Smart Shopper – When runway fashion trends keep you at the edge of your seat, shopping has become easier now with a stream of online shopping applications, Bollywood celebrities and fashion bloggers giving us major fashion goals, all youngsters are ready to sell their souls for owning those clothes and accessories.

Rightfully so, who doesn’t want to look good and turn heads?

But fashion comes with a pretty packet and when you are surviving on your pocket money, you have ditch many unruly desires and bite your tongue. Sometimes, you even try to save money to buy the clothes you idealize but the wait seems forever.

Here are hence some easy trips on how you can be a smart shopper with your pocket money.

To become Smart Shopper –

1 – Do research:

There are times when you buy stuffs driven by impulse and that gather dust in your wardrobe. Two reasons, one you are uncomfortable to don such modish clothes, two you simply don’t like it now. Not to mention, those expenses are useless and impulse only exhausts money of you for no good. You have to hence do proper research and get your head around what colour, material or pattern suits you so that you have no remorse.

2 – Compare shops:

There are thousands of websites that deliver at your doorstep but prices of the products vary. You need to find out hence the best deal for you by combing through websites or wait until the sale starts.

3 – Make a list of the things you might need:

We go out on a shopping spree and end up buying things we don’t need. So make a list of things you need to buy to begin with. Envision yourself in the outfit and accessories that will go with it and then proceed.

4 – Set a budget:

Budget is the foremost requirement to buy smart. You don’t always have to follow brand-savvy people and choose things that suit you instead. In this age of competition, the relatively cheaper garments come in equally best qualities as branded ones so relax!

5 – Try and buy:

Most online shopping websites offer you the privilege of trying and buying. So, try the product as soon as you buy it and raise a return request right away if you don’t like them. Don’t lay back, do that right then or it will eventually find a corner in your wardrobe and rot.

6 – Borrow dad’s credit card:

Credit    cards are big saviours because you don’t want to pay a huge bill in the month end so you will be cautious and calculative about the expenses. If your dad gives it a nod, take his credit card to the store.

7 – Wait for good deals:

Calm down your raging desires and wait for the sale. Keep checking the website whether there is a sale running. When the sale is up, grab it in an instant.

8 – Use incognito:

You are always being tracked by the servers and they know you have been wanting to buy something you spend time watching that. The websites will hence perennially pester you to buy that and repent later in bigger prices. So use incognito tool in your Google and keep hunting for the best deals.

9 – Follow on social media:

Most of the websites have their presence in social media which keeps updating you on their fresh collections and old collections put up for sale. Hence, follow them on social media for grabbing the best deal.

10 – Plan ahead:
Fashionista thumb rule is to plan ahead. If you plan, ultimately everything falls in place. No matter if it takes months but do plan before jumping the gun.

This is how you can become smart shopper – So, try these smart shopping tips and be a star!

The post 10 Hacks to Become a Smart Shopper With Your Pocket Money appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

No matter even if you are getting a 70 percent discount on a particular product, the love of getting things from Chor Bazaar is simply awesome.

While some of them may feel awkward while visiting these cheap markets, some others dance with joy as you can get hands on some of the luxury things at dirt cheap price. From retaining markets to local hawkers, nothing can beat the happiness of purchasing products from a sophisticated looking Chor Bazaar.

Here are some of the best Best Chor Bazaar you should visit at least once.

1. Mutton Street, Mumbai

Mutton Street in Mumbai is one of the most popular and famous chor bazaar in India. This Bazaar has been here for more than 150 years and is known as the biggest hub for goods and services. From second-hand clothes to expensive looking sunglasses, you can find everything at this chor bazaar at dirt cheap rates.

The post These 5 Chor Bazaars Are So Cheap That You Would Love To Visit Them appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

With AAP’s victory in Delhi elections, now it seems that the concerns and issues of the ‘Aam Aadmi’ are being taken care of not only under political/governmental schemes but also in the aviation industry!

If your parents have always been giving the excuse of expensive air fares and prefer the option of chugging along in trains for coming to meet you in another city, you can now give them the news that SpiceJet’s latest-announced-fares are lower than even train fares for travel from July 1 to October 24, 2015.

