Find out what the deal-io is with online social savings.

Group buying and daily deals online are a trendy way to get the best items while only paying half the price. Websites like LivingSocial and Groupon are all the rage when it comes to eating out or wandering about the city — and they even have apps for your iPhone. Unfortunately, these popular sites rarely have a steal in the Centre County area, but fear not, we’ve got some online saving alternatives.

AllYou.com has daily free samples, ranging anything from perfume to coffee. Most of the samples are easy to sign up for and, within a few weeks, are delivered right to your mailbox.

DealSaver.com has limited-time State College deals like a recent restaurant bargain for Zola New World Bistro (324 W. College Ave.) and Fasta & Ravioli Company (129 S. Fraser St.), which allowed you to purchase a $20 gift card for half the price. This Centre Daily Times-sponsored site has more than just dinner deals. There are also health, beauty and entertainment offers such as a haircut at Changing Times Hair Designs (333 S. Allen St.). A full color and cut, worth $100, will only cost $50 with the certificate!

For the best buys on food, Restaurants.com has the gift certificates that will save you some dough. In the State College section, a Green Bowl (131 W. Beaver Ave.) $10 voucher is only five bucks. For tasty burgers at the Gingerbread Man (130 Heister St.), $25 will get you a $50 certificate. For delivery, though, Lionmenus.com is still the ordering spot, as it has daily food specials for whatever cuisine you’re craving.

So whether you’re dining out or looking for fun, be sure to surf the Web first for local deals that won’t break the bank.

Photo by Nina Abbott

Everyone should partake in stereotypical Penn State activities before graduating: taking pictures at the Lion Shrine, hiking Mount Nittany and lying on the HUB lawn soaking in the rays.

However, there are some things that might not top the everyday “Top 5 Things to Do before Graduation” list, but give these a chance during your last few weeks in State College.

• Anyone 21 and up can spend the last 55 days at Café. But instead, why don’t you spend the last 55 days hitting up every bar State College has to offer. That’s right! Instead of giving all your money to one establishment (even though it’s a great one) spend your weekends going to places like The Brewery (233 E. Beaver Ave.) and grabbing a drink after class in the Nittany Lion Inn’s Whiskers Lounge (200 W. Park Ave.).

• While State College has some great movie theaters, nothing beats The State Theatre. While it may not have blockbuster hits, it often features some amazing documentaries and indie flicks. So instead of driving out to the College 9, take a stroll down College Avenue and to see a great film (or concert!)

• Some freshman-year activities go by the wayside as we go through our Penn State careers. One of those, for me anyway, was LateNight Penn State. Who doesn’t love a little arts and crafts mixed with popcorn? Plus, it’s free!

• On a nice day, don’t settle for the HUB lawn. Instead, find a friend who has a car and take a short road trip down to Whipple Dam. A 30-minute drive gets you and your friends to a nice lake with a little beach, and canoe rentals are available.

• Don’t hog Penn State. If you’re a senior, at this point I’m hoping all of your friends from home have made the trip to Happy Valley. But if they haven’t, it’s time to invite them! Blue and White Weekend comes around April 21, so call up your home friends and share the wonder that is “WE ARE.”

Photo by Jill Podhor

Every girl has been through hell. We’ve all been there, hundreds of times. All of the nights we’ve stayed up late because cramps make our uterus feel as if it’s going to explode. All of the days where bloated stomachs make it impossible to fit into our favorite jeans, and all of the fights that have been started simply because we were PMS-ing.

It’s times like these that make every girl hate her body and wish that something would change. Or better yet, that every man could experience just one period.

But period drama aside, there are many things to celebrate about being a girl.

While it may be nice to daydream about ridding yourself of your uterus because of the torture it brings you, don’t be so quick to judge your body. The uterus is actually the strongest muscle by weight in the female human body, weighing about 2.4 pounds at the time of childbirth, says Dr. Maria Krasilnikova, research assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology. Obviously women are different than men in that we can have babies, but we can only do so with a strong body.

Women also have an advantage in certain sports, such as gymnastics and distance running, Krasilnikova says, as girls are often able to coordinate their bodies more easily than boys can.

“Girls have a lower gravity center because their legs are shorter and closer to the floor. This gives them better balance in gymnastics and other sports where coordination is important,” she says.

