We know college students are always looking for ways to save money. Read below to learn how YOU can win a $200 PRIZE PACK filled with all the essential items you need to make it through the spring season in style thanks to our friends at ReadyU.

When you’re in high school, everybody asks you where you’re going to college, and as soon as you make it there, people start asking you what you’re doing after college. For a lot of recent grads, the answer to that question is that they’re heading home to live with mom and dad… again.

There’s no shame in that. Just a couple of years ago, 20-somethings avoided moving back in with their parents at all costs, but thanks to the tough job market and bad economy, college grads are seeking out more creative ways to save money – and moving back home happens to be one of the easiest ways to cut down on costs!

But it must suck to move back in with your parents after graduation, right? Wrong. A new study by the Pew Research Center has found that the vast majority of recent grads who are living with their parents enjoy it. They’re spending more time with family, and slicing a significant chunk off their monthly budgets. We learned about this study from our friends over at Ready U, which is an awesome resource for the things you need to know about college but that isn’t taught in the classroom.. You know, like how to throw the perfect party, or, how to ask out that cute girl from class, while simultaneously learning how to balance your checkbook and mastering the monster that is the laundry room. This study, thanks to our friends at ReadyU got us thinking about some of the great advantages that come along with living at home. The money saved is a given, but there are a lot more great things about living with your parents. Check out our list of the best things about moving back in with the ‘rents.

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Now that we’ve told you what our favorite things about living at home are, we want to hear yours! ReadyU is giving away an amazing prize pack of spring essentials valued at $200. It’s got all the hottest products for the season. To enter to win, just head to the comments and tell us your favorite thing about living at home!

I have a confession to make. (I really end up making a lot of those on here, don’t I?)

I’ve been in a lot of relationships. Those of every kind. Relationships that end dramatically. Relationships where he was too obsessed. Relationships where I was too obsessed. Relationships that were bittersweet and suddenly went horribly sour. Relationships where the chemistry was boiling over like macaroni bubbles on a hot burner. Relationships where the chemistry was equal to my chemistry with a wool blanket or a lampshade. Ok, fine. I’m procrastinating my confession.

I don’t think I’ve ever been in love.

I’m 24-years-old and I don’t think I’ve ever been in love.

Sure, I’ve had that high school romance where I didn’t think life would go on if we let things go. When we broke up and I was 16, I remember falling to my knees and crying. It was that dramatic. I want to pass that up as innocent love, the kind that you swiftly get over with time and look back at it like a small blip on your life radar.

I’ve also had that quick college relationship where things were a little more passionate than my previous relationship. I knew a more about my emotions and how to handle myself. My heart had been around the block once already and was a little more guarded than before. Even so, when it ended, I was so heartbroken that I curled up into a hollow dent in my couch and laid there for days. I felt so sorry for myself for SO long. And then with a snap of my emotional wand, I felt 100% again.

That’s why I don’t think I’ve ever been in love. Aren’t you supposed to NEVER get over true love? I mean, I don’t expect myself to mope around like a homeless person for years on end. I just expect that small burning flicker of love to remain for the ones I’ve been with. But it’s not there. I’ve completely put every splash of water on my relationships and let them burn out eventually. True love isn’t suppose to do that in my mind.

And now, I feel like I’m missing out on something. That unconditional, do-anything-for-you, diehard love. I’m sitting here at my kitchen table with the sincere belief that I haven’t found that with someone yet. So what does it mean?

Well, I don’t have a precise answer, only a vague idea. But for some reason, I’m okay with this fact. To risk sounding cheesy and ridiculous, love is very fragile. And that deep-felt love shouldn’t be given freely and can’t be found with everyone.

I make a lot of mistakes. I speed relationships up too soon. I put the breaks on them too late (etc., etc., etc.). But with true love, I have no choice — and it’s the most authentic feeling in the entire world — and you just kinda have to give yourself up to it.

So I’ll be patient. I have that deep love for my family and friends right now. And until I find a man deserving enough for a slice of my non-practical emotion…I’ll revel in what I do have.

Have you ever been in love? How did you know it was real love, and not just temporary lust/infatuation? Am I totally hopeless?