SpiceJet fare offer

While there is a tiff related to air fare going on in the domestic airline industry, SpiceJet is offering the lowest fare ever in the aviation business – Rupees 599 for one-way air tickets for domestic flights and Rupees 3499 onwards for international flights.

Four lakh seats are on sale out of which 1 lakh are being offered for only Rupees 599 each. The international flight fares however are not applicable for Colombo, Kabul as well as Dubai-Ahmedabad-Dubai sectors.

This is not the first time SpiceJet is coming up with discount offers, it has been doing the same since last year, where earlier it offered a special fare of Rupees 1899 and last month it came up with 5 lakh tickets for a three-day sale. SpiceJet also made use of the approaching Valentine’s day as even on February 3, it came up with a Valentine’s Day offer of domestic air fares starting at only Rupees 1599 from February 15^th to April 15^th. All these discount offers have been done with regards to the on-going process of change in management control for the budget carrier and also in a bid to raise some cash and also re-instill the confidence of people in its airline service, especially as the airline is witnessing an ownership change with co-founder Ajay Singh coming back in the scene again.

Ajay Singh, SpiceJet

Whether you are travelling from Hyderabad to Vijayawada, Delhi to Dehradun, Guwahati to Kolkata or Bangalore to Hyderabad or even Ahmedabad to Mumbai, it will only cost you Rs. 599 per person for one-way travel. Even an international travel from Delhi-Kathmandu or some other foreign routes will cost as less as an all-inclusive fare of Rs. 3,499!

According to the Chief Commercial Officer, SpiceJet Ltd., Kaneswaran Avili, “Fares for this offer are lower than AC train fares on many routes, and cheaper than non-AC sleeper class trains on several routes. And this time we are including most of our international flights in this offer too.” He added that the airline authority is thrilled to make air travel more affordable and accessible for more Indians than ever before.

These discount offers on air fares that even other airline companies like Jet Airways, Indigo, GoAir and AirAsia India (only Rs. 699) have tried are also because January-March and July-September quarters are considered as lean seasons in domestic travel and what better reason could there be to travel in these months with less crowd, easy booking and cheaper rates!

Spicejet offers cheapest fare

However, with so many bookings taking place now, many users who have tried to access the SpiceJet website for travel bookings have only come across a ‘Sorry’ page waiting for them and it stayed like that for long hours.

But, to avoid having empty seats, the airline has come up with such marginal costs and attractive rates to being “incremental revenue for the airline that flows directly to the bottom line.” It has also introduced better metro connectivity, single day return options, improved timings and will even boost better non-metro connections. The summer schedule for the airline starting March 29 onwards will see even more strengthened network and schedule.

Even Cleartrip likened these offers by SpiceJet to customer gains, admitting that, “there has always existed an opportunity to increase the advance purchase and make the booking curve healthier. The customer benefits with these attractive fares.”

So book now as booking option under this latest offer by SpiceJet is only available from February 11^th to February 13^th midnight. Hurry!

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 If you have only Rs 1000 to spare and have to look hot and sizzling for a quick date or after-work party, here’s how can do that. It need be a date either, if you’re going for a major wardrobe revamp, don’t worry about spending big…simply follow our guidelines. Ready to rock and roll? Read on…

Printed dress:
One of the reasons broke fashionistas opt for a printed dress is that it looks classy without being too costly. It has the right amount of sexiness, combined with girly streaks. You can opt for either bold prints that scream ‘wild’ or go for tiny ones that are understated, yet sensational. If you have just thousand on you, go for a dress that falls right below your knee and pair it with a pair of peppy shoes. That’s all you’ll ever need to rock a date or a party.

Sexy jacket:
Whether peplum or quirky, your jackets are what will elevate your look. Even everyday clothes will look chic and put-together if you have a pair that fits you well. Grab a pair that makes you look smarter and not as if you’re protecting yourself against the wind. You can find imitations of almost every famous design for under 1K. Scout your local market and you’re sure to find something cool.

