My Five Biggest Money Mistakes in College & How I Fixed Them

Hello, beautiful! Today, it's time to get real about everyone's (least) favorite topic: money.

I'm a total perfectionist, so I hate admitting this, but I struggle a lot with managing my money. Hey, I'm only human - and messing up is part of the learning process! But, I still struggle with a lot of the problems you guys struggle with, like paying off credit card debt and curbing impulse shopping. And, as a blogger, the problem gets even more complicated, because I'm constantly earning extra cash and re-investing in features to improve Haley Marie Blog.

So, since I'm only human, it goes without saying that I've made a lot of mistakes when it comes to my money! Which is why I'm sitting here writing this blog post for you guys: I don't want any of you to make the same silly mistakes that I have.

This post is all about the five biggest money mistakes of my life. However, I'm also getting super honest with you guys and sharing what I did to fix them, so should you (hopefully not, but still) find yourself in the same situation, you'll know exactly what steps you need to take action :)

Money Mistake #1: Maxing Out My Credit Card

Okay, so this is probably rule number one in the "How to Be Good With Money" handbook - and when I got my first student credit card, I never thought I would find myself in this situation. However, having a credit card when you're not used to it makes it easier and easier to treat the card like plastic cash (which it's not!). 

I knew all the guidelines. I knew what I was "supposed" to do, and I knew that you should never spend more money than you actually had to back it up. But despite my best judgment when it came to credit cards, I still wound up with $500.00 of debt and a declined transaction when trying to buy shoes (I'm not proud of it, but it's a true story). 

What I did about it...

Thank goodness for my introductory APR of 0%, because I have been able to spread my payments out over a few months with few repercussions. Any extra money I have, I'm now putting toward my credit card - and a savings account, so that if this ever happens again (God forbid) I'll be prepared. With this aggressive debt payment strategy, I'm now down to less than $180 in debt and plan to have it paid off by September 1st! 

In the future, I'm trying to stick to the limit that most experts recommend: according to FICO, you should try to stay under 20% of your maximum credit limit (so, for me, that's $100 or less on my card every month). I watched my credit score literally plummet from the 800s to the 700s - that's pretty much from great to fair - after I maxed out my card, and have had trouble building it back up ever since. So, do yourself a favor and STICK TO THIS GUIDELINE! It will help you in the long run, I promise :) 

Money Mistake #2: Prioritizing Activities Over Grades

This might seem like a weird thing to mention in a post about money - after all, at first glance, the problem seems to be academic more than anything - but when you think about it, college is an investment! And when my grades started to slip due to too much time at the school newspaper (I was an associate editor, which meant I spent half my week editing and half my days in the office), I was essentially wasting the hefty investment paid for my academic courses.

Tuition at my college is upwards of $60,000 per year. Thank goodness I have a scholarship that covers a significant portion of that - but the scholarship also requires me to maintain a B-average. Meaning, when I got my first failing grade on a test, I got seriously worried about whether my commitment to the paper was worth the academic sacrifice.

What I did about it...

In my mind, I had no choice: I had to cut back. I started saying no more often, and stopped taking assignments just to compete with other editors and writers. When I later applied for a more senior position, I honestly think this hurt me, and was one of the reasons I ended up not getting the position. But, to me it was more important to maximize the return on my investment in a college education than it was to continue working at the paper. 

For the upcoming fall semester, me cutting back eventually led to me quitting so I could focus on just one activity I love - blogging, of course! - and now, my schedule is more stress-free than ever, minimizing anxiety and leaving me with more room to try new things, spend time with my friends, study and focus on my education.

Money Mistake #3: Online Shopping

Don't get me wrong: sites like Poshmark are great for selling your old clothes on. But they also made it way too easy for me to blow $100 on three new-to-me things I didn't really need - not only because the app was always right at my fingertips, but also because I could rationalize it: Oh, but it's just such a good deal! 

And then there's the age-old problem of Amazon Prime. As much as I adore my Prime student membership, it also makes it way too easy for me to toss extras in my cart that I don't really need. For awhile, a big challenge for me was determining what items I really needed, and what items I was using as an excuse to impulse shop online.

What I did about it...

I deleted apps like Poshmark off my phone, only allowing myself to log into my online account when I received a notification about a sale. And I stopped watching/subscribing to YouTubers' haul videos, which helped me stop feeling like what I already had wasn't enough.

I also got into the KonMari method after reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (you can read my blog post on it by clicking here), which helped me adopt a more minimalist attitude toward shopping. Not only did it help me love my possessions I already have, but it challenged me to live without the things I thought I "needed" to see if I really did need them after all. (And you know what? Most of the time, I didn't!)

Money Mistake #4: Relying On Online Banking

Online banking is a tricky animal. It seems super convenient and enticing, but then the bank slams you with fees for exceeding a certain number of transactions! I never wanted to carry large amounts of money in my checking account (so I wouldn't overspend), but I was constantly being punished for exceeding the maximum number of online transfers from my savings account.

Eventually, this battle ended with one of my two savings accounts being converted into a checking account by my bank. I found out through a letter in the mail, and didn't have the option of protesting - but I will admit that it helped shine a light on some of my unhealthy money habits.

What I did about it...

This one was at least fairly simple to solve: I limited my online transactions to six per month, which is the maximum amount allowed on a savings account by federal law. However, one thing that helped me stick to this was using the money envelope system - this way, I could make one big transfer to my checking account at the beginning of the month and withdraw all the cash I needed at once. Then, when the cash was gone, it was gone - no overspending allowed! 

Whenever possible, I would advise using an ATM or bank teller for your transactions. I know this probably sounds pretty old school, but trust me when I tell you it will save you a lot of trouble down the road! (Especially if you use a big bank that might just change your account at a moment's notice...not naming names, though ;) )

Money Mistake #5: Getting in a Car Accident

Okay, I know this money mistake wasn't particularly avoidable, but it was definitely the one that caused me the most stress! Back in May, I was in the middle of a four-way intersection when an (empty, thankfully) school bus blew through a stop sign and slammed into the (empty, thank God) passenger side of my car. My car was totaled beyond repair, and I didn't have the means to buy a new car of my own - so, my dad generously bought me a used car. 

However, the car didn't come with no strings attached: I still have to pay it off over time, especially if I want to keep it after I graduate from college. So, in the blink of an eye, I suddenly became financially responsible for a $4,000 debt that was not only not my fault, but that was completely unavoidable! 

What I did about it...