Girls also have stronger hearts (thanks to estrogen that helps keep our arteries from clogging) and a greater ability to store fat, which comes in handy when running long distances. While men may be faster, women can run farther, says Krasilnikova.

It’s not just in physical qualities that women differ from men, but neurological as well. Krasilnikova says women are also better at relating to other people’s problems as well as multitasking.

“Women tend to think with the left side of their brain, which involves logic. We involve more parts of our brain. Women don’t just focus on a task, but how it will emotionally affect the people around them,” Krasilnikova says.

So instead of focusing on the negative parts of your body, think about all of the cool things it can do. And for those times you really need a good laugh, just imagine how funny it would be if every man really could experience just one period.

Photo by Ian Lopera

Let’s talk cheap-but-tasty treats. Eating out can really hike up your credit card bill or deplete your debit account, but you don’t have to feel that guilty when you use the single bills in your wallet. Appreciate the value of a dollar with these tasty dollar deals.

If you’re looking for a snack, McLanahan’s fresh assortment of bagels is great for a breakfast boost and each bagel only costs 50 cents. You can also snag a snack pack of cheese at the Creamery where, yes, there are other dairy products besides ice cream. The fun variety slices of cheese like mozzarella, Longhorn Pepper Jack and cheddar are just the right proportion to gnaw on between classes.

For downtown deals, Zen Wings & Things have a dollar menu, which includes a list of fried favorites like mushrooms, dumplings and mozzarella sticks. A good pizza deal we all know is at Canyon Pizza, home of the dollar slice, but Bell’s Greek Pizza also offers any slice for a dollar on Mondays.

Philly Soft Pretzel Factory also always has a bargain: three pretzels for $2. And on Tuesdays, its cheesy pretzel dogs are also only a buck. For later-in-the-day meals, chill out at Champs Sports Grill on Tuesdays (after 10 p.m.) and enjoy a mound of nachos, which includes all the cheesy salsa works.

Insomnia often occurs as tests approach, but make crunch time into munch time with Insomnia Cookies. Chocolate chunk, snickerdoodle or peanut butter chip cookies will satisfy your sweet tooth at any time of the day or night with the shop’s late-night delivery.

Whether you need a morning refreshment or a midnight snack, look no further than your pocket change.

Photo by Nina Abbott

Although we all the love the thought of traveling home, vacation itineraries and home-cooked meals, there is one aspect of spring break we all undoubtedly hate: the daunting task of packing. This chore may seem unbearable and intimidating at first, but have no fear. The following lists of essentials for several spring-break destinations should help make your packing that much easier.

For home: Pack clothes for all different types of occasions, such as hanging at the house, going to the park and going out with friends. You never know where you could end up! Also, don’t forget to bring homework that will be due when school starts up again; better to get it out of the way. Make sure to take along your iPod and computer — you’ll regret it if you don’t. Finally, why not surprise your family with a few Penn State gifts? Grab some PSU sweatshirts for your parents and a few boxes of Grilled Stickies for your siblings.

For warm-climate destinations: It may seem odd to pack tank tops and shorts in State College’s March weather, but they’re essential clothing items you cannot forget for warmer vacations.  Pack some flip-flops and cute sandals, as well as bathing suits if you are going to the beach. And remember your skin doesn’t get bright sun here in State College, so don’t forget to pack lots of sunscreen! It’s also good idea to bring along your iPod speakers to relax with when soaking up some rays. Definitely take along your camera to capture the beautiful locations you visit (as well as to make all your friends jealous). Lastly, make sure not to forget warm clothes and a sweatshirt if you are flying to your destination, as airplanes are not exactly tank-top friendly.

For cold-climate destinations: Although the weather at these locations may be similar to here at PSU, don’t forget to pack extra layers, especially if your plans include skiing or snowboarding. Under  Armour apparel is highly recommended, as well as several pairs of knee-high socks. Also, don’t forget a winter jacket, earmuffs and gloves! For beauty, hand lotion and skin-moisturizing creams are a good idea to bring along to help keep your skin glowing and healthy. Hand and feet warmers are other handy items for chilly temperatures that stuff easily into your suitcase.

Photo by Yuting Zhang

Balloons, cake and candles are not the only exciting party favors you can get on your birthday! Keep the presents coming with these great birthday freebies and peppy perks.

