After decades of shopping until we drop, many are finally turning deaf ears onto the "less is more" proverb, in the form of minimalist living. Committing to a minimalist lifestyle requires the following: one must get rid of almost all materialistic items and intentionally focus only on what matters. Removing any distractions that stops one from doing what they love, or requires extensive upkeep, is essential.
Most minimalists sell their homes, downsize, and possess little items. They value the freedom of being liberated of worldly possessions and unhealthy cultures. It invites the idea of consuming less but enjoying more. As a result, minimalists have fewer bills, stress, responsibility, and ultimately, they save more money. Nevertheless, transitioning from a regular lifestyle to a minimalistic one might feel a little extreme.
Although there is no harm taking on some practices that might benefit you in the long run, you might not be ready to commit to the minimalist lifestyle in its entirety. However, it is never too late to practice minimalistic spending habits. After all, learning ways to spend less means having more money when you really need it.
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1.Multi-Purpose Items
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Instead of single-purpose items, buy multi-purpose items for your household. With multi-purpose items, you can reduce spending by stretching items that have multiple purposes; especially cleaning products and household items. Common household items, such as vinegar, dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, cinnamon, and baking soda, can be transformed into cleaning supplies that are just as effective (if not more) than the expensive ones they sell in the store. Mason jars can be used for storage or as cups. Peppermint leaves can be brewed as a tea for relaxation or repel bugs.
Having multi-purpose items in the home will reduce your need to spend money on the same products week to week. One of our favorite multi-purpose items is Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Target, $11). The 18-in-1 product has multiple uses and can clean your home as well as it can clean your body (just be sure to dilute it with water first).
2.Become Frugal/No Spend Days
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One of the easiest, yet hardest, ways of becoming a minimalist is spending less of your money. Sit down and create S.M.A.R.T goals of your monthly budget. Decide what rational number you can save monthly and devote the rest of your money towards bills. Of course, it is OK to indulge every now and then and buy that item you've truly wanted. But the whole purpose of minimal spending is to spend minimally. If you have an item you desperately want, consider what you'll allow yourself to have and consider saving the rest. If it is not essential than it is unnecessary. In addition, consider having days where you refrain from spending at all. This will stop you from spending the money simply because you have it. It'll also force you to budget in the short-term to prepare for a day without a swipe.
3.Invest In a Water Filter
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Let's be honest: I see you there with your packages of bottled water on the kitchen/laundry room floor. We've all been guilty of buying packs on packs of water bottles instead of the more expensive Brita filter. In our minds, we'd rather spend the $5 on the pack of water than the $30 and up on the Brita filters. But what if I told you that spending the $32 once will be cheaper than the bottles of water over time?
It's time to invest in a water filters and a reusable water bottle. The average American spends about $100 or more on water bottles every year. Reduce your carbon footprint and the hole in your wallet. Say goodbye to those endless plastic bottles and hello to your new and improved pitcher.
4.Do Laundry in Cold Water
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Doing your laundry in cold water is not only great for the color of your clothes, but it works wonders for your energy bills. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, 75% of energy in laundry machines are devoted to the heating of water. Add that 75% to the many loads you'll inevitably have, it tacks on $60 and up onto your utilities bill annually. Save your clothes from shrinkage and color fading, and save yourself from wasting your money: clean your clothes in cold water. It'll save on water consumption, energy usage, replacement of clothing items, and your bills all around.
That sounds like a win-win-win situation to me.
5.Pay Credit Cards Off in Full
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Most of our big bills resides in the repayment of loans. This stops us from ever being able to save properly because we are spending most of the time trying to stay out of the debt collectors' call lists. Take some time to budget out all of your debt, especially credit card bills. Then, pay that debt off as quickly, and as reasonably as possible. Keeping your credit utilization low by keeping your balance low and/or paid off each month will also aid in attaining and maintaining a healthy credit score. The faster you pay off debt, the more money you'll be able to keep in your pockets and bank accounts.
