With the economy in the state it is in, I thought it would be a good idea to give everyone a few ideas about how to conserve cash, because after all, the less you spend elsewhere, the more you have to spend at your East Lansing Apartment!

1. DVDs and CDs:Used DVDs and CDs will play like new if they were well taken care of. Even if you wind up with a scratched disc and you don’t want to bother with a return, there are ways to remove scratches and make the DVD or CD playable again.

2. Books: You can buy used books at significant discounts from online sellers and brick-and-mortar used book stores. The condition of the books may vary, but they usually range from good to like-new. And of course, check out your local library for free reading material. Also, make sure to check local coffee shops as many of them have “take a book, leave a book” program. 

3. Jewelry: Depreciation hits hard when you try to sell used jewelry, but as a buyer you can take advantage of the markdown to save a bundle. This is especially true for diamonds, which have a low resale value. Check out estate sales and reputable pawn shops to find great deals on unique pieces. Even if you decide to resell the jewelry later, the depreciation won’t hurt as much. And the best news is there are a few pawn shops right here next to your MSU student apartment!

4. Pets: If you buy a puppy (or kitty) from a professional breeder or a pet store outlet, it can set you back anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. On top of this, you’ll need to anticipate additional fees and vet bills, too. Instead, adopt a pre-owned pet from your local animal shelter and get a new family member, fees, and vaccines at a substantially lower cost.

5. Cars: You’ve probably heard this before: Cars depreciate the second you drive them off of the dealership’s lot. In buying a used car, you save money on both the initial cost and the insurance. It also helps to know a trusty mechanic who can check it over first. This way, you’ll be aware of any potential problems before you make the purchase.

Happy Saving!
–Mucki

For those who have chosen The Village at Chandler Crossings as their East Lansing apartment and want to take advantage of the pet friendly policy, I strongly urge you to consider adoption over buying from a breeder or puppy mill.  There are many dogs and cats that would make wonderful furry companions who are abandoned every day.  Many of them end up in local animal shelters.  Unfortunately, due to the high number of animals being taken in, there is often not enough room for all the animal orphans.  Sadly, many adoptable pets end up being euthanized to make room for the hundreds more that are brought in.  Please help save one of these wonderful animals, and consider visiting our local animal shelters to find your animal buddy.  Most shelters require you to fill out paperwork and get approved as a viable candidate for adoption.  This usually takes about 30 minutes.  In addition, the animals are usually already spayed or neutered and given their shots, which saves you money.  For a small fee you get to take home a great pet, without all the costs!  To learn more, or adopt an animal visit these great sites:

Michigan Humane Society

Capital Area Humane Society

Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter

–Mucki

 After they played the clip over and over again, I realized that the fan didn’t trip and fall, but he was actually stunned by a taser gun. The fan was a 17 year old kid who just wanted to get a littler air time for his family and friends. Little did he know, he would receive a lot more than air time.

Now I’m definitely against fans running unto the field during and after games because it is a huge security risk to the teams and also to the fan. Worse case scenario, what if a crazed fan ran onto the field and severely injured a player or everyone in the stadium? That would be a horrify thing to happen in the world of sports and also in the world in general.

Honestly from my view point, it was boderline excessive force. The kid was young, weaponless and seemed to not posed any danger. It seemed like the security guards got tired of running after the young kid and decided to end the chase before getting even more embarassed. Later the kid ended up being ok, but what if he wasn’t? What if something went terribly wrong with his neurological system or even worse his heart failed? Would it be worth it? I think the security guards should have better training and better conditioning to handler situations like this, instead of fireing their taser guns when they give up on chases. That’s just my opinion folks, poll your roommates in your East Lansing Apartment and tell me what you think. 

Ernest M.

Finals are next week, but don’t stress we have some great study tips for you. So grab a study partner and head down to your MSU’s apartment study area, and try these simple tips.

Make a study guide- Even if your professor makes one for you use theirs and make one of your own, so it works for you.

Make flash cards- flash cards are easy to carry around so you can review anytime.

Take study breaks- give your brain a rest every once in awhile, this way you do not get overwhelmed.

Don’t study alone- having other people around with the same goal keeps you on task.

So remember take a deep breath,follow the above tips, and get comfortable in you East Lansing apartment and get to studying.

