cool(ege) beans

[plantinghuman]

[legallychic]

DORM ROOM MASTERPOST PART 2

My last one was really successful so here is part two! If you guys want my you can request anything :) 

DIY

10 Easy & Inexpensive DIY Dorm Decor Ideas!

Cozy Room Makeover + DIY Fall Decor!

DIY Tumblr Inspired Room Decor! Cute+ Cheap!

DIY SUMMER ROOM DECOR! Easy & Affordable! 

3 DIY Tumblr Inspired Room Decor Ideas!

DIY | Cute Room Decor & Organization

DIY Spring Room Decorations+Organization!

DIY Room Decor + Organization! Cute & Cheap! ♡

Organization

Back to School: College Dorm Room Organization Ideas + DIY & Essentials

College Dorm Room Tour & Organizing Tips

COLLEGE DORM ROOM TOUR!

college dorm tour *junior year*

DIY School Supplies/ Organization EASY! Back to School!

Move in day

COLLEGE MOVE-IN DAY | My USC Dorm Room

College: Packing / Moving In / First Couple Days

My College Move in Day!

MOVE-IN DAY / FIRST NIGHT AT COLLEGE

College Move in Day!

what to bring to college

10 Things We Regret Bringing to College

COLLEGE 101: Things You NEED to Survive College

10 Things You NEED & 10 Things You DON’T NEED for COLLEGE! |

[periodsta1ns]

College Cleaning List & Guide

So I made this cause I think a lot of people have trouble finding a groove when cleaning their apartment or dorm room. It’s super important to do cause dirty dorm rooms are why everyone has to get their meningitis shot before school. Here is what I recommend doing. At most it takes 45 minutes but usually it will take me around 25 minutes to do all of this in a standard sized double, so there’s really no reason not to.

You are doing both yourself and your roommate a disservice when you don’t clean your room. Also! No one wants to be the homie with the stinky room, so below I’ve added a list of cleaning supplies and a step by step guide on how you can keep your room inhabitable and reduce your risk of getting sick during the year.

-Lysol All-Purpose Disinfecting Wipes

-Clorox Bleach in a Spray Bottle*

-Glade Plug-In

-Dust Pan & Broom

-Stick Vacuum

-Sponge

-Dish Soap

-Paper Towels

-Toilet Scrubber (You can find a cheap one at a dollar store)*

-Swiffer Wet Jet/Dirt Devil Wet Spray Mop

-Fabuloso if you get the Dirt Devil (Green Apple scent is my personal favorite)

-MicroFiber cloth or a Swiffer Duster

-Febreeze Fabric Freshener

-Rubber Gloves (Optional)

-Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner in a bottle (Optional)*

*if you have a bathroom

So heres the dealio kiddos!

Step 1: Make your bed! Shake out any blankets or throws and let any debris on them fall to the ground. Put any dirty plates or cutlery to the side and out of the way, or stick them in your sink if you have one.

Step 2: Start with your microfiber cloth/duster or wipes and start wiping down every surface. If you have crumbs on a desk or chair feel free to wipe them onto the ground we will get them next.

Step 3: Grab your Vacuum and/or Broom and dustpan and start getting all of that debris off your floor. You will be surprised how much dust, crumbs and miscellaneous items there are. Sometimes I vacuum and then sweep just to make sure I get any grains of sand or dirt stuck in corners out, cause I don’t like the feeling of it sticking to my feet, or getting in my bed, cause then it’s gritty.

Step 4: Grab your mop and start wet mopping all over the place. This will make the place smell so nice and get any sort of thing stuck to the ground that you missed. The nice thing about the Dirt Devil spray mop is you can add any cleaner you want and just stick the pad in the washing machine when you need to clean it as opposed to the wet jet, where you need to buy pads and cleaner cartridges.

Step 5: Febreeze over your bed, febreeze over your roommates bed (make sure they aren’t allergic to febreeze), febreeze your chair if it has fabric. Basically Febreeze any fabric in the room.

Now! You’re basically done. If you have a bathroom, repeat the steps above and additionally:

Cleaning your Shower: Remove any items from your shower. Get gloves, paper towels, and clorox bleach spray. Spray the Clorox Bleach on the plastic part of your shower curtain and then wipe down with paper towels. Spray all over the inside of the shower and wait 2 minutes. Turn the shower on and let it rinse off anything it can reach. Turn off the shower and wipe down anything it didn’t reach.

Cleaning your Toilet: Lift the seats of the toilet. Get the toilet bowl cleaner or spray bleach, toilet scrubber, rubber gloves, and paper towels/disinfectant wipes. Use the toilet bowl cleaner, or the spray bleach to coat the inside of the toilet with cleaner. Grab your scrubber and give it a good scrub. Flush! Now you can use the disinfectant wipes or the spray bleach and paper towels to wipe down the seats, back and handle of the toilet.

Cleaning your dishes: Get your sponge, rubber gloves, and dish soap. Let your plates and cutlery soak in hot water for 2 minutes, if you don’t have a stopper you can let the hot water run over them. Put dish soap on your sponge and start scrubbing those dishes under warm water. When you’re done with cleaning an item, wipe them dry with a paper towel or regular towel and put them to the side. You can also set up some paper towels on a surface and lay them on there to dry while you continue washing. When you’re done washing the dishes, lift every item off the sink and use the same sponge to wash down the sink and rinse it with water. Now you’ve also cleaned your sink!

Things people forget to clean: microwave, mini fridge, desk surface, door handles, windows.

Other helpful tips:

Once you’ve cleaned it fully(I do this every week or every other week) you can mop your floor quickly every day or every other day to keep it grit free. If you see dirt or feel it, just sweep or mop it up; it’ll make the next big clean easier.

Change/Wash your sheets every 1-2 weeks, especially if you have sensitive skin! Dirty shams can give you acne.

When using bleach be careful! A) it can ruin your clothes and B) it is an irritant so avoid getting it on your skin. If you do, wash it off as soon as possible.

Good Luck!

[slavanijinska]

Things I learned you’ll actually need for your dorm after one year of college that you probably won’t see on pinterest

So, I recently finished my first year at college (which was definitely an adventure, and probably one of the best years of my life so far) and I’ve made a few mistakes, but none that couldn’t be fixed. For example, I really didn’t do adequate research as to what I’ll actually need for my dorm room because I was too busy fantasizing how I was gonna diy decorate my dorm room into a pinterest masterpiece. Anyway, I quickly learned my lesson.

Basically, your dorm room isn’t just for display. You live there. It’s gonna get messy, it’s gonna have to store a lot of stuff, and you’re not always going to have time to keep it in pristine condition because life gets crazy. But you can deal with it, I promise, and for all the new freshman prepping for their first dorm experience, I want to give some advice on how you can be prepared for what college life actually hits you with.

Alright, so I actually ended up being in a triple (so I had two roommates) which meant I had even less space than the average broom-closet sized dorm room and I had two people I had to get along with. Thankfully, we all ended up being really close and very considerate of each other, and I am incredibly grateful for it. We learned our lessons together, and this is the list of stuff we came up with:

1. Vacuum: Get a real vacuum, maybe a cheap one (not like a crazy dyson), but a real one. Not just a handheld one (like we had) because it won’t be enough. Girls shed hair. A lot. (especially three long haired girls like us) People might accidentally spill a bag of powdered sugar on your rug, or you might rip open a bag of cereal a little too vigorously, or, more seriously, you might break something like glass and you don’t want anyone cutting open their foot on a shard. 

2. Swiffer: If your floor was linoleum like ours (that’s why we needed a rug, which I’ll mention later), then it will get dusty and dirty. Having a swiffer is just nice to have because once you vacuum your rug clean, you don’t want the dirt on the linoleum getting on the rug. Plus, it’s gonna a rain and there’s gonna be mud. It’s gross.

3. Brita filter: So my dorm was actually the absolute best freshman dorm not just because the people were amazing, but because we had sinks. IN OUR ROOMS. It is just so CONVENIENT. Anyway, I am fully aware that not everyone is as lucky as us and the only sinks will be in the bathroom. A Brita filter pitcher is nice to keep in your fridge because you can have fresh clean in your room at any given moment.

4. Trash can: We had three in our room for each person but they kinda ended up being shared based on location in the room, but yeah. You need somewhere to throw away stuff.

5. Plastic bags or just garbage bags: And not only do you need a place to throw away stuff, you need plastic bags or garbage bags for clean disposal. And trash piles up real fast in your tiny room, so you’ll need to replenish these bags very often. I learned from my mom that you always have a place to store your plastic bags, and so we had a designated plastic bag drawer where we kept all the bags from our local campus convenience store, or the drug store, or wherever. Trust me, it’s saved lives. (as in, barf bags)

6. Command hooks: So we had to bunk two beds and loft another to have enough room and it’s kind of a pain in the ass to constantly climb down to throw something out so we had a trash bag hanging from a command hook on my roommate’s lofted bed and yeah. That bag has saved lives. (same situation as above) Plus, you can hang hats, bags, towels, little caddies for your toothbrush off of these hooks and it’s just so nice because you don’t lose things.

