8/10/25The Day I Outsmarted the Back-to-School Hype
Everyone knows the first week of school is basically a runway. You walk in, people clock your shoes before they even say hi.
And I had one mission: Adidas Gazelles.
The problem? They cost $100, and my bank account was still recovering from summer.
I almost gave up and settled for last year’s beat-up sneakers, but then Centsible came through like a financial fairy godmother.
How It Went Down
It was 11:47 p.m., and I was “just browsing” the Adidas site (translation: torturing myself). Then I saw it — Back-to-School 30% Off Sale.
Gazelles were included. My heart did a backflip.
I opened Centsible, went to my Clothes & Shoes pocket: $28.22.
Not bad… but not Gazelle money.
Here’s where I got smart: I shifted $15 from my Eating Out pocket. Yeah, it hurt to sacrifice boba runs, but this was war.
Now I had $43.22.
The Bonus Plot Twist
While checking out, Centsible reminded me I had an old Adidas gift card balance — $21.28 I literally forgot existed.
After the sale and the gift card, the total on my screen said $38.22.
I stared at it for a solid 30 seconds like, is this a prank?
Walking Into School Like…
First day, fresh Gazelles, still money in my account, and not a single cent of my savings touched.
The only person more impressed than my friends was me — because for once, I didn’t just buy something I wanted. I planned for it.
Centsible didn’t make the Gazelles cheap — it made them possible without wrecking the rest of my month.
Now every time I wear them, I don’t just feel stylish. I feel like I beat the system.
7/28/25Why I Took a “Loan” to Go to Hawaii at 16
It was a random Tuesday afternoon when my best friend texted me:
“We’re going to Kauai next month. Wanna come?”
My brain: Yes.
My wallet: You’re hilarious.
Flights from California weren’t cheap, and I had about half the money saved in my travel fund. I could’ve said no and watched the trip through her Instagram stories… but then I thought about something my dad once told me:
“Loans aren’t bad. Dumb loans are bad.”
I didn’t have a credit card (obviously), but I did have parents. So I made my case.
I pulled out my budget, showed them exactly how much I already had saved, and explained how I’d pay the rest back over two months using babysitting money and what I usually spend on eating out. It wasn’t just “please give me money” — it was “here’s my repayment plan.”
They agreed.
Fast-forward three weeks, and I was sitting on a flight to Kauai, staring out the window as the ocean turned into a thousand shades of blue. The trip was unreal — hiking the Na Pali Coast, eating poke so fresh it made me question grocery store sushi forever, and laughing until my stomach hurt.
And when I got back? I stuck to my plan. Babysitting every Saturday, skipping a couple of Starbucks runs, and two months later… loan paid in full.
Here’s what I learned: taking a loan for something you can afford later, but can’t afford all at once right now, isn’t reckless — it’s strategic.
You just have to know you’ll actually follow through.
I didn’t just get a dream trip. I got proof that 16-year-old me could handle real financial responsibility.
👙 I Got $70 of Hollister for $7.45 and Didn’t Even Flinch
👙 I Got $70 of Hollister for $7.45 and Didn’t Even Flinch
So picture this: It’s Memorial Day weekend. Hollister is doing the most. I’ve got swimsuits on my wishlist, my card’s screaming “don’t do it,” and I’m standing there like…
“Let me run the math real quick.”
🧠 Pulled out the Centsible calculator.
🎯 Hit my budget EXACTLY.
🛍️ Walked out (online cart version) with $70.42 worth of Hollister for just $7.45.
Yep. I basically committed legal theft. Let me explain.
🧾 My Receipt (AKA Proof I’m Not Lying):
Subtotal: $63.87
Sales Tax: $6.55
Shipping: $0.00
Total Before Discounts: $70.42
Total Discounts: $62.97
What I Paid: $7.45
One of the bikini tops literally dropped from $19.95 to $0.00. I had to blink twice. I thought my screen glitched. It didn’t.
💸 Here’s How I Finessed It (With Zero Coupon-Clipper Energy):
🗓️ Step 1: Memorial Day Sale = Activated
You already know Hollister had that weekend sale. Instead of panic-buying, I waited, stalked my wishlist, and let the discounts roll in like a wave.
📝 Step 2: 15% Off From a Survey Code
Old order? Gave them feedback. Got a code. Didn’t toss it — I saved it. And it saved me.
🎁 Step 3: Rewards Stash Came in Clutch
Past me was doing the most. I had Hollister rewards chilling in my account. Centsible reminded me during checkout to actually use them — not just stare at them like “oh cool.”
📱 Step 4: Budget Check with Centsible Tools
This is the part most people skip. Before I added to cart, I used the Centsible calculator and saw I had exactly $8 left in my shopping category this month.
I moved $2 from my “Eating Out” section (sorry boba), and boom — the purchase made sense. (Sections coming soon)
🛠️ Centsible Made This Entire Haul Possible
Let’s break it down:
✔️ Calculator — helped me know before checkout if I was about to go broke
✔️ Wishlist — I didn’t impulse buy; I planned for it
✔️ Budget Tips — I saw a reminder in the app about stacking discounts during sales 👀
✔️ Search Tool — I tracked how much I’d already spent at Hollister this month so I wasn’t doubling up
Basically, I didn’t just shop smart. I shopped Centsible.
💅 The Real Flex? I Look Rich but Spent Like $7
Budgeting isn’t about being boring. It’s not about saying “no” to everything.
It’s about knowing what you actually want — and making sure your wallet is ready when the sale hits.
💼 Final Receipt Energy:
2 swimsuits, $70 retail: ✅
Paid $7.45 total: ✅
Still had money left over for fries: ✅
Stayed in budget thanks to the app: ✅
Felt like a genius: ✅✅✅
Centsible = budgeting for teens who want to look rich without spending dumb.
We’re not here to guilt trip you — we’re here to help you buy what you want without breaking your bank account (or crying at your next statement).
Let’s make money!
It all begins with an idea.
Lemonade Stand: The classic lemonade stand is a great way for kids to learn about business and make some money.
Yard Work: Kids can offer to mow lawns, rake leaves, shovel snow, or do other yard work for neighbors.
Pet Sitting and Dog Walking: For kids who love animals, pet sitting and dog walking are perfect jobs.
Craft Sales: Kids who are crafty can make and sell their creations.
Car Washing: Setting up a car wash in the neighborhood can be a fun and profitable activity.
Babysitting: Older kids and teenagers can offer babysitting services.
Recycling: Kids can collect cans, bottles, and other recyclables from around the neighborhood and take them to a recycling center.
Tutoring: If a child excels in a particular subject, they can offer tutoring services to younger kids or peers who need help.
Selling Baked Goods: Kids who enjoy baking can make cookies, cupcakes, or other treats to sell.