Category: Money

TJ Maxx Finds: Handbags and Stationary

I used to think of TJ Maxx as a clothing store with random items for seasonal home decor and furniture. As the years went on, I felt like the style and quality of the clothing was not quite what I was looking for, so I stopped shopping there. Then after randomly popping in one day, I found so many great things, that I now pop in when I need various things.

The best discoveries recently have been handbags, specifically Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs, and stationary items. Here a couple of my most recent finds:

Notebooks
Faux leather spiral notebooks with thick pages that won’t bleed through! ($7)

MK pink bag
Michael Kors pink top handle crossbody studded handbag with gold hardware ($49)
MK black bag
Michael Kors black tote with gold hardware ($69)
Spade note pad
Kate Spade weekly planning pages with sticky notes ($10)
spade note pad 2
Kate Spade weekly planning note pad with sticky notes

I recommend popping into a TJ Maxx when you’re on the search for any of these items. I have also purchased Samsonite luggage, linens, the cutest coffee mugs, and reusable bottles.

What are some great things you’ve found? Let me know so i can be on the look out too!

Planner Update: The START Planner

It’s been a couple of months into the year using the START Planner, and I have to say it has been quite helpful, but also a little distressing.

Here’s how I’ve been using my planner:

  • I write everything I have planned and need to do in black pen. My favorite pen has been the Uniball Signo Micro 207 for a clean streamlined look.
  • Then I go back through and highlight everything accordingly with the Zebra Mild Liners. For example, work items are gray, household and personal tasks are purple, health and exercise are blue, etc.
  • I fill in all the time slots for events that I am certain of the time. For things where I am uncertain of exact time or reminders that don’t need a time, I use the lower portion  with check boxes of the daily lines. Then when the event/meeting occurs, I fill the time slot.

planner pencil

Monthly set-up:

  1. Monthly spread calendar with a notes section
  2. Mini Goals tracker for the month and a detailed Health Check section (includes weight, measurements for chest, arms, waist, hips, thighs and also health mini goals)
  3. Lists and Cards & Gifts
  4. Budget: Income and Expenses
  5. Notes
  6. Weekly spreads with 30 minute increments

The section I find most useful aside from the weekly spread is the budget page. I’ve always wanted to really track how much I spend each month and where I spend it too. At the beginning of the month, I recorded my estimated income and also how much I wanted add to my savings by the end of the month. It has really helped me see just how much I spend because it’s easy to jot down my expenses each day or the next day. Since there is also a yearly budget planner at the very beginning of the planner, I have also set up how much I’d like to save each month to reach my end of year goal.

If you missed out on the yearly START Planner, they are launching the midyear planners today.

I’m really looking forward to meeting my goals this year. What type of planner are you using? Are there any pros and/or cons?

 

 

Laser Eye Surgery

A couple of months ago, I made a semi-rash decision that completely changed my life. I booked an appointment for a consultation for laser eye surgery. It was something that i always thought about in the back of my mind, but never thought I’d go through with. At the end of June, I went to my optometrist and had my annual check up. I’ve beeglassesn wearing glasses and occasionally contacts for about 20 years. Toward the end of my annual check up, I asked my optometrist if I would be a good candidate for laser eye surgery. And she said with my age and nearsightedness i would be a great candidate and also see a huge difference. I’m in my late 20s and my eyes were both at about -6.0 with one eye having a tiny bit of astigmatism as well.

So then about a week later, I booked an appointment at a well known ophthalmologist. Before making my appointment, I made sure to research and find a highly rated and reliable doctor. Although the surgery takes but minutes, I didn’t want to take any chances of ruining my vision.

A couple of days later, I went in for my consultation and was met a very professional staff who addressed all of my questions. By the end of the consultation, I decided to book a date and time for my surgery for the following week, just 7 days away. I was able to do so because I’m almost always wearing glasses, so I didn’t have to wait a certain amount of time. Depending on the type of contacts worn, you have wear only glasses from about 3 days to sometimes 2 weeks so that the shape of your eye goes back to the natural shape.

So I was back 7 days later on a Saturday at about 7:30AM. I definitely chose an early time because I knew that if I had to wait all day or even half a day, I would be sick. (I would like to be honest: the night before the surgery, I did have a slight breakdown from a combination of personal issues and fears that the surgery would not go well.)

The Surgery

Before the surgery, they did apply a couple of different drops, the man one being numbing drops. I was also given the option of taking a relaxant, but chose not to so that I would be completely aware of everything. During the surgery, there were two steps requiring two different laser. The actual name of the procedure is called SBK, Sub-Bowman’s Keratomileusis. It’s the new standard for laser refractive surgery, and just as quick and painless as LASIK, but with less risk.

All that was required of me was to keep my head still and my eyes open. I had to stare at a light and the laser took care of the rest. I was reassured that the slightest movement of my eye would stop the laser and nothing would would happen.

First “the flap” of the cornea was cut, then lifted. I think it was this point where I smelt something like burning hair. I was informed this would happen before hand and not to be alarmed.

Next, the second laser was used to the corrective part of the procedure.

Then the final step was to move “the flap” back into place.

Post Surgery

After the surgery, I was so surprised, that I could see much better than before, but with a little blurriness–like I was underwater to looking through a stained glass. Then for the next 6 hours after surgery, I had to try to keep my eyes closed, but stay awake, wear sunglasses, and use artificial tears every 15 minutes. So I went home, laid down and set a timer on my phone for every 15 minutes. There were also a couple of other drops I used a couple of times throughout the day for the next week. I continued to use the artificial tears throughout the day, a couple of times an hour. The next morning, I went back for my post check up and everything was looking good. I will say that about 1-2 hours after my surgery, the numbing drops started to wear off and my eyes felt very scratchy. The scratchiness extending into the day after surgery (Sunday), but by Monday morning I was back to work.

A couple of things to note:

  • The surgery was very quick!
  • Often times, one eye will heal faster and therefore have better vision, but after a couple of months, everything will be okay
  • I was directed to cover my eyes with protective gear while sleeping at night, just to make sure I didn’t rub and move “the flap”. So because I was extra worried, I continued to use the protective gear for a couple of nights.
  • No make up, moisturizes, creams, or anything should be used on the day of surgery. So because I am paranoid, I didn’t wear any eye makeup the week leading up to the surgery and no makeup the week after surgery. #thankfuliworkfromhome
  • The surgery is really expensive but it lasts for decades. The insurance I have reduced the price by 15 percent, and I made sure to use my HSA funds as well and use non-taxed money from my paycheck, which really made a hug impact.

Let me know if you have any questions:)

New Year! New Planner!

With the start of the new year, I am also starting a new planner I haven’t tried before– the Start Planner. For the past couple of years, I have attempted to bullet journal and document my days in a blank notebook…and it has not been going well. I find myself trying to live up to the beautiful journals I see on YouTube and Instagram and it honestly causes me more stress which is counterproductive to the goal of bullet journalling. I find myself keeping a regular planner, then transferring my day into the bullet journal after. Then, I also practice the set up of the bullet journal in another journal before transferring the layout into my actual bullet journal. It just became too time consuming for me so I just stuck with using a regular bargain planner from TJ Maxx.

Start planner

The Start Planner I’ll be using this year is the Hustle Weekly Planner in Linen. The spread includes a full week on two pages with each day divided into half hour increments starting 5:30AM until 7:00PM. The planner also starts with so many organizational sections that help with goals, financial tracking, cleaning schedules, vacation planning, and so much more.

start planner vacation

The Start Planner comes packaged in a box that can be used as a memento box for the year. Because I pre-ordered the planner back in November, it also came with a pen encased in a sleeve. The current special deal is free shipping on orders over $100, which is really good because I paid $16 shipping for two planners.

Start planner weekly

start planner monthly

I’m so excited to START filling in this beautiful planner. I’ll be adding more reviews throughout the year:)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Bicester Village

After seeing haul after haul of designer and luxury pieces from Bicester village , we wanted to see if the deals were really that great. During our last trip to London, we decided to take a train, about 45 minutes fro London to Bicester to see if we could get any deals.

Transportation: We bought our tickets before even arriving to London to get the rest prices. Getting to the station and getting on the train was no problem. The main problem was actually getting a seat on the train. Every seat was taken so many people had to resort to standing in the aisles for the entirety of the trip.

Arriving to Bicester Village bright and early was a great idea because the shops were just opening and there were no lines or crowds of people. We saw all of the designers stores: Prada, Gucci, Celine, Chloe, Dolce and Gabbana, Burberry, and many others. Although many items were discounted, we did see any deals that were close to the ones we’ve seen on youtube hauls. Some of the items, in Gucci for example, had a reoccurring print/pattern that is not normally sold in their regular stores. Although we did not purchase any super high end designer things, we were able to pick up a few pieces at more affordable places. The stores with deals we loved were Longchamp, LK Bennett, and Jack Wills. For many British or Europeans, theses brands may not seem exciting, but for us, it was pretty exciting to see such great deals. Where we are from, Longchamp and LK Bennett items rarely go on sale. As for Jack Wills, it was an unfamiliar brand and great as gifts.

Bicester 2.jpg

Overall, it was a fun experience, but I suppose our hopes were set a little too high…On the bright side, we did download the Bicester Village app before hand to get a free latte from Cafe Wolseley and it was delicious. The Pret a Manger was huge so we were able to grab some food and rest our feet before heading back on the train.

Tax Free Shopping: UK

One of my favorite things about  the UK is that the price you see on the tag, is the price you pay! Unlike in the states, where tax is added on at the register and depending on the location could be over 10%. So walking through Primark on Oxford Street and seeing super cute Harry Potter sweatshirts for just 5 pounds is amazing!

Since the tax is already included in the price, there are no surprises at checkout, unless there’s an extra discount, in which, case bring on the happy surprises! As foreign travelers, we can get a tax refund, or some places call it tax-free shopping. To do so, just tell your cashier at checkout that you’re shopping tax-free. They will print out a form along with your receipt and ask to see your passport, so make you have it with you. There are certain amounts that you need to spend in order to get a tax refund and the amount is different depending on the store. For example, Jack Wills requires that you spend 50 pounds, while Longchamp required 75 pounds. Some other place are lower and some higher.

Before going to airport, fill out the forms and have them ready when you get to the airport. Depending on your airport of departure, you might just drop off the forms in an office and the check will be mailed back to you later, usually at smaller airports like Stansted.  Or you will need to wait in line to submit your forms and get back cash immediately. Although the dropping forms off is easier, it does take about 3-6 months before you get your money back. At Heathrow, we had to wait in the office, have a couple of our items checked, then got cash immediately.

Things to know:

  • Get to the airport early if you plan on completing a tax refund, the lines can sometimes be long and you don’t want to miss your flight!
  • Don’t check in your luggage before getting tax refund, they may ask to see any item.
  • Purchased items must not be worn or opened, in the case that they check each item.
  • It’ll be faster if one person makes the main purchases so that just one form is needed.