Household | QuadJobs blog

The coronavirus pandemic is changing the way many people are going to vote in the 2020 election, and it’s confusing how it will work. You’re not alone if you feel that way. One of the things that makes it confusing is the fact that voting laws are very local, varying from county to county and state to state. Which leads us to this week’s homework assignment: Take a moment to research and determine a clear plan on where and how you will be casting your vote this year. We’ve gathered some resources to help.

Mail-in Voting:

Plan Your Vote: Check out NBC News’ regularly updated Plan Your Vote site, loaded with the key information for voters in every state about mail-in voting, early in-person voting, and more.

How to Vote By Mail: This 15-minute lesson from NPR’s Life Kit Podcast on pandemic voting, and specifically, voting by mail, is a helpful and inspiring guide.

Receipt and postmark deadlines for absentee ballots: This list from the National Conference of State Legislatures has state by state deadlines for voting outside of polling places.

In Person Voting:

If you plan to vote in person, where will you go to do that? Go to National Associations of Secretaries of State to find your local polling place.

How will you get there? It’s not too early to check your schedule, make a transportation plan, or ask a friend to go with you. Research shows that taking a friend with you increases the chances you’ll both definitely vote.

What do you need to bring with you? Some states require Photo ID, others don’t. To double-check what your state requires, go here.

After Voting:

When you go to vote, take this number with you: (866) OUR-VOTE. This is a number to call if you or someone you know has difficulty at the polling station and needs to file a complaint. It is run by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

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QuadJobs is an online platform connecting college and graduate students to local jobs. From Saturday night babysitting to moving a couch to helping a local business during a busy time, students find flexible jobs that fit into whatever free time they have. By streamlining the employment connection between campus and community, QuadJobs unlocks jobs particularly well-suited for students’ busy, often changing schedules. The platform tracks every job a student takes and gathers performance reviews. Small jobs matter—they help a student network, earn income, and build a track record of work experience. Local employers can hire with efficiency and confidence.

As you might have noticed, our job board is blowing up with amazing ways that college students can support the democratic process this fall. Whether it’s helping people register to vote, or staffing polling stations on election day, you’ll find great opportunities to get involved on QuadJobs right now. We thought we’d highlight just a few of the organizations who’ve posted for help during this election cycle.

Generation Vote (genvote.org):

“Do you feel like your voice is not heard in local politics? Are you a student activist interested in changing the status quo? Or are you a candidate running for office and have no idea how to get in touch with our generation? Meet Generation Vote. We want to help you make your voice heard, whether you are a student or a local candidate running for office. Through our unique model of civic engagement, we have created a comprehensive strategy to transform the way young people engage in local electoral politics and advocacy campaigns.”

Common Cause (commoncause.org):

“Since 1970, Common Cause has been working to hold power accountable through lobbying, litigation, and grassroots organizing. Our non-partisan, pro-democracy work has helped pass hundreds of reforms at the federal, state, and local levels. Our more than 1 million members and more than 30 state organizations around the country work to strengthen our democracy by empowering the voices of everyday Americans in government.”

Big Tent USA (bigtentusa.org):

“Founded by a group of suburban women with diverse political views, the BigTentUSA community has come together to help restore decency and good governance to Washington. Our members are smart but busy, so we sort through the clutter to provide substantive information, concrete action items, and opportunities to make a difference. We are a community of women determined to wake up with no regrets on November 4^th and make sure our voices are always heard.”

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I am a voter is an easy, fast, free, “nonpartisan movement that aims to create a cultural shift around voting and civic engagement by unifying around a central truth: our democracy works best when we all participate.” It will help you register, help you confirm your registration, and help you get an absentee ballot (if it’s possible) in your state, if that’s what you’re looking to do.

Head to I am a voter or text VOTER to 26797 to check your registration or register to vote.

This is the right time—the right day, the right moment—to get yourself registered to vote or quickly confirm that you’re already registered. After all, you can’t vote if you’re not registered. It takes less than a minute.

