Salvage Your Beer Pong Balls

Image from flickr user mknowles.

Your night is going well. You haven't lost a game yet. Your opponents completely miss the table. You turn to talk to a friend. And then. Crunch. You just guaranteed that this party just got a lot lamer.

Never to fear! Lifehacker is here!

Fix Your Crushed Beer Pong Balls (Lifehacker)

Do you have any alternative methods of fixing beer pong balls or do you just switch to flip cup?

Clean Your Student ID to Extend Its Life

Your school probably charges you every time you get a new student ID. That should set a goal for you: Get that one student ID to last you all four years. The magnetic strip is the one thing that will face unavoidable wear-and-tear -- but Lifehacker explains how to clean that sensitive strip, thus extending its life:

All you need is an eraser and a damp towel. Wipe the card clean with the towel to remove any grimey build up deposited onto your card from your wallets or card reader machines. It's not something that gets extra dirty, but the small particles when compacted with continuous swiping/use can rub off the magnetic strip holding your card's information.

Next take the eraser (we prefer Pink Pearl erasers, but the one on the end of a pencil will do just fine) and gently erase/rub the magnetic strip on the back. It will remove any gunk that's built up over time. 

Doing that on a regular basis might make that thing keep into your alumni years -- when you'll still need it for the illegitimate student discounts. 

How long has your student ID lasted? 

Book Review: Crush It!

Gary's new book in the flesh. Oh, and my arm.

Web maven and wine connoisseur Gary Vaynerchuk has got a new book out, and it's not about wine. Gary's latest book provides an overview of building a personal brand and how to start killing it online. Gary's book, Crush It!: Why now is the time to cash in on your passion, is great for anyone still scratching their heads about the world of social media.

This book review is best described from the viewpoint of my grandmother and small business owner, Seattle Sutton. She started her diet-delivery business in 1985 with the sole goal of paying her grandkids' college tuition. After her 5 children begot 14 grandchildren, she knew she had to hustle. (For the record: she's met her goal. Thanks, grandma!) But the Internet is unlike many other media she's had to interact with throughout her life. Just as her business grew up with radio and television, her customers are growing up with the Internet and have a different set of expectations. She's confused by this world and needs a primer. Crush It! is the perfect primer for her.

Click to read more ...

Guest Post: Buying Meat on a Student Budget

This post is sponsored by Beer Tees Season Favorite:  Fun Halloween Costumes Popular Product:  Pabst Beer T Shirts Most Popular Category:  Beer T Shirts

Sure you might not be barbequing now that we're moving into the fall, but it doesn't mean you still can't get some quality meat.

This is a guest post submitted by British reader Lucien Topp. He is a a first-year at King's College in London studying English with Film Studies.

So you thought now you were at uni you had to wave goodbye to your favourite foods. Wrong. With this guide to buying meat you will no longer have to live off beans and frozen pizzas.

Buying meat is all about preparation and imagination. Here’s how to do it on the cheap without sacrificing deliciousness.

1. Mince (or Ground Meet)
   
   Mince, be it beef, pork or even turkey (yes, turkey) is a great idea for students. For starters one pack usually contains enough for at least two meals and it can be frozen to last for ages. Not only this but it’s very versatile. Use it to make meatballs, chilli con carne, spaghetti bolognaise, stir fry’s and pies. So buy the cheapest mince in the store (it will still be delicious), use half of it that day, wrap up the rest and freeze it until you want to use it again.


2. Chicken 
   
   Sacrifice a bit of the convenience and chicken can be very cost effective for a student. Don’t get sucked in to paying more for the packs of chicken strips or pre-marinated chicken breasts – these are all things you can do yourself in the kitchen. Instead look for cheaper cuts of meat such as chicken drumsticks and thighs. You can usually get a large pack of these for not very much and again they can last you multiple meals. For stir-fry cut the meat off the bones in to strips yourself and fry it up, for curry do the same thing and add to your curry sauce. If you want it marinated then stick the meat in a bowl, throw over some lemon juice, salt and whatever else you like, stick in the fridge for a couple of hours and you’ll be in flavour heaven.


3. Bacon
   
   A staple of any breakfast and vitally important to hangover recovery. When buying bacon shops very often do a ‘two packs for x amount’ deal. You may look at the use-by-date and think there’s no way you’ll eat all that bacon in a few days however, stick one pack in the freezer and it will last weeks, literally. Then you make use of the discounts and will be safe in the knowledge that you have a good supply of bacon.
    