6.Pack Your Lunch
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Now, I know when I say pack your lunch, you read: meal prep. Though they have a similarity in the preparation of meals, it is important that you do not confuse the two. More often than not, meal prep results in the waste of food. Either the meal become redundant, therefore less desirable and more likely to remain in the fridge, or you end up failing to properly store the food. Regardless, consider getting items that can double as dinner ingredients and lunch preparation. The average American spends close to $3,000 ($2,746) a year from buying lunch. Save yourself $3,000 by making your own lunch at home and spend it on something you really care about, or better yet save it for a rainy day.
7.Reduce Your Wardrobe
Rent the Runway
There is a special place in everyone's closet. One that holds a very dear place to us all. The place where we have clothes that we only look at, but never wear. Yeah, it's about time we make that place scarce. Reduce your wardrobe by selling gently used clothes to local stores or online. Instead, opt for keeping clothes you wear often, or clothing that you can turn into reusable items. Buy clothing only when it is necessary, rather than when it is a want. Similar to multi-purpose household items, invest in building a capsule wardrobe where you can mix and match items to wear in multiple settings. The more you use your clothes, the less you'll have to give away.
Pro Tip: If you are someone who likes to wear new clothes often but prefers not to rewear items, consider investing in renting your clothes through services like Rent the Runway. You can downsize your closet while revamping your wardrobe for a fraction of the price it costs to do closet overhauls for one and done fast-fashion clothing items. The subscription fashion service has plans that start at $69 a month. Click here to learn more.
8.Become Handy
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I know it is easier said than done, but becoming handy might be the best tip you've ever received. Often, when we are paying for work to get done, we are paying for the equipment and the worker's time/business. This can often result in reasonable payments becoming downright difficult to obtain. So, instead of paying someone to complete all of your household repairs, learn how to repair them yourself!
There are free videos online that inform you of the best tools to use and equipment to get. Buying the equipment will already be inevitable, but if you do the services on your own, you'll feel more fulfilled and capable of doing anything on your own. Warning: If the repair is extreme, like an electrical repair, consider leaving it to the experts.
9.Buy Essential Items in Bulk
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For a minimalist, being frugal and owning less is the smartest thing to do. Nevertheless, it's about the amount of money you spend over the course of the time and the amount of money you save as a result. Buying in bulk is expensive at first, but it pays off in the end.
Buy essential items, such as feminine products, tissue, paper towels, detergent, and soap in bulk. This will stop you from having to spend $5 to $10 on each item on a month to month basis. If you buy in bulk, you can save 20% on all your purchases and up to 83% on most items. If buying all bulk items make you uncomfortable, consider buying one bulk item at a time.
10.Get Rid of Pointless Memberships
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Finally, get rid of pointless memberships. Whether it is a lack of motivation or a busy schedule, going to the gym was difficult before the pandemic. Now, it's damn near impossible. Instead of keeping your gym membership, decide to create your workout routines from home. There are plenty of fitness YouTubers and Instagrammers who have fitness videos at home that are effective and helpful. Instead of holding onto the gym membership and wasting money on a place you rarely visit, consider creating a gym at home that's free and more often visited than not.
Also, consider cancelling some television subscriptions, or you can pause them, when new episodes of television are not provided. Instead, keep one streaming subscription and let the others go. When you're ready to get them back, the same shows and music will be available.
Featured image by Shutterstock
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Taysha Robinson is a writer and high school English teacher, based in metro-Atlanta. A self described philomath, you can find her reading books and articles of every genre, attending educational conferences, and hiking wherever the terrain will allow.
There’s just something about HBCU Homecoming that just hits different. Whether it’s your first time stepping onto the yard since graduation or you’re a regular at every Homecoming tailgate, HBCU pride is undeniable. It’s a vibrant celebration that unites the legacy of excellence and tradition with the energy and resilience of Black culture.
The experience goes beyond a typical college reunion; HBCU Homecoming is a family reunion, a fashion show, a cultural festival, and a week-long turn-up that embodies what it means to be unapologetically Black and educated. For HBCU alumni, the journey back to the yard each year is rooted in a love and pride that’s hard to put into words but impossible to deny.
