DON'T THROW OUT THAT COFFEE

If you're anything like me, you probably make too much coffee in the morning. I always forget that my husband doesn't wake up early enough to have coffee, but some days he actually does. Leaving excess coffee sitting out all day can cause bacteria to enter into your coffee pot and into the coffee itself. I sure won't be drinking old coffee that's been sitting out all day.

SIGN UP FOR SAVINGS PROGRAMS WITH YOUR BANK

I currently bank with Wells Fargo. The company has a program where a few dollars are moved from your checking account to your savings account each time you make a purchase. While it is only a few dollars here and there, it does add up. This can help you save for the future or can even help you save money for that vacation you've been meaning to go on! See what your bank has to offer in the way of savings programs.

PICK UP YOUR GROCERIES

Walmart is where I shop for most of my groceries. However, I find myself making unhealthy (dietary and financial) decisions when I go in the store. I always make a list of what we need, but I often take a detour to look at clothes or to purchase an unhealthy snack that I know I shouldn't be eating. To help me with this, I now use the grocery pickup service to stop me from impulse buys.

FOLLOW MY WATER RULE

This is a fairly new rule, but I'm sticking to it for my health and to save money! I personally track my food and water using the FitBit app. On it, there is a recommendation for the amount of water I need to drink a day. For me, it is 64 fluid ounces. I have decided that I won't drink a diet soda or any other beverage aside from coffee until I meet my goal.

DONATE TO A THRIFT STORE

Not only is donating good for your soul, it is also good for your wallet. Most donation centers will give you a tax deduction form that you can fill out and use at the end of the year on your taxes. So, take some time to purge your closet and home of the things you don't need so that they can be sold at a reduced rate to those who need it most!​

HAVE A FREE DATE NIGHT

As someone who is married and on a budget, date nights can be expensive. For the hubby and I, we normally go out to eat and see a movie. This adds up quickly. However, I have gotten into the habit of checking our town's calendar to see what free events are happening in the area. Sometimes they are good and other times they are a bust. But, that's the fun in trying new things with your partner! Do something FREE!

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1. TRYING TO FIND A SQUARE-INCH OF CLEAN SPACE ON A COUNTER TOP OR DESK IN YOUR HOUSE TO TAKE A PHOTO FOR YOUR LATEST BLOG POST

2. THAT FEELING WHEN YOU'VE FINISHED WITH BLOGTOBER OR BLOGMAS

3. THAT MOMENT WHEN YOU RUSH TO YOUR COMPUTER WHEN YOU GET IN FROM WORK OR A DAY OUT SO YOU CAN WRITE ON THAT BLOG POST TOPIC THAT INSPIRED YOU

4. WHEN YOU FINALLY GET TAGGED FOR A BLOGGER PEER AWARD

5. WHEN YOU DECIDE TO WRITE ABOUT A NEW SUBJECT THAT YOU'RE TOTALLY UNEDUCATED ON

6. WHEN YOU TRY OUT A RECIPE FROM PINTEREST FOR YOUR BLOG BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE PICTURE

7. WHEN YOU NEED TO GO TO THE CRAFT STORE FOR THINGS FOR YOUR BLOG, BUT YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER SAYS NO

8. WHEN SOMEONE YOU KNOW IRL SAYS: EW, YOU HAVE A BLOG?

9. AND WHEN YOU GO ON TWITTER TO RANT ABOUT SAID RUDE PERSON AND YOUR FOLLOWERS NEED TO KNOW EVERY DETAIL

10. WHEN SOMEONE LEAVES A WELL-THOUGHT-OUT COMMENT ON YOUR BLOG POST

11. LAUGHING AT YOUR OWN BLOG POST TITLES BECAUSE THEY'RE SO PUNNY

12. WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO FOR YOUR NEXT BLOG POST, BUT THAT FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER WHO READS RELIGIOUSLY SENDS YOU IDEAS

