Category Archives: Thoughts

When The Going Gets Tough…

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Most of the time, it’s easy for me to know that I lead a wonderful life and am incredibly blessed. But sometimes, just like everyone else, I get in a funk when life takes a tailspin. The combination of a lot of little things and a few big things have literally felt like a downward spiral that makes me want to run into a dark cave and hide until the invevitable upswing HAS to happen.

Oh hey, cave. It's me, Meghan.

But, since the world keeps on spinning and I don’t have any mysterious caves just around the corner, I’ve had to face this like everyone else. Luckily, I have the most wonderful friends who put up with the various emotions that are associated with a bad day, week, month… When I’ve been angry and frustrated or when I’ve been a complete mess and shed some tears, they have been there with positive thoughts, prayers, advice and support.

And so, this is an ode to my friends, nuts and otherwise, you are all the little rays of sunshine that make life a bit more bearable when it seems like it’s spinning out of control. Here are a few of my favourite movie moments that show just how great girlfriends can be…

Sex and the City
While I’m nowehere near the point in life where motherhood woes are beating me down, the fact that Miranda encourages Charlotte with “sips” is just too perfect. From experience, sometimes a little tequila is all you need…


The Babysitters Club Movie

This blast from the past is exactly how I feel about my friends. When the world is dumping on you, whether metaphorically or literally like the rain storm in this scene, sometimes you just need to be rescued by your friends.


Now and Then

And sometimes, you just need your friends to help you kick some ass!


Thelma & Louise

And well, let’s hope that I never go so far off the deep end that the deep end is a canyon. But, the best part about my friends is that I know if I had to, they’d all be ready to ride shotgun…in a nutshell.

The Bad Kind of Mind-Blowing

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Do you find yourself contemplating a single moment for days on end? Rehearsing a split second remark, choice of words or glance over and over again? Don’t you wish you could rid your mind of all the second guessing and scrutinizing? Does this sound like an infomercial yet? All questions aside, there’s no doubt in my mind that many of our readers suffer from the acutely widespread infirmity of overthinking. If I’m incorrect in my assumption, I know that you’ve at least listened to a friend ponder, analyze and question incessantly, all the while wondering to yourself when it will end and what you can say to make it stop.

Other than being a complete waste of perfectly productive thinking time, overanalyzing is often an altogether negative activity. The longer you question a given scenario, the more room you leave for damaging conclusions. Without sounding like a self-help expert or a Dr. Phil episode, I believe that taking the time to become aware of a habit like overthinking is important, and having the ability to control it will make room for fresh and fruitful reasoning. Tina Fey once said, ”You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute.” While I’m sure you spend your time analyzing more serious situations, the premise of it all is right there in her words. Overthinking will get you nowhere. If you haven’t thought of whatever you’re searching for already, it’s not going to magically appear amidst your ridiculous assumptions and doubts. The key to stopping this futile process is in the following steps, and if I’m wrong, then at least I’ve distracted you for a few moments.

1. Acknowledge If you’ve ever stopped and said the words “am I overthinking this?” You probably are. Once you’re aware of the process, you’ll begin to notice yourself doing it more and more. Instead of brushing off the label you’ve given your activity, stop yourself from continuing and be aware of it the next time it happens …and the next time.

2. Don’t Assume This is probably the most toxic thought process out there. Making assumptions about people or situations is incredibly unproductive, and most of the time we don’t even know we’re making them. Be conscious of the thoughts you have…are they fact, or is that wild imagination of yours secretly at play? The more overthinking you do, the more assumptions you’ll likely make.

3. Talk it Through Of course there’s no way around actually tackling a subject that’s bothering you. But if you keep it in rather than talk it through, it will remain in your puzzled brain for way too long. Discuss things with someone who’s removed from the situation and make it brief. Overthinking can happen out loud too!

4. Get a Hobby If you’re at the point where your thinking process is overworked and unproductive, do something that you love to get your mind off things. Go for a run, write a blog post, read a book, cook a meal…whatever it takes to get your head out of the gutter.

5. Tackle the Problem If the thing you’re contemplating is a serious matter that you truly can’t shake, tackle it head on rather than mulling it over for weeks. Call the friend who upset you, approach your boyfriend about his behavior, write a letter, do whatever it takes. You may find out the person never knew this was an issue.

6. Forget about Perfection A lot of thinking time is spent worrying about our behaviour, our words or any other possible formula of situations. Remember that nobody’s perfect and fretting about the past will truly get you nowhere. Many of the mistakes you make will be forgotten by others, only to remain on your list of regrets. Try not to put yourself up on a pedestal, you have plenty of time for redemption.

