Applicant #20: Leah Bell

Leah Bell is a 24-year-old from Guelph.

Leah's video application:

Leah online:

+ Twitter
+ Facebook
+ Facebook page

Leah's current situation:

I graduated from Conestoga College just a few mouths ago. There I was in a postgraduate course called Videography: Broadcast Journalism and Documentary Film. I loved learning how to film and edit my own stories. Using my creativity and my new skills I was able to produce a sassy 9-min documentary called ‘10 Things I Hate About Serving YOU!'

You can see the trailer for it on my blog @ leahmbell.wordpress.com

Since then I have interned with CTV Southwestern Ontario and bought my very own video camera. I can currently be found most nights waitressing at the Fat Duck Gastro Pub. (The world cup has been amazing! Go Holland!!!!!)

Oh and did I mention I am engaged? I TELL EVERYONE! Jon, my fiancee, is wonderful and together we are planning a simple country wedding for next spring.

Leah's blog post:

7 Ways to Save Money in the Summer

I love summer! Who doesn’t?!? The days are longer and the nights are warmer! You can move any activity outside onto a deck or a patio. That way you can soak in the sunshine or enjoy the evening breeze while you get things done!

I also find that in the summer I spend less money. Here are some of the ways I do it:

1. Growing a garden. If you are anything like me it doesn’t go well! But if you stick with it (and maybe get some help) you should end up with at least a healthy crop of tomatoes and some fresh basil for cooking, that you’d otherwise have to buy!
2. Instead of driving, taking a bus, or a cab in the summer you can walk. If you are reeeeeeally lucky and own a bike you can ride! These modes of transportation require some extra planning time wise but are cheaper and also really enjoyable. I promise!
3. Two words: Dollar Store. Although this is a place you can shop year round it seems to me that in the summer it’s the best! You can get everything from bubbles to water bottles, beach toys to lip gloss. So check there for your summer supplies before you go to the grocery store or mall.
4. Outdoor activities. The winter has it’s share of outdoor fun but I just love summer activities. Even simple things like tossing a frisbee or taking a walk through places like the Guelph Arboretum are fun and FREE! Getting outside with your friends saves you the money you’d normally spend on things like movies or video games.
5. Put your gym membership on hold. Last year I had never ever run outside. Hard to believe?! But it’s true. Bigger gyms offer students the option of putting their memberships on hold in the summer while they are back home. Doing this will save you the fee throughout the summer and allow you to take advantage of running outside. Trust me you should try it!
6. Hang dry your laundry. It’s small but cutting back on dryer use while the weather is nice will save you money. AND it makes your clothes smell like grass and BBQ. AWESOME!
7. Back yard get-togethers. They are the best kind of get-togethers. Instead of going out to a bar or club have everyone over for a pot luck or drink luck and socialize into the night under the stars! It will save you in the end on drinks, munchies, and cabs and be a memorable summer evening!

With all these ways to save, the summer is a good time to open a TFSA (a tax-free saving account). That way you can save money and earn tax free interest that will come in handy at times when money is tighter, like christmas and spring break!

Leah