[There are over 100 million sites on the Internet. 100 million! You might think you know about all the important ones (CollegeCandy, Gmail, Google, Facebook…), but there are thousands of other sweet sites out there (like FashionStake, Philo, and Evernote) and more showing up every day! We get it – it’s not easy or fun sifting through the crap and porn to find those gems, so we’re gonna bring the gems to you. Just sit back, kick up those feet and allow us to introduce you to the diamonds in the internet rough.]

Going to the movies has always been a favorite pastime of mine.  It was the first thing my parents ever let me do with my friends without them, and from then on it’s been my go-to choice of activity for all those nights when no one can decide what to do.

However, the rising cost of  tickets in past few years has turned what used to be a typical Friday night activity into more of a special-occasion-only event.  Movie tickets can cost up to about $15 these days, which is way more than most college students can afford to shell out on a weekly basis (and many of the theaters near me don’t even offer student discounts anymore–seriously, what’s up with that?).

Just when I was getting used to the idea of rarely going out to the movies (except for Harry Potter, of course), I heard about Gofobo.

Gofobo gives its members exclusive access to free advance movie screenings, special events, and sweepstakes.  It’s also an online community in which members can read news about movies and actors, join groups, and interact with other people who share their love of movies!

The first thing to do is register (it’s free!), then enter your zip code to search for upcoming screenings in your area.  Once you find one, all you have to do is sign up and print out your passes–then just show up to the theater on the day of the screening!

If there aren’t any screenings near you or they’re all out of passes, don’t worry.  Gofobo will send you an e-mail every time a new screening is happening in your area.  Sign up for a screening as soon as you get an e-mail to make sure you don’t miss out!

One word of caution: Gofobo gives out more free passes than there are seats available to make sure the theater is full–so just make sure you get there early to make sure you get in.

Now that you know everything there is to know about Gofobo, sign up and get ready to start seeing some free movies!  Make sure you tell all your friends — they’ll be grateful (and so will your wallet)!

Check out what other awesome websites have been getting us all hot and bothered.

To help answer this question, I’ve compiled a list of things that I feel are, and aren’t, worth the splurge during our sad and painful recession. My basic rule of thumb? Things that last are worth the cash.

What’s worth it:

Jeans. I always used to laugh at the fact that my friends paid $200+ for jeans…until I tried on my first pair of J-Brands. While you can find cheaper options, the fact of the matter is, most designer jeans are better quality. Invest in a few pairs. They feel softer, they fit better, and they last longer. Your wallet might not thank you but your tush sure will! J-Brand, Hudson, and True Religions are my top picks.

The Iphone–If you can get your fam to join in. Individual plans are pricey, but with a family plan, the monthly rates are much more affordable. The iPhone beats all other cellular choices, plain and simple; it’s genius combo of visual voicemail, thousands of apps (including Shazam, which can detect any song playing nearby and tell you what it is), iPod, internet, and more makes it the clear choice. So worth it.

Haircuts/Hair dying. If you’re looking to change your hairstyle or color dramatically, please go to a salon. Now I’m not saying you should spend $200 to get a trim, but good haircutters/colorists can really make a difference on your do (mom, I hope you’re reading this—put that herbal essences hair-dye DOWN!). So when should you indulge? When you want layers, highlights, or to alter your color dramatically. Or you can get your friend to “work her magic,” just don’t come crying to me when you’re locks are purple and lopsided.

Basics. But only ones that you will use and use and use. This includes: a little black dress, a spring jacket, a few pairs of jeans (see above), a pair of STURDY flip flops–Reef, Teva, JCrew (watch out for water on those last ones–very durable, but zero traction)–etc. You be the judge of what’s a necessity…but don’t go overboard. Those Prada shoes are NOT basics.

What’s not:

Heels: While our feet are precious, you can pamper them without spending hundreds of dollars. There are great shoes out there that are well made, and bargains. I don’t know about you, but when I wear heels out to party, they are usually covered in dirt, sweat, and other people’s footprints by the time I get home. Point being, I’m not about to go throw my savings on a pair of Jimmy Choo’s. Instead, I love to shoe-shop at victoriassecret.com, shiekhshoes and DSW. To get your fix of strappy goodness, check out these (cheap!) beauties.

Manicures: Unless you’re extremely uncoordinated, DIY manicures can yield results just as pretty as those from a salon. Even better than do-it-yourself? Grab a friend and paint each other’s nails. One tip: After clipping, filing, and moisturizing your hands, buff each nail’s surface with a very rough buffer—this will help the polish stick and stay put for weeks. For summer, I adore bright shades. Try Essie, a cheap polish brand that has everything from neon yellows (great with tan/dark skin) to bright reds (beautiful on the fair).

Toiletries: Taking care of your body and face is important, no doubt, but people really underestimate the effectiveness that cheaper products can have. My $7 face cream has quenched my skin’s thirst just as well as my friend’s $50 bottle has quenched hers. And my Maybeline mascara has plumped my lashes just as well as that Dior Show I mistakenly purchased once. Until your skin is ridden with wrinkles and you need some serious skin care products, stick to affordable options.

Underwear: My opinion on undergarments? If they’re not visible, they shouldn’t be blasting your budget. And as for the claim that guys like when girls wear expensive, intricate lingerie? It’s false. I can assure you that the guy you’re sleeping with won’t care whether you’re wearing a bra from gap or La Perla–he’ll just wanna get that thing off! That said, it’s fun to feel comfy and sexy, even if you’re alone in the comfort of your own dorm room. Victoria’s Secret’s 5/25 undies deals are awesome, and they come in tons of cute styles, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice feeling sexy for staying on a budget.

Sunglasses: While designer shades can look pretty sleek, $15 ones can too. And since I lose my sunglasses about every 5 minutes, spending hundreds on them seems pretty dumb. Urban has a lot of funky choices that will fit a tight budget.

Gym Membership: Most universities and colleges offer on-campus gyms, but if you’re a graduate, or your school is lacking facilities, take the opportunity to get outside. Spending hundreds on a gym membership is not worth it when you have the great outdoors! Run, walk, hike, or do some at-home workouts—for free! Whatever floats your boat.

Below are some of my absolute faves. Got some of your own? Please, please please, let me know!

1. Two Buck Chuck: Well, in the case of my Trader Joe’s, it’s Three Buck Chuck – it seems to vary depending on where you are. BUT $3 for totally decent wine is aces with me! As a sidenote, the genius wine guy at my local shop told me that anything between $5 and $20 is generally not worth it. The cheap bottles are every bit as good as the mid-range ones (like $7-$15) so don’t bother! Cheap wine can be good wine!

(1B. I’ve got to give a shout out to Trader Joe’s in general. I cannot get enough of this store, because it has delicious bargains, and makes my goal of cooking my meals at home to save money totally attainable. It also has so much awesome frozen, pre-diced, pre-cooked food. Excellent finds for those of us both poor and busy!)

2. e.l.f. (or Eyes, Lips, Face, if you want to get technical about it): Go to eyeslipsface.com for THE BEST beauty bargains around. I’m not exaggerating; it’s genius. It is to my adult self what Wet ‘n’ Wild was to my elementary school self. All their stuff is well-formulated and pretty, and it is all….wait for it…..$1!! That’s right, one dollar! Eyeshadows, liners, mascaras, nail polish, you name it, all in a huge range of irresistible shades. And I do mean irresistible; the hardest part is not going insane and buying everything you could ever want, because you think, “hey, it’s only a dollar!” and then you’ve spent $50. Oops.

3. Payless Shoe Source: The best place I have found for trendy, seasonal shoes! Shoes here are rarely above $30, and those are the super pricey ones. They’ve also jumped on the whole team-up-with-fancy-designers bandwagon, so they’ve joined forces with labels like alice + olivia for some killer footwear. I’ve been jonesing for some gladiator sandals this spring, and guess where I found ‘em for under $20?!

4. Whole Foods Shampoo and Conditioner: I love this stuff! A regular sized bottle of their shampoo or conditioner runs you $1.99, and a massive one will be about $4. Not only does it work really well, and leave you with shiny, silky hair, but it comes in great scents, which is by far the most important part for me when I’m showering first thing in the morning! It just makes the day a little nicer, you know? My personal fave is the pink grapefruit, but they’ve got a bevy of beautiful scents, and if you’re sensitive-skinned (or simply trying to cut down on chemicals where you can), they have a fragrance free version.

5. Hulu.com: It’s sad to say, but my cable has had to go, and I’m pretty sure netflix is next on the chopping block. Since internet is simply indispensible, I will be relying on hulu for my television and movie needs. It has a rad (sidenote: I’m trying to bring back the word rad) current selection of TV shows, and the movies run the gamut from classic Jim Carrey (does that even make sense?) to indie selections from SXSW. Clearly, they don’t have everything, but they’ve got a lot, and it’s free!

Those are some of my go-tos, when it comes to saving some of my dollars. Got any faves of your own? Share ‘em! We’ll pull through this together!

Spotted: Dorota getting her own TV show?!

An arrest for the murders of Jennifer Hudson’s family members.

All I want for Christmas is the perfect butt.

Lindsay isn’t breaking up with Samantha.

Some reasons to hate Christmas.

More Americans are waiting for college acceptance letters…from overseas.

SJP is looking for a new home for her chic-and-cheap fashion line.

Stay warm without spending the big bucks.

Enough pink (and blue) to make you sick.

You may not be eating as healthy as you think you are.

I’m not trying to be a creepy stalker. But, I mean, really; I don’t know a single student – or person, really – on my campus or even enrolled in my school who doesn’t have their own computer. Whether it’s a chunky tank of a desktop or a sleek and sexy notebook, everyone at school has their own computer. It’s not even a luxury anymore; yes, libraries all have computers for your use, but who really solely depends on the library for computer use? No one I know.

Trouble is – and this is the trouble now-a-days with everything – computers are EXPENSIVE. Even the proverbial cost of an arm and a leg will probably only get you a second-hand Dell off of craigslist. Mind you, I’m not knocking the second-hand craigslist computer; I’m typing this up on one of them right now. But if you’re looking for a new compy that can keep up with you, you can expect to be in the hole about $700. Right?

Ladies (and that one gent), let me introduce you to a new friend of mine: computer shows.

My mom and I decided to head down to a computer show last weekend for the heck of it. She needed more RAM and I wanted to see if there was anyone who could fix my poor, mostly dead laptop. So we wandered in and found a guy in the back who was fixing laptops right there. After waiting in line for a few moments, he looked at my mom’s laptop really quick, then gave her a quick estimate on how much updating it would be (a nice $120). He also told me that it would be about $300 to replace my laptop’s broken screen, whereas HP told me that it would cost me around $900 and I might as well just get a new notebook.

I handed that man my laptop and $300 before he could say, “It’ll take me about a week.”

My cousin, who had met us there with my aunt, was all squeals when she found a $50 copy of software that sells for about $400. I bought a nifty wireless mouse for $17.

But the bargains had only just begun.

My mom was looking around for a new laptop for my aunt. We found a couple of really nice guys for a reasonable price of $435, tax included. After a bit of searching, we found the deal of a lifetime; a tablet PC for a measly $425. It was the floor model, so it had a few scratches here and a little dent there.

“I’ll give it to you for $400,” the man behind the table loaded with laptops told us when he saw our faces. He must’ve confused our amazement for skepticism. My mother and I immediately ran down to the ATM, scrounged together the necessary cash, and bought it there and then. We would later find out that the model – a small, adorable little Toshiba Portege M200 – retailed at about $1000.

Convinced yet? You ought to be. I’m not trying to plug anything here; rest assured of that. But with computer hardware and software prices the way they are, I’d feel all but guilty not sharing this diamond in the rough. So if you’re looking for a new laptop, a pair of speakers, or just some cheap software, find out when and where the nearest show is and go.

Oh, and my mom? She kept the tablet laptop for herself and gave my aunt her recently updated laptop. I can’t really blame her.

[Picture credit goes to: gettyimages.com (again)]

Shopping can be hard work. How many times have you walked out of a store or clicked off a website saying, “I’ll come back later to see if it goes on sale”? And how many times have you actually remembered to go back and check? Wouldn’t life be so much easier if you had a personal shopper?

Well, now you can have your very own personal shopper with just a few clicks of the mouse. The new website, Shop It To Me, is your web-based personal shopper, helping you shop the best deals with barely any work on your part. Shopping where I can sit back and relax (and possibly even nap) and still find good bargains? Count me in!

All you have to do is tell the site what your fave brands are. They offer tons of choices, from Prada and Tory Birch to Splendid and Tahari. Then tell it what kinds of clothing or accessories you’re looking for and what sizes you wear. Let the site know how often you want to receive e-mails and where you live (so it can find you in-store deals) and that’s all you need to do to sign up.

Right when I signed up, Shop It To Me sent me an e-mail telling me about a super cute Ella Moss dress that was originally $166, on sale for $49.80. In my size too! They’ll be e-mailing me daily, letting me know about all kinds of deals on my favorite clothing brands.

Ohh how I love websites that help me spend my money!

Jessica Simpson, Lauren Conrad, Justin Timberlake, Jes Whats-her-name from Rock of Love, Tila Tequila. What do all these people have in common besides pretty faces? Clothing lines of course!

It seems that every star and pseudo-star is coming out with more stuff for us to buy. You know you want to smell like Britney Spears (booze and cigarettes?) and of course we all need some Lauren Conrad boots. You can even buy Jessica Simpson hair extensions.

Every single celeb has something to sell, and we need to stop them. Immediately. Half the ladies from Rock of Love seem to be announcing clothing line launches. Mia and Jes have ties in Chii Clothing Culture which consists of cheesy t-shirts and hoodies. Nothing very interesting, but certainly helping extend their fifteen minutes of fame.

Jessica Simpson’s clothing line “Sweet Kisses” is exactly what is sounds like. Whore clothes for nice girls. Please don’t let your daughters leave the house wearing this stuff. Unless you are Joe Simpson, then you may use your daughter for your financial gain as much as you please.

Lauren Conrad’s line consists of what I like to refer to as “the bag dress,” and cheaply made scarves and shawls. These things aren’t exactly bargains, although maybe in Lauren Conrad’s world they are. You can also buy 45 dollar leggings. I wonder how long LC had to study in design school to create black leggings. Ugh, my contempt grows.

Justin created a pretty decent denim line, proving once again that JT can do no wrong. Everything this guy touches actually turns to gold. The jeans look really nice and comfortable. Probably the only celeb endorsed fashion item I would consider purchasing, however if you showed me this picture before I pulled out my credit card, I might think twice. Then there are the numerous rappers turn business men making such delightful brands as Nelly’s “Applebottoms” and Diddy’s Sean John Clothing. You can also buy Diddy’s fragrance after being inspired by the commercial.

Every person with a reality show now wants to accessorize you. What they don’t seem to realize is that slapping a neat design on a t-shirt or hoodie does not make you a “fashion designer.” Take note Tila Tequila.

Here’s a list of some of our favorite or “not so favorite” celeb inspired clothing sites:

Jes- chiiclothing.com

Lauren Conrad- Laurenconrad.seenon.com

Tila Tequila- https://secure.feamerch.com/stores/tila

Justin Timberlake- Williamrast.com

Diddy- SeanJohn.com