Superintendent Pamela Moran is facing one of the most treacherous fiscal years in Albemarle County Public Schools history.

I sat down with her to see what advice she has for staying monetarily afloat and find out why Charlottesville is her niche.

In this harsh budget season what advice do you have for the public for ways to save and keep afloat?

1. Save at least 5% of what you earn.

2. Walk if you can avoid driving.

3. Buy local to help our economy.

4. Take a bag lunch to work.

5. Avoid using credit cards to buy things you can't afford.

6. Drink tap water rather than bottled water

7. Use the pubic library system to checkout movies and books.

8. Cut down on overuse of cell phone minutes.

9. Reduce utilities use in your home- lights, TV

10. Wash your car rather than using a carwash

How can the student/young adult population help facilitate change during this budget crisis?

“ Research facts before expressing opinions, engage politically, vote, become as well educated as possible about factors that led to and continue to influence the budget crisis.”

If you had to tell a visitor of ten 'must go to spots’ in Charlottesville what would they be?

1. La Taza coffee

2. Mudhouse coffee

3. McGuffey Art Center

4. UVA tennis courts

5. The Lawn

6. University of Virginia Art Museum

7. Kluge Rhue Aborigine Art Museum

8. The Corner

9. C'ville Coffee for music

10. Monticello

What’re ten things about Charlottesville that make it unique, special and different to you than any other town?

“A small town with a number of very diverse restaurants, no public hearing occurs without at least one Jefferson quote, embedded international community adds depth to conversation, public schools are fantastic, downtown mall offers music, arts, great restaurants and coffee, overall people live a healthy lifestyle, the Blue Ridge Mountains form a backdrop for the community, Forbes Magazine says its a top place to raise a family, has to have one of the most well-educated wait staff in the world, people in this community care about other people-are willing to offer a helping hand to those less fortunate.”