Seven Ways You Can Get More Financially Savvy

by Magical Penny on June 5, 2017

Money can be one of the most challenging things in the world, but luckily there are a few things you can do to make your bank account feel a little healthier this summer…

Get Budgeting

First of all, it’s time to start budgeting. Having a household budget is something that everyone should force themselves to do, even though let’s face it, no one really likes sitting down to talk or think about how to save money! It’s necessary to see where exactly you’re spending more cash than you should – maybe you haven’t realised how much your daily lattes add up, or you have the occasional bar bill after a night out that makes your head spin. Listing your incomings against your outgoings will help you to figure out where you’re going wrong.

Use Cash Instead Of Cards

Using cash instead of your credit cards is a tried and tested way of spending a little less money. If we’re completely honest with ourselves, we tend to make purchases on our credit cards that we’d never make if we had to hand over a stash of notes for a completely unnecessary new jacket or pair of shoes – so ditch that magic plastic card and start getting out a certain amount of cash from the bank every week instead. It will make budgeting a whole lot easier and stop you spending more than you should.

 

Start Investing

If you’ve never invested any money before, why not start now? The world of stocks and shares can seem pretty confusing to anyone who hasn’t really entered it before, but it’s a lot more manageable than you might think, particularly if you use a program to help you out when you’re working out what exactly to do. If you’re feeling a little lost, you might be wondering ‘is binaryrobot365 legit?’ and the answer is, thankfully, yes. It’s an automated trading service that will help you feel a lot less confused about the whole subject.

Change The Way You Socialise

If you tend to go out for dinner with your friends, then let’s face it – you might just go onto a bar or club afterwards and wake up the next morning with a banging headache and the vague memory of having spent far too much money. That means that it could be time to change the way that you socialise – instead of going out and spending more than you can really afford on alcohol and partying, why not have a night in at your house instead? Put on Netflix, make some popcorn, open a bottle of wine and have a night that’s both cost effective and fun.

flexibility in savingsQuit The Gym

Gym memberships tend to be pretty extortionate – and if you think about it carefully, do you really go there enough to make it worthwhile? If the answer is no, then it could be time to quit the gym. A lot of places will let you pay a fee every time you go in instead of every month, which might be cheaper – but if not, start looking for other methods of exercise. Buy some supportive running shoes and try out Couch To 5K, or even fitness videos like Yoga With Adriene, for which you’ll only need comfortable clothes and a yoga mat. Fitness doesn’t have to involve spending a fortune.

Look Out For Deals

It’s always a good idea to keep your eyes open for deals when you’re out shopping, whether you see three shirts for the price of two when you’re at a shopping centre, or if your favourite shampoo is marked as half price at the grocery store. The most important thing to remember about deals is that you shouldn’t go for them for the sake of saving money if you wouldn’t buy the product any way – that means that you’d be spending money instead of saving it! You could also look into couponing – you can get them on various websites and in magazines and newspapers.

Get Rid Of Your Car

Finally, if you live in an urban area with good transportation links, it could be time to get rid of your car. With parking costs, insurance payments, payments for the car itself, and petrol costs, cars can be very expensive to run – and not always worth it. If that’s the case for you, start looking into how much you could get if you decided to sell it, and how much public transport would cost to get yourself to work. Walking is also much healthier than driving, which is an added bonus. I certainly benefited financially from being car-free for a few years in my early and mid 20s – just make sure you save the difference and don’t spend the savings in new ways.

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Is There Such Thing As A Safe Investment?

by Magical Penny on June 1, 2017

ftse100Not much in life can be guaranteed. Such is the way of the world, for better or for worse. Nothing is really – tied down and be guaranteed. There are facts, there are structures, but the world owes a lot of how it runs to the fluidity of the processes that we create. Laws get changed, rules get bent, things happen that we don’t have, as people, a great deal of control over. In a way, that worries us. For the spontaneous, it represents opportunity – but for the grounded, it gives a lot of cause to worry. If we cannot guarantee things, we look elsewhere.

That goes for money, too.

