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So by now we all know the statistics.

The economy is suffering and because of that post-grads are suffering as well. More college graduates are left without job prospects than ever before, and maybe even more importantly, more college graduates are moving back in with their parents than ever before. Years ago, this may have been taboo. It was practically unheard of. But now, it’s happening more and more often, and is far more widely accepted. And that’s because for the first time, my generation does not expect to have a better lifestyle than that of their parents. That’s right, ladies – the recession has officially become a depression, and post grads are eying their limited prospects wearily.

According to The Huffington Post, in a survey conducted only 44% of those interviewed believed that they would surpass the lifestyle they grew up with. And as one of those soon-to-be post grads, let me say that I understand this lack of optimism completely. The economy is still recovering. The job market is terrible. And companies are downsizing instead of hiring. So how can we know be sure that we’ll even find a job, never mind a job that will provide us with a better lifestyle than the one we grew up with?

It’s a dark realization.

But while things seem a little bit depressing despite all the congratulations and “look at all you’ve accomplished” speeches, I’m going to try and be optimistic. I’m going to try and look on the bright side, and you should too. Because not having a job straight out of college and having no choice but to move back in with your parents, despite what you make think, is not the worst thing in the world.

There are some perks. First, there’s the obvious stuff. Moving back in with your parents means you get a rent free place to live, home cooked meals, and help with those everyday chores, like laundry and cleaning (which you were never very good at while you were at college anyway). But there’s a lot more to it than that. Living at home provides post grads with a safety net for a little while longer. It allows them the opportunity to search for the job they want, to turn down the menial job that will lead nowhere, to hold out for something a little better, to hold out for the job they want, to hold out for the job that will lead to a career. It allows them the opportunity to build up some savings before having to move out and pay rent. It allows them the opportunity  to find a job that not only pays well, but also a job that they like, a job that just might eventually allow them to succeed past the lifestyle of their parents.

Things are gloomy and after spending all this time and money working towards a life that seems nearly impossible to attain, we should just be thankful that our parents were fortunate enough to achieve that lifestyle, whatever that might be, because it gives us the time to figure out exactly how we’re going to achieve ours.

I think it’s interesting how when you are younger people tell you that you can be anything you want to be, or anything that you will set your mind to. Although we all wish this was true, that’s not always the case. Come adulthood, people get caught up in stereotypes and expectations. Salaries and “good” jobs. What (they think) you should be.

And quite frankly, I’m sick of it.

Since becoming a post-grad, I have heard so many people question my aspirations. I’ve seen it happen to my friends too. Parents, professors, friends, significant others, and just about every extended family members start with questions: “Why do you want to go abroad and live in South Africa after graduation?” “Why do you want to go to school at that school?” “You got your degree in economics, so you should go to grad school for that — or else you wasted four years.” In my case, I’ve heard a lot of “Why did you major in English if you don’t want to be a journalist?” and then “You were born a writer — you shouldn’t pursue law school.”

Um, while I appreciate the input, I just can’t help but find myself irked when statements like that are made. Unless I’m asking for career advice or making a life-altering decision, there is no reason why the things that I want to do should be in question. It feels like I can’t make my own decisions, or that people aren’t 100% with me. Or that, oh the horror, I’m making a terrible decision that I will regret for the rest of my life and I should just start over from scratch. Seriously, people, I’m fragile right now; I need support, not someone to question my choices!

Luckily, I haven’t been experiencing this my entire life. Some people are told from the beginning of their childhood “you will be (insert some kind of profession here).” And their parents plan accordingly, never letting the kid figure out what they want. But maybe those kids are better off? Their lives are on one specific track, decided by mom and dad. They don’t need to question anything; they simply just have to go with the flow. Me — not so much. It’s my path to choose, whether I want to go to law school or become a writer or move to Africa and build schools. It’s all up to me… and having all those choices is scary.

So, here is my plea for myself and all other post-grads out there: Butt out. No post grad, especially in this economic climate, needs to be doubted or told to redirect themselves. If we want advice, trust me, we’ll ask. But if I’m just doing my thing, I don’t need to hear your opinion. I spend so much time second guessing myself and sorting out the prospects of my future, I don’t need anyone else getting into my head and making it worse.

