Christmas Wallet Savers

About the only thing that ever loses weight at Christmas is our wallets. They just seem to go thinner and thinner as the weeks leading up to Christmas fly by. There are lots of things though that can be done to help take some of the crunch out of Christmas. Each on their own may not add up to much, but if you combine them all I bet you will have saved enough money to buy an extra gift or two.

Make sure you eat before you shop

It really is surprising at how many people tend to eat out when they are Christmas shopping. Often the reason for this is because they are away from home for many hours, and often have left home without eating. So if you are planning an early
morning shopping excursion then get up a bit earlier and have a hearty breakfast. You can bet it will hold you through those next several hours while you are shopping. This way you won’t lose precious shopping time by having to stop to eat, and you will have saved some substantial money as well.

If you are a night time shopper, then same thing, have an early dinner and a filling one,  but not one that is going to take a lot of clean up time.

Changing Colleges? Dos and Don’ts You Must Know

(This is a guest post by Abby Nelson.)

Applying to college as a high school student/graduate is one thing; trying to transfer from one college to another is entirely different. For one, your decision is taken in a shorter time period and is fraught with uncertainties; and for another, you need to find a college that not only suits your needs but which also accepts credits you have earned during the semester or two you spent in your current college.

How Not to Kill Your Roommate

Oh, college roommates! What in the world could possibly be more exciting or better, really, than sharing a hundred square feet of space with another person? Like you, that person is probably someone who wants to succeed, not become horribly malnourished, and perhaps find some sort of connection with another person in a thrilling new environment. And you’re inevitably going to run into issues.

Photo by Patty.B

Going Back to School: Here’s What You Need!

It’s a momentous decision when you choose to go back to school years after your graduation; and whether it’s because you want to prove something to yourself or because your career depends on it, when you enter the world of education after a long gap, you need to be prepared for it, no matter if it is full or part time.

Life is no longer as simple as it was when you were in high school or college – it involves much more than just agonizing over lessons, assignment and exams and mulling over the fight you had with your significant other. There could be many other things on your plate now – a job, a family, and other commitments that are not easy to push aside. This makes going back to school a more challenging task, so unless you’re prepared, you could fail in your endeavor to earn a degree.

There are two ways you could go back to school, and each comes with its own challenges:

• When you decide to do it full time: There are very few people who would choose this option because it would mean putting their jobs and practically their lives on hold. However, if it is the opportunity of a lifetime or if circumstances demand it, it’s not uncommon to decide to go back to school full time. If you belong to this category, you’ll need to ensure that your finances are in order and that you (and your family if you have one) won’t have to worry about money while you spend your time slogging it out. If you’re taking out a loan to finance your education, make sure it’s worth the effort – you don’t want to be burdened with a loan that you cannot repay. Also, a full-time college schedule can be very demanding and you’re going to have to keep pace with kids who are much younger and more ambitious than you. You’re going to have a lot more on your mind than you did the last time round, and concentrating on your lessons is going to take a significant amount of willpower and determination. So psyche yourself to be mentally prepared, and give it the best you’ve got.
• When you opt to study online: More than 90 percent of those who choose to go back to school take the online route. It’s very convenient because there’s not much change involved – you can continue to work at your job and go on with your life as usual; all you have to do is make some time for your lessons and exams. However, if you’re not disciplined and dedicated to the cause, you could end up lagging behind your classmates and taking much more time to complete your degree than necessary. Also, you must put in a significant amount of effort to balance all the balls you’ll be juggling – work, family, social life and studies – without dropping any of them. You will have to make sacrifices and compromises in order to do justice to your degree. So if you’re prepared and ready to accept the challenge, find a school of your choice and get started.

Going back to school is a worthwhile attempt to improve the quality of your work life, enhance your professional standing, and achieve a sense of accomplishment.

This guest post is contributed by Debbie Owen, she writes on the topic of online doctorate degree. She welcomes your comments at her email id: debbieowen83@gmail.com

Decorate your Dorm with BJ’s Wholesale Club

BJ’s Wholesale Club is a thrifty, easy way of getting ready for school, whether you’re heading back to campus or you’re just starting out. Check out their school and college supplies options.

From décor like bedding sets and patterned rugs, unique space-savers like spinning carousel organizers, a wide selection of electronics and small appliances and no dorm would be complete without staples like KRAFT® EASY MAC® and Maruchan® Ramen; BJ’s has it all in one stop.