7. Be Proactive If there’s anything good that can come out of overthinking, it’s a lesson. If you feel bad about your behavior, take a mental note for next time, and then move on. Feeling sorry for something you can’t resolve is, again, pointless.

8. Look Ahead Remember when you were in high school and every crush, every exam, every argument seemed so monumental? As much as those teenage years are our most dramatic, we don’t really stop thinking that way. When you’re worrying about something, thinking about how important it will be in 6 months might help calm you down. Remember, it’s all relative.

Evidently, there are certain thoughts that you’ll never escape, some more serious than others. But no matter what, controlling the time you spend analyzing a problem is definitely something you can tackle and managing unhealthy thoughts is important for your mental health. There’s nothing worse than wasting your time on a problem you’ve assumed exists, and keeping it all in will only make your habits worse. While quitting cold turkey is definitely not an option, limiting the time you spend scrutinizing is completely feasible …in a nutshell. 

Pet Peeve of the Week

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Subject: Bad Manners

It’s been a little while since I’ve written a Pet Peeve of the Week, but don’t fret – it’s not because I haven’t been annoyed. It’s because I often sit patiently on a topic, slowly collecting material to give you my (unfortunately) first hand experiences. And so, over the course of the last month, this week’s Pet Peeve is born, while manners have obviously suffered a slow death.

1. Moving to Avoid People on the Sidewalk/Intersection:

I began to notice this trend more aggressively once Ottawa was graced with snow throughout the past month. As the sidewalks and intersections become more narrow thanks to icy snow banks, I came to realize that for some reason, I am ALWAYS the person who pauses, moves to the side, or clambers over said icy snow banks to allow others to cross. Seriously, I am ALWAYS the person who shuffles dutifully out of the way while men and women push past me without moving a millimetre. And while you may think that this is because I actually HAVE manners, I can tell you that in some situations, it’s NOT. I have literally had to become ‘Frogger’ à la George Costanza when crossing the busy intersection outside the Rideau Centre in an attempt to merely stay upright. I actually believe that some of these people wouldn’t even notice if I was body-checked to the ground. The worst part is, this behaviour has tempted to stop accommodating these sidewalk hogs and shoulder-check them next time I’m in a face-off. My politeness can only go so far people and I’m being pushed to the brink!

Defeated: How I feel when I'm trampled on the sidewalk.

Please and Thank You:

NON-NEGOTIABLE. Stop acting like you own the world and don’t need to show gratitude or appreciation. Chances are, you’re nowhere NEAR famous or fabulous enough to pull off that diva-behaviour.

Manners & Cats. My two favourite things, colliding.

Holding Doors Open:

A lot of the time, holding doors open is associated with male chivalry. Ummmm, P.S. We are currently living in 2012, not 1950. Yes, it’s nice when men hold doors open for women, but it’s also nice when everyone holds doors open for everyone, regardless of gender. People are genuinely SHOCKED when I wait for 3 seconds to hold the door open for the person trailing slightly behind me. Isn’t that sad!? Are we literally that hard up for time that we can’t pause the split second to make sure that the door behind us isn’t slamming in another human being’s face?

Nana's proud of you.

Respecting Your Elders:

I recently saw a 56 year old man (I know his age, because he announced it in fury) get up to offer his seat to an elderly woman on the bus, while approximately 10 teenagers/20-somethings sat comfortably in priority seating.* To me, this is inexcusable. If you know me well, you know that my grandparents are two of my favourite people on the planet. And if I saw my Nana struggling with a parcel, standing on the bus, I would literally inflict physical harm on the young people sitting down. I don’t care how important your latest text/bbm is or that you’re wrapped up in a really great game of Angry Birds. Get off your entitled teenage/20-something year old ass and offer up your seat to Nana…or else.

*Before anyone asks: I was standing on this bus trip and had no seat to offer.

My Nana <3 ...GET OUT OF HER SEAT.

I’m tired of nasty people getting away with bad manners and bad behaviour. We’re all in this world together, so we all need to take responsibility for our actions and act courteously towards each other. Imagine a world where a door never slams aggressively in your face. A world where two people smile and move gently out of each other’s ways. A world where Nana can always sit comfortably. It’s simple really: basic human decency. That’s really all I’m after…in a nutshell.

Five Things To Do While You’re STILL in University

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I realize the majority of our readers have graduated from University by now, but we all know someone still experiencing what some call ‘the time of their lives’. So, send this along to your brother, daughter, niece or friend, and be sure to read on to see whether you did any or all of these things in your very own wonder years – I certainly didn’t do all of them, and really wish someone had told me to.

1. Make use of Student Services

One sheet from that package - still handy today.

