Category Budget

8 Tips to Prepare for Fourth year of Medical School

llmckenzi Leave a comment

As the wife of an anesthesia attending, I know medical school is quite an experience and everyone has their own unique journey. I also know that getting to fourth year can be often be a challenge. We have had our share of the good, bad and ugly life experiences. Medical school for sure was a tough road for us. Leading up to fourth year all of our struggles have come from trying to balance school, work & home life. Here I have a few tips to help you survive fourth year!

Tip 1: Budget, Budget, Budget- At this point you should have your bills and loan money down to a science. Fourth year was one of our most expensive years in my husband’s medical school journey. There are so many extra costs that you need to account for, such as residency application cost, travel (gas, car rental, hotel, food, etc) cost to and from interviews (unless your one of the lucky ones who applies to a place that does virtual interviews), cost of living for audition rotations, don’t forget to budget extra for some interview outfits. You will also want to set some money aside to afford to move to your residency program location as well! If you need some extra cash look into private loans for residency and relocation. These loans were made for medical students preparing to transition to residency.

Tip 2: The Application Process- Applying to residency programs is stressful and the amount of programs in each field of medicine can be overwhelming. Be sure to give your loved one some grace during this time. They have spent the past three years leading up to this moment so the stress can definitely feel overwhelming at times. If you are moving with them on the next phase (residency) then be sure to be included in the process of making a list together. We narrowed down our list to places that we could see ourself living, places we could afford to live and places where our family would be happy. For some you may want to be closer to family and loved ones, some may want to live close to a beach, lake, desert, or mountains. We also made sure all the places we applied were affordable for our budget. Residence pay is more than what you have lived on in medical school but still may be considered low income depending on what part of the country you chose to live in. 

Tip 3: Interviews- As the interviews start to roll in, the excitement starts to build… things are finally happening! During this time my best advice is to be supportive, listen, offer feedback when possible, be honest with your feelings on programs or places that you like or don’t like. But most of all remind them to be themselves! This is the one chance your loved one has to add that “wow” factor and impress programs. They will want to prepare ahead of time what may set them apart from other candidates. I will tell you that some programs look strictly at scores and achievements, while others are looking at who will be a good fit at their program. If the interview is in person, be sure to encourage them to attend the residency dinner the night before the interview (this may be in person or virtual depending on the residency program). This is a great time for them to get to know the program and the potential future co residents. Also, they can ask questions like what is the program hours like, does anyone have families and how much call will there be the first year. Some programs will also invite you to join along if you are in town as well. Make sure your loved one gets a good nights rest to prepare for interview day. So if it is in person or virtual be sure to be yourself and show the program why you will be a good fit!

Tip 4: Audition Rotations- Audition rotations are tough! If you are like us and have a family than audition rotations will be the most challenging part of this med school experience. I tried to prepare myself and our kids for audition rotations but it was still way harder than expected. For weeks I was a solo parent and it was lonely and depressing at times. For my husband it was overwhelming and stressful to feel like he had to be the perfect student at all times. Just like me he felt lonely and depressed to come home to an apartment far away from his family. The best advice I can give you is that it’s temporary and make sure you try and spend quality time before and after they return…. also, thank goodness for FaceTime (such a blessing)!

Tip 5: Back up Plan– Be patient but have a plan b! As interviews start to roll in, it can be exciting but nerve wracking. If your loved one is trying to match to a competitive program it really does come down to numbers. They will want to get as many interviews as possible because that means they will have more chances of ranking into a program of their interest. However, it is always best to have a backup plan and it is better now to get the ball rolling than to have to do it in a rush and scramble aka SOAP.

Tip 6: Create a Match List- While this may seem like the easiest part of your med school adventure it can get quite complicated. We have found that creating a spreadsheet with pros and cons for each program that you interview at worked best for us. Another idea is to bring an index card to each interview or keep notes in your phone, so you can write down all the programs pros and cons while they are still fresh in your brain. Remember that your list will be ranked in that order so be sure to rank each program from favorite to least favorite program. Ranking our list was so incredibly difficult because we were so split between the North and the South. We loved a program in the south (This is where we matched!) but all of our friends and family live in the North. Sometimes your rank list needs to be between you and your loved one and what really matters to the both of you since it is going to affect where you will be living for the next few years.

Tip 7: Love Letters- Don’t be afraid to send letters of interest! If your loved one really wants a program, tell them! Remember that you and your loved one have the upper hand in the match when it comes to ranking but programs do like to hear that your loved one wants to go to their program. I don’t recommend doing this to every program they apply to, because programs do talk to one another and word does get around. Also, If your loved one really wants a program, don’t be afraid to have them reach out to their schools staff, mentor or any physician that could write them an additional letter of recommendation.

Tip 8: Relax- Enjoy the last few months of medical school! Once your loved one submits that rank list there is no reason to stress… well, until Match Day. If you are like me and you are too excited about the new adventure you are about to embark on, put that time to good use and start packing! For packing tips, check out my article 7 Fabulous Moving Tips from a Dr. Wife Also, be sure to spend as much time as you can with loved ones because intern year is going to be a new kind of beast you will have to conquer!

Let me be the first to congratulate you for making it this far! I hope you & your loved one Match to your top program and good luck on your medical journey!

Happy Survivin’

The Best of Greenville,SC

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Before my husband had received his acceptance letter to medical school we knew we wanted to move south. We loved everything about the south from the southern charm to the Barbecue and the Sweet Tea! Once we found out we were moving to Greenville, SC we were more than thrilled! I am going to share with you all of our favorite things to do and places to eat in Greenville, SC! So pack your bags because your next adventure starts now….

Let’t start in the heart and soul of the city… Downtown Greenville. This little city is filled with everything you need from nightlife to southern culture to the fine arts. While living in Greenville we saw some amazing plays such as Junie B. Jones meets Pinkalicious to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. It even has something for the kids like Mice on Main which is a well known scavenger hunt made up of tiny bronze mice that are hidden up and down Main St! (Can you find them all?) While you’re downtown be sure to check out Falls Park on Reedy River. This gorgeous park is located right in the heart of downtown. It has a footbridge so visitors can take in the picture perfect view, it also has plenty of nature trails, picnic areas and of course the Reedy River in all of its glory!

