Save money by shopping Dollar General for Back to School & Dorm supplies
On Friday, Malik will be leaving to begin his 3rd year at Bowie State University, so last Saturday he and I did his annual “Back to the Dorm” shopping.
I can still remember his first year at college and how we practically broke the bank buying supplies that he really didn’t need nor want and wasted a lot of money.
Last year we made sure to only purchase items that he absolutely needed or items that we didn’t already have in the linen closet. No more new sheets and towels because we had plenty at home, “strip the bed not your savings”!
Dorm life is not for living in the lap of luxury, therefore, it is not necessary to purchase new dorm sheets, towels and pillow cases every year!
He didn’t need pillows but does need a rug
Our first stop was to Dollar General where he was able to purchase most if not all of his dorm supplies. Dollar General has a large selection of name brand items including Tide, Gain, Dove, Brut and Hanes all at everyday low prices.
Malik worked hard during the summer at Amazon so he understands the value of a dollar, therefore, he was very conscience about his purchases and only put in the cart what he absolutely needed.
However, he couldn’t pass up the automotive supplies even though his car will remain parked at home.
Dollar General carries a large selection of cleaning supplies, health and beauty products, toiletries, storage containers, small appliances, clothing, beverages and snacks.
If you have a son or daughter entering college and have received a list of must needed items, make sure to scrub that list to ensure your student will actually use the items.
Not everyone drinks coffee so pass up on that appliance!
You can save even more money by shopping at a local Dollar General to purchase the most needed items.
Dollar General accepts manufacturer’s’ coupons and they also have online digital coupons, just text JOIN to 34898 to sign up.
Whether you have a college bound student or one that will be entering elementary or high school I am sure Dollar General will have many of the supplies on their list.
Start the year off right by saving on school and dorm supplies at Dollar General.
Tip – purchase Detergent Pods as they are easier to transport to the dorm’s laundry room as opposed to large bottles of detergent and fabric softeners.
DISCLOSURE: This is not a sponsored post – just a tip from a money saving mother #msm
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BTSwithHP #CollectiveBias
Malik, our youngest son will be returning to Bowie State University in a few short weeks to begin his Junior year. This summer he purchased a vehicle which hubby and I helped with, so now our money is funny. Because of this, a new laptop, which he needs was not going to be on the list of back to school college supplies.
Our son began his college career on a “conditional” basis due to low grades in high school, but he worked hard and finished his 2nd year with a 3.00 GPA. Therefore, he is deserving of a new computer and fortunately we found one that he loves and also fit into our budget.
The HP Notebook 15-ay039wm is lightweight at only 4.73 pounds and sized right so it will be easy for him to carry it across campus to class and back to his dorm room or library. With up to a 6 hour battery life it’s also perfect for taking notes in lecture halls, writing reports, and printing class assignments. The DTS Studio Sound will enhance his listening experience for music, watching videos and of course playing games during his down time.
When I received the HP Notebook 15-ay03wm which is also sold new at Walmart, he was super excited and couldn’t wait to take it to his bedroom to check out all the features.
If like us, you also have a son or daughter then you know that they can set up a new computer quick, fast and in a hurry, so I just let him handle that.
He wanted to review the dates and times of dorm check-in so that he could decide on when it would be best to submit his 2-week notice at work.
He also needed to check the dates of the Fall football games as well as his new schedule so that he could mentally prepare for the new semester.
Whether your son or daughter will be an incoming Freshmen or a returning student, Colleges and Universities want to ensure that they are all well prepared. Therefore, it is very important for the students and parents to check the website for important dates and activities a few weeks before the semester begins and definitely before they leave home.
The HP Notebook is empowered to do more with dependable performance. It has the latest Intel processor with plenty of hard drive space, which means he can multitask and store a lot more on it.
The vibrant display and crisp HD screen really makes photos, videos, and web pages pop with awesome detail. The HP Notebook 15-ay039wm has measurable quality with outstanding performance backed by over 200 tests and best of all it’s operating system is Windows 10 Home and it comes with one year of free cloud storage!
Unfortunately, my current laptop is also on it’s last legs and needs to be replaced so I took advantage of Malik being at work to use it to write a few blog posts.