But really, from now on, when people ask me what I am doing or what I want to be, I’m going to say one thing and one thing only: “Happy. I want to be happy.” Being happy may not be an answer that people want to hear in terms of “What I want to be,” but at the end of the day, I think it’s the end-all-be-all of trying to figure all this stuff out anyway.

And if nothing else, at least it will shut them all up.

We live in a social media obsessed world. There’s Facebook, Myspace, (although I wonder if anyone actually still uses it), Twitter, and many blogging platforms such as Tumblr, WordPress, and Blogger. Although we upload our pictures to Flickr and Facebook all the time or write about our weekend experiences in personal blogs, there could be a possible downside to all of this internet exposure: According to the Wall Street Journal, 85% of hiring managers Google a candidate before or after an interview. This fact, which is becoming more and more well-known, brings up the question: To blog or not to blog?

While I’m not saying that anyone who publicly posts pictures of themselves puking into a fraternity bathroom shouldn’t be a cause for concern, I am posing the question of boundaries and what and when a company should base their decision on hiring someone because of what comes up when they use Google. For example, take all the CollegeCandy contributors. Should our future bosses decline an interview with us, even though our resumes may be well qualified, simply because we once wrote an article that mentions sex or highlights the importance of birth control?

Personally, I think keeping a blog of any kind is a worthwhile venture. As a writer, I like to post things I’m interested in, things that drive me crazy, and of course, continuously write about things that matter to me (this includes everything from literary theory criticisms to the correct usage of the Real Housewives of New Jersey’s infamous phrase “prostitution whore”). However, I often worry that if I post liberal-sided articles or a picture of me enjoying a glass of wine that someone may use those things against me and blow them out of proportion one day. Despite more and more social media outlets being introduced to society on a regular basis, it seems like the idea of censorship or hiding oneself (at least the internet brand of oneself) is becoming a constant battle.

But get this – the Wall Street Journal also reports that “Recruiters and employers…routinely do online background searches on their candidates to learn more about them, as well as to filter out candidates with little or negative information about them.” So basically, it seems like our generation is damned if we do, damned if we don’t.

Imagine if you have nothing come up when your future employer Googles you. Instead of them rewarding you for that (something more and more colleges and media-outlets tell us to strive for), they pass on you because you aren’t relevant or important enough. But then, if you have an author’s page or Twitter account, something could be taken out of context or perceived as negative. What about people that disagree with this article? Could my future employer one day decline to hire me because some random commenter disagreed with me – putting me in a negative position?

It sounds crazy, I know, but it’s something that constantly comes up in the world of online writing and social media. While I understand why businesses want to search their job candidates, I think some kind of line in the sand needs to be drawn before too many well-deserving candidates are overlooked simply because they blog about Christian Louboutin’s, OPI nail polish, and Rachel Zoe instead of Wall Street, international trade, and compounding interest.

The issue of ‘to blog or not’ seems to constantly rely on personal judgment. However, personal judgment works both ways. For example, if someone is irresponsible enough to post a picture of themselves humping (see – because I used the word humping in this post, I may possibly never get a real job) a stop sign, they acted in poor judgment. Although they may personally have found it funny and did not make the picture private, their actions overwhelmingly were not in the best of judgment.

But think of it this way – what if your potential employer’s personal judgment doesn’t like your Tweet about his/her favorite restaurant, and decides that you come across as too opinionated because you simply wrote “Will not be eating at Restaurant A again.” Their personal judgment could cost you a good opportunity. The bottom line is that not everyone uses the best personal judgment from time to time (including those in hiring positions), and what one person finds offensive may not be a big deal to someone else. Should our generation have to walk on eggshells so we don’t piss anyone off with our opinions and views on the internet? Is this what it’s coming down to?

Blogger Emily Rose, a recent college graduate wrote a ballsy open post to a potential future employer on her Tumblr, after accidentally sending her blog link in her e-mail signature. Instead of cowering in fear over whether or not her employer would show no interest in her because of her personal interests explored on her blog (such as hung-over day after snap shots and mojito cupcakes), Emily wrote: “You’ll probably learn more about me from this blog than you did from my CV, which is fine. You’ve probably figured out some stuff already: like that I love animals and Africa and my family. But also, you know, sometimes I drink. And I spend a lot of time online….the result of those factors is now what’s on your monitor, and I don’t feel compelled to apologize for any of it.”