4. Beef and Pork 
   
   Buying, for instance, a single beef steak is definitely not the most cost-effective meal for a student. It is expensive for what you get and you can only really get one meal out of it. However, occasionally you can get lucky and a supermarket will have good pieces of pork or beef that are just about to reach their use-by-date. Supermarkets will make these super cheap as they have to sell them otherwise they will just go in the bin. So keep a look out for deals but only buy if you are certain you are going to use it that day, otherwise it’ll just be you throwing it out not the supermarket.

If you still find meat expensive and too much effort to cook then, well, become a vegetarian.

Any other tips for the carnivorous student?

Would you like to submit a guest post? Take a look at our guidelines and then send an email to dear@hackcollege.com.

Tips for the Grocery Shopping Student

This post is sponsored by Beer Tees Season Favorite:  Fun Halloween Costumes Popular Product:  Pabst Beer T Shirts Most Popular Category:  Beer T Shirts

Image: Flickr User urbanwoodswalkerBaggage

This could mean one of two things for you; either reuse the bags as a trash bag, lunch bag, barf bag, whatever bag. Also, some grocery stores have plastic bag recycling containers. The one around my way uses the plastic to build benches like tires are used to build that playgound flooring. In the end, reusing or recycling plastic bags will cut down on the clutter in your dorm or appartment and may save money.

The environmental impact of the reusable cloth bags is close to nil, which is really nice. They are relatively cheap and keep the plastic bags from even getting into your residence. The best to put these back into your car. If a car isn't an option, try putting them in a place where you'll remember them the next time you hit the store.

Add, don't Multiply

Before heading to the grocery store, take a peak inside your cabinets and fridge. See what you can get at the store that will use what you have and what you're going to have. For instance, you bought some granola to use with the yougurt you had, but the yougurt went bad. Knowing this will tell you to get some yougurt and thus utilizing the granola you have. Everyone wins.

Travel in packs

Going together as an apartment or as friends can save all of you serious money. Buying things together with your roommates like milk, OJ, butter, etc. is going to free up room in the fridge. Of course there's the other benefit of carpooling which is saving gas.

Don't go on a schedule

Try to get as much mileage out of your food as you can. Don't feel like you have to go every week. But at the same time don't go hungry. Try to get foods that stay good for a long time. Also, if you are find that you are spending as much money on booze as you are on food then here's how to ask your parents for money

Eating Fresh Saves Money

Fresh fruits and vegetables are delicious. For college students, those in dorms especially, it's hard to keep them because they stay good less time than there is to eat them (when there's a meal plan involved). If you are living in apartment without one though it'll pay off for your body and your wallet if take carrots over HotPockets.

How do you eat/food shop at school? Have any tips? Comment below to share!

Making the Perfect Cup of Coffee

This post is sponsored by Beer Tees Season Favorite:  Fun Halloween Costumes Popular Product:  Pabst Beer T Shirts Most Popular Category:  Beer T Shirts

Hello! I shot this little video going over how I make my perfect cup of coffee (twice) daily. Enjoy!

For more coffee-related posts and videos, check out our coffee week!

Blog the Olympics, Courtesy of Microsoft

This post is sponsored by Beer Tees Season Favorite:  Fun Halloween Costumes Popular Product:  Pabst Beer T Shirts Most Popular Category:  Beer T Shirts

Blog the Olympics. Courtesy of Microsoft.

Secret: if you start a blog, you will get bombarded by PR people. 99% of it falls into the "noise" category. Every once in a while, you'll get an email in your inbox of a company doing something cool or giving away something awesome.

Today an email landed in my email inbox saying the Microsoft will be sending a student blogger to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver for free. The Olympics. For free. Actually, they are basically paying you. They'll throw you an Acer laptop and Microsoft Office, so you can get your job done while you're out there. Talk about a February well-spent. 

While I may not be the best fit for the contest, I entered anyway. I encourage you to do the same. 

While we may harp on Microsoft plenty around here, I think the Redmond company is slowly starting to get it. Gone is the Microsoft that made me switch to a Mac. With Windows 7 coming out soon and Microsoft Office (online!) right around the corner, Microsoft will once again make me seriously consider my next computer purchase. Damn you, Microsoft, damn you. Why are you making me like you again?

Futon Out the Window - Friday Fun

This post is sponsored by Beer Tees Season Favorite:  Fun Halloween Costumes Popular Product:  Pabst Beer T Shirts Most Popular Category:  Beer T Shirts

Actually, I like what they're thinking here. Throw out the futon. But that's just step one toward achieving a real pimped-out dorm:

Building the Ultimate Dorm Room, For Reals