Living on a Budget

     College is the best time of your life, but when it comes to finances may be the worst. If your parents are willing to help you, take advantage of it!

Budget Tips: 
1. Make a list
     Nothing will feel better than crossing things off your list and if its not on your list, don't buy it! 
2. Stick to your list
     At the store don't buy something that isn't on your list, you probably don't need it.
3. Buy in Bulk
     You will save a lot buying in bulk and at costco, especially for those things you eat a lot of or that don't go bad very quick. If you eat yogurt every morning it is probably cheaper to buy a case at Costco.
4. Plain Foods
     You can do a lot more than you think with plain foods like chicken! 
5. Use everything possible
     Don't let all your left overs go to waste. 
6. Savings Cards
     At the chain super markets use rewards cards, to get cheaper prices on food and in the end you can usually save on gas! 
7. Drink Water
     It's free!
8. Make your own food
     You will save money making your own food instead of eating out. 
9. Pack a lunch
     The lunch box I told you not to forget to pack will come in handy to take your lunch with you especially when you have a busy day on campus. 
10. Buy seasonal
     It cost a lot less to buy fruits and veggies when it is their season.
11. Coupons!
     You'll save so much! 
12. Stick to a realistic budget
     Don't make your budget much less than you will actually spend, plan appropriately. 
13. Generic Foods
     Those generic foods that are just as good as name brand? Buy them!
14. Dairy
     It's cheap & filling. 
15. Nut Butter
     It is filling and much better for you than real butter. 
16. Tupperware
     Store meals and eat them out of the same container. 

What to Avoid: 
1. Junk food
2. Sugar Cereal
3. Packaged Snacks
4. Things from Gas Stations
5. Don't go shopping hungary

Remember to save, save, save before heading off shortly! xoxo

Keep it or leave it?

     As hard as it may be, there are certain things you just don't want to take with you to college! For example, your furry pets you've grown up with won't exactly fit in the dorm life, and are better off at home with your parents. Remember, you will be coming home for breaks and so maybe wait until Thanksgiving you pack up your super warm clothes for winter? Factor that and weekend visits home in when packing.

Don't Need:
1. Tons of Notebooks-> Remember in college you can take notes on your laptop!
2. TV-> You can watch most everything online now
3. Printer -> They have printing stations all over campus
4. Appliances-> Especially if you are living on campus you won't need anything more than a mini fridge
5. All your clothes!
6. Tons of Nick Nacks-> Pictures are a must but put them all on a board & it will decorate your wall too.

Packing for College

When packing up your entire life remember, you still have a home and don't take what you won't need!

Electronics: 

- Printer

- Laptop 

- All Chargers

- Headphones

- Surge Protector

- Fridge

- Microwave

Try to coordinate with your roommate prior to move in on who is bringing what with items such as the microwave and fridge! 

Bed: 

-Sheets (2 sets)

- Comforter

- Pillows

- Memory Foam (dorm beds aren't known to be comfortable!)

- Under bed storage

Room: 

- trash can (check if this is supplied by the school)

- storage

- pictures

Bath

- cosmetics

- hair dryer

-shampoo & conditioner

- body wash

- laundry detergent

- hair products

-mirror

- towels/ wash clothes (at least 2 each)

- medical products

     If you are living in a suite then coordinate with roommates on who is bringing the shower curtain and mini ironing board! 

     Don't forget to purchase a shower caddy because it will make your life so much more simple especially if you have to use a community bathroom. 

Inside pack the following: 

- Washcloth & Towel

- Flip Flops

- Shampoo & Conditioner

- Body Wash

- Face Cleanser

- Toothbrush & Toothpaste

- Deodorant

Happy Packing & remember to check on any items you cannot bring to your school! 

Until tomorrow xoxo

Dorm & Apartment Essentials

     Whether you are moving into an apartment or dorm room there are a few essentials everyone needs to keep organized throughout the crazy school year! I have prepared printables for budgeting along with links to organizing essentials along with many other quick tips, if you have any I would love to hear back and be able to include them on here. 

Happy Packing! 

Don't forget to pack: 

- Water Bottle

- Tupperware

- Electric Water Kettle

- Sleep Mask

- Multivitamin

- SPF Moisturizer

- Hand Sanitizer 

Under Bed Storage

Under Bed bins are great for storing shoes or those clothes you don't wear daily! 

Storage Bins

Roommate Tips! 

1. Have a calendar in a common area where you can write down when visitors will be coming and bills are due. This way there are no monthly surprises! 