While some people may be completely appalled that she would be so open about herself like that, I think Emily is onto something. If we can’t be our true selves or represent things about ourselves in a personal manner, even in a public way such as the internet, then what does that say about society today? In conclusion of her post, Emily hits the nail on the head by writing, “I think I’m a good hire. I think I’m a good person, too. And I don’t think typing bad words or posting a picture of myself with friends at a bar blowing off some steam should affect my chances just because I’m a young person, and the lives of young people are more public and accessible than those of our parents.”

All in all, interviews, resumes, recommendations, and qualifications should remain as the most important factors in getting hired or rejected. But instead of using personal media against this generation, maybe it should be looked at a different way. With our generation riding the first wave of this Google exposure (or shall we call it overexposure?) phenomenon, it will be interesting to see what pans out. Ultimately though, I hope for the sake of our generation – we’re not looked at like this forever. Employers, writers, job applicants, and social media users of all kinds should embrace the more public and accessible use of information today, or at least set some boundaries for the years and technological advancements to come.

Congratulations!  This means there’s a good chance you won’t be surfing mom’s couch for the next year and a half looking for work and collecting a “temporary” paycheck from the Tastee Freez.

Don’t forget, though, I said there was bad news, too.  Ready for it?  While it may seem wonderful to graduate college and, within months, start off on a bona fide career path, the truth is you’re really going to miss out on a lot. Yes, as a member of the Class of 2010, I’ve been “real” jobless for over 6 months now and I can say from experience, I’m happy it all turned out this way:

The Post-Grad Internship(s)

While hopping right on the fast track to success is exciting, it really doesn’t offer you time to really consider what you want to do with your life.  A sluggish job market, while limited in employment opportunities, is rife with internships!  It’s like the all-you-can-eat salad bar of career choices.  Don’t like something?  Just say “no, thank you” and pick again!  Even more so than college, internships are the best way to figure out what fields suit you…and which don’t.

Clean Laundry, Warm Meals

When you graduate sans-employment, there’s really only one place to go: Home.  Sure, it’s not that downtown luxury bachelorette pad you had hoped for, but the pink carpet and teddy bear wallpaper are comforting…sorta. And after 4+ years away from mom and pops, they couldn’t be more thrilled than to have you back. And cook for you. When the Class of 2011 is rushing back to their lonely apartments after work, tripping over a mountain of dirty clothes, and throwing a little cereal in a dirty bowl, their unemployed brethren will be taking comfort in Tuesday meat loaf and clean bed sheets.

Solidarity, Sister

So you’ve got a little jobbie.  I bet it’s cutthroat.  I bet everyone is clamoring for that employee of the month spot.  Don’t even try to tell me Patty from accounting wasn’t the one who stole your cinnamon bun out of the fridge yesterday.  She’s a bitch and I hope she choked on it.  Have fun keeping tabs and stressing over who the boss likes more.  You should know, though- unemployed grads march to a different beat.  We sit with our laptops in Starbucks, scanning the online job boards and making pleasant conversation with one another.  There’s no competition, just the security of knowing we’re not alone.

One More Summer Vacation

Those statistics look pretty promising, Class of ’11.  I’d guess you’re going to find work in no time.  Your bad-economy predecessors, however, got to enjoy a full three months (or more!) to sit in denial while they drank frozen, blended beverages.  Being the victim of a recession means you don’t have to don that wool skirt suit in the middle of July.  90 degrees, long sleeves, and high heels?  No thanks, I’ll take my umbrella drink instead.

A Chance to Breathe

That bonus summer vacation isn’t just for sitting poolside with friends.  Once you enter the workforce, the breaks are few and far between.  Soon enough your world will turn into too-short weekends and looking forward to getting sick, just so you can sleep in for the first time in a year.  After you’ve worked your butt off for a diploma, getting a job right off the bat will lose it’s luster when you’re burnt out two months in.  Regardless of what type of economy you graduate into, it is important to set aside a little “you” time before taking on the real world.

I know what you’re thinking: Why would I want to read a book about paying for college when I’m already in college and I’m getting by with student loans/ my parents’ generously footing the bill /or a scholarship?

Well listen up, pretty lady – whatever your situation is you will absolutely get some insight about paying for college that will, without a doubt, help you make better decisions when it comes to financially making it through four years, as well as helping you protect your future post-grad life.

