Almost all pet owners love their pets to no end, but let’s be honest, our furry friends can often cost an arm and a leg. You may not realize it because you’ve never had to pay for dog food or cat litter, but pets are total free loaders and do a terrible job pulling their [...]]]> Almost all pet owners love their pets to no end, but let’s be honest, our furry friends can often cost an arm and a leg. You may not realize it because you’ve never had to pay for dog food or cat litter, but pets are total free loaders and do a terrible job pulling their own weight. And while it may be hard to move away from home and leave behind your four-legged friend, a pet in college is a tough feat. Here are some costs to think about before getting a pet. 

Dogs - Dogs are said to be the most beloved pets in America, and they have the receipts to prove it! Canines come in three main categories: large, medium and small dogs. As your dog gets bigger in size, you can expect to shell out more on expenses like vet care, food, a license, toys, and time spent exercising. Running your dog around the yard a few times a day keeps him fit and happy. While owning a dog is a blast, keep in mind that it’s easy to spend up an average of $1,500 within your first year alone! So to avoid unnecessary trips to the vet, make sure to let your dog take long walks, feed him right, and if you’re both feeling dapper, take him to the groomers for a trim.

Cats - Of course, cats are the flaring opposite of most dogs, in most respects. Most cats are low maintenance, but still require a good amount of economic handling. This means that your cat is going to need litter, food, a carrier, and probably a lot of toys. Of course, each cat owner feels they know their kitty better than anyone, but the fact is that a cat can easily run $500 a year on regular expenses alone. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t look into owning a cat. However, if you’re looking, make sure to check out your local adoption clinic before walking into a pet store; it’s cheaper and you’ll be giving priority to a friend that needs a home, above all else.

You also need to think about the cost of fixing a dog or cat – one pet is enough, you don’t want to end up with a whole litter!

Fish – If you’d rather admire than touch, you’ll probably appreciate having pet fish! These are easily the cheapest and easiest pets to keep, with the right care. You’ll need fish food, a tank with the right filter and water, and perhaps a few decorations for your new friends. If you’re looking to own a fish, or a few, expect to spend only about $150 in total, within your first year. For a little more money, also look into a reptile, like a turtle or snake.

Sloth - If you are more into the exotic types, I’ve got the perfect match for you. Meet the new love of your life, your very own sloth! Yes, you can own a sloth, given the right documentation and licensing, for only a small initial charge of about $3,000. Sloths can live up to 40 years in captivity, so make sure you are extremely committed. They are slow, affectionate, and wonderful with children, however, they’re very specific to care for – in fact, most people say it’s basically like having a child that never progresses. If you’re dying to have a sloth, but not dying to spend a few grand, check websites that offer exotic pets of all ages. Older sloths will be lower in price.

Don’t be a sloth, leave a comment and let us know what kind of pet you have and how you save money on taking care of it. Also check out this useful infographic – do you think it’s really accurate?

As always, thanks for reading.

When you think about it, it’s kind of bizarre how many weather apps are out there. The number of ways to see if it’s raining later is a bit overwhelming. For that reason alone, I recommend that you do not buy a weather app. Plain and simple, don’t do it. The Weather Channel free app, [...]]]> When you think about it, it’s kind of bizarre how many weather apps are out there. The number of ways to see if it’s raining later is a bit overwhelming. For that reason alone, I recommend that you do not buy a weather app. Plain and simple, don’t do it. The Weather Channel free app, for example, has everything you need: current temperature, radar, 10-day forecast, hourly forecast, and even a social feed that shows what people in your area are saying about the weather.

That being said, the new update on The Weather Channel (TWC) has really slowed down my device and it sucks the life out of my battery like an episode of Game of Thrones. Moreover, I can’t tell you how much I despise the overly dramatic push notifications they send: “River rats running wild, go indoors!” I end up just turning off the notifications.

Could it be time for change? Here are some weather apps both Paid and Free worth looking into.

1. AccuWeather (Free/$2.99) – iOS and Android - Rivaling TWC in free weather
app downloads is AccuWeather (TWC is #1; Yahoo! Weather #2; AccuWeather #3). Users rave about the accurate information and frequent refreshes on the app, making it a viable alternative. In all honesty, it’s the same thing as TWC with a different user interface.