Car payments have since become a (loose) part of my monthly budget. According to the agreement I have with my dad, I'm able to pay off my car when I have the money to spare - I don't have to meet monthly payments the way one would with a car loan from a bank. In that sense, I guess I'm lucky that the only person I'm financially responsible to is my dad and not some shady banker!

I'll also definitely think twice before I go speeding through any stop sign. Even though the accident wasn't my fault, the insurance company decided otherwise after seeing the police reports (the police said there were no witnesses; a witness from the school bus company is listed on the report as saying I blew the stop sign...shady stuff!). Now, the points on my insurance will take six years to clear, costing me a lot of extra cash in the future. So, my advice? Definitely take safe driver discounts seriously - wherever you have to be can wait for the thousands of dollars you'll lose after just one accident! 

Finally, it's important to be prepared for emergencies you don't expect - like car accidents! So, I'll definitely be working to build up an emergency fund before I graduate from college to prepare for anything like this that might happen during my young adulthood. The best piece of advice I've heard on the subject actually comes from my mom: she recommends saving as much as half of every paycheck until you've built up an emergency fund that meets your needs! (Now I kind of wish I'd listened to her when she made me save half of my allowance every week...)

What's your biggest money mistake, and how did you fix it (or how are you fixing it currently)? LMK @haleymarieblog or in the comments below! 

Sign up for my monthly newsletter and get access to the FREE printables library!

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *

Five Days in Maine + My College Travel Essentials

Hello, beautiful! I'm so excited to be back and blogging after Ryan and I's five-day adventure to Maine. While you've still gotten posts from me on vacay (hallelujah for scheduling in advance!), I truly missed interacting with you guys on social media in real-time.

However, I do admit I'm still feeling a little vacation-sick - the wanderlust is real, guys! So, I thought it would be fun to relive our trip to Maine by sharing our itinerary with you all. Plus, I've put together a collection of my all-time favorite essentials for traveling as a college girl.

This trip was a truly magical experience (so much so that Ryan and I are seriously considering moving to Maine after graduation!), so if you ever get the chance, I strongly encourage you to visit this little corner of the world! Without further ado, here's what we saw, ate and did in Maine - and why those five short days were so freakin' amazing :)

Day One

One if by land...

We drove (get it - by land!) to Maine from our little hometown of Maynard, Massachusetts, so about six hours of the first day of our trip was spent curled up in the car. In total, Ryan drove us 250+ miles all the way up to Bar Harbor - but it wasn't without stops along the way! I loved checking out the little brochures at the rest stops for more ideas for fun trips to take along the New England Coast. Plus, one rest stop we discovered in Maine even had a little craft shop full of local artisans' handmade goods. Combine those stops with the opportunity for a Subway six-inch (veggie sub with guac on wheat, please) and our little road trip was actually not so bad! 

Discovering Bar Harbor

By the time we got to our Airbnb in Bar Harbor, ME, it was nearly 4:00pm. So, rather than further exhausting ourselves, we decided to kick back in Bar Harbor instead of trekking it up to Acadia on the first day. On our first day, we discovered loads of tiny shops and restaurants that I would highly recommend. However, our first dinner was at Side Street Cafe, where I got a delicious homemade black bean burger (topped with avo, tomato and spicy mustard, of course) with the best gosh-darn roasted veggies you'll ever taste! Then we scurried on down to a little ice cream shop across from our Airbnb that served almond milk soft serve. Can you say "one chocolate with rainbow sprinkles, please"?!

Day Two

Coffee Hound Coffee Bar

Our first day in Acadia kicked off with me running (literally - I went on my morning run!) for coffee from Coffee Hound Coffee Bar in Bar Harbor. I just got a plain old coffee with almond milk (strong and smooth, just the way I like it!), but I'm sure Ryan would highly recommend their signature Cadillac Cooler, a non-alcoholic mixed drink with blueberry syrup, soda and lemon sherbert. 

Acadia National Park Visitors' Center

Our first stop in Acadia National Park? The Visitors' Center, because - fun fact I didn't know before our trip! - you need a $25.00 vehicle pass before you can drive into the park. (Frowny face.) But, the visitors' center came with a couple of sweet surprises - namely, a cute souvenir stand and a 15-minute video on the history of the park. We got a couple of ideas on where to visit from the vid, but as great as the visitors' center was, we were pretty eager to start our adventure at this point!

Jordan Pond

The worst part of visiting Acadia National Park was definitely the traffic. Our first day, we struggled to find a parking spot at the famed Jordan Pond House restaurant. But, once we did, oh. Em. Gee. Guys, this restaurant was INSANELY GOOD! I got a vegetable hummus wrap with a cup of the house's specialty tea, while Ryan got the popover sundae (Jordan Pond House is famous for their popovers). 10 out of 10 would recommend! The best part? After your meal, the Jordan Pond hiking trails are right there, so you can head out to the beautiful 3.3 mile loop to work off all those extra cals.

Thunder Hole

Finally, we wrapped up our second day in Acadia with a visit to Thunder Hole, a carved-out stretch of cliff where the tide rushes in so hard it sounds like thunder. My favorite part of Thunder Hole, however, was getting to explore by clambering across the rocky cliffs. Then, on our way back to Bar Harbor, we discovered a little beach where we collected beautiful seashells, rocks and even a few pieces of sea glass. Overall, I would say that Day Two was a huge success!

Cafe This Way

Oh, but let's not forget dinner! For dinner on Day Two, we stopped at Cafe This Way, an experimental restaurant with an upscale gastropub vibe. The menu was delicious all-around, but personally, I snacked on the sweet potato and black bean cakes for an app (which came with DELICIOUS lime guacamole) and dined on a big plate of zoodles with lentil sauce for dinner. After this meal, we were so full we could barely move! (But later on, we still made room for another scoop of that almond milk soft serve, of course.)

Day Three

Sand Beach

After another cup o' joe from Coffee Hound Coffee Bar, me and Ry adventured out to beautiful Sand Beach inside Acadia. The beach's waters were a little too chilly for swimming that day, but it was still fun to adventure across the rocks and check out all the hidden spots this place had to offer. On our way out, we even discovered another little beach hidden among the trees. This beach was covered in gorgeous pebbles and had even more cliffs to climb! (I may have been a little overeager, because I stumbled and cut my hand on the rocks - oh, well. Just another battle scar from my adventures, I guess!)