I really loved the high quality HD display and advanced HDD Storage.
The HP Notebook 15-ay03wm can be purchased at your local Walmart at a price that is right for most budgets. You can tackle all your daily tasks with an affordable laptop that comes packed with the features you need.
If you like your HP computer as much as Malik and I do, head over to Walmart and let them know!
I would also like to share these 10 tips for college freshmen leaving home for the first time from an article at USA Today.
KEEP AN OPEN MIND… DON’T BE QUICK TO JUDGE
DON’T OVERPACK
ATTEND WELCOME EVENTS
GO TO THE INVOLVEMENT FAIR
LET YOUR PARENTS HELP YOU
DON’T FORGET WHERE YOU CAME FROM
CALL HOME
WORK HARD
GPA ISN’T EVERYTHING
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP
I wish you all a very successful school year! Be Safe!!!
In a few week’s Malik’s bags will be packed as he prepares for his return trip back to Bowie State Universityto begin his Junior year. While he was home we had a chance to talk about a lot of things including his father’s health and how to remain safe on campus and on the road.
This summer he again worked at Amazon and was able to make and save money for those “extradentials” . As parents of young adults it is very important to discuss their finances before they head back to campus.
You may remember that I previously posted this article by Michelle Singletary which helps parents “have the financial talk” with their students, but I wanted to repost it as a reminder.
In a week or two, thousands of young adults will be heading to college for the first time and they’ll be faced with a lot of financial choices. I wonder how prepared they will be. It’s not enough to hope they will be ready to handle their money. As the good book says, “faith without works is dead.” Good money managers aren’t born; they’re trained.
So, as your college freshman is packing up, there’s one piece of luggage that needs to have all the right stuff: the financial suitcase. Here’s what should be inside:
• The right debit card. Before heading off to school, make sure your child has a debit card that will work well at his or her college location. That might mean opening an account with a different bank or credit union that has ATMs on or near campus to avoid an out-of-network fee. Double-check that you can easily and quickly transfer money into the account without incurring fees. For this reason, you may also want to get an account at the same financial institution.
• Mobile bank alerts. If your freshman hasn’t done this already, he or she should set up alerts connected to the debit card. Alerts can be customized to report deposits, withdrawals and bill-due dates. Cardholders can also be notified when the account balance is getting low, which in turn will help avoid overdraft charges and other fees. Just be mindful of alerts received as text messages, which may incur fees from a mobile provider.
• Box of envelopes: Budgeting may not be easy at first. If you know your child is challenged in this department, try the envelope money-management system. Envelopes should be labeled the following way for the four major spending categories: eating out, clothes, entertainment and transportation. Every week, two weeks or month, depending on how your child receives income or spending money, put budgeted cash for each category into the envelopes. When the money is gone from one, there’s no more spending on that category.
• Commitment to save and not just spend. Yes, even students on a tight budget should save. If your student is getting a stipend or spending money from you or a job, encourage him or her to start the habit of saving something — anything — from the funds they receive not allocated for tuition, room, board and books. Suggest a “Life Happens” fund, which is different from an emergency fund. Money in this account can be used for pizza, parties, clothes, spring-break trips, concerts, etc. But when the money is taken out, your student should have a plan to replenish it.
Here are some things that students should not take to college
• Credit card: I know you’ve heard that it’s important for your child to establish credit. But it’s not time for that yet. As your student gets closer to graduation and needs to build credit to get an apartment or car loan, he or she can open a credit card account. But for now, as a freshman, consider credit an unnecessary luxury. Besides, debit cards with either the MasterCard or Visa logo can be used for almost any purchase. My daughter is a junior in college and she hasn’t had a need for a credit card.
• Expectation to spend excess student-loan money: Talk to your child about not accepting a student-loan refund, which is money in excess of the cost of attendance. If there is money left over, he or she may get a refund check. This is not free money. It’s a loan with interest that must be paid back.
• Entitlement mentality: Leave at home the attitude of having to experience everything. Going on that spring-break trip may not be feasible, especially if your child has student loans.
As your freshman is going over the checklist of things for college, make sure his or her financial suitcase is stuffed with tools and strategies that will help to avoid any money missteps.
Order your Hutson ID Visor today!
