Summarize the following:
If you typically download your music from online stores such as iTunes, the Google Play Store, or Amazon, you will have a credit or debit card statement documenting exactly how much money you have spent. Go through your recent credit or bank statements to see how much money you have spent on purchases. You may not always purchase your music with a debit or credit card. For example, if you purchase CDs or vinyl records in a shop, you may be paying in cash. If this is the case, write down the albums you have purchased with cash over the past months. If you have the receipt or remember the price, write down how much you paid. If you didn’t, search online for the going rate for that album to get a general idea of how much you spent. Hopefully you have not engaged in this, but if you have, you will need to include this in your final count. Write down each song or album you have purchased or type it into an excel sheet.  Search for the album or song in the iTunes store or in the Google Play store to find out how much you would have spent had you purchased the music legally. Write this down too. Be aware that if you are downloading music illegally, you are committing a crime. If you get caught doing so, you could face heavy fines of up to $250,000 and even jail time. Add up the number of songs you have purchased over the last six months, and how much this has cost you. Are you spending more on music than you are on basic life necessities, such as food? Are you going into debt because of your music purchases? By completing these steps, you will be able to get a good, objective way of examining your habits. If most of your music is purchased without really thinking about it and the consequences of doing so, there are a few things you can do to become more aware the next time you go to buy a new song or album.  Take a few seconds or minutes to regroup before you head to the cash register. Take a few deep breaths, walk around a bit. You want to get your mind off of the song you want and back to thinking about your goals.  Think about whether the purchase will be in alignment with your goals. Try to be as honest with yourself as possible. Does that new song help get you closer to your goal of spending less money on music or does it take you farther away from that goal?  Evaluate your stress level. Become aware of any stress you are experiencing, whether it is related to the purchase or something else. You may be more likely to make an impulse purchase if you are stressed, so take a second to think about this, too. Don’t store your information, and if you already have it stored, remove it. Companies usually make it possible to purchase the music with a single click, which makes it too easy to do. If you want to restrict your spending, change your settings so that you have to type in your credit card information each time you make a purchase. This will also give you a bit of time to evaluate whether this is a “want” purchase or a “need” purchase. If you are able to walk away from that impulse purchase, reward yourself with something else you want. Buy yourself a fancy coffee, an ice cream, or a new sweater with the money you saved.

summary: Look at your bank statements over the past six months. Write down all of the music you have purchased using cash in the past six months. Write down all of the music you have pirated in the last six months. Total all of your purchases up. Avoid impulse purchases. Remove your credit/debit card from your music account. Reward yourself.


Summarize the following:
. It’s important that you stay true to yourself, and don’t let others influence you negatively. Don’t feel as though you have to change your interests or opinions based on what others like. A strong sense of self will earn the respect of others. For instance, if everyone in your peer group is eating pizza for lunch, and you don’t like pizza, don’t feel as though you have to eat it too. Select what you like, and if someone comments on it, simply say “I’m not a big fan of pizza. I like getting my lunch from the salad bar better.” Show people what you are good at, and encourage them to do the same. Everyone has unique skills, so don’t worry if you aren’t good at everything you try. Simply showcase the things you do well, and appreciate others that can do things that you may struggle with.  For example, if you are a skilled runner, join the track or cross-country team. If someone you know has a great voice, encourage them to join the choir or try out for the spring musical. Intelligence is a highly respected trait, so don’t be afraid of letting people see your smart side. You should give all your schoolwork maximum effort, volunteer answers in class, and offer to tutor a student having trouble with something you understand well.  Don’t brag or boast about your intelligence, though, just let it speak for itself. Sometimes, you will make mistakes. If someone proves you wrong, thank them, or say something like "I stand corrected!" . Make others laugh by telling them a good joke or a funny story. Watch funny shows or listen to comedy skits for inspiration. You can even do an Internet search for funny jokes so you have a few on hand at any given time. Just avoid jokes that are inappropriate, or that demean or make fun of different genders or racial groups.  Don’t take yourself too seriously. If something embarrassing happens, just brush it off with a smile and a laugh. Take note of other people's reactions. What's funny to one person may not be funny to the next. . Confidence goes hand in hand with respect. Accept and love yourself for you who are, flaws and all. Dress in clothes that make you feel good and always have a smile ready to share with friends or peers.

summary: Stay true to yourself Share your talents. Show your smarts. Demonstrate your humor Be confident


Summarize the following:
Twitter accounts like @BreakingCeleb, @HarveyLevinTMZ, @KariMozena, and @JRadloff provide their followers with insider gossip and celebrity news. Many of these accounts are run by reporters or correspondents who regularly attend celebrity events, parties, and premieres. They will often tweet up to the minute celebrity news and give followers a backstage look at celebrities. Log into your Twitter account and search for these accounts. Then, follow them so their tweets show up on your Twitter newsfeed. Apps like E! Online, WhoSay, Pulse: Celebrity News, FirstLook, and Gossip News provide up to the minute celebrity gossip straight to your smartphone. Search for these apps in the App Store and download them on your phone. Sign up for notifications from the apps so you are notified of any recent celebrity news or gossip.  If you want to stay up to date on gossip in the music world, get the MTV or Rolling Stone app. If you're interested in film or television gossip, download the IMDb Buzz app. The Soup app is a good one if you like gossip about general pop culture. Many of these apps are free or cost less than $5 USD to download. YouTube channels like That's Nathan, Viral-Fever, and QueerWerks all provide current celebrity gossip and news to viewers. Subscribe to these gossip channels so you can get access to the latest videos right away.  You will need a YouTube account to subscribe to these gossip channels. Many YouTube channels will focus on specific aspects of celebrity gossip, such as QueerWerks, which focuses on LGBTQ celebrities and related gossip. Pick channels that appeal to your specific interests within celebrity gossip and news. Instagram accounts like The Shade Room monitors and collects celebrity social media activities for their followers. Follow celebrity gossip accounts like The Shade Room on Instagram to stay in the loop on the social media activity of your favorite celebrities. You will need an Instagram account to follow celebrity gossip accounts on Instagram. Look up your favorite celebrities on social media to see if they have a Facebook page, or a Twitter or Instagram account. Many celebrities are active on their social media accounts and can provide up-to-date gossip that is often more reliable and detailed than gossip websites. Follow your favorite celebrities so you can stay on top of what they are up to day to day. You will need to have a social media account on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to follow celebrities. Their posts will then show up on your newsfeed or timeline.
summary: Follow celebrity gossip accounts on Twitter. Download a celebrity gossip app on your smartphone to stay in the loop. Watch YouTube channels that focus on celebrity gossip. Look for celebrity gossip accounts on Instagram. Follow celebrities on social media.