Breakdown: Similar to The Weather Channel app. Definitely do not purchase the paid version.

AccuWeather on the left, The Weather Channel on the right. The differences are subtle.

2. WeatherBug (Free/$2.99) – iOS and Android - From briefly playing around on the app, it seems to have the same feature as TWC and AccuWeather, simply with a different look. Both the iOS and Android stores offer paid versions but unlike the two aforementioned, it offers more than just no ads. WeatherBug Elite offers more in depth weather information, including radar maps with multiple overlays (humidity, wind speed, dew point, etc.).

Breakdown: Free version for basic to intermediate weather information. $2.99 version for weather buffs. Unlike the paid version of Accuweather, WeatherBug Elite actually has some pretty good features. 

3. MyRadar – (Free/$1.99) – iOS and Android - Speaking of radar maps with overlays, MyRadar may be your best option. Developed by Aviation Data Systems, Inc, this app is designed by and used by pilots, so you know (or really hope) that the information you’re receiving is accurate. If you know a little bit more about weather and the science behind it (or want to learn) this is a good app for you. iOS offers a MyRadar Pro, the only benefit being no ads.

Breakdown: Free version for people who like and understand weather patterns. $1.99 version (iOS only) for people who don’t have time to bother with ads (like if you’re flying a plane).

4. InstaWeather (Free/$1.99) – iOS and Android - We all know about Instagram by now and this app takes it one step further by adding weather information instead of a filter. The idea is, you take a picture of the weather and then overlay it with the temperature and/or other weather info to share with your friends. A perfect app for making your friend in Buffalo feel bad about you spending the week in Hawaii.

Breakdown: Free version offers 9 skin overlays for your pictures and has ads. $1.99 version offers 30 available skins (only 15 for Android) and no in app ads. 30 more skins for iOS users may just be enough to convince me into dishing out 2 dollars for the paid version.

Attention Android users! Keep in mind the widget functionality of these apps. Most of them display different information via either the notification bar or on screen widgets. If you want quick info, use your discretion to find what widget works best for you.

When it comes down to it, from the 5 weather apps I broke down, I don’t think there is one upgrade I would pay for. For me, having ads isn’t that big of a deal. The only time I pay for an app is when there are worthwhile additional features. In the case of weather apps, the features that you have to pay for in one app, are in a free version somewhere else. As always, do your research, read reviews and test drive some the free version.

What do you think about your go-to weather application? Did you pay for it?

As always, thanks for reading.

Seniors, you are about to enter Graduation Party season. You may never have another opportunity to party the way you are about to, so it is imperative that you get this one right. To help you out, we wrote this short but useful guide for both party attendees and party hosts, so pay close [...]]]> Seniors, you are about to enter Graduation Party season. You may never have another opportunity to party the way you are about to, so it is imperative that you get this one right. To help you out, we wrote this short but useful guide for both party attendees and party hosts, so pay close attention.

Attendees

You don’t have half as much work to do as the hosts, so enjoy your freedom from event planning and read these tips to improve your experience:

Don’t turn down any party that offers free food or drinks – you are about to enter into a time in your life where this is no longer going to come easy, if at all. Attend these parties, even if there are multiple ones on the same day. In addition, YOGO – you only graduate once, so take advantage of your last days of innocent youth and celebrate your accomplishments (with some free grub and booze).

In terms of bringing a present, you really don’t need to. A small token of appreciation is nice and goes a long way, but it isn’t required. I found that bringing something the whole party can enjoy, like food or snacks, is often the best way to go, and often costs very little.

Hosts

Unlike attendees, who have it easy, there are a lot of things to take note of when throwing a grad party. I’m going to break down each section and offer some helpful hints so that you get the most out of your party.

Time and duration – Like most fun spring activities, a weekend afternoon is a pretty optimal time for a party. The duration of the party is more important than when you throw it, and ties in closely with the guest list, as you are about to see. If you do it right, then the format of the party should be in three parts: an early phase of about 3-4 hours, a short lull, and finally a resurgence.