Throughout history, paying for college has been a major issue on everyone’s minds. But although it’s something everyone always seems to talk (and worry) about, it is one thing that usually gets pushed to the side in the application process. Students send their applications out, they get their acceptance letters back, and then – and only then – the question of paying for that highly accredited university to which they’ve been accepted pops up. But with the cost of a college education rising at a pace in polar opposition to our economy, financial disaster is almost inevitable.

Without a lot of financial planning, people turn to student loans, which, as any college student who has taken them out knows, are a major stress-factor that can impact the rest of your life. Not only do students feel like they have to take out more and more loans to supplement an income during college, they feel utterly lost, especially in a world where financial aid offices will tell you anything. In Debt-Free, Zac explains “The role of the financial aid office to make sure that the students the school has admitted are financially able to attend – through whatever means necessary.” Because colleges don’t work as financial advocates for students, more and more students are falling down the rabbit hole of student debt. However, consider Debt-Free as a personal guide that will walk you through all things financial in the college world, by whatever means necessary.

What makes Debt-Free so rich is that in a world where colleges and universities will blatantly lie to prospective and current students about financial options, Zac is here to dispel every rumor, every faulty piece of advice, and to actually help you out. While many financial books promise to get their readers on the right track to becoming millionaires, Debt-Free looks out for its audience by giving the cold, hard facts and a dose of reality with a bit of humor and a lot of helpful tips peppered in.

Especially in this recession, it’s hard for students not to become emotional or enraged about their college financial situations. While some students feel incredibly strongly about student loans (how else would they have gone to college without them?) and others are more indifferent, a growing number of students interested in having more financial autonomy, especially in college, is growing. Regardless of your opinion on student loans or the means to paying for a college education, Zac’s advice will cover everything you need to know to make good decisions with your money (or lack thereof).

Debt-Free covers everything and anything related to paying for college. From the beginning of the application process and how colleges reel students in with promises of scholarship money and financial aid, all the way through the hidden facts regarding student loans. Not only does he offer advice on how to pay for college without making your parents go bankrupt or ruining your financial future with monthly loan payments, Zac offers clarity about whether paying for a private college instead of big public university is worth it. He even addresses the financial situation as a whole – and offers his personal take on how they should improve and what needs to change. Instead of complaining about financial aid issues such as FASFA, Zac is outspoken about the system and how it can be more effective and fair.

All in all, what makes this book refreshing is that Zac practices what he preaches. He’s not some spoiled rich kid with parents paying his way at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst while spouting fake advice. He’s putting his money where his mouth is, and he’s advocating for students across the nation.

And considering the hundreds of thousands of dollars we’re spending on our college educations, it might be a good idea to listen.

[Debt-Free U: How I Paid For An Outstanding College Educaiton Without Loans, Scholarships, or Mooching Off My Parents hits bookstores on August 31^st. A special thanks to Maureen Cole at Portfolio/Penguin Publishing for providing a press copy.]

Think about the last time you got your buzz on.  Was it last night?  The night before?  This morning? I’d venture to say it probably was in the not-too-distant past.  While some scientists might be scratching their heads over this significant drinking gap, I can think up a few explanations for this post-university bender we find ourselves on.

Duh, the economy’s got us all depressed.
A lot of us are unemployed.  You may have a job working at Baby Gap, but that’s not a career.  The general lack of a 9 to 5 schedule means we’ve got more room for late nights out and hungover mornings.  And when you’re a twenty-something folding shirts or scooping ice cream all day, you often need a drink to soften the blow of “Is this my life?” moments.

Sometimes the booze is free.
If you’re living with your parents to save on rent, chances are you don’t have much money to spend on alcohol either.  You’ll never get those student loans paid off if you bankroll your friends at the bar, but invite them home and drink the good stuff courtesy of Dad’s liquor cabinet. When it’s just sitting there, how can you say no?

We miss frat parties and house parties and any other type of party you can think of.
Fact: The Center for Science in the Public interest says that 44% of college students are binge drinkers.  There’s a pretty good chance you were one, too.  But gone are the days of stumbling down the quad, vodka-filled Nalgene bottle in hand, as you struggled to keep your impromptu toga from showing too much boob.  In an effort to remember the good ol’ days, we continue the debauched tradition when we can (because dancing to “Tainted Love” is not the same when done sober).

