8th of March

                                     Dear women of the world,
You all - young, old, short, tall, thin, full-figured - are the most wonderful, beautiful, brilliant, and strong creatures on Earth. And today, is the day for the world to celebrate you. I wish that happiness and health never leaves you, and that you grace the world with your smile every day. I wish that you remain brilliant through thick and thin and your inner strength never fails you. I wish that you remain proud to be a woman every day of your life. I wish that no matter what the circumstances of your life are, you know that you ROCK.


            Happy Women's Day, Ladies!!! 
               Let's raise a glass for Us!  

Things they never tell you about college...but you should know them!

This year and this semester is my very last one as an undergrad and in these past 4 years I have learned more that I have ever learned in my entire life. While some of the things were awesome and others are not so, I have prepared a list of a few main things you need to know about being a college student. Interested? Read on!

1. When applying to colleges make a list of all the application deadlines (including the most important ones: admissions application, housing application, and scholarship applications) and follow it!! This is your chance to get a good room, nice roommate, and some scholarship money. Also, it is a great idea to start looking for a job on campus or close to it, if you are looking to have some financial independence.

 
2. Most (read: all) of the clubs and organizations, including sororities and fraternities (most of all) will require you to do load and oodles of community service.Proceed with caution, if this is not your thing, but keep in mind, that volunteering is an awesome way to meet new people and make friends for life. If you chose to do so, look for volunteer opportunities on but better off campus, where you can truly make a difference in your community. Remember, community service is not limited to tutoring underprivileged kids or building a house for Humane Society - those are great options, but there are others too! Bonus points if you do something that is related to your major (if you have already picked one). Stick to it long enough, and you can list it on you resume as your work experience, when looking for a job post-Graduation. Sometimes,  you can even get a post-Grad paying job with the organization you have been volunteering with.


3. If you breathed through high school, like I did, you are smart. If you can keep up with college, you have discipline. Yes, you read it right - discipline is the key to successfully graduating college, as you will have to do lots of reading, writing, and studying, and it is significantly harder that high school.On the bright side, if you get a few B's and C's here and there, it is not a tragedy - noone is expecting you to be a genius, especially if you are juggling school, work, and social life. 

4. It is not about how much work you do, it is about how smart you do it. Translation: Do not EVER read your books (unless they are for literature class) - read introduction, conclusion, and skim through it. Researching a few reviews on the internet will also help. Otherwise, you are wasting your precious time. Working in study groups is always better that studying alone, as you get to brainstorm more and brighter ideas, which can later be put into exam essays or projects.

5. Take extensive notes and read them immediately after each class. If you do this, the information will stick much longer, ergo you will do better on the tests. This is a tried and true way to remembering information. Remember: writing your notes by hand makes you remember them better, but you may not get everything. Typing your notes on a laptop lets you take more detailed notes, but you will not remember them as much. Pick your poison, or get creative - re-typing written notes takes time but is great for memorizing, while audio recording lectures is just plain sweet!

6. Books are a heavy topic among students every semester - literally and metaphorically speaking. For starters, you do not need to carry your books with you, unless specified by a professor. They are heavy and will hurt your back very much, but you are most likely to never open them in class. The only exception are literature and language classes. Buying books is painstakingly expensive, which is why, Amazon and Swap.com are your best friends. No, really. 

7. Buy an umbrella, rain boots and very comfortable shoes!!! They are essential to your long days and bad weather. Brands do not matter, as things break and rip equally often when you wear them all the time.

8. Learn to love coupons, thrift stores, and sales - they are your keys to survival, financially and fashionably. We all want to look good, but when in college, you will be able to work 20 hours tops and be caught up with your schoolwork. 20 hours at minimum wage (what you are most likely to be paid) is a major financial setback from that 40+hr/week school or summer job - keep that in mind when paying your bills and going out.

9. Speaking of going out - it is the biggest money sucker. Yes, I know cafeteria food sucks. If that's the case - either learn how to cook or pick the safest looking thing in the cafeteria (clue: it is NOT pizza!). If you chose the latter, make friends with the cafeteria workers, and they will take care of you, as if you are their own child. (Btw, these are some really amazing and gracious people. For me, they are the always-smiling Ms. Gloria and "Who Dat" Derrek, who makes the most delicious garlic - Parmesan broccoli.)

10. Work out for at least 30 minutes a day - you will look good and preserve your sanity. I don't mean pumping iron or running a marathon every morning, unless it is your thing, but a simple set of stretching (situps, pushups, etc.) and cardio (jumping jacks, brisk walk, swimming etc.)
will do wonders. This will not just keep you in shape, but will give you energy for the day, bring good mood, and keep your mind clear and focused.