In my fourth year at Carleton University, I made a one-on-one appointment with career services for a resume workshop. I brought in my resume, discussed my intended career path and got some crucial advice on cover letter writing, resume formatting and action verbs to utilize freely. I was given an information package that I still use as a reference to this day. This service is completely free and literally takes 20 minutes of a student’s time. After graduation, when the real world has suddenly manifested itself, a resume that offers a little more than chronological order will be an indispensable tool.

2. Get a Reference Letter or Two

Many graduate programs require two reference letters with an application, and it’s beneficial to have one on file from a University professor even if you aren’t thinking of doing a Masters. When you’ve had a good rapport with a professor, ask them politely at the end of the semester if they wouldn’t mind writing you a letter of reference. You never know when you’ll need something like this, and doing it right away when the professor remembers you, instead of 3 years later, is always best.

3. Get an Internship

After graduating, it’s often the case that students don’t have experience within their field of interest. Those impending summer months are always a competitive time for graduates seeking work opportunities. If a student has spent 3 months or so interning in their field, this will always give them the upper hand within a group. Internships are extremely easy to find (newspapers, magazines, TV stations, law offices, PR companies, accounting firms…and the list goes on) and if you’re able to spend some time essentially volunteering in exchange for a learning opportunity, it’s important to do so. Look into co-op programs if it’s not too late – you’ll get paid for your work and graduate with loads of experience.

4. Get a Minor

It always depends on a person’s major, but, most often, adding a minor to a degree can be very useful in the long run. If you decide further down the road that you’d like to enter a different field, you may not have to return to school if your minor encompasses some part of it. A minor in business for those in the Arts or Sciences will always be helpful down the road, and even a minor in French, History or Music will show a future employer that you are passionate about other things and that you took your schooling seriously. Personally, I didn’t include a minor in my studies and I’ve survived post-graduation, but as I said, it’s always a good idea to branch out a bit and make your electives a little more official.

5. Volunteer

The girls of in a nutshell were active members at Carleton U’s Orientation Week every single year (from newbie frosh to graduated leader) and the friendships we’ve made are lifelong. I personally have this volunteering experience on my resume, where I believe it belongs. Taking some time to help first year students enter a world without supervision is important, and having people around them that can relate to their worries is crucial. Even though the social aspects of this experience are huge, I also learnt a lot every year and believe it’s critical that every student does their part on campus. If Orientation Week isn’t your thing (please try it first though), find another outlet for your time and bring some friends, you’ll meet some new people and have one more thing to add to that resume of yours.

Nuts volunteering at CU's Orientation Week!

Keeping Up with Resolutions

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So, we’re somehow almost mid-January. Scary right? I don’t know about you, but these days, time seems to fly by at warp speed. Generally, following the first week of the New Year, everyone tends to forget about their resolutions and revert back to their old ways. Seriously, that is SO 2011… So, read on for a list of easy ways to stick to some ‘common’ resolutions that often fail because there just aren’t enough hours in a day!

1. “This year, I’m going to eat SO much healthier!”

This one is tough. There are a million reasons why people don’t eat super healthy. Maybe it’s because McDonald’s tastes a million times better than an apple. (I’m working on it folks, pattent pending…) Maybe it’s because eating unhealthily causes a reaction in your brain that makes you feel good. But, the number one reason that this resolution fails is time. By the time you get home after work, it’s so much easier to order a pizza than to plan a meal, get the ingredients, and whip it up. Plus, with pizza, you’ll have leftovers for lunch the next day… #viciouscycle.

 The biggest helper I have found, is a ‘WHAT TO EAT’ weekly meal planner that I picked up at Chapters for $7.50. It doesn’t take long to fill out, and by planning your meals ahead of time you save yourself the question, “what’s for dinner?” that so often leads to quick, unhealthy, fixes. Plus, by planning ahead you can save yourself multiple trips to the grocery store and pick up everything you need for the week in one shot. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!

 2. “This Year I’m Going to Take Better Care of Myself!”

Once again, Father Time often gets in the way of this resolution. When you’re working, going to school and trying to balance family and social commitments, allocating ‘personal time’ can feel like a foreign concept that you just don’t have time for.

Maybe you don’t have two hours a day to get back and forth to the yoga class you’ve wanted to take. Maybe you can’t spend an hour getting a massage. But there are things you can do at home that will improve your overall health: Skip that random episode of TV and go to bed 30 minutes earlier each night. Ignore your neverending e-mails for a bit and take a 20 minute bubble bath. Put on some soothing music and give yourself a quick man-pedi. While these may not seem like huge leaps, making sure that you focus on yourself, even if it’s just for 30 minutes, will still make a difference. They say that you have to look out for #1 – and in this way they’re right!

