How to Make & Save Money

Hi everyone! As you all know, I am a broke college student that shares ideas that I come across or even experience myself. So today, I thought, what is better than sharing my tips on money itself? That's right, today I am sharing with you how I make and save money as a college student. Starting at age 16 in high school I have had a job and have gained many more as the years go on. Each year I have a new reason to need more money, which means more work and more saving for me. Now it does take a lot of discipline and hard work, but it is certainly possible as a full time student to continuously make money for both spending and saving.

1) Retail is not only a way to spend money...
Like I mentioned before, I started working at the age 16 at Old Navy in an outlet mall near me. Now first jobs are never the best time of your life, but it gets you where you need to be. Yes, the dreaded retail. And guess what? I still work there...four years going strong. All joking aside, this job has kept me on a steady paycheck, big or small, for four years. I have been there long enough that I know its reliable and I have come to know and appreciate the people there and the actual job itself. Another plus is there are retail jobs in ANY city you go. Retail is most likely always an option which also means you can move within your store from city to city. And don't forget the best part...discounts!

2) Work Study
This is a huge lifesaver when I am here at school and need money just to basically survive. It isn't the highest paying job, but it is enough to put a little extra in my pockets and it is not hard at all! I work about 5-6 hours at our university's bookstore every week. This gives me about $72 every two weeks. Now I know this doesn't like much, but when I just need some money here or there, it is just enough. Plus, it isn't a very strenuous job and it's right on campus which makes it even better.

3) Cold hard cash
A second job that I have had for two years now is bussing and hostessing at a local restaurant. With this job, I get a lot of tip money which can be very dangerous. Personally, when I have cash, I am more tempted to spend it. That being said, I came across a trick for saving cash that I used last summer and it helped me save hundreds of dollars. Every time I got a $5 in cash, I put it aside and counted it all up at the end of the summer and put it in my savings account. I know $5 doesn't seem like a lot up front, but it adds up quick!

4) Coins count too!
Just like the $5, don't forget to save all of your change too! My family and I practiced this all last year when saving for Ireland and it was definitely worth it. Any spare change you come across put aside in a jar and count it up at the end of the year, summer, or whenever you need/want the money. I'm telling you, it will be a pleasant surprise!

5) Selling back clothes 
What could be better than getting cash for clothes you don't even wear anymore? Exactly, nothing. Plato's Closet, which I have talked about in my previous post (Shopping On A Budget) is a name-brand second hand shop that sells and buys gently used clothes. I have gone here on numerous occasions to sell back clothes and most of time get at least some money for it. Don't expect a ton of money back, but it is definitely enough to buy a new outfit to replace the old one you just sold back. Or if you're being good, $20 you can put aside in your bank account.

Below is a video that explain Plato's Closets buying process:

Shopping Online

Online shopping has become huge within the past few years for being both convenient and sometimes even cheaper. Many people, including myself, have succumb to this trend which isn't necessarily a bad thing.  Without having my own car on campus, it's harder to get to the mall or any stores I need to go to. Being able to just shop at home from the comfort of my bed and pajamas is an unarguably great alternative. Another plus is that there are almost always "online only" sales that you won't find in stores. That being said, today I'm going to share with you a few companies that have great online products and sales. These are just a few websites that allow you to order online and receive right at your door just from the click of a button!

      Retail Stores:

• Old Navy
• Forever 21
• Aeropostale
• American Eagle
• Charlotte Russe

      Food:

• Papa Johns
• Dominos
• Jimmy John's

In addition to the stores having their own sales, there are multiple companies designed to provide you with even more coupons. Every time I plan to shop online, I check these websites to check if I could save any more money.  I always use Retail Me Not but another website that is popular is Groupon. Also, always check what their shipping rate is, some have flat rates, free over a certain amount or if you're lucky, completely free!

Now, there are also businesses that are strictly online but I have personally never ordered off one of these. I've seen that they are very cheap but some are risky as you might not get exactly what you thought you ordered. My best advice for these is to just be careful; I usually trust companies that I have heard about before. Basically, if the site gives you a sketchy vibe then it probably is. As great as online shopping is, it can be risky especially with cheap, foreign websites. Be careful where you shop and put your card information into. Yet, if you are just aware and stick with websites you know are legit, you should be just fine. 

