I know I said a few weeks back that I was originally going to do a favorite apps post but decided to just tell you all about my favorite app ever, Slice?

Well, I realized that I definitely do have some apps that I adore and they needed to be shared. I usually keep my apps to a minimum because the storage on my phone is horrible, but lately, I just don't care.

I go through phases with apps where I'll delete them and then redownload a few weeks later but these have been constant. I use these apps on a daily basis and I will always have them on my phone.



1. HeadSpace: I've tried other meditating apps before but HeadSpace is the only one I've ever stuck with. A few weeks ago I felt like I needed something, but I didn't know what that something was. Then I read an article about mediating and anxiety and they mentioned this app. I've definitely seen this app around in other articles and blog posts but never bothered to download it. Finally I took the plunge and I really love it. I use it on the train before work and you just listen to the instructions, and each day is a different level of meditation. It's only 10 minutes so even the busiest of people can make time for it, and I think it does make a difference in how I feel the rest of the day.




2. Elite Daily: I have always loved Elite Daily and reading their featured articles have always been part of my daily routine. That's why when I found out they were releasing an app, I immediately downloaded it and I knew my mornings were going to get better. I love scrolling through the app and reading everything -- it just makes life easier to have Elite Daily all in one place on my phone.



3. GetPocket: This is by far, my favorite app in the history of the universe. GetPoccket is an app that you download onto your device, and can also install the GetPocket button on your browser. It stores articles that you want to read later when you press the pocket button, and then you can access all the articles on the website. You can also link GetPocket to your phone so that when you're on Twitter, you can click the link, and it'll give you the option to save it to Pocket. I am always on my phone and this is a saving grace for me because there are always articles I want to read but may not have the time or won't be in the mood. I am addicted to this and I don't know how I functioned before it.



4. Refinery29: Another news app -- sorry! Refinery29 is probably my favorite "news" website because they have everything and more. Politics, fashion, beauty, health, wellness-- EVERYTHING. I would love if they had an app similar to Elite Daily but the one I'm talking about is the next best thing. Refinery29 puts out a "newsletter" type of article every morning called "This A.M" where they give you the most popular, must know stories of the day. Well, they put this into an app and I immediately downloaded it. I read it on the train in the morning and it gives me a rundown of the things going on in super, quick tidbits.




I won't get in depth about this app but Mint, which I've done a whole post on, is still one of my favorites.

If there are any apps you think I need in my life, PLEASE let me know! And I want to know, what are your favorite apps?

I always get sad at the beginning of December because my favorite season is on its way out. I feel like once December 26th comes, I have nothing to look forward too. My birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are gone and it's one step closer to Spring. UGH

But November was a good month and I think it went at a decent speed. Thanksgiving was great and my birthday yesterday was really good, it felt like my birthday for the first time in a few years.

The one thing I failed at this month? No Buy November. I not only failed but I failed miserably. The Black Friday & Cyber Monday deals got to me and I just went insane. December will be different. It has to be. I am overwhelmed with my belongings and I'm starting to get nervous with my finances.

So No Buy December (aside from two more Christmas gifts) is going to be a thing. I am sticking to it this time.



November was good, December will be better. I'm ready for 2016 as well.

November was also filled with lots of amazing products and services that I couldn't stop using.



1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Self Made Palette: I love that none of Anastasia's eyeshadow palettes are permanent and every few months we get a new one to lust over. I've been waiting for the right palette to splurge on, espeically because all of her palettes are under $40 and the moment I saw the Self Made Palette, I knew I needed it. I went to the Sephora near work the day after seeing it and grabbed the last one off the shelf. I was in an eyeshadow funk before buying this but this restored my faith in eyeshadow. I wear eyeshadow every day now and have really gotten comfortable doing different looks that are outside my comfort zone. The shadows are super pigmented, buttery, soft and smooth. If the colors are colors I like, I will for sure be buying her palettes in the future!