Since we are downtown lets take a trip to The Children’s Museum of the Upstate! This museum is the first children’s museum in the US that is a Smithsonian affiliate, and trust me it shows because this place is amazing! The exhibits range from a children’s hospital, to a news studio, and a Publix market! My kiddos loved the Construction Zone as well as the Reedy River Bend! If you are traveling with little ones this is a must do!

One of my absolute favorite things to do with my kids downtown is the Greenville Zoo! I love that the parking is FREE! There is also a huge playground out front with plenty of picnic tables and sometimes the Kona Ice truck will even pay a visit, so be sure to have some cash on hand. Most of all I love the animals! The zoo is on the smaller side but that is fine by me because it means, most kids will be able to walk it with out a stroller. They have a great selection of animals to view from Giraffe’s, to an Orangutan, to the Red Panda’s and the African Lions! What’s not to love! My favorite time to visit is in the fall just before Halloween when the weather is cooler and this is also when the zoo holds a special event called Boo in the Zoo. The zoo is decorated for Halloween and on select days your kids can go trick or treating in the zoo. Be sure to go early because this event is very popular!

Forget to pack something or are you looking for a quick bite to eat? Then I have the place for you! The Haywood Mall has it all, from great stores to delicious food. When we first moved to Greenville, this mall had just started it’s renovations. So we have seen how far it has come over the years. Our favorite store is the Palmetto Moon, it is where we bring all of friends and family when they come into town to stock up on Greenville, SC one of a kind merchandise. Our favorite restaurant is the Cheesecake Factory, because who doesn’t love a 30 page menu and the cheesecake is to die for! My favorite is the Adam’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple Cheesecake, so yummy! Even if you aren’t in the mood to shop or snack, this mall is a great place to get some exercise on rainy days, so lace up those sneakers and grab a friend to join you!

If you are looking for a place for little ones to burn off some energy or to watch some planes take off then check out Runway Park at GMU. This park is located right next to the downtown Greenville airport and you have a front row seat to watch some incredible aircrafts take flight. The park has picnic tables, a small track for kids to run or ride scooters on, plenty of benches for parents to sit back and relax, and the playground is our kiddos favorite because it is aviation themed. I will warn you this place gets pretty busy on the weekends so go early!

One of my favorite things to do in the Palmetto State is eat! (Food is what the south is known for!) South Carolina is known for the best southern food around! My husband stuffed his face with shrimp and grits, collard greens & barbecue! Although his biggest weakness comes from a gas station called QT in the shape a maple frosted donut, haha. These donuts are delightful and don’t forget to grab your QT cup to grab a drink to accompany this tasty treat! I, on the other hand, couldn’t get enough of the biscuits! I don’t know how South Carolina does it but I have never eaten more delicious biscuits in any other state in my life! I have two favorite places to eat biscuits. My first favorite place is Biscuit Head. Here the biscuits are literally the size of the plate, so I suggest sharing. What I love most about this place is the Jam Bar! Every jam, jelly and butter is made in house and is fresh daily and you can mix match and blend till your little heart desires. I am a big fan of the classics and the strawberry jam is my favorite. My second favorite, is Maple Street Biscuit Company. I lucked out big time because Jacksonville, FL happens to be the headquarters of this wonderful business which means even in Florida I still get to eat my favorite biscuits! Score! What I love about Maple Street is that they take my two favorite things, chicken and biscuits, and put together one of the most unique menus I have ever eaten. I also love how the question of the month is different. So each visit seems like a new experience. The one thing that is hard to find in Greenville is good pizza. The closest thing we could find to good pizza was a place called Copper River Grill, they have the best Stone fired BBQ Chicken Pizza around. I also, highly recommend ordering a side salads as well, mostly because they come with a butter croissant that melts in your mouth that is drizzled in a sweet glaze. Yes, it tastes as good as it sounds!

If you are traveling in the summer and are looking to beat that Carolina heat check out the Greenville County Waterparks! Greenville has three small waterparks: Discovery Island Waterpark, Otter Creek and 7th inning Splash. Discovery Island is our favorite it has a small lazy river, two water slides, and a great water structure that our kiddos loved to play on! Another great summertime activity is catching a ballgame at Fluor Field and if you are Red Sox fans like us than you are in luck because the Greenville Drive happens to be the affiliate team for the Boston Red Sox!

If you are traveling in the winter months our favorite thing to do is to get in the car turn on some holiday music, grab some hot chocolate from Dunkin Donuts (since I am a New England girl) and check out the holiday light displays throughout the city. If you are looking to extend your car ride, take a day trip to Asheville to see the lights at the Biltmore. Another holiday treat is ice skating on Main St also known as Ice on Main! To the folks of Greenville this is a must do holiday activity!

I hope you love the Palmetto State as much as I did! If not then bless your heart! One of the best things about Greenville, SC is the people who live there. You will never meet nicer people in your life no matter where you travel. These people will give you the shirt off their backs. They bring a whole new meaning to southern charm and hospitality. Now every time I travel and hear a “Hey Y’all!” it brings me back to the upstate and the amazing memories we’ve made there!

Happy Travelin’

Disclaimer: This article is based on my opinions and is not affiliated or being endorsed by any of the companies listed above.

Surviving the Holidays… On a Budget!

llmckenzi Leave a comment

Tis the season to be jolly, or in our family tis the season of birthdays, holidays and stretching our budget very thin! Over the years I have learned a few ways to embrace the joys of the season, without blowing our budget. After all, this is the time of year to spread holiday cheer so I am going to share my favorite tips with you…

Start Saving Early– I learned early on that in order to actually save for the holiday season sometimes that means you have to put a little bit a side each pay check starting in January. This amount can be as little as $10 a week. Some banks even have special programs called holiday savings accounts that are designed so you can only pull the money out of the accounts on designated times of the year, to prevent you from spending the money.