 

3. “This Year I’m Going to Spend More Time with Friends!”

This one is near and dear to my heart! Sometimes, we’re so focused on the daily tasks at hand that we can go days, weeks or even months without spending quality time with good friends. Planning easily falls by the wayside; where the ambiguity of “we’ll get together soon!” leads to not seeing each other for weeks.

A ‘standing date’ is a great way to counteract this issue. You’ve heard Catherine and Kate mention their Book Club before – it meets once a month to discuss a book and socialize with old and new friends. Now that the Bachelor is back, (Hallelujah!) every Monday I pile around one TV with my girlfriends to watch the show. Whether it be breakfast once a month or coffee after work every two weeks, setting up standing dates will easily help you spend more time with your friends. Spontaneity is always nice, but if planning guarantees frequent friend-time, I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Bachelor Viewing Parties Look Like This...

Good friends, Comfy Clothes & Undivided Attention Towards the TV. PERFECTION!

Toronto, Be Good To Her!

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One of our nuts is embarking on (yet another!) exciting journey today, but this one doesn’t involve backpacks, temporary camps or hostels – it involves a new city and new home! Congratulations and best of luck to Kaylee and her boyfriend – who are setting sail to the Big Smoke today, a city that they will call their new place of residence within a few hours. Our in-house fashionista will inevitably fit in like a glove in the style capital of Canada and we can’t wait to see what fabulous articles come out of her new surroundings. Way to go, Kay – there isn’t a shadow of a doubt that you will be the newest and brightest light in that shiny city!

xoxo, Your Fellow Nuts.

You go, girl!

A Girl Who Gives Us Wings!

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Today is a day to pay tribute to one of our dearest friends and greatest supporters, the birthday girl, the first 24 year-old in our close-knit group of friends, the East Coaster and an all-round fabulous woman – Allison Chapman. You’ve certainly seen this friendly gal around in a nutshell before– whether it’s in countless photos, actively contributing her kind words to our birthday mad libs or secretly referenced; but you probably don’t know too much about her. So, on this very special day, here’s our chance to show her the same love she never fails to show us. As we peel back the layers of the multi-talented, smart, hilarious and successful birthday girl – you will indeed have a better idea of exactly how fantastic this honourary nut is. Happy Birthday, Al – you deserve only the best!

From MEGHAN:

 

In one word, Allison is: Loving.

You’ll never find Allison: not yearning for chocolate lovin’.

My favourite day with Allison was: all 3 days that we spent at Kaylee’s cottage last year for our Reunion weekend. She is the best human and kept me entertained with her constant hilarity, hip hop playlists and dance parties. Also, she instigated the ‘Things on Catherine’s Head’ photo shoot which will go down in history as one of the funniest half hours of my life.

My favourite night with Allison was: a night we were at Ollies, when she came home with me and we blasted rap while waiting for pizza at 3 a.m. A former roommate was not impressed by our behaviour, to which Al responded, “I don’t caaaare. This is my JAM!” and cranked it even louder.

I would build Allison: A music collection that has everything from Dave Matthews to Chris Brown. I would, of course, get recordings of myself and Kaylee (and all the other singers that she knows) so that she doesn’t have to hassle us to sing live every time we reunite.

One of Al’s best lines ever was: “Guys, I had shirtless Ja Rule as my family computer’s screen saver…Pain is love.”

In 5 years, you’ll find Allison: either living in Toronto or back on the East Coast so she’s close to her family. She’ll be even more successful in her career than she already is; dominating the world with her amazing personality and business skills. She’ll be head over heels for a man that treats her like a queen and knows how to love an independent woman. She’ll still be close with her many groups of friends and still be making me laugh with ridiculous comments every time I’m lucky enough to talk to her!

The famous balancing act.

From CATHERINE:

In one word, Allison is: big-hearted

You’ll never find Allison: not making us DIE with laughter on a daily basis in our ttrain bbm group

 My favourite day with Allison was: the morning after the York rookie party when you slept in my bed and we went out for breakfast still in Sunday Funday shirts and played bball in Orleans. Love and basketball at its finest.

 My favourite night with Allison was: when we made our own pub crawl, just us two.  We hit every bar in the market, drank every shot in the city and had the best (worst) stories to tell (after we found each other) the next day.

 I would build Allison: A teleportation machine so she could visit her best girls at the snap of a finger (/ all the time)

 One of Al’s best lines ever was: most of them are not internet appropriate … So I’ll go with any bon qui qui like saying “Girl has GOT TA go.”