2. Designate areas in cupboards and the fridge for each of your food. 

3. Keep loose change and $1 bills in a box in the kitchen for those nights you want to order take out.

4. Plan ahead!

5. If you don't want your roomie to use it, then keep it in your room! 

Got your own tips? Email Me! 

Welcome to College Week!

     My greatest apologizes once again to all of you, there was a death in the family so I have been busy and out of touch this last week.
     Welcome to College Week, as many of you are off to college in just a few short weeks these next few days are dedicated to making the transition and move easier on you.

Monday : Packing

Tuesday: What to leave at home

Wednesday: Budgeting

Thursday: Apps for a simpler life

Friday: School Supplies

Hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend! xoxo

Summer Time Blues

Hi All,

     I want to personally apologize for being away, I was on vacation, chasing cans, and then some family stuff has come up. Don't worry I am back and you aren't getting rid of me now! Next week is official, "College Week" on here so keep checking for some great tips for the new school year. Also, I am going to feature my sister's house and all of her amazing organization skills.
     My manager is getting married in a couple weeks along with a good friend of mine so of course I have got wedding fever and want to share some amazing wedding ideas with you all on here in the future!

Enjoy summer and the sunshine while it last until next time!

xoxo

Keep it Simple!

I hope you all had a fabulous holiday weekend, and the work week isn't killing you too much! 

I know that not everybody has time to completely organize their house to the max, I do understand. There is a few easy tips to keep the clutter away and things more under control! 

1. Label EVERYTHING! 

2. Give everything its own spot

3. Keep a memo board in a common area with information and notes so nothing is forgotten!

4. Put things away where they belong

5. Write everything down

Great things are coming, watch for money budgeting tips & printables later this week! 

xoxo

Traveling to the Beach

     My family is going to spend the next week at our cabin, in the San Juans. It's warm, it's pretty, but it can get chilly at night, and it is still Washington! The mornings are crisp, and the evenings tend to get windy but it is one of the most pretty places on earth. When packing I always am prepared for any extreme weather condition.
     When packing I try to pack as light as possible, but it doesn't always work out. Since we are on and off the boat all the time and usually out tubing or kayaking, I just plan to wear my swim suit underneath my clothes all the time. On the crisp mornings a hoodie is always handy to have around especially if the wind is blowing off the water!

Beach Trip Packing List: 

1. Bathing Suits

2. Shorts

3. Tanks

4. Tees 

5. Flip Flops

6. Athletic Shoes

7. Yoga Capris/ Pants

8. Hoodie(s)

*** Don't forget to check the weather! 

     Pack clothes that can go with other items, you don't need 7 shirts & 7 shorts for 7 days, and at the beach remember nobody cares what you look like! Most importantly remember to pack plenty of sunscreen and reapply every couple of hours, so you don't look like a tomato like I did this last weekend!

Save Travels xoxo

Small Bathroom Solutions

     I've been there and dealt with the problems of having a tiny bathroom, they're no fun but sometimes you can still keep all your space in them! Use all your wall space and take advantage of all the cute wall storage ideas now days. Are you a bobby pin looser too? Try using a magnetic strip to keep them all in one place. Above my towel bar I have mini buckets hung where I store combs, brushes, etc. It keeps the off the counter out of the way. Most importantly, take advantage of your medicine cabinet and try to keep as much in it as possible!

This cute brush holder only cost $2 with supplies from the dollar store! 

Credit: Ivy Anderson 

Hang a magazine rack on the inside of the door below your sink and you've got yourself a hair dryer rack.

Placing shelves on a wall for all your products will give you that salon look & feel.

Adding drawers below your sink will give you SO much space! 

Hope these tips help, and watch for more! xoxo

Beach Dayys

      There is just a few simple items you need for a perfect day at the beach! Don't over pack and make sure to leave your electronics such as iPad's at home because you don't want them to overheat in the sunshine. Don't forget your water bottle, you don't want to get dehydrated in the sunshine!

The totes you can pick up by the check out in stores like TjMaxx are the best! 

You can't forget your aviators! 

Big beach towels are the best and long enough to lay out on in the sand! 

My PINK water bottle is my favorite, I fill the whole thing up with ice and the rest with water, and it stays cold for hours!

Most importantly remember sunscreen! These are my favorite and especially the Neutrogena for my face, it doesn't get oily at all.

Enjoy the beach, sunshine and holiday! xoxo