7. Clorox wipes: Again, stuff gets gross, and you’ll unfortunately need to clean things (ie your mom doesn’t clean everything for you anymore). Have two packs stored because you never know.

8. Dish soap: Real dishes need to be washed well, or else you’ll get sick.

9. Sponges: For the dish soap. And the dishes.

10. Windex: For our mirror, which we wrote on with washable marker, and I killed ants with it too. 

11. Storage for food: Something airtight so bugs can’t get to it, like a trunk. We also had mice sometimes go into our vents. And then into people’s rooms. They’re looking for a warm place to hide, and food. Don’t leave food out is the lesson. But also have food in your room! Our room was well known to always have food and its really nice when you’re staying up late and everything is closed.

12. Tissues: Freshman plague is so real. You will most certainly get it, and probably several times too. 

13. Vitamins and medicine: Your immune system is gonna get a work out in college. Help it out with some vitamin C tablets. Have some tylenol or advil for headaches and aches and pains. And side note, if you’re really sick, just go to the health center, you don’t have to suffer through it.

14. Slippers: Get a comfy, cheap pair (because sometimes dorm hallways are gross, especially on the weekends) that you can wear all around your building and still be comfy.

15. Power strip: So much stuff needs to be plugged in and you definitely won’t have enough outlets between you and your roommate(s).

16. Printer: Okay, this seems a little unreasonable, but we were lucky because my one roommate had a spare one at home (how though??) and I have frequently said it is my favorite thing in our room. It has come in clutch so many times. But if you have a campus printer near you, or if its too expensive, it’s fine not to have one. But if you do get one, I would recommend getting one that is NOT wireless. University wifi doesn’t like you using other wifi (ie it won’t work). Get a printer that has a cable.

17. Plastic plates and forks: We have real dishes and silverware too, but plastic stuff is just easier clean up.

18. Rug: I almost forgot about this one.The floor gets cold and a rug also makes a room feel homier. You and your friends are gonna sit there and bond all that fun stuff, and someone might even sleepover on it (if they have a sleeping bag).

19. Chairs: So we actually didn’t have any other chairs other than the ones that university gave us for our desks and those are okay and everything, but some of our friends had these amazing, foldable, springy chairs that were so comfortable and also a lot of fun, and I am definitely getting one for my room next year. 

Other things you might need but might forget (maybe?):

Razors

Umbrella

Rain boots

Rain coat

Extra towels

Contact solution

Favorite mug

Tea

Stapler

Make up wipes

Facials

Lamp

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, you’ll definitely need other things (like a fridge, microwave, sheets, pillows, decorations, etc), or see that you really don’t need some of the things I’ve mentioned. Honestly, do what you feel is best and good luck! I loved my first year at college! Like basically everyone, I had some trouble adjusting at first. I felt pretty lonely in the beginning too, but once you start going, things start to fall into place. I met some great people, had some great classes, and honestly, I’m going to miss my first year–even with all the excitement of being an upperclassman next semester.

I hope this helped and that you have just as great of an experience in your first year as I did–actually, even better!

[yournewapartment]

This year I'm moving into a school owned apartment on my school's campus, but the kitchenette only has a microwave. I'm kind of having a hard time looking for ways that I can cook myself more meals than just the frozen stuff at the grocery store and I wondered if you had some advice ?

Check out your college’s student handbook, and see if they allow any of the following cooking appliances. These can get expensive, but are well worth the money and will give you more dining options:

Portable Cooktop Burner

Toaster Oven

Mini Fridge

I would also recommend you get some cooking supplies like this set sold on Amazon. There’s also this microwave cooking set. I’ve scoured the Internet and found you the following recipes. 

Microwave Cooking Recipes

Apple Pie

Applesauce

Baked Potatoes/Yams

Banana French Toast Sticks

Brownie

Cauliflower Rice

Cheesy Flatbread

Chicken and Rice Wraps

Chocolate Cupcakes

Cookie In A Cup

Corn on the Cob

Egg Sandwich

Egg White Omelettes

Espresso Mug Cake

Fudge

Gluten Free Muffin

Green Bean Casserole

Grilled chicken + veggies

Ham, Cheese, and Chicken Rolls 

Humus

Mac + Cheese

Mac + Cheese 2

Mashed Potato

Microwave Mochi

Microwave Breakfast Mug

Mug Lasagna 

Nachos for One

Nutella Cookie

Oatmeal

Omelette In A Mug

Pasta

Pita Pizza

Peanutbutter Mug Cake

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Pork Chinese Bun

Pork Chow Mein

Pulled Chicken Sandwich 

Pumpkin Cake

Rice

Rice + Veggies

Scrambled Eggs

Soup

Spaghetti Squash

Spiced Apple Cake

Stuffed Zucchini 

Sweet Potato Chips

Tuna Melt

Vegan Mug Brownies

Compilation Posts

“18 Microwave Snacks You Can Cook In A Mug” by Buzzfeed

“50 Healthy Microwave Recipes” by DIYNow.net

“Dining Hall Blues” by Michelle Ma

Ree Drummond’s “Dorm Room Dining”

[produitivity]

my college dorm packing list:

the school year’s winding down here, and I know a lot of you are about to start your first year of college. sometimes, this involves moving into a dorm, and there are so many dorm packing lists out there that tell you about so many “”necessities.”” this really easily gets overwhelming, so here’s the list of things that I have in my dorm right now that I really appreciate having!

bedding:

two sets of sheets - make sure they’re the right size for the bed (often dorm beds are twin xl). i got two sets which included a pillow case, fitted sheet, and regular sheet. sometimes, the ‘college’ sets have pockets on the sides of the fitted sheets which can be super useful, esp if you decide to loft your bed!

pillows - when I was buying dorm stuff, i had the designer dorm room in mind (which is the goal for a lot of people when shopping, but it’s not super easy to attain. just stick to what works for u!). this, for me, involved pillows. i have 2 normal pillows (either i sleep on both or i alternate them out so no one of them gets too flat), and a smaller, soft decor pillow (i use this mostly to block up the space between the bed and the wall so my other pillows don’t fall off when i use them as a backrest haha), and a fourth, white fluffy square pillow (this one just looked cute, but i ended up using it as a desk chair cushion bc my chair didn’t come with one, it’s been a lifesaver!!)

comforter (tbh it’s always so hot in my dorm room that i hardly use this, and mostly just stick to the sheets haha, but it’s definitely important in winter)

extra blankets - just a couple lighter ones i use when i just wanna curl up or when i don’t need something as heavy as a comforter

foam mattress pad - !!!!! cannot stress this one enough. it makes my bed so comfortable. my dorm bed is now nicer than my home bed. i 100% recommend getting one of these (and make sure its the thick sheet of foam, not those weird cloth ones that make you feel weird when you touch it haha)

desk:

desk chair cushion (mentioned above) - wait until you see your room for this one, your desk chair might already have a cushion. if it doesn’t, get something to use as one. your butt will thank you, and it’ll make it so much easier to study. (also some people i know wanted to get their own desk chair - the rolly cushy kind - so if that’s what you want, go for it!)

desk lamp! - if you’re like me, you’ll stay up hours later than your roommate, and you need to be able to see. the kind i got was actually given away free from my uni, but it has usb ports and 3 different levels of intensity for the light itself, so it’s really nice!

cups/pen holders - stay organized. i brought a mug for this and ended up getting a few free cups at giveaways, and vases from flowers and things like that that I use to hold the pens on my desk.

misc desk organizers - to keep your study space put together and to keep all your stuff in a decent place (it’s so easy to lose things, even in such a small space)

closet/clothes storage:

hangers - i just got a couple packages (about 24 total i think?) which ended up being the perfect amount for me

sweater organizer shelves thing - these are everywhere at stores for dorm shopping. it’s basically a stack of box shelves. they also have drawers you can get for them, but i don’t have any of those. i just stuff my sweaters/cardigans/sweatshirts/extra sheets in there, it’s nice and saves a lot of closet space!

shower/hygiene supplies:

towels - i got 4 towels, just so i don’t have to do laundry as often. it ended up being a good amount for me. also a lot of people i know have washcloths, which wasn’t something i thought about but is a good idea if you use them!

shower caddy - a necessity! i use one of the bag ones, instead of the plastic ones, and i’ve heard a lot of people with the hard plastic ones wishing they had the mesh bag type (but obvs u do u)

dry shampoo - super useful for when you didn’t get a chance to shower and want to at least try to look a bit more cleaned up

laundry detergent - pretty straightforward. also hamper/laundry bag/dryer sheets/whatever else you need to get ur clothes clean (also stock up on quarters if you have to pay per load)

misc:

hobby supplies - i do a lot of crocheting/brush lettering/reading, whatever your hobbies are, you’ll wanna do them, so keep stuff in your room for it

wall calendar/white board calendar - useful for planning and remembering important dates (also i use this to keep up w what my roomie has going on bc we don’t talk about that sorta thing a whole lot but it’s nice to know when she’ll be back/out of the room/whatever)

whiteboard - i have a bigger wall mounted one, but i use it for assignment/meeting reminders and also as a study tool for before exams. plus it’s fun to doodle on when i really don’t feel like doing anything  haha

string lights - sure, they’re a classic dorm cute thing, but they’re also useful when you want just enough light to see, but not enough to keep your roommate up or be distracting. i use mine all the time, plus it makes the room feel more warm and homey!

i also have a 10 foot long phone charger which is my heart and soul i love it sm it’s so useful bc i plug it in under my bed in the corner and not only reaches up to my bed, but also over to my desk. 10/10 would recommend.