[Lead image via Manuel Fernandes/Shutterstock]

I remember the days when my nose was pressed against the screen in English class, trying to hide the fact that I was scrolling through Perez Hilton. I was obsessed with checking Perez regularly. How many pee-pees was he going to draw on Jennifer Love-Hewitt’s face today?!? Among other blogs I browsed through during college….well there were not many. Texts From Last Night filled by main browser, a few visits to Damn You AutoCorrect!, and of course a little love from CollegeHumor. I loved being entertained by other people’s trashy bits of information that were slightly relevant to my current lifestyle. Aww, big nostalgic sigh for college, everyone.

A lot has changed since my campus days. I graduated, moved home and rediscovered my love for weekends and the simple pleasure that accompanies falling asleep with a good book in my hand.  I have also taken a closer look the blogging world and have become addicted to some truly great sites. Fashion has been presented to me in new and exciting ways. Pinterest has turned me into a whore for DIY projects. And I always love reading the back story on a successful, power woman-blogger.

That being said, I’ve gathered up my favorite grown-up blogs to waste your time with while you do the side eye at the office (making sure no one is looking at the donut in your lap and the shiny blog on your screen). Or, if you’re extra responsible, curl up in bed this weekend and have a blog extravaganza. Explore all of the new words and blogs that will inspire your new, post-grad life. Oui madame!

I Spy DIY

This blog is SUCH a treat. Coming from a girl who has started shopping regularly at my local fabric store, I can’t resist a good ol’ fashioned DIY project. This blog is full of step-by-step projects that any 20-something girl could not resist (sparkly pumps, fancy bracelets, glamorous suitcases, Oscar dresses, glasses cases and more). Also, everything on the blog is completely realistic to make. No need to be born a starving artist. You could have two left hands and have fun with these creative ideas. How special is that!

Honestly WTF

Fashion, design, DIY and more fashion. Honestly WTF is full of every single bit of it. It’s perfectly twisted and dreamy, like the lights backstage at a fashion show. Exposing new styles, ways to create them yourself and fantasy home design. It’s truly one of my favorites because I lose myself for hours on end whenever I visit it…imagining my future life in a cozy apartment replicating the designs on the website and getting down with my artsy self. Mmmm, Honestly WTF — I’m committed to you.

Tom & Lorenzo

Ok, I love fashion. And before I found out about Tom & Lorenzo’s blog, I would search every gossip website for a detailed discussion about what obnoxious bows everyone was wearing at the Oscars. Finally, I found my fashion bloggie love match. Two flamboyant gay men (they’re a couple) named Tom and Lorenzo completely break down every fashion moment in Hollywood with photos and quick wit. Everything they say is deliciously hilarious and dead-on. Omg, instant besties!

The Pioneer Woman

I’m sure you’ve heard of this foodie-inspired blog extravaganza before, but I’m just here to remind you it exists. When I’m stressed, I usually bake, and when I feel like growing up an inch or two, I cook. The one place I dial-in to immediately is this blog, where The Pioneer Woman shares such detailed instructions to cooking (with GORGEOUS photos). I can’t help be inspired to cook all day long! Also, her stories are hilarious. She’s married to the hottest cowboy ever (who she calls Marlboro man), and lives on a giant ranch in Montana. Dreamy.

Making Magique 

Need to feel inspired? Dive into this inspiration wall created by an incredibly artistic, dream obsessed, style dripping blog lady. Whenever I’m feeling a little stressed about my own life, I turn to this effortless platform to literally stare at the computer screen with my mouth open. A grown up Perez Hilton! (The blog, not me.)

[Lead image via FuzzBones/Shutterstock]

It’s only human to have those moments (no matter how long they last) when you feel like you can’t do ANYTHING right.

Ok, my moment has been going on for over a week. I feel like I’ve been spending too much money, apologizing way too many times to people, not returning things I’ve borrowed, slipping from my usual tip-top form at work…and it’s all so exhausting. With all these mistakes, I’m feeling super guilty. And with guilt comes a constant humming in my mind that I simply can’t perform like I used to in college — back when I got 15 hours of sleep at a time and was never scolded for anything.

In this giant pity spiral (Why can’t I pay these bills? Or apologize to my friend right away for wronging her? Or bring my sister’s iPod BACK to her after borrowing it for over two weeks?) I also feel…judged. By virtually everyone. I’m left thinking that my sister sees me as irresponsible, that my best friend thinks I’m incapable of apologizing and doesn’t care about her as much as I really do, that I’m never going to make money. I basically feel like a complete pile of poo that can’t live up to anyone’s standards for who they expect me to be.

