I sincerely hope someone out there in the internet world is appreciating my God-awful puns right about now, but probably not. Moving on from my devastating wit, in college there are two elements that bring every student together – food and drink. Although we covered how to save money on booze, food is another story altogether. College is not the time to be a foodie. College is the time to acquire a taste for delicacies like Ramen and 3 course meals that come in a box and can be microwaved in under 10 minutes. If you are like me and have a rapidly depleting wallet and a taste for good food, there are loopholes, my friend. This article is going to focus on social dining, rather than grocery shopping and day-to-day. Curb the cravings! Save the wallet! Cure cancer! Ok, maybe not that last part, but maybe next time..

1.     Dinner Party – I know what you’re thinking; your friends are a particular collegiate breed that only drink alcohol out of plastic bottles and think soap and water is sufficient supplement for Dawn – not exactly domestic, Martha Stewart types. Dinner parties can be a great way to feed a number of people at once. You can even make it a weekly event and rotate who hosts in order to distribute the responsibilities. If you want to spice it up even more, you can theme each evening to a certain type of food – think about it…taco night, sushi Sundays, a night in Paris, etc. I promise you, no matter what food theme you choose, there are doable and affordable recipes. All it takes is a simple Google search with the keywords “easy”, “cheap”, “affordable”, or “beginners”.

2.     Groupon/Living Social/Purchase Gift Cards – In the case of attending local restaurants, subscribing to free services like Living Social and Groupon, which alert you to local deals. A lot of the time restaurant wagers for 50% off are available for purchase…perfect for a date night, girl’s night, eating by yourself and crying about finals week! If you have a particular chain restaurant you like, you can purchase gift cards offline at a fraction of the price…$30 gift cards for $20, etc. If you dine out at a particular place already, the savings will rack up.

3.     Lunchtime is Funtime – Most nice restaurants have a lull during the afternoon, so to combat this, they slash dining prices in the afternoon. By dining during the afternoon, rather than evening, you can cut your bill in half and still enjoy the same dishes from the uppity café you’ve been meaning to try. 

I may be cheap, but like most college-aged females shopping is my Achilles heel. Something about looking cute just makes the rest of life's issues fall into place, right? Whether or not it be true, every season, I find myself with about 20 pieces of clothing that trigger an "who hit me over the head and made me believe this was cute enough to purchase" thought. Clothes shrink (because I obviously am not getting any bigger), seasons change, styles change, etc. In this article I am only going to talk about how to get rid of old clothes, because if we talk about purchasing new ones…well I'm going to need a book deal. Here are some quick tips to disposing of clothes that take up closet space.

1. Sell. Consignment stores often offer to pay for gently used clothes. Places like Plato's Closet, Clothes Mentor, etc. But don't be surprised if they only end up offering you about three bucks…they tend to be picky because they're overcrowded. But sometimes you hit the jackpot! So lug your trash bag of stuff across town and see how much they're willing to pay for that Abercrombie hoodie you loved in seventh grade. If you have more high end pieces, consider selling them on eBay. You'll get more than at the consignment stores but remember, you are selling your used items. Don't expect a full return on your 3 year old Juicy Couture tracksuit. 

2. Clothing swap. The great thing about being in college is almost everyone is as broke as you are! Text your girlfriends and arrange a girls' (or guys') night clothing swap. Make it a fun social event with music, food, and most people will be willing to part with their slightly used Lucky Brand jeans in which their butt looks like a pancake. 

3. Donate. As broke as you may seem, you're privileged. Reading this, I'm assuming you're in college, which is an amazing luxury we often underestimate. There are plenty of people in this world who have to wonder where their next meal will come from, where they'll spend the night. Pay it forward by donating to a homeless shelter, etc. Knowing you left a positive impact is something that no money can buy. 

Originally thought up by alcoholic college students as a way to get EVEN MORE DRUNK YEAHHHH, the pre game is a cheapie's best friend. Even on $2 pint nights, it adds up. The pre game allows you to enjoy the same buzz at the same bars at a broke college student price. Where should you buy your alcohol for stockpiling you may ask, not the liquor store, my friend…

The beautiful thing about being in college is that you've actually ACQUIRED a taste for Natty and that vodka that comes in a plastic handle and makes you take your clothes off. WOO! No need for the goose, or that nice whiskey that has red wax on the top..NO HO HO. You my friend, are a college student of refined tastes. I recommend buying your liquor of choice at Costco (you can buy a membership to share and split the cost among your friends/roommates). Remember, it's not the alcohol, it's the chaser.

