Preparing for University-Student Finance

Student Finance 

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Good evening my lovely people! I was meant to post a vegan recipe today but I had so much to do I didn't have the time; but I will make sure that it's up and ready for tomorrow afternoon :).
I thought that it would be necessary to give you some advice on how to apply for student fiance, and how to spend your money wisely; as well as telling you my personal experiences with it.
If you feel like this would help you or somebody else out there give this a little read, or share it; simply because everyone needs someone to calm them down and give them some great advice in the student finance world :).
Sit back, relax and take a deep breath, I'm here to help:).

If you want to read other advice blog posts, click here!

PLAN LIKE CRAZY:

Before you start University you need to plan what you need to buy, as well as what you already have. By doing this you can save money when needed, for example, if you already have spare cutlery at home use that, instead of diving into your University funds. Little things like this will go a long way.

• Make a list of items that you need and don't need:
  When making this list split into different categories, I did this by room, For example, if you start with bedroom, you can decide what you will need in the bedroom, write your list for this and then move onto a different room; do this until you have completed all the rooms. This way you can't get anything mixed up, plus you can't miss anything out if you do it that way. 
• Prioritize selected items:
  If your list is exceptionally long, which is what mine locked like. Select certain items which you feel you need ASAP. This way it's easier to manage, and takes so much stress of your mind. All the mandatory items have been brought on my list! This has made me feel so much better about myself; it's really reduced my anxiety. Now all I need to do is complete the rest of the list; which will happen on pay day this month. 
• Dedicate a day for applying for student finance:
  Profoundly, I feel like it's easier if you take a whole day out of your week just to apply for student finance. Simply because you are able to gather all the valid information that you need, and you can do it all in one go. Once it's done you can forget about it until you start University. 

APPLYING FOR FINANCE:

Fundamentally, when applying for Finance you need to be calm and prepared for the amount of time that it will take. From experience it was a terrible time, I let my anxiety get the better of me, I would cry with anger, or worry for no reason. I couldn't find the paperwork for my parents finances, it was all falling apart for me. Evidently I managed to get all the paper work sorted, and it started to flow from there. If you enjoy paper work and filling out forms, then you will love the student finance application. I would say that the entire process takes around 4-5 hours, depending on how much information you need. 

A few tips and tricks I would advice for you would be:

• Write down all your passwords and reference number.It will make the process longer, but it will save you time in the long run. Imagine if you forget your password or reference number, it will be a long and frustrating time for you, simply because you need your student finance ASAP. This will make it so much easier for you. This being said, make sure that you keep them in a safe place, and also a place where you would remember. There is no point writing all this information down, for you not being able to find it. 
• Have someone there with experience:
  Luckily enough I had my boyfriend keeping me calm and making sure that everything was correct. He had already been though the process the year before, which made it a walk in the park for me; especially with my nerves.
  I can't explain how helpful this was, if you can grab somebody who will hold your hand throughout this stressful experience then please do; it will make it so much easier. 
• Take your time:
  I know how cliche and condescending this may sound, but it's probably one of the best points. Please take your time, don't rush, you need to make sure that every single detail is correct; if not then you will not receive your student finance. Do you really want that happening to you? I don't think so my lovely; as annoying as it sounds please listen. It's not a race, you can do this at your own pace. 

THE PROCESS:

1. Go to the Gov website https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-register-login;
2. use the reference number provided, they would have given you this when you applied for university on UCAS;
3. set up passwords and security questions, write these down as you go along;
4. fill in your personal details;
5. give them the debit card information, this is where your student finance will appear;
6.  create your parents accounts, as they have to support your student finance account, (in order for you to get more money);
7. finish your application and fill in your declaration form and send it off in the post;
8. wait a few days until student finance give you your final money amount, keep hold of this documentation as you will need it when you register at your chosen university. 

