J’s Everyday Fashion shares styling tips for affordable fashion

 

Campus Countdown Day 2: Budgeting and Financial Aid Day

I once heard a comedian say ‘going to the ATM is similar to going to a slot machine – please, please have some money in my account.’ Many in the crowd clapped and nodded their head in agreement.

This is NOT something we want to happen to you.  Today, devote an hour or two to planning your fall budget, as well as contacting the financial aid office to know the exact amount of money you are receiving for the Fall semester.

Determine your budget.

1.  Start with a simple sheet of paper.  At the top of your paper write the word EXPENSES.   List all your expenses for the Fall Semester.

Common Expenses

• Tuition
• Dorm/Apartment Rent
• Dining Hall Cost
• Food Cost (if in apartment)
• Groceries (both dorm and apartment)
• Electricity (if in apartment)
• Water (if in apartment)
• Books
• Supplies for class
• Car + gas
• Car/Health Insurance (if you are not on your parents insurance)
• Credit Card (minimum payment)
• Phone
• Computer Updates/Repairs
• Organization Dues
• Clothing
• Going Out Money
• Restaurants
• Hair Care/Manicure

2.  After making your list, determine the dollar amount of each FIXED category.  Fixed expenses are ones you know the exact dollar amount and will not change.  Examples include rent, tuition, phone bill, organization dues, etc. You will notice many of your categories are still blank.

3.  You determine your INCOME for the fall semester.  First, call financial aid to determine your scholarship, grant, and loan amount for the semester.  Second, add in your income from your summer job and/or fall job.  This is your TOTAL INCOME.

4.  After determining your INCOME, ‘fill-in-the blank’ of your remaining expenses while making sure your EXPENSES does not go over your INCOME.

5.  Follow this list for the Fall semester to stay on budget!

Shelly Marie Redmond, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director of College Lifestyles.  She is a HUGE fan of Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University and feels all students should take his course!

The Super Saving Seven: CL’s Gift Guide for the Holiday Season

‘Tis the season!  Known as the ideal time for giving, sometimes our wallets choose to disagree with this concept during the holiday season.  Tackle this obstacle by making a crafty homemade gift.  There are so many possibilities – let your creative juices flow.  Whatever your gift is for, know that it is possible to celebrate Christmas in a crunch, birthdays on a budget, and give a little “happy” on any holiday.  Cheers to giving!

Personalized Wine Glass

Materials Needed: Wine Glass, Stickers, Paint Pens, Self-Stick Jewels

Approximate Cost: $5-$8

A personalized wine glass is a great gift and doesn’t have to be limited to a 21^st birthday present.  There are many ways to decorate wine glasses.  In the featured picture my friend decorated the wine glass with colorful stickers.  I enjoy decorating wine glasses for friends by writing their name or monogram with a paint pen and placing self-sticking jewels all around the glass.  (Tip: purchase self-sticking jewels, rather than ones you will have to glue yourself – this will save you from a big mess!)

Painted Mini-Canvas

Materials Needed: Mini-Canvas, Various Colors of Acrylic Paint, Paint Brushes, Paint Pen(s)

Approximate Cost: $8-$10

So cute and classy, these little paintings make a beautiful gift.  Mini-canvases are perfect decorations for bedrooms and bathrooms and can be customized to match any room.  Paint something meaningful on the canvas – a quote, Bible verse, or funny saying – and remember that oftentimes the less, the better.  (Tip: when writing text on your canvas use a paint pen – this will keep your canvas looking neat)

Name Ornament

Materials Needed: Ornament, Shellac (if ornament is wooden), Paint Pens, Ribbon or String

Approximate Cost: $3-$6

My mom created a dove-shaped (my sorority’s mascot) ornament for me my freshman year of college, and it has found a place in my room every year since.  An ornament can make a great Christmas gift, and if painted neutrally enough, can be displayed all year round!  This gift is pretty simple to make – paint the ornament and include your friend’s name on it to make it more personal.  (Tip: if using a wooden ornament spray shellac on it first – this will keep the paint from running everywhere)

Sparkley Card

Materials Needed: Colorful Paper/Cardstock, Stickers, Glitter, Glue

Approximate Cost: $2-$4

Homemade cards are one of my favorite things to make.  They are so inexpensive, and can mean so much more than a store bought card.  Be creative – the sky’s the limit on this gift!  Don’t forget to add a meaningful note to let your friend know how much you love them.  (Tip: draw a creative design with glue and sprinkle glitter over it – such a small touch can add so much pizzazz!)