Like something you saw in the video above? Here’s some items it featured:

• I-Teen 11 Piece Reversible Bedroom Set – Easy-care microfiber comforters with matching sham, sheet set, throw, bath towels, wash cloths and hamper. Fits twin or twin XL. Geometric and floral patterns designed exclusively for BJ’s. $49.99
• Chalbria Galleria 53” x 79” Area Rug – Bold printed 100% nylon area rugs. $29.99
• Spinning Carousel Closet Organizer – Heavy-duty canvas organizer turns 360 degrees. Store shoes, handbags or accessories in only 1 square foot of closet space. $14.99
• Toshiba® 10.1” Notebook Computer – 160GB hard drive, Intel Atom™ N455 processor, 1GB DDR2 RAM, Windows® 7 Starter Edition, and 802.11n Wireless. 10.1” TruBrite®display. 8+hour battery life. Also on BJs.com $299.99
• Milen Laptop Portable Mini Desk with Flexible Light – Use your laptop comfortably while lounging. Light bends as needed. $14.99 (After $5 instant rebate through 8/31/10)
• Haier® Write-On Refrigerator – 2.5 cubic foot fridge. Leave homework reminders or messages to friends on the front. $99.99
• Sunbeam® 800-Watt Microwave with Bonus – .8 cu. Ft. Digital display. Includes microwave-safe egg and rice cookers. Also on BJs.com $44.99 (After $10 instant rebate/online instant coupon 8/2-8/25/10)

All available at BJ’s Wholesale Club!

20 iPhone Apps for College Students

It’s not just a status symbol for college students, it’s also a useful tool for more than just communication and idle chitchat. The iPhone is now a standard accessory for most college-goers, and if you own one, there are a few must-have apps that should accessorize your phone.

Choosing apps for the iPhone is like asking a kid to choose from the hundreds of choices in a candy shop – you want them all, but you know you have to stick to a select few not just because of the cost but also because you don’t want to clutter your phone. So if you’re a college student with an iPhone, here’s a mix of useful and simply fun apps to load onto your sleek gadget:

Knowledge is power
1. Wiki Mobile: The Wikipedia site redesigned to snugly fit your iPhone – it’s great for a quick reference to facts and facilitates information on the go.
2. Dictionary.com: You don’t have to lug around a heavy dictionary or log onto your notebook computer to find the meanings of complicated words; with this app, you have access to both a dictionary and a thesaurus at your fingertip.
3. Big Words: If you’re looking for cheap textbooks, this is the app for you – use it to compare prices at stores around you and find the best bargain.
4. Snap Tell: This app makes it easy to find and compare book prices by just snapping a photo of the front cover with the title and author’s name. You save time and money on comparison shopping.
5. eTextbooks: If you can find your textbooks in the e-book format, you sure are lucky. Instead of lugging around heavy textbooks, just carry them on your iPhone with this app.
6. Math Ref Free: Your one-stop reference guide to all things related to mathematics when you’re a college student. Stay ahead…
7. iHomework: If you’re always in trouble over forgotten assignments and unable to manage your hectic schedule, this app helps you stay ahead of your homework and lessons.
8. MyGPA Calculator: A must-have for every serious college student – it allows you to keep track of your scores and calculates your GPA on a per semester and cumulative basis.
9. Instapaper Free: This free app allows you to save web pages offline – a great tool for when you don’t have time to read long articles and online study material. Just save your pages and read them whenever free.
10. Things: Whether you’re the typical forgetful nerd or just an average student pressed for time, this app helps you schedule your tasks and provides timely reminders as to where you need to go, when you need to go, and what you need to do.
11. Evernote: Makes note-taking ever so easy and interesting – this app helps you remember all those important hints your lecturer throws out in class; useful stuff during exam time.
12. Voice Memos: While I wouldn’t recommend using this as an excuse to sleep in class, it does come in handy when you’re tired and unable to concentrate – just record your lecture and play back when in the mood to study.
13. Mooch: An extremely useful app for the college student who has it all and does not like to lose what they have – Mooch lets you keep track of all those possessions (and money) that your roommates and dorm mates have borrowed from you so that you’re able to get them back easily.

How to Make Pumping Gas Awkward

(My friend Jaclyn wrote this, as it happened to her recently.)

(Photo by futureatlas.com.)

