When I first decided that I wanted to pay off my loans early, I realized I needed to cut costs. Everywhere. That included my makeup and skincare products. Gone were the days of going to Sephora every time I wanted a new lip color, in came drugstore makeup. Growing up I was always envious of girls with designer lip glosses and eyeshadows, so it felt amazing once I started buying the brands I once coveted. But spending so much money on ... Read more...
My Rules for Christmas Shopping
Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the music, the decorations and watching "It's a Wonderful Life" for the 15th year in a row. But Christmas shopping? I hate. There are few things more stressful than jostling with strangers to grab a sweater on sale. I like shopping when it's quiet, when you can find a salesperson without waiting 30 minutes. If you get stressed out or want to find ways to save money this season, read ... Read more...
Why I Spend More Money on Clothes
I've always loved shopping for clothes. When I was little, I dreamed of being a fashion designer. I would memorize designer names, examine dresses on the red carpet and sketch my own creations. In school, I dreamed about buying designer clothes, while my mother was a thrifty shopper who always knew the latest deals. I remember watching E! and dreaming about my Vera Wang wedding dress. When other people would talk about how they'd eat ... Read more...
What to Look For When You’re Apartment Hunting
In almost two weeks, my husband and I will be moving to Denver. That means we'll be living in a brand new city, starting new jobs and careers and living in a new place. That also means we barely have two weeks to find a place to live. When you're apartment hunting virtually, like we are, it's hard to find a place you love. When I was looking for an apartment for my first place out of college, I relied on my future coworkers to recommend ... Read more...
How to Say No
Last weekend I went to a neighborhood flea market and yard sale where I scooped four picture frames for $15. Sam and I bought a vintage map of Croatia while on our honeymoon, and I've been looking for a frame to fit it. I have a love/hate relationship with buying old picture frames. I love how they look, how inexpensive they are and how neat they look next to each other. But unless you're constantly scouring thrift stores, they can be hard to ... Read more...
4 Ways to Save Money on Your Trip to Orlando
Last week I flew to Orlando, Fla. to attend ScholarCon, an annual conference for college students in honor societies. I spoke to the students about student loans, how to pay them off and how to start your financial life after graduation. On my off day, I decided to visit Universal Studios. My parents took me to Orlando twice when I was a kid, and I loved the rides, the mascots and the gift shops. My mom told me the first year we went to ... Read more...