Applicant #25: Ryan Messier

Ryan Messier is a 24-year-old from London.

Ryan's video application:

Ryan online:
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Ryan current situation:

In 2009 I graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a degree in Childhood and Social Institutions. I currently work at London's Source for Sports. This summer I'm just working as much as I can while enjoying the nice weather and the golf course. All year long I help run various hockey schools and goaltender training sessions. In the winter I work for the University of Western Ontario's Men's ice hockey team as one of the trainers. I coach and play ice and inline hockey at all levels.

In 2006 I spent three months living at a sports camp as a head counselor in Thompson, Pennsylvania. Throughout my university days, I was lucky enough to travel all of England and spend New Years Eve in Edinburgh, Scotland...something you have to experience to truly understand, it was truly epic!

Ryan's blog post:

Tuition, taxes and prices in general just keep on climbing higher and higher. There are times when you may not be sure if you will have enough money to pay your bills after you leave home to start a new adventure at school, backpacking Europe or whatever you choose. Some of us will have to pay our own way through school; a truly daunting task. I had to put myself through school and it helped me to mature and grow.

If we can help inform and educate our youth at a young age about GICs, RRSPs, high interest savings accounts, tax-free savings accounts and other means of securing a financially stable future then we will help to ensure that their futures are positive and successful.

Saving money tip: Buy what you need and not what you want

I learnt this one at a young age. If you are like me, your wants include: big screen tvs, a sweet ride (other than Mom and Dad's), wild vacations, the newest electronics and new sports equipment (usually the best and most expensive). If you learn to be happy with what you've got then you will have extra money left in your account for those unpredictable times, rainy days or days where you just feel the urge to spend. If there is something you want and can't go without then tuck away a little bit from each paycheque...you'd be surprised how quickly it adds up.

Words to live by: plan for tomorrow but live for today.

Ryan