2. Lilly Pulitizer Agenda: I spoke about this earlier in the month and I traded in my ban.do planner for my beloved Lilly one. Since getting my planner, I've felt totally more like myself. I plan accordingly, I get a lot more work done, and I just feel more organized. The print is so 'my print' and I've fallen totally back in love with Lilly Pulitzer.




3. Becca Champagne Glow Palette: Another palette, but how could I resist? I Instagrammed this palette when I got it in the mail and honestly, I haven't stopped using it. I was also in a little bit of a highlighter rut but this changed everything. I already knew I loved Champagne Pop by Jaclyn Hill but having Pearl & Blushed Copper is such a nice little package deal. I like to mix Champagne Pop & Pearl together (Pearl is the white highlight) and I use Blushed Copper as a sparkly blush; it adds the perfect amount of sheen and glimmer to your cheeks. This is also such a great travel palette! (The palette isn't available anymore but you can still get Champagne Pop here)

4. Poshmark: I talked about this handy little app two years ago but I just rediscovered it and I'm addicted. I love the thrill of selling items and getting paid for virtually doing nothing. I decided to start selling my old, unused items because I was feeling so cluttered. I now feel so much better knowing I'm slowly getting rid of stuff! I really need to look through my draws and closets to find some more things to sell but I'm doing good!

5. Mint: I won't go into too much detail since I did an entire post on this app this month but my goodness, it's changing the way I think about money... even though I did fail at No Buy November!

I'm sure there were other items I loved this month but these were by far my favorites!

What were your favorites this month? Happy December everyone!

Please do not judge all my spending habits/credit card debt/etc :) 

If you read yesterday's post, you'll know that I'm starting to save up some money and stop spending so much on frivolous items. We're on day 4 and so far, so good!

I've always had problems saving money, actually putting money away for a rainy day. Whenever I have a dollar in my pocket, I spend it. I've been like that my entire life but as I've gotten older, I've of course learned the importance of savings.

Also, as I've gotten older, I've learned about the dread of bills and student loans. Because of all the things I need to pay monthly, I knew I needed to get on track. I'm of course a big organizer and planner and I like knowing what is going to happen before it does.

I knew I needed a neat and organized way to know how much money I was spending on a daily basis as well as what bills were upcoming. I've done pretty good so far with just a physical planner and my bank account app on my iPhone but I knew there were different ways.

I wanted to get good at budgeting and keeping a budget and being a responsible adult. I discovered Mint a year or two ago but I wasn't mature enough or smart enough or ready to use it. I started using it at the end of September and I think it's really helped.



Mint is a website/app that helps with budgeting, paying bills, your credit score, property investments, etc. Basically what I do is I have budgets created for all the things I spend my money on each month. I have all the budgets set a little above what my actual budget is just so I don't go over too many times.

These are the budgets I have laid out:



Bills & Utilities: $350
Shopping: $300
Public: $130
Food & Dining: $100
Coffe Shops: $60
Misc: $100

I have Mint hooked up to all my bank accounts (checking & savings), my student loan accounts, and my credit cards. It takes all of these into account and every time I make a charge, it categorizes the charge into the appropriate budget.

It does everything automatically which is half the battle.



The other part of Mint I really love? Bill reminders and alerts. Every time I have a bill coming up, Mint lets me know that it's approaching; and every time I'm charged something a little extra (like credit card interest), it alerts me of that too.



Mint also provides your credit score which is super handy for keeping things on track and it provides you with ways to help save. Mint has a lot of information in every nook and cranny--so much that it's overwhelming. I definitely don't use all the resources that Mint provides, just the basic uses. As I get older, as I make more money, I'm sure I will start to use everything else Mint has to offer.

A very convenient part of Mint is the iPhone app that they have. It's set up just like the website but in the palm of your hand.

That is a brief overview of Mint but if you want anything more in depth or have any questions, ask away and I'll be happy to answer!

Do you like these types of posts? Non beauty, more adulthood type of posts? I think I really like them so I may be doing more of them in the future! 

What is your favorite way to track your spending?