Shoes:
Most girls, during the fag end of the month, purchase a pair of killer heels than dresses. It’s not just to add to their collections, but a means to look ‘dressy’ even in a pair of washed-out jeans. This is the exact technique you should use when shopping for a quick date/meeting. Simply buy a printed pair (if your dress in plane) or a sophisticated one (if your dress is loud) and you’re sorted. Don’t believe us? Ask any girl out there…

Accessorise:
One of the ways to look like a diva doesn’t even involve dresses. Smart accessories will make you the talk of the town without breaking your back. Plain tops can be styled up with chunky necklaces and printed scarves, stoles and even bags. While plain lowers can be made-up using funky kamar-bandhs or wrap-around skirts. If you have nothing else, go for stacked-up bracelets on your wrists and you’re good to go. They work even with a heavily printed top, if you keep the rest of your look minimal.

Hair make-over:
Well, well…don’t be shocked. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to look like a diva is to go for a hair make-over. Simply straighten, curl, perm or colour your hair and you’ll look and feel a lot different. If nothing else, go for blow dry with a stay-on gel so that your hair looks like a million bucks even though your outfits and shoes casual or formal. And let’s not forget what cool mop of head can do to your confidence.

These are some of the tips we use on a regular basis. These tried and tested formulas have never let us down…so far, at least. Do try them out and let us know!

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No girl should ever have to pick ONLY five Little Black Dresses or LBDs, but should you have that misfortune…go for these classy five. They might not fall into the ‘affordable’ range, but if you find these steal-worthy stuff during sales, they are oh-so worth it. And if you’re 20-something, looking to make a chic style statement, start saving up right away!

As you get ready to take the party circuit by storm, here are five of the cutest and sexiest dresses that you MUST own. Read on!

Globus: (Rs 900-Rs 1800):
This belted dress is perfect for a chilled-out evening fun with friends as it’s neither too sensuous, nor too boring. It’s the perfect cross between everyday and party-hopping. Pair it with a conservative pair of silver sandals to make the look pop. You can opt for startling white or silver as the tunic has a thin piping in that shade. This particular cut would look more flattering on thin women as the volume at the bottom will add girth.

Forever 21: (Rs 1500-Rs 1800):
Body-cons may not be our thing, but this one is a real classy one. It has hints of bondage on it, yet it looks uber chic. While the sheer side-panels are edgy, they might not be suitable for all the events. These are perfect for clubbing or night-outs. Wear them with a pair of electric green or blue heels to go clubbing, while tie-ups in peppy colours will look fab for night-outs. Finish it off with a sleek pony, glossy lips and tiny pair of ear studs.

Zara: (Rs 3000-Rs 4000)
Don’t let the brand name scare you. Zara is perfectly affordable and really fashionable, especially when bought during their annual sales. This knotted dress is perfect for just about any occasion. Pair it with silver stringy flats or colour-blocked peep-toes, the dress would look stunning, no matter what. High pony tail is ideal to show off your back, while your make-ups will depend on the occasion. 

Mango: (Rs 3000-Rs 4000)
This is sexy shirt dress is a huge hit with college kids as it looks effortlessly dressy, yet retaining the casual element of a fun 20-something. Accessorise it well in order to play it up or you can leave it the way it is to look ‘cool’ than ‘hot’. Covered shoes that are totally flat will look great with this dress. If it’s a college party or an after-work event, choose a pair of shoes in mint green or mauve to add the right amount of bohemian touch to this outfit.

Marks&Spencer: (Rs 3000- Rs 4000)
Perhaps the most formal of the lot, this panelled shift dress from M&S will look great for a high-end event. Well styled hair, red lips, sparkling studs and a pair of wine red/black shoes would look fantastic with this dress. If you like to add a bit of pop, opt for a pair of champagne yellow stilettos. The conservative dress will look flirty and stylish when paired with peppy footwear. 

Which dress are you planning to buy for your next outing? Do you think black is a rather overrated colour? Do shout out to us in the comments section below.

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One of the classiest colours this season, for eyes, isn’t green or purple, but the humble white. The colour that has long been associated with nails and eye shadow is now a prominent kohl colour. And a damn good one at that. While it might not be the best buy for a lot of us, but white sure adds a bit of spunk to your outfit. Today, we are reviewing Lakme’s Eyeconic White, one of the most affordable white varieties in the market today. Let’s see how this one fares, Shall we?