We simply won’t be able to drink heavily for that much longer.
Fingers crossed, soon that college degree is going to land you on a sparkly career path that has you bringing in the big bucks.  Problem is, when you’re a responsible and driven employee, you can’t be hungover during conference calls and business lunches.  Might as well fit in as much partying as you can while you’re still able!

Now that you’ve graduated from fake IDs and sweet talking bouncers in college bars, I say go out there and mainline those Ketel and club sodas. Clearly liver abuse isn’t solely reserved for those still sleeping in extra-long twin beds.

This week I was perusing USA Today (trying to find the crossword puzzle) and stumbled upon an article that struck me as, frankly, a bit terrifying. The article screamed HUGE DEBT, NO SAVINGS in my face, warning all of us in “Gen-Y” (that group of seventeen – twenty-somethings) that we’re the only generation unlikely to out-succeed our parents financially. Harrowing stuff, especially since we seem to be in a generation of “buy now, pay later.” And when we do buy,  we want the newest and shiniest and don’t settle for less than designer brands…. Not exactly recession-friendly behavior.

The article had me thinking about my own spending habits and the habits of my peers. I certainly have gotten my act together over the past year but still struggle with the little things. I write checks and forget about them until they hit my account. I have days where I spend ten dollars on Starbucks. And then other days when I spend $20. I went through a period where I didn’t pay off my credit card balance every month (never. again.). We all struggle with the economy and our own personal finances. Here are the top 10 ways to be a savvy spender and super recessionista.

10. Keep track of your spending.
Do you know how much you spent all day yesterday, to the dime? Well, you should. Keeping on top of every little expense can save you cash in the future and keep you mindful of where your cashflow is going.

9. If you can’t indulge, don’t indulge.
I’m not saying to give up every indulgence, but if you’re about to spend $200 on a dress that you don’t have, then either wait for it to go on sale or just walk away. The dress will always be there, so wait til the cash is.

8. PAY IT OFF.
If my dad is reading this right now, he’s falling out of his office chair laughing hysterically. It took me a year to pay off my credit card balance and you know what? The only way I could do it was to mail my credit card home and never, ever have it on hand. I’m sure there are people out there who can manage their money and understand that when you receive a credit card bill, you must pay it off every month. I was not one of those people. Fees, charges and overdrafts all affect your credit score and your finances. If you can’t handle it, don’t have it. If you can, pay it off every. single. month.

7. Write down your debt in a place you’ll see it
Paint it on your wall. Write it on your fridge. If you owe 50k in student loans, THINK ABOUT IT every time you spend money. Sure, buying shots for all your friends might seem like a great idea at the time, but that seventy dollars could be going to your loan payments. Do you really want to worry about student loans when you’re ready to take out a mortgage on a house?

6. Cut back on the frills
I love caramel frappucinos, fancy make-up and high-end jeans. But, if I skip the Starbucks and hit the office coffee machine, ditch Sephora for CVS and pass up Saks for the Gap, even just for a month, I’ll save over $400 a month. Trust me, no frapp is yummier than that.

5. Plan, plan, plan
Okay, so you want to go on vacation in two months? Plan all your expenses ahead of time. Flight, hotel, bathing suit, meals, drinks, etc. Once you lay out a budget and know how much you need to set aside, it will keep you saving.

4. Get by with a little help from your friends
Plan free or cheap activities with your girl friends. Spa day at home, baking and picnicking are huge budget boosters over salon mani/pedis, high end cupcakes or fancy dinners.

3. Take advantage of your Tech-savvy
Right, Gen-Y is terrible at saving money. We’re the generation that live in a recession and have more debt than any other generations. Blah. Blah. Blah. We get it. But, what’s that one perk that we have? We’re so tech-savvy. From twitter to iPhones, we know how to work the techy angles. So embrace it. Download finance managing apps for your phone or sign up for Mint.com to see where your money’s going. Be smart and savvy and use the tools available to help!

2. Think of the big picture
If you’re still in school you don’t feel the weight of your loans right now. Even if you don’t have loans, great, but you’re about to have a whole mess of new expenses coming your way. If you plan on ever buying a house, leasing an apartment or buying a car, save now and save often. You never know when life’s going to throw you a curveball and if you don’t have that financial cushion, things can get pretty ugly, fast.

