Whether you get your monthly salary from your parents or you got a job, managing your wallet or bank account could be a great idea – only when it works! In most cases like today, yesterday and probably every other day,  you will find yourself sitting at home and waiting for some miracle to happen because #BrokeLife calls for desperate measures and Netflixing in bed.

Here are 7 tips that could help you make a positive change with your financials.

1. Pay Your Debts (i.e. Whatever You Owe To Your Friends) At The Very Start Of The Month

As soon as you get your monthly salary, always try to remember if you owe someone money and make sure to pay them back. I know; you just touched your salary and probably don’t wanna let it go on the very first day, but if you wait till mid of the month, you will probably not be able to cover it. Trust me, paying your bills on time (or what you owe your friends) will give you a net profit to manage throughout the month with no worries at all. Plus, you need to always keep your promise to your friends, or else, they will not trust you anymore with future loans.

2. Know How To Budget – Allocate Your Money Depending Of The Month’s Different Plans

I know it’s kinda boring but taking 20 minutes to allocate budgets accordingly will save you a lot for later. Think about what you have planned for the month and work it out financially: budget for this month’s birthdays and big events, your next shopping list (stick to it and try not to go OFF guard!) and finally, allocate the money you need for daily meals, drinks, gas, outings, etc., separately.
Be your own consultant!

3. Savings

If you survived step 2 successfully, that means you should end up with some amount of money by the end of the day – even if it is as little as $10, make sure you save it and don’t feel the urge to spend it on something you don’t really need! It can help you with the upcoming busy months to come (where you have more spending) or you can always allocate an extra monthly sum for your next summer trip! Also, don’t forget to invest in a savings account – that’s an investment worth having as it pays you off big time! Check out our savings advantages for the young 

4. Being Young Has Its Own Benefits

Yes, it means being able to enjoy a lot of discounts offered by so many services. I mean, why not? If being young doesn’t always pay you off with big money (as you’re probably still at entry level), it kinda makes up for it with the many discounts and benefits that many services offer exclusively for the youth only. Check out the many discounts and offers that you can benefit from by simply presenting your Lucky to be Young card! 

5. Save Up On Gas

Yes, gas gas gas! Driving in Lebanon is already stressful enough, and between the daily consumption of gas and the parking prices (All valets everywhere!), it is always better to take a cab and save up!

6. Be Up-to-date On Your Credit Record

No, it’s not just another plus application on the phone; it’s here for a reason! Always keep track on your expenses to know whether you are budgeting right or whether you are overspending. Check out BLF’s app, My BLF that gives you a clear and updated view of your transactions and balances! Download it now!

7. Buy Smart

Let’s face it. We’re still young and we’re probably not doing that MUCH to be able to spend here and there without giving a care (future goals of course!) But for now, make sure you’re buying what you need and not whatever is cute or new. I mean this marketing world of ours is full of tempting stuff but let’s keep our priorities straight.

Now tell us about your most embarrassing “broke” or “card declined” moment. 

This holiday season comes with a lot of joy, gratitude, presents, food, merriment, and… unasked-for comments from relatives.

This seems to be a universal thing; all around the globe, families gather to share a meal and reconnect, all while smoothly directing nosy comments at the younger generation.

The comments start when you’re about 17 years old and they won’t stop coming until you graduate university.

Wait, no… until you get married.

Well, maybe until you have kids.

Actually, I think the safest bet is that they won’t stop coming until your kids are old enough to have the comments redirected to them.

Here’s a list of comments you can look forward to receiving during this joyful and merry season, with a few suggested comebacks you can fire back!

1. Wow, you’ve gained weight!

Oh, gee. I really had no idea. Thanks for making the effort to point it out even though no one, specifically I, asked you about your opinion!

Best response: “Well, ouch.”

Make your hurt feelings known with a direct statement that shows how rude their comment was without getting into a long discussion over it. Simple and effective!

2. So, are you seeing anyone right now?

Um. Yeah. Netflix.

Best response: “I’m just focusing on myself, my studies, and my friends right now. If I happen to meet someone along the way, then great!”