You can get a dollar bill or a five pound note, you can feel it in your hand, you can smell it, scratch it, bend it, fold it and even taste it, if you’re into that. A dollar bill or a five pound note is a real thing – but it’s value isn’t guaranteed. The dollar/pound is always going to be a dollar/pound, a single note and $1, but as to its worth – that changes. Thanks to the structures and processes we have constructed – money is fluid in its worth. A dollar will always be a dollar – but it could get you two cans of Cola one day, but only one on another. Things change. That goes for a currency’s buying power in the market, and it goes for everything we know. While we can guarantee that dollar is going to be a dollar, we don’t know how much bang we will get for it in ten years time. Could be more or it could be less.

So, if you ask anyone in finance about a safe investment? Chances are – if they have their wits about them – that they’ll give you an unsure look. We can’t guarantee a safe investment for a number of reasons.

For one – look at what happened in the late 00’s. Yeah, things got bad around the world, but you only need to look at Iceland to see evidence of a ‘safe investment’ fall through. Savings accounts with banks are considered to be super safe – hence the name. However, when the financial crisis hit thbritish pound notese world, Iceland’s banks were worth more than the country! They couldn’t be bailed out, and they collapsed. The world pushed too hard for cash and couldn’t deal with the consequences, and in many cases, those with savings were out of luck – they couldn’t get their cash back.

So, no – no investment should be sold to you as a safe bet, because we don’t know if the world will push too hard towards cash once more. However, you can do one thing to make investing safer for you – do your research. No matter if you’re buying real estate for sale or buying into stocks, read up – make a smart choice.

If you’re frugal and conservative with smart investment choices, you can stand to gain a lot and you can make a lot of safe investments – but that relies on your hard work and nothing else.

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Life, Holidays And Decisions: Where Will Your Journey End?

by Magical Penny on May 30, 2017

Isn’t is great being a child with no decisions to make? The things our parents do for us, whether we’re brought up in a single parent family, adopted, or cared for by grandparents. We’re fed, watered, everything bought for us, a roof over our head and even someone to scrub our back!

Then we grow up and have to start making decisions, and that’s where things start to become a challenge.  What career choice should we make and how do we get there? College, then University – and how many years does that take? Then… Education complete… Where’s that perfect job we’ve been dreaming of?   

Life

We finally settle down into working life; then there are relationships, not forgetting the heart-wrenching break-ups we conquer until we meet the right one.  

Then, to buy or rent; near family or go alone? Near work or daily commute? Let’s face it, not too many of us want to be too close to work; otherwise it’s always in the back of our mind.

hawaii conscious spendingHolidays

Holidays are what we look forward to. We save all year (maybe more) to take ourselves off into the distance. And we all deserve to have that much-needed break from the daily grind in our lives, to breathe and appreciate the little things.

Choosing where to go is a big decision as we don’t want to spend our hard earned money, then realize we made the wrong decision.  There are many beautiful locations that are not too far away to get to whether that be by car or public transport. But if we want guaranteed heat, then going abroad is a good option.  

UncertaintyDecisions

So many decisions to make and only we can make them, another hassle added to us alongside the stresses of daily life. Holiday then over far too soon and what do we all say? “Should we sell up and move abroad?” Come on, we all do it. That holiday life is what we dream of. – Sunny days bring smiling faces, and the odd glass of wine overlooking fantastic scenery is not something we are going to refuse. 

Maybe there’s just too much to give up though, friends, family and work commitments are the main reason we stay. There’s always the option of a holiday home. You choose your perfect destination then scout around for properties through agents such as waterfront homes for sale.  

There’s also the added income you could gain from renting out when you’re not there. There are many agents who can support you, and it can all be done using the internet. How exciting to know that your place is always there when you need a little retreat. It gives us time to reflect on life and start thinking about the next life decisions we have to make.  

So imagine lying on your sun-lounger, blue skies from dawn til dusk, a fruity cocktail in a tall glass, ice clinking on the sides, thinking about that next important decision… when shall we come back?

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Don’t Demolish Your Construction Business’s Finances!

by Magical Penny on May 30, 2017

maintenanceThe construction industry is strong, but that doesn’t mean you should assume your construction business is destined for success. It’s an expensive endeavour, and if you’re not careful then you may end up demolishing your business’s finances and putting it in real jeopardy. Avoid these financial mistakes in the world of construction!

