Painless Ways to Save as a Recent College Grad

Okay, graduating from college and living financially healthy can be hard. Entry levels jobs are not known for great pay and given that I am working in the travel industry, I can safely say that is the truth. Don't get me wrong, my job is great, the people I work with are amazing and the company is absolutely wonderful. My paychecks just aren't big. In this past year since graduation, I have tried so many different ways to put money aside without taking it back out of savings. My first recommendation is honestly, don't start saving right away. Live your life and figure out what you need to spend money on and what you don't. Make some dumb purchases on your credit card and learn to pay them off. Then start saving. 

So here is what I have found that works and they are fairly easy:

• Save change, $1, and/or $5. If you never have cash on hand, this can be a little tricky. If you go to bars that have cover, this also can be a little tricky. But at least do the change then. Anytime I pay with cash and get change or a $1 back, it goes in my piggy bank. A little bit at a time seems like nothing when you are doing it so it doesn't hurt you. Months later when you go into your piggy bank, or wherever, you will be surprised by how much it adds up.
• Do a 52 Week Challenge. You see this all over Pinterest. The $1,000 one, the $5,000 one, or the $1,320 one.. whatever. Do one that fits your current budget and stick to it. This is a little harder than saving some spare change, but if you do it, you will be happy. I have mine set up in automatic payments. So I scheduled each week in advance so not only do I not have to remember to do it, I also can't talk myself out of it. I made one of my own up, feel free to use it!

• "Fake" live paycheck to paycheck. Alright, maybe you already do. I basically do too. But, even if going into the next paycheck you only have $10 in your bank account, transfer it to savings. Start each pay period with a clean slate, putting your "extra" money aside. The thing with this one though is that you do really need to look at your budget. Sometimes in one pay period I will have rent, utilities, and a phone bill due and that could potentially leave me with nothing or very little until I get paid again. 
• Save your "cash back." This one only works if you have a credit card and if you have a credit card that does this. I have Chase Freedom and for every dollar spent on certain things I can get money back. During each monthly period they will update my cash back. If you have this and can do it, don't cash out. Don't use the cash back money towards your Amazon purchases (like I so often do). But save it. Let it build up.

And there are my easy ways to save. Please feel free to share any of yours!

Engagement + House-Warming

This weekend my brother and his fiance had their House-Warming/Engagement party. They got engaged this past November and moved into the house around mid-December.


This adorable banner was purchased on an Etsy shop. Super cute and affordable, you may even be able to do it yourself!




There was a station set up for photos with a Polaroid. Then you write your address on the bottom of the photo to create a fun, memorable address book for wedding invites! The backdrop is very easy to do. They used silver stripped wrapping paper, a cute pompom banner from Etsy and balloons.

Meet the bridesmaids!

We did appetizers all in kabob style to make it easier to grab and mingle. My mom and I put together Antipasto and Fruit skewers with decorative picks. These are such an easy, fun appetizer idea! It's especially great if you're looking for something quick for some short notice plans. We added a balsamic glaze to the Antipasto skewers and put a fruit dip on the side for the fruit ones.

{Cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, salami, mozzarella balls}

{Pineapple, blackberries, watermelon, cantaloupe}

What's In My Bag: Work Edition

My essentials for a day at work are:

Vera Bradley tote

Small hairbrush

World Market hand cream

Eos lip balm

Kate Spade travel mug

Get Happy tea

An Adult coloring book (for those slow days!)

Lint roller

Kate Spade wallet 

Small toiletry bag from Ipsy for the emergencies (i.e. advil, bandaids, etc)

{Birthday} Recap

With my birthday being on Valentine's Day I tend to get an extended birthday and celebrate multiple times. Here are a few photos recapping my birthday celebrations! 

My Current Reading List

Assuming Names is both funny and interesting. It definitely is a mystery with a lot of questions to be answered. My mom had suggested it to me after reading it in her book club. I was a huge fan of Gone Girl and I would say this falls in a related genre. 

I have been on a big kick of "like books" lately. Adulting came up on numerous Google searches. For any recent college grad who wants a little entertainment and maybe even a little help, I highly recommend this book. It has been such a good read of both things that are seemingly common sense and some things that really have been helpful. I have laughed out loud a few times and have thought "how true is that" at others. 

The Gifts of Imperfection was actually a book I started reading because of yoga. The studio I recently joined has a "balanced yogi book club" and this was one of the books. It has a been a very positive, easy read.

Galentine's Day

With my birthday being on Valentine's day, I have never been one to celebrate the Hallmark Holiday in the normal way. Since I am a gift giver at heart, I love the thought of showing your girlfriends a little love instead. (If you have a significant other, you probably show them you care all year!)