This is the end of the blog post! I really hope that you found this helpful! When I was going through student finance it was rare that I came across a blog post in this much detail. I wanted to write this so that I could help people, as I know that some individuals still haven't applied, or some people that are heading to university next year; this will be a great stepping stone. 

You don't have to follow everything I have written, but even if it's a point or two, it will really help you in the long run. 

I love you all so very much, I am going to be writing another blog post on how to prepare for uni, it's going to be a tiny series. If that's what you want of course! If you have any other ideas then please suggest them :).

I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening, I will be posting my vegan recipe tomorrow :). I'll be heading off to bed shortly, I'm rather exhausted. 

Sweet dreams Little ones, stay safe and stay tuned :) x x x 

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Little adventures-new addition to the flower family

Kalanchoe

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Good morning you lovely people! I was having a gardening session last night, and I added a new member to the flower family! I was so excited, I bought his flower yesterday and it's stunning. Subtle but perfect. Also my other flowers seem to be growing and bursting with more colour than ever! If you want to see my updates, and the Kalanchoe (new flower), have a little read down below :).

If you want to see the beginning of my flower adventure, click here!

About kalanchoe:

The Kalanchoe, pronounced as Kal-un-kee belongs to the 125 species of tropical, succulent flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae. These beautiful flowers originates from the Americas, 56 from southern & eastern Africa and 60 species in Madagascar; but they can also be found in south-eastern Asia until China. In addition to this, these flowers averagely grow to 1 meter, the flowers I have has barely budding; it will get much bigger and I'm so excited to show you the outcome. In regards to what they are used for, they are cultivated as used for decoration around the house or garden. They are so dainty but beautiful to look at how could you not have these in your home? :) 

Why these flowers:

I was strolling around Waitrose, looking for some ingredients for another vegan recipe and I came across the flower section. I saw these beauties on the middle shelf and fell in love! The colour is gorgeous and breathtaking! It screams opulence and class. The warm beige and orange undertones really brings the flowers together; instead of standing out of the crowd and clashing with the other members of the flower family; it adds warmth ad togetherness. In addition to this, I adore ditsy flowers, the way they sit there in a group and crowd together is perfection; they aren't too in your face, it's a subtle suggestion of beauty. 

Steps on how I planted them:

1. Gathered stones around the garden and placed them at the bottom of the pot, this ensures that the plant won't fall over;
2. I then filled the pot halfway with compost; 
3. I took the Kalanchoe out of the tiny pot it was in, and then placed it to the side of the bigger pot I was planting it in;
4. I then filled the pot to the top with compost, while making sure that the base of the plant was completely covered. This is because you want to make sure that the Kalanchoe intakes all the nutriance from the compost;
5. watered the plant and placed it with the family.

Update on ALL the flowers:

Profoundly, after 3 days of having these wonderful delights they seem to be stronger, healthier and brighter. I  water them 2 times a day, morning and evening, they all get the same amount of water, and additional liquid if it rains during the day. The white flowers at the back were partially damaged when I bought them, I wanted to see if I could water them back to health; so far so good! They still look frail, but the white is brighter, and the some of the brown roots are turning green! I'm ever so happy with their recovery and growth rate! I will give you regular updates on how they are doing; I want to take you on this flower journey; I hope you are enjoying it so far :).

 What happens in the future?

In regards to the future, I will continue looking after this flower family, and I hope to be extending the family again some time soon. I also want to add some fruit and vegetable in the mix! Instead of making my vegetable patch this year; I will grow my fruit and vegetables in large pots :). 

If you have any suggestions on what you would like me to grow, or what you would like me to add to the flower family be give me some suggestions; I want this flower patch to be ours :).

Thank you for reading this post! I will see you again later on today with a beauty review! Also I'm heading into London tomorrow; so you will see what I did over there tomorrow evening or the following day as I will be writing about it! 

If you want to follow me around London, look at my social media below and I will take you along with me! I love you all so very much, and I will see you very soon!