Get Crafty– Everyone loves handmade gifts! Every year my husband and I bake cookies and make peanut butter balls that we wrap up and give as gifts. Not only are these delicious treats but people seem to really love getting them as gifts! Some other ideas I have done in the past are made photo books, candles, ornaments and knitted scarves! So whatever your crafty talent may be, you can put it to good use!

Shop Around– (and I don’t mean department stores…) I’m talking about checking out yard sales and online market places for used and gently used items. Sometimes you can even get items for free or for half the cost as the department stores asking price. You just need to be willing to put in the extra TLC and give it a good cleaning or a fresh coat of paint.

Split the Cost– When buying a larger gift for someone, sometimes you can split the cost with another person or a group of people like you might split the check with a large group at a restaurant. I have done this in the past and it works out great when everyone contributes. It is a wonderful way to get that special someone the gift that you want to get them without breaking the bank!

Cheapest way to Travel– This can get a bit tricky! If you need to fly during the holidays be sure to save up for your flights ahead of time and be sure to book the flights early or as soon as a deal hits. There are tons of flight tracking websites that can help you find good prices for the flights and cities you are looking for. Some can even help you find deals for last minute travel. To save on the cost of hotel, ask to stay with friends and family instead. My advice is if you have to travel during the holidays always look into your cheapest transportation options. Ever since we started having children, we are always comparing flying versus driving for our family of five. Holidays have become more complicated for us and, because of that, it is cheapest around the holidays for us to spend the holidays at home. If family wants to visit then they are welcome too! Just be sure to chose the best option for you and your family!

Shop Online– As much as I love shopping in stores, sometimes it is just better for my budget to shop online. Especially when the store offers free shipping or with free curbside and/or in store pick up. Shopping online keeps me sticking to my list and my budget! Plus you can compare the cost with other retailers with a click of a button.

Swap Names– My three kids love to buy each other gifts around the holidays but our budget can’t be stretched for nine extra gifts. Swapping names saves us a ton of money! To do the swap, we have everyone put their names in a hat and each draw a name. Then we give them a set dollar amount limit and take them to the store and let them shop for one another. The best part about this is they get really excited to see their brother or sister open their present since they put a lot of thought into their gift. Some schools even offer holiday store programs where the students can shop for gifts at school and they will even wrap the gifts at school. We have done this in the past as well.

Shop Sales– I am a clearance rack shopper, a couponer, a discount store hunter, you name it I will hunt down the sale to find the best price. So don’t be afraid to do your research and find the best coupon or the best store price for the item you are looking for. Also, don’t be afraid to shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These can be hit or miss depending on the item you are looking for but sometimes they can save you a pretty penny! My husband and I love shopping on Black Friday at the outlets. We get some great deals plus it’s the perfect date night! Win-Win!

Stock up on Promotional Gift Cards– Anytime I can take a survey or refer a friend, I get a free gift card. I stash it away for the holidays. These make great gifts or can be used to buy great gifts for the holidays! For the foodies in your life be on the look out for restaurant gift card deals in the winter months. Many restaurants like to have promotional gift card deals where you buy a certain amount in gift cards and you get a bonus gift card for free. Just make sure you check to see if the gift cards have a use by date before you stash them away!

Yankee Swap or White Elephant Gift– I love these gift swaps because they are outside the box. Usually you play these types of holiday swap games at parties but I have done them with family as well. It is a great way to mix up the holidays, plus it’s an easy gift that stays within our budget. If you don’t know what a Yankee swap is, it is when you bring a wrapped or unwrapped gift to an event. Usually the gift has to be under a certain price point and most of the time it is cheap! The gift is usually something practical like a candle, a blanket, sometimes if it is an adult gathering you could do wine or scratch tickets. Then you draw names or numbers and when you are called you pick a gift and unwrap it and you chose to keep it or swap it with another person for another gift. It is a fun little game. White elephant has the same rules except the twist is that the gift is usually something silly like toilet paper or used gift cards. The point is usually to buy or find the most outrageous gift… plus it makes the game more fun! These are great games to play if you are hosting a party so everyone goes home with a gift and plus its a fun game that everyone wins.

So there you have it folks, I hope you enjoyed my tips! I also, hope you have a season of savings, a season of cheer, and to top it off a wonderful New Year!

Happy Holidays!

10 Magical Things to do at Walt Disney World without a Theme Park Ticket!

llmckenzi Leave a comment

In our house we love all things Disney! But most of all we love visiting Walt Disney World. My family and I like to visit multiple times a year. Since my husband is in residency and we are on a tight budget, Disney vacations for a family of five can get costly quick, so I have to get creative. Here are a few budget friendly ideas that are sure to bring that Disney magic to your vacation just without the additional theme park ticket cost!

 Spend the day relaxing by the pool– The number one complaint I always seem to have about our vacations is I always wish we had more down time. So make sure to plan a day to do just that. Pool days are my favorite days to sit back and relax! Be sure to pack a bag filled with drinks & snacks. Don’t forget the sunscreen and some pool toys for the kiddos! The one benefit for staying on Disney property is they have the best pools (in my opinion). They also have life guards and cast members who have all kinds of fun events and pool activities. My kiddos have made Mickey Tie-dye t-shirts, played bingo, and have played Disney trivia. The amazing pool bars are also a huge benefit, too!

Spend the day at Disney Springs– I love to shop and ever since Downtown Disney has become Disney Springs it has nearly doubled in size and doubled in fun! We have gone at least a dozen times and still have not seen or done everything they have to offer. Disney Springs has a little of everything for everyone in your family. They have several toy stores for your kiddos to choose from. They also have amazing boutiques for the fashionista in your family. For the little ones in your family they have a carousel and a small train they can ride for a small fee. For the adventure seekers in your family, be sure to check out Characters in Flight. If you love bowling and billiards be sure to check out Splitsville, which is a luxury bowling alley. Maybe you are in the mood to kick back, see a flick and grab a bite to eat? If so, then head on over to the AMC theater in Disney Springs. For the car lovers in your family you can ride in a vintage amphicar at the Boathouse. These guided tours are the thrill of a lifetime as they drive on land and into the water. As you can see, there is a little something for everyone!