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Want a super quick and easy way to help your community that you can get done while watching TV? Yes please! Have you filled out the 2020 Census yet?

The US Census tracks population in every state. Why does that matter? State population has an impact on a ton of stuff. Your state’s population factors into how much federal money your state will get for an array of services, including hospitals, first responders, schools, SNAP benefits, and more.

The Census also plays a role in our democratic process. Quick history lesson: In 1787, it was decided that the US House of Representatives would use something called proportional representation. That meant (and means) that the number of representatives a state sends to Congress in the House of Reps is determined by the state population. Which is determined by… you guessed it… the Census.

So cue up your favorite show and check the box on an important but easy act of civic responsibility. Especially in uncertain times, these small acts can feel really good. Every positive act is a step in the right direction.

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Parents and students are facing tremendous uncertainty about the school year ahead of us. Will students be able to safely return to school? Will they be able to stay in school, or will circumstances change quickly? If they’re home, will parents be able to handle the demands of guiding them in their at home learning?

We don’t have any of those answers, unfortunately, but we are watching families across the country turn to QuadJobs to supplement and support their children’s learning. Many of our college students are home next fall, and they’re eager to help. Here are some trends we’re seeing:

Online tutoring. Great for helping students organize their days, work through challenging assignments, or review fundamentals.
Mask-wearing tutors. Many families find that a few hours of help go a long way in helping their young students stay engaged and actively learning.
Working together outside. In many areas, it’s wonderful to be outside now through fall. Have a QuadJobber work with your student in the shade or on a porch. Maybe it’s simply reading a wonderful novel aloud to the kids as you get some work done.

One of the hidden benefits, besides academic development, is the connection young kids feel to a friendly college student helping them. There tends to be far less struggle, and the work feels more enjoyable.

As we move together through these changing and challenging times, remember that you always have access to responsible, friendly, eager to help QuadJobbers.

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On June 22, The President of the United States issued an Executive Order which suspends the entry of certain visa categories to the U.S. until the end of 2020. Au pair visas are included in this order.

Having hosted au pairs for many years ourselves, having formed lasting bonds and benefited tremendously from the childcare provided, we know how disappointed families and au pairs must be at having to delay the start of this special experience.

For families in this situation, QuadJobs offers good stopgap childcare. Our students are here to help. We have more college students home and eager for work than ever. You can find an energetic and responsible college student this summer to help you keep the kids entertained, safe, and happy while you tackle other responsibilities (or just rest for a moment!).

Our hope is that our platform can help you bridge the gap until your au pair arrives.

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How awesome would it be to achieve financial independence—meaning, adequate savings to support you for the rest of your life—at a very young age? It doesn’t require winning the lottery, or hitting oil, or selling your startup for millions. For the past decade, the growing Early Retirement Extreme movement (also known as the FIRE movement—Financial Independence, Retire Early) has shone a light on how this goal can be reached.

Frugality. Well, obviously, but thought leaders like the popular blogger “Mr. Money Mustache” and Jacob Lund Fisker, author of Early Retirement Extreme, have made an art of keeping expenses lean. They advocate cutting every possible expense until you’re spending the bare minimum on your car, home, and even food. Learning to cook, instead of ordering food or eating out, can move the needle. It’s worth noting that extreme early retirees often end up spending their leisure time doing the exact same things that many people look forward to doing in retirement, such as gardening, walking, or biking. Most report that spending less only adds to their enjoyment of life, and doesn’t feel like a sacrifice. They seem to take pleasure in finding creative ways to save money.
Save aggressively. Again, this seems self-evident, but too often people just save what’s “left over.” Early extreme retirees aim to save as much as 75% of income. That goal isn’t feasible for everyone, but with some sacrifices and resourcefulness, it may be doable for you. As Mr. Money Mustache describes, if you can live on one dollar out of every four you make, you’ll save enough to cover three years’ worth of future expenses in just one year.
Accumulate savings until your passive income provides enough money for your living expenses in perpetuity. Having this money in the bank doesn’t mean you can immediately buy a BMW and a McMansion and expect to never work another day in your life. But if you keep working and living simply, which means saving more, there may be room in your future budget to comfortably afford some well-chosen luxuries. The FIRE movement suggests waiting until you can truly afford these luxuries—as well as the ongoing costs associated with them—until you’ve got plenty of savings to pay for them.