[yournewapartment]

Meal Tips

@hankgreen17 asked me: “So any more meal tips? I need all the help I can get budgeting and “trying” to eat healthy.”

Meal Tips

- Buy Bulk. My number one tip for budgeting food is to BUY IN BULK. Instead of buying a chicken breast, buy eight and individually wrap them in plastic wrap. Freeze what you’re not going to eat within the next two days, and defrost as needed. 

- Cook Bulk. Make a large pot of chili, soup, or your favorite pasta sauce. Buy plastic containers at Walmart and portion out your meals. Freeze them all! I do this with my pasta puttanesca sauce, I make it once every six months and cook enough to last.

- Store Brands. There are cheap knock off brands of everything from Cheez-Its to Quaker Oats. They’ll be anywhere from $1-$3 cheaper than the brand names. On a similar note, store brand cleaning supplies is about $5 cheaper than the name brands! Don’t judge them before you try them.

- Store Cards. My Stop & Shop card gives me a gas discount, and other store cards offer similar perks. Store card + store brands = ridiculous savings.

- Avoid Organics. Like I said in my last Adulting post, I’m not paying $4 for a cucumber unless it can clean my apartment and sing Jazz standards. Buy vegetables, but avoid anything labeled “organic”. 

- Mixed Greens. Avoid buying “mixed greens” unless you’re going to eat them within a day or two, these have a very short shelf life. Instead, buy a head of lettuce or a bushel of kale.

- Frozen Produce. Stock your freezer with bags of peas, carrots, fruit, etc. These will defrost easily in your soups and are good if you run out of ice packs. 

- Dollar Stores. They have really weird brands of chips and pasta and really poor quality paper towels, so don’t expect to do you entire shop here. However, they sell bulk tomato sauce, six packs of ramen, tuna fish and other wonderful things for under a dollar. My local Dollar store sells tubes of capers for a dollar when just down the street my organic supermarket sells them for upwards of $5.

- Buy Fruit. Specifically, BUY IN BULK at your local chain supermarket. My boyfriend and I have been throwing back those Cara Cara oranges like nobody’s business. Fruit is great for quick breakfasts, snacks, and a healthy alternative to downing a pint of Ben and Jerrys.

Budget-based cookbooks (online recipes) 

- College Student Cookbook. Click here. 

- Meals On The Go. Click here. (Not a cookbook, but super helpful)

- Broke College Kid Masterpost. Click here.

- Cooking on A Bootstrap. Click here.

- Good and Cheap. Click here.

- Budget Bytes. Click here. 

I hope this helps! 

[adulttalk]

How to Shop On a Budget

This is going to be an all-inclusive post on how to shop for food, clothes/shoes, toiletries/house supplies, and makeup on a budget. Here we go!

Food

1. Shop after you’ve eaten a fulfilling meal. If you shop on an empty stomach, you’re going to buy more food than you’ll need and it’ll probably be food that isn’t good for you.

2. If you’re shopping for a week or two, have a menu already for those weeks of the foods you’re going to eat. Know the ingredients you’ll need for these foods.

3. From the menu you’ve created, make a grocery list before entering the store. Stick to this list like it’s a lifeline and you’re stranded on an island. If you don’t get sidetracked, you probably won’t be tempted to buy foods you don’t need.

4. Try to limit yourself to only going to the grocer’s once or twice a week. If you go more often, the more money you’re going to end up spending.

5. Shop in a store that you know well. If you’re shopping in a store where you’re unfamiliar with the layout, you’ll get sidetracked from your list and be more tempted to buy food that you won’t need.

6. You should probably be cleaning out your fridge and pantry every couple of weeks or so. This allows you to see what you’ve got and use it up before if expires and before you buy anything else.

7. On the same note, keep your fridge and pantry fairly organized. If you’ve got a mess, it’s going to be hard for you to keep track of what you do and don’t have and you’re going to have a hard time making an accurate shopping list. Don’t waste money by buying something you didn’t know you already had because your fridge is a wreck.

8. If your grocery store offers coupons, use them! Even if they’re only saving you pennies, the pennies will add up. Take the money you save at the end of every month and put it towards other expenses such as bills, pamper yourself with it, or deposit it into a savings account.

9. Don’t use coupons to buy something if you’re not going to use it. However, if you plan your meals for the week around coupons, you can definitely save big $$, be the judge of when to use coupons or not. Similarly, if things are buy one get one half off and their easy to store and non-perishables like granola bars and you always eat granola bars for snacks, buy as many as you can afford or as many as you need. Be the judge of when to use coupons and/or bulk sales. 

10. Use the calculator app on your phone to keep track of how much money you’re spending. This will help you to stick to your budget/grocery list and keep you from overspending. Don’t forget to allow for taxes!

11. Cook meals that you can get three or four servings out of like spaghetti and soup. Freeze these leftovers and reheat them when you’re ready for your next meal. It’s an amazing money saver. Leftovers are my life.

12. Foods that are fairly cheap and versatile: 

eggs – scrambled, hard-boiled, fried, they go with anything

potatoes – buy a sack of them instead of the instant packs, they’ll last forever and you can make mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, fried potatoes, sliced potatoes, diced potatoes in soups, the list is forever

Apples — these last forever on the counter, you can eat them with yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies, peanut butter, or alone

Pasta noodles – you can do anything with pasta noodles and the carbs are filling

Any type of canned beans – green beans, black eyed peas, pinto beans, brown beans, they’re all delicious, buy what you like and they can be eaten alone as a side, in soups, or topped on other foods, again protein is filling and definitely cheaper than meat

Canned vegetables in general – wash them in cold water before cooking to get rid of all the extra salts and other ingredients they add to canned goods that aren’t good for you

Rice – I’m not a fan of rice but it is cheap and you can literally do anything with it

13. Use store savings cards. Even if you don’t care about the points (I don’t), the cards will usually get you discounts on some items and allow you to get items on sale that people without cards wouldn’t.

14. If you eat/can afford meat, buy meat when it goes on sale and freeze it until you’re going to use it.

15. If you’re dead set on buying produce, get it while it’s in season and refrain from buying something when it’s not in season. Instead, use the produce that is. Produce and when they’re in season:

Apples: late summer through fall

Apricots: late spring through early summer

Artichokes: spring and again in early fall

Asparagus: spring

Avocados: summer

Basil: summer

Beets: year-round

Blackberries: summer

Blueberries: summer

Boysenberries: early summer

Broccoli: fall and winter

Brussels Sprouts: late fall and winter

Butternut Squash: fall and winter

Cabbage: fall and winter

Cantaloupes: winter and early spring

Carrots: year-round

Cauliflower: fall and winter

Celery: fall and winter

Cherries: late spring and summer

Chickpeas: summer

Corn: summer

Cranberries: fall

Cucumbers: summer

Eggplant: summer and early fall

Figs: summer and fall

Garlic: summer and fall

Grapefruit: winter and spring

Grapes: late summer and early fall

Green Beans: summer and early fall

Horseradish: fall and winter

Kale: fall and winter

Kiwis: winter through spring

Leeks: fall through spring

Lemons: winter and spring

Lettuce: year-round

Limes: late summer and fall

Mandarins: winter

Mangoes: summer

Melons: summer and early fall

Mushrooms: spring through fall

Nectarines: summer

Potatoes: spring through summer

Okra: late summer and early fall

Onions: spring through fall

Oranges: winter and spring

Peaches: Summer

Pears: fall

Plums: summer

Pomegranates: fall

Pumpkins: fall

Rutabagas: fall and winter

Peas: winter

Strawberries: spring and summer

Sweet potatoes: fall and winter

Tomatoes: summer

Turnips: fall through spring

Watermelons: summer

Zucchini: summer

16. Pay attention when you’re at the register. Things may get rung up too many times or may not register that they’re on sale. My mom swears by this.

