It sure beats having a box of diapers that don’t fit your new baby.

1: Sign up for a baby registry using this link

2: Read the details here after you’ve signed up.

90 day return policy:

Items sent from your baby registry have a much more generous return policy. You can return items up to 3 months after the date that they were shipped.

10-15% discount on items:

With your registry, you can receive a huge discount (up to $300) off of items on your registry. If you are not a Prime member, it is 10%, but if you are a Prime member, it’s 15%. You can sign up for a FREE trial of Prime right here. You’re welcome.

To use the discount, once you create your registry, a message will appear at the top of your registry once you’re eligible (60 days before through 15 days after your due date). Click the message and follow the instructions.

Get 20-40% off of diapers for a year!

Once at least $500 in items are purchased from your registry, you will be able to automatically save 20% on diapers for a year. This includes items that you buy yourself from the registry. If you combine this discount with subscribe and save (which you can cancel anytime), you can save an additional 20% on diapers. You can save up to $300.

Get $100 in Baby bucks

Prime members get $100 to use towards select products once they get at least $1000 of products purchased from their registry. The $100 is valid for 90 days and can only be used on select products. But, hey, it’s still $100 worth of free stuff. A lot of it is good stuff that you will definitely need, although it may not be the brand you like.

To sign up for the Amazon baby registry, click here.

How can I pay for college without scholarships?

Paying for school can be tricky, especially if you’re not working. The first, most important step, is to apply for FAFSA. The application process can be done in under an hour. The best part about FAFSA, is that you can get FREE MONEY! This money, called a pell grant, is 100% free if you qualify. As long as you maintain good grades throughout your time as a student, you can continue to get this money every semester. The amount depends on your financial situation, but it often covers more than 40% of your tuition.

Another part of FAFSA is student loans. You will notice that there are Subsidizes and Unsubsidized student loans available. The difference is simple, but important.

• Subsidized Loans: A subsidized loan is one in which the lending agency does not charge you interest while you are a student. Instead, the U.S. Department of Education pays the interest while you’re enrolled. After you finish school, or if you are not enrolled, you will begin to pay the interest on the loans.
• Unsubsidized Loans: This option is less popular because you accrue interest on the loan from day 1. Even when you are a student, interest accrues. These loans, while not as enticing as subsidized loans, still offer value because the interest rates are typically very low in comparison to paying with a credit card for example.

To sign up for FAFSA, simply apply on their site by clicking here.

How can I responsibly develop and grow a credit score while in school?

It is important to think about raising your credit score while you’re in school. After all, in a few short years you may want to buy a car and a house. Using credit responsibly can help you in that process. But, it is very important to get a card that is designed with your needs in mind. Particularly, you want a card with no annual fee, great benefits, and one that has rewards. Below are a few cards that I have enjoyed having, and which helped me a lot as a student:

• Discover IT card: The Discover IT card is great because it lets you check you FICO credit score for free. You just login to your account and you can view your score. It also offers 1-5% cashback on purchases. As an added bonus, if you apply through this link, and make a purchases in the first 90 days, you will get $50. Talk about awesome.
• Capital One Quicksilver card: This card is great for the student who dreams of traveling. It does not charge a foreign transaction fee when you travel to most countries, and it is a Visa, so it is accepted nearly everywhere credit cards are accepted. If you apply through this link, and spend $500 in the first 90 days, you will get $150. Just think about the books, parking pass, and lunches you will need in your first term. Spending $500 in the first 3 months happens faster than any student wants to admit, but at least in this scenario you will get $150 back.

*When you apply for a credit card through the unique links provided, you are subject to the terms and conditions of the card issuer. Not everybody is accepted for credit. Additionally, when using the unique links, the owner of this site may receive a commission or reward for referring you. This does not affect your own offer from the card issuer. None of your data is transmitted or shared with this site when you apply for credit through a card issuer.

Take advantage of free software from your university

Many universities, such as WGU, offer loads of free software to students such as the Microsoft suite of products. WGU offers students the ability to download programs like Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, and other useful programs. These programs are integral to making student life easier, and cheaper. Reach out to your advisor at your university and ask which programs are included with your tuition.