Go miniature golfing– Disney has two miniature golf experiences just outside the parks. Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf is located in the Epcot Resort area just outside the Walt Disney World Swan hotel. This course is great for families and beginner golfers. I love the Fantasia theme, it makes you feel like you stepped into the movie! The Winter Summerland miniature golf is the second course. My family loves this one because you can choose either the winter side or the summer side. Both take you on a crazy adventure that lead you to Santa’s workshop in the end. My kiddos love the magical surprises you come across as you make your way through the course.

Check out the Disney Resorts arcade– All Disney Resorts have arcades. Now I know what you are thinking, I must be crazy listing this as a suggestion. But on our most recent trip to Disney the weather was not the best and this was a great way to entertain the kiddos for a few hours. They even have a few massaging chairs for the adults to relax in while the kiddos are off playing games. We also found that not all the games cost money, which is always a plus when you’re on a budget! We found a few that were free of charge and those ended up being my kids favorite games. Disney uses an arcade card system which is usually located at the entrance of the arcade. You can load cash or card onto an arcade card which is then used to swipe at all the arcade machines. These arcade cards can be reused so be sure to hold onto them for future use. Some of our favorite games were pinball and the air hockey table!

Ride the Monorail– My kids love to spend a few hours every Disney vacation riding the monorail. We have to do it every trip we take. My kids love to stop at all of the monorail resorts and go into all of the shops. Plus, the views of the Magic Kingdom and the Disney Resorts are spectacular. It is such a magical and unique element that only Disney offers. Another fun up and coming ride is the new Disney Skyliner! We still have yet to ride it, but if you have then it let us know if you enjoyed it in the comments below!

Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing Along at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

Explore other Disney Resorts– If you are looking for a fun way to add a touch of Disney to your vacation be sure to explore the Disney Resorts. You can grab a bite to eat, shop in the resort boutique, rent bikes, or even take a stroll to take in the unique Disney decor. Some of my favorite resorts to explore are Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. I love Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort because it’s one of the only places to get a Dole Whip outside the parks! Right now, if you head on over to the Barefoot Pool bar you can even check out the Lime Dole Whip Margarita which features Disney’s Special Heart of Te Fiti Lime Dole Whip with margarita mix. I can’t wait to try it myself on our next trip! I love Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground because they offer an archery experience (which makes me feel like Merida, from the Disney movie Brave!). They also offer Horse-drawn carriage rides, pony rides and wagon rides. Be sure to check out the Chip ‘N’ Dale Campfire Sing-A-long, for some good ole’ fashion fun roasting marshmallows over the campfire. I also love Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge because it feels like you just stepped into the heart of Africa with the exotic animals to view on the savannah and the spectacular African decor. Don’t forget to grab a Zebra dome and some Jungle Juice in the quick service on property called the Mara. While you’re exploring the resorts be sure to check out the amazing restaurants on property.

Go For a Round of Golf– Tee off and hit the greens! Disney has four gorgeous golf courses on property:

  • Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course
  • Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course
  • Disney’s Palm Golf Course
  • Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course

Disney offers discounts for Florida Residents, Annual Passholders, Cast members, DVC as well as Resort Guests. They also offer FootGolf, which is a 9 hole course that is like traditional golf but instead of a golfball you use a soccer ball.

Run in a Fun Run at select Disney Resorts– As you all know there is nothing I love more than running and Disney. Well I am here to tell you that select Walt Disney World Resorts host Fun Runs pretty much all time! (how cool is that, right?!?) Here is the list of resorts that participate:

  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort
  • Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarter Resort
  • Disney’s All Star Movies Resort

Be sure to check with your resort for times and weekly schedules as well as Fun Run fees!

Rent a Boat or Sea Raycer- Set sails on Seven Seas Lagoon! I will be honest this is a bucket item for us. Every trip we talk about renting Sea Raycers and we never have enough time but that is not going to stop me from telling you all about this nifty little activity! The Sea Raycers seat up to two people and cost $32 plus tax for 30 mins. Drivers must be at least 12 years old and at least 5 feet tall. There are two kinds of boat rentals you can rent in Disney. One is the Boston Whaler Montauk. This love boat seats up to six people and costs $45 plus tax for 30 mins. Drivers must be 18 years of age. Lastly, you can rent a Sun Tracker Pontoon boat which seats up to 10 people for $45 plus tax for 30 mins. Drivers must be 18 years of age. Disney also offers Specialty Cruises but those are very pricey and I could never afford them on a residents budget.

Jellyrolls dueling piano bar located at Disney’s Boardwalk

Check out Disney’s Boardwalk– Our favorite time to head to the Boardwalk is just after dinner once the sunsets, this is when the fun is just about to begin on the Boardwalk. You never know what kind of entertainment you will find from magicians to jugglers. You can even have a caricature artist draw a picture of you to capture the magic! My daughter loves to get her hair wrapped and beaded by the hair wrappers. They also have some carnival games, for a fee of course! One of my favorite things to do on the Boardwalk is grab a slice of pizza from the Boardwalk Pizza Window the head on over to the Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas stand and grab myself a frozen strawberry margarita! (They are sooo good!) Then my husband and I like to get a sitter and head on over to Jellyrolls which is a dueling piano bar (Don’t be fooled by the name, trust me this place is rowdy and a ton of fun!) They do have a cover charge of $15 and doors open at 7:00pm. If you love to dance head on next door to the Atlantic Dance Hall where you can dance the night away… well actually only on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:00pm-2:00am. The Boardwalk also has restaurants and shops so while you are there, be sure to check them out!

I hope you enjoyed my tips and I can’t wait to hear what your favorite non-Disney park day things your family enjoys to do! Be sure to check out my article, What’s in my Disney Park Bag for Disney packing tips! I hope you have a magical trip!