I happen to swear by Sunny D. It can make even the most nauseatingly cheap hard liquors taste like faux-orange tangy goodness. The best part is, the citrus neutralizes the burn and somehow makes the alcohol stronger? I don't know, I don't do science…but so I've heard. More bang for your buck! Pick a chaser you know works for you and before you know it you'll be playing bartender.

Your college years are everyone's favorite time to regret your dumb, drunken mistakes and I would hate for anyone to miss out on them because they're a lil broke. But please, drink responsibly. I don't want anybody crunk on the Sunny D, y'all. 

Every new semester comes with a new list of overpriced bound pieces of paper that you have to purchase with your first born child. Now, I understand that they were written by some professor with tenure that researched in the field for years blah blah blah, but either way, shelling out $200 for a book pains me physically. Of course there is the obvious solution to rent your books from the school store, but I am here to tell you my friend, that this is not the cheapest option. If you're too frugal to pay the rental fee like I am, here are some tips to loading up on books for a fraction of the price.

The biggest place that students lose money is spending on unnecessary expenses that are offered free by the school. Here's some of the services and products you may be skimming over.

1. The Gym. Gym memberships and fees can rack up major bills over the course of a year. Most schools have a rec center and I highly recommend you explore your own, even if you are not a gym rat, you might be surprised to know some of the free events/activities your school's gym has to offer. It varies from school to school, but I know for a fact my campus has free exercise classes that range from yoga to kickboxing, boot camps, personal trainers, intramural sports, and various events at free or discounted prices.

2. Campus Convenience Stores. Most campuses have built-in grocery/convenience stores that are incorporated into your meal plan. Many students don't even know these exist and they sell products like soap, toothbrushes, tampons, microwavable food - mostly everything you grocery shop for anyway. You're already paying for the meal plan, stretch it the extra mile by putting it toward products you would otherwise have to pay additional cash for at a grocery store. It can also help you curb your diet of greasy cafeteria food. 

3. Health Center. Feeling stressed? Sick? Prescription? Depending on your insurance plan the student services heath center can be a cheaper alternative to finding a doc. In addition to the obvious doctor's appointments, they also usually have a mental health department, with the therapy, both group and individual. College is a great time, but it doesn't come without it's bumps in the road, so it is wise to take advantage of these services and seek help when needed. Your happiness does not have a price! Another bonus I know my health center and many others offer are free condoms and discounted massages. Not that those go together, but hey. 

3. Involvement/Career/Any Fair. When you hear "Fair" on a college campus I want you to mentally replace it with the word "Free". Basically, places are handing out water bottles, tshirts, food just for attending. I can't tell you how many free tshirts I've accumulated at these things - they're great for sporting events or taking advantage of that free gym, hey! Which leads me to my next point…

4. Sporting Events. I'm not talking about the regular run-of-the-mill football/basketball games (which are great and I highly recommend you attend) but other sports that generate smaller crowds usually offer free admittance with student I.D. What's more, they're another breeding ground for food and tshirt giveaways! 

So yes, every once in awhile a girls' night out warrants dipping into your hard earned money (breakups, birthdays, etc.) but what about the rest of the year when you want to look good, feel good, and treat yourself? In this article, I'm going to discuss cheapie shortcuts in beauty and pampering and how to never let your budget sacrifice how you look and feel. These are the major places in which you are throwing away your money and cheap alternatives

1. The Hair Salon. Yes, the hairdresser makes you feel good by small talking about your cat for an hour and they do put that stuff in your hair that makes your hair smell like coconut and shine like moonlight on the ocean…but do you really need to drop $50+ on a haircut? Let's be honest half the time you're getting a trim anyhow. Let me be clear - if you are changing your hairstyle completely, perhaps it is reasonable to splurge for the salon, but if you are just getting a trim/adding layers (which most of us do 80% of the time) there is absolutely no reason to break the bank. Especially when you can get the same haircut at places like SuperCut and Great Clips for a fraction of the price. Often, those places offer coupons as well so be sure to look up an offers they may have online before you arrive in-store. Another way you break the bank is hair coloring, especially when boxed color is often under $10. Now, highlighting your hair is a different story, but dying your hair at-home is a surprisingly simple process that can save you around $50. I've been dying my hair since I was 15 years old and every time people ask me where I get my hair colored. If you are nervous, recruit the help of a friend to apply the dye, that way you ensure that it is evenly distributed in your hair. 