Capital failings

A surprisingly common mistake in this field is under-funding. This is actually a pretty common problem among many startups; while most people seem to think that asking for too much money and then getting frivolous, or not getting money at all that causes most failures, it’s actually often a case of startups getting the money they requested but having underestimated what they’d need. Construction businesses need a very healthy amount of capital, and this isn’t something you can afford to forget! Don’t assume that asking for less than you need will make it more likely that you’ll get capital from investors or a creditor. Without a lot of capital, you could be dooming the business.

Lawsuits and lost hours

If you’re not paying enough attention to the safety measures of your construction projects, then you could face a lot of trouble. If you’re found to be responsible for a worker’s injuries due to lacklustre safety measures on-site, then you could be at the unfun end of a huge lawsuit.

 

But let’s say you’re not to blame for a given injury; you’re still losing out on work hours, which can really hinder your project and cause financial complications. With OSHA resources, you don’t really have an excuse when it comes to implementing the right safety measures.

moneyThe wrong tools

A lot of business owners in this field may think that getting the best equipment out there is precisely what leads to financial ruin. After all, doesn’t it make sense to ensure that you save as much money as possible when it comes to acquiring equipment? The problem with this mindset is that inadequate tools can end up costing you even more in the long run. Let’s say you need to get excavators. You could look into high-quality excavators such as you can get from the likes of IHI c. Or you could attempt to save money by getting excavators at half the price. The problem is that they’ll generally perform much worse. They’ll also breakdown with much more frequency, increasing overall maintenance costs.

Mismanagement

Construction jobs are lengthy things, with few projects lasting less than six months. (Most seem to last longer than a year!) But this doesn’t mean that there’s no such thing as a project that lasts too long. The longer a project goes on for, the more you’re going to end up spending on the whole thing. And if you don’t meet the deadline you agreed to with your client, then you’ll probably see a lot less compensation by the end of the project, as well as harm to your reputation that could lose you future potential clients. Consider looking into construction scheduling software to reduce the risk of project mismanagement.

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Tips on Getting the Most from Online Trading

by Magical Penny on May 28, 2017

Online trading is the latest craze for those who are looking to supplement their income and this trend is only expected to increase into the foreseeable future. This is a result of high-speed Internet access, advanced trading platforms and the ability to instantly execute a trade when the time is right.

Still, one of the mistakes that many would-be successful traders make is failing to adopt the correct techniques from the very beginning. Let us quickly look at a handful of tips which will enable you to take full advantage of this incredibly lucrative environment.

Percentage-Based Investing

The majority of those who are successful at online trading set strict guidelines in regards to how much they are willing to invest at any given time. There are specific limits which should never be breached in order to maintain personal liquidity even if money is lost. Most experts state that a trader should invest no more than between 10 and 15 per cent of their available capital. This will help to mitigate the financial impact that would otherwise occur during a negative trade.

Sporadic Trading

There is always the temptation to sit in front of a computer for hours in order to maximise one’s profit margin. There are two problems with this approach. First, nothing moves forward in a straight line. Secondly, there comes a point when even the most seasoned investor will become exhausted. When his or her senses are blunted, the chances of making an entirely avoidable mistake increase substantially. It is wise to allocate a certain portion of each day when you will not be distracted. Never mistake stamina for intelligence. Trading sporadically will help you to avoid mental fatigue.

financial newsThe Power of the Platform

Gone are the days when a physical broker would have been required to execute a trade. As a result, the proverbial middleman has been cut out of the picture. You can therefore enjoy a much higher profit margin.

It is still a fact that choosing the correct investment platform is critical in regards to your potential success. This is the very same reason why only those brokers which have received the highest ratings should be employed for your needs. The ability to leverage the power of a proven trading platform will provide you with an unparalleled edge.

Know Your Goals

Are you hoping to adopt online trading in order to pay off a loan or purchase a vehicle? These tend to be classified as short-term goals. Long-term goals include creating a “nest egg” for retirement, supplementing your existing income or creating a sustainable portfolio.

Your ultimate goals will obviously have an impact upon which strategies you choose to adopt along the way. Much like any business model, it is best to clearly define these targets from the very beginning. You will then be able to mould your strategies around any observed milestones.