Then change the subject.

3. Sometimes, I worry you forgot about us! You haven’t been visiting at all.

Well yeah… to avoid these questions.

Best response: “I’ve just been really busy with work/exams and projects. I had been meaning to visit, though.”

Sometimes, telling a white lie is necessary.

4. You know I heard [x]’s kid got married. Good for them! When are you going to delight us with such good news?

Best response: “When I do, you’ll be the first one to hear about it!”

Yeah, right.

5. Hopefully, next year, you’ll be introducing us to your partner!

Best response: “Fingers crossed.”

You know, [x]’s daughter landed a job in Dubai. She’s making tons of money and she’s really happy! I hope we’ll get to say that about you, someday.

Best response: “You already can. I love my job!”

Then, ask them about themselves and how they’re doing.

You got this.

And my final piece of advice is, focus on the food.

They say it’s the happiest time of the year, but why does it feel like the laziest?

Get out of your bed and stop scrolling through your social media feed for hours. The online world will definitely not put you in the jolly season. So step out and look outside! Let’s relive together the Christmas spirit that we have long forgotten!

1. Go to mall or Christmas markets

Because baby it’s cold outside.

There is nothing more beautiful than malls’ decorations for this festivities. Malls usually put a lot of effort into illustrating their best Christmas spirit. They all compete when it comes to the most beautiful decoration so why not take advantage of that to indulge in the spirit?

They all have their own Christmas schedules. So make sure to check them out to enter their Christmas worlds especially if you want to go shopping!

2. Organize a dinner/party with a cool theme

Christmas is around the corner which means it is family time. This tradition never gets old. The 24^th and 25^th are sacred for Christmas family lunches and dinners. But how about you create your own tradition by hosting your own get-together dinner/party? You do not have to spend a lot. The real job here is about the theme of the party – a theme that will make all the difference. You can think of a dress-code theme: all red, different Santa versions, and may the best win, Disco-Santa with the red boas, a Secret Santa game, etc.

3. Put Christmas carols in the house at all times

Keep them on at all times at home. Having a Christmas playlist playing all day long will make your house look like Santa’s home.

4. Watch Christmas movies

Yes, a Christmas movie marathon. If you have some holiday favorites, make sure to watch them, either alone or with your friends/family. Some examples to help you out: “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “A Christmas Story”. There’s always a good story to learn from a Christmas movie. (Any other suggestion you would like to add?)

5. Participate in the decoration traditions: don’t wait for it to be set

We all got used to coming back home and finding the Christmas tree setup all done. A big thank you to whomever did it ofc but hey, remember the old days when you used to wake up early to set up the tree yourself? These are the moments that actually mark the Christmas season more than ever.

6. Volunteer. It’s what Christmas is all about

Say no more.
Reach out to someone who is lonely in this vacation, sick, in need, hungry, tortured… This is where the real essence of Christmas lies.

Your Lucky to be Young card will definitely make this season jollier! Use it during December and get special discounts at selected stores.

7. Write a letter to Santa

Santa who? Santa you!

Be a little kid and do what little kids do. Write Santa a letter. List down your personal goals and resolutions for the next year – be your own Santa. Santa is a reminder that wishes do come true and now it’s the time for you to make that bucket list of yours come true.

What about you?

How do you keep your Christmas spirit alive?

You watch them in movies, listen to their songs, and maybe follow them on social media: celebrities. However, did you know that some celebrities are actually using their fame to raise awareness for good causes? Here are 4:

Leonardo DiCaprio

The Revenant, the Wolf of Wall Street is also an environmentalist. As a matter of fact, DiCaprio has his own foundation, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which works towards the preservation of nature, helping endangered animals and species, and protecting the environment. His official Instagram page is uniquely dedicated to stories, images and news about the environment.

Did you know that our Bank, Banque Libano-Française (BLF), is also committed to helping the community?

Nadine Labaki

Lebanese actor-director is known for shedding light on societal problems through her work. Most recently, her movie “Capharnaum” tackles poverty and the difficult life of children living on the streets, specifically in Lebanon, but also in the world. This has led to a campaign discouraging early marriage and random pregnancies.