From statement pieces to tech must-haves, every item represents the intersection of Black pride and HBCU love, ensuring that you show up to the yard in style and with intention. So whether you’re repping your alma mater for the first time since graduation or looking for fresh pieces to express your HBCU pride, these essentials will have you standing out, because, at HBCU Homecoming, it’s not just about showing up—it’s about showing out.
Thread Goals
diarrablu Jant Pants in Alia Noir
High-waisted, wide-legged, and ready to shut down the yard, the Jant Pants by diarrablu bring a whole new meaning to campus chic. Handcrafted in Dakar, Senegal, these free-flowing jacquard pants are perfect for stepping onto the yard with style and ease—making them a must-have for any HBCU alum’s closet.
Silver & Riley Convertible Executive Leather Bag Classic Size in Olive
This all-in-one luxury bag isn’t a bestseller for nothing. The Silver & Riley essential is made of Italian calfskin leather and thoughtfully designed, as it can be worn in four different ways: a shoulder bag, crossbody, a top handle, and a backpack. Chic and elegant, the Convertible Executive Leather bag is “the bag that every woman needs in her collection.”
Renowned Women's Intuition Cotton Graphic T-Shirt
Renowned
Renowned’s Women’s Intuition Cotton Graphic T-shirt features a bold graphic print inspired by the power and essence of women’s intuition. With its striking design, this all-cotton tee is a vibrant thing, making it a statement piece that celebrates feminine energy.
Mifland Million M Mesh Crop Shirt
Talk about bold, the Million M Mesh Crop Shirt combines edgy style with comfort, featuring Mifland’s signature print on a semi-see-through mesh fabric. Show up and show out in sophisticated flair.
HBCU Love FUBU
Melanin Is Life Melanated & Educated - I Love My HBCU Hoodie
Show off your HBCU love with this piece that represents everything you gained from your alma mater: a top-tier education, a community that lifts you up, and a deep sense of esteem for yourself and your culture. Wear it loud and proud, because being melanated and educated isn’t just a flex—it’s a legacy.
HBCU Culture Spelmanite Sweatshirt in Navy
Spelmanites, rep your Spelman pride with this unisex crewneck sweatshirt, designed for ultimate comfort and a relaxed fit. Made from a cozy cotton/polyester blend, this classic sweatshirt is as durable as it is stylish—making it an ideal piece for any Spelmanite showing love for their alma mater.
HBCU Culture Howard Is The Culture T-Shirt
Rock the ultimate flex by showcasing your Howard U love with HBCU Culture’s Howard Is The Culture t-shirt. This unisex tee offers a comfortable, relaxed fit that’s perfect for celebrating your HBCU spirit without sacrificing style or comfort.
DungeonForward FAMU - Strike Bucket - Reversible
DungeonForward’s Strike Bucket Hat brings versatility and style to the FAMU Crown collection with its reversible design, giving you two looks in one. Featuring a sleek black snakeskin-embossed brim lining and a bold outline Rattler emblem, this hat is all about repping your Rattler pride in style.
DungeonForward Savannah State University - HBCU Hat - TheYard
The Savannah State University HBCU Hat by DungeonForward is more than just a hat—it’s a symbol of Tiger pride and a nod to the culture. Perfect for gamedays, tailgates, or just showing off your HBCU love, this hat lets you carry a piece of the yard wherever you go.
Tech the Halls
Anker iPhone 16 Portable Charger, Nano Power Bank
Stay charged up with the Anker Nano Power Bank, which features dual USB-C ports, a foldable connector, and a compact design, making it perfect for those HBCU tailgates and late-night parties you pull up to.
Drip Check
Wisdom Frame 14 Square Sunglasses
Elevate your look with these angular square-frame sunglasses by Wisdom, bringing an ultramodern edge to any outfit. The sleek design makes them perfect for blocking out the haters while you stunt on the yard.
Coco and Breezy Eyewear Fortune in Gray Turquoise
The Fortune Glasses in Grey Turquoise is a bold statement piece to any Homecoming weekend ‘fit that “embody our fearless and outspoken DNA.” With their color and edgy design, these frames by Coco and Breezy are perfect for anyone looking to stand out and express their unapologetic confidence.