In the future, if you are looking for something in particular or just want to shop around for fun, try out some online shopping, you won't regret it!

St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day! In honor of this holiday, I am designating this post to looking your ultimate best for the day. Being at an Irish catholic school, St. Paddy's Day is a huge deal here. From beginning to end, it is always important to show your Irish pride. From nails to accessories to the perfect outfit, I have the best guide on how to be ready for this crazy day.

• Nails:

I went for a more simple look yet still including the glitter and Irish feel. On both ring fingers, I did the Irish flag with gold, white and green and the index fingers, gold glitter. On the rest, I did a simple green glitter nail polish. 

• Outfit:

An obvious huge part to this look is your outfit and there is only one rule you need to follow: green, green, green. Anything green and and you're solid. I usually go with a green Mercyhurst T-shirt since one of our colors are green and I can be comfy and casual. But, it is honestly up to how far you want to go and whether you are going for the dressy look or casual. Below is my friend who has basically the best shirt for today, "Straight Outta Ireland". 

• Accessories:

Lastly, is what ties it all together. Accessorizing is one of the most fun and important parts of getting ready for today. There are a lot of places that sell cheap holiday gear. Most of the time we go to CVS since it is right next to my school, and usually everything is under $5. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A Trip to the Grocery Store

Happy Monday everyone! To start the week off and to go along with my last post regarding clothes shopping, I thought it would be a perfect day to talk about grocery shopping. Buying groceries is always a dreaded task, especially on a college budget. What makes it even harder, is trying to keep a healthy diet on this budget. Ever since my sophomore year in college, in which I have a whole kitchen, I have had the opportunity to buy my own groceries and cook my own food. From drinks to snacks to dinner, it is now up to me on what I want to buy. Now this can definitely be dangerous, but with a little bit of determination it is certainly possible to find healthy foods for a great price.

Here is a list of just a few groceries I love not only because they taste great and are great for you, but also because they're for a reasonable price!

1) Lemons. (Putting lemons in your water makes it taste even better and has a lot of benefits. Click here to see some of the benefits: Benefits of lemon water)

2) Frozen vegetables. These are only $1 a bag and last forever. A lot of the times I'll make them as a side for dinner and they are so easy to make.

3) Cheese sticks. You can usually get a 12 pack for about $2. Cheese is always delicious and quick, healthy snack.

4) Bananas. This fruit is so delicious on its own, with peanut butter, nutella, cereal, oatmeal and so much more. For a whole bundle its usually around $1. They are perfect for on the go or breakfast!

5) Eggs. Who doesn't love breakfast? Or even breakfast for dinner? Eggs are only under $2 for a dozen and are amazing for any meal. (They're also great for protein which is an extra bonus!)

6) Frozen chicken (breaded, cutlets...whatever you prefer). Frozen chicken is so easy to make and so universal! I make meals like chicken and rice to chicken parmesan to chicken and veggies. It is such an easy meat to make and good for you.

Some others just to list off would be:

• Hummus
• Yogurt
• Oatmeal
• Pasta
• Carrots
• Peanut Butter
• Potatoes

Now, I am usually a Wegmans shopper, but here at school it is a lot easier and sometimes cheaper to shop at Walmart. Once I started doing my grocery shopping here, I discovered their beloved coupons site. Here, Walmart has all of their current coupons; just simply print, cut and take them the next time you go shopping!

Walmart coupons

These are just a few staple items in my kitchen that have never failed me! They all add to a healthy diet but won't break your bank. I hope you can take these tips and use them on your next grocery shopping trip.

 

Shopping on a Budget

Hello followers! Over this past weekend I went on a little shopping spree...well a college version of a shopping spree. But don't worry, it doesn't seem as bad or scary as it sounds! I have learned and almost perfected how to still get a cute wardrobe while on a budget. It's not as hard as it seems and it can be a lot of fun hunting for the perfect deals!

One of the most important factors in finding reasonable priced clothes is obviously the stores you shop at. Some of my favorites are TJ Maxx/Marshalls, Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Old Navy and Plato's Closet. All of these give you a variety of styles and always have great deals and/or coupons!