1. Pay at the pump before pumping the gas. To make this awkward, make sure you somehow are unable to access the money in you account. Try enough times that the cashier inside says he is coming out to help in a second.
2. Wait….wait….waaaait…….until a random also pumping gas come to help. To increase awkwardness, believe him when he says you can pre-pay inside.
3. Go ask the cashier if you can pay inside before pumping gas. When he says you have to pump first, insist you HAVE the money, you just don’t know if you can access it for some reason.
4. Find a $10 in you purse to hold you over until you can get to the bank to remove the rest of you money. Pump the gas.
5. (Now here is the tricky part!) Make sure the $10 bill blows away in the wind as you are walking inside.
6. Be sure to be with friends who have no money. That way, they can’t help at all. As you go in, pray to meet strangers who found your bill and are kind enough to give it back.
7. Go to the bank, get the rest of your money, go back to the same station (to prove you did indeed have the money all along) then meet up with the guy who found your money as you are leaving.
8. Tell him you in fact do not want his number when he asks. Then laugh along when he says he was kidding.

Last Minute Gifts on the Cheap

Students have no money. We all know this. Here are some websites to help you find cool, creative gifts for low-ish prices. Happy holidays and happy hunting!

• The 6 best last-minute gifts
• Etsy (You can search for sellers in your town so you won’t have to worry about shipping costs or time.)
• Last Minute Gifts
• 15 last minute gift ideas
• The Best and Worst Last Minute Christmas Gifts
• 15 Great Last Minute Gifts For $50 or Less

25 Basic Study Tips for Students

This guest post is written by Angela Peterson, who writes on the topic of online psychology degrees . She can be reached at her email id: angela_peterson@rediffmail.com

Photo by estebandid.

There’s more than one way to study and each student knows what works best for him/her. But then, there are also some very basic study tips that help you get more done in less time and with greater efficiency. So here goes, 25 great study tips that every student must know:

1. Paying attention in class is the first step in studying for your exams.
2. Understand a lesson before you attempt to learn it. When you understand a subject, you’re halfway to learning it.
3. Set a schedule to study, perhaps an hour everyday even when you don’t have exams coming up.
4. Doing a little everyday helps you avoid having to cram on the eve of an exam.
5. When it comes to learning, don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today.
6. Don’t sacrifice sleep during exams – a sleep deprived brain does not function efficiently.
7. Eat more of fruits and healthy foods instead of stuffing yourself with junk food and liters of coffee or going without food when you study.
8. Don’t hesitate to pick your friends’ brain if you know it will help you study.
9. When you study, concentrate on the job at hand instead of letting people or situations distract you. Accordingly, choose a location where there is relative peace and quiet and where you will not be disturbed to do your studying.
10. Take down notes while learning – you remember better this way.
11. If music soothes you, play some in the background while studying. Some people find it helpful while others feel it is a distraction.
12. Never study with the TV on because it only distracts you from your purpose.
13. If you’re using your laptop or computer to study, disable the Internet so that you don’t get sidetracked.
14. Don’t approach your professors on the eve of an examination with your doubts. Get them cleared well in advance.
15. Organize your notes and lessons after each class so that you don’t have to scramble for them when your exams are around the corner.
16. The best time of the day to study is early in the morning when your brain is fresh and rejuvenated after a good night’s sleep.
17. Use mnemonics and other memory aids to remember names and dates – associate them with people and events that are familiar.
18. Leave some time to go review and revise your lessons before an exam. Learning them just once is not enough.
19. When you’re learning Math and other subjects where formulae are involved, practice makes perfect – the more number of problems you solve, the better and quicker you become.
20. Try combined study with a friend so that you can motivate each other and help each other when your energy and enthusiasm tend to flag.
21. Alternatively, discuss the subject with your friends. It helps you gain a deeper understanding of what you’re supposed to learn.
22. Know how to skim when you’re running short of time – when time permits, you can study in detail; but if you lack this precious resource, you must know how to speed read so that you glean all the important points with one or two quick skims of the page.
23. Some students find that audio lessons help them learn better.
24. When you teach a friend a concept, you tend to remember it more thoroughly. So if any of your friends come to you with doubts, help them out without hesitation.
25. And finally, don’t let the stress of examinations get to you. When you’re stressed, your brain stops functioning as it should and all your hard work goes to waste. So stay cool and crack your exams with good groundwork and preparation.

Interested in writing a guest post for Kill Jill? Email me with an idea.

iChapters.com Livin’ Digi Sweepstakes

Our friends at iChapters are offering you a chance to win one of four Digi Life packages, worth over $1000! The prize packages include a netbook, jump drive, a smart pen, a shoulder bag and more!

Check out the video above or this website for more details.