Happy Travelin’

Disclaimer: This article is based on my opinions and is not affiliated or being endorsed by Walt Disney World or any other Disney company. If you are looking to rent a boat please contact Walt Disney World, as I can not rent boats on your behalf.

Tips for Living off a Residents Income

llmckenzi Leave a comment
One of the biggest misconceptions of residency is the pay! Most people assume that once you graduate from medical school and become a doctor that you’re rich! Well I am here to tell you that… it’s not true! Residents earn a decent income however, in our case, I am a stay at home mom, so that residents income has to stretch for a family of five! If you add up the long hours and the fact that on many weeks my husband only has one day off then his salary ends up being less than minimum wage! Yeah, you read that correctly! Less than minimum wage, folks! So as you can see residency life is not easy and it takes some creative planning to survive. Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way!
 
You Need a Budget!– If you don’t have a budget yet it’s time to start! Now a days there is an app for everything including creating a budget that works for you. Some months our budget is a hot mess because life happens like unexpectedly needing to replace tires on our car! Try to create a nest egg for yourself, even if it means you can only put away $10 every paycheck. This nest egg will not only come in handy for the future but it also comes in handy for when the holidays come around.
 
Shop Smart– Since I stay at home, I do all the shopping. I coupon, I read flyers, I stay on top of the weekly ads. I love reward programs that give you points or cash back for purchases. I even use reusable bags to save a few cents. I shop at multiple stores each week for things like household items and food (I know it sounds crazy!) If you hate to shop, don’t worry! Many stores now offer to do the shopping for you and some will even deliver to your home. All of these things require me to plan ahead and can be time-consuming. The savings add up over time so trust me when I say it’s worth it!
 
Cut out extra spending– To save money we rent movies instead of going to the movie theater. If we do splurge to see a flick we go on a weekday to take advantage of special deals like buy one get one free. We also only eat out one night a week and, you guessed it, we eat out with a coupon or on kids eat free nights! You have no idea how hard this is for us since we like to eat how feel, haha! I also keep an ongoing list of things we need for our house or for ourselves that over time we purchase when we have money left over in our budget.
 
Buy Secondhand– We have growing kids who always seem to need something. I consign most of my kiddos clothing and toys. I love to shop consignment store deals during off seasons and stock up for the following year. By doing this I’ve saved hundreds! Clothing isn’t the only thing we buy secondhand we also buy used furniture and toys from yard sales and online marketplaces.
 
Being in residency is like a real life version of survivor except nobody gets voted off the island. Instead you have to learn to survive with the cards that are dealt to you. You will find ways to help make life easier and over time it does get better. Residency is very much like medical school in which the days are long but the years are short. It will be over before you know it and you will be back to making a decent income once again. Just know that you can do this! It’s not easy, but you got this! For more money saving tricks, check out my article Shopping on a Med Student budget!  Be sure to comment below your tips and tricks you have used along the way to help get you and your family!
 
 
Happy Survivin’
 
 
Disclaimer: This article is based on my own experiences and opinions.

7 Fabulous Moving Tips from a Dr. Wife!

llmckenzi 1 Comment
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Our medical school journey has come to an end, yay! I am so proud of my husband for this amazing accomplishment and I’m excited for our next adventure… Residency! Wish us luck! This new adventure will be relocating us from South Carolina to Florida! We can’t wait to see what the sunshine state has in store for us for the next four years!
We are so proud and excited for new changes however, as many of my fellow Dr. wives can agree, we do not look forward to moving! Most of the move falls on our plate as well as all of the stress! This move has taught me a lot along the way which I have translated to some pretty awesome moving tips to share with you.
Moving Tip 1: Start packing the moment you find out you are moving! Seriously, the day after Match Day I started packing up closets and holiday decorations. Pack all non essential items. This with help you immensely when it’s go time!
Moving Tip 2: Use colored duct tape to organize your moving system. I know this may sound crazy or like too much work but trust me, it will help you when you are unpacking a sea of boxes trying to find essential items. I used three different colors: pink, green and blue.  I placed just a small 2×2 piece of duct tape in each corner of each box. The pink was for boxes that needed to be opened immediately. Things like medicine, sheets and food. The green was for boxes that needed to be opened semi urgently. Things like toys, lamps, pots and pans. Lastly the blue was for non urgent things. These boxes are still in our garage! Haha, I have all summer to organize those boxes. They contain things like holiday decorations, coats and winter clothes (we won’t need those in the summer heat of Florida!). For fragile items I recommend putting a larger piece of duct tape across the top of the box to help remind the movers to be careful with it. When that doesn’t work… I just write death threats on those boxes, just kidding (I’m really not!).
Moving Tip 3: Mark each box with the name of the room that it will be unpacked in your new house. Our last move we did the opposite and wrote the name of the room it was packed in and it caused so much confusion since our house had doubled in size.
Moving Tip 4: Wash essential items ahead of time and place them in bags instead of boxes. A few days prior to our move I washed all the new sheets for our beds and placed them in non-scented trash bags and plastic airtight bins. You can also toss in a dryer sheet to keep them smelling extra fresh! These were the first bins to be unloaded and once beds were built at the new house fresh linens went on them! Also, you can do the same with silverwear. Wash and dry ahead of time then place them in ziplock bags before placing into boxes. Use all non-essential linens such as moving blankets to wrap fragile items in. We used old towels, sheets, blankets & pillows instead of buying bubble wrap.
Moving Tip 5: Find your moving tribe! A few posts back I wrote about how important it is in Medical School to find your tribe (your support team). Now is the time to call upon that tribe and beg them to help you pack, move and unpack! Feel free to pay them how you please. In our case, it was lots of pizza and beer!
Moving Tip 6: Create a budget.. then double it!  Moving is so expensive and it’s better to be over-prepared than under… like us! This past move killed our budget, because we ended up having to rent two moving trucks for all our stuff. I don’t know why we do this to ourselves but moving always starts off with a good budget them explodes in your face on moving day! The upside is if you end up under budget then you will now have a nice nest egg to buy some new things for your new house. Which brings me to my final tip…
Moving Tip 7: Expect the unexpected! Moving is so stressful. Every time we have moved something has gone wrong. The upside is we will be extra cautious with future moves. In the mean time, take a deep breath and just live day by day. I promise everything will eventually get unpacked and all will be well again.
When all else fails, there is always next time. Of course, we will be hiring a full service to move for us while my family and I will take a long vacation to Hawaii!
Happy Movin’