Stephanie

Summer is just around the corner, and if you’re like me that means one thing . . . pool parties at my MSU student apartment. I’m already excited thinking about the music, fun, and sun. But there is one thing that puts a damper on all that fun, the fact that for the past six months I’ve avoided the inside of the gym like the plague. Maybe it’s the cold weather or the fact that baggy sweatshirts and Uggs cover almost anything but I haven’t laced up my running shoes since the first snow fell this year. That means one thing this time of year . . . a mad dash to get into bathing suit shape.

This year, I gave in; I watched the infomercials and heard everyone talking about all these great work outs. I figured with only weeks to go, I had to go big. And by big, I mean insane . . . I started doing P90X. Yes, I realize this may have been a crazy mistake and that my whole body is probably going to hate me for the next ninety days but with merely weeks until I bathing suit season, I had to go for broke.

For the uninitiated, P90X is a workout program that combines weight training; cardio and stretching to (supposedly) have you end up with the perfect beach body. Every day of the week you follow a video to work a different part of your body. It involves pull-ups, pushups, extreme ab work and weights. The workouts last between 45 and 90 minutes and each work pushes you to your limits. It is extreme and definitely not for the faint of heart.　

That being said, I’m on day 6 and it works. I’ve found out I have muscles I didn’t even know existed (actually meaning I hurt in places I didn’t think could hurt). The X in P90X stands for extreme and the workouts are just that. But with a group a friends and a big enough space (think the gym in your East Lansing student apartment) you can get going.

This work out is best done with a group so that you have someone to motivate you. So grab your roommates, your neighbors, and your friends and kick it into gear. And by the time that first pool party rolls around, you too can be showing off your new physique.

I was disappointed in the weather this week. I got my hopes up that summer was on its way and then it was cold and rainy for 3 days in a row. But the good news is: it’s supposed to warm up again this weekend! As the temperature climbs back up into the 60’s, you’ll probably want to be spending time outside of your MSU student apartment, like me!

We all know that  at Chandlers Crossing apartments has an awesome pool… but it’s not warm enough for that yet. Here are some other ideas of things to do outside this weekend!

• Play basketball
• Toss a football around or play catch
• Have a picnic
• Lay out a blanket and study outdoors
• Grill some dinner
• Take a long walk with a friend
• Go for a run
• Play Frisbee
• Call a friend just to talk

• Study outside in between class at MSU

I like to do everything outside, if possible. Do you have any suggestions? Let me know!

-Alanna

1. Eat like a child! Bring on those ants on a log, PB&J (no crust), popsicles, mac-n-cheese, chicken noodle soup…

2. Finger painting. My roommates thought I had really lost it when I suggested that we spend Tuesday night of finals week last semester finger painting. But guess what—they loved it. You can buy bottles of acrylic paint for less than 50 cents each, and use construction paper… and a few minutes (or 4 seconds) later, you have your very own designer art. It’s so fun! Oh, but put newspaper down first… you don’t want to damage the furniture in your Chandler Crossings apartment!

3. Make friendship bracelets for your friends! I recently purchased 36 colors of thread for $3… it’s a cheap way to be friends for life. And it’s also super fun to invite your friends over to your MSU student apartment for a friendship bracelet party.

4. Coloring books. They’re in practically every store, and all you need are some crayons, colored pencils, or markers and you’re good to go for hours. I am a fantastic color-er, especially when it comes to staying in the lines. But if that is too boring for you, have contests with your friends to see who can make the ugliest picture, or try to use the wrong colors for things (green skin, pink sky, orange eyes…) My box of crayons and coloring book collection have proven to be solid investments.

5. Build a fort in your living room. It will be really easy if you live in Chandler Crossings, because you get so much furniture for free… other materials you may wish to use: sheets, blankets, pillows, boxes.

Sometimes, I do all 5 of these in one day. Even if you try just one, I’m sure you’ll love it and it’s a great way to bond with your roommates in your East Lansing student apartment.

Written by: Kelsey Kruse

 Michigan state students are known for being intelligent, but also having a good time right? Well having a good time and saving some green never got easier! Here are a few quick tips on how to stay in your MSU student apartment instead of going out and spending a ton of cash.

* Play games such as “Things,” “Catchphrase,” “twister” or “Pictionary” for a fun way to get to know your pals for FREE! And, it’s a great way to get to know your rommates in your MSU apartment.