17. if at all possible, shop with cash. If you don’t have more cash than what your budget is, then you can’t go over.

Clothes and Shoes

1. Buy clothes when they’re out of season. You need winter clothes? Go online in the summer and stock up on what you’ll need.

2. Check around several different websites and stores when buying clothes. Oftentimes I can find the same item I need somewhere for cheaper than somewhere else.

3. If a store you like has an app and you’re sure of your size, get the app. I have the Charlotte Russe app and they’re always having app-exclusive sales on shoes and other clothing.

4. Buy items that are versatile and you can make many outfits with. My must have versatile items (you don’t have to have them all, these are just some options):

Jeans: light-wash, dark-wash, black, boyfriend, and distressed

Basic business attire: solid colored slacks, solid colored pencil skirt(s)

Dresses: black bodycon, gray or white bodycon, and t-shirt

Jackets: bomber and jean

Solid colored items: shirts, body suits, camisoles, sweaters, halter tops, leggings

Cardigans

Good winter coat (invest on a good one, it’ll save money in the long run)

Shorts: light-wash and dark-wash

Overalls

Skirts: skater, leather, blue jean

Simple pair of white/black/grey heels

Solid colored pair of flats

Solid colored pair of sandals

A pair of comfy shoes like Nike’s, Converse, Vans, etc.

5. Don’t buy all the latest trends. If you buy them the year afterwards, no one is going to care. You should only be buying what pleases you anyways so if you’re buying it just because it’s the latest fashion, you’re wasting money.

6. Don’t be afraid to buy your clothes from thrift stores, consignment shops, or yard sales. I find great pieces from these places all the time. It can be very hit or miss but it’s always worth the look.

7. Declutter your closet and the beginning of every season. If you’ve got something you wore only once or twice or something that still has tags on it at the bottom of your closet, get rid of it. Sell it or donate it.

8. Take care of your clothes and shoes to keep them looking good and lasting longer.

9. Know when to buy quality. If you’re messy and always getting stains on your shirts, you don’t have to buy the best quality shirts out there. Get something cheap and comfy if you’re going to have to throw it out later.

10. Shop sales racks first. I got a shirt from Old Navy once for a dollar on the sales racks. The sales racks are my (and your) best friend.

11. Places I shop:

Rue 21

Charlotte Russe

Goodwill

Plato’s Closet

Walmart (seriously they’re stepping up their quality, I bought some slacks and pencil skirt from here a while ago and they’re still good, I don’t recommend their shoes though)

TJMaxx

Old Navy

Local thrift stores and yard sales

12. Places others have recommended to shop but I haven’t tried yet:

Amazon

Zara

Mango

H&M

ASOS

Target

Toiletries and House Supplies

1. Things to buy from a dollar store/dollar tree:

Cards for occasions, party supplies, and gift wrap and bags

Seasonal decorations

Reading glasses (not prescription glasses)

Hair accessories and necessities

Pregnancy tests

Dishware, cookware, and decorative vases or bowls

Storage containers for food and other storage bins

Candy and sodas

Dishrags and towels

Medicine

Pet treats and supplies

Makeup (not everything)

Cleaning supplies

Baby supplies

Paper products

Personal items such as pads or tampons

Sandwich bags

Band-aids and other first-aid items

Mailing labels

School supplies

Not everything on this list may be available at your dollar store or may even be a better deal than your local Walmart or other retail store so check around.

2. Again, use coupons and store cards to your advantage!

3. Shop for school supplies when there’s no-tax weekend. It’ll save you so much $$

4. Same as with clothes and shoes, check around many stores to find the best prices on goods and then make a shopping list once a week and hit up all the stores for the specific goods they have the best deals on.

5. Make a specific shopping list for what you need and stick to it.

6. Keep all of your personal products and your cleaning cabinet organizes so you know what you do and don’t have and can avoid buying duplicates in case you’re tight on money.

Makeup

1. I watched a ton of YouTube videos for drug store hauls and dupes.

2. Ask your friends and family if they have any recommendations for drug store steals and deals.

3. Try to avoid high end makeup if you can. You can usually find a drugstore dupe of almost if not the same quality and for way cheaper.

4. If you want to splurge on yourself and buy high end makeup, don’t buy it when it first comes out. Sometimes the items will go on sale online a while after they come out and all the hype has gone down.

5. Not only for makeup but for clothes and shoes as well, shop on cyber Monday or Black Friday to get ultimate money savings

Where to get quality makeup for a low price:

Brushes: E.L.F., Ecotools, Morphe, BH Cosmetics

Mascara: Maybelline

Blushes: Milani, NYX

Lipstick: NYX, Colourpop, Maybelline

Eyeshadows: NYX, Colourpop, Morphe, Coastal Scents

Primer: Maybelline, NYX

Setting Spray: NYX, Milani, Hard Candy

Highlighters: Rimmel, LA Girl, Maybelline, Milani

Brow Gel: NYX

Loose Powder and Under Eye Concealer: E.L.F., Maybelline, NYC

Foundation: L’Oreal, E.L.F, Cover Girl

Pressed Powder: Rimmel

Bronzer: Milani, Essence, Makeup Revolution

Brow Mascara: Essence

Eyeliner: LA Girl, NYX

Contour: Makeup Revolution, BH Cosmetics

BB Cream: LA Girl

Places to get a variety of stuff for good quality but may be hit or miss or be of varying price ranges:

Catrice Cosmetics: good products but limited in options

Chi Chi: good for large palettes

BH Cosmetics: good for a variety of everything but may be hit or miss

Coastal Scents: good for eyeshadows

LA Girl: good for lipsticks and highlighters

Makeup Revolution: good for a variety of things but different price ranges

NYX: good for a variety of things but may be hit or miss

This post has taken me forever with all of the research, I hope everyone can get a use out of this. Enjoy!

[bumblebeeitch]

Adding my own things:

Wet n Wild is a good brand for dirt cheap nail cosmetics. I got 3 nail polish colors, eyeshadow primer, and an eyeshadow palette for $10.20 after tax at Walmart. They’re also vegan and cruelty-free.

If there is an industry in your town that doesn’t have any major competition (ex. the only electronics store in my hometown town in Best Buy) they will almost certainly habe higher prices since they don’t have to worry about 99% of theor customers going two blocks down and buying the same camera or laptop. Online shopping is definitely cheaper when that happens, and (bonus!) no sales reps trying to sell you a $1000 laptop when you can get away with a $600 laptop!

[adulttalk]

Such great tips, thank you! 🙌

[trashprinxe]

I have $24 to last me til Friday, what should I buy with it?

[transhuman-priestess]

a pallet of ramen noodles

[trashprinxe]

I hate ramen noodles tho

[transhuman-priestess]

hmmmmm bees?

[trashprinxe]

Are you suggesting that I eat bees for a week

[vanishinginthepark]

This is roughly what I make sure I have in my kitchen all the time along with rough estimates of local prices (MN). I buy a lot of things when they’re on sale and stockpile them. 

instant oatmeal packets with fruit in them - $3 probably and this can be breakfast all week and maybe even a lunch or dinner too since you usually get 10 packets

bag of rice - $2-3 depending on size. 1 cup dry rice makes enough for about two meals depending on what you add in. if you get cheap rice, rinse it before cooking

canned beans - usually under $1 per can - mix the can with your rice and you have a meal. chili-spiced beans will make bean tacos. Rinse non-spiced beans before adding to anything.

Tortilla - usually around $3 but you get like 8-10 of them. Tacos, wraps, and quesadillas are all fair game here

lettuce - $2 max around here, either a head of something or bagged precut depending on preference, use as a salad or on tacos

protein other than beans of some sort - probably $5-7 for meat, $2-3 for eggs. sometimes I can get bags of frozen chicken breasts in this price range and each is usually 2 meals if I add in a bunch of veggies. fry/scramble eggs and add to any of the options. 

your favorite stir fry sauce - $3ish

vegetables - $5ish. literally anything that you can 1. fry in a pan and 2. you’ll eat. fresh carrots are usually pretty cheap. get frozen if it’s cheaper and you’re strapped for cash/prep time on this part. 

alternative to stir fry:  pasta (~$2), fresh tomatoes (~$2), cheese (~$3). 

cheese and fruit if you have extra - look if your store has loyalty cards for free that you can load coupons on for cheese there’s always one it seems like.

[trashprinxe]

ahh thank you!!!

[hagar-972]

Reblogging because there’s never knowing who’ll need it.

Adding also: the single most nutritious food on earth is potatoes in their peel. Potatoes + some milk and butter = everything you need. They don’t last all that long, but they’re fairly cheap and the quickest cheat to “How do I not fuck my body up.”