Online trading can represent a very real source of wealth. Knowing how to best leverage its benefits is the best way to make certain that you are in the best position possible.

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How to Borrow Money with a Poor Credit History

by Magical Penny on May 24, 2017

small questionBorrowing money with a poor credit history isn’t easy.

However, borrowing cash from time to time is something many of us feel we have to do, whether it is for an urgent home repair, a new car, a medical bill, or anything else. Just because you have got yourself into financial difficulty in the past, doesn’t mean you aren’t going to pay the loan back. But banks and building societies are more careful than they ever have been regarding who they lend money too, which leaves you somewhat limited. Don’t fret, though, there are some ways around it.

 

Do you really need the money?

The first thing you need to do is ask yourself whether you really need the money. Are you looking for a new car because your current vehicle is a write-off? Or, do you simply fancy an upgrade? If the latter applies, you shouldn’t be looking to borrow money. Don’t dive right in without having explored all options. Borrowing should always be the last resort.

Have you asked your family or a close friend?

This is an option that is well worth considering. If a loved one is in the position to lend you money, it means that you can pay them back without having to pay interest on top. It is a good idea to set up a direct debt and pay your family member or friend back on a monthly basis. This will make it easier for you to manage, and it will reassure your loved one that they are getting their money back. Of course, this option is not for everyone. Some people don’t want to turn to people they know, as they don’t want to reveal their financial struggles. It can be difficult to ask for help, so if you would rather do it alone, continue reading for some more options.

Have you considered a guaranteed loan?

If you don’t want to ask a close friend or family member for help, a guaranteed loan is an option to think about. How do they work? This type of loan is guaranteed against a property or person. We have established that you don’t want to involve anyone else. So, why not secure the loan against your property? This means that you can apply for a loan even if you have bad credit or you have been bankrupt. If you are open to involving someone you know, going through a more official channel like this where you are doing it off your back can often be a lot more appealing.

Boost your credit score

If you aren’t in an immediate rush for the money, why not work on your credit score so that you can get the financial assistance you need in the coming future? There are many different ways you can better your credit score, including signing up to the electoral roll, keeping your applications for finance down until you have boosted your score, and ensuring all details are up-to-date, including your address. View more tips on improving your credit score here.

While options may be limited for those of you that have a poor credit score, all hope is not lost. If you follow the tips above, you should be able to get the cash you need for whatever financial trouble you are facing.

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Keeping The Spends Low But Ambition High

by Magical Penny on May 19, 2017

 

There are so many things in our day to day lives which require a good amount of saving to hit the ‘Buy’ button.

Generally speaking, those who are on the average wage in the UK will earn £1 million by the time that they turn 56 years old. For the more ambitious among us, we want to hit this point way before. There are definitely ways to get there: getting a higher-paid job, saving instead of spending and winning the lottery are just a few examples. But what about the more accessible things that we are able to commit our time to? How do we use our ambition to our advantage when it comes to money?

Look Around You

We are fortunately living in a day and age where we are able to make money out of anything. Items that no longer interest us can be sold on sites like eBay, and we are easily able to sell our skills. If we are interested in tech, we can offer to repair computers or help with coding for a website; the more creative amongst us may be able to create a graphic designs and artwork for those who require them, and if you’re good with words, getting a simple job at a content mill or going freelance and writing your own copy can be great ways of tiding you over or indeed even your big break.

Cut It Off

Try and cut out the spending by only using cash for a while. You could even set yourself targets and see how much you actually dish out every single week. It’s lal too easy to spend when you have a piece of plastic with seemingly unlimited money on it – and you don’t physically see it coming out of your account until you check your bank (and if you’re using contactless, it won’t appear until a couple of days later). If you genuinely can’t live without a card, look into getting a prepaid one that will be able to limit your spending and tell you specifically what you’re spending your money on. It’s better to know where it’s going and get a good view of it rather than letting it go unnecessarily.  