13. WHEN YOUR PETS, KIDS, OR SIGNIFICANT OTHER TRYS TO INTERRUPT YOUR BLOGGING TIME

14. YOUR WALLET AFTER PAYING FOR SUPPLIES FOR YOUR BLOG POSTS

15. CONSTANTLY CHECKING YOUR GOOGLE ADS ACCOUNT TO SEE IF YOU'VE EARNED ANY MORE MONEY FROM AD CLICKS

16. GETTING WORRIED THAT YOUR CONTENT ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH WHEN YOU SEE YOU HAVEN'T EARNED ANY MONEY

17. GETTING REASSURANCE FROM FELLOW BLOGGERS THAT YOU DON'T SUCK AND YOUR READERSHIP WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IF YOU STAY CONSISTENT 

18. AND FINALLY...HOW YOU FEEL KNOWING THAT YOU'VE WRITTEN AND SCHEDULED YOUR BLOGS FOR THE WEEK!

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AUTUMN QUESTIONS TAG RULES

THE QUESTIONS

MY ANSWERS

WHO I'M TAGGING

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THIS MORNING

BUT FIRST, COFFEE

You can't go wrong when you start your morning off with coffee, especially on a crisp fall day that happens to fall (LOL) on Halloween. ​I'm just having a basic cup of coffee with French Vanilla creamer and maybe a dash of pumpkin spice.

TICK-OR-TREAT BAGS

Right off the bat (LOL) this morning, I delivered some Halloween treats to all of my coworkers. These are from my "Calories in Halloween Candy" blog post I did last Wednesday, so you should most definitely check that out in the link above. These had a sucker, some Milky Ways, Tootsie Rolls, Snickers, Reese's Cups, Twix, and a few other candies.

THROUGHOUT THE DAY

TAKE A WALK IN THE FALL AIR

I have the privilege of working on a beautiful campus, so I'm going to make a point to get out and go for a walk today. Some of the leaves are already changing and falling, and the weather is honestly perfect.

LISTEN TO MY FAVORITE TRUE CRIME YOUTUBE CHANNELS

Nothing is spookier than scary things that have happened in real life. I am going to spend my afternoon listening to true crimes stories while I work. ​Some of my favorites have been Eleanor Neale and Bella Fiori.

THIS EVENING

MAKE DINNER AND SNACKS

I'm honestly not sure what we are going to have for dinner. I didn't actually make plans to have anything super festive this year. I do know that there will be lots of popcorn and hopefully some chocolate. Whatever we have to eat will be delicious and filling, but we will have to leave room for snacks because we will also be having a...

MINI MOVIE MARATHON 

Unfortunately, Halloween falls on a Wednesday, so we can't stay up all night watching a ton of movies. We have decided that we will watch Sweeny Todd and Hocus Pocus. Depending on when Jonathan gets home from work, we might also watch another movie. But, this is the plan for now.  If you'd like to check out some of the movies that I suggest, head over to the "Movies" sub-tab under entertainment and check out my ultimate Halloween movie playlist!

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Each Sunday this month, I will be updating my blog with my answers to the Tweet-tober challenge. Of course, if you want to see my answers by the day, instead of getting these updates each week, you can follow me on Twitter @gemusiclover! As you can see to the right, I've created a subject to talk about for each day of the week. I hope if you are reading this that you will jump on to this tag and play along with myself and all of my other blogger and Twitter friends who have decided to participate. The topics range from fall to Halloween-related questions and they kind of transition to more Halloween-centric topics around the 12th. I wanted this because I thought the topics could give other followers and bloggers ideas for their Halloween like costume ideas, movie suggestions, and so on. So, without further ado, check out my Tweet-tober challenge answers:

TWEET-TOBER | OCT. 1-7 ANSWERS

OCT. 1 | FAVORITE FALL COLOR ​ My favorite fall color, really my favorite color for outfits year-round, is burgundy. I feel like it is a color that looks good on everyone and it is the perfect color for fall, as it is reminiscent of fall leaves when they change in my area. What is your favorite fall color?

OCT. 2 | FAVORITE FALL ACTIVITY ​My favorite fall activity hands-down is baking. I love fall flavors like pumpkin and apple cinnamon, and I feel like sweets are a must in the fall! What is your favorite fall activity?