Francesca's candles have always been the best gifting candles

I'm on a new kick with World Market hand cream

Everyone loves a cute, cozy mug from Kate Spade

Blanket scarves are so cozy and in right now, you could never have too many!
Get this one at Express

What to Give Up for Lent

The born and raised Catholic in me gets oddly excited for lent each year. It's like us Catholics get a second chance at our failed resolutions. Lent for me isn't always about giving things up, but more about bettering myself in some way. No matter what, I always like to stay away from the cliche sweets, pop, TV, Facebook, etc. And with that..

Ten things to consider for lent:

1. Give up meat the entire time, rather than only Fridays.
2. Do a "no spend" challenge. Buy groceries, gas, the necessities. And pay your bills.
3. Give up alcohol. Or give yourself a one drink limit. Or say no to week night drinks.
4. Taking pictures of every meal you eat. (I don't do every, but I am so guilty)
5. Binge snacking.
6. Spending free time doing anything other than being productive.
7. Make healthier food choices. Go all organic.
8. Volunteer more.
9. Actually go to church.
10. Quit complaining and be positive. 

So what I am really doing?

This year I am going to limit drinking alcohol and work on healthier habits. Eat healthier, get more sleep, keep a clean apartment and exercise 5 days a week. I probably won't give up drinking completely because wine. And wine is basically Catholic anyway. 

5 Budget Friendly {Winter} Date Ideas

It can be hard to save money and still keep things exciting during the winter. My boyfriend, Ryan, and I tend to have a lot of sushi and Netflix nights in, which are great but it is good to have a little change of pace. The same thing every weekend makes for a long winter. That being said, we came up with 5 date ideas that would be fun but still don't break the bank.

1. Sledding. I really am not one for being in cold, wet snow but it's still fun and active. Plus for a new date it could lead to cuddling and movies and who doesn't want that?
2. Movie deals. Our local movie theatre has Sunday night specials with one movie being $4. It gets you out and about without being completely overcharged to see a movie.
3. Themed Night In. On super snowy nights I really don't like leaving to go out on the roads anyway and a themed night in is perfect for this. Make an Italian dinner with wine, or mexican with margaritas. It will be fun to cook together and you don't need to buy anything fancy.
4. Game Night. Have a game night in with yourselves or make it a couples night with friends. Ryan's favorite is Euchre, whereas I love something a little more active and social like Charades. 
5. Bowling. I recently discovered that bowling is actually cheaper than I thought it was. Plus, depending on your budget you can control what you spend with how many games you play. It's another thing that you could do just together or have other people go with you. Either way it can be fun, friendly competition and again, it's active and gets you moving which I love.

2016... A Month Late

Considering I started my resolutions a little late it only seems fitting to share them late too. I started 2016 in Dallas, TX on a work trip for the Cotton Bowl with MSU. When given the opportunity to go I have to say most of my excitement was because I have grown up a fan of MSU. We took a group down and I worked long days at the airports, hotel and game. BUT, I did get to go the game! And yes, it was terrible. But the stadium was incredible whether you are a football fan or not.

So the hotel was actually a resort and it was all decked out for Christmas still. Yes, this is inside of the hotel.

But anyway, I'm off topic. Resolutions...

1. Fitness. What a surprise, how unique! As with everyone, I really want to be more active. My job involves a lot of sitting and then I come home and sit some more. I finally made the plunge and purchased a yoga membership and I honestly feel like I couldn't have spent my money better. I love going and I always feel amazing after. It is such a great way for me to begin an active lifestyle because I don't do it on my own and I don't feel like death while I am there doing it.
2. Saving Money. Another shock. This really is something I try to do all of the time but never actually do it. It's not that I just want to have a huge savings, but I want to save money to do fun things. But then there is a great sale and I have to buy it because it is on sale. So we'll see how this goes.
3. Read more. Lately I have been on a kick of "life" books. But I do like a good nail biter like Gone Girl. 
4. Drink less. I don't mean drink less water, but drink less alcohol. And I don't by any means drink too much, but it is expensive and it really dehydrates you. It is a struggle because I have become a major wine snob and I love my good wine.. especially Italian wine. But in college you get so used to always going out to bars and overspending money you don't have so it's something I want to cut back on. 
5. Be spontaneous. I think I used to be more fun. I've gotten very wrapped up in "I don't have money" or always thinking up some other excuse for things. I want to travel and live in a better apartment and spontaneously come up with fun weekend plans. Oh, and I want a dog.