 In 5 years, you’ll find Allison: Raising a litter of multi-cultural babies (like Angelina but with the personality of Jen). She’ll have taken over Red Bull and will have somehow convinced all her bffs to move to Toronto to make up for lost time. She’ll still be throwing out the most outrageous and hilarious comments and her gorgeous husband will love her for it. Almost as much as we do.

Sunday Funday with Cat and Kate!


From KAYLEE: 

In one word, Allison  is: Animated

You’ll never find Allison: Not saying hilarious things or not being completely honest with her friends and herself.

My favorite day with Allison was: The Saturday we spent at my cottage, balancing ridiculous objects on Catherine’s head, munching on cookies and making the best memories.

My favourite night with Allison was: Running into each other at a Montreal Pub and then spending a hilarious night singing and dancing. On the other hand, any night where we’re tipsy enough to find a corner at a bar to sing Dave Matthews together, is a great one. I can envision many more of those in our future Toronto love :)

I would build Allison: a basketball team that she owned. It would be filled with the sexiest athletes alive…and she would obviously have the key to the locker room.

One of Al’s best lines ever was: It’s a bit too racy for here but let’s just say it involved her future child and how she intended to get it.

In 5 years, you’ll find Allison: A big shot at Red Bull or doing marketing for a sports team, always laughing and knee-slapping, still rocking out to Justin Bieber in her SUV and obviously cradling a mixed-race baby, with her baby’s daddy nearby… who’s probably a part-time rapper.

“Kaylee…PLEASE sing for me.”

From KATE:

In one word, Allison is: Loving

You’ll never find Allison: Crushing on a white boy. . . unless it’s the Biebs.

My favourite day with Allison was: The first day we met in frosh week when we were seadogs together. I remember how friendly she was, chatting with the whole group of complete strangers while we were waiting in line for lunch.I knew we would be instant best buds!

My favourite night with Allison was: the summer night we shared some of our favourite songs with each other at her apartment on Osgoode,(She was the first person to get me onto Hey Rosetta!) and had some of the best life chats over many glasses of vino.

I would build Allison: a house of skittles with a thousand Justin Bieber cut outs for her viewing pleasure. This house would also include a massive collection of Dave Matthews cds, an industrial size air conditioner and spare room for me to visit her on the reg.

One of Al’s best lines ever was: something to do with “changing her panties”.

In 5 years, you’ll find Allison: Running show in T.O., as a successful marketing mogul, just as intelligent, just as loving and sharing her life with someone who is just as incredible as she is.

Sea Dogs!

From JESS:

“Can you give me a head rub…”

In one word, Allison is: Loyal.

You’ll never find Allison: Without my hands attached to her head. Since 2006, this woman has made me touch, stroke or fiddle with her hair at all times.

My favourite day with Allison was: Easily the day we met, second day of 1st year. I told her I liked her jacket, she said she liked my shoes, and from that minute forward we were inseparable.

My favourite night with Allison was: Any of our ridiculous sleepovers featuring buns on head, pantlessness and slipper booties. Or seeing Coldplay or the Foo Fighters together three or so years back – the videos we took are all garbage because you can only hear our shrill screaming.

I would build Allison: A cottage in New Brunswick right down the beach from her parents’ with a room for DMB-signed acoustic guitars, a chef that only cooks breakfast all day long, a personal head masseuse to relieve me of my duties, a theatre playing funny YouTube clips, endless skittles, air-conditioners to cool her off, and her choice of Drake or Reggie Bush to accompany her on weekends. Oh, and a sign on her doorstep that says: “Life is short but sweet for certain.”

The face...

One of Al’s best lines ever was: “Can you guys seriously not smell anything?” (Allison face), “Can I put you down for a sec? Girl NEEDS to take her hoodie off.” (Allison face)

In 5 years, you’ll find Allison: An even more successful business professional than she is now, if that’s possible. She’ll still be brilliant and carefree in Toronto or some other big city working as a powerful executive in sports marketing, dating an amazing man who will share all of her passions and we’ll all be extremely jealous of, and absolutely killing it.

Teens.

 Jenn’s comments to come – she’s gallivanting around Thailand today with Al in mind!

Happy Birthday Allison. We love you very, very much…in a nutshell.

  

New Year, New Budget?

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With 2012 just two short sleeps away, I’m sure that New Years’ Resolutions are flooding the minds of just about everyone I know. While New Years’ Resolutions are often tossed to the side mid-January, it is always fun to dream up the reinvented versions of ourselves that the promise of a fresh start has to offer. Personally, 2011 was a tough year for me, financially. And like so many other young adults, I lacked the ability to properly budget my money. My financial goal for 2012, while not overly ambitious, is to make a monthly budget that I adhere to (for the most part). I’d like to minimize the financial stress that accompanied 2011, live comfortably within my means and start to save for my future. While doing my own personal research on this subject, I discovered some really smart tips which have helped me shape my 2012 financial plan!