Guest list – By far the most important aspect of your perfect grad party is the guest list. Ideally, you’ll want a good amount of family and family friends to come because they are the ones who will honor this momentous occasion with gifts. Gifts like checks, cash, gift cards, etc. I know this may sound a bit greedy, but it’s been going on for a long time, so don’t feel bad raking in the bills. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, these attendees may be from the older generation and they may not want to extend the party into the evening. That’s where the lull comes in, to see them off. Then you have your cronies arrive and the party aspect can really come out in full force. Sometimes some of the older people try to hang, and then it can get really fun/out of hand/inappropriate.

Food – If your mom or dad are up for the challenge, let them take on this responsibility. Or order take-out – there is no harm in that. The best scenario would be a healthy combination of both. Think pizza + wings or go the BBQ route and just make a bunch of burgers and dogs.

Drink – A glass of champagne can make for a classy celebratory toast, especially for the first half of the party. The charm of champagne is often lost on college students (or recent grads). Otherwise, the normal BBQ beverages are fine.

Pool – If you’re somewhere warm enough for water-sports and swimming, tell people to bring swimming trunks and a change of clothes!

These are just a few essentials for having a sweet graduation party – the rest is up to you! Get creative and make sure to have fun. This is a celebration of your achievements and accomplishments so live it up!

Graduating from college is an exciting time for millions of students across America each year. After almost two decades of schooling, nothing feels better than getting that diploma.

However, in today’s job-depleted economy, graduates have a tough decision to make – what next?

Should you try your luck in the workforce or invest more [...]]]>

One of these bad boys comes with the diploma.

Graduating from college is an exciting time for millions of students across America each year. After almost two decades of schooling, nothing feels better than getting that diploma.

However, in today’s job-depleted economy, graduates have a tough decision to make – what next?

Should you try your luck in the workforce or invest more money in education by going to graduate school? A few years ago I was in that same situation and had to weigh the benefits of each choice before moving forward. So, what would I suggest to you? Well, it depends. At the end of the day, this big of a decision is completely your call, but here are some things to think about.

Money/Income

There are two ways to look at income: short run and long run. The breakdown is pretty simple. If you work right away you are going to make money right away. That being said, in the long run, statistics show that individuals with more educational experience, generally, make more money throughout their career. Grad school, however, will likely require student loans which also must be taken into account.

According to research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), an individual with a Master’s Degree has an annual salary that is at least 20% higher than one with a Bachelor’s Degree.

Specialization

One thing that continued education does provide is specialization in a designated area. Unlike a lot of Bachelor’s Degree programs, there are no required “general ed” or core courses. Based on personal experience, as long as you enjoy your field of study, continued education can offer valuable knowledge that should help in the long run. And because of this, people rockin’ a Master’s Degree have more to bring to the table than someone who has not specialized in an area.

Experience

After completing a Master’s Degree in Instructional Design & Technology, I can confidently say that people can learn information through different methods. That being said, some ways are more effective than others. Experiential learning, or “learning by doing” is a result of working and can be as, if not more valuable than the knowledge attained during a Master’s Program.

Life is a game of learning and the more situations you can be in, the better off you will be both on a personal and professional level. The problem with Grad School is that you are not exposed to real-life scenarios that require good results, and because of that you are generally at a disadvantage until you enter the workforce.

Economy

Even though the US economy is on the rise, it’s still safe to say it’s not as strong as it once was. The average duration of unemployment is 6+ months and landing any job, let alone your dream job, is extremely difficult. It is a competitive market and and employers are looking for top talent.

This goes two ways. If you can get into an industry you’re interested in straight out of school, great! However, if you are struggling to find a job that is a good fit for you, grad school is a great option that, aside from the loans down the road, is a great way to wait out the storm.

My Little Secret

When I was an undergrad, I remember a few mentors of mine telling me to avoid working for as long as possible. That’s not what I wanted to hear, because at the time, the last thing I wanted was to be in school longer. I figured I would work for a couple of years and then do a Master’s on the side. Ultimately, I did not want to spend any more money on school, but I did want to start making a steady income.

