tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41859504389489346892024-03-05T12:02:31.375-08:00Maya LashaeTheNaturalNerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12786542045487156418noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185950438948934689.post-9097692186971702002016-04-03T20:34:00.001-07:002016-04-03T20:34:18.782-07:00April 2016 Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeC6SBQVWLWD1FUS_BmtjEqtntGAMvteVBDk3LdzK6RPawgAWSIgFmpGdHtQqS2xrZ6yB-PjB5qJG_7vC32ts4RNVwigLB3iRmvcrb5UGy3l3zNnauznDeETda86C7gxN2RdEOpHRuGfo/s1600/April+2016+Goals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeC6SBQVWLWD1FUS_BmtjEqtntGAMvteVBDk3LdzK6RPawgAWSIgFmpGdHtQqS2xrZ6yB-PjB5qJG_7vC32ts4RNVwigLB3iRmvcrb5UGy3l3zNnauznDeETda86C7gxN2RdEOpHRuGfo/s640/April+2016+Goals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What is the main reason that people seem to fail at their New Years resolutions? Some may fail due to their lack of motivation while others fail due to lack of time and/or resources. Whatever the reason, I believe that this problem could be solved by tracking your goals every single month (or even week) to see if you are measuring up accordingly. I discovered recently that I am definitely not on track of any of my goals, so I decided to break my goals down piece by piece and publically display them online as an extra push of motivation. I have listed my yearly goals adjacent to my monthly goals and at the end of the month. As you can probably tell from this list, this is #getyourlife year for me. As am transitioning to this new chapter of my life as a college graduate, I am constantly on working on ways to improve myself to be the best future me that I could be. </div>
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Since I'm new to blogging I find it a little difficult to post new content regularly and I definitely need to get on top of it and take this a little more seriously. I know this partially has to do with fear of shamelessly putting myself out there on the internet, but it is also because I am quite lazy these days. </div>
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<i>Eat clean (for the most part) and exercise at least four days per week</i></div>
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I have been slim for as long as I can remember; however, I have been trying to get that six pack for even longer! I understand that abs are made in the kitchen, so I am trying to do better with my diet by eating cleaner. I downloaded the <a href="http://www.pactapp.com/" target="_blank">Pact app </a>a few months ago and it gives me the motivation I need to start eating better and working out and score some extra cash in the meantime! The app allows you to make a food pact, gym pact, or a food logging pact. If you fulfill the requirements of your pact, you get a couple bucks. If you do not fulfill the requirements, you have to pay a minimum of $5 per food, workout, or food log. So far I have earned around $25. It won't make you rich, but it does help you stay motivated. </div>
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<i>Make at least $300 in side hustles</i></div>
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Now this one is going to be tough for me. I generally make around $200 in side hustles per month but as graduation creeps sooner, I have more financial obligations to fulfill. I have added <a href="http://www.inboxdollars.com/?r=ref24141684&s=7" target="_blank">InboxDollars</a> and <a href="http://www.gifthulk.com/invite/MA1234456%20Copy" target="_blank">GiftHulk</a> to my long list of websites from my Spring Break post, so hopefully I get some luck. </div>
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<i>Relax. Read. Pray. Repeat </i></div>
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I have been extremely stressed these past few months to the point where I'm absolutely hopeless. This month I want to deal with my stress better as well as strengthen my relationship with God. I feel that I can do that best by praying and reading the Bible more often. </div>
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TheNaturalNerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12786542045487156418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185950438948934689.post-1388176537242517592016-03-15T17:57:00.000-07:002016-03-16T18:00:50.227-07:00How I Paid for my Spring Break Trip to Las Vegas with Money I Made Online!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXAvWQTJqHLwJXARad_JXmbO7mSIukHAlOZuAcVzxxBY0tZREhVva-ADFrORnMooMlUWXwjx_3gcum7OYdV4ywMtxXraLdzgO_qrIkXcA9ndV08PkoPuFAo83fdSxVuxjvjeXHWXoZZg/s1600/How+I+Paid+for+my+Spring+Break+Trip+to+Las+Vegas+with+Money+I+Made+Online%2521%2521%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXAvWQTJqHLwJXARad_JXmbO7mSIukHAlOZuAcVzxxBY0tZREhVva-ADFrORnMooMlUWXwjx_3gcum7OYdV4ywMtxXraLdzgO_qrIkXcA9ndV08PkoPuFAo83fdSxVuxjvjeXHWXoZZg/s1600/How+I+Paid+for+my+Spring+Break+Trip+to+Las+Vegas+with+Money+I+Made+Online%2521%2521%2521.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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Spring break!! We have all been working hard throughout the school year, and we finally deserve a break. Some students soak up the sun in Florida or even go abroad in luxurious cruises around the Caribbean. Depending on where you decide to go, it can get pretty expensive. As a self-proclaimed broke college student, I know how hard it could be to save extra money on top of the many things you already have to pay for. With a little planning and hard work, I managed to pay for my full trip to Las Vegas only using the money that I made online! How did I do it? Keep reading below for tips and tricks on how to save up for any financial goal by working online! </div>
