As we approach August, we may have started to take summer vacay for granted. In the dog days of summer, it’s easy to sleep until 2 p.m., get caught up on Maury, and not realize we still have our PJs on until it’s time to go back to bed. But with the countdown to Fall Semester ticking fast, it’s important to make the most of every spare minute. Whether you’re working your ass off or dedicated to being a lazy bum until a full courseload kicks back in, it’s time to get in gear and create some glorious summer memories.

1. Take a roadtrip. Sure, gas prices are skyrocketing, but you’re only young once, right? And once you’re shackled into a nine-to-five, you’re going to crave the spontaneity that’s currently yours for the taking. I’m a self-professed workaholic, but even I’ve been known to squeeze in a few quality roadtrips between May and August each year. One summer, I took a fourteen-hour drive to Ohio with two girls from work I barely knew, for the birthday party of one of my brother’s grad school friends. And no, my brother didn’t go. So, three random girls showed up at a party in the boondocks (aka Wooster), and promptly put on our party shoes. Liquor flowed, regrettable hook-ups were had, and the girls and I totally bonded over the experience. Even if you can only spare one day, find a town you’ve never been to before, and head out to explore. You never know what adventures might arise. Read More »

I am a long-time resident of Madison, Wisconsin. We’re surrounded by lakes, there are nice bike paths, and we have a bangin’ farmer’s market, but my very favorite thing about this place is Brat Fest.

For those you not familiar with brats (rhymes with knots) or bratwursts as they’re formally known, they are delicious sausages hailing from Germany that found their way over to the states and are now a staple on mid-western grills. You usually soak them in beer and onions before you cook them, then you can top them with assorted condiments and relishes. It’s essentially what a hot dog aspires to be.

Brat Fest is exactly what is sounds like: thousands of people converging on a park in the middle of the city to listen to local bands, sit in the sun and gorge themselves on these unique sausages. All the proceeds go to local charities, and boy do they rake it in. At least 170,000+ brats are sold over the course of the weekend making the event “The World’s Largest Brat Fest.” Yes, I know they don’t have too much competition but when’s the last time you set a world record? Read More »

Have you ever wanted to just grab your friends, a tent, some brews, and head to the desert for some good ass music and partying? I have. And apparently I’m not the only one.

A bunch of artists back in 1999 put this little festival together known as Coachella. And every year, friends of mine are attending it, playing it, working it, or doing SOMETHING for or to it. So I believe it’s time for a CollegeCandy style expose on this powwow.

The three day festival takes place every year. I like to say it’s a cross between Warped Tour and Bonnaroo. It’s not quite as punk/rock/retarded as Warped Tour, but it’s also not as artsy fartsy hippietastic as Bonnaroo. Boasting acts like Rage Against the Machine, Beck, Radiohead, Pixies, Arcade Fire, The Cure, Bjork, Amy Winehouse, The Black Keys, and Peaches (as well as about 100,000,000,000 other musicians), I’m confident that you can see what I mean here. Read More »

Four months ago, I traveled to Colombia with an expired ATM card. Although I had planned my trip, considering where I would go, for how long, and how much I would spend, I just didn’t bother to look at my card’s expiration date.

With just a hundred bucks on me, I managed to get money wired, but the mishap taught me a great lesson: there is far more that goes into planning a trip than meets the eye. Having access to cash is absolutely important, but knowing how much you can spend can also make your trip that much smoother.

Responsible travelers plan their trip and their finances before they even board the plane. Constructing a realistic travel budget will keep you from overspending, but it will also allow you to enjoy your time on the road. Now more than ever, with the fluctuating value of the dollar, it is important (and practically necessary) to establish a budget before you leave for a trip.

Here is a list of questions you should answer to get you started:

How much are you willing to spend per day? — This will establish a ballpark budget for your trip and, if you know how long your trip will be, it will also tell you how much you can spend. Know how much money you want left in your bank account when all is said and done. Read More »