Otter Cliffs

We actually wound up finding Otter Cliffs on accident (aka, we drove by and screamed "I WANT TO CLIMB THAT!"). But, we loved wandering across the rocky ledges and searching for tidepools between the rocks. We even saw a sea urchin - which might not seem so exciting to someone more used to the ocean, but as a land-lubbin' New Englander, I was hyped to get a peep into the ocean's ecosystem! 

Route 66

We ate out for lunch instead of dinner today. While back in Bar Harbor, we dined at Route 66 restaurant, an old-timey diner unique for its MASSIVE collection of vintage 50s toys and memorabilia. I dined on their tasty hummus sandwich, but was especially impressed with their fries - as I told Ryan, I was excited to eat fries that still reminded me of actual potatoes! Meanwhile, Ryan munched on a juicy beef burger and assured me it was just as to-die-for as my sammie. 

Sunset on Cadillac Mountain

Finally, our last stop on Day Three was Cadillac Mountain at sunset. Instead of hiking, we chose to drive up the mountain to its very peak and watch the sun go down on its gorgeous view. Ryan had a great time snapping scenic pics of the gorgeous view. Meanwhile, I had fun just watching as I munched on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and attempted to keep warm (note to self: always bring a jacket from now on!).

Day Four

Morning Glory Bed & Breakfast

On the fourth day, after breakfast sandwiches at Choco Latte in Bar Harbor (kudos for the veggie sausage!), we kissed our cozy Airbnb goodbye to drive three and a half hours down to York, ME, where we stayed at the Morning Glory Bed & Breakfast. I can honestly say that this is the best place I've ever stayed in my entire life. The B&B is owned by an older couple who not only take great care of the place, but also cook a mean breakfast (plus, they were totally accommodating of my veganism, taking care to set aside a bowl of veggies sans egg for me in the morning). There were also tons of accommodations, such as a library, an ample tea and coffee station and a welcome basket in our room. I don't know how to put it better other than to say that we are 150% definitely going back here next summer! 

Kittery Outlets

Kittery, ME, located right next to York, is a tradition every year in Ryan's family. One of the things Kittery is most famous for is its massive collection of outlets. So, when we arrived too early to check into our hotel room, we knew we had to spend our time browsing the sales. Our favorites were the J. Crew Outlet and Eddie Bauer, between me and Ryan respectively, but there were plenty of other places to explore, including something for every style! 

The Deck at Dockside

On recommendation from our hosts, we headed to The Deck at Dockside for a dinner locals would love. The Deck was located right on the harbor, so it came with a gorgeous view and lovely weather - plus, the food from their outdoor food truck was absolutely divine! After chowing down on my teriyaki vegetable & quinoa bowl, we headed over to the wiggly bridge: a trail complete with an old-fashioned suspension bridge. All in all, it was the perfect way to end the perfect meal! 

Hackmatack Theatre

We ended our night with tickets to The Fantasticks by Hackamatack Theatre, a playhouse located in a renovated barn. The play was the kind of thing only a local would have known about, if not for the recommendation book in our room at the B&B - but that was exactly what we loved about it! At this show, we felt exactly like a part of the community, which only solidified our desire to move to Maine even more. 

Day Five

Nubble Lighthouse 

After kicking off day five with a delicious homemade breakfast at the B&B, we checked out and headed over to Nubble Light in York, Maine. The lighthouse is a family tradition with Ryan's kin, so of course we had to stop on our way out of good ol' ME! We had so much fun clambering on the rocks (yes, even in the rain) and snapping pics of the view - click here to see one on Instagram! 

Kittery Trading Post

Kittery Trading Post is a huge outdoor store in Kittery, ME, and always another stop on Ryan's family route through Kittery. While we were there, I bought the cutest yellow raincoat on sale for just $25 - yay! But, we also had tons of fun scoping out the camping gear (and Ryan the rifles) for future trips. We even learned that there's a local company that makes gluten-free meals for camping - some of them were even vegan! 

Yummie's Candies

Our last stop of the entire trip was Yummie's Candies, a candy store where nostalgia reigns supreme. You'll find just about every one of your childhood favorites at this one-stop-candy-shop, including everything from homemade chocolates to a jelly bean bar. Ryan splurged for some saltwater taffy and molasses chews, while I made out with some delicious dark chocolate almond bark. Maybe not the healthiest decision of our trip, but certainly one of the tastiest by far! 

My College Travel Essentials

Over the course of my travels with Ry, it quickly became clear to me which items I packed that I didn't need, and which were absolute essentials. I'm a chronic overpacker, so it's important to me that I begin to narrow down the travel essentials I just can't live without - and on this trip, I finally started to do just that!

Chances are, if you're headed back to college this fall, you'll be hopping on the plane or in the car to get there - so, I knew I wanted to share my absolute essentials for travelling as a college girl on the blog almost as soon as I thought of it! So, here are the items I couldn't live without while travelling. I hope you find them just as helpful as I did :)

Sweatshirt

Oh, there were SO many times on my vacation I wish I would have brought my sweatshirt! No matter what the weather forecast looks like wherever you're headed, always, always, always tuck a sweater in your backpack before you leave for the day. You never know when the inside of that museum or the top of that mountain might be twenty times chillier than the summer air!

Book

I can't travel without something to do on the road. Whether it's on a plane or relaxing in my hotel room, I simply cannot sit on my phone for hours at a time! So, I'm always sure to bring a good old-fashioned book (or my Kindle) with me whenever I travel so I'm never bored, no matter how long the wait or ride.

Portable Charger

I didn't remember to charge my portable charger on this trip, but I wish I would have, because it would have saved my butt so many times... a portable charger is a great way to make sure your phone camera's alawys charged and ready to snap that once-in-a-lifetime photo-op, or that you can always hail an Uber even if a thief steals all your hard-earned cash.

Melatonin

When you're travelling, it's pretty common to feel tired and jet-lagged as you cross continents and countries. This wasn't the case on my Maine trip, because we didn't change time zones. However, taking melatonin is a great way to reset your body's internal clock in a natural way! So, whenever I travel, I'm extra-certain to take my nightly melatonin to aid my sleep and help me wake up on time to see all the sights I want.

Backpack

If you tend to travel with a suitcase or a large duffel like I do, you might find yourself in need of a smaller bag for those active days on the town. Personally, I don't like to bring my purse when I'm out -and-about travelling because it doesn't have enough room for things like snacks or souvenirs. That's why I always make sure to pack an extra bag, like a backpack or a string bag, to hold all my extra stuff on the road.