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<a href="http://app.spare5.com/" target="_blank">Spare5 </a></div>
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I found out about this app only a few months ago, and so far it has been my a great money maker! The app is generally composed of several different tasks which could pay anywhere from 7 cents to 50 cents. The tasks that I have done include: phone surveys to different companies, finding lawyers' emails online, finding lawyers' phone numbers, and improving image titles. This downfall to this app is that it is super random and you never know what you're going to get. It is very inconsistent to say the least. </div>
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By using Spare 5, I made $426.04 since August, 2016. </div>
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<a href="http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/lashae94" target="_blank">Swagbucks</a></div>
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I have been a user on Swagbucks for a longgggg time; however, I never really took it seriously. I decided to get back on it in August just to see if I could make a little extra change here in there. On Swagbucks, I mainly used the mobile app to collect points by playing videos on my phone while I slept. They also have several other deals and promos to take advantage of on the website. </div>
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By using Swagbucks, I made 516.03 since August, 2016! </div>
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<a href="http://www.mturk.com/" target="_blank">Mturk</a></div>
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I'm fairly new at using Amazon's MTurk for making money, so I haven't made that much from it so far. I know some people make THOUSANDS every month, but I'm still familiarizing myself with the website. MTurk is similar to Spare 5 where you are payed for completing Human Intelligence Tasks (HITs). Unlike Spare 5, there are literally thousands of HITs to choose from. </div>
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On MTurk, I made 33.88 since January, 2016.</div>
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<a href="http://www.ebay.com/" target="_blank">Ebay</a></div>
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Since starting my minimalism journey, I've noticed that I have a lot of stuff lying around that I hardly use. I decided to take my junk to a good use by selling it on ebay. I've sold things like my broken laptop for $50 and even things I got for free off of Swagbucks. You know what they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure. </div>
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On Ebay, I made $258.63</div>
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<b>GRAND TOTAL: $1,234.58!!! </b></h2>
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Of course, all of this didn't spend all of this on my trip, but this gives you an idea of how much you can make online "working" for only a few hours a week. This is not fast money by any means, but it can really help out when your budget is very tight. If you have any questions about making money online or if you want me to go into more detail about any of these websites, let me know in the comments! </div>
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With Love, </div>
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Maya Lashae</div>
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</script>TheNaturalNerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12786542045487156418noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185950438948934689.post-41412860125129545612016-02-04T20:16:00.001-08:002016-02-05T19:20:10.827-08:00You deserve it, start acting like it<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHq0dnOVx-ozeceen_HXx_XVFCNxqndpAuYlrz6A9u34JuD2VBsbqMTDRH934Xy6GAS1E0g1kk-8MmvkyCQHFpzF_RdPLcsW7c5fStISmIampCRZUo4_HwoxdIXnY9L2Zh21HvE0reDh8/s1600/ALEX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHq0dnOVx-ozeceen_HXx_XVFCNxqndpAuYlrz6A9u34JuD2VBsbqMTDRH934Xy6GAS1E0g1kk-8MmvkyCQHFpzF_RdPLcsW7c5fStISmIampCRZUo4_HwoxdIXnY9L2Zh21HvE0reDh8/s1600/ALEX.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Every now and then, I get into a major rut of feeling unworthy when it comes to my future. Although I've been extremely blessed throughout my entire life, I sometimes feel that I don't deserve to be successful. Sometimes I just have to remind myself that I completely deserve to be exactly where I am. We have to stop telling ourselves "no" sometimes, and start actively reaching towards our dreams. No more wishing. We have to start writing our goals down and taking the steps necessary to accomplish them. So stop acting like you don't deserve whatever it is that you are trying to achieve, just go for it! </span></div>
TheNaturalNerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12786542045487156418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185950438948934689.post-61946341136850083312016-02-02T13:47:00.002-08:002016-02-02T15:29:01.731-08:00Valentine's Day Gifts He Won't Forget<div style="text-align: center;">