(Cooked potatoes’ll last a while in the fridge. Potatoes nearing the end of their useful lives? Cook them to half-done first, figure out what to do with them later.)

Easiest baked potatoes: slice thinly but not paper-like, spread like cards, brush with oil (a silicone baking brush is totes worth the little it costs), spread salt and pepper (a little less than you think you’d like), cover with foil, stick in oven or toaster-oven at 150C for 40min. (If you have the patience, at that point click up to 180C, remove the cover and add 10-20min.) Reheats well, lasts in the fridge longer than it’ll take you to nom.

Dead-Animal-Free Whole Protein: some legumes + some grain. AKA rice and lentils, or rice and beans. (Maybe some fried onion for flavor; onion’s cheap and stays good a descent while. Fried onion makes everything taste better and keeps forever in the freezer, so frying up a bunch and keeping portions is not a half-bad idea.) (If going for the beans option - lentils are cheaper around here but fuck if I know what it’s like in your area - dump some tomato sauce and oil in; canola or soy are best health-wise, and far cheaper than olive; avoid corn.) Oh, what does instant couscous go for in your area? It keeps for fucking ever, it’s usually cheap, and it takes well to any and all added taste.

If you get to choose, black lentils taste the best and need the least soak-time (0-20min), green lentils are best for cooked stuff and red lentils are best in soups. (Red lentils + potatoes + root vegetables of choice + spices; cut into small pieces, cook, run through the blender if you wanna [stick blender’s awesome], freeze in portions.)

When possible, get instant soup mix. Get the good instant soup mix. (The kind that’s not made primarily of sugar, yeast or both. The rest is optional.) Dump 1/2tsp (or more, but start on the low end) into couscous, or chicken, or sprinkle over potatoes being stuck in the oven. Whatever. It’ll make most cooked-food-type things taste better. And again, lasts forever on the shelf.

If  you can have eggs (goodness knows they’re sometimes expensive), dump some tomato sauce in a pan (tomato sauce lasts forever on the shelf), add some oil, onion/beans to cook in it, hot peppers if you wanna, then when it’s nearly ready crack an egg or two in. Hard-boiled eggs last a remarkably while in the fridge, so when eggs reach near the end of their usable lives, just hard-boil and stick in the fridge. (Have eggs as often as you can, particularly as you have brain-shit going on. You need all the eggs, salt, and 60%-or-more chocolate you can get. Brains are made of cholesterol and salt, so folks with neuro or other brain shit need more of both. Potassium is also aces. You know what has the most potassium? Tomato paste.) Grated cheese keeps in the freezer for ever. Grated cheese will make a lot of things taste nicer. Preserved lemon juice keeps forever in the fridge. Grated cheese + oil + lemon = instant and awesome pasta sauce that’ll liven up the weeks-old dry pasta in the fridge. Slices bread also keeps well in the freezer. Try to have half a loaf or a loaf. Dry bread gets cut in cubes, mixed with oil and the aforementioned instant soup, stuck in oven at lowest until properly dry, then kept in an airtight jar to add to soups. (Over-ripe tomatoes come cheaper. They get turned into soup or sauce, then frozen in portions.)

[anextremelysadmeme]

this is a very good post but why are we glossing over the fact that the alternative to ramen is bees

[sunreon]

i have it on pretty good authority that bees are not an affordable eating alternative to ramen.

[camwyn]

Seriously, bees are expensive

[taraljc]

Trufax. 

And speaking as someone who is also living off oatmeal, beans, and brown rice, if you need recipes, I have them! 

Today I made 16 bean soup with chicken sausage and it was crazy good and I got 8 servings out of the one batch (froze half). I usually get the cheapest beans I can find, and GOYA bags of beans are usually $1-2. I soaked them overnight,rinsed them, and threw them in a gallon lidded saucepan with 2 boxes of chicken stock (also on sale for $2), two bay leaves, sauteed green pepper, onion, and celery, some garlic from a jar, about two tablespoons of dried herbs de provence,and the “fancy” bit was adding $6 bourbon and apple chicken sausages. You can actually sub veg stock for chicken and skip the sausage and make it vegan and it would still taste great.

Oh and I’ve been doing steel-cut oats. I don’t buy the name brand ones, I just pick whatever store brand/generic I can get for less than $4. They take about ½ an hour to make, but they’re super tasty and I make 2 cups of dried oats at a time with dried cranberries and that’s breakfast for 4 days at least. 

I’ve also been making black bean soup, red beans and rice, and curried potatoes and chick peas. I got 100 quart and pint take-away containers from Amazon for $20 and they all stack neatly and are perf for one serving of whatever.

[amireal2u]

Additionally, depending on where you live, whole rotisserie chickens are something like $4-$7 and are easily 4 - 6 servings of protein and on TOP of that, if you stick the carcass in a ziplock bag and then the freezer you have excellent soup makings. Using bones in soup literally squeezes all viable vitamins and minerals out of the suckers. Soup made from lots of bones is great to keep around if you get sick, it’ll feed and sooth you relatively easily and as you get better you can add noodles. ON TOP OF THAT, a quarter to a half cup of soup broth added to a lot of dishes also adds those nutrients PLUS flavor.

[jmathieson-fic]

Here’s my “How to eat for a week on $30″ post.

[geardrops]

don’t forget Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4 A Day

[lickmetilllicecreammmm]

Yall are clutch for this lmao cuz ima need this for about the first month after I move

[watts-of-dragons-deactivated201]

Reblogging cause who knows what your followers are going through rn

[yournewapartment]

Adulting Posts

Adulting 101: The post that started it all! Discount cards, xmas lights, and general food advice.

Adulting 102: Cacti, electric bills, and some inexpensive cleaning advice.

Adulting 103: Peeing after sex, chalkboard paint, and why you need scented trash bags in your life.

Adulting 104: Electric bill budgets, lint drawers, and why mixed greens are more trouble than they’re worth.

Adulting 105: Paper bills, Yankee Candles, and where to purchase postage stamps.

Adulting 106: Scented tampons, dishwasher pods, and why you should live next to a fire department.

Adulting 107: Command hooks, inexpensive bathroom decor, and why organic cucumbers are overrated. 

Adulting 108: An Adulting post dedicated entirely to apartment hunting!

Adulting 109: Cleaning your shower head, condiments, and why you should never buy Dollar Store paper towels.

Adulting 110: Food hygiene, Airborne, and automatic payment advice.

[auntamaya]

Things You Can Definitely Buy From the Dollar Store: A Guide to Being Poor

• Band-aids- You can probably get a box of 100 or so for a buck • Light Pads- Not tampons, because you really shouldn’t skimp on tampon quality, and if you have a seriously heavy flow, I would consider a sturdier brand, but for just some just-in-case panty liners or your last couple days, a 20 pack of liners for $1 is pretty sweet • Pain Relievers- it depends on how many are in the bottle and what your local prices are, so check what it costs for a big bottle at Walmart with 100 in it, vs the 25 in the dollar store bottle. It takes a little math, but sometimes it can save a lot of money to by 4 (25ct) bottles for $4 instead of 1 (100 ct) bottle for $7 • Nail Polish & Makeup- If you aren’t picky about brands, Dollar stores have some good ones sometimes. LA Colors is a makeup brand that Dollar Tree sells, among other stores, and most of its makeup is pretty good. ELF is something common at dollar stores, as well, and is pretty darn good for $1-3. I would stay away from Dollar Store foundation and concealers if you haven’t tried it out before or seen good reviews though • Dishes- A dish is a dish is a dish, man. Don’t waste $50 on your first dish set after moving out of your parent’s house. It really isn’t worth it—moving for college, a new apartment every year your lease is up, roommates, parties, exploding in microwaves, soon-to-be-ex throwing them at your head and whatnot: they’re going to get trashed. When you have a steady job, your own house and want to entertain, then go to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and buy the nicest set of dishes you can find. Until then, Goodwill  and Dollar Store dishes are for you. In my opinion, it’s actually more fun to have miss-matched dishes, but if it’s not for you, you can totally buy matches from Dollar Tree. I’ve actually seen some pretty nice ones. • Books- Find something interesting? Go for it. Book is a Book is a Book. Sometimes they even have pretty good ones, it’s worth checking next time you’re in the store • Pregnancy/Ovulation Tests- It’s been proven that the cheapos are just as accurate as the $10 apiece ones. If you have a late period or are feeling paranoid, don’t waste huge money on name brands. • Food- Dollar stores have really evolved when it comes to food. Some even have frozen sections! Be careful, as sometimes the almost empty boxes are actually MORE MONEY per oz. but all in all, you can get some good deals if you look for them. Keep an eye on expiration dates though—there is a reason it’s in the dollar store. Do NOT buy spices from discount stores! If it’s a name brand, that’s fine, but the cheapo brands make spice “mixes” and “Blends” that are usually full of salt to make them cheaper to produce—this is unhealthy for you because if you are seasoning something and want more flavor, you use more spice mix, but you’re adding more salt. Total high sodium risk • Cleaning Supplies: It all depends on what you can find, of course. But dryer sheets, sponges, toilet bowl cleaner, etc. are all pretty standard and aren’t going to be very different if you spend $1 on it or $10. If you buy one and it doesn’t work for you, or feels ineffective then spring for a more expensive version, but the cheap is always worth a try. • Candles + Incense: some of them actually smell pretty good and you can find a good deal every once in a while. They have pretty nice candle holders sometimes, as well