8 Fabulous Tips for Surviving Road Trips with Kids

llmckenzi 2 Comments

On the road again…

After moving south for medical school, my husband and I thought we would never be able to afford to travel until after he graduated. Boy, were we wrong! We have traveled more during medical school than we have at any other time in our lives. Prior to med school we agreed that we would not just put our life on hold and try to enjoy this new life adventure to the fullest. We saved as much as possible and with the help of these eight simple tips we have been able to travel the East coast on a budget!

Tip 1- Drive– We found that we could never afford five plane tickets on our budget so we drive everywhere. It only costs us one tank of gas to get to Florida from our home in South Carolina and it costs us three tanks of gas to drive home to Massachusetts. As you can see driving is a no brainer.

Tip 2- Bring your own food– I cannot even begin to tell you how much money we save when we bring our own meals from home. It saves us time because that is one less stop we need to make along the way.

Tip 3- Play car games– Growing up we did not have fancy electronics to keep us entertained when taking long road trips. Even now, my kids and I enjoy taking a screen time break to play some good ole fashion road trip car games. One of our favorites is the license plate game where we try to find the most unique license plate states. You can even pass the time with a game of eye spy! This game is a favorite of my younger kiddos since they can’t read license plates yet.

Tip 4- Pack a potty seat– I know this tip is more for potty training but I have found that sometimes your kiddos just have to go and there is no potty in sight for miles. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times the potty seat saved us from a potty disaster!

Tip 5- Bring grocery bags and Zip-lock bags– Now is the perfect time to make use out of all those grocery bags that you have stored away. Grocery bags come in handy to control the trash chaos that can happen in the back seat on a road trip. You can never bring too many! I will never forget what our car looked like after our first road trip. It looked like a tornado passed through my car! Zip-lock bags are my best friend when traveling because when it comes to road trips my kiddos cannot stop snacking and they never seem to be able to finish anything. Using a zip lock bag I can just bag it and save it for later. They also double as storage for car chargers or cords and are great for holding small toys with little pieces that you don’t want to lose in your car.

Tip 6- Bring muffin tins– Muffins tins are perfect for travel because they are small enough to place on your child’s lap but also the holes are deep enough that you can put snacks and meals in them. A bonus tip: Muffin tins double as additional drink storage, so you’re welcome! We also like to use these special travel divider plates that I keep in our car year round. It is perfect for travel because it has a food separator to keep your condiments from spreading into your other food.

Tip 7- Bring pillows and blankets– I hate sleeping in the car without a pillow. It is so uncomfortable! I never leave for a road trip without bringing my pillow from home. I also bring blankets to layer on us since it is easier than driving in hot stuffy jackets.

Tip 8- Drive at night– My husband loves to drive at night. With less traffic and cars on the road it saves time getting to your destination. It makes the trip go by faster because we put the kids to bed in the car then when they wake up in the morning we are almost to our destination. He loads up on coffee and snacks and will pop in an earbud to listen to podcasts to keep him alert and pass the time.

Hope you enjoyed my road trip traveling tips! For more traveling tips be sure to check out my article “Ten Fabulous Traveling Tips.”

Happy Travelin’

Shopping on a Med Student budget!

llmckenzi 1 Comment

I am a stay at home mom (SAHM) so I am always looking for ways to save money for my family. Our medical school budget is split into three parts: Bills, Gas, and Food/ Necessities. Unfortunately we have paid off all the bills that we can and cannot cut our bill budget anymore (well unless we win the lottery… but that is just wishful thinking!) As for gas the only way to cut our budget is to not drive anywhere… and I don’t think my husband would be a fan of running to work and school. That leaves me having to get creative with our food and necessities budget. My husband and three kids love their groceries and they sure know how to clean out our cupboards. My journey as a SAHM and med student wife continues to be a challenge for me but here are a few helpful tips I have found along the way…

Shopping Tip 1: Always make a list!

Making out a shopping list that only includes the items you need, will help you stay on budget. I do allow myself one treat each week that is not on the list since I usually find something on sale that would make my week go from ordinary to extraordinary! Note: I only allow an extra treat when I have wiggle room in my budget. Every once in awhile I forget to get something on my list (this happens more frequently when I bring the kids with me shopping.) If I don’t have time to run to the store, I will ask my wonderful med student husband to pick it up for me. However you should know that my husband is notorious for going to the store and coming home with bags and bags of snacks, treats, and too much food! The best part is not only did he go over budget but sometimes he even forgets to pick up what I asked him to grab for me (Haha, this is one of the joys of marriage!) I also find when I bring the whole family shopping I tend to go over budget because everyone likes to put individual treats in the cart. Always make a list and stick to it! Another helpful tip for grocery shopping is make a weekly menu! A few years ago I started making a weekly menu to save time and money at the grocery store. I bought a small whiteboard and some dry erase markers and each week I make out our menu. It took awhile for my family to get on board with this new plan, since my family likes to eat how they feel. Over time this little tip has saved us money (which is AMAZING!!!) but at first it may be hard sticking to the menu. Trust me, as long as you stick to it you will see a difference in your budget! A bonus tip is to plan your menu around what is on sale at your local grocery store that week.

Shopping Tip 2: Bring your own reusable bags!

Not only is this tip better for our environment but it also pays to help save the earth (literally!) Many stores offer incentives and will pay you to bring your own bag. Usually it is only a few cents but over time that adds up! So do your part and bring your own bag! My favorite bags are the Target bags because they only cost you a dollar, they are sturdy and hold up to my heavy grocery items and Target gives me 5 cents for every bag I bring with me! Score!