OCT. 3 | FAVORITE FALL CANDLE SCENT I love the smell of coffee. I know people drink it year-round, but coffee reminds me of that feeling you get when you drink a jot cup of Joe on a cold morning. This Hazelnut Cream on is my favorite, and it sits right next to the computer I use to blog!

OCT. 4 | CORN MAZES OR HAYRIDES? I prefer hayrides because there isn't some irrational fear that you'll get lost and stuck. By the way, the phobia for getting lose is called "mazeophobia!" Huh, go figure! Which one do you prefer?

OCT. 5 | SWEATERS OR HOODIES? I actually love sweaters. Hoodies are nice, because they have pockets. I also haven't used a hood in ages, but that is another point to hoodies. However, I think sweaters are super cozy.  Check out this Halloween costume my husband and I made from sweaters. Which is your favorite?

OCT. 6 | FAVORITE FALL CLOTHING ITEM My favorite thing to wear in the fall is leggings, of course. I have these super cute sugar skull ones that I've been in love with lately. What is your must-have fall clothing item?

OCT. 7 | FAVORITE FALL DATE IDEA I think a great fall date idea is to just snuggle up in a pillow fort and enjoy some of your favorite foods and some spooky movies (or some rom-coms). I love this date idea. Jonathan and I did this recently with some Chinese food, chocolate-covered strawberries, and some Redbox movies!

TWEET-TOBER | OCT. 8-14 ANSWERS

My favorite fall drink would have to be apple cider. The only thing is that my husband doesn't like it. I've tried giving him both hot and cold apple cider, but he just doesn't like it. The good news is that my family likes it, so when we visit them, they sometimes have a few packs of it laying around.

My favorite thing about fall is the temperature change that comes with it. I live in North Carolina in the Southern U.S. Summers are hot and humid, so I'm always glad when things cool off! Not to mention, cooler temperatures always mean cheaper electricity bills for Jonathan and I, since we love to keep it ice cold in our house.

I am grateful for my family members, Jonathan, and my friends. I love having friends who may live hundreds of miles away, but when we meet up, it was like we saw each other yesterday. Big shout outs to Jonathan, Jeremy, Lauren, Paige, and Tyler. These are my closest friends. My mom is also one of my best friends. I love you all!

I really love pumpkins, but I love eating apples much more. In particular, I love Granny Smith Apples, or green apples as most people call them. I feel like they don't get as mushy as the red apples. The mushiness of those apples you got in the school cafeteria forever ruined apples for me! So, I'm going to go with apples of pumpkin!

One year, I dressed up as the brown M&M during a daycare trick-or-treat session with the local businesses nearby.  I also remember that I wore those really uncomfortable plastic princess dress-up shoes to, you know, really complete the look. I don't think I'll ever forget that costume!

My favorite Disney Villain has almost always been Hades from the movie Hercules. That is my favorite Disney movie, so it makes sense that I like him the most. I think his attitude and his fiery responses also resonate with me. On top of everything, he is also pretty funny but manages to be serious when needed!

I don't like haunted houses. I would much rather scare someone than be scared. I helped my brother and students at my school put on "haunted school" where they could walk through the halls and be spooked by various monsters and ghouls.  So no, don't try to convince me to go to a haunted house. The answer will likely be no!

TWEET-TOBER | OCT. 15-21 ANSWERS

One of the best scary movies that I've seen was "The Others" starring Nicole Kidman. The twist at the end really got me, so you should definitely check it out this Halloween!

My favorite fall memory is when my sorority participated in a trunk-or-treat event where all of the neighborhood children came by in their costumes asking for candy. It was the only real time I've been able to hand out candy to a ton of kids, because I have yet to live in an area that has a lot of trick-or-treaters.

My favorite fall decor items are Halloween decorations. That of course leaves a lot of options, but I do have a favorite type of Halloween decoration. Out of all of that, I would say that I love sugar skulls. I painted this one, and I know it is a bit ugly, but I really like them. I love the Latino culture and the idea of Dia de los Muertos, so it's amazing for me!

