[Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. For April, Jill gave up restaurants. Things started off slow, then got tricky, and now she’s done. Insert life lesson here!

Well peeps, I did it.

30 days. 90 meals. Plenty of late night snacks. All cooked by yours truly.

And no fires, burnt dishes or kitchen snafus to speak of!

Mazel tov to me! Brava! A job well Done! Magnifico! 5 stars! Watch out, Food Network – we’ve got your newest star!

If you’re reading this wondering why I’m patting myself so hard on the back that there’s a permanent hand-print back there, thinking BFD (big freakin deal) that I cooked for 30 days… you haven’t seen my addiction to weekend brunches or my lack of knowledge when it comes to various kitchen utensils and appliances. (I had to Google what a saucepan was this month….it was that bad.) So yeah, I deserve some major praise.

I’m so proud of my will power that I’m actually considering making (and presenting) myself with my own bedazzled paper plate award. Lord knows I deserve it. That, and a large and in charge meal cooked by anyone other than me. Preferably a cute, tall and witty man with fabu cooking skills. But let’s be real here – after 30 days, I’m really not going to be that picky. At this point, in the realm of who’s cooking my grub, I’ve got my cooking beer goggles on so securely that everyone with a frying pan in hand is pretty much a Jake Gyllenhaal/Bobby Flay hybrid in my eyes. Read More »

[Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. For April, Jill is going to give up restaurants. Things weren't lookin' good last week; how did she fare for week 3?]

They say it takes three weeks to solidify a habit or a routine. In three weeks time, it will become second nature, your normal thang, and you’ll stick with it forever! No problem, amigo.

Well, I don’t know who “they” are but “they” haven’t given up eating out for three. straight. weeks. Let me tell you, we’ve got ourselves some problems, amigos. Problems indeedy.

I’m generally a pretty positive person; not one to harp on the small potatoes problems in my life (like how sick I am of eating – and cooking – said small potatoes). And while I still stand by a lot of the fabulous benefits that led me to take on this challenge in the first place – I really am becoming a domesticated w-o-m-a-n (roar!) and I’m saving lots of cashola – this week brought up some obstacles in this “genius” idea of a four-week challenge (facing an actual challenge during a challenge?! Fancy that!)

First of all, my excitement of becoming adventurous in the kitchen sort of dwindled and I was back to making the things that were easiest and fastest. I mean, really, “Kosher By Design, Short On Time” cookbook (which, FYI, is one of the very few cookbooks I own, given to me by someone’s Bubbie at some point in time) Since when is 45 minutes considered a time saver?! Read More »

[Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. For April, Jill is going to give up restaurants. And it's not lookin' good.]

It’s a brand spankin new me, people.
A domesticated me.
A Martha Stewart – but with more inflection in my voice while speaking – me!

I started this week off excited! I wrote a list of things I would need and checked it twice (much like I would imagine Santa does on Christmas, but, really, what do I know? I’m Jewish) and headed off to Whole Foods. Instead of heading for the prepared foods aisle or straight for my clutch of frozen Amy’s Organics (seriously have you ever had the Mexican tamale pie? Delish. But I digress. We’re focusing on cooking here), I made my way through the produce and on to the fish and meat.

And let me tell you, those Whole Foods people, they are friendly bunch of peeps. I felt like a “real person” asking about which cut of meat was the leanest, how long I should cook my sea bass for, should I leave the skin on or off? These are things I would never even THINK about when ordering out at a restaurant, yet I suddenly became determined to make everything correctly and deliciously and full of taste that would make my grandma kvell (that’s Jewish speak for beam with pride.

Cooking during the week was easier than I thought. Save for the piece of fish I slightly undercooked and didn’t realize it until a few bites in. Oopsie. Read More »

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[Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. Last month Lauren (sorta) gave up chocolate. For April, Jill is going to give up restaurants. And it's not lookin' good.]

I love eating out.

I love the socializing. I love the food. I love the people watching. (Like the hottie-with-a-body manager at my favorite resto. Why, yes, I WILL have some of your famous carrot cake, thank you!) I love the excuse to get dessert because you have friends to share it with. I love the convenience and I love the opportunity to try new things that I would never make myself at home.

And by “never make myself at home” I mean, things that take more preparation than pouring milk on my cereal or tomato sauce on my veggies. Yeah, I’m so gourmet like that.

Truth be told, after living in my apartment for over two years, a friend had to teach me how to use my dishwasher after a party I had. Yes, you just read that correctly. Two years. Never used my dishwasher. If only my mom (and world’s best cook) could see me now; she’d be BEAMING with pride.

But after shelling out big bucks for a last minute travel adventure in the land of Oz, I took one look at my very depressing bank account and it became more and more clear how much I spend on dining out (or carrying in). I promised myself I would reel it in, venture into cooking, and dine out less. Because as it turns out, in the world where food meets saving cash – there really is no place like home. Read More »

[It's a new year (which I am having trouble remembering when I have to write the date on anything), meaning it's the perfect time to wipe that slate clean and start anew. And we're gonna help you out. Every Thursday in January we're bringing you advice from experts on ways to improve yourself and your life. From mental health to making the most of your workspace, we'll all work together to get our lives, health and GPAs back on track. First we feng shui-ed our rooms to make them happier, more productive places. Then we centered ourselves so we could handle whatever comes our way. Now let's get our finances in order with Fool.com's Dayana Yochim.]