Shopping Tip 3: Buy yourself a small calculator or use your phone app!

When I first began this journey of living on a budget, I often found that when I took a running tally of my groceries I was always off. I went to the Dollar Store and bought myself a small calculator to bring with me everywhere.  You can also use the calculator app on your phone but I find it easier to do it the old fashion way! Trust me, your calculator will become your best friend when you are trying to stick to a budget. Every once in awhile I will get strange looks in the store since I have my calculator in one hand and my list in the other, all while pushing the carriage and grabbing all the items on my list. The best part about using a calculator while you shop is that you will know if you are over or under budget before you get to the checkout counter. It also gets you familiar with the prices of products so when you get to the checkout counter you will know right away if something rang up incorrectly. Don’t be afraid to ask for a manager if you think something is mismarked and always take a picture of the price with your camera phone because most stores will honor the mismarked price if you have proof.

Shopping Tip 4: Use coupons, they will save you a ton!

I still consider myself a coupon virgin because I am still new at it but I saved my family over $125 the first month I tried it. I cut coupons from the weekly ads in the newspapers. I sign up for any e-coupons that get sent to my email.  I also have coupons sent to my phone that can be scanned right from my phone. The best way to coupon is to tell your friends and family. My family and friends will save their weekly newspaper coupons for me and any other ads that I may be able to use. The more coupons you have the more you can save! Make sure to check out the stores coupon policy because some stores will allow you to double or triple coupons. Other stores may only allow you to use one manufacturers coupon and one store coupon per item. Also, some stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond will take expired coupons, so you’re welcome!

Shopping Tip 5: Buy store brand products!

If I don’t have a coupon for a name brand product then I will buy the store brand. Some products you will see only a few cents of difference and then others you will find are dollars less than the brand name products. Most of the time the quality of the store brands are just as good or even better than some of the name brands.  I usually will buy store brand on my canned goods and my frozen foods.

Shopping Tip 6: Take advantage of reward programs!

I always sign up for free rewards programs. It usually is a great way to save a little extra! Some of my favorite programs offer free “cash” or store credit if you spend a certain amount of money. Most of these programs you have to read the fine print to check and see if there is an expiration date (and make sure you take advantage of it before it expires!). Other programs work as an additional coupon that you can just scan at checkout. I also use cash back apps like Ibotta, which takes the hassle out of searching online ads to find rebates and coupons for certain products.  Ebates is a similar program that offers cash back rewards if you online shop off of their website. I like to use Checkout 51 to save me money at the grocery store. This is also a free money savings app that saves you the time and effort of cutting coupons by doing it for you. Shopkick is my favorite in-store app that you sign into using your phone and Bluetooth where you earn points for simply walking into certain stores and scanning certain products. Sometimes you can double or triple your points if you purchase the item and scan your receipt. You can cash in your points for gift cards, purses, TV’s and other cool items. So what are you waiting for, start downloading and start saving!!

Shopping Tip 7: Buy online!

Over the years I have found it more difficult to find the time to get to the store to shop. Besides grocery shopping and my obsessive Target shopping addiction, I don’t shop in store as much as I used to. I find online shopping much easier since I can essentially shop around and check product prices at multiple places while sitting in the comforts of my home. Heck, most of my shopping is done late at night after I have put our kiddos to bed. I love online shopping because I often find the deals to be better than in-store. Many places will even allow you to use multiple coupons online while in-store that may not be the case.   

Shopping Tip 8: Buy in Bulk!

Since our student loans get distributed twice a year, I have found that buying in bulk has saved us a ton of money on certain products. There are many wholesale clubs that offer special perks and some even pay for themselves if you spend a certain amount in a year.  Do not worry if you do not have any wholesale clubs nearby, you can buy many bulk items on Amazon. I buy our paper goods and non-perishables in bulk at our local wholesale club. On Amazon I buy our cat food, baby diapers and wipes, since they have the best deals with their Subscribe & Save program.

I hope these tips help to make your shopping work for you and your budget! Check back soon for more budget friendly tips! For travel saving tips check out Traveling on a Med Student Budget

Happy Travelin’

 

Disclaimer: I do not work for and/or get any compensation from any of the following companies listed above: Target, Amazon, Ibotta, Ebates, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Checkout51 and Shopkick. This article is based on my own experiences and opinions.

How to survive a Staycation: Spring Break Edition

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As much as I love to travel, sometimes it is just not in the cards. Spring Break is just around the corner and my family and I have come up with some fun cheap ways to enjoy Spring Break without breaking the bank!

Have a picnic– Living in the south the weather over spring break is usually optimal for a picnic in the park or even in your backyard… not so much for my snow bunny friends living up north! If you can’t make it outside or if you’re like me (an indoor kind of gal) then you can always have a picnic right on your living room floor. Put down a blanket and pack up lunches and snacks. My kids like to invite their favorite toys and stuffed animals to join us.

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Go to the zoo or aquarium– We are lucky to have a zoo right down the road from us. For Christmas my mom bought us a yearly membership (Thanks mom!), which is not only a great gift but also a great way for us to get outdoors and learn about some animals! My kids like to go to the zoo a few times a month and it never gets old. There is also an aquarium about an hour away from us that we enjoy. We especially love going during special offers like buy one get one free tickets or $10 off. Check out Groupon or the zoo/aquarium website near you to find special offers like these.

Build a fort– There is nothing more fun to my kids than spending the afternoon building a fort right in our living room. Forts are quite a treat in our house. The key to a perfect fort is to use lots of blankets and pillows! The only thing more exciting than building a fort is watching movies in them!  We usually get in our pajamas, snuggle under the blankets and enjoy a special snack. Sometimes we will watch an old favorite and other times we check out the local Redbox to rent something new. As much as we enjoy going to a movie theater, it can get quite expensive for a family of five. This staycation idea is guaranteed to save you some money so dust off the DVD player and enjoy a family movie night in your new fort!

