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Showing posts tagged Apartment Living
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A good quote to get the work week started
I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well. ~Diane Ackerman
Things can get very stressful during the week. Don’t let it get on top of you. As we go through our lives it can be hard to remember to live our life. So with that said…go on & live! -
Free is ALWAYS in my price range
I was looking for some free cereal samples a few days ago (Kashi always seems to be giving away food!) when I stumbled across an article with tips on finding internet freebies.
The article by Donna Freedman introduced me to a site I’ll soon be bookmarking: CheapToday.com. The site has a section dedicated just to reporting what freebies consumers can get today. Everyday you check back you can find something new - how cool!
[caption id=”attachment_27” align=”aligncenter” width=”300” caption=”When you save on freebies, you free up a little extra cash.”]
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Another good piece of advice Donna provides is how not to get ripped off. People tend to get a little excited when they see an offer for something free that they fail to notice they’re being had. You should be okay accepting a free offer if:- you’re getting the offer through the manufacturer’s site
- the offer is being presented by a retailer you know & trust (Target, Publix, etc.)
- you’ve found the offer by recommendation from other consumers
These tips should guide you well into your search for FREEdom. -
It’s going to the dogs!
[caption id=”” align=”alignright” width=”350” caption=”Who doesn’t love dogs?”]
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One thing you should know about me: I am absolutely, 100% a dog person.
Dogs can put an immediate smile on your face. If you have a rough day at the office, you can come home to an excited pet that will make you feel great. They are great companions; you can decide when they can be around you, and they generally form an attachment to you. Plus, you cannot lie to a dog. It is impossible to fool a dog, emotionally that is. They will just start at you until you decide to give in. If you are feeling lonely, a dog will always be there to keep you company. I was lucky enough to grow up with a sweet and caring dog. He always greeted me with excitement, never got tired of me, and constantly showered me with affection.
So, if you want some company, go crazy and get a dog. It will be one of the greatest investments you ever made!! What are some of your favorite memories with dogs? -
Budget Decorating Ideas
If you’re in the boat with most people around the country these days, you are looking for any and every way to save money. Home decorating may be one of the last things that you think of as an essential, but studies show that being in a relaxing, cozy environment can reduce stress and promote good feelings. This could seriously help with those days you come home from the office totally wiped out.
Decorating your apartment can actually be done on a pretty mild budget, especially if you choose to follow some of these decorating on a budget ideas.
First things first, you need to know what kind of décor style you want in your pad. Look through some home decorating magazines and such for ideas. Keeping a scrapbook of which styles you like is a great idea to take with you when doing your shopping. Compare styles you like with the features in your apartment to make sure they’ll work. You’ll want to start small, so choose one room to do first.
Shop second-hand! This may not be your first option, but there can be some real treasures that others don’t want anymore. I recommend the Dallas Craigslist website. I always find a plethora of options at great prices! Another place to check is the classifieds in your local newspaper. If you’re like me, run up to the Salvation Army or closest thrift store and check out what they have on hand there. I wouldn’t be too worried if the item isn’t in the best shape. A fresh coat of paint or handmade slipcover can do wonders for older furniture.
Shop at discount stores, such as the local discount store you have around. Department stores and such send their unsold items to discount stores, so you’re getting the same quality product at a massively reduced (and awesome) price!
Add some color to your room. Painting can be an inexpensive way to create a dramatic change to a room.
Create your own artwork! I am impartial to this idea since I am constantly making art already, but try it out sometime even if you don’t feel you are “artistically inclined”. It could be as simple as creating a paper collage or painting leaves to arrange and frame. The process of making art can also be therapeutic and help you clear your head. If you really feel you don’t want to try your hand at creating artwork, buy a cheap calendar of images you enjoy and frame them.
DIY projects There are an overabundance of ideas for do-it-yourself home decorating options that you can find on the internet or in decorating magazines. Look out for a future article about such ideas to help you livin’ up your living space.
What are you favorite decorating-on-a-budget tips? Please share (I personally desperately need it). -
Here’s a Do-It-Yourself Caffeine Fix
I love caffeine. I’ll take it in pretty much any form I can get it, but coffee is my caffeine source of choice. Luckily for me, I’ve found a cheaper way to get my caffeine fix than spending $5 at the closest Starbucks. Here’s how to make an awesome cafe mocha:
(photo courtesy of journeyscoffee on flickr)
[caption id=”” align=”alignright” width=”300” caption=”Bring the cafe home.”]
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1. In a small bowl, combine equal parts warm water and sweetened cocoa powder.
2. Stir until it forms a smooth syrup.
3. Pour 2 Tbsp. of the syrup into an 8 oz. cup.
4. Add a shot (1 oz.) of espresso or double-strength, dark-roasted coffee. (To brew double-strength coffee, use 4 Tbsp. of ground coffee for every 6 oz. of water.)
5. Heat milk on the stove & fill the rest of your cup with milk.
6. Top with whipped cream and enjoy!
