Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
New in town, does not require new things!!
Many students start moving out when they enter university, mainly to get closer to the campus, exchange/international studying abroad or they want to become independent and start living by themselves!
Moving out requires a lot of paperwork, effort, time and certainly money! So once you've found you're apartment/house fit for you living...then you have to put appliances, beds, television, tables, chairs etc. Unless of course you are renting a studio with all of the above supplied then thats a different story!
So for those who don't have it the easy way...here i will provide some places to find goods at low costs but can work perfectly fine compared to those branded items!!
Firstly, lets start with the larger expensive goods! This includes fridges, washing machines, television, and larger furnitures such as sofa and beddings.
- Don't spend thousands of dollars buying from extremely branded departments stores! GO CHEAPO and go to the nearest second-hand shop and you can find a decent fridge or washing machine that is half of the full price!!
- With advance technology these days going to most large electronic department stores like Dicksmith, Bing Lee or JB Hi Fi, you can get yourself a full HD LCD/LED under $1000. There is no need for the big brands that costs well over $5000, most of the generic brands can do the same job!
- Furniture such as sofa and beddings can be an issue! Many of don't want to spend the night or day sleeping on a second-hand, not knowing where it was from or who may have slept on it. That leaves us to buying them BRAND NEW! So, if we go searching online and in-store malls with low prices such as Ikea, Homemart or furniture department stores we should be able to find a reasonable price and quality that will help us sleep better at night!!
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| Add http://images.getprice.com.au/products/Bimgdick-smith-ge6823-31.5inch-hd-led-lcd-tv.JPG |
Secondly, home appliances used around the house from hair dyers to the microwave and other household goods (i.e. crockery, utensils or office goods)
- Home appliances and other household that are essential for everyday use can get pretty expensive, if bought at extremely expensive stores! That's why for small electrical items, we should consider buying them from department stores such as Target, Kmart or BigW because they are low-cost and yet the products are fit for everyday use, not to mention can be quite stylish.
- Some other stores could be OfficeWorks or even a local dollar store - they provide a large range of low cost affordable goods that can be used around the households.
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| http://origin.getprice.com.au/images/content_images/kmart.jpg |
Thirdly,food and grocery - where to buy??
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| http://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/foodsavings/files/2012/08/aldi_logo.jpg |
- Having takeaway or eating out all the time isn't cheap nor healthy! There are digital and printed recipes that can be bought in most stores or online, not to mention there are also free recipes that can be found online or in magazines!
- Check websites to compare prices for specials or limited offers for groceries or food. Websites like ozbargin.com.au regularly shows popular discounted goods from the two leading supermarkets (Coles and Woolworths).
- If possible switch to "homebrand" or "generic branded" goods. The Aldi supermarket generally sets their prices lower than the two major competitors since its opening in Australia OR buy in bulk at Costco (NB: membership is required) and share with flatmates or friends!
Going to Parties: How to be safe
One of the joys of going to university are the social life.
This may include clubbing, attending a concert or festival, having a party at
home or going to a party at a friend’s house. However, every year, people get
hurt in the process. Here are some suggestions that will help you stay safe
while you’re having a good time. Most of those are obvious when your sober, but it is quiet hard to follow them when drunk, so remember them and make them your second nature
- Know where you’re going and how you’re getting there, stick with your buddies to ensure safety
- Plan how to get home – for example,
take enough money to share a taxi or nominate a driver to stay sober. This is
important to avoid dangerous behaviors such as drink and drive
- Decide with friends to stay together in a group and look after each other. Remember, safety in numbers
- Don’t leave drinks unattended and
don’t accept a drink from a stranger. Don’t take your eyes off your drink.
Since this can give people a chance to spike your drink
- Don’t get into a car with a driver who has been drinking. This is important to avoid turning a night out into a tragedy
- Leave for somewhere safe if you feel unsafe at a venue or party, this could avoid any confrontation, which will definitely ruin your night out
- Don’t go off with a person you’ve only just met. Stay in the public place. If they interest you, get a phone number.
- Don’t get into a verbal argument if
someone aggressively confronts you. Walk away
- If you are having the party at
home, register your party with your local police and tell your neighbors at
least one week in advance to avoid any trouble at the party
- Insist that the party is
‘invitation only’ to reduce the risk of party crashers; this could lead to potential
violent confrontations. Also avoid the spreading of the words via social network.
- Don't accept anything that look suspicious from strangers and friends, since you have no idea what's in it or whether it's legal or not. This is important as you might need to go to the hospital, or getting busted for illegal drugs, both might effect your future employment and travelling opportunity
Follow these tips when going to any party or social gathering and enjoy your social life at your university
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Handy tips to rent a unit!
It has
been a semester since you started university, and living on university
accommodation is not a viable option anymore. It may be too expensive; your
housemates might be too noisy; your roommate is just too dirty; whatever your
reason is, your time has come to move out to a place you can truly call home..
