You do not have to use this topping for your cheesecake if you do not wish to; you can use your own topping or fresh berries instead. If you wish to use the blueberry topping, do the following: Combine the blueberries, water, and sugar in a small saucepan. Simmer them over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes. Set the topping aside to cool. Crush the graham crackers first, then pour them into a mixing bowl. Add the sugar and melted butter next. Stir everything together with a rubber spatula. You can crush the graham crackers in a food processor or in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. Melt the butter in a little saucepan over the stove or in the microwave. You have enough mixture to fill about eight 4-ounce (120-milliliter) mason jars. Scoop the mixture into the jars with a spoon first. Next, pat the mixture down with the end of a wooden spoon. Set the jars aside when you are done. Use less mixture for a thinner crust. Place the cream cheese into a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar and lemon juice. Beat everything together until combined. Don't like lemon juice? Use teaspoon of vanilla extract instead. Pour the heavy whipping cream into a chilled bowl. Beat it on medium speed until it turns light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. You can use a hand-held beater, an electric mixer, or a food processor fitted with whisks. Be sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl often so that everything gets evenly mixed together. When you done, gently tap the jars against the counter. This will help settle the cheesecake and reduce air pockets. If you did not make the blueberry topping, you can top it off with your favorite pie topping, such as strawberry or cherry. You can also top it off with fresh, sliced strawberries and whipped cream. If you'd like to, cover the jars with lids before putting them into the fridge. After the hour is up, they are ready to serve! You can serve the cheesecakes as they are, or garnish them further with whipped cream. If you used the blueberry topping, consider adding some lemon zest on top.

Summary: Prepare the blueberry topping, if desired. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and brown sugar. Pack the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of your mason jars. Beat together the cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice. Beat the heavy whipping cream separately. Use a rubber spatula to fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese. Spoon the cheesecake into the jars. Top the jars off with the blueberry topping. Chill the cheesecakes in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Serve the cheesecakes straight from the jars.

You may be surprised how many people have attics and drawers full of unused or unwanted items in need of a good home. You may be doing them a favor by taking it off their hands. Start asking over the summer so they can keep their eyes open and set things aside. Be careful about taking items from the family home. You do not want to come off as a greedy scavenger. If your father is thinking of upgrading the television, that may be an opportunity to discuss taking the old one to your apartment. However, do not expect to be given things that are being used in the home. If your loved ones want to throw a party or give gifts to celebrate your graduation, request supplies for college or your apartment. Large chain stores like Target and Bed Bath & Beyond offer registries. Do not make lavish requests. It is one thing to ask for a dorm-sized refrigerator, but a plasma TV may seem greedy. By keeping it simple and reasonable, people will appreciate your plight and feel more inclined to help you out. You must send thank you notes to everyone who gives you a gift. Be grateful. Many people toss things instead of trying to sell or donate. This is common especially when people move, on trash day, or the day of or after a yard sale. Of course, only get items that can be washed and sanitized--problems with mold, bed bugs, and basic cleanliness can be an issue. For the best stuff, travel to more affluent areas. People with extra money to spend often toss out new and like-new items just because they have gone out of style. Recycling centers, thrift shops, and other second hand stores in such regions are also excellent resources. In many landfills, there is a separate building where people can drop off lightly used furniture and other house items, which is usually categorized as "Too Good to Throw Out." Spring cleaning for county residents can mean a new couch for your apartment or a computer station for the dorm at no cost to you except energy to load the stuff into your vehicle. Be sure to visit these places frequently, as a full shed one morning can be bone-dry the next. Check on websites such as Craigslist.org or Freecycle. Very often, people will post items which is free for the asking. Be extremely careful of bedbugs. Unfortunately, infestations can be commonplace in items such as mattresses, easy chairs, and couches. Curbside items such as these should be approached with extreme caution. They are often affiliated with a charity. Not only can you get cheap goods, the money you spend goes towards helping the charity. Check back often as their supply changes daily to weekly. You can easily pick up pots, pans, bowls and utensils for $1 or less. Also watch for church sales. Many older churchgoers unload great items to be sold super cheap at these sales. These are a great place to buy mops, brooms, kitchen items, and cleansers. Also try to pick up your toilet brushes and toilet plungers here. Those are two items you do not want to get used. Dollar stores are also great places to buy picture frames. Photographs make great, personal, and inexpensive decorations. Dollar stores are also typically excellent for a wealth of household items such as whiteboards, notepads, calendars, oven mitts, soap dishes and more. Yard sales are often great resources for the thrifty young adult. These will almost always be on the weekend (especially Saturday) and tend to start early and wrap up around 3 p.m. Ask the person running the yard sale for items you are specifically looking for, as they may be hidden or the seller might suddenly remember there is one that can be sold. If the items are too pricey or can be found cheaper elsewhere, you should wait. Some people price garage sale items too high. If so, forgo the yard sale or try again in mid-afternoon when the prices may drop. Another tip is to quietly speak with the yard sale host. Explain that you are going off to college and are trying to find certain items. Give them your number and tell them you would be happy to take items off their hands should they not sell by the end of the day. Most people would rather give items to a friendly, personable, needy student than set them on the curb or throw it out. Many people put their unused items into storage and sometimes they forget to pay the storage bill. Those items are put up for auction. You may be able to stock up for just a few bucks. Most people try to get their hands on the treasures at auctions, so the basics can be picked up super cheap. Antique stores are not all fancy old items. Surprisingly, antique stores often sell items at a price lower than new furniture. Although the term is "antique store", these stores often happily sell what is actually vintage and sometimes not even that old. Frankly, they will sell whatever they think they may make a profit on, old and valuable or not! They often have many decorative items as well. You can often bargain with them to receive a discount. They often will offer used office furniture, lamps, tools, and the like at reasonable prices. Some colleges operate "loan closets" on an honor basis, where you can get stuff for free if you agree to return it (and bring more stuff) as soon as you do not need it anymore. Sometimes access to loan closets is restricted to people with special needs: international students, students of a certain department or school, or those in particular need (such as a student who comes from an extremely impoverished background.) However, it never hurts to ask.
Summary: Ask relatives or neighbors if they have any items that you can use. Check the curb. Head to the local landfill or recycling center. Look for other kinds of free giveaways. Try thrift stores. Visit dollar stores in your neighborhood. Shop local yard sales. Check auction listings. Check with your local antique shops. Visit your university's surplus store. Visit your university's loan closet.