2. The Nail Salon. Even if you are just getting a paint, nail salon expenses are unnecessary and add up.  According to my research (thank you, Google) if you do two coats of polish there are roughly 50 manicures in any given full size bottle. Be sure to add top and base coat to get the most out of your manicure. In fact, most nail salons dilute the polish so although it may look great, it will not last as long as your at-home paint job. 

3. Makeup/Hair Products/Skin Products. I know for a fact that I have at least 30 bottles, vials, packets of full beauty products that have been used once and are long forgotten. Thats 30 bottles of wasted money! If you are thinking about using a new product, I highly recommend emailing the company first a requesting a sample, you'd be shocked at the amount of companies that are willing to ship out samples! In your email, state that you have heard the buzz around their product and was wondering if you could try it out before purchasing the full product (remember, if they respond with a no, that is perfectly OK - there is no obligation for them to give you free stuff). Include the problems you have with your hair/skin/makeup - sometimes companies send samples catered to your needs! I'll add another list of companies that I have contacted that have sent me tester products later. Another fact of life is that us women are hoarders about our beauty supply, why we feel the need to constantly purchase shampoos, lotions, cleansers, eyeliners is beyond me, but for some reason I can't walk past a tube of chapstick without throwing it into my shopping cart. I recommend taking an inventory of what you have and not purchasing more of that product until you run through a full bottle. Those 5 bottles of lotion you have? Break 'em out and put em to use before you think about stepping foot in a Bath & Body Works anytime soon. 

4. Spa Days. Beauty schools often offer spa services at slashed prices so their students can try out their skills on actual people. Win win situation! Manicures for under $5, hair styling for under $10, the list goes on and on. Make an appointment in advance and indulge without the hit on your wallet. I was shocked when I had to pay to get my hair done and the bill came out to around $70, I now always make appointments with local beauty schools and the most I have paid has been $20. I also highly recommend home remedies and treatments. Most are more effective and can cost you pennies! Here's some DIY websites to get you started. (:
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/39/3a/4f/393a4fdb7d149352345e7b71ff6d1ff9.jpg
http://mylifeandkids.com/recipes-to-create-a-spa-at-home-pintastic-pins-of-the-week/
http://msquinnface.com/2013/01/how-to-have-at-home-spa-dayon-budget/
http://www.thedatingdivas.com/you-me/lookin-good-for-your-spouse/25-relaxing-diy-spa-night-ideas/

Unless you're an expert crafter with an Etsy store than generates actual revenue, navigate the homemade gift front with caution. But with every expanding Christmas gift lists, sometimes homemade routes are a great option to make sure you can afford to check everyone off your list. I'm going to guide you around when to go homemade, and what gifts are actually worth receiving, and other ways to manage your gift list. You're a broke college student, not Kris Kringle, for Pete's sake!

Who wants your homemade gifts anyways?
1. Mom. So you're in college now and maybe you can't get away with that paper mache snowflake you made back in elementary school art class but you can still get away with making your main woman a homemade present. In fact, nothing warms a momma's heart quite like something homemade and from the heart. Consider making her a photo album, framed pictures, coupon books (include ones to help around the house, make her lunch, etc.). Nobody is more sentimental than your mother and chances are she'll cherish anything that comes from the heart.

2. Boyfriend. As a general rule, set budgets for holidays so that nobody feels uncomfortable that they spent too much or too little. It always makes for an awkward situation when exchanging gifts if somebody bought you a diamond necklace and you made them a scrapbook. Despite their hard outer shells, guys appreciate it when you make them a gift. Guys eat food. It's a fact of life. Making his favorite treat shows you pay attention to him and satisfies his sweet tooth. Again, photo albums/frames are a great go-to for the man in your life to show that you want him to display your relationship in a subtle way. Coupon books, food, photos, are great...but remember that guys can be sentimental, too. They love when a girl remembers little details about them, the relationship, whatever. Do you guys have an inside joke? Something significant about the first time you met or the first date? Try to incorporate that into the gift and he'll be sure to remember. Be sure to include a heartfelt letter. I asked some guy friends the best heartfelt gifts they have received from girls and here are the results:
-Framed photo of them
-Movie poster of the movie they saw on the first date
-Coupon book of massages, date nights, homemade meals, and more..erm..adventurous endeavors. 


3. Baked Goods for the Randos. So they're on your holiday list but you're not quite sure why but you know you have to get them something. You don't know them well enough to shop for them per say, but you still need to include them in your holiday gift giving. Making holiday treats is a great remedy to this solution, they can be made in bulk to accommodate more than one gift. I personally like to package treats in containers that are both cute and reusable, such as mason jars, coffee mugs, etc. Get creative. People will remember the thoughtfulness in the holiday season. 

4. Set Up a Gift Exchange. Sometimes there is just too much damn time, effort, and money to put into shopping. In such cases, set up a gift exchange in your circle of friends, that way you only have to shop for one person rather than 15. Set a budget and stick to it, you can also use the exchange as an excuse to host a holiday party. Cue the "Deck the Halls", fruitcake, and ugly Christmas sweaters. 

It's simple. It's classic. It's essential. No, it's not a Little Black Dress, but the iconic change jar. We loved watching the pennies pile up as a kid but now we tend to see change more as a burden than a opportunity to save, why? Every frugal fanny knows, it's the little things that makes the difference. Spending on unnecessary minor expenses, saving change - either way it piles up. We throw our change into jacket pockets, desk drawers, bottom of our handbags with gum wrappers and pocket lint. Little do people know that you are tossing away a goldmine. No need to invest in a piggy bank, any old mason jar, cup, or dish will do. Especially in college, quarters prove to be useful with laundry, so I usually pick those out to wash my clothes. People are always surprised when they bring their change jars to be cashed in after only a few months to find that they have almost $100. When it comes to cashing all that in for some major cha-ching, I recommend bringing it to your bank rather than machines like CoinStar, that take a substantial percentage of your change. Banks usually do it without cost to you, especially if you have accounts with them. Lucky pennies ain't no joke, people. 

Pssst...making a cute change jar is an easy dollar store craft. (; 

So I briefly touched on this subject in my last blog post about why movies are one of my biggest pet peeves (and money pits!). When it comes to watching movies, the theatre is not always the cheapest option. In any case, this post is going to explore money saving tips when it comes to movie nights, whether you're staying in or going out. 

Movie Night In!
So you're in for the night and it's movie watching time. Movie nights in are a great source of cheap entertainment, I personally prefer to watch movies at home rather than theaters because...
1. There's way more cuddle room
2. You can pause it to pee. 
3. Free! 
4. BYOS! (Bring Your Own Snacks) 
5. Bum out in sweatpants and not be judged.
In many ways, a frugal movie night in can be more entertaining than the movie theater alternative. I suggest theming your movie night to maximize the fun. Prime Time Lindsay Lohan Movie Marathon? Invite your girlfriends over for Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Mean Girls, Freaky Friday are just some of the guilty pleasures. Make it a potluck of snacks and ask everyone to bring their favorite movie candy, chip, etc. to share! Oh and don't even think about hitting Redbox or iTunes for a rental, libraries exist for a reason! Most offer a free DVD rental service for members. Most college campuses have DVD collections in their libraries for student use, take advantage of your amenities! 
NE
Movie Theatre
Ok so that movie everyone is talking about came out and you simply can't be left out of all the box office chatter, you land yourself at the dreaded local movie theater. OK, so maybe I am a tad dramatic, you'll get used to it if you frequent this blog. Now, there are many ways to save money and still see the latest movies.
Follow these tips to get the best deal.
1. Never see movies the first week they are released. For one, ticket prices are inflated the first week movies are released, which is a big no-no for us, yes? Secondly, no matter how much hype surrounds the latest flick, wait until your less money savvy friends see it first to give you their personal review. Newspaper reviews are a good indicator as well, but waiting until your friends assess the latest blockbuster gives a better idea of what you will think of the movie, especially comedies (well, assuming your friends have the same sense of humor). Often times, movies flop the first week and you don't want to be stuck paying $10+ for a dud film. 
2. Go to a matinee or a weekday showing. Movie theaters aren't stupid. For heaven's sake they are marketing geniuses...overpriced popcorn + dry mouth = customers buying overpriced beverages as well! They know that their traffic is way higher during weekends and evenings and jack up the price. You can snag a deal by going at a showtime that is less populated. Ticket prices are slashed!
3. Flash your student I.D. Most places will not ask you if you're a student, you gotta fight for your discounts! Movie theaters, especially in college towns, are one of the biggest student discount jackpots, so don't be afraid to ask if they offer reduced rates. 
4. Opt for cheaper theaters. Usually every town has a theater that gets the movies just a few weeks later than the rest, but the ticket prices are dramatically cheaper, usually in the $2-$5 price range. If you can wait to see the movie, but still want to watch it in theaters, head to one of these alternatives. 
5. NEVER EVER BUY FOOD! God invented big purses for a reason, ladies...to sneak in candy and snacks to movie theaters, duh. #1 frugal girl pet peeve is watching people overspend on movie theater food, it's a painful sight. Like I said in the last blog post, I recommend picking up the same boxed movie-style candy at the dollar store, usually for less than a dollar. 

