New Blog!

I'm sorry to leave you all hanging for forever, but I have a new blog! I decided to switch over to Wordpress, which I think I like a little bit better. Take a gander over there! alexajustesen.wordpress.com

Packages from moms are awesome

Hello there! Can you believe it's December 1st? Not I. Where has the year gone?

Can you believe I graduate in two weeks? Not I. 

There's some serious doubting going on over here. Am I really ready to graduate into adult life? Sometimes I question that. Like when I get super excited to watch The Santa Clause on ABC Family, which I did tonight. Don't know if that's a very adult thing to do.

But it's all okay because SOMEONE made candy cane/chocolate fudge ice cream pie tonight. Maybe I'm turning into a domestic goddess. That or I just really wanted an excuse to eat Dreyers' limited edition candy cane ice cream. Either way, Christmas is here folks. There's no stopping it. 

Also, thanks Mom for the Christmas package! The tights are great, and I was nervous this would be the first year EVER that I wouldn't have a chocolate advent calendar. But of course you came through. Love you!

Happy Thanksgiving Back

10 points to Gryffindor for whoever can give me the movie my post title came from. How was your Thanksgiving? Mine was great. We spent it with my mom's family in Lake Tahoe, and we have two more glorious days here. We spent yesterday watching the parade, going for a walk down to the lake, standing on the California/Nevada state line, eating of course, and playing card games. All in all, a good Thanksgiving.

I am grateful for so many things. My family, the gospel, my education, and after an accident this week, a new appreciation for my car and that it will still work after I get it fixed. And that both drivers were okay. I'm also grateful that Christmas is now here! Let the festivities begin.

Grateful

This week I have quite a bit to be grateful for. Here are just a few of those things, and I'm constantly amazed at them:

1. I got a job as an in-house editor for a publishing company in Lindon. With a full-time position offered once I graduate.
2. I found out today I received an internship at LDS Living magazine for next winter semester!
3. The magazine I'm currently working for, Stowaway, featured an essay I wrote as the staff essay to be published in the Spring 2012 issue. BYU even did a news story about the magazine, and you can see my little face a couple of times, right here.
4. My hope has been restored in the male population. Real men do exist, girls. I found one. :)
5. I get to spend a few days at Lake Tahoe with my family next week for Thanksgiving. And I couldn't be happier about that.

After a year or so of getting a few bumps and bruises, the end of 2011 is shaping up to be a good one. As I was talking to my mom on the phone today, I joked with her that I'm kind of waiting for something bad to happen because I've felt so spoiled with all these blessings! She of course told me to stop thinking that way. It reminded me of one of my favorite quotes:

Via Pinterest

Blessings come, guys. I've been so overwhelmed with the amazing things that have happened to me in the past few weeks, but it's strengthened my testimony that Heavenly Father really does love us and that, after the storm, the clouds clear up and things get better. Sometimes it's hard to trust in the Lord (believe me, I know), but He always comes through. Don't ever doubt that.

No-Spend November Has Begun!!

Okay ladies and gents, it is Day 3 of No-Spend November. I've had so many people jump on board with this idea, and it's exciting! How has it been going? So far I've spent $40 on gas this week. And I turned down a date with myself to Costa Vida. Which was...tough. As I'm sure I have previously stated, I keep Costa Vida in business. Speaking of CV, here's a spending secret. So Costa has a daily $6 special, which is a decently sized meal with a drink included. Each day the special changes, but if you're a student, you can order any special on any day. Six bucks, folks!!! But this time, instead of eating out, it's an extra $6 I saved. Instead I ate at home, which was actually pretty good! Lemon garlic spaghetti is yummy. And cheap.

So like I promised, I'm doing some research about some money-saving ideas. But until I find some great tips for you guys, here are a few things I've found that I'll let you know about.

1. Have you discovered Winco? I just did a few weeks ago. Yes, it's a little far if you live in Provo, but once a month or so it's definitely worth the trip. Because it's employee-owned, somehow their prices are able to remain lower. $2.00 Special K? Yes please. Parmesan cheese, which I cook quite a bit with, is about $3-4 for a block rather than the $5-7 at other grocery stores. Guys, this place is a gold mine. Wincofoods.com has some great coupons, too.

2. Plato's Closet and Trendy Xchange are both consignment stores in the Provo/Orem area. I will freely admit that I'm a clothes horse. And I don't wear a lot of what I own. So every month I clean out my entire closet and sell some of the good quality things I don't wear anymore to one of these places. I've made up to $75 in one go on my old clothes. And if you don't mind the idea of wearing clothes that someone else has worn a few times before, stores like these are great places to shop. Remember when I fell in love with these shoes? Consignment store, baby.

Do you have some great saving tips? Want to guest post on this lovely little blog? Leave a comment below. Also check out what my friend Breanna has to say about her No-Spend November experience over here. Nighty-night! I'll leave you with this little gem. Don't judge me, but I might do this to my little chitlins someday.

I Feel Pretty

I'm just going to resurrect two of my favorite commercials. Aren't days when you feel like this the absolute best?

No-Money November

Pinterest

"One of the better ways to simplify our lives is to follow the counsel we have so often received to live within our income, stay out of debt, and save for a rainy day. We should practice and increase our habits of thrift, industry, economy, and frugality. Members of a well-managed family do not pay interest; they earn it." L. Tom Perry, "Let Him Do It With Simplicity," November 2008 Ensign

I think I've mentioned this before, but for the last couple of months I've been taking care of myself financially (except for my foot. Thank you, parents, for paying that little medical bill). But school, gas, food, and rent have come out of my pocket. And while it can be tough, it's been really fun! I feel like a real adult, learning how to budget and save. My Personal Finance class has definitely been a huge help, as well. Because of this, I decided to do a little challenge next month. I'm going to call it No-Spend November. I'm not going to buy anything except the essentials: food, gas, and rent. No clothes, no toys, nothing. I want to see if I can do this for a whole month. Want to join me? Leave a comment at the bottom and we'll work on it together. I'll even post tips and tricks I've found to help you save some dinero every day. Here's to saving!