Pay Off Loans With…

Loans. It seems silly, but it makes sense in principle. If you can get a cheap loan with a low APR rate to help pay off something else, such as a credit card bill or car finance, this could see you saving hundreds, if not thousands, in the long run. It’s all about looking around for the best deal and getting one that suits you. Think about how much you could afford to pay back each month and find a lender which either hits the nail on the head or isn’t too far off the amount. Credit cards are rising as a popular option to go or instead of your traditional loan; a small loan with low interest rates can be hard to find. With credit cards, you can get up to 30 months with 0% APR depending on which provider you go with. This could be a no-brainer when utilising this to pay off existing debts. You will need to check whether you are eligible, which can easily be done online with an eligibility calculator. And remember, you do actually have to pay off the debt, not just move it around thinking you’re being extra clever.

Keep Searching

Just because you’re in a job now doesn’t mean that you’ll be in the same one forever. Keep searching whilst keeping other projects up on the side and you will be raking the money in before you know it. If you are saving up for something in particular, such as a mortgage or a lump sum to go travelling with, you will need to budget – hard. Choices that you could consider are moving back in with parents, bringing in a lodger if you’re already in rented accommodation or ditching your car and walking to all the places that are accessible rather than spending money on your living situation and other transport. You could see yourself saving a hefty amount each month. There are sites online which can obviously help you in your search to find a new job which has the potential to have a bigger salary or set wage than the one that you’re on now. Be ambitious with your applications and remember that the worst thing that can happen is a rejection – that’s all. There are millions of people all over the world who have been rejected from jobs, so you’re not the first and certainly won’t be the last.

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How To Afford Big Expenses On A Small Budget

by Magical Penny on May 16, 2017

Living day to day on a budget gets easier as you get used to it, but there will come a time when you want to splurge on a big expense. Your savings might make it possible to afford this indulgence, however, you don’t want to blow your budget on a one-time expense. It’s not difficult to find alternative ways to fund your spending, so you can keep your finances under control.

Buying your first house

The desire to buy your first house was probably the biggest reason you created your budget in the first place. If you’ve managed to save 20 percent of a down payment, you’ll be happy to learn that you don’t have to use all of it to qualify for a mortgage – it just increases your chance of getting a good rate.  A mortgage lender will also look at your income, how much debt you have, and how long you’ve been at your current job. If you haven’t managed to save 20 percent, there are other options you can look into. Your state may have its own programs for first-time homebuyers. Your mortgage interest rate will also have a major impact on the total price you pay for your home, so shopping around for a good deal will pay off.

Getting a car

While a car is essential, you don’t need to break the bank to afford a new mode of transport. Whether you’re saving to buy your first car, or your current vehicle has unexpectedly broken down and you need a new one fast, there are plenty of reasonable options to consider. Shop around for the best car loan interest rates to help you pay for the car you want.

Destination holidays

Although you may not have set out to save for an expensive holiday, it could do you some good to take some time away from the stress of your daily life. Shop around for some cheap holiday packages and you could enjoy up to seven nights in an exotic country at a fraction of the usual price.

Home improvements

A patio or small extension can add value to your home, but it can be difficult sticking to a budget with these expenses. Fortunately, there are many ways homeowners can fund home improvements, one of which is a home equity line of credit. This is a good option if you already have a good first mortgage. With these loans, you draw out money as you need it and pay it back at your own speed, as long as you make at least minimum monthly payments.

sell diamond ringWedding

While it’s possible to have an amazing wedding on any budget, some people do want a big affair. One option is to take out a wedding loan – a personal loan that will be used only to pay for your wedding expenses. This is a decision you should make with your partner, because one of you might not be comfortable paying for a wedding with money you don’t have.

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Should I Pay Off My Debts Or Save Money?

by Magical Penny on May 16, 2017

For many individuals who find themselves struggling with debts, money is a precious rarity that presents a big dilemma.

Using credit cardsIndeed, when money is rare – which is often the reason behind the debt or debts – it is difficult to know how to manage it best. Managing your finances is, strangely enough, a skill that only a few chosen ones can develop naturally. Most people will learn from their past mistakes. In short, it is likely that today’s millionaires would have tasted the bitter taste of debts and money struggles in the past. As a result, the advice that these qualified life experts have to give is helpful and pragmatic. They know what can go wrong and they understand the risks of investment and poor money management strategies. Therefore, they are the best people to turn to if you don’t know how to manage your assets when you are in debt: Should you pay off or should you save? Here is what money experts have to say about it.