Howard U Lapel Pin
Rep your Bison pride wherever you go with this Howard U Lapel Pin from Pretty AmbVision. Whether adding it to your jacket, shirt, or bag, this pin is the perfect way to showcase your love for your alma mater while rocking your HBCU love with honor and distinction.
Mifland Standard Rucksack Mini
The Standard Rucksack is designed to evolve like that HBCU pride—getting richer, bolder, and better with time. Durable, stylish, and built to last, this Rucksack by Mifland is a timeless piece equipped with versatile carrying options and fully adjustable back straps for ultimate comfort.
Stay Fresh, Stay Blessed
Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask in Pink
Keeping it cute starts with beauty sleep. This luxurious silk mask is an essential for a reason. If protecting your skin and waking up refreshed is your priority, look no further than this Homecoming essential.
Liquid I.V.® Hydration Multiplier Lemon Lime - Hydration Powder Packets
Stay hydrated and energized throughout Homecoming weekend with this Liquid I.V.® Hydration Multiplier in Lemon Lime. Just add a packet to your water bottle, and bless your body with 2-3 times more hydration than water with every packet. Because staying hydrated is the key to popping up and showing out all weekend long!
Loop Experience Plus Earplugs High Fidelity Hearing Protection
Designed for your hearing protection, these sleek earplugs reduce noise without compromising sound quality—perfect for enjoying the band’s halftime show, late-night parties, and DJ sets. Whether you’re front row at the step show or hitting the yard, your ears deserve to be protected in style!
Black Girl Magic Glass Cup
Sip in style and celebrate your melanin with the Black Girl Magic Glass Cup. Perfect for morning coffee, your favorite iced drink, or showing off your HBCU pride on the yard—this cup is all about keeping it cute while radiating your endless supply of Black Girl Magic.
Glow Up & Show Out
Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30
What Homecoming weekend can be complete without an assist from this beauty find? Formulated to blend seamlessly into melanin-rich skin (no white-cast), protect your glow while you turn up with the Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30.
Sienna Naturals Issa Rae's Wash Day Ritual Set
Issa Rae’s Wash Day Ritual Set from Sienna Naturals includes the H.A.PI. Shampoo, the Plant Power Repair Mask, Dew Magic, and Lock and Seal to get your crown right. Whether you’re repping your coils or rocking a new color on the yard, these products restore and nourish your strands, keeping your hair healthy, strong, and Homecoming-ready!
54 Thrones Ivorian Cocoa + Ghanaian Coconut Beauty Butter
Stay glowing from the tailgate to the after-party with the 54 Thrones Ivorian Cocoa + Ghanaian Coconut Beauty Butter. Infused with African-sourced ingredients, this rich, multi-purpose butter is the answer to keeping your skin soft and radiant through all the festivities all Homecoming long.
Saie Glossybounce Hydrating Lip Oil
Keep your lips looking luscious and nourished with the Saie Glossybounce Hydrating Lip Oil. Perfect for adding an extra pop to your pout before hitting the yard or freshening up between events, this lip oil is a beauty essential for staying camera-ready all weekend.
Join us in celebrating HBCU excellence! Check out our Best In Class hub for inspiring stories, empowering resources, and everything you need to embrace the HBCU experience.
Featured image by Visual Vic/Getty Images
The Kamala Effect: Top Black Women In Politics To Watch Now, Into 2025
With a landmark Election Day coming up soon, everyone will be watching to see whether Vice President Kamala Harris makes history by becoming the first Black woman to become president of the United States. And as she has gathered monumental support from Black women around the world (including the more than 44,000 who raised millions in minutes shortly after she announced she’d be running), other Black women politicians also stand to make history in their respective elections, running to serve local and statewide communities.
Just as there have been barriers to Black women serving as CEOs of Fortune 500 companies (with only four having been appointed to those roles), there’s a massive glass ceiling for Black women in politics as well. Only 0.4% of all members of Congress identified as Black, and only 13.4% of all women who have served in Congress to date have identified as Black, according to research.
To date, no Black woman has served as governor of a state (though there has been a Black woman lieutenant governor, which we’ll get to later.)