Have you had “the financial talk” with your college student?
This post was inspired and sponsored by Domain.ME, the provider of the personal URLs that end in .ME. As a company, they aim to promote thought leadership to the tech world. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“Don’t Do Anything That I Wouldn’t Do!”
Did your parents ever say that to you when you were growing up just before heading out the door? My grandmother may have said it to me once or twice, but I’ve never had to say it to my sons, however, I did text them, “don’t post anything online that you wouldn’t want me to see!”
It’s a different world with a social media dominance of texting, liking, pinning and posting being an everyday occurrence. But what happens if a young adult posts something today that is deemed inappropriate later only to have it come back to haunt them when they are looking for a job?
As a parent of 2 sons in college, I feel that it’s my duty to help them navigate the digital world just as I did when they were toddlers navigating the real world. I have talked to them about the importance of keeping a good online image because potential employers will definitely be checking their digital footprints.
Malik worked a few weeks at Amazon during his summer break which gave him a little taste of what it’s like to have a job as well as the satisfaction of bringing home a paycheck. However, as a Business major at Bowie State University he also understands the importance of having more than just a resume when it comes time to seek a career after graduation. Having a personal website now will give him control of his online image into the future.
Domain.ME is a domain name provider. You can register a .ME domain from any number of registrars, which will help you create a unique identity online with a URL ending in .ME.
A survey conducted in the US between June 11th and July 9th by Domain.ME of over 300 HR professionals clearly showed that the likelihood of job offers is greater if the college graduate had a website.
These findings were interesting to say the least because we all know that most employers Google potential candidates, especially recent college grads just entering the workforce.
Domain.ME published an ebook which contains all the data from the study, which you can read here, but these 3 facts really caught my attention.
67% of HR professionals survey claimed that a personal website provides more insight than a resume alone.
Over the next five years, the recruitment process is going to be more reliant on online content and information than ever.
60% think that a personal website make a positive, professional impression.
Now, I don’t expect Malik to run out and start his own blog like me, but as his mother who is a blogger I will emphasis the importance of personal branding and how it can affect his future job searches. I want to educate him on ways in which he can stand out from the rest of the crowd. It would be wonderful if upon graduation a recruiter offered him a job right on the spot, but that may not happen even if he’s wearing a #HireMe tee!
As parents we want our children to become successful adults as they transition into the professional world, and with options like .ME domains, creating a memorable domain name to go with your website will help to make that transition easier.
You can download the FREE ebook to learn more about the study by clicking here.
Have you had the “don’t digitally do” talk with your young adult yet?
Disclosure: The Renuzit brand provided me with samples of Renuzit Sensitive Scents in exchange for an honest product review. All opinions are however, 100% my own.
Last weekend I was able to enjoy one of my few unscheduled Saturdays so I took full advantage of it and decided to get a jump start on a little Spring Cleaning.
With the sun’s rays shining through the windows it was obvious that the dust bunnies had multiplied over the winter!
As you know, I have two sons, Malik, who is away at school at Bowie State University and Tayair is home attending the CLSC Program at the University of Delaware.
I had recently received these Renuzit products from Social Insiders so I was anxious to try them out and their bedrooms were the perfect place to begin. When Malik is away his bed is striped of it’s sheets and coverings so I started by spraying his mattress pad and pillows with the Renuzit Trigger Spray.
The Pure White Pear & Lavender scent was light and not overpowering which is great because both of my sons have seasonal allergies. If you watch the video below you will also see that I used the Trigger Spray in Tayair’s room, closet and on his sneakers.
I used the Pure Ocean Breeze Plug-In in Tayair’s room since it needs a bit more of a constant freshening and those of you who have teen age sons or young male adults know what I mean. The Pure Ocean Breeze scent was light and airy and after a few hours it made the whole room smell refreshed.
I was going to leave the Renuzit Sensitive Scent Gel Freshener in Malik’s room but once I took a whiff of the Pure Water Blossom & Cucumber scent, I immediately took it to my bedroom – it was heavenly! I will have to buy another one for Malik’s room before he gets home.
Having used Renuzit products in the past I was familiar with them, however, these new Sensitive Scents are much better and the Plug In Refills are universal so that they fit in any Glade or Air Wick warming unit, which saves you money if you have them already.
