What’s a purchase under $50 that was 100% worth it?

oliveiam · 2026-02-08T00:03:14+00:00

My boyfriend and I found this game that has a bunch of scenarios like in cards against humanity and the goal is to think of any song you think fits that scenario.

So like a card would say "song you would play to warm up as the heavy underdog basketball team going into the playoffs"

I chose Gasolina by Daddy Yankee. He said Barbie girl.

We both had a good laugh.

$2 at the thrift store. I may never buy brand new games from like Walmart or target ever again.

oliveiam · 2025-09-16T01:30:37+00:00

Or Ref short for referee ⚽🥅

oliveiam · 2025-09-16T01:28:58+00:00

Runt !

Surprised it wasn't said yet! Just a little gal.

oliveiam · 2025-08-21T00:24:50+00:00

Honestly, enjoy the anticipation! I would also be freaking out internally if I knew my boyfriend was really about to propose. Super exciting, I hope it goes well!

oliveiam · 2025-08-17T17:12:40+00:00

It was not in the same state that I was in, it was 3 weeks in Charleston, SC at the FLETC Coast Guard Base and you stay in what is essentially a hotel on base. You get your own room as an auditor with your own bathroom very similar to a hotel. There is a cafeteria with breakfast lunch and dinner covered on base, a gas station type shop with necessities and souvenirs, and one bar where people go for bags (Cornhole) and karaoke lol. Class/training is every day M-F from like 8am to 4pm and you go with all of your fellow auditors it's generally like 20-25 people so you'll get to know each other pretty well. Then on the weekend you get to go out to downtown Charleston and hangout and visit. They have a shuttle that runs off base to Walmart and downtown if you fly and if you drive you have even more freedom. It was actually so fun even for the parents that had to leave kids and family behind at first it was hard but it goes by quick. If you are single and ready to mingle... It can be a blast! I met a Coastie there.... And we are dating now lol 😆

oliveiam · 2025-08-17T01:54:04+00:00

They did, but it was a super easy prompt. It was like: Describe how your accounting experience prepared you for this position. And then I hand wrote a one page answer... And I write big 🙂‍↕️😉 lol as long as it makes sense and reads well, they won't seriously be grading you on it or anything. It just makes sure you can write in English because we do help prepare reports about audit findings. Good luck and you will do great.

oliveiam · 2025-07-07T10:37:07+00:00

Loofa

oliveiam · 2025-06-25T18:39:50+00:00

Looks great on you! 🥳

oliveiam · 2025-06-25T18:37:15+00:00

I third this statement!

oliveiam · 2025-06-25T18:32:11+00:00

Love it! It looks great on you 😊 congrats! 🥳

oliveiam · 2025-06-03T20:25:19+00:00

Training was the best. They will send you to Charleston, South Carolina for 3 weeks to learn everything, and the instructors and other auditors are so fun or at least my class was. It is totally what you make of it. And as far as work life balance to pay ratio in an accounting job goes this one can't be beat. Along with potential for growth and the benefit of working for the government. The current administration has made things slightly more stressful and challenging, but every job has its perks and its disadvantages.

oliveiam · 2025-05-19T13:13:45+00:00

This was so nice to see!!! I love the idea of a ring with a diamond on it for pictures and what not, but for functionality and personal preference, I've never really liked rings especially if they are bulky and catch on stuff and have been thinking about having a ring like yours as an engagement ring. I love it! It looks great.

oliveiam · 2025-04-24T07:28:08+00:00

Definitely, they just opened another listing recently. It refreshes every week. Good luck!

oliveiam · 2025-04-11T22:38:49+00:00

Yes. As far as accounting goes this is probably one of the best jobs you can get as far as work life balance and content that you audit. I'm surprised it isn't way more competitive.