Let’s face it, “the talk” is awkward for everyone: You, picturing your parents at your age; your parents trying to cover all the bases (protection, safety, responsibility and the long-term consequences of your young-adult actions) before letting you leave the nest.

You know we’re talking about the “money talk,” right?

What’s the big deal? Well, unlike the mechanics of procreating (which, if you’re reading this, we can assume your mother and father mastered at least once), there’s a good chance that your parents made a mess of their own finances back in the day. They might even feel like they’re still unqualified to offer sage advice. After all, this stuff isn’t taught in most schools, which leaves most folks learning money lessons the old-fashioned – and very expensive – way: At the school of hard knocks.

I’m here to do your folks a solid and give you six money management tips that will help you avoid graduating with a major financial hangover. Read More »

The following is a guest post by our (nerdy) friends at Hack College, the #1 tech site for college students

So, how ’bout this?: textbook comparison shopping in your pocket. iBookstore is an iPhone app that’ll let you scan in a book’s barcode right there in the store and then see rough prices for it online.

Now, when you’re in the bookstore, you can know for sure that you’re getting ripped off. That’s actually kind of my problem with it. Duh — we know that it’s cheaper to buy textbooks online than in a bookstore. Unless you’re at a garage sale or some other strange book-buying situation, there’s no need to check. I can tell you right now, without even looking, that all of your textbooks will be cheaper online.

Read More »

[Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. This month, Megan is gonna go 4 weeks without eating out. First, she learned her way around the kitchen, then she struggled through her normal routine. How did her month round out?

At last, the 4 weeks sans eating out have to come to an end!

Thankfully, this week was extra busy for me.  Between work and holiday shopping (I’m one of those last minute shoppers), I didn’t really have much time to even want fast food.  That being said, I can’t say I had much time to cook either. So I enjoyed lots of leftovers, made by my wonderful mama.  I did do a tiny bit of cooking though. This week I experimented with lots of quick, yummy, snacks. Has anyone ever tried the Velveeta and Rotel queso dip? It’s muy delicioso.

As proud of myself as I am for not caving in this week, I am quite excited for this entire experiment to come to an end. Hello, McDonalds! How I’ve missed you! (Have you guys learned I’m a little obsessed with McDonald’s yet? I think I’m the only person who ran out for some Chicken McNuggest after seeing Supersize Me.)  Regardless of if its McDonald’s or elsewhere though, I am more than ready to walk in somewhere, ORDER some food, and enjoy every last bit of it without having to cook it or clean it all up.

That brings me to what month has been as a whole:
AWESOME.
CHALLENING.
LONG. Read More »

[Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. This month, Megan is gonna go 4 weeks without eating out. She was learning her way around the kitchen last week, let's see how she handled herself this week.....]

At 3 weeks in, the “challenges” within this “I’m not eating any meals out this month” challenge are finally starting to show. Don’t get me wrong, I love some of the effects of this challenge; I am proud that I can cook some delicious and edible meals, and the effects it’s had on my wallet have been extraordinary. But there have been total negatives.

Dating is one. And it’s a biggie.

As a single gal, I like to get my date on. However, what’s every single male’s novel first date idea? DINNER! (And he’s not cookin’ it at home for me.) Which leads me to demanding a more creative date, spending an hour proving that I’m not a “challenging” girl, or trying to convince him that I don’t have an eating disorder.  And while some of these dates have been creative and fun, I can’t wait to accept dinner date offers again. Especially, when it is on his dime.

Another downside – this holiday season has been busy.  I didn’t really think about my timing on this challenge, but working 2 jobs, I’ve literally been working 7 days a week.  With so many hours at work and more hours studying for finals, the last thing I want to do is come home and cook.  I’m usually so tired and famished, I have dreams of McDonald’s fries. And not only can I not indulge in said fries, but being more tired, my cooking is getting a lot less tasty than it should be.

And by “less tasty” I mean “Easy Mac is back.” Read More »

Holiday season is by far my favorite time of the year. It’s a season of excessive desserts, eggnog, sample sales, boots and of course, lots and lots of gifts.

What’s not to love?!

No matter which holiday you celebrate, gift giving is a staple of the holiday season. But there is some major pressure when picking out a gift for that special someone. And in this not-so-fabulous economy, a lot of people don’t have the resources to buy the perfect gift anymore.

Well, like I always say, if you can’t buy it make it. (Okay, so I don’t usually say that on day-to-day basis, but you get my point.)

Homemade gifts can be some of the most cherished and beloved gifts. There’s nothing better than seeing someone’s face light up as they unwrap and enjoy a gift you made especially for them. But not all homemade gifts are created equal. Frankly, some just plain blow. Hard. Re-gifted presents and macaroni necklaces won’t cut it anymore, so I’ve rounded up a list of the best homemade gifts that don’t suck. Read More »