1. FIGURE OUT WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES.

While modern advances like debit and paperless banking are convenient and green, they can cause you to be completely unaware of your spending habits. Small charges for items like coffee and lunch seem menial, but they add up quickly. Before you sit down to hash out a budget, examine your on-line statements and really evaluate where you’re spending your money. Not only will this help you eliminate or cut back on unnecessary expenses, but it will also help you make a realistic budget that reflects all of your spending, not just set payments. 

2. TAKE CHARGE: ORGANIZE YOUR FINANCES.

It is important to take charge if you want to achieve financial stability. You need to have accounts that work for your unique situation. Often, people feel restricted to have one checking and one savings account, when having a third (or more!) can really be of benefit. There are also services offered by your bank that can help you make the most of your accounts and help you save.

Major monthly expenses (such as rent, car payments, cable & phone bills, etc.) are generally the same each month. For this reason, it was easy for me to calculate a lump sum that I consistently transferred from my checking account to my savings account, immediately after receiving my bi-weekly pay cheque. However, because both of these accounts were accessible from my debit card, when things were tight I was able to dip into that savings (a major no-no) for everyday spending. I have recently set up an account that I cannot access from my debit card. That lump sum now sits out of reach until payments are made.

Furthermore, there are tools in place that can help you get a little bit further ahead. For example, I now have a service which automatically transfers 50 cents to my savings account for every purchase I make using my checking account. While it seems small, this can quickly add up to an extra $20+ a month that you don’t notice at the time.

3. ACCOUNT FOR EVERYTHING!

To make a budget that really works, you have to take a lot of variables into account. Make sure your budget is detailed and thorough.

  • DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN GROSS AND NET INCOME: The annual amount that you make on paper is nowhere NEAR the amount that you clear after taxes. Make sure that when you make your budget you use your net income as the starting point of reference.
  • OVER-ESTIMATE FOR VARIABLE EXPENSES: Groceries are a prime example. Groceries have fluctuating costs, and while some weeks I can spend as little as $25, where other weeks I can spend as much as $75. If you over-compensate for this, whatever you have left over can be put into your savings account or spent on something nice for yourself!
  • TAKE SPECIAL EVENTS INTO ACCOUNT: You should always account for ‘Entertainment’ in your budget. Whether that amount goes towards a weekly meal out with friends, drinks at a pub, or a trip to the movies, it is important to take your social life into account. Besides that standard amount per month, you should also look at each month individually and plan for special events like Birthdays, Anniversaries, etc. Any special event that will give you reason to go out for an extra evening or where you are purchasing a gift should be accounted for. 

4. MAKE SAVING GOALS REALISTIC & CREATE ‘MONTHLY PAYMENTS’ FOR YOURSELF.

We’d all love to be able to save 50% of our income, but realistically we know that can’t happen. So, sit down and figure out what you’re saving for and how to start growing towards your goal. Calculate a monthly payment for each goal, and incorporate it into your budget. Here are a few examples, using my goals for the year: 

  • Emergency Fund: $500 ($42/month)
    For those things that just pop up out of the blue – I have never had one before, and can’t wait to have a bit more peace of mind!
  • Retirement Fund: $500 ($42/month)
    While I already pay into a pension plan at work, it’s important to start personal retirement savings now. Analysts are predicting that by the time our generation reaches the age of retirement, the Canadian Pension Plan will have run out of money. That being said, starting to save for retirement now is actually really important!
  • Trip Fund: $1000 ($83/month)
    I think realistically it will take me until 2013 to be able to afford a big vacation. Instead of breaking the bank next year, my plan is to put a little bit away every month so that I have a nice travel nest egg when I’m ready to take flight!

5. PREPARE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS.

A budget is like a boyfriend; you need to test the water to make sure that you’re compatible! The first 3-4 months are going to be trial and error. You may have grossly over or under-estimated different aspects of your budget. Make sure you test it out and make adjustments where needed and don’t panick if it doesn’t work out right away. Re-vamp your budget and keep working at it! 

**Need some advice? There are lots of online resources that can help you with your finances and planning a budget. Personally, I have really enjoyed looking through financial guru Dave Ramsey’s website. Not only is there a ton of information about getting out of debt and how to save for a comfortable life down the road, but there are also tools that can show you what your projected wealth could be, and plan a realistic personal budget to help you get there.

Jesster Bonzo, the One and Only.