11. Dorms vs. Apartments. This is a tough call, as they both have undeniable pluses and minuses. I lived in both, and enjoyed them equally, so it is your call, but if you do live in a dorm, make friends with the cleaning and maintenance personnel. For the most part, they are amazing, sweet, and caring and your smile, "Good Morning", or an offered bottle of water will make their day. Note: If you ever become a Resident Assistant, these people can make or break your authority - I've seen both.

12. If you have an opportunity to study abroad, by all means do it! Yes, it is expensive, and you will be away from your parents and friends for an extended period of time, but this experience will help you understand who you are and shape your vision of the world. You will laugh, and you will cry, and take fabulous pictures, and eat odd foods, and have scary and beautiful experiences, and make life-long friends who you will have to leave but will meet again, you will love and miss and get jealous, and you will find out exactly what you want in this life. And it will all absolutely worth it. Do it, because if you don't, you will regret it for the rest of your life.

13. In high school you were probably encouraged to participate heavily in various clubs and organizations. In university you will be practically pressured to do so. When it happens, keep in mind that your time is valuable and club memberships come with s hefty fee of $50-100, sometimes even more, plus a monthly fee. And if you don't participate often enough, some clubs penalize you (sororities and fraternities are notorious for that). That said, I would advise participation in 2-3 clubs: 1 honor society or organization that pertains to your major (Business fraternity, Historical Society, etc.) 1 organization that is just for fun (knitting club, fencing, etc.), and another one for your taste (sorority/fraternity, dancing, volunteering, Student Government Association, etc.) Remember, in college time and money is everything!

14. You know how in movies, shows, and even picture people are depicted to be randomly hanging out on a crisp green lawn or throwing a major party at someone's place and everybody seems to be there? Yeah, that only happens in the directors' and recruiters' overactive imagination.  The reality is more close to that lost feeling you get when you are in a freshman high school on the very first day, where you walk around the school cafeteria hoping to God that at least someone you know has your lunch period. Because everyone's schedule is totally different, there is rarely time for random get-togethers, so plan ahead and have a few people on a list whom you can text about getting together for lunch or dinner.

15. Speaking of lunch break...Unlike in high school, sitting by yourself is not a social suicide. But if you want to socialize, don't be afraid to randomly talk to people in the commons or any other place (bookstore, coffee shop, after class, etc.)  - chances are they are also a lonely and scared freshman and if they are not, college people are generally friendly unless it is finals time. In fact, this rule applies to your entire time in college as there is always a chance to make new friends and it is always awesome, regardless of how old you are. As a senior, I still make friends everywhere and even met my sweetheart in a classroom (we got in an argument over something political and it never stopped).

16. On the first day of class introduce yourself to your professors at the end of every single class and ask them what you can do to succeed in their subject.This will make you a person, rather than a number in the roster. Bond with your academic adviser and as many professors as possible. If you and your adviser do not click, then change him/her because this is the person you are stuck with for the next 4+ years. Also, keep in mind that many professors behave differently in and out of the classroom, so if he or she is a very dry and cold professor, that doesn't mean they are that way in real life. Ask questions, participate in class, be genuine and interested, show your professor that you work hard and they are more likely to connect with you. By no means should you brown-nose and kiss a$$ - they are smart people and don't like fakes. Consider this your prep for working with people in the big world.

17. Sweatpants area great, and sometimes you just want to live in them. Resist this urge. Being in college is about finding yourself, so decrease all the things familiar by about 50% and start doing new things. Love your computer? Go camping. Sneaker and sweatpants? Go shopping and buy yourself something pretty - experiment with colors, textures, forms - try things on!  Chicken strips and onion rings? Try sushi or that new Middle Eastern place on the corner. Jogging every morning? Shake things up by sunrise yoga and dance class. Always on the run? Wind down with some knitting or a new book. Trying new things is the only way to discover what you like and what you don't like and the only way to make your life brighter and more memorable. Experiences, positive or negative make you are more interesting person, so this is a major long-term benefit.

18. Picking people up at bars and clubs is NOT a good idea. Ever. That doesn't mean you should not go out and have fun every now and then. Just when you do, tell at least 1 but ideally 3 people where you are going and when you should be back, so that if you are not, they can do something about it. Be that guardian angel for your friends, and they will thank you. When you do go out, drink responsibly, flirt fiercely, and go home with a phone number or a few...but alone. Have a designated driver!!! Also, have UPD on speed dial. Don't think if you are a guy, it does not apply to you.

