PUBLIC SPEAKING: HOW TO SQUASH NERVES & ANXIETY

If you've managed to get this far in life without doing any public speaking, spill. What is your secret??? Chances are you’ve had to do some sort of presentation at least once, whether at school or work. There are very few people who revel in the idea of speaking before an audience, and the general consensus is that it sucks. There are countless more pleasant things to do. Like epilating your back or getting chilli in your eye. Hobbies, yo!

CRAVINGS: WHAT YOUR BODY ACTUALLY NEEDS

Food cravings can be hard to fight. Especially when we misinterpret the signals our bodies are sending and consume the wrong foods.

SUPER CHEAP, QUICK & EASY WAYS TO DECOR

Creating items for home decor can be fun if they're quick and cheap. I guess some people can find them fun even if they're not. I gravitate towards the simpler DIYs. Here are some photos that might inspire or motivate you to add your special touch to you living quarters. 

50 BEST USES OF COCONUT OIL

...it was a struggle to pick the top 50, considering how many there are. I challenge someone to find me a product, natural or man-made, that can provide more uses than coconut oil.

FLATMATES.COM.AU

Thinking of moving out and are struggling to find shared accommodation? Or perhaps you need someone to move in with you? If you're in Australia, check out Flatemates.com.au. If you don't already know about it, then shame on you. They've been online since 1997 (I didn't realise the internet existed that far back). Accounts are protected against scammers, so you shouldn't worry about kidnapping or human trafficking. This isn't sponsored. The Student Budget hasn't even reached that level of audience yet. 

GOT A GRIDDLE?

If every time you use the griddle pan your meat and vegetables are smoking up a storm, then you're probably using it wrong. Avoiding using too much seasoning, sauces or oil when cooking on a griddle. Check out this super-quick, 1-minute guide:

HOW TO: MAKE YOUR HAIR GROW FASTER

Humans are such strange creatures. We're trying to both find easier ways to remove it and increase it. Promoting hair growth is cheaper and simpler than you might expect. "Vitamins" and other bottled promises of hair growth can create adverse reactions. It's always a little bit of a gamble when experimenting with those types of products. There are many sites (countless, really) that provide tips on promoting hair growth, but who has time and patience to sit and read through pages and pages of information? I've found the most talked about natural alternatives to promote hair growth. They're simple, easy, and will 100% give you results. 

CLOTHING CARE SYMBOLS & MEASURING EQUIVALENTS

If you struggle to understand the care symbols on the tags of your clothing items, don't worry - you're not alone. Sometimes giving it to your mother or someone else just isn't an option. And running it through Google isn't that easy... How would you even describe some of them?! Luckily, some caring individual out in the internet world (Primer Magazine) put together an invaluable list of these symbols and their meanings. I've also found a picture with measuring equivalents, because we aren't all experienced in the kitchen and need some guidance.

THE ULTIMATE GREEN SMOOTHIE FORMULA

If you're not a fan of smoothies yet, you need to get your act together. They're so ridiculously delicious and give you an amazing energy boost. There's no better way to give your body the nutrients it so desperately needs. You can even get your daily dose of fruits and veggies from one blend! I won't even begin to tell you how quick they are to make - they're perfect for if you've got little time in the morning for food prep!

TRAVEL TIP # 003: HOW TO TIP AROUND THE WORLD

Tipping can be really tricky, and often illegal. Don't get caught out! Check out this guide to avoid unwanted situations.  

TRAVEL TIP # 002: HOW TO PACK

If you're not a frequent traveller, then packing will be a pain in your glutes. Packing depends on many things: 

• the culture of the destination
• weather
• length of time you're travelling
• what you plan to do
• how accessible washing machines are, etc. 

The biggest rule is to wear your heaviest or bulkiest clothing while you travel. That way you'll have more space in your suitcase. If you're travelling for pleasure, try to remember to leave some space in your suitcase/s for your purchases. Avoid the option of leaving behind half of your belongings. Here are several combinations for women and men that might help with your decisions when packing. Also remember to check whether your destination will have things like hairdryers, towels, bedding, etc. You don't want to be buying those basics while you're on holiday. 

TRAVEL TIP # 001: WHEN TO BUY AIRLINE TICKETS

You don't need to rely on a travel agent to organise your flights. They will almost always charge extra (everyone has to make a living). There are some awesome tips and tricks hanging around online about when the best time to buy airline tickets is.

LAUNDRY STAIN CHEAT SHEET

Not many of us have the luxury of having others do our laundry. And when we butt heads with stubborn stains, we can be at a loss for how to remove them. Until now! Hazaa! This might be one of the handiest posts I've ever submitted for this blog. These are awesome tips on how to get rid of stains from chocolate to blood using ingredients you should be able to find around your house.

MASTER THE ART OF NAPPING

I don't know about you, but I'm a serial napper. I love naps almost as much as I love food and furries. I look forward to naps for a variety of reason. They're how I take a break, they're how I relax, they're my hobby and they're my escape. I imagine a lot of people have similar reasons. But there are incorrect ways to nap. If your naps are affecting your night sleep or even daytime performance, you're doing something wrong. Perhaps they're too long, or at the wrong time of day. 

Here is a breakdown the types of naps you can take, and how to make the most of them...

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT YOUR COFFEE?

Do you see yourself as a bit of a coffee expert? Do you know the difference between a Long Black and an Americano? What about a Dry Cappuccino and a Black Eye? This Field Guide will give you the low-down on what's what in the coffee universe. 

MY EASY-DIY PICKS OF FEB

I've scoured the interwebs for the best (and most useful) DIYs for the month. I'm not a DIYer unless it's very straight forward, requires minimal material, is fast and cheap, or is something that will make my life easier.  In saying that, some of these may not necessarily be as useful as they are pretty. Others may be awesome presents (even more awesome that you've made it yourself!). So I hope you find some inspiration from these. If you've attempted some of these and are pleased/displeased, leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you! Or if you've found other cool DIYs, link them below!

I hope this is a tradition I can continue monthly, but my memory isn't superb. I'll try not to fail you.

BACK TO SCHOOL DIYs

Its here! For some the start-up of school again is gonna mean they get to have purpose once more, for others its gonna mean they have to add more to their already full plate. But whether you're excited for it or not, you've gotta do some prep (if you haven't already). So here are some quick, cheap alternatives to everyday necessities (and luxuries) that will get you ready for this semester... 

PRINT YOUR OWN CALENDAR

Finding the perfect calendar for when you're busy isn't easy. And it's not necessarily cheap, either. I don't know about you, but as much as I love puppies and other furry baby animals, I like to keep my calendars simple, and with a lot of space for notes and reminders. I can barely rely on my memory to eat, let alone important dates and events. 

How to: Dry Nails Fast

Doing your own manicure is almost like meditating. It's calming, relaxing, and great for unwinding from stressful events. It's also pretty fun once you get the hang of it and master the art of not looking like a 2-year-old attacked you with paint. Sometimes you don't have the luxury of taking your time, and you're in a rush. Waiting for nails to dry can be a pain, and seeing nail polish smeared across your fingers, clothes and walls isn't fun. This YouTube beauty guru has got a neat trick for drying nails fast. 1-minute fast.

DIY Distress

Buying distressed jeans tends to be more expensive than buying immaculate jeans. Why? Because someone went through the effort of distressing them for you. And yet the actual process of distressing isn't even remotely hard. This short, straight-to-the-point video covers the basics of DIY distress.