Mascara

My makeup kit tends to be extremely minimal when I travel, but mascara is non-optional as far as I'm concerned. When I'm travelling (and probably not sleeping great), I find that mascara brightens my eyes and wakes up my entire face with minimal morning effort. So, I can get those twenty extra minutes of sleep in the morning by paring down my makeup routine, but still manage to look awake and put-together throughout my day.

Coloring Book

One of my favorite ways to stay busy during a long train, plane or car ride is to color. I love adult coloring books like Enchanted Garden by Johanna Basford or The Mindfulness Coloring Book by Emma Farrarons for occupying myself during quiet moments in the hotel room or to wind down at the end of a long day. (And don't forget to stock up on some mini colored pencils or crayons like these, too!)

Polaroid Camera

My Instax mini camera is the one item that I never leave at home while travelling. As White Girl™ as it sounds, I just think Polaroids look better than regular old iPhone photos! But, regardless of what type of camera is your favorite, I think you should always bring a separate camera from your phone while traveling. Not only is there a chance your phone might die when you want to catch a meaningful moment on film, but the quality is also a lot better, TBH, on a real camera than on your phone.

Sunscreen

Guys, if you take away anything from this post, it should be this: ALWAYS WEAR SPF! No matter what the weather looks like, no matter how far from the equator you are, you always need that protective layer over your skin (or beneath your makeup) to shield you from the sun's harmful rays. Not only do I never travel without sunscreen, but I also never leave the house without it - and I recommend that you always strive to do the same! 

Undereye Concealer

This goes back to the inherent exhaustion that comes with travel, but I always bring concealer whenever I travel. When you're traveling, you want to pare down your beauty collection to the bare essentials to avoid overpacking (or to get through TSA) - and to me, concealer is one of those non-negotiable, ride-or-die products! I especially love NYX's Dark Circle Concealer, shown in the image above, for covering up the deep purple marks I get under my eyes (thanks, genetics) when I don't sleep as well as I normally do - i.e. when I'm traveling! 

Nike Sneakers

I swear I wasn't sponsored by Nike to say this, but Nike's running shoes honestly changed my life. Never before have I worn such comfortable sneakers for walking, running or traveling! The Nike shoes I wear for walking or travel are literally so cozy on my toes. Plus, they're super breathable, so you never find your feet too sweaty or hot (real talk guys, but let's face it: it happens!) on the road. All in all, I 10 out of 10 recommend Nike as the best brand for sneakers!

Snacks

Obviously, a girl can never hit the road without enough snacks to sustain her. I chose to picture Go Macro's protein bars above not just because I worked with them in the past (click here to check out that post, How to Stay Healthy on a Vegan Diet...and P.S. I'm not being sponsored to rave about them now!), but also because they're delicious and nutritious. Go Macro's Protein Purity bars are an especially great choice for travel because all that extra protein helps to keep you full between rest stops and meals. You can get them online or at your local health food store, but if you can't find Go Macro's bars, any vegan protein bar with a low-glycemic index (a.k.a. a low sugar-to-protein ratio) will do! 

Coconut Oil

When a lot of people travel, they love to go out at night and hit the closest bars or clubs, see the sights at night or simply explore the city they're in. For me, that usually means putting on a cute dress and a full face of makeup. However, even when I'm weary from traveling, it's still really important to me that I stick to my routine and don't just plop on the bed and fall asleep with my mascara and foundation on. So, I always bring a travel-size container of my favorite face oil to wash off my makeup at night - and for me, that happens to be plain old coconut oil! I love coconut oil as a makeup remover because I find the oils in coconut oil cling to my makeup better than a traditional water-based cleanser. My routine? I put a little melted coconut oil on a cotton pad and use like any makeup remover! Then, I follow up with a water-based cleanser and my favorite moisturizer. Simple, but it works - I promise :)

Hat

Again, sun protection is key both on the road and in your everyday life. Especially on an active vacation like our trip to Acadia, I love bringing a ball cap for a little bit of extra protection from the sun's burning rays. I do this not only because I have a burn threshold of about five minutes (as in, five minutes in the sun without sunblock until I look like a freakin' tomato), but also because it keeps me cool when we're on a long hike or other on-the-go activity.

Tinted Lip Balm

This is the last of my makeup essentials for a bare-faced llook while travelling! The best tinted lip balm, to me, has just a hint of my-lips-but-better color and at least SPF 15. Burt's Bees tinted lip balm fits that bill perfectly, in my opinion (plus, it's super affordable and available at your local drugstore!), which is why I've chosen to feature it in the image above; however, Sugar's Fresh Lip Balms are also worth mentioning, and you can always go with your personal favorite brand as well!

Coffee

Finally, my last travel essential might seem a bit blase, but I need, need, need my coffee when I'm on the road! Travel is exhausting, as I've mentioned a thousand times before in this post, so coffee gives me the energy I need to get through a busy day without chewing my travel companions' faces off. (I'm sure Ryan would agree.) As a New England girl, my typical order is a Dunkin' Donuts small iced coffee with almond milk, but Coffee Hound Coffee Bar in Bar Harbor was also a star on this particular trip for its strong, delicious brews. (And Choco Latte gets an honorable mention, too, since all their iced lattes come with a double shot of espresso!)

What's your number one travel essential when YOU go on vacation? LMK @haleymarieblog or in the comments below!

Sign up for my monthly newsletter and get access to the FREE printables library!

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *

SaveSave

The Ultimate List of Online Resources for College

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links - but don't worry! All the opinions are still my own :)

Hello, beautiful! Today's post is all about bringing you the (mostly free!) tools you need to achieve your goals in this upcoming semester.

Whether you're a busy senior babe or a wee little freshman, I promise you will benefit from the printables, web sites and apps listed below. During my careful research, I took care to compile something for everyone, from adorable DIY dorm decorations to practical budgeting tools to help you stay on track.

Overall, this post is about getting your life under control and reclaiming your power in the upcoming semester. If you've been to school before, you know how it feels to be stressed, overwhelmed and all-around hovering on the edge of craziness - which is why I created this list for YOU: so you'll never have to feel that way again!

Instead, you can waltz into Fall 2017 (or any semester, really) feeling confident, sure of yourself and in-charge of your responsibilities. That's right, I mean you! So, let's do this thing, shall we? :)

Freebies by Eliza Ellis

Never buy another to-do list, planner or calendar again with Eliza Ellis' pretty yet practical printables! Get them for free on her website, print and enjoy :)

Printables by the Organized Student

On the Organized Student's tumblr page (NOT a studyblr, as she stresses), you'll find everything from study planners to study motivation, with a focus on staying organized as a student. 