That’s when I came across a Graduate Assistant (GA) position. For those of you who are not familiar with GA positions, I would highly recommend looking into them. GA positions are opportunities offered to graduate students to work within a campus department while taking grad school classes. Often times there are great incentives like partially or even fully discounted tuition. I was very fortunate in the opportunity that I found, since I actually got paid to get my Master’s Degree!

Some other tips:

• Going to grad school is a whole lot easier if you are coming straight from undergrad. Once you are working full time you will be extremely busy and struggle to find the time to go back to school.

• Try to work/intern while taking Graduate classes. This will help you get real world experience.

• Having a Master’s Degree does NOT make you special. The knowledge you learned from obtaining one may make you more valuable to organizations, however hard work and determination can produce better results in some lines of work.
• If you do decide to go to grad school, make sure you study something you enjoy. Otherwise, it could be a long 2-3 years trying to complete something you’re not too keen on.
• A lot of famous and successful people didn’t go to grad school or even finish college for that matter. However, if you plan on working for a corporation on a “normal” career path, a Master’s Degree will help you earn more.

At the end of the day, you have to make your own decisions. Hindsight is always 20/20. Think about what your long term goals are and what will help you get there.

Let’s be honest, when it comes to remembering a family member’s birthday (or any gift-giving holiday for that matter), students, conveniently, aren’t the best at remembering. Whether it’s the incredibly busy schedule or a general lack of money, gifts from college students are hard to come by. That’s why we are here, not only to remind [...]]]> Let’s be honest, when it comes to remembering a family member’s birthday (or any gift-giving holiday for that matter), students, conveniently, aren’t the best at remembering. Whether it’s the incredibly busy schedule or a general lack of money, gifts from college students are hard to come by. That’s why we are here, not only to remind you that Mother’s Day is less than a week away, but also to provide some money-saving gift ideas.

Now that you’re reminded or notified of that, it’s time to think of a gift. If you‘re anything like I was in college, your bank account is running on fumes. It’s been a long semester and your summer job is lined up, but still a few weeks away – so what are you going to do for mommy dearest? Here are 5 avenues to take to show your mom you appreciate, at the very least, her bringing you into the world.

The jackpot. If you are near this valley you have no excuse for calling 1-800-Flowers.

Flowers – Flowers as a gift for women is the ultimate paradox. How does something that can be attained without any money share company with jewelry, expensive chocolate, classy clothing, or a vacation? Take advantage of this complete enigma by going out to a park, picking some flowers, finding a cool bottle and giving it mom.

Personalized Calendar – Make use of your Facebook or huge library on your phone and use them to make a calendar. You can get a calendar full of memories printed for less than $20 at some sites such as Personalization Mall, which also offers tons of other stuff to put photos on – from mugs to bathrobes – perfect for mom.

Roku – If you have a few more bucks to spend, and your mom loves movies like mine does, why not get her all the movies ever made? The Roku is a cool little TV box (really little) that hooks up to a huge amount of internet streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu. It comes in many flavors depending on the size of your wallet, but if you have $50, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Coupons – No, not the ones that the Subway guy gives out on the corner. I mean those cutesy coupons that say “valid for 1 hug” or “breakfast in bed.” I’m sure she’s overdue for a hug, and she’d definitely appreciate something custom-made from her dearest son or daughter. Make sure they never expire, even though she’ll probably redeem the hug the very next time she sees you.

Spend quality time, not money - Often times there are special events themed around Mother’s Day. Check your local newspaper or ask around. Spending the day with Mom is a great way to show her some appreciation and it can cost you nothing.

In the end, most moms probably don’t care what you get them – they’ll just appreciate the gesture. That’s kind of what makes moms great. Spending the day with her and getting her a small, thoughtful gift is usually more than enough to keep ‘em happy! Good luck!

Men and women are totally different creatures – so it’s no surprise that we have different preferences, especially when it comes to shopping. By and large, men are often considered the smarter shoppers; but believe it or not, studies show that women are actually the savvy shoppers.

Women’s shopping habits have long been the [...]]]> Men and women are totally different creatures – so it’s no surprise that we have different preferences, especially when it comes to shopping. By and large, men are often considered the smarter shoppers; but believe it or not, studies show that women are actually the savvy shoppers.