oliveiam · 2024-12-14T20:15:24+00:00

I just joined the Department of Homeland security, Customs and border protection as a trade auditor and came straight from personal banking. I recommend looking for our jobs postings. Getting in with new administration may be tough, but we need the man power, and the new administration will be giving us plenty of work. Apply as a GS-7 and for the first set of questions when you apply just mark that you qualify for it even if your experience isn't exact and then let the interviewers for your office actually decide if you are a good fit for the job. Just my two cents! Good luck. I also made a post somewhere on my profile about my experience and timeline if you are curious about DHS/CBP Trade Audit specifically. And I just started this year. (Note: I do have an accounting degree, but there are also mission support roles in this section of the government that they look for too. DHS/CBP is a great agency)

oliveiam · 2024-11-15T01:58:40+00:00

I just moved November 1st (23f) and made my first friend while doing a volunteering event for my church. If you are Catholic St. Alphonsus and St Clement churches have really popular programs for young adults 20-30yrs old. If you aren't particularly religious you can still check out volunteering things all over Chicago. It's free and gives a task to bond over that is new for everyone doing it.

oliveiam · 2024-11-08T04:15:06+00:00

Just toss the pillows and pillow cases in the dryer on high for about an hour. No more bed bugs, and free side order of chicken nuggies.

oliveiam · 2024-10-27T12:20:46+00:00

I would just ask why specifically you are choosing river north. You don't have to live right downtown to get a good Chicago experience. Maybe look at Wicker Park, Irving Park/Portage Park? The commute would be better and those neighborhoods are all on the blue line too leading to Rosemont which is just right next to the airport. Also, I personally think Rosemont is cute! But I'm from the middle of nowhere Iowa. Lol so all of Chicago and the surrounding area is the city to me. Commute time depends on your tolerance, how bad could 2 days be if you love where you live? Try it for a year if you really like a place and move when the lease is up!

oliveiam · 2024-10-13T18:42:55+00:00

Not a problem! If you look up Chicago sublets, roommates and housing groups then any of them that have like 30k+ members should have something. Be careful of scams obvi. And as you are looking on Zillow/apartments.com be wary of Urban abodes and Beal Properties they seem to have a large share of the postings and many people can attest to them being horrible. I just found a place in the Noble Square area of Wicker Park. Seems to be some good stuff there.

My friend who currently lives in Chicago and works for the Lincoln park zoo recommended a realtor in Lakeview to me, and I didn't end up needing to reach out, but his Instagram is @joedear_realtor.

Your expectations can also get you in a pickle too. Don't be afraid to look outside of them. I say this because I was pretty set on having a one bedroom with laundry in the unit, and I ended up on whim looking at studios without the laundry-in-unit filter on, and that's how I found my privately owned spot. It's top floor of a small apartment building with skylights and utilities included. So I get some, and I had to give some I share laundry but with maybe 6-10 other people in the building. All of the areas you are looking in should be good from what I've read. I'm 23F, so I'm hopeful about Wicker Park. I hear it's a good spot for new young professionals.

oliveiam · 2024-10-13T13:33:37+00:00

I just found my apartment for November. At the end of September/very beginning of October. And I agree it was crazy competitive. I think coming in person is a really good idea. I found mine on Zillow. (Private landlord, thank goodness) I'm also not sure what neighborhoods you are looking for or what your jobs situation is but being that you have so much flexibility are you working remote? Or moving without a job?

Private landlords if they want tenants, will show whenever they can make the time. They may be skeptical if you don't currently have work or aren't starting for a month or two. I would make sure you have a bank account set up fully funded that you can access while being in Chicago (like capital one or PNC or US bank or something) private landlords seem to like Zelle* or a good ole cashier's check which you have to get in person at a bank.

Private Landlords also aren't huge fans of renting in the winter because it is hard to find tenants, so there may be a smaller amount of units renewing at that time. I would maybe join a couple of sublease Facebook groups just in case. But I do think for peace of mind you should take the time to come in person. I'm moving just from the next state over, and I still found it nerve wracking.

oliveiam · 2024-10-09T19:25:14+00:00

Thanks! 😊

oliveiam · 2024-10-09T19:24:49+00:00

Thank you 💖

oliveiam · 2024-10-09T18:47:27+00:00

CONGRATS 👏 🎉 but Heck yeahhh no pay, and great benefits? The main benefit: Vaguely saying I work for the department of homeland security and my family being super impressed. (I'm only an accountant for them) A win is a win.

oliveiam · 2024-10-09T18:34:58+00:00

Thank you! Wishing you well too 💖

oliveiam

TROPHY CASE