This past weekend I ventured off to TJ Maxx, Forever 21 and Plato's Closet. I ended up with a dress, pencil skirt, pants, two tops and workout leggings.

The Nike dry-fit shirt, black and gray capri leggings and mint/gray t-shirt were all from Plato's Closet for a total of $24. Plato's closet is a second hand shop for teens that only sells name brand, basically new, clothing. I have bought many items from here and have never been disappointed or regretted it. Another great thing about it is if you have any gently used clothing (male or female), you can sell it to them and get cash back right then and there! A lot of times I sell my clothes that I never really wore and just buy new clothes from their with the money I got from selling. It's a perfect trade!

Here is a link to their website where you can find out more information and see if they are located near you!
Plato's Closet

The dress was from TJ Maxx for $15 in which I had a gift card (gift cards are a blessing) so that basically cost me nothing. TJ Maxx and Marshalls always have great deals on a lot of popular name brands!

My last stop of the weekend was Forever 21. Here, I got black jeans and a black pencil skirt for $14!! They were both clearance but just as good. A lot of times, they have an amazing sale of buy one get one free on all clearance items which I always try to take advantage of. Of course this weekend, that was not the case, but I still lucked out with a great deal. Two staple items I have been needing for under $20!

One overall tip that could help anyone is to check Retail Me Not before making any purchase! Before I buy anything whether online or in-store, I always check this site to see if there are any on going sales or coupons that I could use. It is super easy and quick to use and could save you a lot of money! From a code for free shipping to 20% off, there is a range of coupons on this site.

Happy Shopping!

DIY Facial Scrub

Happy Tuesday friends! I hope your day was as sunny and warm as mine here in Erie! As many will know, this is not typical weather for March but hey, I'm not complaining. The warm sun and taste of spring made a long Tuesday a lot more bearable. To keep up with this positive, bright vibe I decided it was the perfect kind of day to try a natural, bright and energizing face scrub! Now that we are finally getting into spring, it is time to come out of your winter slump and get that natural glow for the warm days ahead!

What screams bright and energizing better than lemons? Exactly...they're perfect. Mix the juice of one plus sugar and coconut oil and you have the perfect facial scrub. That's right, only three ingredients that cost almost nothing!LE

• Lemons: about 50 cents
• Sugar: under $3
• Coconut Oil: This can vary depending on what brand you get. Mine was about $7 but it lasts forever and you can get so much usage out of it!  (Different uses for coconut oil)

After trying this out with my roommate we were more than happy with the results. The lemon juice
"wakes up" your skin with the sugar giving it that scrub affect by exfoliating and getting rid of dry skin. The coconut oil then gives your skin that smooth feeling even after washing the scrub off. This is an overall perfect facial, especially in the morning to help wake you and get you ready for the day!

Another plus to this recipe is it has a great shelf life! It can last about 6 months and doesn't need to be refrigerated! This way, you can make it once and continue to use it for months!
In addition to saving extra for yourself, this could also be a great gift idea for anyone into beauty or natural products.


Linked below is another blog I came across that gives some really cute ideas on how to make this a perfect gift!

http://chiccalifornia.com/2014/04/23/diy-lemon-and-coconut-oil-sugar-scrub/#comments

Whether you need a little something to enhance your skin or a cute gift idea, this lemon scrub is the perfect alternative! For such a small price, you can make an all natural facial scrub that I promise will not disappoint!

Fulfilling Your Sweet-Tooth Craving

Happy Friday everyone! I'm sure all of you, like myself, could not be happier that it is finally Friday!
To start the weekend off right I figured I would share a delicious and of course cheap dessert I tried out myself! I first found this recipe when browsing on Pinterest and knew I had to try it right away...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Reese's Brownies

I know, I know... basically heaven.

But what makes it even better is it cost almost nothing! So to any other broke college student out there having those sweet tooth cravings, here is your answer.

All you need is:

• 1 pack of Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
• 1 box of brownie mix (any brand you prefer)
• A pack of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Don't worry, the process is easy as well..