And speaking of saving money, I am conducting a Rafflecopter Giveway and will be giving away these 3 Coupons for a FREE Renuzit Sensitive Scents product. You can enter the contest below and make sure to leave a comment as to what your favorite Spring Scent is – good luck!
Drawing is open to USA residents only and will end on Sunday, March 13th.
If you have a son or daughter who is a new or relatively new driver and you’re in the market for a safe vehicle, let me tell you about my experience with a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
Thank you Drive Shop for giving me an opportunity to test drive this vehicle and it was timed perfectly for me to review during my son’s winter break home from Bowie State University. However, before I list the specs and a few details on this vehicle, let me first give you an honest impression of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sportfrom a mother’s point of view.
Our youngest son is currently a sophomore in college who has been driving since he was a sophomore in High School, however, in just those few short years, he’s gotten a speeding ticket and has had two accidents, the last one not his fault but it did total his car.
As a family we agreed to wait before purchasing a replacement as this would allow him to save more money but when he comes home this summer that time will come. He and hubby have been bonding over the search of a new car sending each other text messages whenever they find something each of them like.
A week with the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has allowed me to put in my 2 cents when it comes to making a decision and I think it would be a perfect replacement for him. I found the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport to be a safe and sturdy vehicle with plenty of storage space for grocery shopping or returning to college with ample room for a Foot Locker, suitcase, dorm supplies, food and of course loads of laundry!
There are just enough bells and whistles but not too many to become a distraction to a new or inexperienced driver. With an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers including a large one in the rear it will give him enough sound making it unnecessary to put a stereo speaker in the trunk…yes, he has done that!
Large Speaker in the Rear
There’s a full size spare and not a donut; roomy enough for transporting a parent in the front seat and back but not too roomy which will keep the passenger count low; a full Panoramic Sunroof with LED Illumination and a front seat that fully reclines for sun or star gazing…as if!
Panoramic Sunroof with LED Illumination
The 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport would be a great vehicle for college bound students going back and forth to campus whether they are driving in the sun, rain or even in the snow as seen below.
These are just a few features of this vehicle, check out the video below to see more and also check out their website:
2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
**** Government Safety Rating
10 yr/100,000 mile limited warranty
27 MPG (24 city/30 highway)
Electric Power Steering
All Wheel Control
Drive Mode Selector (2WD/4WD Auto/4WD Lock)
5 Passenger Seating
Tire Pressure Monitoring system
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Hill Start Assist
12 Volt accessories outlets
Rear view camera assist – wasn’t the best view so make sure to check your surroundings
Heated side view mirrors
Optional Equipment (MRSP $29,945)
Navigation System with High Definition Touch Screen
Leather Seating Surfaces
Premium Sound System
Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror
Power Driver Seat
Panoramic Glass Roof with LED Illumination
Black Roof Rails
Not only would a millennial enjoy this vehicle but it also made for a great ride for hubby and I during our latest “RoadTrip to Retirement”
Check out this video then come back and tell me what you think about the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
If you have a new driver looking for something sporty but you’re looking for something safe, check out the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE as I think you will both agree that it’s a great vehicle.
By the way, our son is celebrating his 20th birthday today!
This year our Turkey Day was low key, but that’s exactly how we needed it to be. Hubby has two more Chemo treatments, the last one will be 12/23 and we are looking forward to entering 2016 Cancer FREE!
Malik arrived home from Bowie State University on Saturday evening. Thankfully, his aunt drove him home so I didn’t need to make that trip down and it was wonderful to see him when I got home. I couldn’t believe how much my ‘baby’ had grown since August…just look at those “guns”
no words…
It was a leisurely Turkey Day which started by watching the Macy’s Day Parade, cooking the Jennie-O Turkey which was delicious and then relaxing with Tayair while he and his father watched football and the Eagles lost again!
This is a great turkey!
Philadelphia Eagles lost again!
I am not one who ventures out on Black Friday, so no bargains were had for us, instead we all watched movies together in the family room and munched on Thanksgiving dinner leftovers. It was a lazy two days!
selfie with the sons
Saturday the mini men and I headed to a matinee at Westown Movies to see “Creed” and it was definitely a good movie. I loved the storyline, the actors but best of all, hanging with my sons.
