Summer vacation starts in a few weeks and that means you’ll have several months where you can get great work experience while making some extra cash. Many students will choose the traditional summer job route like a lifeguard, camp counselor, or waiting tables at a restaurant. Another approach is to consider getting an internship or using this valuable time to gain experience in a field that puts you on track to get your dream job. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Explore Career Options: If you could do anything in the world, what would it be? Do you like to work with kids or animals? Are you strong in math and science? Does a desk job sound like torture when you would rather be in the great outdoors? Take some time to think about the type of work or company that holds the most interest for you. Read up on career choices, talk to your parents or mentor, and look through career sites such as Monster or LinkedIn.

2. Update Your Resume: Make your resume informative and compelling that includes your education and any valid work experiences. Check out these resume samples to get you started. Make sure you also compile a list of professors, advisors, and bosses that you can use as references.

3. Trial Run: When it comes to getting a job, the interview process is crucial. Dressing appropriately for the interview is a no brainer, but it’s worth it to do some extra research on the person and/or company with whom you are interviewing. Enlist a friend to help you practice answering interview questions and check out some great interview tips.

4. Get Organized: Looking for a job requires time, attention to detail, and great follow-up. Locate a place to file all your job search materials (hard and electronic copies). This can include your resume, a cover letter, portfolio, e-mail inquiries, contacts, etc. College transcripts, letters of recommendations, and proper ID (such as license or passport) should also be easy to find.

5. Make a Budget: Internships can be a great learning experience; many do not pay. Figure out how much money you will need during the summer and the upcoming fall semester. If money is tight, try to fit in a part-time internship and still work a part-time job for pay. Check out this back-to-school budget calculator.

Good luck on finding your next gig this summer. If you want more tips, read this.

“It’s the thought that counts.” We hear this expression all the time, often as a condolence to the person who shows up with a lame gift, or one that’s clearly thrown together at the last minute. But the real meaning behind the phrase is a perfect fit for Mother’s Day. Whoever coined this phrase was probably a Mom herself.

Moms don’t expect you to spend a fortune on Mother’s Day. So don’t. Just make her feel special, by simply being thoughtful. You’re probably an old pro at this, but here are some inexpensive, meaningful ways to shower Mom with love this Sunday.

Moms love cards. Seriously, every Mom loves getting a card. It’s in their DNA. So if money is tight, a nice card is a simple, legitimate way to honor Mom. If you don’t find one you like at the store, make one. Even if you’re getting her a gift, include a card. It’s a tradition that lets you express in words how you feel, and Mom will eat it up.

Pick up the phone. “Call your mother.” Whether she lives far away, or across town, a phone call on Mother’s Day is worth every penny. And remember to make it all about her. Calling her to ask for your next tuition check is Mother’s Day buzz kill.

Pick up the phone, again. Beyond making thoughtful calls to Mom, those smartphones attached to the sides of our heads are also great for creating Mother’s Day memories. Find or take a digital photo of Mom, or a fun memory you shared, and make it the centerpiece for your gift. Print and frame it, or create a webpage with it. You could even record a video message for Mom on your phone. Trust us, she’ll end up playing it over and over again, and making her friends and neighbors watch it.

Work it. Moms love it when their kids work. Especially doing things they can’t or don’t want to do. So take this opportunity to help Mom out with some of the chores and tasks she has on her list. Run some errands. Do HER laundry for a change. Make her breakfast. Replace those light bulbs. Hang that picture. Or just give her some down time. Not only will she think you are so multi-talented, she’ll be reminded how smart she was to have kids that can take of her for a change.

Take your Mama out. Get Mom out of the house for some quality time. Plan a picnic, a hike, a matinee, or a trip to a museum. Just think about the things she enjoys doing. Give her a few options and let her decide how she’d like to spend the day.

Help Mom everyday. Have fun on Mother’s Day. But remember to lend a hand everyday. Helping Mom take care of her finances is a great way to show some love. For example, here’s an article on how to make a will.

It’s hard to believe that Tax Day was just a couple of weeks ago, and now many of you are waiting for your state and federal tax refunds to arrive. According to the IRS, the average tax refund for 2013 is approximately $2,800. As tempting as it would be to spend it all on a vacation or go on a shopping spree, here are some other ideas on how to make the most of your tax refund this year:

Pay off Your Credit Card: Take advantage of extra cash to pay down any outstanding balances you may have. Financial advisors suggest you pay off the card with the highest interest rate first and then work your way through the other cards until they are paid off.

Build Your Emergency Savings: In these unpredictable times, it never hurts to have some money saved for a rainy day. Experts recommend having 3-6 months of living expenses in an interest-bearing savings account just in case. Check out this article from Kiplinger’s on why we need an emergency fund.

Spend on Something You Need: Been holding out and avoiding expensive things like getting your car repaired or buying something new for your apartment? Now that you have some extra cash, go ahead and take care of some of the “necessities” that have been put on hold over the past few months.

Give to a Charity: If you’ve been aching to support a favorite cause or organization, this is a great time to do so. Not only does it feel good to donate to something you care about, but you can also claim a tax deduction next year.

Save for Retirement: Retirement may seem like a million years away, but any money you can put away while you are young will grow substantially because of compound interest. If you’re not already contributing to your retirement account, consider starting or making a contribution to your 401(k) or SEP IRA plan if you already have one set up.

Splurge on Yourself: Have all of the above covered? Maybe that means it’s time to treat yourself to something special. New clothes or that smartphone you’ve been dying to upgrade to, or even money towards a big vacation in the future.

If having a little extra moula has whet your appetite to save even more, read this article from Practical Money Skills.

Believe it or not, the deadline for filing your income tax in 2013 is just a few days away – Monday, April 15th. It’s easy to go into panic mode when you’re scurrying to get everything done, so here are a few tips to help calm those last-minute jitters:

File Electronically for Free: The IRS says you can e-file through a tax preparer, personal computer and tax preparation software, or the IRS Free File program for individuals with an AGI of $57,000 or less. Filing electronically offers faster refunds, including direct deposit into up to three bank accounts.

Set Up A Payment Plan: You should plan to file by the regular April 15th deadline even if you can’t pay the full amount due. The IRS gives folks who owe $50,000 or less in combined tax, penalties, and interest the chance to set up a monthly payment agreement for up to six years. You can use this option if you have not received a bill or notice from the IRS.

Ask for More Time to File: If you can’t complete your return by April 15th, visit IRS.gov and request an automatic tax-filing extension using Form 4868. Anyone, regardless of your income, can apply for this automatic six-month extension. Here are more Last Minute Tax Filing Tips from the IRS.

Keep Your Tax Records: After you file, safely consolidate your completed tax returns, W-2s, 1099s, charitable giving receipts, and other paperwork in one big envelope or folder. This way, if the IRS decides to do an audit, you will be ready to go. Depending on your financial situation, you should keep them on file for 3-7 years.

If you’re still having a hard time getting motivated to complete your taxes on time, read this article from Practical Money Matters
on why we need to take the tax deadlines seriously.