Sometimes being a girl sucks. High heels hurt, cramps hurt, bikini waxes hurt (like a bitch), hell, even skinny jeans hurt. But all that is worth it for one simple reason: free drinks.

Yeah it’s not the fairest thing in the world and we really shouldn’t have to depend on guys for anything, let alone a vodka soda, but I like to think we deserve a free cocktail now and then for everything else we have to deal with. And if the guy is willing to buy it, who are we to say no?

Let’s be honest: we’re in a recession, college tuition is going up and we’ve gotta save all the money we can for when we’re jobless after graduation. We have to be wary of what we spend and creative in how we save. And, thanks to our XX chromosomes (and our boobs), there’s no easier way to save a few bucks than at the bar.

And here are three very easy and creative ways to do so.

Bachelorette Party
This one probably won’t work on a college campus where a) everyone knows who you are and b) most people aren’t getting hitched, but it’s the quickest way to free drinks if you head off campus for a night or hit the bars in your hometown. Pick a girl in your group to be the bachelorette and go all out. Get her the veil, the sash, the tank top with “Last Night of Freedom” printed across the front. Then hit the bar. Dudes love a challenge/hate impending nuptials  and will be begging to buy her (and her friends) drinks. And if they’re not beating down your door and throwing Jager shots your way, ask them. Pretend you have to do a scavenger hunt and one of the items on the list is getting a guy to buy you a beer (and then another is to get a Long Island, and a vodka tonic, and a Red Headed Slut shot….) They won’t be able to say no. Bonus: seeing as you’re so obviously in a relationship, none of them will expect anything in return!

21st Birthday
The big 2-1 is a sacred event and everyone, whether they know you or not, wants to make sure you have the best night of your life. Already 21? No one has to know that. Just put on that birthday crown, grab a group of friends and head out. Make sure everyone at the bar knows it’s your 21st and you’ll be elbow deep in shots and cocktails in no time.

Bad Break Up
You’re going to have to bust out some acting skills for this one, but it will all be worth it in a few hours when you’re chowing down on late night pizza and haven’t spent a dollar all night. Gather a group of a few friends and designate a dumpee. Stand next to the bar and start chatting it up with some guys. Once the conversation is flowing, make mention of the fact that you were just dumped. Via text. After a year long relationship. Pepper the convo with a few “I need to just not think about it for the night”s, and “I’m single and ready to mingle!”s and you’ll be sipping on something tasty (and free) soon enough.

Every week I make a list. Not a grocery list or a to-do list, because I don’t really do groceries (Pad Thai take out, helloooo) and to-do lists are totally not my scene, if such a scene even exists. No, this list is a top ten-style countdown about the hard-hitting issues, like which mash-ups are the best ever.

This week, as a partner to The Ten Types of Guys at the Party, I’ve decided to include the female version. All in good fun, ladies! Who am I missing?

10. The Diva.
This girl is at the party, but she is DEFINITELY not trying to party. Pouting with her manicured fingers and heavily lined eyes glued to her cell, Diva will only speak to her tight-knit group of friends dressed in very similar outfits. She will not partake in any of the drinking games, she will not hook up with any guys and she will roll her eyes at those who do. Then she will leave an hour later to go off somewhere “cooler,” “more mature,” and just worthy of her time. 

9. The “Innocent” one
Dressed conservatively and drinking a microbrew or weak cocktail, this doll-faced darling looks like she’d rather be holed up in the library than at this very party. Wrong. She goes from “virgin” to skank in 3.5 drinks and will hook up with your boyfriend and cry about it later. Beware of the victim-playing. This girl is faker than her “leather” shoes and has run through more guys than Paris Hilton. Read More »

Being a woman ain’t easy. Between monthly periods and mood swings, adapting to high heels, and – umm – we’re the ones who have to go through childbirth, there are definitely some difficult things that we have to endure. Nonetheless, there are so many other, bigger and better reasons that I’m still saying, “TGIAW!”

We don’t have to worry about our genitalia getting chopped off.
You’re probably saying whaaaa? But yeah, this actually can, and does, happen. Poor Stuart Keen is a victim, as his carpenter career left him hanging with… well…actually it didn’t quite leave anything hanging. He accidentally sawed off his own package, which he apparently thought was a cabinet leg.

No one has to know how hot we think our prof (or any guy, for that matter) is.
Fortunately for us ladies, we can be aroused and horny as ever, without the world (parents/grandparents/children, especially) seeing.

