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Get $200 for opening a Chase bank account or credit card

Writer's picture: ashleynritchieashleynritchie
Jun 11, 20202 min read

Need to make some extra cash but not sure where to start? Check out two ways you can earn an easy $200 this summer.


If you are a new Chase Bank customer, you can earn a $200 bonus 10 days after you open a Chase Total Checking account and set up and receive a direct deposit.


If you are in a position to get a new credit card, you can earn a $200 bonus after you open the Chase Freedom Unlimited cash-back credit card and spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Tip: If you do open a credit card, make sure to pay off your balance each month to avoid paying interest.


If you're eligible, take advantage of both offers for a total of $400 cash! Details on each $200 bonus and how to apply below.

 

Sign-up Bonus: $200 after you open a new Chase Total Checking account and set up and receive a direct deposit with 60 days. The direct deposit needs to be an electronic deposit of your paycheck, pension or government benefits.


Monthly fee: $12 Monthly Service Fee or $0 with one of the following each monthly statement period:

  • Direct deposit totaling $500 or more made to the account

  • A balance at the beginning of each day of $1,500 or more in the account

  • An average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of the account and linked qualifying Chase checking, savings, and other balances

Please note, if you close the account within 6 months of opening, they will take back the $200 bonus money.


 

Sign-up Bonus: $200 cash back (largest bonus ever) after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.


Rewards Rate: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. No minimum to redeem for cash back.


Annual Fee: No annual fee


APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases. After the intro period, a variable APR of 14.99%–23.74%.


Please note you need a credit score of 680+ to be approved for the card. In addition, you cannot have opened more than four credit cards in the last 24 months, including being added as an authorized user on another card, such as a partner or family member’s card.


 

SHEIN Swimwear Haul and Review

Writer's picture: ashleynritchieashleynritchie
May 24, 20206 min read

Summer is almost here which means one thing for shopaholics like me: bikini buying season! After reading about SHEIN's trendy but inexpensive swimwear, I made a few purchases to see if it really lives up to the hype.

I bought 14 different swimsuits and after using a discount code, I paid less than $12 for each suit. I did a lot of research before making my purchases and found out it is almost always hit or miss when it comes to SHEIN's products. Overall I am pleased with my purchases and there are only two swimsuits that do not fit me.


Check out my swimwear haul and review as well as info on shipping, quality, and things you should consider before buying below.

 

The Swimwear Haul

Overall thoughts: This is one of my top three favorite bikinis that I purchased. I love the unique banana/leopard pattern and the high waist, high cut bottoms. Even though the bottoms are high waisted, they are very cheeky. This suit is fully lined and has chest pads that can be removed.


Price: $13

Coverage: Minimal, Cheekiest

Size: Small

 

Overall thoughts: This is also one of my top three favorite bikinis that I purchased. I love the one shoulder style and zebra pattern. However, the bottoms are high cut and cheeky (the cheekiest of all the suits I ordered) which means very minimal coverage! This suit is fully lined and has chest pads that can be removed.

Price: $12

Coverage: Minimal, Cheekiest

Size: Small

 

Overall thoughts: I love the tie dye pattern but am not a huge fan of the swim top style (it is a little big on me). It clasps together in the back but is not adjustable. The bottoms are high cut and cheeky which again means very minimal coverage! This suit is available in eight other colors (I am wearing green). It is fully lined and has chest pads that can be removed.

Price: $12

Coverage: Minimal, Cheekiest

Size: Small

 

Overall thoughts: I ordered this suit because of the cute knot detail. I normally would not order purple, but actually ended up liking the color of the suit when it arrived. The swim top style is a little big on me but still wearable. The bottoms are a little cheeky but still provide moderate coverage. This suit is fully lined and has chest pads that can be removed.

Price: $12

Coverage: Moderate, Cheeky

Size: Small

 

Overall thoughts: If you are looking for a basic solid bikini, I highly recommend this suit. If you can't tell by now I'm a huge fan of one shoulder tops and the cut-out gives the suit a unique look. The bottoms are nearly full coverage so I think it's safe to say this bikini is mom-approved. This suit is available in eight other colors. It is fully lined and has chest pads that can be removed.