Productivity Planner by Chloe Burroughs

Prepare for your next year at university with this printable reminder of the six best ways to prep for college. Thanks, Chloe Burroughs, for the freebie! 

Cornell Notes Template by College Compass

Learn how to take Cornell-style notes to maximize your learning potential - plus, get a free template to use in your classes care of College Compass. 

College Budget by College Life Made Easy

Don't just swoop in for your free budget worksheet: be sure to read College Life Made Easy's comprehensive list of money mistakes college students often make (so you can avoid them, of course). 

Roommate Contract by Her Campus

Her Campus' roommate contract is pretty, thorough and simple to understand. Great for solving conflicts in the heat of the moment, or resolving differences before they happen!

SUPPLIES

Bed, Bath & Beyond

Take advantage of your 10% student discount when shopping for dorm decor at Bed, Bath and Beyond! 

IKEA

IKEA has affordable, well-made decor that can be used as-is or easily upcycled with a simple hack or two - oh, and don't forget to stop for Swedish meatballs while you're in.

Urban Outfitters

Urban is your one-stop shop for all the trendiest items on the market, which can be a double-edged sword. My advice? Don't buy long-haul purchases here, like your bedding or your desk, but invest in cute little trinkets to make your dorm room feel like home.

Etsy

Ensure you have the most unique look on the floor by buying hand-crafted tapestries, mugs and more from the crafters on Etsy.

Redbubble

Every college girl seems to have a crush on Redbubble's laptop stickers, but did you know they also have mugs, wall decor, pillow cases and more? Plus, they almost always have a sale running when I stop by!

Dormco

Dormco has literally everything you could possibly need for college - plus, their shipping is as little as $2.95! 

Dormify

At Dormify, you can decorate your dorm the lazy way by choosing from their pre-made sets - or exceed expectations by curating your own. Not to mention, you can get 15% off your first purchase just for providing your e-mail.

DIYS

Shower Organization by the Chic Site

If you're living in an apartment or suite this year, you'll need to organize and take care of your very own bathroom. Start with this DIY shower organization hack from the Chic Site by buying your shampoo in bulk and filling your own dollar-store containers.

DIY Marble Pencil Holder by Crafts on Fire

This desk DIY is as simple as wrapping a piece of contact paper around an old tin can, yet looks like something you might buy at Urban. Get the directions from Crafts on Fire now!

Succulent & Supply Holder Bookends by I Spy DIY

These DIY bookends are the ultimate multitaskers: they perform quadruple-duty as supply holders, succulent planters, corkboards and, of course, bookends. Talk about a bang for your buck ;)

Cord Labels by the Chic Site 

I have got to say that these washi tape cord labels are simple, but ingenious! Last year, my cables always got so tangled up over my bed - so I wish I would have seen this hack sooner. 

Washi Tape Tea Light Candles by Pop Sugar

Not all dorm rooms allow candles, but if yours does, then definitely invest in a cheap 100-pack of yummy scented tea lights and a roll of gorgeous washi tape! This DIY is simple AF, but looks way more fancy than it is.

DIY Hanging Laundry Hamper by Making Nice in the Midwest

Did you know you can DIY your own hanging laundry hamper with a pillowcase, an embroidery hoop and a simple hook & screws combo? What are you waiting for? Get DIY-ing ASAP!

DIY Dorm Decor by Sierra Furtado

I initially clicked onto this video for the adorable SMILE letters in the background, but soon discovered that Sierra featured a bunch of other cute room decorations, too! Watch this for all the DIY room inspo you'll ever need...it's official.

DIY Marble and Gold Vanity Tray by Blonde Boss Babe

This lovely marble vanity tray matches my classy aesthetic (ha! Right...) to a T - plus, it's super cheap and easy to make with just a few simple components from the hardware store. Check it out!

Felt Letter Board by Jolly & Happy

Jolly & Happy's felt letter board is perfect for leaving those pressing passive-aggressive messages for your roommates, or motivating yourself to study with an inspirational quote. The best part? It's super cheap and easy to make!

Must-Have School Supplies for Every College Freshman by Kayla Blogs

Even if you're not a freshman anymore, this school supply list from Kayla Blogs is complete and pretty accurate to what I actually used last year! So, don't cave for all the unnecessary items and stick to this list of essentials instead. 

Fivestar

Fivestar notebooks are my personal favorite for back-to-college: they're study, affordable and really give you your bang for your buck! Plus, you can get a 15% off coupon just for visiting the site - what's not to love? :) 

Papermate

Papermate's basic stick pens have been my go-to since middle school - but they also have so many others that are perfect for creating study guides and taking color-coded notes, like their new gel pens and more! Be sure to check them out.

At-a-Glance

At-a-Glance's planners are a classic back-to-school essential, and you can find one for just about any style you can imagine. I'm currently using a pink faux-leather one from Target that's perfect for my every need! 

Mochi Things

Mochi Things sells unique, kawaii stationery, planners and other organizational products that everyone will love. Shop their back-to-school sale for 20% off everything until September 4th! 

Rifle Paper Co.

I love, love, love Rifle Paper Co's refined yet adorable aesthetic when it comes to planners, notebooks and more! Though they're on the pricier side, I think their products are worth investing in for items you're going to be using for the long-haul. 

ban.do

Everyone and their mother knows ban.do for their sassy pop-art designs. This fall, I'm absolutely adoring their joyful, poppy line of stationery for back-to-school season! Click above to shop :) 

WEBSITES

Fastweb

Fastweb is an amazing place to find scholarships for college, whether you're an incoming freshman or a graduating senior. They'll also help you find scholarships for specific goals, like research or study abroad! All in all, it's a great place to keep bookmarked and head back to roughly once or twice a month to see what almost-free money you might be missing out on.

Chegg 

Chegg is pretty much a college girl's paradise, as far as I'm concerned. They offer you a place to sell and buy used textbooks, search for scholarships and internships and even receive 30 minutes of free online tutoring. Definitely take advantage of everything Chegg has to offer!

Scholarships.com

Exactly what it sounds like: your one-stop-shop for finding all the scholarships a girl could dream of. Enter just a little bit of info to refine your search, and get to applying ASAP ;)

Book Scouter

If you're looking to sell your used textbooks for the best price possible, then Book Scouter should be your first stop each and every time! Book Scouter automatically compares the best prices for buybacks around the web and directs you to the stores with the best bang for your buck. (But be careful to read the fine print, because many buyback sites have a minimum value or number of books before they'll accept your order.) 