It's already February!! Wow! Where did the time go? Valentine's Day is right around the corner and you may be looking to get your special someone something to show your love for them on this special holiday. Here's a quick and easy guide to get some <cheap> ideas on what you should get that special man in you life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh732gs06P7ALRDdkF8tpqyLMsSfpZA_3VRYFgtL0yTPMQIh9u3LI29qxL2qHaDcODSC6DpD0EFCqyFCD6cQUOMQiZJ-J1bGE1XDrDEsBOevK1qB3Bivf73esdhJ5iXPJ4kzunQZHVvOiA/s1600/Valentine%2527s+Day+Gift+Guide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh732gs06P7ALRDdkF8tpqyLMsSfpZA_3VRYFgtL0yTPMQIh9u3LI29qxL2qHaDcODSC6DpD0EFCqyFCD6cQUOMQiZJ-J1bGE1XDrDEsBOevK1qB3Bivf73esdhJ5iXPJ4kzunQZHVvOiA/s640/Valentine%2527s+Day+Gift+Guide.jpg" width="486" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://thewowstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Cute-idea-for-valentines-day-gift-for-your-sweet-heart-672x372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thewowstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Cute-idea-for-valentines-day-gift-for-your-sweet-heart-672x372.jpg" height="354" width="640" /></a></div>
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An easy gift to make, yet extremely personal. You could fill a picture frame with photos of you two of your favorite memories together.<br />
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<b>DIY Bouquet</b><br />
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These bouquets are great ways to do something big and creative without breaking the bank. They could be as grand or simple as you'd like. Figure out what kind of bouquet you want to make and get as creative as possible. All you need is a jar or vase and some skewers, both of which you could buy at the dollar store. Then get some candy, lottery tickets, and whatever else you could think of and put it all together.<br />
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<b>Coupon Booklet</b></div>
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This is a great idea for all budgets. Compose a list a little favors that your special guy could use. It could be anywhere from a nice back massage to a movie night. Last year for my boyfriend's birthday, I composed a coupon booklet for the five senses! Taste- dinner at the restaurant of his choice. Touch - a relaxing massage. Smell - an axe gift set. Sight and Hearing - movie night. All you have to do is list all of your ideas and make a little booklet out of some paper! You could even recycle some paint color samples like the picture above.</div>
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<b>Subscription Boxes</b><br />
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Subscription boxes are definitely taking over these days and theres some out there for every type of guy there is.<br />
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For the comic loving man in your life, I recommend <a href="http://looted.by/duXzE" target="_blank">Lootcrate </a>. Lootcrate is a monthly subscription box made for gamers, geeks and fans of pop culture. In each crate, there is a guaranteed $45 worth of items, some of which are completely exclusive. The best thing about this crate is that it only costs $19.95 including shipping and handling! For $3 off your first box, enter code SAVE3.</div>
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<a href="https://www.birchbox.com/men/media/catalog/product/cache/4/image/460x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/_/m_ltefitness_boxstacked_products_900x900_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://www.birchbox.com/men/media/catalog/product/cache/4/image/460x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/_/m_ltefitness_boxstacked_products_900x900_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.birchbox.com/subscribe/men?ref=main-nav" target="_blank">Birchbox Man</a> is another great subscription box for the gentleman in your life. This box features a range of top-shelf grooming samples along with one full-size product such as a gadget, bar tool, or stylish accessory. You can get all of this for $20/month. </div>
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Who doesn't like Netflix? This is a cool way to give give your guy a gift that keeps on giving. For about $7.99 a month</div>
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There's nothing like listening to music in the shower. This wireless bluetooth waterproof speaker is a perfect yet simple gift for the love of your life. It's compatible with almost all smartphone. For only $16.89, you can get it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Waterproof-Handsfree-Portable/dp/B0187H2LBS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454445935&sr=8-1&keywords=waterproof+speaker&m=AXCAJ0YJXXJXE" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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<b>Groupon a New Hobby</b><br />