Things you SHOULDN’T buy from the dollar store • Spices: As noted earlier, Spice “mixes” usually contain a lot of salt and other filler, so when you go to add more seasoning for more flavor, you just end up with more salt. It’s really unhealthy, over all, and being a low-income or likely in college person can already put you at risk for unhealthy eating. Spring for the real stuff, I promise it’s worth it • Office/School Supplies: Okay, this may just be personal experience, but I have to be honest, I have not had any kind of luck with pens, pencils, or even the paper. A lot of the notebooks are actually cheaper at a regular store, especially in the fall, and it’s better to stock up on $.20 each then than pay $1 per notebook later. Your individual stores may have better options, but I’ve never found discounted office things (especially pens, ugh!) to be worth the slightly lower price once you factor in the ease with which they break, how quickly they run out of ink and whatnot. • Razors: No. Just, just don’t do it—your skin will thank me later • Candy: most small snack and candy items are old, from bad batches, or are mostly empty boxes—as well as usually being overpriced. If you need your chocolate to indulge, do it right and spend the same, if not less, amount of money on better candy. • Anything you find questionable: use your gut. It something seems too good to be true, or doesn’t feel right, don’t bother with it. Use your judgement!

[yournewapartment]

In the Event of a Black Out

As I live in a part of the US that just got dragged by a winter storm and is about to get dragged again tomorrow, I thought I’d write a power outage post. 

Know where your first aid kit is. Make sure it’s fully stocked with bandages, burn cream, gauze, etc. If you’re stuck in the middle of a serious storm, emergency crews may not be able to respond as quickly as they normally would. Be prepared. See also: Safety - First Aid Basics

Make sure that all of your flashlights are working. Buy extra batteries and keep them in storage. Not just AAA, buy AA or whatever ever type your devices use.

I just bought myself a rechargeable lantern on Amazon for $25. Go order yourself one. Much safer than candles!

Get yourself a universal charger power bank. I got one at my local bargain store for $8, Amazon is selling this fancier one. This way you can ensure that your phone stays operational. You can also charge your phone by using your computer. Or your car charger if it safe to go outside.

Download a couple movies or TV shows to watch on your computer. Fully charge your computer, unplug it, and turn it off. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re super bored.

Depending on how rurally you live, you may not have water during a black out. If you live in a city and use municipal water, you should still have hot water during a black out. If you have a well or other source of water, you will have a limited supply. Fill your tub with water. Fill buckets with water. Stock up on water! If just to use to flush your toilet. Literally you may not be able to flush your toilet, you may have to pour additional water into your toilet to be able to flush it. Be prepared.

Speaking of that- make sure you have all of the toiletries you need. 

Make sure you have plenty of bottled water. Like, more than you anticipate needing. You can always just use it some other time.

Make sure you have lots of non perishable food. Fruit, protein bras, trail mix, peanut butter and jelly for sandwiches, etc. If you fridge becomes room temperature, your food will good bad and you will have to throw it out. If it’s cold outside (winter), just stick your eggs and milk and whatever else on your porch. Use nature’s refrigerator. PS- your freezer should stay colder longer than your fridge, but it will defrost after two days or so as well.

Use candles. But use them safely. Don’t leave a candle unattended for a long period of time. A fire in the middle of a black out is NOT what you want.

If it’s cold outside and your power goes out, be prepared to hunker down. Make sure you have lots of heavy blankets, long johns, fluffy socks, etc. You will need these to stay warm! If you do have municipal water and still have working hot water, you can also fill a hot water bottle up and use that for a while. Or you can use your fireplace (safety) to stay warm. Always extinguish all fire and candles before you go to bed.

You can also pull down blinds and shades on windows to keep in the warmth. Or a window winterization kit can help. You can also use towels or pieces of clothing to bunch under doors to keep them more insulated. 

If you have a gas stove, you should be able to use just the stove part to cook food. Turn one of the burners to “lite” (you should hear the clicking noise) and use a match or lighter to light the fire. Then adjust it to your desired temperature. If you don’t have gas, you will need to rely on no-cook meals. Or you can prep non-perishable meals ahead of time.

Make sure your pets are taken care of! Black outs can be a stressful time for pets, especially if it is stormy outside. Make sure your pet has enough food, reserve some water for them, and make sure to give them extra love and attention. Don’t take your pet outside to go potty unless you are 100% sure that it is safe.

If you go several days without power and your home is freezing, try to spend as little time possible there. Your pets can snuggle up in blankets and use their fur to stay warm, just so long as your home stay above 40 degrees. You cannot. Get yourself to a public space: a cafe, library, college center, etc and hang out there. Charge all of your devices. Eat a hot meal. Stay warm.

You can also contact your local county office to find out about emergency services. They will have a list of locations that can offer you free wifi, charging capabilities, bottled water, etc. Utilize these facilities! Get out of your home and stay warm!

If you know about the storm beforehand, do some clean up around your home. Clean all the dishes, do all the laundry, organize things so you don’t trip over them in the dark, etc.

If a friend or family member has power, contact them and find out if you can take a shower and recharge your things at their place for a while. If you power is out for a prolonged time and there isn’t an ETA on when it will be back, find somewhere else to stay where there is power.

Most electric companies have some sort of customer communication system when their is a power out. My electric company sends me texts giving me ETA’s on when I can expect my electricity to turn back on. They also alert me when they think there will be mass outages. Sign up for a text service if at all possible.

Stay SAFE! Do not leave your home in the middle of the storm. Do not drive, walk, bike, take public transport, whatever in the middle of a storm. Do NOT approach trees that have fallen down. Stay 30 feet back from down power lines. Report all trees and down power lines immediately to your electric company. Stay in touch with family and friends to make sure that everyone is alright, but do not attempt to help someone in the middle of a storm. Contact the authorities and get a trained professional to do it. Safety should always be your priority!

[dolceandveganna]

Let tea fix everything

[batcountry2005]

hygiene/beauty masterpost

*****EDITED*****

i’m done with finals thank the lawd so i thought i’d compile a list of useful stuff and personal advice regarding personal hygiene or whatever :))

hair:

tips:

when showering, try to keep shampoo away from your ends. they dry out much more quickly, and shampoo strips away any natural oils or moisture in your ends, meaning your hair will look frizzy even after conditioner. the hair closer to your scalp is the only part that needs to be cleaned anyway. blake lively, the goddess of hair herself, swears by this.

don’t condition your hair near your scalp!! this will inevitably create product/oil buildup and will make your hair greasy and flat. only use it on your ends (for longer hair, start at the nape of ur neck and work toward the ends). also, let your conditioner sit for a minute or two after applying. i usually shave or wash my face while it sits so i make sure it has time to work its magic.

instead of wrapping wet hair in a towel twist, try the old t-shirt twist! t-shirts are much gentler and less abrasive against delicate wet hair, which, you guessed it, reduces frizz.

when brushing wet hair, start at the ends and work your way up. if you have to put in product before you brush it, like me, use a different brush at the scalp to reduce any product buildup/greasiness/flatness.

don’t go to bed with your hair wet. not only can you develop mold/bacteria in your hair if it stays wet too long (GROSS), wet hair is a lot more prone to breakage (meaning the more you toss and turn, the frizzier your hair will be). the main reason i advise against it is because it makes your scalp itch like crazy and can make your roots look oily the next day.

please use heat protectants before drying/heat styling your hair!!

if you have dandruff, get some selsun blue or neutrogena T-gel shampoo. they will save your life and your scalp.

don’t use scalding hot water when showering, ESPECIALLY if you have colored hair. not only does it basically strip color from your hair, it’s bad for your hair texture and health. try to use warm to cool water (the colder the water, the shinier your hair!! it helps seal the hair shaft).

if your hair lacks body, especially near the scalp, it could be the result of product buildup. try using a clarifying shampoo once every two weeks or so depending on your hair’s thickness.

if your hair is still flat, try changing your part! it instantly changes your look and can immediately add volume.

try to get your hair trimmed every 6 months, at the least.

sea salt spray creates instant body and texture on most hair types. it is especially great if you have wavy to curly hair or short hair. one of my favorites is organix moroccan oil sea salt spray– you can find it at drugstores for a great price and it works beautifully, plus the moroccan oil adds shine and softness. another good and even cheaper one is nym sea salt spray (also available at most drugstores).