First, you may have noticed on WGU’s website that they give a few choices for acceptable cameras. I decided to try those and see which one I liked the best. It’s important to get one that is going to work well for you, for a long time. It also needs to be high quality, because if the proctors decide that it doesn’t match the specifications set by WGU, then you can encounter problems. Don’t be tempted to buy a cheap, basic one, because the chances are high that it won’t meet the specs.

Before we get into it, if you don’t have Prime, get it free for 6 months, then half off while you are a student. This will make shipping free if you choose to buy any of the cameras below.

Free Amazon Prime for 6 months, then half off for students.

Top picks:

#1

This Logitech web camera is the best of the best. A huge advantage to this camera is that it will be great for other uses in your time as a student. This camera is capable of streaming in 1080P, making it great for meetings, Skype calls, and of course, WGU proctored assessments.

It has a built in connector on the bottom so you can easily connect it to a tripod without extra accessories. It is also able to rest on your computer screen which is great if any of your courses want you to make a video or join a conference call. It meets all of WGU’s web camera requirements.

It features a 5 foot usb cable to connect to your laptop or desktop computer. It also has two built in mics, a privacy shutter, a 78 degree field of view, low light correction, and autofocus.

You will need to purchase a tripod as well. We recommend this one:

#2

This one is decent for proctored assessments, but it has some issues that make it less suitable for a student overall. One huge issue that we encountered was that the cord length is only 3 feet long. That makes it very difficult to get the tripod setup, or to connect it to a monitor. Our number 1 option shown above has a 5 foot cord, which is much easier to work with.

This camera is also limited in the sense that it can record in 1080P, but can only stream in 720P. It really bothers me that its capabilities are scaled back during streaming. When you are on conference calls, the 720P quality is disappointing.

#3

Webcam 1000

The last camera we checked out was the Webcam 1000. This one was hard to love. Although it technically meets the specifications for WGU proctored tests, we felt like it lacked in quality. It’s not, as far as we can tell, made by any recognized brand like Logitech. The video quality was quite poor in our tests.

The adjustable neck is a nice feature that is built in. But, for me, I kind of disliked it as well because I would get it set up in the exact position before signing into the testing site. Then, when they had me show them each wall and the desk area, the neck would sometimes get misconfigured and I would have reconfigure it all over again. With a tripod, I can get the angle and height configured and then it’s ready to go again after showing the testing area. I also found that the video signal would cut out occasionally with this camera. It seemed to be a quality issue with the USB plug. I had to wiggle it around to get it to work again. In the meantime, the proctor was worried that I was cheating because my camera was off and made me end the test. I had to go through a big process to be able to take the test again which was a waste of my time.

Remember to get a free trial of Amazon Student while you’re here!

Have any other cameras that you love? Let us know in the comment section:

Below, you will find my Italian method macaron recipe. Make sure that you measure out all of the ingredients before you begin the process. Macarons require precision timing and precise measurements. If you don’t have everything ready to go when the recipe calls for it, you might have to throw away your whole batch.

To get a general idea of how to make macarons with this method, check out the video below. The recipe shown in the video is different, and some of the steps may be a little different. I’m working on getting my own video created and posted on here. But for now, it’s good to at least see how it’s done so you have a better idea going into it.

It’s best to make the frosting first, so it is set up when you’re macaron shells are ready (the recipe is below). Good luck!