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<a href="http://product-images.imshopping.com/nimblebuy/neusole-glassworks-certificate-good-for-a-2-hour-hotshop-fusing-4929632-regular.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://product-images.imshopping.com/nimblebuy/neusole-glassworks-certificate-good-for-a-2-hour-hotshop-fusing-4929632-regular.jpg" height="400" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are tons of new and exciting local things to do on <a href="https://www.groupon.com/visitor_referral/h/038b9aef-381d-45ab-a336-b9b4a4438fc3" target="_blank">Groupon</a>. My boyfriend recently expressed his interest in glass-blowing, I looked on <a href="https://www.groupon.com/visitor_referral/h/038b9aef-381d-45ab-a336-b9b4a4438fc3" target="_blank">Groupon </a>and there it was! I can't wait to go together in a few weeks. This is a good way to make memories and try something new together. You may even find a new hobby for literally half the price. </div>
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<b>Have a Game Night</b><br />
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Hosting a game date night is a great way to spend some quality time with your partner as opposed to just being beside of your partner. You know what I mean? Pull out the board games and the playing cards, order a pizza, and have some fun!<br />
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I hope your guy loves whatever you decide to give him. As long as you give from the heart and put a little thought into it, I'm sure he will love it.<br />
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Maya Lashae</div>
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TheNaturalNerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12786542045487156418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185950438948934689.post-69499501284898004552016-01-24T20:51:00.003-08:002016-02-02T15:29:27.056-08:00How to Plan the Perfect College Spring Break!<div style="text-align: center;">
2016 is officially upon us, and if you are like any other college student, you are probably thinking about what you should do for spring break. Trying to manage the lodging, transportation, and budget seems super intimidating, but I am here to save the day with this easy guide on how to plan the perfect spring break! Are you ready? Let's go!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0d56FefjuaO5bjhkzPwZpJ7B9D0-i3gmwoU2jIDwxzy8X9nMIk-CK3P4jF7udk2aBrBRfcx_-unicVlBzRHfq9jAtgJ7_T2TltDmtBm1JOajEsvT2zBc54Psj4EhGpvknca2omTCXFCE/s1600/IMG_1105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0d56FefjuaO5bjhkzPwZpJ7B9D0-i3gmwoU2jIDwxzy8X9nMIk-CK3P4jF7udk2aBrBRfcx_-unicVlBzRHfq9jAtgJ7_T2TltDmtBm1JOajEsvT2zBc54Psj4EhGpvknca2omTCXFCE/s640/IMG_1105.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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1. Budget</div>
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I know you want to figure out where you want to go, but first you have to calculate how much money you are dealing with. Hopefully you have been <b>planning</b> for this expense and saving up for a while, but if you haven't, START NOW!! Estimate how much money you will put towards your vacation and stick to it. Trust me, you don't wanna end up racking up credit cards. You also don't want to end up on day 3 calling mom and dad for help when you realized you have spent all of your money. </div>
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2. Destination</div>
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Now that you have your budget together, it is time to start looking into places you want to go. So far I have traveled to New York City and Disney World/Universal Studios and I highly recommend both! Other popular spring break destinations include Miami, Las Vegas, Panama City Beach, Puerto Rico, and New Orleans. Please be cautious about the weather wherever you decide to go, most people would like to soak up in the sun for their vacation. Also, be aware of your budget when choosing your vaycay spot.</div>
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3. Transportation</div>
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So you know where you are going, but how are you going to get there? It would be wise to look into all options: flying, driving, taking a bus, taking a train, or even taking a boat! For the cheapest flights, I always check the <a href="http://matrix.itasoftware.com/" target="_blank">Matrix Airfare Search</a> first. <a href="http://expedia.com/" target="_blank">Expedia</a> and <a href="http://pricline.com/" target="_blank">Priceline</a> are okay, but this website finds flights that the others don't! I also like way that it shows prices for a various amount of day ranges all on one page. This way you don't have to go through hundreds of searches of different dates, its all there in one place!</div>
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4. Lodging</div>
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For me, this is the most time consuming step. Where you will be residing over the course of your break can really make or break your experience. <a href="http://www.airbnb.com/c/mbryant254?s=8" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> is becoming my go to spot for reserving accommodations. <a href="http://www.airbnb.com/c/mbryant254?s=8" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> is a trusted online marketplace for people to browse, list, and book accommodations around the world. You have a choice of renting an entire apartment or house, a private room, or a shared room for half the price than a hotel. Reviews are available on each listing where you can read about other's experiences there. If you're not down with the <a href="http://www.airbnb.com/c/mbryant254?s=8" target="_blank">Airbnb</a>, I also recommend