Emotional and intellectual real-estate; Guilt-free holidaying; ROI on home cooking; What happy people know about money; Golden cognitive dissonance

By Amanda Morrall

1) Internships

As an eager young journalism student one of the first things I did (to gain practical experience beyond writing up make-believe crime and council stories) was to freelance for my university newspaper, "The Charlatan.'' Great name huh?

Even though I didn't get paid, it wasn't completely selfless. As an arts writer it was my passage to all manner of freebies; ballet tickets, movie premieres and music gigs that I otherwise couldn't afford to pay for. It also meant that upon graduation I had something concrete to present to prospective employers. After four years, I had a pretty good collection of stories on top of the freelance work I found during the summer for other newspapers and magazine outside of the uni scene.

As a graduation requirement, we were also required to do at least one internship. I ended up in Toronto writing scripts at 4 a.m. for the morning news bulletins for the national broadcaster CTV. More valuable real life journo experience I could add to the resume and an opportunity to rub shoulders (or perhaps drink from the same coffee stained mug) as former Much Music VJ J.D. Roberts who went onto fame and fortune in the U.S. as one of the main anchors for CBS. I also got to say hi and hand papers to Lloyd Robertson, an icon in Canadian news reporting and television. 

Both were a valuable experience as were the dozens of other jobs and stepping stones I have taken along to way to where I find myself today.

Without further ado, here's my top link for today via Forbes.com on the value of free labour as a student and how to maximise those internship opportunities. The story quotes from an opinion piece on the subject written by Jack and Suzy Welch, one of whom was the CEO of General Electric, the other is the former editor of the Harvard Business Review. Some excellent advice here for students. My favourite bit is the part of capitalising on your emotional and intellectual real estate. So true.

Sure, the cheerful hiring people might have assured you that your internship is designed to introduce you to the company’s wonderful staff and culture and help you gain valuable industry experience, which is all well and good. Take that stuff in. But the bottom line is that, whether you’re working at an investment bank or a radio station, your summer internship should be more about giving than getting. Indeed, it should primarily be about you giving a helluva performance, over-delivering, making an impression with your insightful, unexpected ideas and terrific, sweat-the-details kind of output that prompts people to say, “Holy Cow, this kid really wants it…”

Our second “little” piece of advice is both easier and simpler. Be likable. Just that. Fun, upbeat, friendly, authentic, filled with positive energy, happy, agreeable, chit-chatty about sports and the weather and The Avengers, or frankly, whatever everyone at your company likes to be chit-chatty about. Get in the game and play, even literally, if there’s a softball game to be had. Let people know you. Let them hear you laugh. Let them see your humanity…

Finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention one last summer to-do item, which is not to take place at work but rather in the privacy of your own cheap rental. The pastor and author Terry A. Smith makes the case that people are happiest when they are working in their “Area of Destiny” — that gorgeous piece of emotional and intellectual real estate that exists at the intersection of what you’re uniquely good at and what deeply interests and excites you.

Overall, the advice is sound, not just for internships but for making the most out of any career at any point in your life.

2) Guilty free vacation spending

I specialise in guilt. I think most women do. With age and wisdom I am getting better but I still have room for improvement in this strange psychological department. As I set off on annual leave this Friday, rest assured I will not be feeling guilty. Well not at least until I'm confronted with the poverty probably. 

Here's marriedwithdebt.com with some practical tips on how to plan a guilt free vacation. 

And here's a nifty calculator to help with the budgeting, which is a key part of guilt-free holidaying, knowing you don't have to go into debt to finance it.

3) ROI in cooking

Every day when I cruise into work, I have to elbow my way through a crowd of cafe dwellers whom take their breakfast on an alarmingly regular basis at the expensive cafe outside my doorstep. I have questioned at times whether they know how to fry an egg but going off the postal code they realistically just don't need to worry about how much money they fritter away on lattes, poached eggs and 2,000 calorie grill ups.  The rest of us mere mortals know better and do most our dining at home.  I know you don't need convincing but just in case you know someone who does here's a piece on the ROI of home cooking, also via Forbes Money.

4) Happy people secrets

I read a pretty cynical story this morning by Globe and Mail writer Sarah Hampson about the explosion in happiness questing and research and also the crude marketing exploits on the back of it. At the risk of adding to the happiness hype I almost decided against publishing this link on a new book on the subject as it relates to money but actually I think the author Laura Vanderkam makes some valuable points too, about what money can and can't buy and what happy people know about money.

5) Golden cognitive dissonance

And finally more, via zerohedge on the perversity of the money printing solution designed blunt the financial haemorrhaging and why gold presents as a shiny alternative that continues to be poo-pooed by those with vested interests in playing banker in this real game of Monopoly that we find ourselves in.  For those interested in reading more on gold, check out our new gold section here. 

To read other Take Fives by Amanda Morrall click here. You can also follow Amanda on Twitter @amandamorrall