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We are so grateful to be a business built by the power of community and word-of-mouth.

When QuadJobs first started, we were astonished to see that whenever a few employers in a community began using our platform to hire college students, a circle of their neighbors and friends would sign up almost immediately. People who know about QuadJobs join QuadJobs. Who doesn’t need a little help sometimes? $35 a year is a small price to pay for unlimited access to the best college babysitters, dog walkers, party help, furniture movers, and tutors you could ask for.

When you suggest QuadJobs to a friend, you’re opening up real opportunities for a hardworking college student in your community. Many of our students work dozens of jobs each year to defray the cost of tuition. The money a student earns from QuadJobs may pay for a needed car repair, allowing him to get to class and stay in school. It pays travel home to see family during winter break. It pays for books or cold weather layers. For some, it pays for necessities. Others appreciate the chance to go out with the friends—to enjoy that aspect of college life.

So thank you for each and every time you pass along QuadJobs as a suggestion for a friend or neighbor! And please tell your friends in other communities as well. We are now open for business in 33 states across the United States — and growing!

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After graduating from the University of Connecticut, Riyad Twal realized that he wanted to be a doctor—a pediatrician, specifically. That meant taking some additional coursework such as Organic Chemistry, as well as gaining experience by volunteering at local hospitals. To cover his living costs during this pivotal time, Riyad signed up for QuadJobs, hoping to find some jobs near campus.

“It’s only because of QuadJobs that I was able to stay afloat and pursue my dream of medical school,” he says.

Through QuadJobs, Riyad was able to connect to local jobs to earn money. He found work as a tutor and babysitter. But it was a job weeding a backyard that brought even greater opportunities into Riyad’s life.

“I applied for and was hired to do a big weeding job. The family had been living elsewhere for a year and the yard was pretty overgrown,” Riyad explains. He spent several days weeding, impressing his employer with his strong work ethic and professionalism. The job grew to include other projects around the house—converting an old shed into a work area, hauling materials to the dump.

As Riyad continued to work hard, he began to get to know his employer. The employer had noticed that Riyad’s QuadJobs profile mentioned his desire to apply to medical school. It turned out that he was a successful orthopedic surgeon, a graduate of Columbia medical school who was happy to advise and help a hardworking young QuadJobber looking to follow a similar course.

“He has turned into an incredible mentor,” says Riyad. “I am so grateful to QuadJobs for helping me to make this career-changing connection.”

Even small jobs can lead to tremendous opportunities. We hear these stories all the time. And they all start the same way: With hardworking QuadJobs college students who show up for any job prepared to work and get it done well.

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It’s holiday crunch time—the inevitable moment when you realize you still haven’t addressed that pile of holiday cards, wrapped and mailed packages to out-of-town relatives or close friends, or found a babysitter for the office Christmas party next Friday. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Check out these recent posts from the QuadJobs community — your neighbors are hiring college students to get these last-minutes job done and done well. With college students home for the holidays, there are plenty of elves for everyone!

Assemble Barbie Dream House. If this is your year for that time-consuming task, give yourself a huge holiday gift by hiring a local college student to get it done.
Wrapping presents. Get a jumpstart by letting a QuadJobber grab the wrapping paper and rolls of tape—this always takes longer than you think it will. Spend Christmas Eve sipping hot cocoa by the fire with presents beautifully wrapped!
The post office. No matter how much holiday or DIY spirit you have, nobody enjoys this task! A hardworking local college student is more than happy to stand in line and mail your packages to everyone on your out-of-town list.
Babysitting. Plan a little break during the kids’ school breaks — hire a great college babysitter today to have fun with the kids while you have some fun yourself!

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