My No-Spend Month

July 2017 started out with the best intentions. My goal was this: endure a no-spend month. The rules are simple; aside from bills, gasoline, and the absolute necessities (medicine, basic groceries, baby and school supplies) go through the entire month without spending money. It's all over Pinterest, so I figured my broke self would give it a try.

I started strong. When I grocery shopped, I used copious amounts of coupons. I sold some old stuff that made up for my forgotten and unexpected expenses of a library fine, Amazon Prime membership, and a doctor visit. I worked on a very detailed budget and it looked beautiful.

About two weeks in, I spent a little extra on some clearance shoes for Abby. Not a huge deal, but I probably could have waited. I also got Chick-fil-A after work.... Guilty pleasure. One thing lead to another, and I gave in. My No-Spend Month was a bust.

And ya know what? I'm okay with it.

Sure, I could have worked harder to avoid spending money. But at the end of the day, I realized that I can save money and still buy things that I want. Shocker, here's a list of things I figured out.

1. Sleep on it. If you're not 100% sure, write it on a "want" list and give it a few days. If you still want it, go ahead. 
2. Use every money-saving resource you have. Coupons, ibotta, ebates, sales. Shop smart and combine deals whenever possible. (Bonus: click the links for my referral codes to earn extra money!)
3. Build a budget. Try to be as detailed and honest as possible. Don't make it pretty, make it real. 
4. Be flexible. Your budget needs to change with the times. Look over last month and see where you can save money, but also look where you need to give yourself some more wiggle room.

Even though I failed the challenge, I still learned some great ways to save my money for things I really want and need. Maybe I'll try again with a better plan another time.

Let me know what you think in the comments! Have you tried a no-spend month? What are your best money saving tips? I want to know!

xoxo, a.

Attention all readers!!!

I've been making some big changes on my blog recently. I'm trying to make it more ascetically pleasing AND more useful. Plus, I want y'all to be more involved!! I have put my post archives and contact form on separate pages, cause my home page was gettin' crowded!

On my homepage, you'll notice a small box to the right that says "Subscribe for More!" Please PLEASE submit your email address to join my mailing list! By becoming a "member" of my blog, you'll get exclusive emails when new posts are added and the blog is updated! Plus, you'll have more of a say in what I post! In addition to that, I'll start doing promos and little things like that, depending on how well this works... Hopefully I'll have a lot of subscribers and start some new things! Please help me help you! Just click the button, follow the directions on the page, and viola! If there are any technical difficulties, please email me at aubreyjennaa@gmail.com!

The blue arrow points out something new I'm trying. It's a part of Google AdSense. I'm not exactly sure how it works, but basically, I can earn money through it. I think it depends on how many people click it, but I'm not sure. I'm not telling y'all to click it, because that may be cheating. I'm just letting y'all know why it's there. The ads will change. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and that it may be a little annoying. I'm just a broke college kid trying to earn a little cash. 

I hope y'all will start subscribing and such, and I hope you like the updates! I'm constantly working on the blog, so hopefully my efforts will pay off! Thank you to all my wonderful readers!

xoxo, a.

Review: Longchamp Inspired Monogram Tote

I promise I'm not trying to go commercial on y'all. I just think it's only fair that I occasionally give public credits to people who provide excellent products. I promise, I won't review every toothpaste on the marked and junk like that, only things that are relevant to this blog!

That being said, I'd like to introduce my first review. It seems as though I've done the impossible- I decided to join a sorority. So that means: Rush. And Rush means cute outfits and lots of parties (not that kinda party, mom) and lots of time spent not having time to freshen up. Hence, my newest purchase: my large Lonchamp inspired monogram tote. I bought it through Etsy, the most addicting site on earth... I spent a lot of time searching and reading reviews, careful to find a product worth the money. And I happened across this one. When I placed my order, I mentioned that I would either need it kind of soon, or I would need to change the shipping address to my college dorm. After just a couple prompt replies, I found that my order was actually ready to ship the next day. No extra charge! I ordered it Wednesday and received it Saturday. How fantastic is that? That alone made me super pleased with such a sweet gesture to ensure my satisfaction! The lady I contacted about the product was very sweet and prompt in replying.