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Our youngest nut has finally caught up to the rest of us and is celebrating her 23rd Birthday today! We couldn’t be more proud of our Bonzo, who in just 23 short years has accomplished so much! A lucky few of us will get to celebrate with her in person tomorrow evening, but, since some of us are too far away to see you in the flesh, we compiled a little mad lib to show you just how much we love you! Have the most wonderful Birthday and we can’t wait to see how amazingly your 23rd year unfolds!

From Kaylee:

In one word, Jess is: Caring.

You’ll never find Jess: not paying attention to the song playing in every store, restaurant, car or in the background of a TV show – and consequently, not knowing who the artist is.

My favourite day with Jess was: I’d have to say graduating from Carleton U and attending our convocation together was a great day. Meghan, Jess and I were lucky enough to have the same convocation despite differing programs and we went through that memorable and profound experience together. I also can’t help but mention the cottage weekend where we made trips to Eta’s and giggled to our hearts content. Lastly, any day where I’m chatting about our beloved blog and debating new concepts with Jess and the other girls, is a perfect one.

My favourite night with Jess was: back in 2008 when Jess and I didn’t know each other, I found out we had a distant mutual acquaintance and chatted with her for the first time. She was warm and welcoming – as she is – and I’m so so happy to have spent countless nights with her since then…although now she’s a best friend, not a stranger.

I would build Jess: a room like Alexandra Patsavas (Grey’s Anatomy’s / The Oc’s Music producer) has, full of every album in history, where Jess can lick the tip of her finger and run through albums like a rolodex, playing Bruce, KOL…and maybe just a little Beyonce ‘cus she loves me :)

One of Jess’ best lines ever was: “Spittin’ on Christmas”

In 5 years, you’ll find Jess: living in Toronto with meeee, remaining an attentive, warmhearted friend to her ktown besties, tequilatrain and other dozens of lovely friends. She will be successful, still writing beautifully and always involved in the music industry, likely getting tons of attention for her great eye and perceptible talent.

Convocation, June 2010.

From Jenn:

In one word, Jess is: Hilarious.

You’ll never find Jess: looking out of style.

My favourite day with Jess was: last fall when we went to Westboro for the day, grabbed some coffee, some lunch at the Works, and spent the whole day strolling in and out of shops and talking about the latest gossip in our lives.

My favourite night with Jess was: I don’t have one favourite night in particular, my favourite nights with Jess were going over to her old place with a bottle of red and talking for hours just about anything and everything. Miss you and miss those nights!

I would build Jess: a recording studio for the day that Jess owns her own record label. Jess has an amazing ear for music, as I am sure you have all noticed from her posts, and there is no doubt in my mind that she will one day be a leading lady in the music industry.

One of Jess’ best lines ever was: This is not necessarily a line, but Jess’s ‘child scream laugh’ gets me every time. I am dying laughing just thinking about it.

In 5 years, you’ll find Jess: even more successful than she already is. Jess will have been a strong willed vegetarian for 5 years, and will be creating new and delicious veggie ad vegan recipes all the time. She will be working for a major music magazine as a journalist, maybe even Rolling Stone, have you seen how talented this girl is at writing about music? And, Jess will be dating/married to an amazing man who treats her like gold and who shares her passion for music.

Wine fueled shenanigans, following one of the (many) nights we spent at Jess' place.

From Allison:

In one word, Jess is: Loving.

You’ll never find Jess: NOT looking fashionable. Literally this woman can pick out an outfit better than anyone I know – and finds a million different ways to wear the pieces in her closet. It actually blows my mind.

My favourite day with Jess was: 1st year Beach Day. Prancing around Mooney’s Bay in our short shorts, dodging a crazy Aussie and my soon to be 1st year love, and getting grade 9 wasted on 9th Glengarry that night in which our most memorable picture to date together would be taken. It was inevitable that this was the start of a beautiful friendship.

My favourite night with Jess: 3rd year Frosh Week Boat Cruise. We were the ultimate wing women combination of the century. I have no words.

I would build Jess: a Music Library in her house for all her records, CDs (her mixed ones are her best), cassette tapes, artist memorabilia, and of course both a piano and guitar for me to pick up and play for her, at the request of anything in her collection she wanted to sing along to. Oh and of course, the room would be equipped with a wine cooler for our late nights spent sharing music and critiquing artists.

One of Jess’ best lines ever was: “Hey, cool jacket!” The rest was history.

In 5 years, you’ll find Jess: anywhere the music and her writing takes her! Still absolutely brilliant, beautiful, vivid and loving, and most likely writing for Rolling Stone magazine (seriously).

The infamous boat cruise!

From Meghan:

In one word, Jess is: Amazing.