Glass Ceiling In Politics For Black Women
Black women face the ever-so-usual gender bias and racism when running for office, but they also have to deal with another major deterrent to launching a viable campaign: funding. According to the Washington Post, while campaign fundraising “overall” saw a boost for women in 2020 compared with 2018, “Black women across party lines raised significantly less money than White women.”
The publication further reported that in 2020, data reflected “that the 113 active Black women candidates running on all tickets raised nearly $81 million in the first three quarters compared to the nearly $811 million pulled in by their 379 active White women counterparts across party lines, according to data provided by the Center for Responsive Politics. More than $1.5 billion was raised by over 1,000 White men from all parties in the same timeframe.”
Paying staff, covering marketing and ads, travel expenses, and more are all vital and very costly, expanding one’s reach, impact, and exposure to land the votes. This is one major reason that, when Black women finally make it to the finish line with enough support to get a serious spot on the ballot, it’s more than a big deal.
So, here are a few Black women in politics who have made history, continue to push barriers, and powerhouses to watch as we near Election Day on November 5:
Angela Alsobrooks
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A Maryland native, Angela Alsobrooks graduated from Duke University and the University of Maryland School of Law. She worked as a law clerk in the Howard County Circuit Court and the Baltimore City Circuit Court before taking on the role of Assistant State’s Attorney in Prince George’s County, a role in which she made history as the youngest and first woman in the role. She’s now running for the state senator seat in Maryland, which, if she wins, would make her the fourth Black woman in history to serve in the Senate.
Winsome Earle-Sears
Winsome Earle-Sears is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, who served in the United States Marine Corps. Before becoming the first woman to be elected lieutenant governor of Virginia and the first Black woman elected to statewide office, she served as the vice president of the Virginia State Board of Education and a presidential appointee to the U.S. Census Bureau, co-chair of the African American Committee and the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Old Dominion University and a master’s degree in organizational leadership with a concentration in government from Regent University.
She has filed to run for governor of the state in 2025 and, if successful, would become the first and only woman (as well as Black woman) in the U.S. and its territories.
Lisa Blunt Rochester
Lisa Blunt Rochester represents Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives and serves as an Assistant Whip for House Leadership. She also serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Raised in Wilmington, Delaware, she graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a degree in international relations and later earned a master’s degree in urban affairs and public policy from the University of Delaware.
She’s also running for the state senate seat in Delaware and would make history if elected. If she and Albrook are both successful, that will be a first as well, as it would be the first time two Black women are serving in the U.S. Senate at the same time.
Carol Moseley Braun
A native of Chicago (who now lives in the Hyde Park neighborhood the Obamas also call home), Carol Moseley Braun became the first woman senator from Illinois and the first Black woman to serve in the Senate when she won in 1992 (and was the only Black woman to serve in the six years she held her seat.) She later served as U.S. ambassador to New Zealand, a visiting professor at Northwestern University, launched a food company, and now serves as chairman of the United States African Development Foundation. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Chicago Law School.
Lauren Underwood
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Born in Ohio but raised in Illinois, Lauren Underwood was sworn into Congress in 2019, becoming the first woman, the first person of color, and the youngest (as a millennial!) elected to represent the state. A registered nurse by trade, she’s the co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus and the co-chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. She also serves on the House Committee on Appropriations. Before that, she served as a senior adviser at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Johns Hopkins University.
Ayanna Pressley
Representing Massachusetts, Ayanna Pressley was the first Black woman to be elected to Congress from the state. Before that, she served as a member of the Boston City Council, becoming the first woman of color to serve in that capacity. In that role, she formed the Committee on Healthy Women, Families, and Communities, addressing issues including domestic violence and human trafficking. She empowered many, going viral and making headlines in 2020 when she revealed she has alopecia and unapologetically took off her wig to rock a bald head, shifting the narrative on Black women, code-switching, and appearance in political arenas and beyond.
Jennifer McClellan
Jennifer McClellan was sworn into the U.S. House last year, becoming the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress. A Virginia native, she earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law. She was previously elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2005 and served in that post until she was elected to the Virginia State Senate in 2017.
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