Picture Frame

Materials Needed: Simple Picture Frame, Picture, Colorful Paper/Cardstock, Stickers, Self-Stick Jewels

Approximate Cost: $3-$7

First make memories, then savor them.  A framed picture can be a constant reminder of a fun time you’ve shared with a friend.  Spice up your picture frame by adding letter stickers (like the pictured frame), or a personal favorite, jewels to the outer rim of the frame.  (Tip: angle your picture – this will add to the “fun” feel of the frame)

Earring Holder

Materials Needed: Wooden Picture Frame, Roll of Window Screen, Stapler, Ribbon (Optional), Hot Glue Gun (Optional)

Approximate Cost: $3-$5

Possibly the best discovery my roommate and I have made all year.  Earring holders have made great gifts for so many of our friends.  Pop everything out of the frame so that only the frame is left.  Measure the opening and cut your window screen accordingly.  Tightly stretch the screen across the back of the frame and staple so that it holds firmly.  Some frames come with a saw-tooth holder which can be held up by a nail, or you can opt to use a push pin to support your earring holder on a wall.  You can also hot glue a piece of ribbon to the top two corners of the earring holder for easy hanging purposes.  (Tip: glue a piece of ribbon over the staples on the back – nobody will see this part, but when giving it to a friend it looks nicer to have the staples covered)

Flower Hair Pin

Materials Needed: Bobby Pin, Felt, Thread, Scissors, Button, Hot Glue Gun

Approximate Cost: $1-$3

I loved receiving this gift, and I wear it often.  Simply cut up pieces of felt into the shape of flower petals.  Stitch these together to form a “flower” and add a different colored piece of felt below to represent a leaf.  Hot glue a button on top to look like the center of the flower.  Hot glue your flower to a bobby pin, and there you have it, one of the cutest hair accessories you’ll ever see.  (Tip: use different colors for each part of the flower – this will allow the detail to stand out more)

General Tip: Over time you will accumulate “leftovers” from your gift-making projects.  Create a designated space for all of your leftovers, and if your roommates are willing ask them to combine theirs, too.  Together, my roommates and I have compiled 3 small drawers and about 4 plastic tubs full of craft materials.  This saves the hassle of having to purchase new items, gives the opportunity to be creative with what we have, and best of all saves money on purchasing new materials.

For more great gift giving ideas, check out Maryn’s latest post on gifts “styled with love.”

Abby Bryant is an intern with College Lifestyles™.  She is a senior marketing major at Georgia College & State University® and is the president of her sorority, Sigma Alpha Omega®.  She enjoys making personalized homemade gifts and plans to be creative in her giving this holiday season.

CL Co-Ed’s Back-to-School Money Management “Know How” Part 3: INTO THE $WING OF THINGS

In the last two segments of money management for savvy CL co-eds, I talked about purchasing textbooks the smart way decorating the dorm for le$$.  But one of the most difficult parts of planning and keeping a budget is the day to day expenses!  This is where I failed the most as a freshman and sophomore student, because the 5 bucks that you spent here and the 3 you spent there and the 15 you forgot about yesterday – they ALL add up, and you wonder where all those paychecks you worked hard for have gone.  So try these management ideas to help you out!

**Make a Dividend Plan**

Dividend – BIG word, simple idea.  I divide my budget into the parts that work personally for me, so that as SOON as I get paid, my money is instantly divided, whether I keep the money in an envelope or a bank account.  Also, I do this in CASH so that I know exactly what I’m spending, all the time.  Here’s an example of my personal budget -

*50% goes to savings for school (that will change since I’m in my last year

*20% goes to paying off my school loans ASAP

*20% goes to my future savings (so I can actually afford to move out of my parent’s house come this April)

*10% goes to my personal spending for the week.

And it’s as simple as that!  I don’t even use a calculator, I just round to the nearest dollar for everything and put all leftovers in savings.  You will be amazed at how easy this becomes once you put it into practice.