19. If you are lonely or have problems, talk to people - your professors, your resident assistant, or a school therapist/counselor. These are the people who want to help you and will do their best to do so. Also, they are bound by law (FERPA and HIPPA) to keep everything confidential. Don't keep things to yourself, it's not healthy.

20.  Unless you go to a community college where there are everyone from your high school, college is the time and place where you can be who you are and noone will ever judge you for it. Here, there are groups of friends, not cliques, so noone cares what brand you wear and if you in a band. Most people say that this is your opportunity to be anyone you want to be. I say, instead of pretending to be something that you are not, remain yourself and foster your own personality, making yourself a better person and a professional. This is the place and the time to do it, because in college labels don't matter. 

I Conquered London...Alone!

I have realized how way overdue are my travel stories, so here one - an account of my 2-day trip to London during May holidays. This time, I went alone and enjoyed it beyond what I have imagined. The weather was excellent - warm and sunny, with breathtaking sunsets and beautiful greenery all over the city. Even my incredibly scary stay in a hostel could not put a damper on the 2 wonderful days spent exploring restaurants on South Kensington, Natural History Museum, and the London City Center. But I am sure you would like to see it all rather than imagine, thus, low and behold - London in May

After I have dropped my things off at the Meininger Youth Hostel (a German hostel, that I highly recommend to the future travelers for excellent security, cleanliness, and very reasonable prices), the first place on my list was the museum of natural history, pictured above. First and foremost, the museum building as a work of art by itself, but when you enter it, it is quite like entering a whole new world. The museum houses around 30 galleries exploring various aspects of natural history, including animal kingdom, dinosaurs, underwater worlds, and gems to list a few. Often, there are seasonal exhibits like a butterfly exhibit (that I unfortunately did not get to visit) and special interest/research exhibits, like the reproduction and sexual life of primates. The museum was incredibly interesting to me as an adult who knows very little about natural sciences, thanks to the beautiful and interactive displays, but there are also special programs for children and school groups. My absolute favorite were the dinasaurs exhibit on the first floor and the gem exhibit upstairs (I'm a girl, sue me!). Here is a picture of one of the artifacts (all real, btw):

I have spent quite a few hours in the museum of Natural History, so it was time to grab some dinner and explore the rest of London before dark. On Cromwell street, there is a number of cute little cafes and restaurants for any taste, and my peculiar one have chosen an Eastern European place where I have enjoyed scrumptious beef and onion pirogi and cherry-filled chocolate cake and was entertained by the Poland-native owner of the restaurant. Thanks to my knowledge of Ukrainian, we could understand each other fairly well :) After dinner, the next adventure was conquering darkness in the center of London. The sun was setting and the views had become more and more beautiful with each second...

I could not have possibly missed the Big Ben Clock

Right underneath those flags, people were camping out day and night, fighting for their sons and fathers in Afghanistan.

Peaks of the Westminster Abby were shooting up to the bright blue skies, piercing the clouds with their sharp edges.

Beat up by time and weather, Virgin Mary and baby Jesus were blessing the tourist with their gaze from the ridges of the Abby. In the rays of setting sun they seemed to glow with some unnatural gold light that could make anyone believe in their power, if only for a even a little bit.

After walking around the Westminster Abby, I have returned to the bank of Thames to watch the sky change colors from cool mints and creams to  exquisite violets and pinks. 

Street musicians after every few feet kept the streets alive, with people huddling around them t o block out any other noise; brightly-colored flags and ribbons were trembling in the light breeze coming in from the river; women and men walked around -  swift and happy -  with brilliant smiles across their faces, in   pink, blue, yellow, red, orange, white, green summer clothes. Spring Festival was in London, and I could feel it with every fiber of my existence.