-Josh

You will need a few things to make this recipe:

• Kitchen mixer
• Digital cooking thermometer
• Sieve
• Cooking scale
• Parchment Paper
• 16 oz piping bags
• Piping tip (Wilton 1A works great)

Recipe:

• Granulated sugar – 225 Grams
• Powdered sugar – 225 Grams
• Almond Flour – 225 Grams
• Water 50 Grams
• Egg whites – Two separate containers with 80 Grams each (160 total)
• Gel food coloring (not regular food coloring)

Instructions:

• Run the almond flour through a sieve, into a mixing bowl until you have 225 grams.
• Run the powdered sugar through the sieve, into the same mixing bowl until you’ve measured 225 grams.
• Stir the almond flour and powdered sugar together.
• Measure out the rest of the ingredients into separate containers.
• Prepare your piping bag and attach the tip.
• Line your baking sheets with Parchment paper so that they are ready when you need them. You will need about 3 baking sheets for this recipe.
• Put 80 Grams of Egg Whites into your Kitchen mixer bowl. Connect the whisk attachment and leave the mixer off for now.
• Pour the other 80 Grams of Egg Whites into the Almond Flour/powdered sugar mixture. Mix just until the liquid is absorbed into the dry ingredients. It should make a paste.
• Put 5-10 drops of gel food coloring into the water.
• Pour the granulated sugar into a small pot. Pour the water slowly over the sugar. Rather than stirring, give it a minute to combine naturally. If it doesn’t combine well, gently stir it. Avoid getting the mixture on the edge of the pot during this step.
• Heat your sugar/water mixture at a medium-high heat.
• When the temperature of your mixture is about 100 Celsius (212 Fahrenheit), start you Kitchen mixer at medium-high speed to whisk the egg whites.
• Monitor the progress of the egg whites, while keeping an eye on the sugar mixture. When the eggs reach soft peak stage, turn the mixer to low.
• When the sugar mixture reaches 118 Celsius (244 Fahrenheit), remove the pot from the heat.
• Raise the speed of the mixer to medium.
• Slowly pour the syrup down the side of the bowl, being cautious not to pour it directly onto the whisk. Aim right between the mixture and the bowl. Keep the stream slow, but consistent.
• Continue mixing for about 4-5 minutes until mixture reaches firm peaks. 
• Scoop about 1/3 of the meringue into the Almond Flour/Powdered sugar mixture. Stir it just enough for them to combine. This will add moisture and help the mixture combine better with the remaining meringue.
• Fold in the rest of the meringue. Be careful not to over mix. You want to fold the batter until it looks like lava, or wet sand. The batter should flow off of the mixing spoon fairly smoothly. If you draw a figure 8 with the batter, it should slowly flow back into the mixture after a few seconds. It is better to under mix if you are not sure. Over mixing will result in very liquidy batter that won’t hold it’s form after being piped.
• Fill piping bag
• Pipe the mixture. Keep the bag perpendicular to the pan. Form a circle which is about the width of a quarter. 
• When you’re done piping, tap the trays on a hard surface a few times to release any bubbles that remain in the batter. You may need to tap fairly hard, just be sure that you don’t tap so hard that the parchment paper falls off the pan.
• Let the shells develop a skin on the exterior by allowing them to sit at room temperature for 10-20 minutes. They will no longer be wet to the touch. This helps them to keep their form and avoid cracking while cooking.
• While they are resting, preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes. To check if they are done, gently wiggle one of the shells. The shell should not have much give to it. If it wiggles much, cook a little longer. 
• 325 degrees for 12 minutes works perfect for me, but if your shells don’t cook properly at this temperature, try baking them at 300 Fahrenheit for 14-18 minutes.
• Let the shells cool completely before adding filling/frosting.

White Chocolate Raspberry filling:

• Raspberries (fresh or frozen) – 5 oz
• Granulated Sugar – 2 TBSP
• White Chocolate Chips – 8 oz (230 grams)
• Heavy Whipping Cream – 1/3 cup
• Optional – red food coloring

1. Put raspberries and sugar in a pot. If you are using frozen raspberries, thaw them in the pot in advance so you don’t lose any juice.
2. Breakup the raspberries with a spoon to release juices.
3. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly.
4. Once they reach boiling, turn the heat down to low, and simmer for 5 minutes while continuing to stir constantly.
5. Remove from heat.
6. Add the white chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream
7. Stir until combined, and the chocolate is completely melted.
8. If desired, add food coloring.
9. Pour into a bowl, and immediately refrigerate.
10. Wait about two hours before the frosting is set to use it.