**Get the most out of what you paid for**

Do you have a food plan at school?  Don’t skip out on it!  I know a lot of people who have a plan, but don’t like eating the same kind of food everyday, and skip out on it to purchase their own meals instead.  A lot of times, if you go to the cafeteria they will even let you take meals to go, so if you use the excuse of not having time for later, they already packed you your “free” meal instead of purchasing one somewhere else!  Also, if you have to do day to day things that they make you pay extra for, like laundry, but you have the luxury of having parents nearby, TAKE it home!  Never underestimate the power of an awesome family who lets you eat and do laundry for free

**Carpool and Money-share**

In most cases (but not always) roommate situations become quite fruitful, and those girls will become your new close friends.  So use the advantage of all being in the same financial situation, for the most part, to your advantage!  Share rides to different places or use public transportation together to get to places and save gas money, and when you want to splurge on something, splurge together so you’re saving cost!  If you want to do a group outing somewhere, the more people you can pool together the cheaper the cost, and the more fun you will probably have.  If it’s cheap, fun, and safe, most Co-eds will say “I’m in!” to just about anything – that’s one thing I’ve definitely learned from college!

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions or to go to an adult mentor when you want extra help on dealing with finances, or when your personal situation is too much for you to handle.  It’s always better to have help than to dig yourself a nice, big hole.  Also, make sure to check out CL Intern Deirdre’s post on How to be Budget Savvy in College for more information and ideas on how to succeed!

Kelsey Book is a  writer and a dreamer who thinks faith, family, and musicals make her world go ’round!   She has learned from past money mistakes, and now lives on a smart, working budget so she won’t be paying off college loans until she’s fifty years old.

How to be Budget Savvy in College

A guaranteed way to find out that summer is coming to an end is the sudden emergence of back-to-school gear in stores.  With the excitement of picking out bedding, new fall clothes and schoolbooks comes lots of bills.  Unfortunately, the money spending only continues as we ease back into or begin our college lives.  What’s a budget-conscious co-ed to do?  Read on to score some of my tips!

Say NO to Plastic

This saying applies to both the environment and watching your budget.  Many of us have credit cards, and it is so easy to be fooled into thinking that this means we have the money to pay for certain things.  Sadly, it’s not that simple- there are only a few times when credit cards are necessary to make a purchase (ordering something online is an example).  Using a credit card to make a purchase can affect your credit score if your purchase isn’t paid off immediately, which opens you up to a whole host of problems later.  If you want to be budget savvy, try only using your credit card when you need to, and otherwise pay for things with the cash in your wallet.  You won’t be fooled when your credit card statement comes in the mail.

Make a Plan

Divide your budget planning into a weekly affair.  Take a sheet of paper and map out how much income you make or receive each week.  Then consider what money you regularly spend each week.  Maybe a coffee date is set in stone each Monday with a friend- that’s perfectly fine.   Just copy down how much money you spend on your coffee and subtract that from the total.  Map out the essentials that you just can’t live without, including bus fares, the average amount that you spend on groceries and any social events that are attended consistently each week.  Be firm with yourself- while the coffee date with your friend is a must, are the other three that you end up having each week?  Once you have subtracted your weekly necessities from your weekly income, you have the net amount that you can spend each week.

Divide Your Spending

This is sounding a lot like math class, isn’t it?  It gets easier, I promise.  Once you’ve decided what your essentials are each week, put the money that is left over to good use.  Put half of it into a jar for unexpected expenses- these expenses might be in the form of a taxi ride that you have to pay for or a birthday cake for a friend.  The other half goes into another jar for fun.  Use this money to buy a ticket to a holiday ball or for a trip to the movies with some college friends.  If you continue separating out this money you will soon find that you can put the overflow into your personal bank account.  Win, win!

Start Saving

It might be difficult to imagine saving money while you’re spending money on textbooks, accommodation and tuition for college in the first place.  However, it’s not impossible.  Utilize a savings account if you have one, and start one if you don’t have one already.  Most banks offer a savings account specifically for students, one which doesn’t charge for holding the money in the account.  Be clear about your intentions when you speak to the customer service representative at your bank- if the bank is going to charge you anyway for holding your money, it isn’t worth your time.  Whenever you have an overflow from your budget- I’m talking just a few dollars here- pop it into your savings account instead of into your purse.  Out of sight, out of mind!  Another idea is to set up a Direct Debit to take five dollars from your checking account and put it into your savings once every week or every two weeks.  Little amounts like these will build up, and you can put it towards the summertime or an apartment after college.