Khan Academy

As the website says, "You can learn anything. For free. Forever." At Khan Academy, you can easily search for tutorials and videos on just about any subject you might be struggling in (or simply need to study for!). It's the perfect resource for any gal who's worried about a particular class, or wants more extra help than her professor can provide.

Quizlet

Quizlet is my personal favorite online study resource because it not only allows you to make and study flashcards (or study your friends' sets), but also automatically generates practice tests and even fun games to help you remember those tricky vocab words! You definitely need an account on this website - and be sure to download the app for more help on-the-go.

You Need a Budget (YNAB)

Need a budget? This site's got you covered! YNAB will help you learn to manage your money more simply with its online budgeting tools - you can get a 30-day free trial, or splurge for the monthly subscription if you love it. Additionally, their live online workshops to answer your common money questions are always free, so definitely check them out if you have any financial dilemmas whatsoever! 

Eat Love

I recently discovered Eat Love from reading Shape magazine and instantly became hooked! Eat Love is an online meal planner that helps you save money and eat more healthfully for just $14.00 per month. Its recipes are all nutritionist-approved and cater to just about any diet you can imagine, from gluten-free to no-added-sugar to vegan, or any combination of the above.

BLOGS

Her Campus

Her Campus is the ultimate blog/lifestyle site for college women just trying to navigate everyday life. Additionally, if you're super into communications (like I am, obvs!), many colleges have Her Campus chapters where you can apply to become a writer, PR person or even an event-planner! 

Students Toolbox

My blogging buddy Sabrina runs the amazing Students Toolbox, a study blog and infinite cache of resources for the studious college (or even high school) student. If you stop by to visit, definitely sign up for her email list so you can take advantage of all the awesome freebies she has to offer! 

Jessica Slaughter

I feel like Jessica Slaughter's blog is pretty popular, but in case you haven't heard of her yet, she's an amazing college/millennial lifestyle blogger who shares tons of useful tips on acing your college career! You must follow her (especially on Twitter) if you haven't already :)

The Young Hopeful

Hope Young runs The Young Hopeful (ha, get it?), an A+++ collaborative website and blog for "thriving, not just surviving, in college." In addition to checking out their posts, you can also submit your own original work to Hope by clicking here! 

As Life Grows

Samantha at As Life Grows was one of my biggest inspirations when I first started blogging - and, funnily enough, she's now one of my closest blogger friends online! Her blog is all about succeeding academically and socially in college. Also, she posts a lot about her long-distance relationship with her boyfriend, so if you're going the distance like I am when I'm at school, you should definitely follow her for some much-needed inspiration! 

Samanthability

Samantha at Samanthability (another cute word play!) just graduated, but her blog has an amazing store of college resources - plus, it's obviously perfect to follow along with if you're a soon-to-be senior or recent grad! 

The Happy Arkansan

Amanda Cross, another one of my online blogging buds, is the blogger behind The Happy Arkansan, an amazing resource for navigating college, grad school and life as a recent grad! Her post on being the only black student in her class is a powerful must-read.

The Swirl

I love The Swirl and all of its flawless resources for college girls! (And its name, which is a reference to one of me, Gabby & Hannah's favorite shows of all time...go to their about page to find out which show!) 

SCHOOL & PRODUCTIVITY

Wunderlist

My favorite to-do list app! (And trust me, I've tried a lot of 'em.) I love that Wunderlist allows you to make multiple lists - for example, I have blog to-dos, regular to-dos, cleaning to-dos, books I want to read...the lists go on. And on. And on. Additionally, the app automatically gives you reminders for things like that dentist appointment or your BFF's birthday without you having to do anything but type in the date! Click the link above to get it for your iPhone and your Mac 100% free.

Tide

Tide uses the Pomodoro method to keep you productive and on-track, whether you're studying, doing work for your extracurriculars or blogging in your free time. During your work time, it plays music or soothing sounds of your choice, then gives you a short break every hour or so for you to rest and recharge. 

Duolingo

If you're taking a language this semester, then Duolingo is a must-have! It's the perfect place for you to study and refresh your memory on almost any language. Plus, they recently added a super cool feature that allows you to have real-time conversations with chat bots to test your communication skills!

Py

Like Duolingo, Py is a mobile learning app - only for coding and other in-demand tech skills! I recommend this app not just for computer science majors, but literally for anybody who wants to improve their resume by adding a special skill or two.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Sleep Cycle

Late to wake up for those early 8:00 AM classes? Never again with Sleep Cycle! Sleep Cycle is a unique alarm that uses your phone's microphone to analyze your sleep patterns. Then, it wakes you up during your lightest sleep phase within a 30-minute window of your wake-up time - how cool is that? (Science, man.)

Inlivo

If you've ever wondered if you're eating right while away from home, Inlivo has all the answers you're looking for. It's a food and exercise tracking app, but I personally love it because it's not hyper-focused on calories - instead, it looks at the whole picture, congratulating you for your healthy choices and analyzing places where you might be nutritionally deficient. Plus, most of its features are 100% free to use!

Charity Miles

Use your workout to benefit a charity of your choice - that's right, even as a broke college girl! Charity Miles doesn't ask you to commit any money: it just asks you to run, jog or walk as many miles as you can. Then, their sponsors do the rest to benefit your chosen cause!

Simple Habit

Simple Habit is my all-time favorite meditation app that I've found. I personally have a subscription to Simple Habit just because I use it every single morning, but their free features are just as good! My favorite part? Their "on-the-go" meditation feature, which allows you to choose a meditation based on what you're up to - whether that's commuting to class or freaking out over your final.

Grateful

You've probably heard you should keep a gratitude journal to be a happier, healthier person, but it can be difficult to stay disciplined in keeping up that habit. That's where Grateful comes in! Grateful is a super minimalist app where you can log things you're grateful for as they happen, allowing you to build up a feed of words and photos describing the things that make you happiest.

MONEY & PERSONAL FINANCE

Mint

If you need an easy way to build a budget and keep track of your spending, Mint is it. Mint automatically categorizes your spending and sends you a notification whenever your impulse shopping is totally out of control. The best part? It's 100% free to use! 

Credit Karma

Been charging that card a little too much lately? Easily check the damages for free with the Credit Karma app. Simple, speedy and effective!