While I’m feeling like every single one of the people in my life are binding me down with their judgements, that’s really not the case at all. The only person judging me is…*drum roll please*…myself.

I understand this sounds totally corny and sometimes I beat the point like a dead horse, but I have to constantly remind myself: I am responsible for my own self. And you know what? It’s a huge bite of humble pie. It certainly doesn’t taste like cinnamon apples and whipped cream. The stress that comes with judging yourself over tiny mistakes only sabotages the true “magic” of how you see the world. What good does it really do to dwell on things so deeply if you’re left feeling suffocated and guilty?

I didn’t make it to my best friend’s birthday and I thought she would understand…and, like the little family we are, that she would still love me. I gave her a great gift and went to happy hour with her figuring I would make it to her birthday party later in the night. Complete flakiness (and well, drinking) left me short-handed. Since then, I’ve apologized with all my heart and plan on taking her to an elaborate birthday dinner. As she is my greatest friend, she’s completely forgiven me and we had an ugly cry session on the phone telling each other how much we loved one another.

So there, that’s done. I couldn’t control what had already happened, but I could control my attitude afterwards. Making reality a better place to inhabit can be a tough go. But, doing something for another person, or simply saying sorry, can help you gather perspective. Oh, and not blaming yourself for everything! That one does tastes like cinnamon covered apples and whipped cream.

[Lead image via Pavel Sazonov/Shutterstock]

Before I begin, this post is dedicated to all of the wonderful ladies (and men, if you’re reading) out there that feel a little stuck and lost in a life post-college. The world often feels bustling with too many confident individuals and not enough nervous, actual human beings just trying to find their place — both in the universe and in the Starbucks line each morning before work.

If you’re a 20-something, recently graduated and struggling to find the meaning of life (or whatever life entails for us emotional, strikingly beautiful beings), I want you to do something. Shut your bedroom door if you get embarrassed easily and turn up Adele to the highest volume your little computer allows you to — which, quite frankly, is never really loud enough. Then, I want you to read this post aloud with your hand on your heart and your chin lifted high. If there is a mirror nearby, look into it. And wink at yourself before you begin. Ok, here goes. It’s time to make some 20-something promises.

I vow to do my thang. Yes, thang. “Thang” is better than “thing.” In fact, if I decide I want to paint my nails instead of going out on that date later, I’m going to. It shows I don’t over-think things and I’m sure of myself. Most importantly, I know what I want and I do it.

I vow to quit stressing. My face gets too hot when I stress, and I do irrational things. I think I have enough money that instead of pulling my hair out, I can afford to buy a piece of dark chocolate and then budget some time to go on a run. Much better than rocking back and forth in the fetal position.

I vow to keep my close friends CLOSE and the other ones…just whenever they are around. I only need people who show that they need me. I have no time for silly business. The other 500 in my friends list on Facebook? I don’t forget to write ‘Happy Birthday’ on their walls, but I’ll see them when I see them.

I vow to not let anyone steal my joy. 

I vow to savor everything. Sleep, the taste of really cold water, good times, things that make me truly happy. Even if it’s just this very moment. And slowly! I vow to take things slowly. Stop to really taste the coconut in that macaroon, really read the words in my new favorite book. Whatever it is, take it slow and believe it.

I vow to give, give, give. Small gifts, sweet letters, long lasting hugs.

I vow to keep my credit card at home when I go to the bar. Shots of jaeg are not a dollar and my savings account does not deserve a hangover.

I vow to have a backbone.

I vow to fight like a boxer. But don’t misunderstand, no need to throw a ton of punches. I know how to pick and choose my battles and throw one stone-cold punch only when I need to. [Editor's note: I hope you mean that figuratively, Brittany!]

I vow to have my own life, confidence and never believe what anyone says about me. I make my own plans. I am in charge of who I am. And I believe in it.

Don’t you feel better about life now? I do.

[Lead image via Vadym Drobot/Shutterstock]

I have discovered the answer to ALL post grad problems. The post grad problems I’m talking about consist of: stress, finding jobs that make you happy, dating mature human beings, partying, being adventurous, finding yourself…you get the point. So, how are we supposed to conquer all of these grown up issues at such a young age? Be obsessed with yourself.

With every fiber in my body I know this works. When you focus on nothing but yourself, things start miraculously working out in your favor. Put a little playful selfishness into action! Of course you should care about others and do things for the community, but lets be honest — doing good things for others makes you feel good, too! And that only aids in being obsessed with your own well-being.

You will never again have an issue with dating if you focus on what makes you happy. True story: I recently cancelled a date with a guy merely because I was painting my nails Turks and Caicos by Essie and munching on banana bread. I wasn’t really feeling a date night and didn’t want to ruin it with my selfish attitude. I’d much rather go when I actually wanted to. In the end, the guy was totally fascinated by my non-apologetic drive to live my own life and things have been working out flawlessly since!

You will never again have an issue with your job if you focus on what you’ve been wanting out of the job world since the beginning. A job is essentially what you fill 80% of your life cup up with, so it might as well be something positive. If you become consumed by a job that you do not enjoy, say hello to the bumpy road of stress and eventual disheartening failure. Ask yourself, “How can I be selfish? What can I do to make my heart feel at ease?” Do you want to quit your job and start a blog or open a cupcake shop? Um, do it! Seriously. Success shines brightly in something you are passionate about.

You will never again have an issue with feeling guilty for going out too late vs. staying in and petting your cat while you read Glamour by the fire. Do you struggle with guilty-for-not-going-out syndrome? STOP. It’s a simple calculation. If you don’t feellike going out…stay home and count the sheet-rock speckles on the ceiling. If you feel like going CRAZY at a local dive bar…go out and take a red headed slut shot and wake up feeling guilty all over again in the morning. You are still young, after all, and doing what you want (since you don’t have a family, baby, puppy tying you down) is totally 20-something life decision couture.  Natural and beautiful.

You will never again baulk at spending money or time searching for happiness. Want to travel? Pin a map to the wall and throw a dart to see where it lands. Then save money and GO! If you want to by that vibrant orange lipstick because Glamour told you it was the “new red” go for it. And wear it to the grocery store, dammit!

At this age, life should be ALL about yourself. No one can stop you from doing what you want to do. As long as you’re not snorting a line of cocaine and building on fire on the coffee table, I think everything we really want for ourselves is pretty innocent.

Recently, I spontaneously flew to Los Angeles for a weekend to see some friends and ate as much fancy bakery goods, sushi and herbal lemonade as I could. I spent the extra money to buy something fringe so I fit in at The Grove in West Hollywood. In fact, I made out with a club promoter in the fancy new venue everyone was partying at on Hollywood Boulevard. Partially for the story, whole-heartedly for myself. Then, when I got home, I took a bath with eucalyptus bath salt I bought at Macy’s as a personal treat to myself. While listening to old country music on my iPod. And it was lovely.

Bottom line, do what you want for YOU. If you are a happy person, life will suddenly become so much brighter, clearer and exciting. And everyone will notice the vibrancy you’re putting off. Like a galaxy or bundle of fireworks exploding in a dark alley. You owe it to yourself to be there for no one else but the person you spend every minute with.

[Image via auremar/Shutterstock]

If I were to ever win a gold medal in the Olympics, it would be for over-thinking EVERYTHING. I guess I fit the typical girl stereotype. It’s totally like me to stand in the cosmetics aisle in Target for 80 hours trying to figure out which type of mascara I want. I’ll over-think a text I’m about to send to someone I’m dating. I’ll over-analyze a conversation I had with a friend and turn it into something it probably wasn’t in the first place. I’ll over-analyze a bedroom color if I’m painting. I’ll over-analyze…OK, you get it.

I also realize I probably made myself sound like a total freak in that last paragraph but, then again, I’m over-analyzing that too.

That being said, my new goal is to STOP. Stop over-analyzing every single little thing to a point of making up fake stories, wasting time and driving myself crazy. My philosophy has always been to have fun and leave the rest (the rest being all of those unfiltered thought process jumbled messes) so how hard can it really be? Life can’t be about wasting time freaking yourself out at the expense of everything that probably doesn’t matter anyway.

That guy that didn’t call you back? Who cares, you had FUN on the few dates you went on and got to know someone.

That one-worded text message your friend sent you after you said something that could have made her angry? You are your own person and the text message probably didn’t mean anything anyway.

The way your elbows are jiving back and forth making you look like a disoriented chicken on the dance floor? Dancing is SUPPOSED to be creative. And you look supa’ damn fly while you’re at it.

The Secret Santa gift you bought for your friend that didn’t amount to the rest of your girlfriends because you haven’t had a lot of money in a while? It’s the thought that counts and if you loved the gift–chances are she will too.

That $20 shirt at H&M you bought when you were suppose to be Christmas shopping? Go you. Gotta keep the shopper satisfied somehow.

That Friday night you spent working late and ended up missing out on a planned girls’ dinner? Life goes on, there will be more dinners and everyone will still love you.

That weird thing you said to a guy after you had a few too many Blue Moons? He probably thought it was funny and if he didn’t, it’s because it doesn’t remember.

The funny needy feeling you get when you’re alone and want someone there with you? Feel it, embrace it and good lord call up a friend and talk their ear off. Don’t apologize either.

The generic brand or the real stuff? Get the generic brand. It’s all the same anyway.

Obviously you shouldn’t live in complete ignorance. Self-awareness is one of the most important attributes out there and you want to care what others think (even though I wouldn’t mind eating Taco Bell every day and taking the world by storm in my sweatpants). But that’s one dramatic thing to another. Living a balanced life with minimal worries and very little second thoughts will make you the happiest you’ve ever been.

I need a focus adjustment. Let’s just say I’ve been a little on the negative side lately. At first, I tried blaming it on the crappy weather (like I usually do) and then I realized I could be dealing with a personal problem.

For example, whenever I’m about to do virtually anything, I immediately envision the worst possible outcome. From sending a text to a guy for the first time (i.e. he is going to think I’m clingy or too weird) to expressing my opinion at work (i.e. everyone is going to think I’m crazy, my boss is going to fire me and where will I live after that?)…it’s becoming a problem. (Okay, not a lot of my thoughts are this dramatic, I’m just trying to make a point. I need a focus adjustment.)

The good news is, I think the fix is pretty simple.

I need to focus on what I DO want to happen instead of focusing on what I DON’T want to happen. When I send a guy a text, I need to confidently believe that he is excited to hear from me. I need to have a crisp understanding that he probably thinks what I have to say is cute and endearing. When I want to express my opinions/ideas at work, I need to focus on the positive new opportunities I’m bringing to the table. I need to zero in on all of the great things that could come out of saying what I feel.

Positive thinking is the match that strikes every great success story. If I wake up with the thought something wonderful is going to happen that day (and I pay close enough attention) something magical will happen. Even if it’s something small.

For example, I experimented with my new philosophy just this morning. Instead of waking up and deciding I was going to be crabby because it was that time of the month, I woke up with a fresh face and a glowy attitude for no reason. It was the smallest effort EVER. I literally did not do anything different with my morning. BUT, the beauty of this whole entire (starting to sound lame) story was that I didn’t pinpoint anything negative that happened to me. Minor things (cars pulling out in front of me, people cutting in front of my path in Target, etc.) didn’t ruin my day. And I would go about my own 24 hours pretty happily.

It’s really very magical and focus-altering. Turning the teeniest negative thought into a positive one could change your (or someone else’s, depending how violent you are) day. And when your inside center is sharp, things will be so much clearer.

I’ve said it before 48,573 times and I will say it again. Life after college is a hectic whirlwind. And most of your time is spent trying to decipher if you’re happy with who you are, what you’re doing and where you’re doing it all. Is this what I’m supposed to be doing? Does this make me happy? He loves me, he loves me not. Blah, blah, blah, blah. But what happens after that hump? How are you suppose to tell that you’ve finally reached that blissful element of contentment with your life?

I’m sorry if this is too deep for a Wednesday but I’m here to help because I have finally found an inner contentment in myself…nearly two years after graduation. Please don’t lose hope if you just graduated. It may not take that long for you to find inner quietness as it did me. Either way, it will come. And here’s how you will know…

1. Road rage will definitely be apparent (especially if you drive around hungry during rush hour), but it will be easily contained. A happy thought or a simple song will keep you semi-occupied during heavy traffic. Your mind will suddenly understand that a moment alone (even in traffic) isn’t really all bad. Side Note: I definitely still give angry glances during traffic, I’m not perfect.

2. Sleep is good, but my love/need for sleep isn’t as extreme as it was before. I used to sleep ALL THE TIME. Until the late hours of the morning. I would take frequent naps. I don’t know what it is now, but I pop up early feeling refreshed and eager to get things done. Side Note: I still sleep in, don’t get me wrong, but a sense of daily accomplishment is just as satisfying.

3. Let the pampering ensue. You will want to take care of yourself! I wasn’t a hoodlum before but I definitely was a lazy pile of sh*t sometimes, unable to find reasons to spend money on a new nail polish or face moisturizer. Now, I feel like I can treat myself. I deserve it. I deserve to spend five more dollars on a new toner or the fresh-squeezed orange juice instead of the Tropicana. Side Note: I still eat deep dish pizza on the couch and let my nails get a little stingy sometimes.

4. Dating becomes less needy. For the first time in a long time, I’m not chasing after anyone. No one is necessarily chasing after me. I’m not worried about a text/phone call and I don’t feel the tugging pressure to want any of it anyway. I’ve found contentment within myself, and amidst that inner satisfaction I don’t need someone to make it for me. Side Note: I’m not saying I like a little flirtatious bar banter from time to time.

5. Finally, self-apologies are minimal. When I STOP apologizing for something I’ve done day to day (that maybe made me feel a little off or “not myself”), I’m successful. No matter what, I never want to apologize for who I am, what I’ve learned, how I’ve learned and what I believe in. Because when I’m truly content with myself, I won’t be saying sorry about it.

Yesterday, I went out for a late night happy hour with one of my greatest girlfriends. We sat down in a booth, ordered up our California red wine, some pommes frites and got to talking. Happy Hour, might I mention, will be your favorite activity come real world. At happy hour, you discuss life’s difficult moments, relationships and friendships–all to the deepest degree.

Lately, I’ve been noticing something about these happy hours. I jump on them with all of my friends. New friends, old friends, friends from college, friends from high school, friends from work…and I realized something. My friend groups are slowly growing apart. Like a cell, they are pulling themselves away from each other and bouncing into two different worlds where they are altogether different.

In one group, are my college girlfriends. They were the lovely ladies I chose to spend the heftiest chunk of my four years in college with. They share drunken escapades with me, long stories of nights in the library, silly adventures sprouted from hunger, ambition and craved adventure.

In another group, are my newest friends. They are the lovely ladies I have chosen to spend my post-college life with. They share more recent drunken escapes with me, long afternoons in our favorite coffee shop full of recapping old college stories and new ones alike, silly adventures sprouted from a sense of eager ambition, craved adventure and a blank and exciting future.

They are pretty much the same relationships right? So you mean nothing really EVER changes? You guessed it, that’s totally not true. These new post grad friendships and the ones I held so dearly in college have evolved. My college girlfriends have all found men they plan on marrying. They talk about the cuts of wedding rings and their jobs in the office. They are busy and crazy successful, I’m proud of every single one of them. But since my life has changed, my college friendships have carefully drifted up up and away. I’m envisioning the scene in Titanic after the last bit of the ship went under water and Jack and Rose drifted apart in the ocean. They came back together of course, but lost each other for a fiercely cold moment in time.

I’m a flight attendant now. My week by week schedule changes as quickly as a young boy in puberty. I never know what I’m going to be doing day to day or where I’ll be. I’m single and comfortable with it. I have no idea what color my bridesmaid dresses are going to be, I’m not building a home with my boyfriend and, even though I totally know what cut my wedding ring is going to be, I don’t have anyone to share it with (quite yet). These differences have pulled me away from my college girlfriends but have brought me increasingly closer to a new group of girls I’ve found to love.

My post-grad girlfriends are all single, I met them through my new job and we have so much in common it almost freaks me out. We laugh in the name of marriage, love to go out and have fun. Finding this new group of ladies has fulfilled me with personal hope–that there are people out there (my age) that are still like me rooting for a single life out in the town, a hopeful future and lots of crazy stories and juicy laughs.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my college girlfriends. I will always love them with all my heart. But sometimes, I have to accept that my future may be going a different direction than theirs (even if it’s at a slower rate). And that’s OK. Because there are girls out there who share the same beliefs and stories as I do at this very moment. There are woman out there who want to live life and view the world the way I do.