coconut oil is a godsend. use it as a hair mask, an after-shower detangler, a product in place of smoothing creme, or put a tiny bit on your fingers to smooth flyaways. you can basically use it for whatever u want. just make sure it’s organic or else you’re not helping your hair much lol. if you can splurge on it, argan oil is an even better option for the same uses.

tutorials/resources:

how to trim your split ends at home

how to cut your own hair at home (at your own risk, of course!)

homemade hair masks: 1 | 2 | 3

homemade brown sugar scalp scrub

how to french braid your own hair

how to fishtail braid

how to waterfall braid

diy: how to go from dark to blonde hair the healthy way  (great tutorial if you’re bleaching your hair or dyeing it a pastel color!!)

ion professional hair care products (dyes, toners, etc – cheap but amazing quality!)

body:

tips:

use an unscented pH balanced bar soap, such as dove or aveeno, to prevent dryness, acne, or any harsh chemicals from damaging your skin. this is especially important when washing your underarms, ya bizness, and any other sensitive areas.

liquid body wash actually tends to clog pores more than bar soap, so if you have body acne, try cleansing with bar soap instead.

the best way to get rid of body acne is to use a spray with salicylic acid after drying your skin post-shower. my favorite is acnefree, but neutrogena body clear and nature’s cure are also great. if you have long hair, try to keep it off your back/shoulders, especially when wet/after applying product.

if you have keratosis pilaris, also known as KP (google for images), the best way to get rid of it is to exfoliate with either a sugar scrub or a gentle exfoliator in the shower, then moisturize immediately after you dry off. it’s really just the result of dry skin, so if you maintain it you could get rid of it. this goes for dry skin in general.

if you shave, always buy men’s razors. you get a much closer and smoother shave since they’re made for faces instead of legs. i know they’re not cute or colorful, but you can get more razors as well as more/better blades for less money. i can get 5 men’s disposable razors with 4 blades each for $8, instead of 3 women’s razors with 3 blades each for like $11. it’s a conspiracy. buy men’s razors please. dismantle the constructs of gender

moisturize when you get out of the shower, after you dry off a little. it will help your skin retain moisture better and make your skin softer, since water and soap dry it out. i usually use aveeno, eucerin, aquaphor body lotion since they’re all great for sensitive skin and absorb quickly.

please shower after you work out or sweat a lot. you will prevent body acne, bacteria buildup, yeast infections, smelling horrendous, and even staph infection (particularly if you go to the gym). you don’t have to wash your hair every time unless you’re drenched in sweat but please shower.

underarms are sensitive children who will throw tantrums if you don’t pay them proper attention. try to find deodorant without aluminum or any weird preservatives to prevent rashes. i recommend tom’s deodorant or making your own.

if you have really dry, cracking feet, try putting vaseline or a thick lotion (i use burt’s bees coconut foot creme) on your feet, put on socks, and keep them on overnight. it will feel a little weird and squishy at first, but after a few days you will definitely find it worth the weirdness!!

tutorials/resources:

diy recipe for the greatest body scrub ever (literal magic i’m so serious)

diy deodorant: 1 | 2 | 3

diy coffee body scrub

at-home manicure

at-home pedicure

diy bath soaks: 1 | 2 | 3

dollar shave club

face:

tips:

i cannot stress enough how amazing coconut oil is as a makeup remover (especially wonderful for eye makeup!!). just make sure you wash your face afterward as coconut oil can be comedogenic for some skin types.

if you have one of those god-awful huge, painful blemishes, mix coconut oil or argan oil with some 100% tea tree oil (dilute the tea tree oil like this or you WILL get a rash) and use it as a spot treatment. the oil balances the oils on your skin, while the tea tree oil kills bacteria. please note that this may not work for everyone as everyone has different skin.

be gentle when dealing with your skin, especially with pulling and tugging around your eyes. you will thank me when you’re older.

don’t listen to vogue or cosmo and don’t start using anti-aging products in your twenties. please. you don’t need it. do incorporate sun protection into your daily routine. get a moisturizer with spf in it to protect your skin and use it in the mornings. this will prevent wrinkles and, more importantly, skin cancer.

wash your face first thing in the morning to get rid of all the nasty excess oil you produce in your sleep. wash it before you go to bed (after removing makeup) too.

after washing your face, apply a toner (or, if you have acne, a treatment containing salicylic acid. i use clearisil 5 in 1 pads or neutrogena natural spot treatment), let it dry, and then moisturize. this is so important. i don’t care who you are or your skin type. when you apply acidic products or wash your face without moisturizing it, your skin gets stripped of natural oils/moisture and then panics by creating an excess of oil, meaning you get greasy skin and acne. get a moisturizer that works with your skin type and i promise you will notice a difference if you don’t already use it.

if you wear makeup and want to go for a quick/easy/natural/no-makeup look, or if you don’t have time to do your full face, or if you think you look dead bc you didn’t sleep, you don’t need to do a bunch of extra stuff. just cover up any acne with concealer, put on some blush and mascara, and then leave everything else alone. blush is magical and will instantly make you look fresh and young and alive and pretty.

don’t touch your acne. the more you touch it, the worse it gets. if you have to…pop it (i’m sorry that’s so gross i couldn’t think of another way to say it), just make sure you wash your hands first and disinfect/put acne treatment on it directly afterward. STOP trying to do anything if you see blood or if it gets too painful.

clean your phone screen and glasses frames with an alcohol swab every few days to keep your face clean.

please, for the love of god, don’t put lemon juice or baking soda on your face. it is so corrosive. don’t listen to pinterest. also, don’t use sugar scrub or body exfoliator on your face as it’s way more delicate than your body’s skin.

if you get a lot of chin-area acne, it could be a hormonal issue. talk to your doctor about birth control, and if you’re already taking it then make sure you’re taking it regularly (which you should be anyway omg)

wash/change your sheets and pillowcase(s) every two weeks at the VERY LEAST. imagine how much nastiness gets on your pillowcase from hair products, oil, dead skin…i don’t even wanna think about what gets on it. plus, fresh sheets always make everything better :)

drink lots of water every day. your skin needs it.

above all, love your skin. be gentle to it. treat it well. it will love you back if you do.

diy face masks: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

acne face chart

best blush shades for your skin tone

how to shape and groom your brows

winged eyeliner tutorial

how to use liquid liner

easy ways to change your look

how to get rid of dark circles

edit: i made some changes to the post and deleted one or two suggestions as several people have reminded me that coconut oil is not a viable option for everyone’s skin type. it can be comedogenic for oilier skin types so please use at your own risk. argan oil is non-comedogenic but also more expensive than coconut oil, so if you can spare the extra cash it is absolutely worth it.

please remember that these are all suggestions. if you already have a routine that works for you and keeps your skin and hair how you like it, then don’t feel like you have to change it based on my advice. this is a list i put together based on changes i made that have worked very successfully for me and others, as well as advice i took from beauty experts, and i wanted to share them with anyone having similar problems as i did before i made said changes. remember to always do what makes you feel best!

[redvelevet]

tips for treating yoself

body:

Exfoliate once or twice a week.

Let your vagina breathe - don’t wear underwear to bed unless you’re on your period.

Change your pad/tampon/etc at least twice a day.

Don’t wash up inside your vagina (aka douching) it will tip the pH balance in your vagina and you will end up with an infection, you can wash around your thighs/pubic area but that’s it, same applies with perfumes and other body cosmetics.

Use coconut oil its good for so many things!!

Use body butters after getting out of the shower.

Use tea-tree oil for pimples.

Use sunscreen!!!

For people with oily skin - use blotting paper around your eyes and in your T - zone.

Don’t squeeze/pick at pimples - the bacteria on your hands will only make them worse and will create more redness.

Always use moisturiser before applying makeup

When washing your vagina, lift up the clitoral hood and softly rub your finger along the hood to wipe away dead skin cells. If you end up masturbating, fuck it.

Hair:

Wash your hair every 2-3 days. Don’t wash every day because it will make your head dry, try dry shampoos instead.

Use conditioning treatments weekly in the summer to prevent your hair from losing it’s colour.

Brush your curls with your fingers to create a more tousled look.

Before blow drying your hair use volumizing spray or gel on your roots for more definition in your hair.

Use shampoos that are sulfate free as sulfates dry and damage your hair quicker.

If your hair is greasy avoid conditioning the roots, just the ends.

Trim your hair every 6-8 weeks so you have healthy hair and no damaged ends.

Use avacado oil on your hair in the winter to stop your hair from drying out.

Dry shampoo is also very good for volumizing your hair.

The best way to get rid of ingrown hair is to exfoliate.