1. Don’t stress.
Yes, thinking about finances sucks. I can’t think of anything that gives me more anxiety (not even the thought of putting on a bikini in less than a month). But don’t let all the statistics terrify you. Just take a deep breath, evaluate your spending (past and present), then plan for your future. Pretty soon you’ll be ballin with a big house and five cars before you know it. Just don’t put it on a credit card!

And now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s put the beer down and really take a look at our fearless leader.

Unlike the seemingly general population, I am not an Obama fan. Let me rephrase that: I am not a political Obama fan.

[DISCLAIMER: these are my opinions. I’m a headstrong, non-poli sci major who’s just as entitled to my way of thinking as everybody else is, so hear me out. Before you begin your siege on my political thinking, give me a chance to do some explaining.]

Like any other American, there are some major issues that I place a higher value on than others. Though I didn’t vote for Obama in the election, I did happen to agree with him on two of my most important personal issues: stem cell research and investing in infrastructure. My younger sister has had type 1 diabetes for the past 12 years. Growing up with my (then) six-year-old sister having to constantly worry about her health and poke herself with needles has certainly made an impact on me. When I grew up and learned that there was a way for her to live a happier, more hassle free life, educating myself and advocating for this research became very important to my family and myself.

When President Obama pledged to lift the ban on research and allow more funding for it, I was simply ecstatic.

Similarly,  I think the infrastructure of our country is one of the most basic components to our success, hence the civil engineering degree I’m currently pursuing. When he pledged billions of dollars toward creating jobs in the field (yay!) I was, again, thrilled. This money and those jobs created would someday lead to my future career success, so I was naturally in full support of what he had to say. He promised 2.5 million jobs. How could anyone, especially in this economy, not get behind that?

But what’s come of it all now?

As far as stem cell research, he’s made some baby steps in what could be one of the biggest scientific fields of the future with the potential to save countless lives year in and year out. He lifted the ban on the research, yet hasn’t put any money toward it. And that’s….it. What has he done about infrastructure? And all those jobs? And the unemployment rate?

Maybe I’m misreading all the signs (stock market, housing market, job market…), but it seems Obama hasn’t fulfilled any of his promises to America. To his credit, Obama has tackled a very important issue, making major progress in integrating “gays” into the army with no questions asked. But that’s the biggest change we’ve seen.

Where’s all that so-called “change we can believe in”?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to hate on our president; I think he’d be a great guy to grab a beer with. Maybe we could even have a doggie play date or grab Michelle and hit up JCrew. But as far as leading this country and fixing the system he deemed to be broken, well, President Obama is definitely falling short.

President Obama is definitely Presidential material -  he’s got charisma and an uncanny ability to captivate audiences, he is a brilliant and well educated, he’s overcome many difficulties in his life and he’s worked very hard to get to where he is now. I do believe he can bring some change to our country and get us all to rally behind him, I’m just hoping the next three years are more progressive than his first.

Whaa?

The Associated Press reports that the new law “would ban the promotion of a postseason NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision game as a national championship unless it results from a playoff.” Maybe I’m not the most qualified person to be writing about this, since I’ve read that sentence ten times and I still have no idea what it means. Even though I’m from Pittsburgh, a city that proudly calls itself “a drinking town with a football problem,” I have been to exactly one professional and one college football game in my life. I didn’t know until a few minutes ago that the “BCS” was a thing, or that Congress had any say in how college football works.

But I know one thing: Georgia Representative John Barrow, who cast a dissenting vote only after saying, “With all due respect, I really think we have more important things to spend our time on,” is totally right. Even the head of whatever the BCS is, Bill Hancock, thinks that Congress “has more important issues than spending taxpayer money to dictate how college football is played.”

Maybe the House is just spending time worrying about sports because they want to try to fix something they actually can fix—inventing a better system for college football must be a lot easier than passing a health care bill that Democrats and Republicans both can agree on. Hell, college football may be the only thing both parties can agree on. But even if we can get both sides of the aisle to come together for an issue, this particular one makes our government look pretty bad, PR-wise.

Sure, it’s not like they’re sitting around reading “My Pet Goat” while the world is crashing down around them, but there’s still got to be a better way for state representatives to spend their time.