 

The Priority is To Clear Your Debts

It makes no doubt that the priority in a situation where you have debts, is to pay off your debts. Whether these are linked to a mortgage agreement, your credit cards or even a loan, debts need to be managed carefully. This means that you need to find a solid balance that allows you to clear off your debt gradually – in monthly payments for instance, as it is the most common way to proceed – without putting you in the red. More often than not, getting rid of your credit card is the safest way to design a simple balance of expenses and savings for you to stick to. It is important that you only pay for what you can afford and what you need. To put it in other words, you may not need the latest car model or a jacuzzi in your bedroom. As simplistic as it sounds, most debts occur from not managing your finances properly and taking on more than you can pay for.

Turn Financial Challenges Into Positive

However, when you set your path on debt repayment, it doesn’t mean that you will not face a future situation where you will need a loan. While it is commonly difficult to get a loan if you have debts – although you can find loans online for bad credit –, people tend to forget the advantage of such loans. If you work with a clear and honest financial balance, you will be able to manage your loan repayments. This puts you automatically in a better position for your next loan, and more importantly, it affects your credit score positively. Being able to repay your loans, especially with bad credit, helps your situation to change for the best. In short, don’t shy away from loans: Plan them carefully, instead.

Create A Solid Saving Position

At a stage where you have been able to design a management solution for your finances, which allows you to repay your debts gradually and to improve your credit score, you should also be able to set new financial goals. While paying off your debts is essential for your financial reliability, being able to save can help you to avoid further debts.

In short, the answer to the question should I repay or should I save is both

 Indeed, your emergency fund needs to contain enough to stop you going further into debt when the next crisis comes up. Start with £1000 or so, although your circumstances might mean that figure is more of less. Once you’ve paid off your debts, you can begin building a more substantial emergency fund, typically the equivalent of three to six months’ worth of living expenses so that you can face any unexpected situation.

 

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Spending Less Living In The City

by Magical Penny on May 12, 2017

The city may have the most opportunities, but urban living does come at a high price. If you’re scraping by in a city and aren’t prepared to move to the country, here are a few ways that you can make living more comfortable. 

Buddy up

Living alone isn’t feasible in most cities, unless you’re comfortable with a bedsit the size of a shed. Sharing with other people allows you to split the rent and the bills. You may be able to share a house with a few friends and get a garden as a result, upping your quality of living. For those earning enough, the same applies to getting on the property ladder. You may be able to group together as a couple and put a mortgage down on a flat – something that only high earners may be able to do on their own.

Get an electric vehicle

Cities are set up well for electric vehicles. Some have the benefit of free charging points, as well as specialist parking spots or free us of bus lanes. The initial purchase cost of an electric vehicle is pretty expensive, although there are affordable alternative. If you’re a motorcyclist, it costs very little to buy a scooter that’s electric. Electric vehicles also have the benefit of being tax free and you may be able to save some money on insurance.  

 

Walk more often

Of course, you don’t have to drive in most cities as everything is on your doorstep. Even if you don’t drive, you may be able to save money walking instead of using public transport. Another option for getting around faster is to cycle. Cities often have some of the best cycle path systems, so that you don’t have to worry about the dangers of the road.

Take advantage of free fun

The advantage of living in a city is that there’s so much to do. Whilst a lot of this costs money, there’s also a lot more free activities out there to soak up, more so than if you were living somewhere rural. Cities have countless gyms, many of which may offer free taster sessions to clubs or trial memberships which you can take advantage of. Cinemas will sometimes hold free screenings of films. You’ve then got museums and art galleries that are often free to the public.

Avoid the expensive shops/bars/restaurants

Eating and drinking out and general shopping are often more expensive in the city. Once cheap areas are constantly becoming gentrified so that the prices get bumped up to meet the tourists areas. Having a social life is certainly hard. However, every city has its hidden gems and finding these is essential. Use your network to scope out these place, whether it be a thrift store on the corner of a town or a cheap and cheerful pub aimed at students. When it comes to bars in particular, DrinkedIn is a great app to use. And never forget the reliability of a good old fashioned house party.

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