January Bullet Journal Spread

New year, new bullet journal. For the new year, I decided to get a new bullet journal so that I change spreads for each month. My last bullet journal was purely a Harry Potter theme throughout and so I didn't want to make new themes in it. Here is my January spread. I wanted to have a very minimal style since I'm not an artistic person.

I bought this dotted journal from Barnes and Noble. It was originally $12.99, but I used a 20% off coupon and got it for $10.89.

Since the cover of this dotted journal gave me spell book and astrology vibes, I thought my January spread should be related to astrology. This page was inspired by AmandaRachLee.

My calendar page is very simple and has space for me to put down important dates as well as a color key for what each colored pen means. I decided to write words at the top for what words are associated with Capricorns.

I didn't want the mood tracker to be over the top since I'm not artistic, so I decided to make each day a star and color them in with different colors.

Same idea with the habit tracker. I didn't want it to be complicated. The main habits I put down were languages and activities that I wanted to keep up with.

This is the most important page in my journal. I wanted to dedicate a page just for my schedule in January because of the new semester. This page tells me which classes I have on certain days, the time, and the locations of each class. The colors of each class goes with a certain pen color which relates to my calendar page. 

This page is also very practical for me because it allows me to keep track of how much money I'm spending each month. Ideally, I would like it to add up to less than $50.00 a month. If my end month total is higher than that, it will show me what I'm spending my money on and if I need to spend money on that particular thing.

My weekly spread is very simple and has just enough space for me to write out the homework for my 6 classes.

How to Shop for Christmas Gifts on a Budget

Christmas time is full of cheer and is the season of giving, whether it's giving back to the community or giving gifts for friends and family. But, shopping for gifts can be very expensive, especially when you have a lot of family members and friends. Don't worry, you don't need to empty out your wallet this year. Here are some ways to save money on gifts.

1. Shop using Ebates and get cashback on purchases.
- 5% back on Shutterfly
-8% back on Sephora
-10% back at Macy's
-and so much more, plus coupons!
(Ebates.com)

2. Coupons on RetailMeNot. There's many printable and online coupons available to use to help save some money.

3. Sign up for store loyalty programs. For example, Bath and Body Works has a rewards program(and app) where you get a free product(up to $16.50 value) when you spend $100. They also send coupons for 20% off and $10 off a $30 purchase. Sometimes, I get sent mail from them where I can get a free product($5.50 value or $14 value, depends) with no purchase necessary! FREE PRODUCT=FREE GIFT.

4. Use UNiDAYS to get a student discount on multiple retailers such as Ugg, VS Pink, Adidas, and MORE(10% to 30% off).

5. Shop at the clearance section of stores to find great items at a highly discounted price(50%-70% off)
-Macy's Last Chance Section
-Forever 21 Clearance
-Target Clearance
-etc

6. Shop when stores that don't usually have sales offer one. Fore example, Sephora doesn't usually always has a sale but right now, they have a Holiday Hooray Event:
-$15 off $75(Beauty Insider)
-$20 off $75(VIB)
-$25 off $75(Rouge)
(plus get 8% cash back when you shop through ebates)

7. Use reward points at stores to get gifts. For example, use Sephora points to get gifts for free.

8. Shop at discount store such as Ross, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, or any other store like these. During the holidays, they have gift sets for great prices.

9. Homemade gifts such as baked goods or anything else you may see online is also a great gift and you put time and thought into it which will be appreciated.

Things to Take Advantage of as a College Student

Being a college student can be dreadful, but there's also a lot of perks too that make being a student a little easier.

Things To Take Advantage Of

1. Student Discounts: A lot of retailers offer up to 20% off discounts for college students with a student I.D or a UNiDAYS account.

Some Places and Discounts Are:

- Toms: 15% off
- Ann Taylor: 20% off
- UGG: 10% off
- Adidas: 15% off
- Charlotte Russe: Extra 10% off
- Hollister: Extra 10% off
- H&M: 15% off
- Pink: Extra 15% off

2. Free Gym: Don't sign up for a gym membership, just go to your school gym for free! They have all the same equipment and some college gyms even have personal trainers.

3. Free Tutoring Services: Most colleges have a tutoring center with student tutors and teachers who help you in any subject(for no hourly fees).

4. Health Services: There's health centers on college campuses that offer services if you don't have healthcare outside the school(that's charged in your tuition) as well as therapists/psychiatrists.

5. Amazon Prime: Prime for students is free for 6 months(instead of one month) and $49 per year after that(instead of $119) for up to 4 years. You get free 2-day shipping, renting textbooks, and access to Prime Videos and Movies.

6. Gaps: Take advantage of the gaps in your schedule to do homework, nap, catch up with friends, go to the gym, or eat.

Notebooks for $0.25 at Old Navy

Right now, Mead notebooks, folders, and composition notebooks are 4 for $1(or $3 each). You have to buy 4 in order to get this deal. While supplies last so they may or may not be available at a store near you.

4 Easy Dinner Recipes

These recipes are great if you live at home or visit home on the weekends. They are hearty, delicious, and if you make extra, you can take it to school with you for a gourmet lunch.

Simple Mixed Greens Salad w/ Chicken

Ingredients

½ Cup Baby Spinach

1 Cup Spring Mix

¼ Cup Walnuts

1 Chicken Breast

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Wash spinach and spring mix, let dry, and arrange on a plate.

2. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to a saute pan and cook each side on medium-low heat for 7-8 minutes on each side. Cover with a lid to ensure moisture.

4. Add ¼ cup walnuts to spinach and spring mix.

5. Slice up cooked chicken breast onto salad.

6. Enjoy!

Chicken Cordon Bleu w/ Mashed Potatoes and Spinach

Ingredients

(Serving size ½ chicken breast. Serves 2)

1 Chicken Breast

2 Slices Bacon(or 1 slice ham)

¼ Cup Mozzarella Cheese(shredded)

3 Slices Whole Wheat Bread

Dash of Oregano

2 tbs Italian Seasoning

½ tbs Salt

½ tbs Black Pepper

1 Cup All Purpose Flour

1 egg

For Mashed Potatoes

3 Small Red Potatoes

2 tbs Salted Butter

¼ Cup Milk

Salt to taste

For Salad

2 Cups Baby Spinach

Directions

1. Season chicken breast with salt.

2. Split chicken breast, but not completely.

3. Put slices of toasted bread into a food processor or blender until breadcrumbs form.

4. Season breadcrumbs with oregano, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

5. Crack egg and whisk.

6. Put bacon and cheese into chicken breast.

7. Coat the chicken breast with flour.

8. Put chicken breast in the egg.

9. Coat chicken breast in breadcrumbs.

10. Repeat steps 7-9 one more time.

11. Coat a skillet with canola oil(to ensure crispy crust) and cook each side for 1-2 minutes over medium heat.

12. Put chicken breast in oven for 20-30 minutes(make sure to check) and flip halfway through at 350 degrees.

13. Add potatoes to pot of water and salt. Cutting potatoes reduces cooking time.

14. After potatoes are fork tender, strain and add back into pot with no heat.

15. Microwave milk for 1-2 minutes.

16. Add butter to potatoes.

17. Add warm milk to potatoes.

18. Serve with baby spinach,

19. Enjoy!

*You can make several of these chicken breasts, cut them in half, and freeze these in the freezer. Put them in the oven for 30-40 minutes in the oven frozen or put in the fridge to thaw. When you come back from class, you can put it in the oven for 10 to 20 minutes for an easy dinner*

Chicken Lettuce Cups

Ingredients

2 Chicken Breasts Cubed

1 ½ tbs Soy Sauce

1 ½ tbs Rice Vinegar

1 ½ tbs Sesame Oil

1 ½ tbs Minced Ginger

1 ½ tbs Minced Garlic

1 ½ tbs lime juice

Salt to Taste

Pepper to taste

½ Onion

2-3 Cups Lettuce(Romaine or Red Leaf)