Nightlife is cheaper.
Cover charge for bars and clubs is often cheaper or even free just because we’re females, which no one can deny is freakin’ awesome. And how often do girls buy drinks for guys? I mean, yes it does happen, but usually it’s the other way around. So saving money on a night out is definitely a huge plus. Read More »

Like every Thursday night (or Monday…or Tuesday…or any day, really), you finish your reading for the night, eat a little dinner and start the pre-party for another night at the bar.

You mix a few drinks before you head out in attempts to get a good buzz going. There is nothing worse than battling a bar crowd completely sober and, hey, 3 drinks at home saves you some serious dough on drinks at the bar.

When you finally make it past the line and the bouncer poring over your (fake) ID at the door, you breathe a sigh of relief, grab your friends and beeline to the bartender. Your friends mosey over to an opening directly in front of you, but you do not take it. Instead you walk to the other side of the bar where there are a few guys waiting for drinks and wedge yourself between them.

You turn on the charm, yank your shirt down to show a little cleavage, bat your eyelashes and strike up a conversation. These guys aren’t cute – far from it – but you aren’t lookin’ for booty. You’re lookin’ for loot. In the form of a Vodka Red Bull. Read More »

Creeper [kreep-ur] -noun. 1. A person or thing that creeps. 2. A domestic fowl having malformed, short legs, due to a genetic defect. 3. An individual who stares, lurks or makes awkward and unwanted advances to undeserving women.

Today, College Candy readers, we will be learning about Creepers (definition 3…who may also fall into description #2) and what one can do to deflect their advances. We have all been at a bar or some type of similar venue and had a creeper (of varying severity) approach and had no idea how to handle the situation. Well, here’s your answer. Read More »

How many times have you been walking down the street with a girl friend only to have some guy scream, “MAKEOUT!!!”? How many times have you been minding your own business when you see 2 girls making out at the bar for attention?How many times have you wondered why guys are so obsessed with the idea of 2 girls making out?

I know that guys tend to let their peens do all the thinking, but I still just never understand why guys are so willing to do just about anything if a girl will kiss another girl. What is the point? How does that benefit the guy? Why don’t they just try to kiss the girl themselves?! I turned to my favorite male to give me the answers. Read More »

Here at CC, our opinions on love, sex and relationships cover pretty much the whole spectrum of ideals (and according to the fantastic discussions amongst commentors, so do yours, lovely readers). However I think we can all agree that long distance relationships are difficult.

Whether you are a serial LDD-er (long distance dater, obvs) or this is your first case of separation anxiety, remember that a summer break is not a relationship death sentence, but more of a Paris-esque mini lockdown with time off for good behavior!

The most important aspect of a long distance relationship (as in any other healthy one) is communication. Beyond the obvious (calling, texting, IMing), it’s important to create an open channel of expression that allows you both to clearly explain your thoughts, feelings and, most importantly, expectations throughout this relationship vacation (not the Speidi version).

Before you two lovebirds separate, talk about the impending geographical issue. Discuss how you’re feeling about it (nervous? anxious? scared?) and why. Bring up your thoughts on the social scene and parties. I’m not a believer in strict rules governing your right to party (thank you, Beastie Boys) but your definition of a good time might be quite different from his (Is it ok to flirt shamelessly but innocently for free drinks? Are you cool with a night at the strip club with his boys?). By talking about problems like wandering eyes or drifting apart before they happen, you can easily avoid them. And by establishing a sitch where you can freely talk about stuff like that will help you stay secure in your union. Read More »

Letting guys pay for your drinks is just one of the perks of being a girl, right? Recently, this has become a subject of heated debate between my girl and guy friends.

Personally, I never expect a guy to pay for me, whether we are on a first date, in a serious relationship, casually hanging out, or just meeting for the first time. In fact, when he pays for too many things too readily, it makes me uncomfortable. But if I am flirting with someone at a bar and he offers me a drink, am I going to turn it down? No way.

What if you aren’t into the guy, though? Maybe you’re not single, or maybe he’s just totally unappealing. Is it okay to accept the drink? I’d be tempted, since I currently have no job and no money, but if I’m not interested, I have to decline. I feel like accepting will obligate me to chat, at least for the entire time it takes me to finish that drink. And if I don’t like a guy, I’m just trying to escape the conversation. The last thing I want is to encourage him. The only time I’ll say yes is on the rare occasion when he persistently insists, in which case it’s more awkward to repeatedly refuse. Read More »