#1
Choose the unit you want to rent from your local realty agency.
#2 Pay careful attention to your
tenancy criteria
This is a very important step
since you are fighting a bunch of other applicants for the unit. Every
individual that would be living in the unit will need to include a copy of
their own application documents (i.e., 3 person unit, 3 application documents).
Also, make sure there are sufficient funds in your bank account to increase
your chances!
source:http://www.tracyyap.com.au/rent/tenancy-application-form/
#3 Pay
your bond immediately if your application is successful
Upon
confirmation of your application, pay your bond right away (amount differs
based on rental fee). Make sure your bond payment is paid to a specific
account, not your agency/landlord’s personal account!
#4
Internet/electricity provider
Select
your internet/electricity provider carefully. Some providers charge extra fees
upon signing up (e.g., installation/registration fees), make sure you choose
the most affordable one by comparing different providers before signing up.
Lastly, remember to read your contract carefully to avoid liquidated damages.
I need more space!
You’re in your most dreaded class, trying
exasperatedly to be engrossed in the words that had been spoken monotonously
through the lips of your teacher. No matter how hard you try, your mind seems
to escape to it’s own wonderland, visualising a future without the constant
nagging of your teachers, parents, grandparents; one without curfews, the
constant freedom to whatever and whenever to your own will.
One day it all comes true. Only, it is far
from what it seems. Your dorm is a crammed mess, with dirty laundry lurking in
every corner and speckles of dust concealing the cupboards. The thought of
responsibility had never occurred to you until you catch sight of the condition
of your room. This is when reality hits you – it’s time to clean and reorganise.
Now, this may seem like a back-aching and
daunting task, but it’s worth it. Plus, it gets you in touch with your
innovative side where you are able to use the bits and pieces that had been
loitering in your room to do so. Might as well make use of the things that you
are not willing or bothered to throw!
_____________________________________________________________________
It gets really frustrating when you’re born
a shopaholic and you do not own the luxurious walk-in closet that you’ve always
dreamt of. Let’s face it – in a dorm room, you’ll never be able to have rows of
individual shoe racks and colour coded garments that are hung exactly five
millimetres apart from each other.
So to
save closet space...
#1 Soda can it!
Ever had soda can tabs that you’re, for
some weird unknown reason, unwilling to throw? Awkward as it is if you don’t
actually have them, here is a heads up – start collecting them! (Now, this is
not to encourage you to drink as many canned drinks as possible) These soda tabs will enable you to create
closet space so you’ll be able to hang as many layers of garments as possible.
Simply hook the hangers through the holes of the soda tabs and voila! More closet space!
Source:http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/180ec74m2z5wsjpg/original.jpg
#2 Use the Alternatives - Chains and
S-hooks!
Same deal as the soda can tabs, hook your
hangers through the loops, there you have it – vertical space!
Source: http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/boston/FLTFUUBFPBKYS4S.MEDIUM.jpg
Don’t deny it, we all hate tangled cables!
No matter how long or short or what the purpose of these cables are, they can
single handedly ruin lives.
So
to organize cables....
#1 Clip them to the edges!
Start getting hold of binder clips and
simply clip them to the edges of your desk. This way, cables will not tangle
nor cross paths with each other!
Source:http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2013/09/03/1226709/907506-a68ec416-143d-11e3-b6c0-49e0e4b36986.jpg
#2 Store your cables in toilet paper tubes!
You can finally make use of those
good-for-nothing toilet
paper tubes and turn them into useful and efficient storage spaces. This method
goes for the bulkier cables that are not often needed. Simply put different
cables in different paper tubes and organise them in the most suited way!
Source:http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2011/10/toiletpaper_mini.jpg
Study desks are not even remotely equivalent
to large meeting tables that are able to withstand important people to discuss
important issues that will determine the lives of citizens.
So
to organise your miniature desks...
#1 Chair Pockets!
Source: http://blu.stb.s-msn.com/i/9A/60A63838D47F4EF82238F5E9972BE5_h400_w300_m2_bblack_q99_p99_cgIhaOmWa.jpg
#2 Your junks!
Fill the empty space underneath your bed with all the unnecessary freebies or bits and pieces of junk that you intend on keeping but do not intend on using. Let’s be honest here, uni students love freebies, no matter what it is or how relevant it is to our lives. But remember to clean that area once in a while if you still have the fear of coming face
to face with monsters underneath your bed.
Source: http://www.slumberslumber.com/prodzoomimg1076.jpg
Monday, October 7, 2013
Ways for you to save your money now!
Ways for you to save your money now!
Being a full-time/part-time uni student can create a lot of financial stress! Money is the barter for everything, from textbooks to buying lunch!!
Here, is short list of some useful ways on how to save your money so you can save it for future use!!