Stash

Stash is literally the easiest way to get started with investing as a complete beginner. Every two weeks, I set up an automatic payment of $5.00 into my Stash account and choose which of their funds I want to invest in. Then, Stash does all the hard work for me of building up my investments and earning me those dividends! It's the perfect "set it and forget it" app for investing.

Groupon

Your mom (or maybe even your grandma) was probably the first person to tell you about Groupon, but let me be the first to tell you that it's not just for grown-ups! Groupon is the perfect app for college girls to get discounts on fun things to do, like workout classes, manicures or even going to a trampoline park or escape room with your friends. 

Poshmark

Poshmark is one of my favorite ways to earn a quick buck online (besides blogging, of course - but I'd be lying if I said that monetizing my blog was "quick"!). All you have to do is take a pic of your old clothes you want to sell, list the items in your Poshmark closet and wait for someone to buy them. Then, Poshmark sends you a pre-paid shipping label and all you have to do is drop it in the mail! 

The Ultimate List of College Student Discounts by Jessica Slaughter

I already mentioned Jessica Slaughter's blog on my big list of favorite college bloggers, but I had to mention her once more because of this awesome list of student discounts she put together! This is honestly the most complete list I've ever read of student discounts - however, don't be afraid to stray from the list and ask "Do you have a student discount?" anywhere you may go :)

Target REDCard

IDK if you're a big Target shopper, but if you're anything like me, Target is the place where you will probably breathe your last dying breath. So, why not save 5% when you're at it? That's exactly what you can do with Target's REDCard, a store rewards credit card (or debit card - I would choose debit if I were you) just for saving money at good ol' Tarjay.

Amazon Prime Student

Amazon's student Prime membership is honestly such a godsend! Amazon Prime has saved me on so many occasions, whether it was last-minute birthday shopping or buying my discounted Kindle on Prime Day - and with a student membership, you can get all the benefits of Prime for just $50.00 a year. Click the link above to sign up ASAP!

Spotify Premium

Every college girl needs a Spotify account for those late-night library sessions (or getting ready to go out with girlfriends!), but those ads can quickly get annoying when you're just trying to skip a bad song! Thankfully, Spotify offers its a premium membership to students at just $4.99 per month if you're someone who relies on music like the air you breathe.

Unidays

Unidays is such a simple way to get tons of student discounts for online shopping clustered in one place. All you need to do is verify your student account at your college or university and you'll be on your way to saving in no time :) 

Retail-Me-Not

Finally, we can't end a talk about money without mentioning couponing. Couponing can save you tons of money, but you don't want to be the crazy coupon lady who shows up with 1,000 clippings in hand. So, what do you do? Check out Retail-Me-Not, an awesome app for scoping out manufacturers' coupons and more! 

What's your favorite online resource for college? LMK @haleymarieblog or in the comments below!

Sign up for my monthly newsletter and get access to the FREE printables library!

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *

How to Face Your Fashion Fears

Hello, beautiful! Today I'm jumping in on Dia&Co's Try-Day Friday series, where bloggers step outside their fashion comfort zones and try something new for a change. (If you haven't heard, Dia&Co is an awesome fashion subscription service for plus-size women of all shapes and sizes!) So, I'm here to talk to you all about my biggest fashion fears and how we can both learn to overcome them :)

First thing's first: what is a "fashion fear"? Well, if you're anything like me, you've probably put together a daring look before, only to chicken out at the last minute and change into something "safer." That's why I'm here today: not only to remind you that you're not alone, but also to help you find the confidence you need to put together a daring look of your very own!

Facing My Fashion Fears

Everyone's fashion fears are different, but they all stem from a lack of confidence - I honestly believe there's no style that couldn't look good on you with a little bit of pep in your step! For me, here are a few of my biggest fashion fears that I have the most trouble overcoming:

• A bold lip. I love the look of dark, Lorde-style lipstick - but when it comes to my own life, I'm more likely to walk out of the house wearing chapstick than anything close to bordeaux.
• Crop tops. I own a select few crop tops because, like many women, I'm super self-conscious about my stomach - but I love the way they look when I dare to wear them out!
• Heels. I'm not afraid of heels, per say, as much as I am of walking around in them...again, love the look, but not the price I pay to pull it off!

In honor of Try-Day Friday, I vowed to overcome all of these fashion fears at once - so, me and Ryan had a fun little fashion shoot so I could show you all the results on the blog! :) Here were a few of the highlights:

Building Confidence in Style

Building up the confidence to take photos of myself pulling off three of the scariest trends known to womankind (or, at least, to this woman) wasn't easy, but I'm super happy with the results. I also think it was an important life lesson - that we could all stand to take more risks in life! So, here are some confidence-boosting tips to help you rock your own Try-Day Friday and dare to dream big when it comes to fashion:

Fake it 'Til You Make It

One of the most incredible TED Talks you'll ever watch is Amy Cuddy's presentation on the power of body language to shape our mood. According to Amy, the old adage "fake it 'til you make it" is scientifically proven: you can actually boost your self-esteem by adopting a "power pose," aka a girl power stance that makes you feel confident and in-charge. So, put those hands on your hips, fake a smile and work it, girl! I promise you'll find yourself feeling better about yourself - and your style - in no time :)

Post Affirmations on Your Mirror

The mirror can be one of the scariest places in your bathroom or bedroom if you're affected by negative body image. Thankfully, this also makes it the perfect place to show yourself (and your body) some TLC! One of my personal favorite ways to boost confidence is to write yourself little love messages like "You look hot!" or "Go get 'em, tiger!" on a post-it note and stick it to your mirror where you'll see it. 

Here's a teensy little personal anecdote about this technique: ever since I read the book What Would Audrey Do? by Pamela Keogh (about how to live more like one of my personal idols and style icons Audrey Hepburn), I've kept a list of "Ways to Be an Audrey" on my bedroom mirror to inspire me. Some of my favorite takeaways from that list? Don't overpluck your eyebrows, and always, always, always buy yourself flowers :)

Talk to Your Inner Child

If you've ever worked with kids before (hello, fellow camp counselors!), you know that the littlest thing can send them spiraling into a tearful fit. Needless to say, if you talked to an eight-year-old the way you criticize yourself about your body and fashion choices, their mom would probably sue you for emotional damages. So, instead of telling a self-conscious kid she looks hideous and needs to change immediately, you'd probably gently remind her how much she loves that outfit and how radiant she looks in it! One tip I learned from my research on confidence is to try talking to yourself the way you'd talk to that eight year old: speak to yourself as if you were a sensitive child, or the way you might reassure a good friend, instead of beating yourself up and shooting yourself down. This is the easiest way I've ever found to curb negative self-talk and start feeling more confident in literally minutes!