Elissa

The Lebanese singer is also a great example of celebrities who use their fame for good causes. In fact, Elissa recently shared the news of her cancer diagnosis through a song and a video clip. She wanted to encourage cancer patients to stay strong, and to remind them that everything is possible, even beating cancer. Her recent struggle was evidence that those who keep a smile on their face and go through their daily lives normally may be fighting their hardest battles.

Angelina Jolie

Worldwide actress and director is also a UNHCR goodwill ambassador.  She is involved in child immigration and education, human rights, and women’s rights. Indeed, Jolie travels around the world with UN organs to visit refugee camps and offer help and support to those who are suffering. She has financially contributed to a lot of causes, such as the Malala Fund, in order to ensure women receive education.

Oprah Winfrey

The famous self-made spokesperson and talk-show host is also a big time philanthropist. Indeed, over the years, Oprah has donated money to several humanitarian causes, mostly those involving education, and those aiming to preserve African-American heritage. She is known for her generosity and kindness, and she has even been awarded for her humanitarian work.

If you live in Lebanon, or anywhere on this little planet called Earth, you have most probably been jammed with all these Black Friday ads.

No one is complaining here. I mean who doesn’t love the sight and sound of a “before-after” reduced price?
Yes. You’re probably imagining it now.

Well, here are 6 smart tips that will help you enjoy your Black Friday without having to end up with an over-spending problem or new items that you probably will never wear nor use – which btw happens all the time.

1. Make a list: bucket list, wish list, love list, ex list… They all have list in common

There’s a list to everything and shopping comes first when it comes to planning.
Write down the things you need and put them in order of priority. Also, don’t forget to list them by stores to make your mission easier. It’s easy to lose focus when you arrive to the store and to try on things that you never wanted in the first place, so try to stick to your own list first.

2. Then comes the backup plan

So you haven’t crossed out anything from the list yet. Well, grab list number 2, your backup plan. Everyone and everything needs a backup plan and Black Friday is no exception. Try to benefit from discounts and low prices on items and things that you know you will probably need anytime soon.

3. Take your friend with you

Black Friday doesn’t have to be a competition or a life or death mission. Well, some people take it way too seriously, but you don’t have to. Make it fun and memorable. You will always find some things to laugh about while with a friend and you can always help each other out with finding out the right items in the stores.

4. Budget. Because you probably do not own a bank…

Stick to your budget. Set yourself a number in order to make Black Friday a smart shopping and not end up overspending. Sticking to your budget means you won’t have to deal with any impulse shopping.

5. Don’t be fooled

Yes, having the before and after mark makes the item looks like an IT deal. However, make sure to double check. Remember, not all items are deeply discounted. Sometimes, the original price was too high to begin with and can be found elsewhere in the market place. Other times, the discount itself might not be that great and you end up paying the same price with just a small twist.
Don’t let them marketers fool you. It’s called Black Friday for a reason.

6. Don’t forget that you benefit from various discounts with your Lucky to be Young card even if it’s not Black Friday 😉

Yes, your Lucky to be Young card is your passport to enjoy amazing discounts all year long at stores and restaurants you love! Check them out here.

Halloween is just around the corner, and for many of us, thinking about how to prepare for this day is a chore! With exams coming up, it is completely understandable that we might not even have time to prepare for anything at all. If you are one of these people facing the dilemma of preparing for exams vs preparing for a party, we have made your life a tad easier! We have gathered for you 4 simple suggestions to make this day unforgettable!

1. Prepare your spooky makeup set!

Whether you are a girl or a guy, your Halloween would not be complete without the right face disguise. Get that smoky eyeliner, prepare your face paint kit, or even get some scary masks to save yourself the trouble of painting your face altogether. Look for YouTube Tutorials on different makeup styles for Halloween. Ladies, no matter what you do, do NOT attend your next Halloween party with red lips, black eyeliner, and cat ears. Nothing is more cliché than this costume.

2. Pick out a party!

If you are on a budget, aim for school or university parties! Schools and universities host parties all year long to collect money for their proms, graduation ceremonies, social clubs, and so on. Their ticket prices are usually fair and they have a lot to offer for the money worth. If you are not into school or university parties, many NGOs also host Halloween parties as part of their fundraising activities. Check if your favourite NGO is on the list of Halloween-party hosts, gather your friends, and party the night away. This way, you would be hitting two birds in one stone: partying AND helping society.

3. Option for house cats

If you are not a party animal, you can still make Halloween special: Host a party in the comfort of your own house. Decorate the place with orange balloons, have some scary props set at the entrance, invite your closest buddies, and enjoy. You can set up some fun activities like pumpkin carving and piñata busting to keep everyone entertained. Turn off the lights, turn on a flashlight, and share your horror stories. Prepare a delicious meal, or better yet, order some pizza! The possibilities are endless, make them your own!

4. Spread joy

You know how people wear their scary costumes and knock on doors asking for candy? You can do the same thing, but in reverse! Put on some fun masks, buy tons of candy, and give it out to people around you! Schoolmates, co-workers, university friends, even strangers on the street! Everyone loves candy, and you just might make someone’s day with your small gesture of kindness! You can even visit your local public hospitals, schools, orphanages, or elderly homes and spread your sweet surprises over there, just to make sure that everyone gets a taste of the happiness you’re spreading around, even those who are not able to go out and celebrate. Of course, before you offer candy to anyone in those institutions, you might have to get someone in charge’s permission. You wouldn’t want to give a Mentos to a diabetic man by accident!

Imagine a dull Sunday afternoon, a long break between classes or simply a day off without having anything to fill your time. It’s times like these when Netflix can save your day. I mean, who needs to go out or even sleep when you can just lay in bed and binge-watch all your favorite series? The catch though is finding the perfect show to match your mood and preference. Browsing for good shows aimlessly can be boring especially when you have an unlimited number of options to choose from. So,  if you’re struggling to decide which show to watch next, allow me to help.

Suits (IMDb: 8.6/10): A drama set in a law firm in New York tells the story of a lawyer who never attended law school. It focuses on the power duo Harvey Specter and Mike Ross as they attempt to keep Mike’s secret. A must watch!

Black Mirror (IMDb:8.9/10):  A twisted show! Set in the near future, it tells a different story in each episode and focuses on the consequences of high technology.

How to Get Away with Murder (IMDb: 8.2/10): When a brilliant, charismatic law professor and a group of her students get involved in a murder, they attempt to apply what they learned in class to real life.

Sense8 (IMDb: 8.4/10): 8 people from all around the world are physically and emotionally linked. This show features an amazing multinational cast and explores diverse subjects.

Dexter (IMDb: 8.7/10): A blood splatter analyst by day and serial killer by night trying to keep his two lives separate? Yes please! This show takes you into the mind and life of a brilliant, psychotic, serial killer.

Breaking Bad (IMDb: 9.5/10): When Walter White, a chemistry professor, is diagnosed with cancer, he decides to use his expertise to produce and sell meth with his former student Jesse Pinkman. This show will have you hooked.

Brooklyn Nine Nine (IMDb: 8.4/10): The immature, but very talented detective Jake Peralta attempts to deal with his stern commanding officer. A hilarious and intelligent show.

Orphan Black (IMDb: 8.3/10): Sarah witnesses the suicide of a woman that looks exactly like her and decides to steal her identity, only to realize, she’s part of a cloning experiment.

Riverdale (IMDb: 7.6/10): Based, on the Archie comics, this teen drama gets you wrapped up in the mystery packed life of Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead. It’s an addictive, drama packed series with an undertone of romance and dark comedy.

Sherlock (IMDb: 9.2/10): An updated version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. A brilliant, captivating, often funny and sometimes tragic show.

While some of these shows are well-known, others are underappreciated yet equally as good. Find the show that captivates you most, get some snacks, and binge away!

Now what’s your favorite Netflix show? Tell us why in the comments below. Share with us a funny experience 🙂

With the rise of social media and the dominance of influencers and bloggers, it can be a bit difficult to be a young adult. Older generations always tell us: “When we were your age, we used to play outside” and similar sentences that make social media and advanced technology look bad: but have we ever stopped and seriously thought about the possible side-effects and influence that social media might have on us?

1. SOCIAL MEDIA’S PRACTICALITY

You can now learn anything, and fast. Some accounts on social media are actually useful for traveling, cooking, DIY, make-up tutorials, etc. Also, everything is more accessible through social media: you can shop online, create a blog or begin a startup, all through the click of a button!

2. GAINING INSPIRATION

When it comes to bloggers, sometimes people need the influence! How many times were you lost and didn’t know what to wear, so you just checked out your favorite blogger’s profile for inspiration? But it’s not always about superficial things, in fact, some influencers use their platforms to do good by encouraging their followers to donate to certain charities, or just by raising awareness about a certain cause.

And how about you surf the social platforms with high-tech products? Get your favorite iPhone, iPad, MacBook or Apple Watch thanks to Banque Libano-Française iLoan.

However, social media has some negative effects on our lives.

3. SHOWING OTHERS

Nowadays, it seems as though everyone is doing things and going places for social media. When you go out, travel or even go for dinner, you absolutely have to take pictures and videos to post them on social media. This is a habit that most of us have without even realizing it has become a serious issue, because most of us are only doing it to show instead of just enjoying the moment for our own sake.

4. FEAR OF MISSING OUT

The fact that most people post what they’re doing at all times, and everyone has access to that through social media, has led rise to one of the worst phenomena of our generation: FOMO or fear of missing out. Have you ever watched someone’s story on Instagram and thought, “Hey, I should have gone to that party!”? That’s pretty much what that is, and it might not be that important of a feeling, but over time, it might become more intense to the point where you may have constant anxiety that something is happening and you aren’t part of it.

5. CREATING YOUR IDENTITY

Bloggers and influencers can also have an impact through their social media platforms. Sometimes, due to the intense observing of an influencer, we might get too immersed in who they are and how they look, that we might not be able to create our own identity or our own style, because we’ll try to be something or someone we’re not.

Basically, social media requires moderation and balance. You can always find other activities to do like exercising, reading or watching a movie. It’s true that it kind of has become a solution to our boredom, and that’s great! But, let’s not get too immersed in it and forget about the real world out there!

Now, do you agree with Sarah? Tell us what you think.

What would be, in your opinion, the biggest influence social media has on us?

Here’s why! 

REASON 1: YOU NEED TO BREATHE

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Keeping up with your job, studies, friends, and family is no easy task. I know, it sometimes feels like there are not enough hours in the day and not enough minutes in an hour. This is a friendly reminder that it’s okay to allow yourself to step back, reboot and breathe every time you feel life is getting a bit overwhelming. Sometimes solitude is the best medicine… or a happy hour with friends, you choose.

REASON 2: LOGIC IS OVERRATED

“It wasn’t logic, it was love.”

If you are like me, you might hear this very often: “Why do you put so much time and effort into something that’s just a hobby, or something that’s not going to last nor get you money? I’ll tell you this: some people are never going to understand why we situate ourselves to nights of minimal sleep, endless headaches, and never “focusing”. The truth is that most of our efforts aren’t really logical. We do it for the thrill of it, the thrill of the journey, not the end game. Our efforts are a result of real love, in that specific moment. And that type of love, my dears, is above reason.

REASON 3: TAKE PICTURES, FOR YOU

Behind these people with smiles, there is a vulnerable human who blushes every time someone takes a photo of her/him. The camera knows all the secrets.

Most often when you read about photographers, they all tend to say that the most important thing they have learned in their years of practicing photography was when NOT to take a photo, the moments that need to exist only in memory. But sometimes, just sometimes, you might want to get greedy and might want to engorge yourself on both memories AND photographs. We, obviously, tend to forget this with the hype of social media nowadays.

But events never occur twice, you might never look the same as that one portrait someone once took of you. But at the very least you documented it!

REASON 4: TIMING IS EVERYTHING

There is a saying by Anon: “You think you know what you’re looking for until what you’re looking for finds you”.