Where is the best place to be during the zombie apocalypse? ​THE LIVING ROOM!

Of course, I would have to say that my favorite Halloween song is "Thriller" by Michael Jackson. It is so catchy and I love the voiceover of the creepy guy! It is also a great dance tune, so that's why I really love it.

Personally, I think that I like fire pits more, meaning the fire is happening outside rather than inside. It gives you the chance to experience the crisp fall air rather being locked up in your stuffy house!

My dad's mom took us to a haunted house one year, even though we mentioned that we didn't want to go trick-or-treating with her if she was going to go. She drove up and let my brother and cousin out. A man dressed up like a creepy creature found his way over to the car and tapped on the window. It freaked me out and always has ever since.

TWEET-TOBER | OCT. 22-31 ANSWERS

I don't "not" believe in ghosts, but I would have to have a pretty clear and inexplicable experience with one to believe in them.  I do believe in the after life (Christian) and I believe that things happen to people that can't be explained. I think it would be interesting to learn. But, to any ghosts out there one the internet reading this, don't scare me!

I watched both of these TV series, but I think I would have to go with Pretty Little Liars. I think they kind of overdid the story line, but I watched it longer than I watched Scream Queens!

My favorite villain of all time would be Winifred Sanderson. She is funny and spooky at the same time. Plus, she is a character from Hocus Pocus, one of my favorite Halloween movies!

I think my favorite classic monster is Dracula. I don't really have a reason, I just think that vampires are cool.

If you've been on here for a while, or if you follow me on social media, you will know that spiders are my biggest fear, but I generally don't like creepy bugs and flying bugs.  I will literally pull over and stop my car if there is a creepy bug or spider in my car with me.

I don't know what Halloween monster I would be, but I took a quiz for one of my blog posts and it said that I would be a werewolf.

The chaplain at my university said she was asked to pray alongside a pastor for someone in a church she was visiting. She said she saw black "stuff" coming out of her and the lady was completely different after the prayers stopped. What's yours?

I think my plans as of now are just to spend some time with Jonathan and maybe watch some spooky stories. I really wish we got more trick-or-treaters, but I'm not doing candy this year since I only got about two last year and don't want to waste my money on candy that will go uneaten.

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 ALMOND MILK | $3

It's always great to find a healthier alternative to things that I normally use. ​For me, I drink weight-loss shakes at least once a  day. ​When Hurricane Florence came through, I lost all of my pre-made shakes, but I had some Slimfast powder, so I began using it with Almond Milk.

HIGHLIGHTER | $5

I decided that I would try to find some actual highlighter to use in my makeup routine. However, since I was trying it out for the first time, I didn't want to buy a super expensive one in case I didn't actually like adding this step to my routine. I actually purchased the one to the left at Five Below. If you don't know what that is, it is a dollar store of sorts where everything costs $5 or less. I really like the Opal shade! I'm looking forward to eventually adding a better highlighter into my makeup collection!

OUR WORKPLACE CAT

I love animals, but I have a special place in my heart for cats. I have a cat named Rum Tum, and she is one of the sweetest cats I've ever had the pleasure of having! There is another cat, though, that has caught my attention recently. This male cat hangs around our office, probably because we've provided him with a pet bed and some cat food. I love cats and was actually searching for a black cat when I found my cat Rum Tum, but now I'm not sure I can take him home with me. We have considered it, though. I've decided to call him Binx after the black cat from Hocus Pocus, one of my favorite Halloween movies.

NAIL POLISH REMOVER DISPENSER | $1

I found this to be so cool. OK, so I am just now getting back in to painting my nails. I just think it looks nice and I'm trying to make an effort to paint my nails more. I was in the dollar store and saw this cool dispenser. It works well and delivers the product well. I'm sure other places sell this for more money. Also, if you're looking to get in to painting your nails and you don't want to buy a bunch of expensive nail products, try the dollar store in your area. Mine had nail wraps and fake nails as well as a ton of nail polish. It will chip a bit easier, but it is great for "beginners."