Did you know many food joints provide a free appetizer or even an entrée in honor of your special day? Take full advantage of the day with these meal ideas. A hearty breakfast is a well-deserved start to the morning, and thanks to Denny’s Grand Slam birthday deal, you can enjoy the meal free after signing up for the restaurant’s rewards program! And the freebies don’t stop there

As soon as lunchtime comes around, head to Jersey Mike’s for a complimentary sub and drink after joining the email club. If you’re craving a warm beverage in the mid-afternoon, turn to your Starbucks rewards to receive a free drink. Ruby Tuesday’s also has a delicious dinner deal: a free burger for members of its So Connected Club.

Other stores have offers so you can even treat yourself to a birthday gift. DSW rewards card holders receive a $5-off coupon, and Payless email recipients get an impressive 20-percent-off coupon. After all, a girl can never have enough shoes! Also, you can celebrate with a new outfit at American Eagle Outfitters for 15 percent off with its rewards card.

So when that special day comes around again, celebrate it by blowing out the candles instead of blowing away all your cash.

Photo by Nina Abbott

“I am here for all of you!” exclaimed the bubbly “Intern Queen” to a room of hopeful interns Tuesday night in the HUB Auditorium. After completing 15 internships, the now 27-year-old CEO Lauren Berger says she had a gut feeling back in December 2009 that she would create the Intern Queen brand. Though peers considered her crazy, as of January 3, her book All Work, No Pay broke the top 80 best-selling books in the world and hit number one in the Job Hunting category.

Her freshman year of college, Berger received a frantic call from her mother urging her to find an internship after watching a related story on the Today Show. Without a resume, cover letter or any idea where to apply, Berger searched the Web. The communications major found Zimmerman PR Agency, located in Florida where Berger attended college at the University of Central Florida.

After “cold calling” the company and asking for a shot as an intern, the internship coordinator asked for her resume and cover letter. She quickly created a resume with little to add except for her job experience at Red Lobster and Limited Too. Because she emailed this information within 24 hours, Berger awoke to a phone call saying how impressed the agency was by her enthusiasm. Nailing the internship, something clicked.  This experience triggered her obsession with obtaining her dream career and generated her new and improved attitude: “When people tell me no, I say yes.

The question: How did she do it? How did she manage to gain amazing internships at places such as Us Weekly magazine, FOX, NBC and MTV in such a short amount of time? Here are a few of Berger’s valuable tips and tricks:

1. Never take no for an answer. Berger called many agencies and media outlets asking for an internship in New York for the summer of her sophomore year. When she stumbled upon Backstage newspaper, without an internship program, she insisted on becoming its first intern and her persistence made this possible.
2. You will be rejected. Persistence and enthusiasm won’t always hold true during such competitive times. The secret is to get over rejection ASAP. It’s inevitable, but never give up.
3. Show thanks and keep contact. After being interviewed for an internship, it is crucial from a professional standpoint to mail personal thank-you notes. It is also important to keep in contact with the company three times per year. Maintain relationships and possible networking opportunities for the future.
4. Network with fellow interns. Become BFFs with your fellow intern friends. They may have strong connections within an industry you desire. They will take your call over someone else’s.
5. Put yourself out there and tell people what you want to do. Berger couldn’t state this enough. If you’re interested in a specific career in a specific city, tell your employer. They may be able give you a recommendation and a list of contacts.

Berger started her brand striving to aid students in achieving their goals.

“I like to stand in front of students because I feel like they can relate to me. They are going through similar experiences and I want to encourage them to go after what they want,” Berger says. “There’s a lot of negativity out there when it comes to the workplace. I want to be a positive influence.”

Berger encourages students to “make it happen.” Your dream internship may not be a dream, but a future career and life changing experience.

Photo by Jennifer Picht

Tis the season of suits, business cards and firm handshakes, as more Penn State students buckle down on summer internships, and post graduation jobs.

For a female applicant though, there may be more to it than at first glance. It’s no small secret that women are unfairly discriminated against in the work place, making 77 cents to every dollar a male earns according to CNN.com.

What may be little known to young female students, is the myriad of ways interviews can be used to discriminatorily screen females, whom employers sometimes view as potentially lost investments, since many women leave the work force to have children – a prehistoric view.

Paul Whitehead, Professor of Labor Studies and Employment Relations law, and former United Steelworker’s lawyer, detailed some of these questions to avoid.