Stay tuned Little ones :) x x x 

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Email: missamymcguire@hotmail.com

My first time gardening

Gardening adventure 

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If you want to keep up to date with that I do on a daily basis follow me on my social media above, and I'll be sure to follow you right back :).

Good afternoon my lovely's! I'm here again, writing another blog post, lets hope you aren't bored of them! I thought that it would be interesting to show you what I was up to this morning and yesterday evening. It was my first time gardening and I wanted to share my experience with you. I'm no genius with gardening, I'm a noob, but I love flowers and nature! 

If you want to see more blog posts like this let me know in the comments below or on my social media :)

My first experience:

First and foremost, this was the first time in my life that I had ever done gardening, I have no idea why it took me so long; but it's a new hobby that I love and wish to continue in the future. When I was a little girl I used to water my Nanny's flowers (aka potato fairy-my own personal joke). I would love seeing the flowers grow and turn into different colours. It was an enchanting experience, how I wish I could go back there; but she's unfortunately passed away. Gardening yesterday bought back nostalgia of when I used to see my Nan; she loved flowers, and she would be so proud of me if she could see me now. 

More-so, when I was gardening, I felt at peace, I was so content and happy. I could see my mum in the living-room smiling at me. She watched everything come to life with my bare hands. I think she she's her Mum in me, in which pleases her. 

I loved cutting the bag of compost open, and smelling the rich soil, it was breathtaking, it was like I was with my Nan. Also collecting the stones to go at the bottom of the pot was great, Chris (my boyfriend) Anne (boyfriends mum) and I went around my garden and searched for stones. The day was beautifully bright, and there was happiness in the air; I love their company; they make me ever so content. It was great teamwork in a nutshell; they are so incredibly important to me :).  

What motivated me to start now?

Since becoming vegan I have discovered various factors in life, one being to grow your own fruit and vegetables; but I had no idea how to. I put it to one side and thought, 'seems stressful and so much work'. But I saw the pure beauty, especially in Anne's garden. I saw what the potential was, her garden is stunning. She has gorgeous flowers everywhere you go, rich in colour and personality. Everywhere I stepped I could see her hard work. Eventually I saw her gardening, she taught me the basics and even took me shopping for flower supplies. Me and her have bonded greatly, and I love her; I really do. I saw all of her hard work, and wanted to emulate it. Anne grows the BEST strawberries! They are so sweet and juicy! She's also growing peas and broad beans! I can't wait to see what they turn out like :).

I remember seeing her yesterday, and she was telling me that she has seen a double rose bush, and that she wanted to clone the flower. I loved this idea! We both went down to where it was and cut off the dead stems. We have put them in water and we are simply waiting for it to grow roots; after that we can plant them and pray that it grows into a double rose. 

We are having a competition to see who's grows first! I hope I win! :') ... Something she did say which was very sweet and kind was, "if this works, I will give you the stem to the white rose in our garden". This was so overwhelming and kind, simply because they are my favourite flowers, and it was my Nan's favourite! If this works it'll be like my Nan is in the garden with me. 

What will happen in the future? 

In regards to the future I will 100% improve on what I have. I know that there's only a few flowers, but I will be growing vegetables in pots in a few weeks time. I will also expand to the flowers and go all out! I want my garden to become a forest! I want my mum and Anne to be proud of my hard work. I will keep you up to date with what I add to my garden, and give you a detailed review on what I've bought and what I'm going to do :). 

Thank you so much for reading this post! I want to see what you guys get up to! And if that's: painting, gardening, reading etc! Anything please let me know! I have so many hobbies to catch up on! And we can have a conversation on the interest traits we share!

I love you all so very much and I will see you tomorrow with a vegan recipe and a review, or I might even take you out on a trip to London! Tell me what yo want :)

Stay tuned Little ones, and stay safe! :) x x x 

If you want to talk to me don't be shy, hit me up on my social media below :) 

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