On this high note, around 11pm I left downtown London and swiftly moved through now sleeping South Kensington and Cromwell streets to shelter. In the hostel, an unexpected surprise awaited me. I was in a mixed-gender room and a one of the guys clearly had a eye for me. Eek!
He was handsome, well-spoken, freshly-graduated from a Master's program, while I was alone,  in a foreign country, and scared beyond belief. I'm sure he could sense it...That night I hadn't closed my eyes fro a second. Neither did he. Around 4 in the morning, just as the first rays of sun hit the buildings he left, and in a few minutes I heard blood-chilling screams coming from the outside. It was a woman, and perhaps she was being stabbed or raped.  They went on for what seemed like eternity, but noone seemed to do anything. So, I stumbled out of my bed, and bolted to the window...the coast was clear but the screams persisted. In  a minute I was downstairs, where the receptionist informed me it was but a bird who was hatching an egg in a tree a few feet from the window...Turns out she was a frequent visitor in the safest part of town who often disturbed the hostel visitors.
Fear and a sleepless night took its toll and in just a few minutes I was sound asleep for the remaining 4 hours. Around 9, I met my friend Angelique for breakfast in a small Cromwell Street cafe that served a yummy grilled salmon fillet, fried eggs, and toast complete with a glass of orange juice, and we have embarked on the next day of our adventures.
First, Ange and I have re-visited the Natural History Museum that she really wanted to see, and then, after spending a considerable amount of time there once more, we grabbed some fried rice for lunch and went off to see what we came here for - the Tower of London. There, we have enjoyed a thorough tour by one of the beefeater guards (pictured below with Ange) through rooms and historical events. There is a common misconception, that the Tower of London in just one tower that at some point was a prison. Well, the reality is thta it is actually a whole fortress that houses a number of royal guards with their families, Crown Jewels, and a number of the exhibits and contraptions meant to educate the public about the life of the Royal family, prisoners, knights, and English people in general at any given point in history. Unfortunately, taking pictures is not allowed in many exhibits, so the following shots are what I have ended up with in the end...

The church within the fortress walls was meant for the kings and queens who lived here at some point

Angelique and the Beefeater who thought it would be funny to pick on all through the tour. (It actually was, since I'm a proud owner of a sharp tongue)

This was the last tour we took of London, and after an extensive walk though the city, we have caught a train back to Stoke-on-Trent and called it a night.


FYI: 
MEININGER Youth Hostel - 9 Locations in Europe (Hamburg, Amsterdam, London, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt/Main, Vienna, Salzburg, and Koln)
The one in London, UK is located on 67th Queen's Gate (you can get there by taking the subway South Kensington station and then taking a Queen's Gate road to the hostel)
Tel: 020 7590 6910
Rooms are available for male, female, or mixed gender groups, or private. 
You can book your room at the website: http://www.meininger-hotels.com/


London Museum of Natural History is located on Cromwell Road ( just a few blocks from MEININGER, which is about 5-10 minute walk) in London and is open Monday through Sunday 10:00am to 5:50pm, with list admissions at 5:30pm. Entry is FREE! More information can be found here: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/index.html


Tower of London is located on the Thames river bank by the Tower Bridge subway station and is open during these times: 
Tuesday - Saturday 09:00 - 16:30
Sunday - Monday 10:00 - 16:30
Tickets are 19.80 pounds for adults, but 17.50 pounds for students. Last admission is at 4:00 pm! For further information visit http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/

Surviving the Holidays...Alone

It is a fairly common knowledge, that depression and blues increase drastically during the winter holidays due to a large number of people spending the holidays alone or feeling emotionally detached front heir partners, friends, or parents. For that very reason, this article is about not letting the winter sadness get to you no matter the circumstances and making the holidays as fun as they can be. So, if you are alone this season, by choice or by circumstance, skip the pity invites and read on for ideas how to make winter holidays more fun. 