1) Cut off slices of the cookie dough and form them to the bottom of each cupcake liner (about 1/4 thick)

2) Put a whole Reese's cup upside down on top of each cookie dough filled liner

3) Make up the brownie mix following the directions on the box. Then, pour brownie mix on top leaving some room for it to rise

4) Stick them in the oven (preheated at 350 degrees) for roughly 20 minutes

5) Most importantly, enjoy!

I shared these with my roommates and boyfriend and there were no complaints! It is definitely a perfect easy and cheap recipe that will fulfill your chocolatey cravings!!!

Here is the link to the recipe from Pinterest that I used!

http://cooking4love.com/2013/04/07/chocolate-chip-cookie-reeses-brownies/

Enjoy! :)

See More, Spend Less

As I mentioned in my first post, I recently traveled to Ireland with my school. A group of about 30 of us ventured off to the beautiful country for about two weeks. Within this time frame we explored Dublin, Dungarven, Galway and many other small towns in between. Traveling was always something I have dreamed of doing and getting this little taste of it has only made me want to continue traveling more. Yet there is always one problem that comes into play with traveling around the world: money. As many will know, traveling is a pretty expensive hobby. From plane tickets to meals to entertainment, there is no question that it could drain your bank account. But do not fear, I have learned a few tips along the way that could help almost anyone enjoy their traveling experiences for less!

1) Split Meals
At first, you will be totally pumped to try all the new and cultural foods of where you are visiting but I am here to warn you; you don't need three full meals every day. In the two hostels we stayed at they provided somewhat of a free breakfast. Take advantage of this! Every morning they had out free toast, fruit, cereal and juice for all guests. It wasn't a five star meal by no means but it will save you that extra 5 euro for breakfast. It is enough to get you started for the day and it costs nothing! Another tactic that my friends and I used whenever in Ireland was splitting bigger meals like lunch or dinner (depending on where we went). When moving from place to place with no set "home" to go back too, there is no room/need for leftovers. That being said, don't go for a huge expensive meal when you know you won't eat it all. Split with a friend; that's half the cost and no food to be tempted to lug around for later. I promise you, that half a fish you didn't finish is not worth carrying around for hours that you probably won't end up eating later...

2) Walking 
Not only is this a great exercise, but it is an amazing way to save money and explore to the full extent. Especially in Dublin, we walked to a majority of our destinations, map in hand, and I do not regret it one bit. By actually walking around the city, it gave us the opportunity to find new things that we never would have if just stuck on a bus. Half of what we did in Dublin was from just walking around and unplanned. Now don't get me wrong, if something was all the way across the city and it was down pouring out we would take a taxi. This only cost us about 2 euro each since we were splitting it five ways. So long story short, if you keep public transportation to a minimum and walk instead, you will not only save a ton of money, but discover a whole lot more!

3) Free Admissions
This one is pretty self explanatory. Always look for places that are free of charge to enter or public places like parks and stores. Museums, libraries, parks, malls, pubs, cathedrals, Trinity college; all places we went that cost nothing to go to. Yeah, maybe a library isn't the first place you would want to go to but you're in a totally different country! Anything is a cool experience and everything is an open opportunity to get to know other cultures. In all of these places,

I got to talk to many natives to Ireland and that's when you really get the full experience. Take in all of the countries history and get to know the people from there and even better, get to do it all for free!

4) Souvenirs 
As tempting as it may be, do not buy the very first thing you see, especially in the big cities. A lot of souvenir stores have the same memorabilia and some are a lot more expensive than others. Wait a few  days after you've shopped around and then start thinking about buying. Another thing is sometimes freebies and pictures are the best souvenir. Don't think you have to spend hundreds of dollars to remember where you went. Having a ton of pictures is one of the best gifts you can have. Also, a lot of places we went to had free gifts. It could range from a pub poster or free postcards that won't cost you a dime. Think before you buy and remember that memories are the overall best souvenir!

Traveling over seas was with no doubt, one of the best experiences of my life and something I think everyone should experience. Don't let money be in the way of stopping you from experiencing your dreams. If you follow these tips and are overall sensible, the cost will be a little less scary. Take advantage of study abroad opportunities, there is only so many chances you get!

Cheers!
Olivia B.