Price: $12

Coverage: Full

Size: Small

 

Overall thoughts: I was a bit worried about ordering this non-adjustable bandeau style swimsuit, but it works! The swim top style is a little big on me but still wearable. The bottoms are more of a traditional style and provide moderate coverage — another mom-approved bikini. This suit is also available in blue. It is fully lined and has chest pads that can be removed.

Price: $12

Coverage: Moderate, Cheeky

Size: Small

 

Overall thoughts: This is the perfect full coverage swimsuit! I love the leopard and solid black pattern and the belt (which is removable if it's not your thing). This swim top style fit me best out of all the suits I ordered. The high waist bottoms provide full coverage and is definitely mom-approved. I think this swimsuit is one that would look good on all body types. This suit is available in five other colors/patterns. It is fully lined and has chest pads that can be removed.

Price: $13

Coverage: Full

Size: Small

 

Overall thoughts: I am on the fence about this swimsuit. I really like the tan snakeskin pattern but the swim top style is not the best fit for me. It has a non-adjustable clasp in the back which does work, but the "V" wire causes the cups of the suit to stick out and the straps are far to the sides, which feels/looks a little weird while wearing. The low waist, traditional bottoms provide moderate coverage. This suit is available in three other snakeskin colors. It is fully lined and has chest pads that can be removed.

Price: $12

Coverage: Moderate, Cheeky

Size: Small

 

Overall thoughts: This swimsuit is the only one piece I ordered. I like the classic gingham pattern and the cutout. The suit provides full coverage and is definitely mom-approved. I think it would look good on all body types. It is fully lined and has chest padding.

Price: $11

Coverage: Full

Size: Small

 

Overall thoughts: I really like the colors and pattern of this swimsuit but it is not my favorite style. The bandeau top is thick and the high waist bottoms are big compared to the other suits I ordered. The bottoms provide moderate coverage. This suit is also available in neon yellow. It is fully lined and has chest pads that can be removed.

Price: $11

Coverage: Moderate, Cheeky

Size: Small

 

Overall thoughts: This is also one of my top three favorite bikinis that I purchased. I love the snakeskin pattern and the one shoulder style. The high waist bottoms provide moderate coverage. This suit is available in two other colors. It is fully lined and has chest pads that can be removed.

Price: $12

Coverage: Moderate, Cheeky

Size: Small

 

Overall thoughts: This is the same style as the tan snakeskin swimsuit. Again, I like the way it looks on me, but the swim top style is not the best fit. It has a non-adjustable clasp in the back which does work, but the "V" wire causes the cups of the suit to stick out and the straps are far to the sides, which feels/looks a little weird while wearing. The high waist bottoms provide moderate coverage. This suit is available in two other colors. It is fully lined and has chest pads that can be removed.

Price: $12

Coverage: Moderate, Cheeky

Size: Small

 

Shipping

The 14 swimsuits I purchased were part of three different orders and they all took different amounts of time to arrive (all standard shipping). My first order was placed on April 18. Due to coronavirus, the order was delayed by the shipping courier and didn't arrive until May 23. This was unfortunately past the guaranteed date of May 9. My second order was placed on May 6 and it arrived on May 16. My last order was placed on May 11 and it arrived on May 19. My last two orders arrived weeks before the guaranteed date.


SHEIN offers free standard shipping on orders over $49 and the estimated arrival date is currently one month from the purchase date.


Quality

For the most part, the quality of the swimwear I ordered is decent. Keep in mind you are paying less than $12 per suit, so the quality is not going to be the same as if you paid $50 from a well-known retailer.


There were only two suits that I ordered that do not work at all. One suit is made of very thin fabric (Solid Scoop Neck Bikini Swimsuit) and one swim top is too big due to the non-adjustable clasp (Underwired Spaghetti Strap Bikini Top). I think the swim top could work for other buyers, but I would not recommend the Solid Scoop Neck Bikini Swimsuit.


