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Real Person Moments are those defining moments in becoming a “real person”— graduating from college, getting a job, finding housing—whatever that means for you. If you’re exploring a new chapter in your life, you’ve come to the right place. This site was built by college students for college students. We’re not here to preach, we’re here to help. We want your input as we search for the answers in our lives, too. Some might call it growing up, but we just call it confusing as fuck. Let’s make some sense of it together.

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Nick Castele

Hometown:
Cleveland, Ohio
My Real Person Moment:
Now that I’m a senior, I try to sneak to bed before midnight. Don’t want to be sluggish the next day.
Check out my work:
‘Snob’ Presidents, Rising Debt and Mortgage Rejections: 2012 in College News

Molly Collins

Hometown:
Roselle, Illinois
My Real Person Moment:
I’m a vegetarian so I get nervous when going out to eat with large groups of people that I won’t find something on the menu. My office was going out and when I looked at the menu there wasn’t anything I could justify paying the $33 price for. I had to decide whether to go to socialize or let my frugal self take over and pass this time.
Check out my work:
The Most and Least Expensive Cities
Put Your Money Where Your House Is
Online Dating is for Losers (Not Really)
What if You Need Cash Fast?

Nolan Feeney

Hometown:
Berkeley, California
My Real Person Moment:
Realizing I had to learn to cook was a reality check, but successfully feeding myself was a total #RealPersonMoment.
Check out my work:
Four Tips for 20-Somethings to Jumpstart Their Savings
Getting Your Life Together: There’s an App for That
Getting Married: Can You Even Afford It?

Jennifer Haderspeck

Hometown:
Chicago, Illinois
My Real Person Moment:
Being a commuter student in college made every day a real person moment. I’d join the rat race and drive to campus for class, put in my time, and then drive back home, only to be greeted by commitments of my familial roles, part-time jobs and all of my homework. Throughout college I practiced my work/life balance and had to be responsible for people other than myself, just like a real person.
Check out my work:
Student Loan Calculator
Health Insurance After College
Facebook Friends With Your Boss: Pros and Cons

Hanna Howard

Hometown:
McLean, Virginia
My Real Person Moment:
Scheduling interviews for a post-grad job.
Check out my work:
Not Your Mother’s Pantsuit: 10 Tips for Building a Professional Wardrobe
3 Tips for Decorating Your Apartment
Should You Live Alone?

Michael Kaplan

Hometown:
Los Angeles, California
My Real Person Moment:
Trying to cook hamburgers for myself and setting off the smoke alarm. I soon learned it’s probably not necessary to turn the flame to “high” on the stove top.
Check out my work:
Big Banks Cut Back on Entry-Level Positions
Can a Cough Drop Help Your Phone Interview?

Deborah Kim

Hometown:
Los Angeles, California
My Real Person Moment:
My real person moment is almost burning down my apartment the first time I tried to cook because I got distracted and left the gas on.
Check out my work:
Surfing the Web for Personal Use: Is it Acceptable at Work?
A Guy’s Guide to Dressing for an Interview

Sarah Kuta

Hometown:
Grand Island, Nebraska
My Real Person Moment:
The first time I created a legitimate budget for myself. At the advice of my (older) friend, I created an Excel spreadsheet and started watching just how fast money spends itself, especially when you are paying rent for the first time. When I realized how much money I had to work with each month, I basically stopped eating out entirely. I’ve eased up a little bit, but my spending habits have changed a ton.
Check out my work:
5 Things Money Lenders Know About You Through Your Credit Score
Free Burritos and Yoga: There’s More to a Job Than Your Salary

Lorraine Lee

Hometown:
Los Angeles, California
My Real Person Moment:
Deciding it was time to learn about budgeting a full-time salary. I created a spreadsheet that calculated salary after taxes, rent, eating out, etc., and it was a good reality check to see how quickly money gets spent on just the necessities!
Check out my work:
Are Cover Letters Necessary?
Tools for a Successful Job Hunt
Networking Strategies to Help Your Job Search
Student Loan Calculator

Kelsey Sheridan

Hometown:
Tequesta, Florida
My Real Person Moment:
When Xtreme Trampoline let me sign my own waiver form!
Check out my work:
9 Jobs that Can Shrink Your Student Debt
Want to Be Rich? God’s Got Your Back

Sierra Tishgart

Hometown:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
My Real Person Moment:
Learning that it’s okay– and actually, very enjoyable— to sit at a bar alone and eat a good meal. I usually end up striking up interesting conversations, and often get invited to join strangers at their table!
Check out my work:
U.S. Cities: Advice from Locals on Where to Eat, Sleep and Play
Should Employment Discrimination Laws Protect Interns?

Rachel Wagner

Hometown:
Rockville, Maryland
My Real Person Moment:
The first time I flew home by myself. Before coming to school, whenever I would travel by airplane it would be with the rest of my family. Deciding when I wanted to come home and arranging everything myself made me feel much more independent.
Check out my work:
Finding a Job in 140 Characters or Less
Why Your Older Sibling Makes More Money Than You

Lydia Zuraw

Hometown:
Ellicott City, Maryland
My Real Person Moment:
Writing the check for the security deposit on my apartment.
Check out my work:
Starting From Scratch: How to Cook for Yourself
It’s Now or Never: Advice for Moving Abroad

Eric Brown

Hometown:
Union City, California
My Real Person Moment:
Signing an apartment lease!
Check out my work:
Teach for America Goes Beyond the Classroom

Sam Daub

Hometown:
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
My Real Person Moment:
Eating breakfast.
Check out my work:
The Government Doesn’t Care About You or Your Student Loans

Grace Huang

Hometown:
Ann Arbor, Michigan / Shanghai, China
My Real Person Moment:
Getting a credit card under my own name and mine alone, keeping track of my spending habits in a budget and paying the bills myself. And having to pay a late fee due to missing one rent payment by a couple of days – that definitely made me never forget to pay rent again.
Check out my work:
When the Job Hunt Gets Tough, the Tough Move to Asia
U.S. Cities: Advice from Locals on Where to Eat, Sleep and Play

Camaree Turman

Hometown:
Evanston, Illinois
My Real Person Moment:
Finding, financing, and decorating my first apartment!!! Paying the first statement on my student credit card. Paying for gas and car insurance.
Check out my work:
What to Expect From Your Landlord
Why All Colleges Should Offer Tuition-Free Alternatives

Daniel Moran

Hometown:
Chicago, Illinois
My Real Person Moment:
Going to a bar after turning 21 and spending my entire grocery budget for the week after ordering three drinks.
Check out my work:
Film Graduates Have Mixed Success in Los Angeles