Women’s shopping habits have long been the subject of male ridicule but it looks like the tables have turned. In a study by Npower, a consumer analysis firm, men were found to spend $40 weekly on arbitrary purchases, opposed to $30 spent by women. So where are the impulse dollars really going?

Personal care and clothing, unsurprisingly, went to the ladies. Women also trumped men in the petcare department; we’re looking at you, crazy cat ladies. According to Ruth Hayden, author of For Richer, Not Poorer: The Money Book for Couples, women are conditioned to purchase lifestyle items: clothing, jewelry, accessories, makeup, and array of gender-specific products.

Bundle, a consumer analytics firm, tracked and compared spending habits of single men and women to create this tell-all infographic. As it turns out, men are consumers of expensive and lavish purchases like cars, electronics, and homes. These items all have solid return on investment, or ROI.  

Waspit is excited to present yet another awesome marketing position that will undoubtedly improve your marketing skills and likely make you some serious summertime cash. Due to a huge volume of college students showing interest in a nonexistent summer position, we asked ourselves, “hey, why don’t we just offer one?”

So, in typical [...]]]> Waspit is excited to present yet another awesome marketing position that will undoubtedly improve your marketing skills and likely make you some serious summertime cash. Due to a huge volume of college students showing interest in a nonexistent summer position, we asked ourselves, “hey, why don’t we just offer one?”

So, in typical start-up fashion, we went to the strategy room (also our meeting, waiting, and conference room), sat down, and created a sweet summer position. The position involves you going out and showing off the sleek, new Waspit platform and app. For every new person you get to sign up, you get $5 and once you hit 100 total sign ups, we’ll give you a generous bonus.

Let me show you in a step by step format:

1. Apply for the position, and show some spirit in a phone interview. Right after we pick you because you’re awesome (and who wouldn’t?), you will receive some basic training.

2. Sign up for Waspit and download the app.

3. Experience for yourself the plethora of features that makes saving money simple and managing money actually an entertaining experience.

4. Show your friends those features and be labeled as “ahead of the curve”, “the leader of our generation”, and “innovative.”

5. Get them to sign up.

6. Get paid.

7. Get paid to throw awesome parties.

8. Get a fall internship (pending your performance).

9. Repeat 3-7

10. Start your career with Waspit (pending your performance).

If you think you’re cut out for the position and want to join the Swarm Team, email us at SWARMTEAM@waspit.me. We will conduct a short interview and you’ll start around mid-June. 

With more and more to do everyday, we tend to give a lot of work to our smartphones. Productivity apps are now nothing short of personal assistants in our pockets, ordering you coffee, scheduling your meeting, calling your mother. Not all of them are free, however. Below are comparisons between popular paid and free [...]]]> With more and more to do everyday, we tend to give a lot of work to our smartphones. Productivity apps are now nothing short of personal assistants in our pockets, ordering you coffee, scheduling your meeting, calling your mother. Not all of them are free, however. Below are comparisons between popular paid and free applications to help you determine what price is right for you.

Calendar

Google Calendar - FREE

• Ability to view all of your calendars at once
• Includes non-Google calendars
• Quick settings to edit, create, delete events
• Set customizable messages and quick send with gmail integration
• Ability to sync calendars between devices

Pure Grid - $1.79

• Ability to sync to Google Calendar
• Wide ability compatibility with various third party apps
• Multiple skins for full application and widget
• Fully transparent included
• Re-sizable widget and full application

Analysis: Pure Grid’s main handle over Google Calendar is the customizable color schemes and skins. On the side of functionality, Google Calendar offers more flexibility than Pure Grid by allowing users to compose schedules on any device and have them accessible on one’s mobile device. Pure Grid fails to answer; Google Calendar is used on tons of devices whereas Pure Grid stands alone, on mobile.