What's your best trick for facing your fashion fears with confidence? LMK @haleymarieblog or in the comments below! 

Sign up for my monthly newsletter and get access to the FREE printables library!

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *

The Top 5 Books Every College Girl Should Read

 

Hello, beautiful! Once upon a time, I was the girl who vowed she would never, ever, EVER switch to reading e-books. "The pages just feel different," I would say. "I would miss the smell and the feel of a good, old-fashioned paperback."

Well, back in July, I surprised myself - on Prime Day, I sprung for a discounted Kindle (mainly because I thought it would help me solve my problem of never returning library books on time...#oops) and started devouring e-books like cuh-RAZY!

Thanks to my new Kindle, I finally got around to reading a lot of the books that had been sitting on my "To Read" list for ages - which then got me thinking about some of my favorite books of all time, which then leads me to where I am now: sitting on my couch in my dirty yoga clothes writing this blog post. (TMI?)

Some of the books I was excited to share with you today were old favorites, and some of them were books I've recently discovered on my new reading binge. Either way, I guarantee that no matter what walk of life you come from, if you identify as a woman and you're in college, you can benefit from cracking open any one of these books!

And just for the record, no - even though I've said Kindle 3,000 times already, this post was NOT sponsored by Amazon :(

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

If you haven't gotten around to reading Lean In yet - don't worry, I didn't read it until this year either (though it feels like literally everyone else already had) - I can confirm that this book is, in fact, a must-read! Sheryl Sandberg's book is equal parts memoir and feminist treatise on how to survive in a male-dominated workplace...so, literally every workplace ever, amirite?

But seriously: as the female COO of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg knows a thing or two about the topics that are important to us millennials. On the list of topics she covers in her book are asking for what you want, work-life balance, being a working mother (and when to have kids in the first place) and enduring dealing with shitty, anti-feminist people in the workplace with dignity.

No matter who you are, how old you are or what your gender is, I guarantee you will learn something new from reading Lean In - for example, that the United States is still the only first-world country not to provide paid family leave. (Yup, you heard me.) Even if you don't know anything about Sheryl or what she does, this book is a valuable workplace how-to for any ladies planning to enter the workforce anytime soon. 

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

You guys, this book is called "life-changing" for a reason: it truly will change your life, just as it has transformed mine! 

As a naturally messy person whose idea of "tidy" used to mean making semi-stacked piles of objects and clothing on the floor, I never in a million years thought I would pick up a book like this. In case you haven't heard of KonMari (or only know about it from the Gilmore Girls revival series), it's a decluttering technique named after its pioneer, Marie Kondo, a cleaning expert from Japan. In fact, Marie Kondo has helped so many delinquent tidiers clean up their acts that she now has a six-month waiting list for her clientele. (Whatever, sign me up!)

Marie Kondo believes that to truly get tidy - and, more importantly, finally maintain that tidiness - you need to discard the items that no longer serve you and keep only the ones that spark joy. Beyond that, she also believes you should tidy in a certain order following a particular set of instructions, which she outlines in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. 

In short, if you think you have any interest whatsoever in getting more organized (which, as a busy college girl who prizes efficiency, you should!) and living a more minimal, I would highly recommend this book. It's basically the ultimate how-to manual to hardcore cleaning for people who've scarcely ever picked up a broom. (In other words, it's basically my autobiography.)

The Girl's Guide by Melissa Kirsch

Basically, if you're a girl and you've ever had a random question before, this book will answer it for you. More importantly, this book will answer all your questions in a way that will make you pee your pants laughing out loud.

The Girl's Guide is essentially the twenty-something woman's guide to figuring out all the nuances of life that a public school education couldn't teach you. For example, how do you end a friendship with a negative person gracefully - or lose five pounds without investing in a mail order fad diet sold by a former reality TV star? 

Goodreads said it best: Melissa Kirsch gives great advice, and she delivers it like a longtime BFF with a raunchy sense of humor. Fair warning: this book is not for the faint of heart - if swearing and/or sex advice offend you, The Girl's Guide probably shouldn't top your reading list - but it is guaranteed to teach you a thing (or twenty-thousand) about life, love and paying off your credit card debt without ruining your entire life - which happens to be my three favorite things to read about!

The One-Page Financial Plan by Carl Richards

If you ever wanted someone to dumb down finance to the point where a complete newbie (i.e. me) could understand it, then this is the book for you! Carl Richards, a well-known financial advisor and New York Times cartoonist, simplifies the concept of having a financial plan - that is, a loose trajectory for your savings goals and paying down your debt - to just one piece of paper. 

Yes, you heard me: with The One-Page Financial Plan, you can essentially learn everything you ever wanted to know about saving for retirement, meeting your financial goals and paying off those pesky student loans with just one blank piece of paper. 

I highly recommend this book to any college students or recent grads who are struggling to make sense of this whole "money" thing, anyone whose financial life needs a reset after one too many shopping sprees (not that this is me or anything...) or anyone who just wants to learn a thing or two about finance from a financial expert without reading a 1,000-page manual full of jargon. (So, basically, it's required reading for pretty much everyone...)

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Alright, so this clearly breaks with my theme of self-help-y type books, but as a self-proclaimed literary buff, I just couldn't resist including one of my all-time favorite classics on this list! 

Not only is this book a heartwarming romance and a much-needed warning against judging a book by its cover, but I happen to think it offers some important life lessons we could still benefit from today - for example, I think its vividly humorous characterization of classism still remains relevant in 2017 no matter what part of the world you come from.

I also thought it was important to mention this book to emphasize the importance of reading literary fiction in a time when self-improvement books are all the rage. Under today's educational system, the classics are pretty much dying out - yet studies have proven that reading fiction makes you a kinder, more empathetic person. So, it's our generation's responsibility to keep classics like Pride and Prejudice alive, and show younger generations why they're still relateable and still worth reading.

Okay, rant's over. But one last thing: whether it's a 50-cent paperback or a 500-page masterpiece, I hope I, at the very least, inspired you to pick up a book today! 

Got a great book suggestion? Let me know @haleymarieblog or in the comments below!

Sign up for my monthly newsletter and get access to the FREE printables library!

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *