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5 Easy ways to ruin your finances

The problem of making too much money…yes it happens

How to get internet videos on your TV for cheap

The easy way to curb your impulse buying

Dress well, even on a college budget

Stop procrastinating for good

[Every girl needs a good purse (or 12). Whether you’re going for groceries or running from class to class, they are simply essential for holding all your, uh, essentials. Each week, I’m going to show you a fashionable, yet functional purse for the college crowd and let you know why you absolutely need it! I apologize ahead of time to your bank account.]

Let me just start off by saying that I’m EXTREMELY excited about this review! I came upon this set the other day and my face just lit up. Every time I go out and want to carry a wristlet (you know, a pouch on a string that goes around your wrist), I always sigh. I only own 2, one black and one nude and for a handbag columnist, that’s pitiful. Thankfully, LeSportsac and JOYRICH have come together to solve my wristlet needs in a creative and chic way!

Some genius over at LeSportsac or JOYRICH finally decided to make a set of wristlets with an interchangeable chain! That’s right – you can swap the chic chain strap (with a dainty black ribbon running through it) between the pouches. That means you can adjust your wristlet for how much you need to carry or to match your outfit! Sure, sure, you could always buy three separate wristlets. But, trying to find 3 quality ones for $70 – not easy! Plus, with the chain, you’re able to carry more than one wristlet/pouch at a time! Going out for the day and need a change purse and a carrier for your cell? Add the 2 smallest pouches to the chain and you’re good to go!

And let’s just talk about the super cute patterns used on these bad boys! There are two sets to choose from: one featuring leopard print, black quilted faux patent and a cream/floral pattern that screams English rose and the other with plaid tartan, a pixelated black satin and a black/floral that is oh-so-punky. I prefer the leopard set, but that’s just me!

Now, the numbers. The Large pouch runs 7.5″H x 9″L, with Medium at 6″H x 8″ L and Small being 4.5″H x 7.5″L. Just to give you some perspective, the small pouch is perfect for a night on the town, when all you need is a few cards, a lipstick and your phone, while the large will fit a smaller wallet and a bunch of trinkets for a day of sightseeing.

I will definitely be picking up the LeSportsac JOYRICH Pouch Set (in leopard, of course!). This is a perfect back-to-school treat that will serve you well during your many nights of, ahem, studying.

Kirsten Dunst hasn’t really been relevant to me, personally, since Bring It On. And I haven’t heard her name with any regularity since the last Spiderman movie she was in. For a long time, I’m pretty sure she was low-key on the Lindsay Lohan lifestyle program. Nearly every time I saw a paparazzi shot of her, she looked strung out and like she had given up on…everything. But she seems to have fought through her existential crisis and is going to be in five movies in the next 18 months (including one with Ryan Gosling, lucky her…). Lately, she has been on the promo circuit and her style has been really cute. Kind of boho, kind of glam, and pretty much consistently adorable.

Polka dot is a classic print. It is understated enough to be formal, but still whimsical enough to be dressed down. This polka dot blouse could easily be layered under a blazer and paired with your favorite black skirt to create a more sleek look, but I’m also a huge fan of the  way Kirsten paired hers with a white maxi skirt.

I’m generally not a fan of relegating clothes to being worn only in certain seasons, and I’m loving how common and acceptable it is to transition your summer clothes into fall wear. This look perfectly balances summer and fall by embracing a contrasting color scheme. Silver sandals add some glitz to the ensemble, and I threw in a silver purse because, really, how realistic is it to not carry around some kind of bag? This is a really relaxed, feminine ensemble that is a perfect daytime look.

In the deep dark pit of this recession, everyone keeps telling us to be money conscious.

Hm, “money conscious.”

Uh… huh?

If you have a shopping problem like me, then the term “money conscious” doesn’t exist.  Or maybe your kryptonite is Grey Goose Vodka, chilled, two limes. I’m afraid the term “money conscious” doesn’t really fit in there, either.

So, as “money conscious” college students – the future movers and shakers of America – it is our moral duty to put a big Band-Aid over all of our country’s problems and teach mom and pop a thing or two about what being “money conscious” really means. Here’s a foolproof plan that allows – basically entitles – you to be sloppy and savvy at college.

Want to work hard and play even harder? Spend your money in ways that outsmart good ol’ Uncle Sam and don’t leave a big gaping hole in your pocket where your wallet once was with these price friendly ideas:

1. What’s Free is For Me

Who doesn’t love something that’s FREE!? Colleges across the country are constantly offering free events during the week and on weekends. Catch a movie with your roomies or go to the ASL club barbeque. Freshmen listen up, your first few days of school your campus is crawling with free stuff: t-shirts, calendars, water bottles, sporting tickets, etc… So you’re officially a fool if you don’t capitalize on all the stuff you can wrap your innocent little hands around. Upperclassmen, however, need to be a bit more savvy. Since you’ve got the advantage of knowing your surroundings a little better, be sure to jump on every and anything with the word FREE in front of it.