1. Volunteer Your Time. There are millions of people around the globe who cannot even afford the holidays. Many don't even have a home to spend them in. So, on Christmas, New Years, or Hanuka (or whatever holidays that you celebrate) go to the nearest homeless shelter, Food Pantry or a soup kitchen and volunteer to help serve the people in need making their holidays that much brighter. This experience helping others is guaranteed to make you feel grateful and overjoyed during the holidays. 
2. Brighten Their Day. Google foster homes in your community and show up at their door on Christmas morning holding sweet treats and/or toys for the orphans. Their bright and happy eyes will make your heart sing.As an alternative, make many sandwiches or bagged lunches and give them out for free at your local soup kitchen. 
3. Travel. Get the cheapest plane or train ticket to the big city or take a road trip there. Then spend a day or more enjoying the new sights, museums, and parks. While you're at it, enjoy the local cuisine and entertainment. As a bonus, take a camera with you to snap a few memorable shots.
4. Dinner and a Movie. Do not rent a movie, because you will end up wallowing in pity with a jar of Blue Bell ice cream. Instead, find through google a few food places that are open during the holidays and make a day of it. First, go see a funny movie, and then take your time enjoying a delicious meal. If you are a female, add "for you only" shopping to your day. For extra pleasure grab a book and order a bottle of wine. This will make your evening long and pleasurable. Caution: SKIP FAMILY-ORIENTED XMAS MOVIES AND DO NOT DRIVE AFTER THE DRINKS!
5. Explore Your Home. I bet you don't know every corner of your city or town. If that is the case and if traveling is too expensive, explore your own environment. A good place to start would be a website of your city, where such things as museums, parks, and events are listed. Check them out online, and then get out to see them in real time and don;t be afraid to check out new places like a ice-skating rink or a "mom's and pop's" cupcake shop.
6. Magic Scenes. Christmas is a time where most people are hanging out with their families in their respective homes, so the streets are almost guaranteed to be empty. That said, grab a camera and go on a photo shoot of your hometown's streets. you'll see how majestic and magical they look untouched by humans.
7. The More, The Merrier! Make a feast and set it up....in the yard. Make sure to call out your friends and neighbors to join you in the celebration, even if you don't even know their names. This way, you will get to know your neighbors better and enjoy a fun-filled day. Don't forget to crank up some party music and get fireworks for the night!Paper plates and finger food are probably your best options, but there are no laws against fancy cooking either!
8. Tackle it. If you are set on treating the holiday like any other regular day but with a ton of free time, then spend it conquering one grand task that you have been putting off. For example,  organizing your closet and/or your bathroom and medicine cabinets, hanging up the pictures, fixing the clothes that needs some upkeep, organizing photos into frames and albums, etc. As daunting as it may sound, by the time you finish, you will experience intense pride and pleasure from finally tackling the chore.

 Here are eight possible ways to enjoy winter holidays by yourself, but they will only work if you stop throwing yourself a pity-party and truly enjoy every minute of your time. Most importantly, remember: you are in charge of your own life, thus you decide whether to be sad, angry, joyful, or happy. 

Happy Holidays Everyone!!! 

Hugs and Kisses,
Mlle. Rouge

Inspired by Geneva

We often think of the things we hate. Like that research paper that I am attempting to write fro my Nazi History Class, or waiting in that enormous line in a grocery store, or looking into our bank account and realizing that the balance is nail0bitingly low for Christmas shopping. How many times do we say "ugh I just hate this!" anyway? Probably lots, considering how many frustrations we encounter in every day life. But....Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, at least in US, where I am currently residing, and to be honest I did not even realize it until my best friend posted a note on facebook. In it, she explained how everything kind of sucks for her, but life goes on, so she is thankful for not being alone this holiday season, but in a loving home that she can still go back to whenever she wants. All of a sudden, this made me very aware of how little do we appreciate all the good things that happen to us every day. No, really. When was the last time you though "ah! What a lovely morning! I can't believe that I get to see this incredible sunrise just because I woke up at 6am!"? No, instead it is something along the lines of "Why is it so cold? Why do I have to get up so early?" By any means, I am not scorning anyone for being less than appreciative of the marvelous world around us, because I am guilty of it myself. Rather, I propose, starting this holiday season, in fact, starting tomorrow try and find ten or more things to be thankful about every day. If you do it for 21 days, it will become a habit!

If You are having a hard time finding something to be thankful for, try these:

• You have a roof over your head, food in your stomach, and clothes on your back...On and also, a computer with Internet to read this. 
• You have a job (one that you possibly hate, but it brings profit nonetheless)
• You have wonderful mom, dad, siblings, grandparents, wife, husband, children, or just people that you love dearly and who love you back whoever that may be.
• You are literate (Yes, that IS something to be VERY thankful for!)
• You get to wake up every morning, alive.
• You can go outside and see a stunning star-clad velvet sky or a crisp sunny day
• You have an excuse to be nostalgic and drink herbal tea with honey if it's raining or snowing
• You have someone to love
• You have an ability to make whatever choice you want
• You can think whatever you want to think, and noone will ever know what it is! (Now that is empowering)

And when you come up with your "thanks" please do and share with me, what are you thankful for this season! 

In the meantime, I hope that everyone can find something to be happy and thankful about, and that you all enjoy your holidays, whatever they may be! 

We all heard of these wonderful, quiet, sometimes slightly insane-looking people who are knows as system administrators, or Sysadmins for short, but we rarely actually pay attention to them and the important thing s they do for us. Turns out, like many other professions system administrators also have their very own professional holiday, which falls on tomorrow, July 29th (or every last Friday of July). So I propose a HUGE "Thank You" to all those wonderful people who make our blogs, websites, chat rooms, facebook pages, Twitters, and other online things we cannot live without running smoothly and keeping us sane. Also, don't forget to pick up a nifty gift for the sysadmin in your life!

Saving The Green

Why can't most people who have jobs save money, but instead end up living paycheck to paycheck, no matter how much they make? Mainly, because once they have the green, they come up with a million things to spend it on - things that are  absolutely unnecessary for a person to be happy with their life. Then, these people end up with heaps of clutter and not enough money to pay for a dire emergency. So, how can you help the situation? Start saving! And how do you save some major green without seriously cutting out on life's pleasures?  Read further for 21 easy, painless, and even fun ways to save up a sweet chunk of change for that vacation in Bahamas you've been dreaming of!

You could be here, if you just follow these simple rules ;)

1. Ask yourself, do you use all the minutes and or texts on your phone? If not, see if you can get a plan with less minutes or text  messages in order to decrease your spending. ( this could save you about $10-20 a month)
2. What about that High-definition TV, or even cable? Do you really need it, or is it cheaper to watch/read the news on the internet and rent or stream movies via Netflix or Blockbuster? If that is the case (which it probably is) cut the overpriced television and enter the wonderful world of Internet streaming! (This could save you over $300 a month, depending on location and provider)
3. If you barely ever use your landline phone, why not just get rid of it all together?
4. If you use public transportation, see if you can get a monthly or yearly pass. These are often available to students, but it is possible to get one even if you're not one. Simply inquire at the ticket offices or at the company website. Also, if you were a student, try to use your student ID if you still have it to score the discount.
5. If you rent a place, move closer to your work or school, so you use less gas or can bike/walk there. However, make sure that the place you move into does not cost more than the previous one.
6. Can you always shut the lights off when you exit the room in order to save up on electricity? (the answer to this should be YES!)
7. When shaving, turn the shower off. You may be surprised, but in 5 minutes, you use up to 10 gallons of water, not to mention the electricity used to heat it.
8. Plan a menu for every week, then go shopping once, and only for the items needed for the planned dishes. Make a list and do NOT deviate from it!
9. Speaking of food, get the items that you absolutely need for your health, such as staple veggies, fruits, meats, breads, etc. Skip luxury items such as alcohol, gourmet cheeses, expensive imports, etc.
10. Use resources such as farmers markets, coupons, sales, etc.
11. Buy various soaps, shampoos, lotions, and detergents in bulk and on sale. Really, does it matter, if you use lavender-chamomile hand soap for half a year?
12. When shopping for clothes and house items, got to places like TJMaxx (TKMaxx if you live in UK), Ross, and Marshalls. There, you can get the same designer stuff as you would in department stores, but for a fraction of the price, sometimes, even good 75% off!
13. Go out less often, but to nicer places. For example: If you grab lunch at Starbucks 5 days a week, switch to going out once a week to dinner at a fine dining restaurant, but skipping buying lunch. This could save you about $10 per week, not to mention making every dinner out feel like a real treat.
14. Speaking of lunch, brown bag it! Its cheaper, safer, and healthier, therefore automatically better for you.
15. Quit smoking! It will save you SO MUCH MONEY!!!
16. Drinks with the girls every Saturday night? Rent a sweet chick flick and get a bottle of wine in the store. Then host a lovely girls night in at your place. Double the pleasure, half the price (A night out can cost you more than $100, but a night in can be done in as much as $40 or less.)
17.  If you buy magazines a lot, consider sticking to one or two publications and subscribe to them instead. Normally, a year's worth of magazines is only about $12, while when sold separately, each issue is marked up to $4 a piece. This could save you  up to $36 a year.
18. Do not get your beauty products (everything from shampoos and lotions, to mascara and lip gloss) in the drug stores like Walgreens (US) or Boots (UK). Instead, get them in Walmart or Target (US) or in Body Care  or Tesco (UK) The difference can be as big as $2! *UK residents, please note, that Boots does have the most affordable  designer brand cosmetics, like Chanel,  Dior, etc.
19. When buying makeup one is often tempted to get "all these pretty colors". Instead, find your perfect day and night palettes and stick to them. Do not overbuy makeup, but please do not use it after it expires!
20. Do not buy books unless you absolutely need them. Instead, you can swap them for free via BookSwap.Com. If you don't like  having used books or simply like having books in your house shop the bargain shelves in book stores.
21. Like to workout, but don’t want to dish out the green for gym membership? Stream workout videos on YouTube for free.