Everyone and their Instagram stories want you to believe that the key to a good life is attending that event on Friday night, or going to that house party you’re not invited to, or having a pretty girlfriend, or even (these days) tying the knot. The world around you is constantly telling you that the path to a better life is what everyone’s doing. You are constantly attacked with messages that everyone’s moving forward except you. So you go and you engorge yourself in self-help books, you start going to these yoga classes you’ve always wanted, and you think to yourself your life’s moving a bit slower than everyone else. But who said we’re racing?

REASON 5: IGNORE THE CRITICS

When it comes to life and love, why is it that we always tend to believe our worst reviews?

There is a thin line between asking for advice and receiving opinions. Sometimes, you might want to listen. Other times, accept what may be constructive criticism, learn from it and move on. There is something, however, in every one of us that waits and listens for the genuine in ourselves. And that, my friends, is the only true guide we will ever have and need.

Give us another reason why YOU shouldn’t care these days. Add your comment below and make it unique and “not so cliché” 😉

With summer simmering down and September well under way, many of you may be dreading the inevitable return to school. It’s always sad to realize your days of summer craze are slowly coming to an end, and with good reason. Be it the trips, the parties, or simply the carefree laze of it, summer vacation certainly makes going back difficult. Since we’ve already posted some survival tips for all the university newcomers out there, this one’s for everyone else who may need a pick-me up. Whether you’re looking forward to returning or absolutely dreading it, here are four tips that might ease your segue back to ordinary life.

1. SLEEP MORE AT NIGHT TO SLEEP LESS IN CLASS

Many of my friends lose it when I mention sleeping at 10:00PM and getting a full eight (or ten) hours of sleep a night. They ask how I do it and I usually give them the same answer: sleep is a priority. It ought to be. Research suggests that quality sleep (of 6-8 hours in length) plays a role in promoting various cognitive abilities including but not limited to language, decision-making, and memory. On top of that, sleep can help you deal better with life’s stress, refrain from poor eating habits, and even gives you an energy boost in the morning!

Note: Sleeping too much and long naps throughout the day contrary to popular belief do not help. 6-8 consecutive hours of sleep, that’s the goal.

2. NEVER SKIP BREAKFAST

In a rush? Take something simple on the go. Having breakfast is beneficial in a number of ways. For one it boosts cognitive functions like memory and attention, making it much easier to stay focused, and not fall asleep. It can also mess with your eating habits later on in the day – skipping breakfast means you’ll be very hungry later on, and we tend to indulge ourselves when we’re excessively hungry. What makes a good breakfast, you may ask? In general, a balanced breakfast with high protein and fiber content with little carbohydrates would do the trick. Eggs, oatmeal, and cereals high in fiber and low in sugar coupled with fruit juice are ideal.

Another interesting effect of skipping breakfast has to do with our threshold for pain. Short term food deprivation may play a role in sensitizing your body to pain, so if you’ve been wondering why those morning classes seem to physically hurt

now you know.

3. MAKE TIME FOR EXERCISE

I’m an athlete myself, and I’ll be the first to tell you, exercise is an awful lot of effort and time. As tedious as it sounds, it might be a good idea to get into the habit of regular exercise. Apart from the well known reduction in risks of cardiovascular disease later on in life, exercise boosts your immune system, brain power, and mood. It also helps improve self-confidence and body image. Importantly, exercise can reduce perceived levels of stress making quality of life significantly better.

4. DON’T STOP HAVING FUN AND BE YOURSELF

Sure, at times you’ll need to lay low for a week and spend your time prepping for an upcoming test or project. Nonetheless, it’s important to remember to take time for yourself. Be lazy. Go out, see your friends. There are two reasons why constant, ceaseless studying is bad for you. First, it puts you in a state of chronic stress that builds up and has you feeling worse and worse. Second is the fact that constant studying doesn’t actually get you what you want. There’s a physical limit on how much information your brain can retain, so taking regular breaks while studying will actually help you learn more!

At the end of the day, it comes back to you and what you think works best for you.

Now it’s time for your advice. Comment below on what you feel makes going back easy!