2. The Bar…. Before the Bar

As a freshmen I did this ALL THE TIME. Okay, even as a senior I still did this ALL THE TIME.  And maybe I even did it again this morning…

Don’t look at me with judging eyes yet. Hear me out.

Who has enough money to pay $8 a drink at the bar? Even if you’re a lightweight, the $16 bucks it would take to get you drunk could (and should!) go toward late night Domino’s. Use those street smarts! Pregame before the bar. Pregame before Happy Hour. Hell, pregame before you even start pregaming.  Save yourself the money and time and get to the bar just as things start to get blurry.

3. Brunch, Supper, Linner

Any other in-between meals that you can think of? While at first it might be fun to explore all the culinary delights your new town or city might have to offer, these types of tasty treats get super expensive after about the first week. Take it easy on your wallet and snack before you go out to eat with your girlfriends. Cheese and crackers are filling as well as fruits and veggies. Try just ordering an appetizer or splitting an entrée with a friend when you do decide to dine out. If you’re going to drink with your meal, BYOB locations are way more pocket friendly than the hottest Tapas bar in town.

4. The Code of Coupons

Keep your eyes and ears out for the coupon book! These little booklets are JAM PACKED with deals at all kinds of restaurants, bars, shops and town/city activities near you! Get a cheap haircut or buy a new pair of jeans for half off the original cost! The great thing about these booklets is that they rarely expire before the end of the semester/year and are taken almost all over. Drunk and need Chinese? Spill coffee on your favorite white blouse? Promise your Great Uncle Marty a UVM sweatshirt and now you’re broke? All hail the coupon book! Here’s an even bigger tip: use the coupon book in conjunction with your student ID and receive an extra discount! (Most shops will give students that present their ID at the point of sale either a 10% or 20% discount, depending on deals your school has worked out, but be forewarned: cashiers won’t remind you so remembering your ID is crucial!)

5. Buying In Bulk

When I moved off campus I learned a couple of things very, very quickly. Bulk is good. Bulk is your friend. Buying in bulk makes your wallet feel good and makes your belly feel full. For all of you that either live off campus now or intend on living off campus at some point, heed my noble warnings! Buy in bulk! Not only is it cost friendly but you’re also getting more product per pound, which is especially helpful if you’re living with lots of friends.

Jump into your fall semester having fun and saving some cash! Online banking is also a great way to stay in control of your funds and if you’re a super overachiever get a local job working within the community that you now reside in. After school programs, tutoring, babysitting and work study positions are all relatively simple jobs that pay fairly well and will be enough to keep your wallet afloat!

But if that wasn’t enough to urge to be “money conscious”, let me remind you of one little, little thing. You have loans. Loans which you will have to pay back some day. And that some day is sooner than you think. They are your loans. You will have to pay them.

Until then, happy spending!

[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 Foodily, Cramster and DropBox) 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.]

Does this situation sound familiar to you? Your BFF asks you if want to go out to dinner with her, and you’re about to tell her yes, when you decide to check your bank statement quickly online before you answer — and discover you don’t have anywhere close to enough for a night out. You tell her thanks, but you have to skip it this time… then immediately start scanning job listings on Craigslist and rifling though your closet for things you can sell on Ebay to get some extra cash.

Even if you think you’re pretty careful with your spending, it’s easy to spend a lot more on infrequent and/or small purchases like that daily coffee, shopping the day you get your paycheck, or nights at the bar (even $1 pints can add up). If you don’t count every purchase and check your bank account on a regular basis, you’ll just end up in situations like the one described above over and over.

Mint makes keeping track of your finances easy, so you don’t find yourself selling back books you still need just so you can buy dinner. Mint pulls together all your financial information, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and loans, and organizes it for you all in one place. You can easily check your balance and so much more in just a few clicks.

Mint also helps you categorize your purchases so you can see where your money is going. You can also set up a budget to save money and track your progress. Mint shows you how much you can save if you cut back in certain spending categories. Mint even provides you with personalized recommendations for saving money and teaches you to spend smarter!

Your money and personal information is also safe with Mint — the website has high-level security to protect your information, and allows you to set up alerts for a low account balance, remind you to pay bills, and notify you of suspicious activity.

Mint also offers an app for smartphones so you can access it anywhere, and best of all, Mint is completely free to use! I’m going to start using Mint to help me curb frivolous spending and save for a vacation at the end of the year! How will you use it?

Want some more awesome sites (that won’t cost you a single dolla bill)? Check out the other sites that are on Laura’s web radar!

If we could only use one word to describe college students it would be “drunk.” Wait. I mean, it would be “broke.” (Though “drunk” is also pretty spot on.) Between the cost of a college education, the books to get that education, and the drinks that come along with that education, most college students don’t have much money left to do the one thing we love most…shop!

But that might not be the case now that I’m on the case. You see, lots of national retailers offer discounts and cash back for college students. And I mean lots! I spent the past few hours scouring the web and discovered a whole host of stores, many of which I shop at regularly, that offer up to 20% off just for being a broke-ass college student. And after kicking myself for not knowing about these deals sooner, I’ve put them into a handy list we can all take advantage of them now.

Bookmark this thing, ladies!

Club Monaco: 20% Off Regular Priced Purchases with a Valid College ID!

J. Crew: 15% Off Regular Priced Purchases with a Valid College ID!

Adobe: Up to 80% Off Student Bundles!

Apple: iPod Touch for FREE with Laptop or Desktop Purchase, Free Shipping, $50-$200 Off Gadgets!

Dell: Select Your High School or College and Get Discounts, $25-$200 Off Laptops Over $699!

Microsoft: Up to 70% Off Student Bundles!

HP Hardware: $330 Off Laptops, $250 Off Monitors and Desktops, $50 Off Printers!

Sony Hardware: 10% Off Laptops, E-Readers, Cameras, and More!

AT&T: 20% Off Your Monthly Bill!

Verizon: Up to 20% Off Any Voice Plan, 25% Off Accessories

Eurail: 35% Off Adult Passes to Travel Europe!

If you live anywhere north of Florida, chances are you’ve had to deal with snow this year. I wouldn’t even bat an eyelash if tomorrow the weather folks announced that even our Florida friends were going to get hit with a version of SnOMG . And total side note, apparently we are all VERY excited about the Blizzards of 2011. People on Facebook are eager to come up with their very clever play on words – Snowtorious BIG, Snobama, The Snowtuation?!. It’s like we’ve never even seen this white powdery stuff we call snow before.

But I get it. The weather has been bat sh*t crazy. And totally unpredictable. Sort of like your emotions right around your period. And even though Thundersnow is a fun word to say (especially when said like this: THUNDERSNOOOOOW!!!!) the very cold truth is that actually walking around in Thundersnow is the opposite of fun.

So I figured, what better way to help you prepare to brave the elements than with a way to stay warm yet look cool. Now you can throw a snowball, sip a hot cocoa or trudge through 12 feet of snow and look fabu all at the same time!

The Black Blizzard.

Product Information: Jacket – Bloomingdales, $69.30; Leggings - Hot Topic, $18.99; Boots – Steve Madden, $79.80; Scarf – Target; Hat – Target.

Love this look. Warm, cute and totally functional! The jacket can either have a totally awesome collar OR turn into a hood for double protection. The hat is adorbs but oh so warm. Not to mention how the red hat matches the piping on these totally sleek yet great for slush boots! Paired with these legwarmers over some leggings (and a pair of tights if you you need added warmth) and gloves that keep your hands warm but still fully text-able! You = Blizzard Babe.

The Brownie Blizzard. (Mmmmm, I want DQ.)

Product Information: Jacket – Old Navy, $14.47; Boots – DSW, $79.95; Scarf – Forever 21, $4.50; Hat - Target, $12.99 ; Gloves – Target, $10.99.

The key to looking cute in the winter is finding a coat that cuts in at the waist. This one is cute, warm and different in this delicious chocolate.Pair with these so-perfect-for-the-cold-that-they-are-actually-cute boots, delicately warm gloves and textured hat and you look like you’re ready to tackle whatever Snowmaggedon might throw your way. Slush? Please. Snow up to your calves? No bigs! And paired with this coral scarf for a pop of color, you’re sure to stand out… or at least match the color of your soon to be wind blown face.

If the weather keeps up like this, the only thing most people are going to see of you is your outerwear, so step up your bundled game, women!

And then I found this, a shirt that takes a lot of the guesswork out of getting ready, no matter where I’m headed.

This Lipstick Rosette Lace Tank from Body Central is ideal for a Friday or Saturday (or, uh, any day of the week, really) when you’re headed out for a night on the town. Here’s why:

1. It’s Dark. Once I’ve figured out what’s appropriate for the type of evening I’m setting out for, there are still other factors to consider. It’s important to opt for a dark color, not only because black is wonderfully flattering for any body shape, but at any college party you’re guaranteed to get spilled on. You might not know who did it or where it came from (or you might slip and in the process dump your entire beer on you’re head – trust me, it’s possible) but either way, when it does inevitably happen you don’t want to be the girl in white. Unless you’ve entered a contest that gives prizes for that sort of thing.

2. It’s Sexy without Being Slutty. A college girl’s biggest fashion mistake is going too conservative. No matter where you’re headed, you’re bound to run into a brave friend with the deadly combination of a low-cut top, a wonder bra and no shame. Before you get jealous and run to the bathroom to attempt to make your shirt just as revealing, avoid the loud rip and skip that crewneck to begin with! Better yet, since you don’t always want to be the girl showing it all, this shirt allows you to be sexy in a less obvious way. My favorite part is the sheer lace back; a very hot compromise.

3. It’s Majorly Cute. The neck on this tank is adorable, but also not so obvious that if you wear it a couple weekends in a row, the repetition in your Facebook photos will sell you out. And just think of all the time you’ll save not having to pick out the perfect necklace! Brilliant!

4. It’s Long Enough. So you won’t have to yank your shirt down after every beer pong turn. Perfection.

Oh, and one more thing. It’s under 20 bucks. Need I say more?

See what else Julia’s jonesing for right here.