For me, the swimsuits are worth the $10-12 I paid for each one and I would order from SHEIN again in the future.


Tips

  • This may be a no-brainer, but read the item description. The description will tell you about the material/fabric, if it's lined and if there is chest padding. I recommend suits with padding and most of the chest pads are removable if you decide you want to take them out.

  • Read reviews to find out how the suit fits other buyers. All of SHEIN's swimwear is sized differently. For example, suit A may be a size small and fit you perfectly but suit B may require you to size up to a medium in order to get the same fit.

  • Choose swimwear that has the same fabric on the inside of the suit as the outside. You won't have to worry about lining being visible. Some suits have a white lining on the inside of the suit and it's clearly visible when wearing, even reviewers say it is a problem.

  • To ensure a better fit, choose suits with adjustable straps.

  • Choose colors and styles that compliment your body type because SHEIN swimwear is NOT returnable.

If your goal is to up your swimsuit game without going broke, I highly recommend checking out SHEIN. Use discount code NEWBABE for 15% off your first purchase of $49+ or code FREEUN for free standard shipping.

 

Maddox: Straight Outta Middle School

Writer's picture: ashleynritchieashleynritchie
May 20, 20203 min read

After attending three different schools over the last few years and surviving two months of homeschool due to the coronavirus, Maddox is officially done with middle school! We had a small family party to celebrate his big accomplishment and I also did a short Q&A with him so he could share his favorite middle school memories, what he will miss most and what he's looking forward to in high school.

 

What schools did you attend?

Leestown Middle School, Peachtree Charter Middle School, and Trickum Middle School


What was your favorite middle school and why?

Trickum Middle School because they have great teachers and a great learning program that was easy and interactive.


What was your favorite grade?

8th


What is your favorite subject? Why?

Math because I am really good with numbers and figures.


What did you enjoy most about middle school?

The library and checking out new books to read.


What were some of your favorite books you read during middle school? The Artemis Fowl Series, The Secret Series, and any book written by James Patterson.

 

What extracurricular activities were you involved in?

Archery, Chorus, MathCounts Club, Robotics Club, and Track


Tell me a little more about them. What did you like? What did you not like?

I loved archery. Archery was a real bonding experience with my dad who ended up being the assistant coach of Leestown Middle School's archery team. I participated in several tournaments and even hit a bullseye a few times.


Track was the only extracurricular I didn't like, partially because it was exercise, like competitive running, and partially because I was not good at it, which may have been because it was exercise. I did like throwing the javelin though.


What is your favorite middle school memory?

I have two favorite memories. My first favorite memory was when I was chosen to be a part of 8th grade Honors Chorus. I got to travel to the University of Georgia for two days and perform on the stage with hundreds of other students from the state. It was very hard work but worth it to hear everyone's voices come together to sing beautiful music.


My second favorite memory was getting my PSAT score back. I scored in the 99th percentile. My teachers and other students were astonished by my score and they kept telling me what a great job I did.

 

What are three words your teachers would use to describe you?

Kind, passionate and intelligent


Who were your favorite teachers throughout middle school?

There are two teachers who stick out in my mind:


Coach Nawyn, 8th Grade PE Teacher

He pushed me farther than I thought I could go even when I wanted to give up, which was the entire time. I consider him the best PE teacher I have ever had and the first one to actually get me exercising and improving!


Mr. Spitler, 8th Grade Science

He is a really good science teacher and really enthusiastic about his work which only makes me more enthusiastic about science. He has always been impressed by how much I know and he lets me borrow his subscription to Popular Science, a science magazine that I enjoy reading.


Is there anything you will miss about middle school?

I'll miss going to the same school as my brother and the familiarity of middle school.


What are you most looking forward to in high school?

I am looking forward to taking AP courses and joining clubs - they have a lot to choose from!


Look out Parkview High School, here he comes!

 
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