* Order a Netflix movie instead of hitting up the theatre. You can download movies right to your computer or TV or get them through the mail for just $8.99 a month. This saves you on gas money, and there are never late fees! Just one movie ticket to a cinema costs you about $7, so this is a great way to save!

* While reading my other blogs or web surfing, take a look at www.gaspricewatch.com to find out the cheapest gas prices at stations near you! Even just a few cents here and there can help you save.

* Love tunes? I am a huge music fan but my tastes are constantly changing so I listen to www.pandora.com all the time! It is an awesome FREE way to listen to music that you like. Just create a free account and make your own music stations. Instead of buying songs from i-tunes or Rhapsody, you can mix it up for no cost at all!

Please share your tips on saving/entertaining!

Posted by Katelyn Moore

Every year we struggle to commit to our New Year’s Resolutions, but this year will be different! Here is a quick review of great ways to keep your promise and a few ideas for resolutions if you haven’t decided on one yet. Good Luck!

Great resolutions:

• Fitness! Hit the gym at your MSU apartment community. Chandler Crossings Apartments have all kinds of equipment for you to use to help you reach your fitness goal.
• School and educational goals. If you want to 4 point that Chemistry class you signed up for, then do it! Get all of the resources that you need such as a planner, highlighters, the right books and look into tutoring for extra help.
• Spend more time with family and friends. This is a great one, and it will make you happier. Looking to meet some new friends? Why not check out a social event at Chandlers Apartments to meet people living in your same community.
• Help others! Check out my blog on East Lansing Charities to find out how to help out at local organizations.

How to keep those resolutions:

• Pick a resolution that is actually attainable. Having crazy expectations for yourself will limit your chances of success. It is better to achieve something small than to fail at something big.
• Get support from your friends and be careful who you hang out with. If you spend a lot of time with people who have the habits that you are trying to break, then you aren’t giving yourself a fighting chance.
• Have confidence. If you don’t believe in yourself then you aren’t being fair. Doubters are lot more likely to fail than those who really set a plan and put it into action.
• If you fall off the wagon, get back on! So what if you slip up a little? Just get back on track and learn from your mistakes.

Posted by Katelyn Moore

Photo by Jamie Netzer

As the cold creeps up on us, the days get shorter and it seems like it is only light outside for a few hours. It is no wonder that many MSU students feel a little down in the dumps these days. This is just one of the joys that Michigan brings us each winter, but no worries! I have looked up some info that will help you to fight that fatigue so you can enjoy the holiday season. With exams and stressful holiday events coming up, it’s best to prep yourself.

You might not have seasonal depression, but the most common symptom of winter blues is tiredness. If you suffer from weight gain, excessive eating and sleeping, along with fatigue, you may want to talk to your doctor about seasonal depression treatments. You can never be too cautious, ya know. Seasonal depression is caused by increased levels of melatonin, a hormone secreted in the brain that causes sleepiness. This hormone is secreted more when there is more darkness, and with shorter days and less light, it is common in winter. Other symptoms might include lethargy, irritability and increased cravings for sugary or starchy foods. There are many treatments for seasonal depression such as light therapy and anti depressants but a doctor should make the call.

For those of you with just a mild case of winter blues, here are some solutions:

-Exercise regularly! I know you are probably too tired to hit the treadmill but it will really do you some good. Exercise increases endorphins which make you feel better, plus with all of those yummy holiday treats we all eat, it might not be a bad idea to burn those extra cals! You can always start off slow with a simple walking routine inside the mall while you do your shopping. Plus, living at Chandler Crossings makes working out so easy! It is just steps from your MSU student apartment.

-Like your Mom always says: take your vitamins! It is important to stock up on healthy foods and those Flintstone chewables! (Or a more adult multivitamin) Vitamin C will help you beat those colds and Vitamin B will give you some extra energy, just to name a few.

-Get some sunlight! Although nice days may be few and far in between, but whenever you get a chance to enjoy some sunlight you should do it! Sunlight increases Serotonin (a happy hormone) so the more you can be outside and in the sunlight, the better.

-Be social! Although that might be the last thing you feel like doing, going out with your friends or at least talking to them on the phone can help keep your spirits up and put you in a better mood. Chandler Crossings Apartments offer many resident activities so make sure you check out our calendars for fun times to come.

I hope your Holiday Season is full of joy (and energy)!

-Katelyn Moore