The last movie we saw together was Polar Express and the last time I was at Westown was to cover their Grand Opening, remember this post?
Our neighbor, Kyla works at the theatre and she was glad to see the guys as they are now all at different colleges.
they all grew up together
Creed at Westown Movies in Middletown
After the movie we went to Ruby Tuesday for dinner and had a great meal, the Apple Cider Spritzer was very refreshing, I actually drank two glasses!
I ordered the Asiago Sirloin and Fried Shrimp, something that I haven’t done in over a decade. I don’t normally eat red meat and never fried shrimp, but it was the holiday so I splurged a little and it was worth it!
Tayair’s meal was plated better than mine so I took a picture of his.
We popped over to Walmart, Marshalls and Kohl’s before heading home for the evening. Walmart had several of their Statement necklaces on clearance for $2.00 and a few Frank’s Red Hot sauce gift ideas on display as well as over at Kohl’s.
Frank’s RedHot Gift Set
Frank’s RedHot Recipe Book
It was definitely a great Saturday night to be out and about hanging with my mini men.
What I wore to the movies
It’s tough getting both of them together to pose with me, but hubby and I were able to capture a few shots before I drove Malik back to school and the very last one he “allowed” me to take was when I dropped him off on campus.
a soda and a smile made my day
me and my mini men
my sons, the loves of my life
see ya later son!
Well that was my Weekend Wrap Up, how was your Thanksgiving Holiday?
Malik’s bags are all packed and he is ready for his return trip back to Bowie State Universityto start his Sophomore year. While he was home we had a chance to talk about a lot of things including his father’s cancer treatments and how to remain safe on campus.
This summer he also worked at Amazon and was able to make and save a few dollars for those “extradentials” so it was very important that we discussed his finances. I recently read this article by Michelle Singletary which helps parents “have the talk” with their college freshmen.
In a week or two, thousands of young adults will be heading to college for the first time and they’ll be faced with a lot of financial choices. I wonder how prepared they will be. It’s not enough to hope they will be ready to handle their money. As the good book says, “faith without works is dead.” Good money managers aren’t born; they’re trained.
So, as your college freshman is packing up, there’s one piece of luggage that needs to have all the right stuff: the financial suitcase. Here’s what should be inside:
• The right debit card. Before heading off to school, make sure your child has a debit card that will work well at his or her college location. That might mean opening an account with a different bank or credit union that has ATMs on or near campus to avoid an out-of-network fee. Double-check that you can easily and quickly transfer money into the account without incurring fees. For this reason, you may also want to get an account at the same financial institution.
• Mobile bank alerts. If your freshman hasn’t done this already, he or she should set up alerts connected to the debit card. Alerts can be customized to report deposits, withdrawals and bill-due dates. Cardholders can also be notified when the account balance is getting low, which in turn will help avoid overdraft charges and other fees. Just be mindful of alerts received as text messages, which may incur fees from a mobile provider.
• Box of envelopes: Budgeting may not be easy at first. If you know your child is challenged in this department, try the envelope money-management system. Envelopes should be labeled the following way for the four major spending categories: eating out, clothes, entertainment and transportation. Every week, two weeks or month, depending on how your child receives income or spending money, put budgeted cash for each category into the envelopes. When the money is gone from one, there’s no more spending on that category.
• Commitment to save and not just spend. Yes, even students on a tight budget should save. If your student is getting a stipend or spending money from you or a job, encourage him or her to start the habit of saving something — anything — from the funds they receive not allocated for tuition, room, board and books. Suggest a “Life Happens” fund, which is different from an emergency fund. Money in this account can be used for pizza, parties, clothes, spring-break trips, concerts, etc. But when the money is taken out, your student should have a plan to replenish it.
Here are some things that students should not take to college:
• Credit card: I know you’ve heard that it’s important for your child to establish credit. But it’s not time for that yet. As your student gets closer to graduation and needs to build credit to get an apartment or car loan, he or she can open a credit card account. But for now, as a freshman, consider credit an unnecessary luxury. Besides, debit cards with either the MasterCard or Visa logo can be used for almost any purchase. My daughter is a junior in college and she hasn’t had a need for a credit card.