MY FAVORITE OCTOBER YOUTUBE CHANNEL

MY FAVORITE OCTOBER MOVIE

I really loved the new Venom movie with Tom Hardy. I thought that the movie was really well made and Hardy was fantastic as Venom. I strongly recommend going and seeing this movie in theaters for the full experience. Fun fact: When Jonathan and I went to see this movie, there was a storm in the area and the power went out numerous times!

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1 | MORTICIA AND GOMEZ ADDAMS

Photo: The Damian Family dressed as the Addams Family

Do you have a never-ending, passionate love with your partner? Let's hope so, you married them! But, I don't want this post to turn into a counseling session! For the lady, find a long, long-sleeved black dress and get a black wig if you don't already have one. Pair your outfit with some black pumps and follow a femme vampire look makeup tutorial like the one below to get the perfect Morticia look. ​For the gentleman, find a suit that is either all black or pinstripe. Head to a Halloween store and pick up a mustache. ​This outfit is the perfect excuse to spend the evening locked in your lovers' embrace. You can also get the kids involved in your

2 | LINDA AND BOB BELCHER

If you'd rather flip burgers with your baby, Linda and Bob Belcher are also a great option. The two are the owner of Bob's Burgers, a burger joint they run with their three kids. For Linda, wear a red 3/4-sleeve shirt, some jeans, and a white apron around your waist.  Don't forget her signature cat-eye glasses. For Bob, a plain white shirt, jeans, and a white apron worn normally will do. Don't forget to swing by the Halloween store for a bushy mustache. Bring along a spatula to really make the outfit pop! You can get your kids involved by letting them dress as Tina, Gene, and Louise!

3 | SUGAR SKULL BRIDE AND GROOM

Perfect for the artsy couple, a sugar skull bride and groom is a simple and easy costume, but is is a bit time consuming.  I've linked below my favorite sugar skull tutorial. For this costume, you will each need face paint in your colors of choice, including white.  For the bride look, head to the thrift store and find a wedding dress or an all-white dress. You can also pick up some tulle and make your own custom veil in the colors of your choice.

4 | NETFLIX AND CHILL

This super easy costume was the costume my husband and I chose last year, when we stayed in to wait for trick-or-treaters.  For Netflix, find a solid red sweater, and for Chill, find a blue shirt. Go to the craft store or craft section and find some iron on letters. Grab some puffy pain or iron-on snowflakes. For Netflix, get a popcorn bag or container, and Chill should wrap themselves in a cozy

5 | LILO AND STITCH

If you're the "lazy" coustume maker, or if you just honestly don't have time to DIY anything for your costume, you can easily do this Lilo and Stitch outfit. For Lilo, buy an oversized Hawaiian shirt. Make sure it is red with white flowers. Pair it with shorts. For Stitch, check out this Stitch onesie you can get on Amazon for $30. If you don't want to pay that much and can DIY a bit,  find blue pants and a matching blue shirt.

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SANDALWOOD 

Sandalwood is a great candle scent to try if you love the woody smell associated with fall. To me, it smells a bit like men's cologne. It smells rustic and reminds me of the smell of autumn trees! Interestingly enough, Sandalwood has been a valued scent of centuries. It is one of the only wood classes that retains its scent, a strong scent at that. So, give sandalwood a try for a deep, woodsy vibe this fall.

APPLE CINNAMON

Would this even be a blog-tober post if I didn't include apple cinnamon as one of the best fall candle scents? Seriously though, you can't talk about fall without talking about cinnamon. It is a FALL SPICE Y'ALL! Not only does cinnamon and apple give me fall vibes, it is a candle that you can also use well into the winter months, as it is a popular Christmas scent as well. This fruity and spicy scent is the will permeate perfectly all throughout your home this fall and winter!

HAZELNUT CREAM

If you've been following my #Tweettober posts, you'll know that Hazelnut Cream is one of my favorite fall scents. I actually still have this candle lit beside me as I'm writing this blog! It smells like coffee and hazelnut, which I feel are both great smells for the fall. I know, however, that many people don't like coffee, so if this isn't your cup of tea (or cup of coffee, rather), I understand. But the scent is decently strong and will leave your house smelling great!