Expedia. The thing that I love the most about Expedia is that you get points to travel that could add up to discounts off of your next trips. Expedia also has good packaged deals for even more discounts on flights and hotels. When deciding a place to stay, consider how far your room is from the activities you want to do. Is everything walking distance or do you need public transportation or <a href="https://www.uber.com/invite/38bqb" target="_blank">Uber</a> to get from place to place? Also, if you pick a room with a kitchen, this could save you loads of cash from eating out. Look into your hotel or <a href="http://www.airbnb.com/c/mbryant254?s=8" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> to see if they have any perks like free breakfast, laundry, and a swimming pool. Like I said earlier, this may sound like it is a lot of work, but trust me, it is oh so worth it!</div>
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5. Activities</div>
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Are you excited yet? You're almost all set to a the best spring break trip ever!! Now all you have to decide is what do you want to do when you get there. Do you want to lay out in the beach all day and soak up the sun? Any attractions or museums that you must visit in you area of interest. What about the city's main attractions. Definitely make a list of all the top things you just have to do during your trip along with how much they would cost. If you have no idea where to start, TripAdvisor is a great tool to use. All you have to do is type in your destination and reviews from real people with come up. Yelp is also another great tool to look up restaurants, nightlife, entertainment, and more!</div>
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6. Back to the budget.</div>
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Now that you have your destination, transportation, accommodations, and activities, it's time to go back to your budget and make sure you will be able to afford everything. Either do it the old fashion way on pen and paper or create an excel sheet of everything. Make sure you include food and leave room for things like souvenirs and emergencies. Make sure you send your prospective budget to all of your friends joining the trip, so everyone could be financial responsible for themselves. It would be such a bummer if you had to spend some of your fun money on someone else because they didn't plan well. It would also be nice to send them your activity list as well as ask them for any suggestions.</div>
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7. Be safe and have fun!!</div>
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You're all set to have an amazing spring break! If you decide to drink, make sure you do it responsibly and make sure that none of your friends go anywhere alone. Now that you have planned everything out, you can relax completely. </div>
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TheNaturalNerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12786542045487156418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4185950438948934689.post-70313980296600956812016-01-24T14:55:00.002-08:002016-02-02T15:28:44.668-08:00Couple Traditions: Sunday Brunch<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/14672793/?claim=pvveyvvftvc">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>
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Do you have any traditions with your soulmate? If is one thing that my boyfriend and I share, it's our love for food! We are always seeking out new eating spots around Atlanta. Atlanta is so rich with culture and tradition; yet, there is something here for just about everybody. We were in the Decatur/Little Five Points side of town and my boyfriend googled "shady restaurants." To my surprise, a restaurant called 'Illegal Food' in the Virginia Highlands came up and we decided to go for it!</div>
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The atmosphere here was similar to most restaurants in the area, vintage with a dash of hipster. We were sat in between two <i>fairly entertaining </i>couples. One of the things that I didn't like was that we were literally close enough to hear their conversations. Nonetheless, we decided to stay and ordered our food. I opted for the Sunday Breakfast ($11) and Tayo went for a <b>well done</b> Patty Melt ($13).</div>
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This is where it started to go downhill. As you can clearly see, the meat was not cooked well done. I have to add that Tayo is very particular about the way he eats his food. We told the waiter about the issue and he took it back to the kitchen. When he returned, one could easily tell that they just cooked the patty on the visible sides since the patty became increasingly more pink upon taking the first bite. On the other hand, my food was absolutely amazing!! </div>
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If you are a very picky eater, I don't think I would recommend this restaurant, but I'm happy that I got to try something different that the regular IHOP breakfast. Who knows what we'll get ourselves into next week. </div>
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with love, </div>
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Maya Lashae </div>
TheNaturalNerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12786542045487156418noreply@blogger.com0