Directions

1. Mix minced ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small bowl.

2. Saute minced ginger in a wok or large skillet until golden on medium low heat.

3. Add in chopped onion and cooked until translucent.

4. Add in cubed chicken breast and cook thoroughly.

5. Add in liquid mixture and cook for 1-2 additionally minutes.

6. Turn off heat and add lime juice.

7. Serve on lettuce.

8. Enjoy!

Pizza

Ingredients

I packet of Fleischmann’s Pizza Crust Yeast

1 ¾ to 2 ¼ cup of all purpose flour

1 ½ tsp sugar

¾ tsp salt

⅔ cup warm water

3 TBS oil

½ to 1 cup of pizza sauce or marinara

1 to 2 cups of shredded cheese

Any toppings you like

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

2. Prepare the pizza dough. Combine the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a large bowl.

3. Add the warm water and oil and mix together into a dough. The dough should be slightly sticky.

4. Knead the dough, using additional flour on the surface, and form/roll into the shape you want.

5. Then, transfer onto baking tray or pizza pan.

6. Bake the dough for 5-7 minutes.

7. Take it out of the oven and add sauce, cheese, and toppings.

8. Bake for additional 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

9. I like to broil the pizza for a minute to brown the cheese.

10. Wait to cool 5 minutes and then serve and enjoy!

*Make 2 or 3 pizzas, slice them up, and wrap each slice in aluminium foil. You can freeze them and when you want pizza, just put it in the oven frozen for 7-15 minutes or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes*

PSA: SHEDD AQUARIUM VISIT IS FREE FOR RESIDENTS DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

You read that right. If you're a resident of Illinois, you can visit the Shedd Aquarium for free from September 4th through the 30th. Just bring your I.D.

Tickets are usually $20(for adult residents of Chicago) or $40(non-resident adults).

Take advantage of this Resident Day offer and go with family or friends for a free hangout.

Things to Avoid in College to Save Money

College is a place where most students spend a lot of money during the time they're there. There's a lot of things there that students spend money on(sometimes everyday) and the cost adds up. Here's 10 things you should avoid while in college.

10 Things to Avoid 

1. Coffee- Most campuses have a Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks which have crowded lines everyday. If you buy a coffee every day, you are spending thousands of dollars a year. My tip is to make your own coffee(in your dorm or at home), or if you do want Starbucks or Dunkin, use their app to get free drinks or promotional points. If you love iced coffee like I do, cold brew some at home and keep it in your fridge. Make a batch that lasts a week and put it in your own cup with ice. You can add your own milk, sugar, creamer, and flavors. If you like specialty coffees(like the seasonal coffees from Starbucks), they sell VIA Instant packets that usually come in a pack of 4 for $7(and you can find coupons to use at grocery stores). Each packet makes one grande cup. This is better than the $6 venti for the same flavor.

2. Fast Food- Not only is it unhealthy, but it's expensive. If you buy lunch on campus everyday, you are spending a lot of money on food each year. It's better to pack your own food at home(like sandwiches and fruits). If you're dorming, stick to the dining hall(since you're already paying for that food each year).

3. Vending Machines- A lot of colleges have vending machines all over the campus and the price of snacking everyday also adds up. Instead of buying snacks from the vending machines(chips are often $1.25), buy big bags of chips and pack them in ziplock bags everyday instead or buy individual bags in bulk at a wholesale warehouse such as Costco or Sam's Club. 36 small bags of chips at Costco are around $10 or a 50 pack is around $13.

4.Water Bottles- You can buy a good reusable water bottle for $10 and under so instead of paying $2 for a water bottle, just fill up your own water bottle on campus for free.

5. Spending Full Price- Whether on clothes, shoes, or food, students are spending retail prices on these things. College students should sign up for UniDays which gives them student discounts on almost everything.

6. Buying Textbooks- Renting books, buying e-books, buying used books, or finding free PDFs of textbooks are much cheaper than buying a brand new book that you aren't going to be using the next year.

7. Buying Brand New Calculators- Buying used calculators is also cheaper than buying a brand new one. If you do want to buy a brand new calculator, always buy it during the back to school season when it's 30% off or more and use a rebate app/site such as Ebates to get cashback.

8. Parking- Driving to school can cost a lot of money. Some schools charge $700 or more a year for parking and you also have to pay for gas. Commute if you can(also lowers your carbon footprint).

9. Private Loans- If you take out too many private loans, the interest over time may add up significantly and can be hard to keep track.

10. Credit Cards- Credit cards are a great thing to use if you're financially responsible. But if you're not, you can be overusing your card and have a hard time paying your bill in full each month. That could cause you to pay a late fee of $35 or more and hurt your credit score. So be cautious of how much you use your credit card.