Raspberry White Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients:

• Raspberries (fresh or frozen) – 5 oz
• Granulated Sugar – 30 grams or about 2 TBSP
• White Chocolate Chips – 8 oz (230 grams)
• Heavy Whipping Cream – 1/3 cup

1. Put raspberries and sugar in a pot. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly. (If you are using frozen raspberries, thaw them in the pot in advance so you don’t lose any juice).
2. Turn the heat down to low, and simmer for 5 minutes while continuing to stir.
3. Add the white chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream (If desired, add some red food coloring to the mixture).
4. Stir until combined, and the chocolate is completely melted.
5. Pour into a bowl, and immediately refrigerate.
6. Wait about two hours before the frosting is set to use it.

But, there’s another way – several other ways. If you make less than $66,000 per year, you can use some of the same companies through the IRS and get your taxes filed for free (for actual free). Check out this list of companies participating in the program that allow you to file for free. I decided to use the Turbo Tax program listed because it is a company that I already trust. I filed both Federal and State and they were legitimately, 100% free.

Be aware that not all states are participating in the free State file program. However, even though my state isn’t “participating” I was still able to file my State taxes for free as well. So, choose wisely.

Here are the links:

https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/

Basically, you buy a $100 gift card for yourself which is applied to your account and when you make purchases, you can use that balance.

Click here to see if your account is eligible for the promotion.

Details:

In order to qualify, this must (1) be the first time reloading your Amazon.com Gift Card Balance; (2) you must reload at least $100 in a single transaction by December 31, 2018, 11:59 PM (PT); and (3) you must be an Amazon.com Prime Member and you must use the Amazon.com Prime account to which you are currently logged in. 
• This offer is available to Prime members only. 
• This limited time offer expires the earlier of 11:59 PM (PT) December 31, 2018 or while supplies last. 
• The offer only applies to the first reload of your Amazon.com Gift Card Balance. 
• You must reload at least $100 in a single transaction to qualify. 
• For qualifying reload purchases, a one-time $10 Amazon.com Gift Card reward will be automatically applied to your Amazon.com Gift Card Balance within three (3) days. 
• Offer is limited to one $10 Amazon.com Gift Card Balance reward per Amazon Prime account. 
• This offer may not be combined with other offers. 
• The maximum benefit you may receive from this offer is one $10 Amazon.com Gift Card Balance reward. 
• The maximum single reload amount to your Amazon.com Gift Card Balance may not exceed $2,000. 
• This promotion cannot be applied to any reload previously made. 
• If you violate any of these terms and conditions, the offer will be invalid. 
• The offer is void where prohibited. 
• Amazon reserves the right to modify or cancel the offer at any time. 
• The offer, rewards, and amount you reload to your Amazon.com Gift Card Balance are non-transferable, non-refundable, not redeemable for cash, and may not be resold except as required by law. 
• When you reload your balance, you are purchasing an Amazon.com Gift Card in the amount you selected. This amount will be automatically added to your Amazon.com Gift Card Balance. Your Amazon.com Gift Card Balance does not expire and is subject to Amazon.com Gift Card Terms and Conditions. 
• Amazon.com Gift Cards and your Amazon.com Gift Card Balance cannot be used to purchase other gift cards. 
• Your Amazon.com Gift Card Balance may be used only for the purchase of eligible goods on Amazon.com or certain of its affiliated website.

If you watch a lot of movies, you might be more interested in the AMC A-List program. If you are an occasional movie goer, then the steps below are probably best for you. Whatever you do, never, ever, ever join MoviePass.

1. Open your Facebook app
2. Click the menu icon as shown here

3. Select “see more”

4. Select “movies”

Once you have opened the “movies” section of the menu, you should see a message like one of the ones below. If you don’t, then make sure the offer is still available before proceeding. The offer could change or discontinue at any time.

If you see a message validating the promotion, go ahead and start the process of buying your ticket. Facebook will cover the fee.

If this article helped you save money, please share it with friends. Thanks!