• Expectation to spend excess student-loan money: Talk to your child about not accepting a student-loan refund, which is money in excess of the cost of attendance. If there is money left over, he or she may get a refund check. This is not free money. It’s a loan with interest that must be paid back.
• Entitlement mentality: Leave at home the attitude of having to experience everything. Going on that spring-break trip may not be feasible, especially if your child has student loans.
As your freshman is going over the checklist of things for college, make sure his or her financial suitcase is stuffed with tools and strategies that will help to avoid any money missteps.
Chime in: Did you have “the financial talk” with your college student?
Our life long dream…work for about 30 years, pay off the mortgage, get the kids through college then retire and start enjoying life traveling around the world.
Not once were the words “you have cancer” part of thatdream. Oh, it’s a phrase and a harsh reality that I’ve heard too many times from too many family members, however, I never thought I would be hearing it about my own spouse.
Approximately 2 months after hubby signed his retirement papers, he was diagnosed with small intestinal cancer, the surgery and recovery came and went before his official retirement date of July 1.
Now with a new reality mixed in with that dream, we are on a mission to downsize our home, and move into a no-shoveling or lawn/pool maintenance 55+ community so let the ride begin!
You are cordially invited to tag along, so hop in, buckle up and let’s get started on these Road Trips to Retirement…you never know, we just might become neighbors!
As a Boomer who Blogs with a Millennial Mind, it only seemed natural to not only blog about but to also vlog about our adventures in finding a new home in a 55+ community. We want to begin this journey in the state of Delaware for several reasons. First of all, I am not 55, so my retirement date is still a few years off and secondly our oldest son, who is intellectually disabled may be living with us for several more years. He loves his school, job and the benefits he receives in Delaware which are probably much better than those in other states.
Our youngest, currently a sophomore at Bowie State University is loving school and doing well, but I can see him returning home after graduation just long enough to save up enough to have a good financial foundation before he starts on his life’s journey.
Last Saturday hubby and I drove to New York to attend a graduation party for my best friend’s daughter. Prior to returning the rental car, we decided to take a Sunday cruise and check out the new 55+ community by Blenheim Homes, The Ponds at Bayberry, so this is where our adventure begins.
We toured several of the homes, 3 were fully staged and 2 were Quick Delivery models. This particular model, The Loren had an awesome layout, unfortunately it was also a two story and we are avoiding steps all all costs, however, Tayair would love it #Eagle’s Territory!
Now I want you to take a quick video tour of The Cooper, The Loren and The Tracey models then leave me a comment below as to which one you liked the best.
Wait until you see which one I chose…I could actually see myself sipping Sangrias in the Sunroom!
The Ponds at Bayberry is a 55 and Better Active Adult Community centrally located for travel and shopping in an exclusive country setting, offering 389 single family detached ranch homes with a variety of social and community amenities. Tree line streets, walking trails and shortened neighborhood blocks. We are looking forward to coming back for a visit once the Resort like amenities are built.
before we begin this week’s contest please hand me a tissue and then let’s do a group hug…because today is the day that my little birdie leaves the nest!
Yes, we are enroute to Bowie State University where he will be living for the next 4 years, and hopefully only 4! Where did the time go? I still remember his first day of school like it was just yesterday!
Oh well, on the flip side, it’s one less mouth to feed and another closet to store my shoes…speaking of which – welcome to Week 19 of “You Choose the Shoes“.
Thank you all for voting last week, but I had a feeling that the Montego Bay slides were not going to win – they were just a bit too busy. So congratulations to “Lady in Red“.
This weeks contenders are very similar in style and you will be choosing between shoes with a bow and a pair without a bow.
If memory serves me well these wedges, one pair Dollhouse and the other Bamboo were purchased at either Ross or Rugged Wearhouse. Today with them I am wearing a tie dye maxi skirt from Marshalls and a thrifted top and belt from Goodwill.
The no-bow pair, has juke rope around the bottom and are very comfortable.
The straps are adjustable and the color is neutral enough to be worn with many outfits.
The ‘bow‘ pair are also very comfortable, faux suede and neutral in color, however, the straps are not adjustable.
Okay, have you made a decision? Will it be the “bow” pair