Have a game night– We love playing games! They are all a huge hit in our house. If you don’t have any board or card games you can make some! Bingo is easy fun game to make at home. My kids like to make their own bingo cards using stickers. Just make sure you have a few of the same exact sticker so that you can make a matching set. If you don’t own any Bingo markers you can use a snack to mark your bingo cards. Any type of small snack that fits inside your bingo square will work! My kiddos also enjoy games like Simon Says, which doesn’t require a board or cards at all!

Put on a puppet show– Make good use out of all of those mismatched socks and make puppets out of them. Another household item you can use to make puppets is paper bags. You can decorate them with markers, glitter, stickers or whatever art supplies you have on hand. My kids love to put on shows for us in our living room. This is a great cheap activity that is sure to make some fun memories.

Have a scavenger hunt– This is a great backyard activity that your kids will love! Pretend you are pirates and hide gold coins (found at the dollar store or left over from Halloween) all over your house or backyard. This activity is weather permitting however if you are unable to be outside then you can pick a room in your house instead! You can also draw a map of a room in your house or map of your backyard and have the kids find specific items on the map. Another option is to put things in Easter eggs and hide the eggs in your backyard.

Make a photo booth– All you need is a camera or phone to take the photos with. Use a sheet or tablecloth to use as your backdrop and you can use props like left over Halloween costumes or even make masks and props out of construction paper. My kiddos had a blast creating our own photo booth!

Make play dough– As a kid my mom would make play dough every time we had a play date. I have since passed down the tradition and make play dough with my kiddos now. It is a fun easy craft that is ready in minutes. This recipe is my favorite, enjoy!

Materials

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
  • Food coloring
  • Saucepan
  • 1 cup flour

Directions

  1. Combine water, oil, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring in a saucepan and heat until warm.
  2. Remove from heat and add flour.
  3. Stir, then knead until smooth.
  4. Store this dough in an airtight container.

Go on a mystery ride– Mystery rides are a huge hit in my household. We like to get in the car and just see where we end up. Sometimes we have a destination in mind while other days we just drive in a random direction. When I was a kid my dad would take us on all types of mystery ride adventures and they are some of my favorite memories to this day. Some mystery rides that we have taken in the past are to an ice cream stand, our favorite restaurant and the beach. Our ultimate mystery ride was to Disney World! (but this obviously is not a cheap staycation idea, haha!)

Hope you enjoyed my tips on how to survive a staycation! If you have any other staycation ideas please feel free to add them in our comments section!

Happy Travelin’

Disclaimer: These are my own opinions and experiences. I do not work for Disney, Redbox, or Groupon. I do not receive compensation of any kind from these companies. 

Traveling on a Med Student Budget

llmckenzi 1 Comment

 

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I am a stay at home mama on a limited budget. We are constantly cutting corners to stay afloat. Medical school was not built for families, especially one like ours with children who have medical problems. We live off student loan checks that only come twice a year and a per-diem paramedic job that my husband has on the side to help us get by. So now you are probably wondering how we manage to travel so much on a shoestring budget. Well let me tell you it’s not easy!

  • We budget. I know this is a given since we are in medical school but everything we do is budgeted for. We even budget on vacation. It’s important to make a plan of all your travel expenses including hotel, food, and souvenirs. We even try to over budget in order to make sure we have some room for unplanned necessities.
  • We put a little bit aside each week. Taking as little as $25 out of your paycheck every other week can add up to $650 at the end of the year! That can easily pay for a relaxing getaway or a fun family weekend.
  • We stay with family whenever possible. Not only does that save us on hotel cost but it also fills our “home sickness” gap since we live in SC and most of our family live up north.
  • We drive everywhere! Our mini van was the best purchase we have ever made! It can easily turn into our home away from home when traveling. Plane tickets for a family of five would cost a fortune. So we drive, and if we can’t drive or afford to fly then we don’t go. Someday my husband and I dream of traveling the world on a “Doctors salary” but until then no First Class for us!
  • We bring food from home! Not only does this save us some serious cash but also since I have two children with food allergies it gives us the peace of mind that everything they eat is safe. We always make sure to pack breakfast and snacks since those are the most convenient meals to travel with. We do enjoy eating out every once in awhile but only if it’s in the budget! Another way to save some money while on vacation is by splitting or sharing meals. We can order two adult meals and it will easily feed four of us. We also eat a lot of pizza when traveling because a large pizza will feed us all, and it is so cheap!
  • We use travel points from our credit card. We put gas and groceries on our credit card each week then pay it off. By doing this we earn points that we use to pay for things like airfare & hotels. We love using the Disney Chase card because we can convert our points to Disney dollars and use it when we vacation in Disney. Nothing makes a Mickey bar taste sweeter than knowing it was purchased using your free credit card points!
  • We use websites like Priceline, Orbitz & Hotels.com. Last year we had to travel to Boston quite often because of my son’s medical condition. Over the course of a year we stayed in over ten hotels. If you book ten hotel nights using the Hotel.com website you earn a free night stay. We just recently used our free hotel night and stayed at a gorgeous hotel in Charlotte, NC. Priceline comes in handy when we have an idea of where we want to stay but also a price point to stick to.  It has been super helpful to be able to stay on budget while finding fabulous four and five star hotels. Priceline is also good for last minute travel deals. Orbitz is a great tool because you can earn Orbucks. Every time you book with them you can earn a number of Orbucks, then you can use the Orbucks to pay for future travel on the Orbitz website. You have to sign up to earn rewards though!

My husband and I made a pact prior to him starting medical school that we would never get too busy making a living that we forgot to make a life.  Now go out and see the world! Go to as many places as you can! You can always make money but you can’t always make memories (especially Disney memories)!

I look forward to hearing other ways you and your family save on travel!

 

Happy Travelin’

 

Disclaimer: These are my own opinions and experiences. I do not work for Disney, Orbitz, Priceline, or Hotels.com. I do not receive compensation of any kind from these companies.