- Don't touch that PLASTIC CARD - If possible try using only cash when making a purchase. If not, use a Debit or Eftpos Card but stay away from the CREDIT CARD!
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| source: http://static.skynews.com.au/elements/img/article/638x359/skynews_905610.jpg |
- Move Savings into the bank to earn INTEREST - Once your income enters your bank. Immediately transfer the "extra" dollars into a nominated savings account! The earlier you transfer your money into a savings account, the more interest can be earned and in the future it'll accumulate to a larger sum of money $$$
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| source: http://www.youngentrepreneurs.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/saving-money.jpg |
- Keep track of your SPENDING - Create an Excel document or note down in a diary/list of all your bills that need to pay. With technology, you can now also download applications that help you manage your savings. i.e. trackmyspending
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| source:http://a3.mzstatic.com/us/r1000/083/Purple2/v4/99/f8/d4/99f8d4e7-4b4b-4aaa-0403-e4345157ebc8/mzl.mllyvkfs.png |
- Compare prices and select the BEST DEAL - Search online or in-store for the lowest deal before making the final purchase. This is especially important when purchasing more expensive items i.e. car or laptop
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| source:http://ebookfriendly.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/price-300x234.jpg |
- Always question yourself whether or not it is a NEED or WANT?! - We are constantly thrown with commercials targeting us to buy their products. But if we can fight them with the questions before buying. It'll help us save money! So make sure you can afford to buy it and if can is the product a need or want?
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| source:http://www.brainpickings.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/needtowant1.gif |
Cheap Pasta Meals
It is cheap, fast, delicious and easy! Pasta is said to be the top university student dinner of choice, and here are 3 recipes that will tingle your taste buds!
#1 Pasta with salmon, lemon and creme fraiche
Source: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02681/salmon_2681518c.jpg
-Splash of olive oil
-One clove garlic, chopped
-100g pasta
-60g smoked salmon
-2 tablespoons creme fraiche
-Squeeze of lemon juice and zest of half a lemon
-Black pepper
1. Heat a pot of boiling salted water and cook pasta
2. Fry garlic with olive oil in a pan until golden
3. Add in creme fraiche, lemon juice and zest, salmon
4. Cook with medium heat until sauce thickens slightly
5. Stir in pasta and top with black pepper
#2 Chicken cheese pasta
-Splash of olive oil
-One serve of cheese (any kind that melts quickly)
-100g pasta
-60g chicken
-One clove garlic, chopped
-Pinch of salt, pepper, chilli powder, cinnamon powder
- Half an onion, and some parsley
1. Heat a pot of boiling salted water and cook pasta
2. Fry garlic with olive oil in a pan until golden
#1 Pasta with salmon, lemon and creme fraiche
-Splash of olive oil
-One clove garlic, chopped
-100g pasta
-60g smoked salmon
-2 tablespoons creme fraiche
-Squeeze of lemon juice and zest of half a lemon
-Black pepper
1. Heat a pot of boiling salted water and cook pasta
2. Fry garlic with olive oil in a pan until golden
3. Add in creme fraiche, lemon juice and zest, salmon
4. Cook with medium heat until sauce thickens slightly
5. Stir in pasta and top with black pepper
#2 Chicken cheese pasta
Source: http://sr-recipe-images.s3.amazonaws.com/main/8fb730d8a45b824c2c3179f4f7fca6c9-chicken.jpg
-Splash of olive oil
-One serve of cheese (any kind that melts quickly)
-100g pasta
-60g chicken
-One clove garlic, chopped
-Pinch of salt, pepper, chilli powder, cinnamon powder
- Half an onion, and some parsley
1. Heat a pot of boiling salted water and cook pasta
2. Fry garlic with olive oil in a pan until golden
3. Add in sliced chicken with salt, pepper, chilli and cinnamon powder
4. Add in sliced onion and parsley
5. Drain the pasta, and quickly add cheese into pasta while hot
6. Mix pasta with chicken, onion and parsley
#3 Sausage and tomato pasta
Souce:http://img4-3.realsimple.timeinc.net/images/food-recipes/recipe-collections/0506/hot-italian-sausage_300.jpg
-Splash of olive oil
-100g pasta
-One clove garlic, chopped
-2 sausages
-Few baby tomatoes, cut in halves
-2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
-Small bunch of basil leaves
-Salt and pepper
1. Heat a pot of boiling salted water and cook pasta
2. Fry garlic with olive oil in a pan until golden
3. Add in cut sausages
4. Add in tomatoes when sausages are nearly cooked
5. Stir in vinegar
6. Mix in pasta and basil leaves, and add salt and pepper
2. Fry garlic with olive oil in a pan until golden
3. Add in cut sausages
4. Add in tomatoes when sausages are nearly cooked
5. Stir in vinegar
6. Mix in pasta and basil leaves, and add salt and pepper
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