You’ll never find Jess: without music in some form, whether it be on an ipod, CD or blaring off her laptop.

My favourite day with Jess was: Becoming fast friends during move-in day of Frosh 2008. We were introduced by mutual besties and obviously fell in love instantly. Going back and forth with the furniture of first year together was really the start of a beautiful friendship.

My favourite night with Jess was: One of the many Ollies pre-drinks held at her old Fulton apartment, where we drank litres of white wine from the carton and rapped Weezy’s “A Milli” like we were pros.

I would build Jess: a house with perfect acoustics for her listening pleasure, and some of her favourite things: Shelves to hold an infinite music collection. A shrine to Brucie, the BOSS. A diet coke fountain pop machine. A fridge that seals the freshness of her veggies in. A room specifically designed for no pants to be worn in. A castle for her weiner dog Goose. And a spare room for me ;)

One of Jess’ best lines ever was: “Spittin’ on Christmas”

In 5 years, you’ll find Jess: living in Toronto or Ottawa, and so successful. She’ll probably be working for a music magazine like Rolling Stone, writing pieces that are so meaningful and special. She’ll have met the man of her dreams, who will love her for her caring heart, beauty and hilarity. She will be a great mom to her weiner dog, Goose. She’ll still be the most hilarious person, not taking life to seriously, always up for a new adventure or experience. Most of all, she’ll still be a loyal friend, daughter and sister, who always supports her loved ones to the fullest.

Rockstars/Two of the 'best' MC's in the game...

From Kate:

In one word, Jess is: Bonzo.

You’ll never find Jess: with pants on.

My favourite day with Jess was: the day we sat on her balcony at Fulton tanning our white little patoots and singing “Beautiful Girls” by Bruno Mars with agressive* (*reading amazing) hand movements

My Favourite night with Jess was: the night we went to KOL together, weaved our way through the crowd and got SUPER close to the stage. We rocked out to one of our favourite bands of all time and then proceeded to hoist a famous rocker onto our shoulders and into the crowd for a crowd-surfing sesh. Definitely a night to remember.

I would build Jess: a record player because I know she has wanted one forever and, let’s face it, a hand made one is way cooler.

One of Jess’ best lines ever was: “In a nutshell”… Later shortformed, as she tends to do to about every word in the English language, to “In A NS”. Sound familiar?

One song that reminds me of Jess (had to add this one in) is: The Only One by the Black Keys. Maybe because you listened to this song for a year straight or maybe because you swear by it being the best song from their Brothers album but this one always makes me think of you, Hubblebum!

In 5 years, you’ll find Jess: living in Toronto and writing for a high profile music magazine. She will be happily in love in the big smoke and will be tapping into everything and anything she can get her hands on, always positive and always, always playing a soundtrack in her head to go along with her wonderful life.

KOL, second round.

From Cat:

In one word, Jess is: a hipster … JUST KIDDING.
In one word, Jess is: cherished.

You’ll never find Jess: without a clever or hilarious remark

My favourite day with Jess was:  any day out of our four month stint as roommates. We tanned, we had impromptu flip cup tournaments, we bought colouring books, we fixed watches, we ate cheese off our knees, we called each other from our respective bedrooms, we watched satc, we may have laughed once or twice … And we made what I consider to be an unbreakable bond.

My favourite night with Jess was: Girl Talk, Bluesfest 2009. Doing shots of long island ice tea, dancing (and laughing) our pants off, eating burgers and I may or may not have been Michael Jackson.

I would build Jess: her own mini fridge filled to the brim with diet cokes, so she will never feel the need to steal mine. EVER again.

One of Jess’ best lines ever was: “You think that hurts NOW!? Wait until TOMORROW!!” (Despite my misery)

In 5 years, you’ll find Jess: Linked arm and arm with some stud who is taking her for lunch in between interviews with big wig musicians. This is obviously taking place in NYC because she is writing for Rolling Stone. And I am obviously spying on this date from a table in the corner … As I always do. Her career is taking off, she still makes frequent trips to visit her fam in KTown and she is still very loved by six girls who are spread out all over the world.

Bluesfest 2009

Happy Birthday Jester Bonzo Huddlebum. We love you very much! XO

Boxing Day Bloopers

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Well readers, yesterday we wished you a Merry Christmas with the gift of song… An embarassing medley of Christmas carols that demonstrate exactly what happens at a nutshell reunion. Seeing as a box of wine was consumed, you can be sure that the ‘perfection’ that we exibited in our Caroling video, was not achieved on the first take. And so, for Boxing Day, our gift to you is a reel of hilarious bloopers. Enjoy our mix ups and our struggles to sing on key. We hope that you laugh as much as we do when we’re together!