Daytrip to Annapolis, Maryland (a poor college-grad's vacation)

This is my very first post-graduate summer vacation. Summers no longer mean automatic vacation... which means that poor peasant mba students work through the season as if it were any other. It is hard to stay positive when you are inside for most of the daylight hours, and you do not have an exciting summer beach vacation planned to look forward to. It feels as if this summer is just slipping away as I spend my days in the office, and I have not even gotten the slightest bit bronze. 

A very domestic Sunday

I woke up this morning and I wanted to be both lazy and productive at the same time... so after sleeping in for a long while, I decided to tackle my day and get some ordinary, real-person things done like do my laundry, clean my apartment, go grocery shopping, cook a nice meal, pack some of my lunch for tomorrow and figure out my schedule for the week. It was a very domestic Sunday, one of the first of its kind, and it really made me feel like an adult. 

15 Bucket List Items for the Class of 2015

These four years have gone by even faster than I could have ever imagined. I have tried to cherish every moment and learn from both the good times and the bad times. I have been able to make lasting friends and some great memories during my undergraduate career and the fact that it will soon be coming to an end is both exciting and unsettling.

Although we may not want to admit it, a whole lot of things are going to change after we move out after finals. 

We have to face the fact that we will never see most of our peers and acquaintances again and, like we experienced after high school, we will only keep in touch with a select few of our friends. We will also probably be moving to cities where we will not know almost all the people on our hall and where we will not be best friends with our roommates. 

There is a lot that we will be leaving behind as graduates... so it is time to make the best of our last few months as undergrads.

Here is a list of 15 things I want to do before I walk across the stage at the end of the semester:

1. Take a group photo with my friends at by our university's sign

10 teeny tiny ways to save money

     I am very close to beginning my final semester at college, and am halfway between ecstatic and terrified to enter the real world after graduation... There is a possibility that I will be seeking employment in a big, exciting, expensive city after graduation, which has led me to focus on saving the meager amount of money that I have. Moving to a new city means that I will have to spend some of my savings on buying an apartment, as well as weekly groceries, and transportation fees (luckily, I do not expect to be needing a car).
     Anyways, here are a few simple ways that I plan on saving money throughout this semester:

1. Bring your lunch instead of buying- Although you and your friends/co-workers frequent Chipotle during breaks, it is very easy to spend around $9 on a meal there... If you bring your lunch, you save some money, use up the groceries you already purchase, and waste less time standing in that perpetual line out the door. 
2. Limit yourself when you do go out to eat- My general rule is to spend less than $10 total, especially if we are just casually dining... I usually eat a sandwich and drink water, depending on where we go. 
3. Take advantage of free food events- Even though my college is small, I can usually count on not having to make dinner at least one night per week due to a club/organization event or promotion that has food provided... granted, when food is provided, it is pizza 88% of the time, or donuts, or cereal... but hey, it's free. 
4. Cut your hair short- Not only does it look more professional (at least on me, anyway) less hair means using less product... I have very thick and curly hair that I kept long throughout my college career. I decided to cut it above my shoulders over this past summer, and it surprised me just how little shampoo, conditioner, and product I had to use to style it. Now, it takes me about half the time to go through these hair products! 
5. Grocery shop wisely- Do some research, learn the intricate art of couponing, pay attention to special deals. Give yourself ample time to shop at the supermarket, so that you can properly compare prices and whatnot without being rushed.
6. Learn to live without Starbucks- This is a hard one, especially if you are an avid coffee drinker... I have been able to combat the need to refuel at coffeeshops by investing in my own reusable travel mug and preparing my coffee before I leave my apartment. Make stops at Starbucks special treats, instead of daily rituals. 
7. Take advantage of your student discount- Being a student can help you out at several different retail stores, as well as some museums and restaurants. 
8. Be sure to buy only what you need- This takes a whole lot of self-discipline, but if you stay true to the idea of "what I need" vs. "what I want," you are more likely to avoid impulse buys. 
9. Beware of the bars- It is super easy to overspend at the bar... Opt for nights in or if you are set on going out, bring a set amount of cash and make a point of sticking to your budget for the night.
10. Go on cheap dates- Hey, nobody said you had to spend a ton of money to have a good time! Go for a walk, take part in an activity on campus, have a movie night... etc. 

     As you can see, these are relatively easy ways to save a buck here and there. As long as I keep these rules in mind during my daily life, I will be able to save a relatively substantial amount for my future self when I am living on my own... well, hopefully. 

     What are some other ways that you save money?