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Monday, 08 December 2008

Blog submitted by a Lovelyish reader (ricebunny)

Running low on your favorite lip gloss again? Not wanting to shell out the usual 20 dollars on that brand name gloss? Well guess what; You don't have to! This video will show you how to get every last drop of your lip gloss in 5 easy minutes!

Would you try this? Do you have any lipgloss/other makeup tips of your own?

Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Less Money, More Plastic?

It's easy to turn to a quick fix in this financial bind, especially since the holidays are approaching. The cost and pressure of buying presents is the last thing most people need to factor into their budgets.

Credit card companies have definitely taken notice of this. My mailbox at my dorm is filled of applications, pre-approved cards, you name it. The only catch is along with the volume of applications, the interest rate has risen as well. This makes credit cards even less financially appealing.

The appeal is apparently still there for some of my peers, however. Majority of my friends have opened up accounts within the past month. It just seems like once the dust from holidays clears, everyone will realize the bind they got themselves into, thinking they were actually making a positive choice.

Do you think it's a smart decision? Would you get a credit card right now?

Monday, 24 November 2008

Is There a Right or Wrong Reason for Being Vegetarian?

At my school there is a lot of vegetarians. I started to think there were just a lot of animal-activists or people who just didn't like meat, but I was wrong.

Turns out over half of the people I asked seemed to only have turned vegetarian just to lose weight - absolutely no other reason. I don't eat any meat except fish and occaisonally chicken, but that's just because beef and pork make my stomach turn. But I am by no means a vegetarian or an animal rights activist - still, it seems odd to me, or even disrespectful to just pick up a lifestyle so many people go into for a stance, just to lose weight.

I'm not saying they have to run out and join PETA, it seems silly to do this just to cut out calories and because you heard "people who become it lose so much weight." The same goes with becoming vegan.

Have you heard of people doing this? Are you vegetarian or vegan?

Friday, 21 November 2008

Do You Want to Know How Many Calories?

This is something that has been bothering me for awhile: the sudden outburst of calorie displays everywhere. I see it as a double-edged sword. On one hand it's good to see what exactly it is you're putting into your body and perhaps by seeing the calories it will help someone make a healthier choice. Perhaps knowing a Big Mac at McDonalds is around 1,000 calories will make someone lean more towards ordering a grilled chicken sandwich or salad.

On the same note, I believe in splurging. If you want the Big Mac and you eat healthy otherwise, just get it. But there's the daunting calorie display that makes you die a little inside while ordering it. Do we really need to know? I may be a borderline hypocrite since I've opted out of the 400 calorie hot chocolate at Starbucks for a 100 calorie venti cappucino many times, and every time I wonder why I can't just block the calories out of my head.

First it was some stores, but now everywhere I bring myself in the Manhattan area has what exactly i'll be eating thrown into my face. Some people aren't even bothered by it and still order whatever they feel like - so is there really a point?

What's your opinion on calorie displays? Do you think they're useful or a waste?

Thursday, 20 November 2008

Surviving on the College Budget

I knew going to college would be expensive, and I knew attending college in New York City of all places would increase the chances of me going completely broke. I had saved up a little less than $1500 when I first moved here in August, foolishly thinking that would be enough to carry me into atleast the middle of my semester.

Well, I was wrong. By the time September was ending I was pretty much begging my mother for $10. I wasn't exactly rolling around in a new wardrobe or jewelry either; that money had gone for walking shoes, groceries and college books.

I found myself with nine classes and an internship, so I had no time to make money. I was eventually allowed $150 a month to live on and that is what I am still living on. $150 seems like a lot in my small-town mind I'm accustomed to, but in Manhattan $150 will get you three bags of groceries, a metrocard and maybe one weekend out divulging in a social life, it seems like. So I had to do some cutting back on the frivolous lifestyle I was used to having way back in my upstate NY days.

I no longer buy clothes unless I really need them, I take full advantage of the "buy one, get one half off/free" sales at Key Foods and I think twice before splurging on a night on the town or makeup that a commercial sucked me into. As much as adjusting has been difficult, it's also been a lesson learned and I'm happy with how I've learned to budget money.

What are other tips on budgeting money while in college (or out)?