PUMPKIN SPICE

Pumpkin spice is so popular this season. Actually, last week, when I was trying to find pumpkin spice creamer for a baking recipe, the store was fresh out and I had to make my own with vanilla creamer and pumpkin pie spice! This scent just gives off the best fall vibes possible. You'll swear someone's baking a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving dinner!

"LEAF" SCENTS

Another favorite of mine are "leaf" scents. Basically, they smell very woodsy, just like sandalwood. This one also smells similar to a men's cologne.  Most of all, the smell is crisp. Imagine the smell of the woods after the autumn leaves have fallen and maybe some rain. This is really what I feel this scent smells like if that gives you any idea! I got this one at Ross and we love it!

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1. ​IT ISN’T 1,000 DEGREES OUTSIDE

2. ​MY FAVORITE HOLIDAYS HAPPEN IN FALL

3. ​THE LEAVES ARE STUNNING

4. ​CINNAMON IS A FALL SPICE

5. ​PEOPLE ARE LESS SELFISH…UNTIL BLACK FRIDAY

6. ​THE FOOD MAKES MY YEAR

7. ​SCARY MOVIES ARE MY JAM

8. ​SEEING FAMILY PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

9. ​WEARING SLIPPERS

10. ​LOWER ENERGY BILLS

11. ​CUDDLING UNDER THE COVERS

12. ​FOOTBALL GAMES

13. ​THE BUGS GO INTO HIDING…FINALLY

I hate bugs. They have to be some of the grossest things on God’s creation. But, I know that they have their purpose.  They've been everywhere ever since Hurricane Florence hit my area. Mosquitos are everywhere and I am ready for it to get cooler so they all go into hiding and leave me and my skin alone! I would like to think that purpose isn’t stinging me or biting me until I’m cover head to toe in sores! I like that bugs head for warmer areas or hide away when it is cooler because they aren’t going to bite or sting until next spring!

14. ​DECORATING MY HOUSE

CONCULSION

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COLORFUL LENSES IN YOUR GLASSES

Photo credit: ZeroUV

​This trend has also been on the up and up for several years now. Dolce & Gabbana, Ashish, and Emporio Armani all styled their models with colored lenses during fashion week. The colors on the runway ranged from cooler blue tones to fiery red ones. So, accessorize with all shades in the color spectrum!

SHINY MATERIALS

​I guess we can all thank celebrities like Kim K for trends like these. ​According to what we’ve seen on the runway, shiny materials are in. This can be materials like latex or leather.    Not only are these materials fashionable at the moment, they are also practical. Feeling chilly? Throw on your leather jacket! They are also, for the most part, immune to food and drink spills and pair nicely with several items.

BIG BAGS

​Who can really keep everything they need in a clutch or micro-bag anyway? This fall, break out your giant purses and fill them with all of your essentials. ​Carrying your oversized bags is in!

THE ROCKIN’ 80S ARE BAC

​So, in recent years, fashion trends from the 90s have made a comeback in fashion. Now it’s time to give the 80s its time (back) in the sun. This year’s runway looks included several quintessentially 80s looks including giant shoulder pads, frilly silk dresses, ankle boots, and mis-matched suit designs. Grab your floral print and a scrunchie this fall!

THE CLASSIC PLAID

​Don’t worry. You can still throw on your plaid flannel with some jeans and boots for a hot fall look. ​Plaid is one relentless pattern, according to fall pieces that include the checked design.

NOT-SO-NATURAL ANIMAL PRINT

​Tom Ford and Adam Selman were among several designers that played up the animal print on the runway this season. ​However, most of the animal print on the runway included neon colors like yellow, red, purple, pink, and even rainbow!

Photo credit: Pinterest

DO YOU FANCY HOLO FOR HOLO-WEEN?

Photo credit: Shelfies

​Balmain and Christian Siriano, as well as other designers, are playing up the holographic materials this season. So, if you’re in love with the holo trend, you don’t have to put away your shiny pieces for at least another season! ​You could even use the holographic pieces you own for a Halloween costume. Aliens, anyone?

CONCLUSION

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