Avoid dry shaving your pubes, this will cause redness and spots which are easily treated with hydrocortisone cream or aloe vera.

If you are to shave, use conditioner instead of shaving cream - you will get a smoother result - that goes for anywhere you shave.

If you have a big ole mess in your pants try trimming your bush before you shave/wax it.

Waxing HURTS so if you’re dealing with the burns then place a cold towel in the sore area and leave it for about 15 minutes and then apply aloe.

If you experience chest/breast hair the best thing to do is pluck the hairs, it’s painful but rewarding.

Makeup:

Clean your makeup brushes, regularly along with any other makeup appliances (beauty blenders, makeup pads) in a mix of warm water and a little bit of soap.

Use a blotting tissue and then add a small amout of cream concealer onto your eye makeup to prevent smudging.

Matte lipstick goes best with a shimmer eye makeup.

Wearing white eyeliner counteracts the redness in your eyes.

To make your cheekbones appear higher, use bronzer under the cheekbone and highlighter on the actual cheekbone.

In summer if you want to avoid caking yourself with foundation - use tinted moisturiser or BB cream instead.

Always wash your makeup off before going to bed, don’t leave it on.

Always make sure you blend your foundation so your neck isn’t a different colour to your face.

Clean your makeup bag out every once in a while and get rid of any products you don’t use - its cleaner, tidier and more hygienic. 

Always make sure you have tape and q-tips handy. Tape is great for a perfect winged eyeliner and q-tips are great for cleaning and tidying up those hard to reach areas.

Concealer works great for a base for your eye makeup as the makeup will stick to it. 

Using highlighter and illuminators on your cheekbones, browbone and cupid’s bow for a “dewy look”.

When using cream products like eyeshadow or blush - use translucent powder to set it in place.

Kat Von-D lipstick is blow job proof :)

Replace mascara and eyeliners every 3 months or so.

Don’t share makeup/appliances for your eyes, it may cause infections like conjunctivitis and maybe a sty.

Blot your lips after applying lipstick to avoid getting lipstick teeth. 

General:

Change your bra every 5-11 days.

Always make sure your feet are dry before putting on socks and shoes to prevent fungal infections.

Wash blood stained clothes in cold water with 2 tablespoons of salt.

Try your own homemade beauty recipes.

If you peel/lick your lips it will damage them, don’t do that.

Applying eye cream on the cuticles of your nails will make them stronger and healthier.

Always carry tampons/pads even when you’re not on your period, someone else might need them.

Clean out your purse!! Get rid of all that junk and you will thank yourself next time you’re looking for something.

Masturbate. Whenever you can, it’s rewarding and good for you. (yes girls masturbate too).

Always pee after sex/masturbation to help avoid getting a UTI.

Bio-oil is good for stretch marks (as well as loving them).

Save some nice underwear for yourself and just wear your dead old pants when you’re on your period.

Buy yourself some nice underwear/lingerie whenever you can. Make sure it’s 100% cotton though otherwise you can get a yeast infection.

Test yourself every once in a while for STDs. It’s necessary.

Carry a condom on you, it’s not just the guy’s responsibility.

Apply a damp tissue to blotchy, red skin after crying, it will make you look as if you haven’t been crying at all.

Don’t let boys ruin your day.

Use a paperclip to clip the back of your bra straps together to create a racerback bra.

Wrap a maxi pad or pantyliner around any poking underwires in your bra.

Wash your pillow case every 1-2 weeks to help prevent acne. 

Cucumbers are good for dark circles and puffy eyes just place a slice over your eyes and leave for about 15 minutes.

treat and love yourself and your body will reward you!!! 

[militaryfit-bombshell-deactivat]

Super Silky Summer Legs

Next time you are feeling down, about to binge, going on a date, or just need to pamper yourself, do this. I just did it and I can not stop rubbing my legs together. It feels like I paid for that over expensive pedicure at the salon.

Ingredients

1 1/4 C Sugar (Yup, plain, good-ol’ white sugar)

1/2 C Oil (I used olive oil, but you can use any oil, coconut oil, baby oil, canola oil)

3 tablespoons Citrus (Lime or lemon)

1-2 Razors

Mix everything together in a bowl.

Soak your legs in the tub for 5 minutes.

Shave your legs.

Rub some of this mixture all over your legs. The sugar will help rub off all dirt and dead skin. Rub, rub. Feels like a mini massage.

Rinse it all off, shave again. I would use one razor per leg if you have two. You will be rinsing this razor a lot. I was GROSSED out by the amount of dead skin I was “shaving” off. It was insane! Trust me, you’ll see.

Rub your legs again! Second coat of wax, oh yeah.

Rinse off! You can use a mild soap to help get some of the oil off.

Lotion your legs up, and feel the silkiness!

Now this isn’t just geared to ladies…. guys, if you want to get lucky, I suggest you offer to rub your ladies’ feet with this mix too. It feels awesome, and when you get lucky, you will be thanking me that her rough grandma feet aren’t cutting your legs, if ya know what I’m saying… hahaha.

I have silky arm pits too!!

Try it, I swear, You will want everyone to touch your legs.

[filharmagic-deactivated20140217]

i just did this and after about 2 or so months of not shaving this is the most incredible thing i have ever done its like my legs arent even legs they’re some sort of ancient fabric made only for powerful pharoahs

i highly suggest this even if you don’t shave use it on your feet or shave your pits or your pubes with it because you will feel like a fucking deity

[fozfens]

HOLY SHIT I JUST USED THIS AND???? I FEEL LIKE MY LEGS ARE MADE OF ANGEL WINGS

THIS IS THE BEST THING IF YOU DON’T USE IT YOU’RE CRAZY

[nerdamongnerds]

I just tried this and it feels so good I want to cry

[melvester]

I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS POST FOR LIKE 6 MONTHS THANK YOU TUMBLR

[fuckingrecipes]

THIS FUCKING RECIPE IS A WONDERFUL THING. USE IT WHEREVER YOU SHAVE. 

FACE? LEGS? IDK JUST SMUSH IT AGAINST YOUR SKIN AND REJOICE

[ohcarararara]

REBLOGGING THIS AGAIN BECAUSE I USE IT A LOT AND IT’S THE BEST AND JUST DO THIS THING

[zuccherorosa-deactivated2014112]

Please remember to keep this away from your lady parts because of the sugar it’ll cause a nasty infection!

[rinseandrepeatsb]

I’ll try this

[chicagosugarbitch]

Nice

[dlanadhz]

In case no one told you growing up

Many wonderful additions have been posted in the reblogs if you care to look through them (the post would be a giant if I added them all, plus I don’t see them all myself).

An anon asked me for a version of this specifically for feminine hygiene. You can see it here.

Edit: Previously, this post explained how to sanitize a sponge in the microwave - something I did read on several sites before adding to the list. However, I removed it due to concerns expressed by other readers about the creation of super bacteria/possibly melting plastic based sponges.

~~~~

Bras last longer if you let them air dry. Don’t put them in the dryer.

If you have a problem with frizzy hair, don’t dry your hair with a towel. It makes the frizzies worse. (I recently read an article that said to use a t-shirt? I brush mine out and let it air dry.)

Whites wash best in hot water. Everything else can be in cold - save on your electricity bill.

Airing out your room/house and letting sunlight in every so often can decrease the number of household pests like silverfish and ants.

Black underwear is best during your period as stains are less likely to be visible.

To save money, put aside 10% of each paycheck into a savings account. It’ll add up.

Unless your hair has something on/in it (like grease or mud or something), using conditioner first can actually be the better choice. The conditioner holds in the good oils that help you hair look sleek and beautiful, which shampoo would otherwise wash away.

Speaking of shampoo - if you have long hair, washing just the bits that touch your scalp is generally enough. The rest of your hair gets cleaned with just the run off from your scalp.

If you put a tampon in and it’s uncomfortable/you can feel it, you didn’t do it quite right/it’s the wrong size. A properly placed tampon is virtually unnoticeable by the wearer.

Apply deodorant/antiperspirant a couple hours in advanced of when you need it. This gives the product the chance to block your sweat glands. Using deodorant just before going somewhere where you’ll sweat (this means walking outside for people in high humidity places) results in your sweat washing the deodorant off and starkly limiting its usefulness.

After running the dryer, use the dryer sheet from that load to brush out the lint catch - it gets everything off in a fraction of the time it’ll take you to get it clean with your bare hands. Paper towels also work well.

Wash your face everyday, or as often as possible. Forget which brand of cleanser is best. Just washing your face everyday will guarantee you clearer skin. And do you best not to pop pimples, as tempting as the urge may be.

Fold laundry asap after taking it from the dryer to avoid wrinkles. This may seem obvious for dress shirts and silly for things like t-shirts, but you’ll notice the difference even then once your shirts stop looking like unfolded paper balls.