Theres a magical place where dreams come true, all your fantasies melt into reality...that's right, the Dollar Tree. Or any everything $1 store for that matter. 

1. Groceries: When bargain grocery shopping comes to mind, people generally think Wal-Mart...but dollar stores across the country a stocked full with the deals, baby. And I'm gonna let you know why. Companies that overstock a product *NAME BRAND PRODUCTS* send them over to dollar stores at a marked down price. And as a college student, their food aisles are salvation on shelf - almost everything can be cooked, heated or prepped with the aid of a microwave alone. I recently picked up a box of Florida's Natural Fruit Chews for a buck and they are my go-to lecture snack for the week. 8 packets for a DOLLAR, don't mind if I do. Another great thing about Dollar Tree (I'm not as familiar with the policies of other dollar stores) is they take manufacturers coupons. So you can end up spending a dollar, or even getting items for free! Do your research on the products you know they have to see if you can score some deals. Don't just get lured in my the name brands, though (though we all love Oreos more than the store brand "Creme Filled Chocolate Cookies") because most off-brand foods contain the same ingredients as the brands you know and love. Honey Nut Cheerios? Try a generous box of Scooters. 

2. Toiletries and Over-the-Counter Meds: Dollar stores are also my go-to place for things like pain reliever, allergy medicine, tampons, etc. These products rarely vary much from brand to brand and the dollar store is a great way to stock your toiletries. Every time I am in store I am surprised at how broad of a selection they offer. 

3. Crafts: Dollar store crafts are a great (and frugal!) source of entertainment that you can use to give as gifts, decoration, you name it! There are plenty of websites (Pinterest comes to mind) with easy-to-follow dollar store craft instructions. You can use the following links to get started; dollarstorecrafts.com, http://www.diyncrafts.com/234/home/60-projects-to-make-with-dollar-store-supplies, and many more. Or just get your creative juices flowing! My personal favorite dollar store craft is to purchase a plain white mug and write/draw on it in Sharpie. Bake for 30 minutes at 445 degrees and WHA-LA! Perfect gift for the tea/coffee lover in your life. 

4. Holiday Decorations for Your Dorm: Let's be honest, after college when are you ever going to use that mini Xmas tree that you bought for your room for $20? Never, that's when. Now, I am a huge enthusiast of making your own decorations (let's regress back to third grade with some colored paper, markers, and scissors, shall we?) but if your lazy butt wants to purchase them, you can find great and surprisingly cheap finds at your local dollar store. I recently found mini tinsel Christmas trees that easily fit in the corner of my room, score! Now I don't feel guilty when I have to toss the thing. Wrapping paper is another money pit, and there are always bundles of holiday paper stashed at the dollar store. If holiday paper isn't your thing, a cute, vintage-y. and cheap way to wrap gifts is use old newspaper or butcher paper and use twine as ribbon...shabby chic! 

5. Movie Snacks: As I said in my introductory blog post, one of my biggest pet peeves is when people buy snacks at movie theaters. Or movie theaters in general. But I'll save that cheapie rant for another blog post. If you find yourself in a situation where you *must* go to the movies, in the name of everything holy bring your own snacks! Are you people aware that dollar stores sell the same boxed movie theater candy for less than a dollar? Invest in a big purse or tote and you can smuggle in a drink and a bag of chips, too. You'll thank me later. 

*FINAL TIP: Sometimes we all lose our cool in the dollar store. Hell, everything's a DOLLAR, who wouldn't? But try to avoid impulse buys because little expenses that add up over time is the biggest money pit. Test yourself, would I buy this item if it was $5? How often would I use this item? Do I already have a similar item? You get the idea. 
Happy shopping(: