Nice Things Fund! | DIY

I love money and I love DIY projects so combining the two was right up my street! I made myself a savings jar to hold loose change as well as 10% of each of my paycheques. By the end of the summer I'm sure the cash will add up and I will be able to treat myself to some nice things!

 Today I wanted to share how I made this adorable money jar- what I used and the steps I took to make the final product. 

For supplies, I used:

- A Mason Jar

- Acrylic Paint (colour of your choice)

- Paint Brushes

- Painting Sponge

- Ruler

- Pencil

- Lace Applique

- Clear Crafting Glue

- Card Stock

- Hot Glue

- Scissors

- Letter Stickers

- Any other little decor items you wish!

The process I used to complete this project was relatively straight forward:

1. Wash and dry Mason jar. Make sure it's bone dry!

2. Paint jar how you like it. I painted my jar completely white. I had to do two coats and then I let it dry for about three hours before painting the lace detailing in the coral colour. I also painted the lid ring coral!

3. Let the paint dry for 24 hours

4. Cut a circle out of card stock to top the jar. Remember to make a slit opening in the top so you can drop in your money!

5. Place the letter stickers (if you want) on the jar

6. Cover the entire jar with the clear crafting glue. I used Martha Stewart's decoupage glue. I ended up doing two coats of this just to make sure everything was sealed well

7. Hot glue the card stock circle into the top of the lid and screw onto jar 

8. Add any little decorative items you wish

9. Let the crafting glue dry for at least 12 hours. I left mine for 24 hours

10. Fill with cash & treat yourself!!

I absolutely love this little jar! I find that adding 10% of each paycheque adds up so quickly! It's nice to put the money in this jar and just sort of forget it's there. I'm someone who sees extra money in the bank and spends it on silly little things. This jar keeps the money out of sight and therefore out of mind which helps me to save!

If you make a money jar let me know! Send me pictures!!

If you have any money savings tips do let me know- I need them haha!

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Thanks for reading & check back again to see what KatieDidd, xo

How to NOT Be a 'Broke College Kid' | Top 5 Tips

1. Ditch the Dryer - Hang your clothes to dry
Two dollars doesn't seem expensive but when you have to pay that for each load for the washer AND the dryer, that's a huge expense! I know personally, my semesters are 15 weeks each- so 30 weeks of school. Let's just say you do one load of laundry every two weeks; that's at least $60 spent on laundry! Why not instead, buy a clothes drying rack to keep in your room? I bought this one for $15 at Wal-Mart. I do pay for the washer obviously, but this saves me two dollars per load of laundry which means it paid for itself in 8 loads. Can't complain about that!

2. Frequent Flyers & Shop Sales! 
Groceries can get expensive! It seems that no amount of grocery store trips with my mom could prepare me for just how much I would have to spend on groceries. Plus there's those random things you need to buy as an adult that you never really considered (like toilet paper, and batteries, and light bulbs). Save.ca has been super helpful for finding sales near me. You put in your postal code and it delivers the flyers to your email for stores that are near you. Another tip I've learned is to buy in bulk. For things that are freezable (like cheese, veggies etc) or that have extended expiration dates (pasta, canned goods, snacks etc) buying a whack when it's on sale can really save you a pretty penny in the long run! 

3. Free Fun is Still Fun - Find free/cheap events to go to
I think the social aspect of college is definitely the biggest expense that is totally avoidable. Don't be a hermit by any means, but finding cheap or free events to go to can help you save a boat load of cash. Most colleges/universities will have entertainment at a discount or free social events (that aren't as lame as you think they are- think sports games and dirty bingo). Just recently my college had Jus Reign come and tickets were only ten bucks! It was a great night. As a photography student, we love to fool around and take pictures for fun to blow off some steam. For a night out, pre-drink so you only need to spend money on one or two drinks at the bar, it can save you quite a bit of money!

4. Apply for bursaries
There is so much money that colleges and universities have set aside specifically to give to students and yet so many go unclaimed because not enough people apply. Guys, it's literally free money that you don't have to pay back! When the time comes, fill out the bursary application because the worst that could happen is you don't qualify for any. On the other hand, you could get free money. Anything from $50 to $5000 is just extra cash in the bank!

5. Skip Starbucks
This is the big one guys...Starbucks is expensive. Even Tim Hortons is expensive. One coffee everyday, you're looking at over $100 per semester (and that's a conservative estimate). I don't have the time to brew coffee and I don't have the desire to spend a crap ton on a coffee maker when I know I'd probably want to upgrade when I get a more permanent place with a more permanent living partner. Instant coffee has become a great love of mine. Don't squish up your nose! It's actually not bad whatsoever- Folgers makes a really great instant coffee. Save your pennies for the more important things guys- like maybe rent haha. 

I hope these top five tips help some of you out! College is expensive and funds- especially this time of year- are running out quickly. Be smart and responsible with your money. Do you have any tips that help to save money? Please do let me know in a comment!

Thanks for reading & check back to see what KatieDidd, xo