Data Security

Dropbox – Free

• Store mixed media
• Pictures, Video, Text
• Share content with others
• Download content straight to Dropbox
• Massive 250,000 + active user base

Solid Explorer Unlocker  - $2.00

• Dual panel display allows independent browsing.
• Supports zip, tar and gz file types
• Has Root access
• File sharing supported between other users with Solid Explorer

Analysis: It’s easy to say that these apps are not two peas in a pod. Solid Explorer is meant to keep your data safe and sound, locked away from everyone else, whereas Dropbox is a socially integrated cloud storage unit. However, Dropbox’s password security on all of your data is comparable to the password security that Solid Explorer has to offer. Think of Solid Explorer as your bodyguard and Dropbox as your publicist. While one wants to keep you safe and out of sight, the other wants you out in the open, still without anything bad happening to you. In the end, the difference comes down to preferring plain privacy over flexibility.

Note Taking

Lecture Notes -  $4.16

• Write notes on screen w/ stylus
• Crop and paste notes elsewhere to be resized or repurposed
• Fully customizable paper size and type
• Looseleaf, graph, blank are all available
• 8 Notebooks  with extended amount of pages
• Increase storage from free version
• Limited permission requirement
• Android exclusive 

Evernote – Free

• Sync data from app across any device with Evernote
• Massive user base of 500,000 +
• Regular updates in response to comments of users
• Filters notes by search
• Filter can search for text within documents
• Save Tweets to account
• Email notes

Analysis: Lecture Notes is most popular for its premium app, costing $4.16. So while you’re paying nearly $5 out of pocket, what more do you get in turn? Six more notebooks than the light version, and the ability to edit paper preference. Competing for note taking contender, is Evernote. Wildly popular among students and workforce alike, Evernote boasts a booming fanbase and celebrated reputation, acknowledged by the New York Times, Webbys and Mashable. While Evernote is limited to type-text input, Lecture Notes offers stylus-screen input to mimic the feel of writing on actual paper. If the full engagement of stylus input appeals to you, Lecture Notes will be a solid purchase, otherwise, I’m a strong believer in the frugal success Evernote offers over half a million users.

Budgeting productivity is a huge accomplishment, so don’t forget to share. Comment below with your favorite productivity app!

With Spring on the way, change is in the air. We’re ousting our memories of Winter by trimming down our hair, our clothes, and yes, the clutter  indoors. For those moving back home for summer, it’s time to dodge those nasty security deposits and scrub down the dorm. So in theme with everything we do, [...]]]> With Spring on the way, change is in the air. We’re ousting our memories of Winter by trimming down our hair, our clothes, and yes, the clutter  indoors. For those moving back home for summer, it’s time to dodge those nasty security deposits and scrub down the dorm. So in theme with everything we do, here’s some tips to help you clean deep without going deep in your pockets.

1. Make your trash your treasure. 

As you’re blazing through mess and clutter, you’re going to accumulate plenty of unwanted and unused items. Old cell phones, early generation gaming systems, your first coffee pot from when you moved out and realized you didn’t know how to make coffee. Put it all on sale so you can plus off of what you thought would be total trash.  

2. Invest in some real tools. 

As you rid yourself of the old, don’t skimp on the new! A lot of us forget how cleaning went the year before, not realizing that we end up throwing out temporary cleaning supplies before next year’s session. Dollar store sales may be enticing, but investing in some name-brand tools with let them last for many years to come and will save you trips to the supply store in following Springs.

3. Plan your buy lists. 

Before you actually set out to buy your cleanliness arsenal, make an organized list of things you need. As you write, you will realize that what you think you need may not actually be necessary.  

4. Play your coupons right. 

Our favorite part of Spring cleaning success is getting everything done with the smallest expenditures possible. When you’re planning your supply list, don’t forget to check websites like Coupons.com for wallet fattening deals on your new tools. Also, don’t hesitate to ask the cashier for your coupon back, after you’ve used it. Most cashiers are laid back enough to oblige, and will understand that you’re trying to get by on a college budget.

5. Upcycle 

Before tossing ancient artifacts like your  grandmother’s sewing table, consider re-purposing, or upcy them. Outdated dressers in the bedroom make for awesome storage units in the kitchen or the office. Worn-in chair cushions may be unfit for your butt, however, they make for great pet furniture. At the same time however, if an item is trash throw it away – you don’t want to end up on an episode of Hoarders.

6. Recycle

In the frenzy of clearing out your space, please don’t forget to recycle anything you can. Cans, bottles and other garbage can often be turned in to local depositories for cash.