“While some companies are really great, there are others who are quite bad, and in those cases, women  in this age bracket of 20-somethings, whether the employer asks questions or not, can be discriminated against,” Whitehead said.

Example Whitehead gave of questions that are unadvisable to answer, not to mention potentially illegal, include asking about weekend and evening availability, family situations or future plans.

Sarah Hurley, President of the Society of Labor and Employment Relations and Human Resources Employment Relations graduate student, also elaborates about these questions to avoid.

“Many employers will ask “Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?’” Hurley says. “As a mock interviewer, I actually had people tell me they hoped to have a family and live in a certain city. Both of those give away information your interviewer could use to decide not to hire you. The question, however, is perfectly legal, since they did not force you to give this answer.”

The advice given about how to handle these questions mainly consisted of avoiding answering about children or family.

“My best recommendation would be to avoid anything about kids, marriage, families, or certain cities you are limiting yourself to, unless the company is a small local business,” Hurley says. “Companies are not allowed to ask if you are married, about your drug and alcohol use, social clubs, weight, or citizenship.”

So to all female applicants entering interview season, beware these interview traps, and take this knowledge to navigate above the glass-ceiling and to the career of your dreams.

Not only can you use it for Lion Cash and meal points, but waving your student ID at certain venues can save you a significant amount of dough. Having a .edu email address also provides access to a plethora of online savings.

An example is the Student Computer, which store offers hundreds of savings. If on the market for a new computer, the MacBook Pro is $999, a 16 percent discount from the Apple.com  price of $1199. Software programs are not cheap, but as a student, Adobe Suite is 80 percent off the regular price!

Technology isn’t the area with savings – entertainment doesn’t have to be expensive either. Basketball tickets are only $5 ,and UPAC offers bargains for BJC performances with a valid University Park ID. Movies at The State Theatre also have an average savings of $2.

Lion Cash  can save you a nice chunk of change too. On campus most food services are 10% off when paying with Lion Cash. Featured Merchants of the Month have special instant saving as soon as you swipe your student ID. For instance, if heading home consider taking Fullington Trailways, as all Express bus fare is $5 off this month; you can also grab a breakfast sandwich cheap, since they are only 99 cents at McLanahan’s from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. in its downtown location on Allen Street.

Another bonus as a student shopper – fashionable discounts! No guilt needed when buying a fancy new frock online if there is a student discount! Topshop offers 10 percent off every day and occasionally has 20 percent off by using an .edu email address. Ordering at Ralph Lauren Rugby saves you 15 percent while Amazon is also bursting with benefits. By signing up for Amazon Prime, student members receive six months free membership, which includes great promotions and free shipping on certain products.

With all the benefits, the student ID is one card that puts the platinum credit card to shame.

Photo by Nina Abbott

It’s Valentine’s Day, and you’re single again this year. You’re tempted to dress in black, eat ice cream in bed and snub everything pink and romantic. But we’re here to tell you there’s no need. With the proper outlook, any girl can have a blast, regardless of her relationship status on Facebook. So grab your single friends and try these five no-fail ways to brighten your V-Day.

Drink pink

Making a festive cocktail or faux-cocktail is easy — just mix a little grenadine into your clear, bubbly drink. (We love it with ginger ale.) Serve in the cutest glasses you have, and toast with your friends to the best Valentine’s Day yet.

Chocolate, duh

Who said boyfriends were the best part of this holiday? Valentine’s Day is an excuse to go haywire on sweets. For a cute activity, grab some friends to bake a fresh chocolate cake. Write your names with icing, cut it into the shape of a heart — go all out. And if you know anyone who has one, chocolate fountains never hurt!

Love fest

Couples aren’t the only ones sharing affection today. Make valentines for your single friends so everyone feels loved. Write your friend to let her know how much she means to you, or simply to make her laugh. Then slip the note under her door.

Celebrate it

On Valentine’s Day, it’s all about the attitude. If you spend the holiday sulking, you’re obviously going to hate it. So, if you’re prone to moping, do whatever it takes to perk you up, whether that’s a Friends marathon, your lucky T-shirt or good ol’ caffeine. Because, really, apart from all that lovey-dovey stuff, Valentine’s Day is just a celebration of chocolate, hearts and pink. And any girl can dig that.