And that was all before I even got it!! Y'all, I love this bag. It's big enough to hold everything I'll need for rush (extra shoes, makeup, snacks, etc.) but it's not awkwardly bulky or cheap! Longchamps were so popular in high school, but I never had the $145 to spend on them. This bag looks just like the real thing for a fraction of the price. It's so cute!!! I couldn't be happier with it all, and I highly recommend you checking out their Etsy shop!

I am obsessed with this bag!!! 

Thanks for reading this little review. Again, I promise I won't become some sell-out commercial blog. I just thought y'all would want to know about this really great purchase. I'm beyond excited to go to college (5 days what) and go through rush week. Now I have a totes preppy bag to make me feel like even more of a typical white girl! Life's good, man. Life is really good.

xoxo, a.

Things I Should Have Learned Long Ago......

    As I've started to get extra busy with college preparations, I've realized that getting an early start would have really helped me transition more smoothly and with less confusion. But considering my personality, I can never escape confusion. Here are a few things I should have done long ago...

1. take the ACT with plenty time to spare: I was fortunate enough to go to a school that provided a very helpful ACT Prep class, so on my one and only try, I made a 30. Cool, right? But what if I hadn't made that? I took it in April 2013, and the next test-taking option was like September. Heck, I was accepted to three colleges by the end of July, with two scholarships to boot. Applying to college in the summer is much easier than during the school year, which I would have been forced to do if I hadn't gotten so lucky on the exam.
2. DON'T LET ANY ODDITIES DURING THE ACT GO UNNOTICED: I simply cannot stress this enough. Long story short, I noticed the kid next to me sitting a little close, but didn't think much of it until 5 months later when my 30 on the ACT was being questioned. I nearly lost my score, my acceptances, and my scholarships. Luckily, I send them a heck of a letter along with grades and previous test scores proving that I actually am smart enough to make a high score. The other kid probably wasn't so lucky... The ACT board apologized and promised to keep my score as valid. Phew.
3. apply for housing early: I only got lucky in getting into Brooke, with private bathrooms...
4. start making lists: Okay, so I do this all the time. (Noooo, you don't say!!) This is more of a suggestion to everyone; preaching to the choir, I suppose. As high school wound down, I started to realize how many different things I have to keep track of. Now it's in full swing. Dorm rooms and classes and money, oh my. 
5. become independent: This seems obvious but even in high school we were babied. I still relied on my teachers to tell me the exact homework assignment, when it was written on the weekly syllabi or whatever. Learn to be proactive and get everything done ahead of time, if possible.
6. fall in love with your planner: I did it. I got my Lilly Pulitzer planner and I regret NOTHING. It's beautiful. Worth every penny, I'd say. I mean, c'mon, it lasts for 3 regular semesters!
7. save money: Boy, I love shopping. But would I rather smell like a peppermint or eat....? Priorities, ladies and gents. 
8. visit your school multiple times and just walk around campus: If it weren't for my almost weekly trips to 'vallo with friends, I would get beyond lost. At least now I have some sort of grasp on where most things are... I hope.
9. obsess over your school: If you love the school, you most likely will already do this. Get t-shirts, decals, cups, whatever. Be proud of the place you're going to further your knowledge! Be proud that you were able to achieve this great thing! I have several shirts, cups, pens, decals, and so many other things showing my Falcon pride. PV, anyone? (PS. No, I'm not decided, but I will most likely be choosing the Purple Team--- Montevallo stuff, it's pretty big.)

There's so much more I have to learn but at least I'm not in denial... I'm sure I'll have more to add to this list later.. Maybe it'll become a series??

xoxo, a.