7. Get innovative 

Who says you can’t use one cleaner in place of another? Always check the usage instructions of the item to see if it’s safe to use on other surfaces. For example, baby oil makes for a fantastic stainless steel cleaner.

8. Conserve water usage 

Always be mindful when you’re consuming water. You can maximize your water usage by capturing water from the sink, in containers, to be used later on the floor, or windows, all while minimizing you utility bills.

As always, thanks for reading.  Comment below with your favorite cleaning hacks and let us know how you save! Good luck to you this Spring, filth fighters! 

Going to the movie theaters can be an expensive trip nowadays. Between getting there and buying a ticket and refreshments, spending $20+ is an easy feat. There are those movies, however, that you just have to see on the big screen to fully appreciate. Jurassic Park 3D for example, won’t be quite worth it [...]]]> Going to the movie theaters can be an expensive trip nowadays. Between getting there and buying a ticket and refreshments, spending $20+ is an easy feat. There are those movies, however, that you just have to see on the big screen to fully appreciate. Jurassic Park 3D for example, won’t be quite worth it watching it on your computer screen in six months. Below we outline some tips that can save you a few bucks for next time you visit the silver screen.

1. Sneak in snacks – Where movie theaters really get you is on the refreshments. Three bucks for a candy bar is absurd when you can buy the exact same bar outside the theater for a dollar. If you can buy it outside the theater and you’re able to bring it in, do it. Obviously popcorn and a drink are a different story.

2. Local deals – Many people don’t know it but usually establishments near or adjacent to the theater offer deals on tickets. These restaurants or stores will give you discounts if you purchase something at their establishment. It takes foresight, but if you can get a quick pre-show bite and a discounted ticket, you’ll be less likely to buy expensive food at the theater snack bar. Two birds with one stone.

3. Loyalty cards -Most movie theaters offer loyalty cards that give you perks, like cheaper tickets or free snacks. Similarly to local deals where you have to spend some money to save money, in the long run it pays off. If you visit the same theater every time, you should definitely sign up for a free loyalty card and start earning rewards.

4. Play the student card – If you have any student ID, you will have no problem getting this deal. It really doesn’t matter if it reads 2007, the person working the window just needs to see something that says the word student. Occasionally there won’t be a student discount, but if there is, always take advantage.

5. Go to the Matinee – While it may seem weird coming out of a movie when it’s still light out, afternoon movies are cheaper. Take advantage of a rainy day and go see a movie!

I hope those 5 tips are useful in saving you money next time you head to a show. Try some out on one of these upcoming summer releases that we are excited to see!

Oblivion – 4/19 – Morgan Freeman and Tom Cruise in a futuristic sci-fi thriller. Action packed and one you should see on the big screen.

Iron Man 3 – 5/3 – Robert Downey Jr. is back for his third time decked out in metal. Iron Man takes on a villain called “The Mandarin.”

The Great Gatsby – 5/10 – The newest Leo Dicaprio flick is based off the F. Scott Fitzgerald book we all read in middle/high school. From the trailer, it seems like an interesting take on the book and may be worth seeing blown up on the projector.

Fast and Furious 6 – 5/24 – Love it or hate it, if they’re making a sixth (and seventh lined-up for ’14) they must be doing something right. All we ask is that you are careful when leaving the parking lot after the movie. You don’t want to end up having to look at this blog, if you already have a working car.

The Internship – 6/7 – Wedding crashers, Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, reunite and attempt getting a dream internship at the Google headquarters in California. May be the perfect example of why we look for college students to fill our internships rather than 35 year old, former salespeople.

The Bling Ring – 6/14 – Based on true events, the only thing people really care about is seeing Sofia Coppola’s unique directing techniques… Or maybe, it’s just Emma Watson.

This Is The End – 6/12 – A hilarious-looking comedy showing the end of the world. A bunch of A-list comedians featured in this one.

Other notable releases include: the new Star Trek, The Hangover: Part III, Man of Steel (new Superman), Despicable Me 2, Pacific Rim, Anchorman 2, and The Wolverine.

Which movies are must sees in theaters?