Weekly Tip : Cheap Packing Tips

Hi Everyone!  First off I want to say sorry that my first video for the University Series isn't up (you can read more about the series here).  I've had a tone of trouble with my computer lately and wasn't able to get the first video up for today.  However to make up for it, I will be posting the first and second video up this Thursday so be sure to keep a look out for those two!  I will also be doing in depth blog posts here about each of the videos.
Now on to today's post.  Since I am doing the University Series, I wanted to say on a similar topic for this post, I'll be talking about how to pack on a budget!

Things You'll Need for Packing 
Boxes
Tape
Packing Paper
Markers

How to Save Money 
Boxes - for your boxes, don't go out and buy brand new boxes from a packing store as they'll be over priced.  Instead go to your local McDonald's, Walmart of Grocery Store and pick up some boxes there. They are always happy to give away boxes they aren't using as they would have gone into the garbage.  Tip : Make sure to check the boxes before you take them for rips or grime on them.

Tape - Head to your local Walmart and pick up some clear packing tape for a good price.  Tip : Get tape that includes a handle with a sharp edge, this will come in handy when you need to cut the tape.

Packing Paper - If you want your can go and pick up some brown packing paper from a moving company, or you could simply use old newspaper.  It does the same job and it doesn't cost you a cent! Tip : Make sure to wash any dishes you've wrapped as newspaper will leave some ink on your dishes.

Markers - These come in handy when labelling your boxes, and you can pick them up at Walmart or even the Dollar Store.  Tip : Make sure to get a black marker as it will be easier to read when you're unpacking.

Do any of you have good tips for packing on a budget?  Happy packing!
-xx Sally

How We Shopped for Our Apartment

If you have been following our blog, you'll know that my boyfriend and I are moving in together in September.  You can read my announcement about it here.  Because we're getting a place together we were able to spend a bit more money on things, than I would be able to if I were living alone.  Today I wanted to do a quick post on how we shopped for our place, because this is a big part of my life right now. Hopefully some of you will find this helpful if you are planning on getting your own place in the near future.

Step One : Establish a budget.  This is the most important part about shopping.  We sat down together and figured out what each of us could put into the budget, and how much we were willing to spend on buying new things. We also have a folder which holds all of our receipts, our list of things to get and our budget to date page.

Step Two : Figuring out what you need to get.  I made a HUGE list, room by room, of everything we could need.  We then went through the list and started checking things off that we already had (I had an apartment last year while I was at school so I had a lot of cooking things already) and things our family was going to give us.

Step Three : Figuring out what style we wanted to get.  We decided to go for simple and classic things. Things that we know we can use for years, and the basics.  We wanted to get the basic items first and then collect more things as we have more money.

Step Four : Buying!  This for me is my favourite part!  If you're moving in with someone, wether it be a friend or your partner, it's important to do this together.  You want to buy things that both of you will like, because both you have to live with it!

I hope that you guys find this interesting.  I know I really enjoy writing about this because it's such a huge part of my life right now.  Let me know if you'd like more post like this!
-xx Sally