Stay Savvy

It’s understandable if some days you veer off your budget and snap up the pair of boots that you’re been eyeing up, or you decide to road trip to visit your friend.  Some of the best times you will have during college are unexpected.  Take a little time to think about the price and whether what you want to buy or do is worth it. If it is, go for it!  Just remember to keep your impulse spending to a minimum and enjoy yourself!

Are there any additional tips that you have for being budget savvy while in college?  We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section! 

Deirdre Cunnane is a College Lifestyles™ intern and a third year law student at University College  Cork.  She is always looking for new ways to save money while still having fun in college.  Her favorite tip is to put any spare change into a savings account- if it’s not there, you just won’t spend it!

CL’s guide to making your money count

We all want to have fun as long as it doesn’t put us in the poor house. Here’s some tips to making sure you stay out of the red this school year

• Set up a budget: Do it now, before the stress of moving in and classes start. In Microsoft Exel, make columns for income and expenses (or try this budget form). For income, count things like financial aid, loan and scholarship money, cash from mom and dad, income from a job or work study assignment and any other miscellaneous money (babysitting, etc.). For expenses, include rent/room and board, utilities, groceries, car/gas expenses, tuition, books and fees, entertainment/going out costs and other miscellaneous expenses such as those related to Greek life, birthday presents or your monthly iTunes allowance. Figure out how much money you have left at the end of the month or what expenses need to go to make ends meet.

• Set up a savings plan: Spring break might be far away, but if you budget for it now, the cost won’t seem so daunting when February comes and plans are being made. If you need X-amount of money to go to Cabo with friends in March, plan how much to save each week to make your goal. If it seems like too much, start small, maybe only $15 per week. This money will also come in handy for unforeseen emergencies like if your computer fries or your car breaks down. See if your parents will match your savings plan dollar-for-dollar or 50 cents per dollar.

• Talk with roommates: Determine who is paying what utilities, if you’re going to spring for HBO with your cable, if meals will be shared and other important factors that involve money. Planning to make dinner together two or three nights per week might save you both a lot of cash since cooking for a handful of people is often easier than cooking for one. Make a pact to unplug your electronics when you leave home, saving energy (and money on your bill). Tools like Buxfer can help sort out who owes what.

• Check your account online: One of the biggest ways to save yourself the headache of identity theft (and paying for purchases you didn’t make!) is to check your account on a regular basis. Report any strange charges to your bank or credit card company as soon as possible and cross-reference your receipts/budget with your online statement. Small discrepancies of even a penny could mean someone is testing your account for access. Your bank cannot stop theft from happening – you have to be proactive.

• Make a spending log: Write down everything you buy during the day and evaluate it on a regular basis. See where unnecessary spending occurs. Can you do without a morning trip to the coffee shop? Calculate how much you’d save a month by cutting out trips to the drive-through. When you see where your money goes, you’re more likely to make changes.

• Want or need?: Always ask yourself before a purchase if this is a want or a need. If your car radiator blows out, it’s most likely a need (unless you have dependable public transportation). Before you toss the lip gloss into your cart at Target, ask yourself if you really need it – chances are you don’t.

Stephanie Hardiman is an intern with College Lifestyles (TM). She is proud alumna of Washington and Lee University and Pi Beta Phi. Follow her on Twitter @Steph_Hardiman.

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Life Lessons Pt. 2

Hey College Lifestyles fans–thanks for reading Confessions Life Lessons part one, and as promised, here is part two!

Shopping is a nearly unavoidable part of life–love it (like us ladies) or run it like it is a marathon (most men), unless you live in the Amazon, you are likely to have to deal with financial decisions on a regular basis. Have you watched Confessions yet? Great! If not, get out your pen (before running to the video store) and take note of some smart girl do’s and don’ts.

• DO know what you want and what you are willing to spend ahead of time. Go in with a plan…kinda how your dad runs in for milk and turkey and never strays from the list, having shopped at record speed. Window shopping is dangerous, and your eyes can easily talk you into buying more than you had planned.
  

  Do you know your limits? Has your spending exceeded your financial waistband?

