The summer before my freshmen year of college was very hectic for me. As a Type A personality, I must have read every college dorm packing list available, searching for one that listed every possible item I could have needed once moved into my freshmen year dorm. What I didn’t take into consideration was the fact that I would be placed in a triple dorm, meaning three girls in one very tiny room, or how many items my school provided for students. In an effort to save you some money when it comes to college shopping, I’ve broken down this shopping list into categories, followed by must haves and nonessentials, aka nice to haves. Depending on which university you attend, you may or may not need the items in the nonessentials category. 
If you want to know my personal must have items, you can click here to read my top 10 items for freshmen year. I’ve also written about 10 things you probably won’t need in your college dorm, you can find that post by clicking here.
For more college advice, scroll to the bottom of this post for some of my most popular college posts about how to save money on textbooks, lessons I learned my freshmen year and the best way to study last minute for an exam! If your budget is low when it comes to college dorm shopping, my best advice is to focus on purchasing items in the must haves column as well as coordinate with your roommate as best you can. Also, be sure to read all the information your campus housing sends you for information on what is provided in the room. My best advice for any first time dorm shoppers it to invest where you will spend the most of your time, your bed! Throughout college I had a mattress pad that was at least 5 inches thick, which made sleeping on campus mattresses so much more enjoyable! If you get anything from this post it’s this, skip all the unnecessary accessories and splurge on good bedding! Below is a preview of the free ebook you can download + the printable college shopping list.
For the full 11 page ebook, enter your email down below to be able to access it instantly! Signing up takes seconds and gives you access to not only the ultimate college packing list, but the posts I think are a must read for any first year college students. Inside the free book you’ll find a breakdown of each area of your dorm, from bedding to tech, with the last page being a printable list you can take shopping with you.
May 19, 2022
13 Creative Valentine's Day Date Ideas (That Won't Empty Your Bank Account) | When Life Gives You Rubi
maximios Blog
Valentine’s Day is a holiday you either love or hate, probably determined by whether you have someone to celebrate with. In my case, I’ve always loved the holiday, single or not. What’s better than a day dedicated to treating someone else, or yourself, to a bunch of candy, compliments, and did I mention candy? It was simpler in college though, when you and your significant other had the excuse of being broke to skip out on doing something fancy. The problem is a lot of us are still not swimming in money in our twenties, yet the stakes have somehow gone up on how we spend this day of the year. If you’re a twenty something wondering how to celebrate the day without emptying your checkings account, below are some ideas to help you figure out how to not disappoint your special someone. With a couple classic suggestions to others you would never consider, there’s bound to be one idea that peaks your interest.
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If the two of you enjoy spending time outside, don’t miss an opportunity to go on a hike, visit the water or even make a camping trip out of the weekend. I’m not recommending you jog together, unless you’re into that kind of thing, but gokarting, indoor skydiving or rock climbing are fun dates you won’t forget. This sounds super rowdy but hear me out, a bar crawl is a fun way to explore a neighborhood you don’t typically visit. Plus, Groupon usually has such great deals around this type of event!
For the couple who enjoys being creeped out together, ghost tours are a fun way to spend an night plus learn more about the city. You’re guaranteed to have the most creative Valentine’s Day night. If you wanna spread the love to your other friends, single or in a relationship, hosting a game night is a fun way to pass the time with people you care about. Who said Valentine’s Day is only a day to celebrate the ones you love romantically? If you live in a city with a lot of tourist attractions, a staycation is a great way to enjoy the things you typically don’t get to enjoy. You can choose to stay at home or in a hotel, and from there make up an itinerary of things you’ve been meaning to check out.
Related Post: 11 Perfect Gift Ideas for Your Boyfriend’s Parents
Trust me, arcades are just as fun as when you were twelve, plus now you can drink! Find your local arcade and bring a few rolls of quarters to spend a night challenging one another. Love animals but can’t have one? Cat cafes and animal shelters are a fun way to spend an afternoon giving attention to animals looking for their forever homes. As long as neither one of you gets boat sick, this is a fun twist on the typical Valentine’s Dinner. Once again, Groupon usually has a bunch of deals for this type of activity.
Do you have an all time favorite Valentine’s Day date? And for my single readers, if you search Valentine, there’s plenty of content on the site for how to celebrate without a significant other!