Alaana Kumar

I’m a writer and editor who believes that good information can change someone’s path. Whether I’m developing educational content, simplifying financial concepts, or editing stories that highlight real experiences, I work to make learning feel less intimidating and more empowering.

My Recent Work

Just a phone call away | McGill Tribune

At 22 years old, I have lived in four cities across three different countries. Each move has come with the gruelling process of saying goodbye to loved ones and cultivating a new social circle in an unfamiliar place. While others my age may find comfort in living in one place their entire lives, I find solace in knowing I have acquired something in my childhood that is invaluable: A large network of relationships.

With the romanticization of letter writing, rotary dial phones, and life before t
StockTrak •

3 Investment Trends for 2023 - StockTrak

The start of 2023 has not been a stellar time for investors. The economy is a rollercoaster ride with so many ups and downs, inventors are feeling queasy!

As we head into February, here are 3  trendy investment strategies gaining popularity in 2023.

Please keep in mind that we are not advising you in any direction – this article is a starting point, and we always recommend you do further research before making any investment decisions.

Oftentimes when investors own stocks of public companies,...
StockTrak •

Finances are in the Air... - StockTrak

In today’s economy, you’ve probably heard a lot about saving and budgeting. While responsible spending is key, only purchasing necessities can get frustrating. So, instead of changing your saving-based habits, consider changing your outlook on spending.

Value-based spending means investing in things that bring you joy, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Simply put, this means understanding the advantages of each purchase, and the costs associated with it.

For example, doe...
StockTrak •

Step to the Side (Hustle)

The 2021 job market has many of us settling into jobs we aren’t necessarily passionate about. While paying the bills and working the traditional 9-5 is something to be proud of, there is no reason you can’t expand your horizons and conjure up a passion project to generate a little extra joy and income.

A side hustle can be any job, occupation, or business you run outside your primary work hours, as a means to boost income. This could be a small startup you launch alone, a part-time job, a busin
StockTrak •

Inflation: How to lose money without spending it

Inflation is the rate at which the value of a currency is falling. During periods of inflation, prices for goods and services rise. Economists categorize inflation into three types:
• Demand-Pull Inflation: When demand is greater than supply, prices rise.
• Cost-Push Inflation: Increases to the cost of wages and raw materials result in higher prices of everyday goods and services.
• Built-In Inflation: Occurs when workers expect their salaries or wages to increase to help maintain their living c
StockTrak •

The value of a good credit score

You’ve probably heard about the importance of having good credit, but have you ever wondered what that actually means?

Credit is the ability to borrow money, access goods, or use services with the understanding that you’ll pay at a later date. Having good credit means you’re more favourable to banks and lenders. Therefore, it’s important to protect your overall credit score.

In this article, we explain the ins and outs of credit, as well as some tips and tricks to ensure you’re maintaining a h
The Tribune •

Bruised, broken, and behind

“Text me when you get home.” My friends and family said it so often that, when my sister said it that night, it seemed like a suggestion I could ignore. It was 10:30 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday, early enough to walk the 20 minutes home. I had done it hundreds of times before, so when she asked if she could call me an Uber, I laughed. I bundled up, hit shuffle on my playlist, and left excited for my late-night stroll— it was 20 minutes I could avoid studying for my economics midterm. I was lost in
The Tribune •

Word (off) the Y: How has your life been under physical distancing? - The Tribune

As life has been turned upside down, Associate Provost (Teaching and Academic Programs) Christopher Buddle and the Student Life team of The McGill Tribune share their outlook on this unprecedented period in history, as well as what they are looking forward to when this crisis passes. 
Miguel Principe; Student Life Editor
Three weeks ago, I was stressed about [things] my future such as writing exams, finding a gap-year job, and applying to grad school in the following year. With the coming months...
The Tribune •

Life as an 1.5 generation migrant

Everyone seems to have labels for each other, often used as a means to define every characteristic of an individual. One universal label, “immigrant”, is used to define someone who comes to live permanently in a foreign country. This categorization can follow a family years after their ancestors migrated and is often broken down into three categories: First-, second-, and third-generation immigrants. The first generation was born outside Canada and moved here as adults; the second is the Canadia
The Tribune •

Starting the conversation about eating disorders

University life is filled with academic and social pressure which can give rise to increased mental health concerns. One class of mental illness that affects many students is eating disorders. According to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), it is estimated that between 10 and 20 per cent of women and four to 10 per cent of men attending university suffer from an eating disorder. These illnesses are characterized by irregular eating habits and an extreme fixation with eating, food,
The Tribune •

Tribune Explains: How to dispose effectively - The Tribune

The phrase “reduce, reuse, and recycle” is a staple of many elementary school classrooms. Students are often told to recycle their paper and plastic items, unaware that if they do so incorrectly, the whole batch of recycling can end up in a landfill. With the consequences of climate change becoming increasingly severe, the City of Montreal hopes to enforce proper garbage and recycling practices. By recycling correctly, residents can aid in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing energy c...
The Tribune •

Mom, can you come pick me up?

As the add-drop period ends, the 2019–2020 school year is officially in full swing. This realization can be daunting for many students, especially those starting their first year at McGill. For these newcomers, reality is likely sinking in as the excitement of starting post-secondary education is replaced with the pains of the frosh flu; evenmore, settling into life away from home can feel exhausting. However, it is important to remember that students everywhere have experienced homesickness, an
The Tribune •

Toward a more just judicial system

The first Mental Health and Law Conference will take place on March 30 at McGill to facilitate discussion and bring awareness to the links between two prominent fields of study: Law and psychology. The Thomson House event will host researchers from around Montreal who will facilitate a conversation on how lawmakers can reform Canada’s judicial system to better accommodate offenders suffering from mental illness.

Lawyers often work for clients who suffer from mental health issues including schiz
The Tribune •

How students can use ASMR to decompress

Whispering, crumpling, tapping, and buzzing. These are among the most popular autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) techniques that millions enjoy over the internet. ASMR allows consumers to experience low levels of euphoria triggered by specific auditory or visual stimuli. Though some people do not experience this phenomenon, it is a growing trend among young adults and students who use it as an easily accessible means of relaxation.

Individuals who experience ASMR triggers believe that