• Don’t make excuses for your decisions. Take control of your money, don’t let your money control you! As the excuses pile up for Becky and Suze, they have to consult a list of what they have told Derek Smeath as reasons why Becky Bloomwood hasn’t paid up yet. Smeath doesn’t want to harass you just as much as you don’t want him to–so write the check for peace of mind.
• Do declutter! Cleaning out is great, makes you utilize what you have, and makes life just that much simpler. I cleaned out my closet earlier this summer with a “love it or leave
  

  Reduce, reuse, reclaim...your peace of mind. Let go, one at a time

  it” attitude. I spend much less time sorting through to find shoes when there are less shoes to sort through! You will also have a better grip of what you already own so you don’t find your wardrobe full of doubles and look-alikes. While I am an advocate for giving your closet a little TLC and organizational attention, make sure that you don’t find yourself using the excuse of an emptier (still quite full) closet as a reason to reach into your wallet and pull out that Macy’s card.

• Do ask yourself “Do I need this?” Do you have other items similar or close that may be easily altered for your needs (I know how easy it is for you to get four purple shirts that all look the same)? I love updating clothes I already own with minor embellishments or adding some sparkle to previously plain shirts. Buttons, clothing jewels, ribbons and other fun and inexpensive updates can be found at any craft supply or hobby store. It is always nice to comment to my friends when they compliment my outfit, to be able to squeeze “I made it!” into the conversation.     Plus, being green is hot, and adding refreshing touches to pieces you already love will make your outfit sizzle and not cost you a penny!
• Don’t expect your parents to bail you out of your financial land fill. Rebecca Bloomwood went to her parents to ask for money and found that they had spent their life savings on an RV. They are your parents, not the bank. They changed your diapers. They don’t owe you anything. Work hard to pay off any debt you may have acquired–it shows responsibility!
• Do be willing to go to extremes to pay off debt or streamline. Stop hiding your Visa bills under your bed–that is not where they belong!  The Girl with the Green Scarf sold her closet “essentials” and was able to pull herself up again. Is it past time for a garage sale? Can you donate it to Goodwill? Maybe you can organize a sorority sale, with sisters contributing for a fundraiser. Any way about it, don’t hang on to things you are not using.
  

  Wear classics you already own and find simple updates for added elegance!

• Do take advantage of samples, but…
• Don’t apply the perfume samples in the magazine while in the waiting room. Tacky, taboo, and very unprofessional–especially at an interview! (You have to see the movie now)

Stephanie is a senior English major whose interests include cooking, reading, and good conversations. She is an active member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. “Success is often achieved by those who don’t know failure is inevitable” -Coco Chanel

Introducing… Kaitlyn!

First off, I would like to introduce myself and say how happy I am to be here! My name is Kaitlyn and I am a recent graduate of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. I received a degree in Psychology and I cannot wait to see where this leads me. I would ultimately like to be an Industrial/Organizational psychologist and hope to be starting graduate school in January. I am a member of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority (Alpha Tau chapter!) and I would not do it any other way! I highly recommend joining Greek Life—you will gain a plethora of knowledge and experience.

I really enjoy reading and will pretty much read anything you put in front of me. To be able to immerse yourself in another world is one of the greatest things. I often wish I had the ability to write like the greats that are J.K. Rowling, Jane Austen, C.S. Lewis, etc. Aside from reading, I also enjoy movies and everything that has to do with them. The behind the scenes activities are just as interesting to me as the movie itself is. I also would love to be able to travel around the world and keep a photographical diary. I will be sharing with you some of my travel experiences along with some of my photography.

I am so thrilled to be able to be an intern for College Lifestyles. Every time I would visit the blog, I would think about how amazing it would be to be able to write for them. I cannot wait to get to know everyone on the College Lifestyles team—they are all amazing people! Aside from my travel experiences, I would like to share with you some of the things I have learned during my college career. Surviving college on a budget (and still living well and looking good) is possible! I also hope to get to know YOU, the readers. Be sure to check back to see the new face of College Lifestyles—you won’t be disappointed!

Kaitlyn Kline is an intern with College Lifestyles.  She is an Edinboro University of PA and Alpha Sigma Tau alum.  She is so excited to be a part of the College Lifestyles team!