Application:
It’s one of the smoothest white kohls in the market now. It blends rather well with your eyes and creates well defined and iconic streaks along your waterline and upperline. The twist-mouth applicator is an easy to use tool that comes in handy even while on the move. While the tip tends to get a bit rough, it gets fine and even as you continue to use it. Gently twist open the kohl and apply a neat stroke along your waterline or upperline and feel the tough of velvet on your eyes.

Colour:
We were a little concerned about the colour or darkness quotient of the shade as it looked and felt so velvety and creamy. We did not expect it to give a rich, neat colouring with just one stroke. But, well, we were surprised…It does give a dark and defined stroke that looks prominent without being overly dramatic. Perhaps, that’s what we were looking for in a kohl pencil. The colour has to come through, but not make one look like a clown. Well, Lakme wins this one hands down!

Smudge-proof/water-proof:
As claimed by Lakme, the kohl is indeed smudge and water-proof. It doesn’t bleed or become messy in the heat, which is a huge plus. Despite it being creamy and luscious, it doesn’t spread unless smudged with a make-up tool. You can wear it in the rains too or even wash your face while wearing it. It’s totally water-proof. In fact, you’ll need make-up remover to get the kohl off your eyes.

Long stay:
The company may proclaim that the kohl stays for eight hours straight, but that’s all bull. It stays for a maximum of four to five without smudging and bleeding. And to us, that’s a pretty decent bargain. If the kohl can cover even half your day, you’re sorted…aren’t you? It’s a multipurpose kohl that can be used as a stand alone pencil or as a highlighter, shadow and even base.

At Rs 250, the kohl pencil is worth every penny if white is your thing this season. Do give a shout to us if you have anything more to add to this review. Please note that this review was independently written without any perks from Lakme. It’s a genuine review.

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You might step out of the house without wearing any kohl, but you’ll never go nude on the lips, will you? Lips gloss is one of the most basic make-up products that women swear by. From true colours that have a bit of sparkle to matt shades that plump up your lips. We list out five lip glosses that will fall under your budget. Take a look.

Maybelline Baby Lips (Rs 150)
One of the most affordable balms on this list, Maybelline’s Baby Lips is perfect for college girls.It’s fruity, colourful and quite light on the pocket. Girls also have the option of choosing from a wide variety of flavours that range from frothy pinks to deep reds. If you’re a beginner and is just experimenting with gloss, you should probably start off with this range. While it doesn’t offer a long lasting glossy effect, it’s quite an affordable glossy to try out.

Faces Go Chic (Rs 249)
It’s a tad costlier than Baby Lips, but a lot better. It will give your lips the right shine, without robbing it off its essential moisturiser. It also comes in a variety of flavours from nude, baby pinks to oranges. You have to reapply it every two hours to keep the shine on, but it’s ideal for impromptu dates, after-work drinks and lazy lunches. Try the one in coral, it’s quite dazzling and very ‘in’.

The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Lipcare Stick (Rs 350)
We are rooting of this product because it’s made of natural ingredients and is quite light on the lips. The mild fragrance, coupled with the goodness of cocoa butter is an amazing combination for a gloss. It might not be very shiny as it’s more of a chapstick than gloss, but it does even out your lip colour. If you are specifically looking for colour, you should pick something else from the list. But if you prefer nude lips with just a hint of shine, this one is the best.

Colourbar True Gloss (Rs 550)
It’s definitely on the costlier side, but has the most intense colour of the lot. Apply it before heading out in the morning and it stays till lunch. No kidding! The lustrous shine also helps plump up your lips and add dimensions to your pout. In fact, you can use it instead of lipstick and it will work just fine. Dab on a little petroleum jelly before applying this, as it can tend to get a bit dry after a couple of hours.

Burt’s Bees Lip Balm (Rs 800- Rs 1100)
It’s not affordable, we know. But it’s one of the best. It not only adds colour and plumpness to your lips, but also nourishes and hydrates them. The deep colour and rich vitamins help in making your lips pinker than they are. It also boasts of sunscreen and natural oils. It’s not easily available in India, you might have to ship it over from the overseas. But if you do find it here, please do buy it. You won’t regret this purchase! (And no, Burt’s Bee haven’t paid me to say this!)

As always, while choosing a gloss, opt for the one that compliments your lips. That is, if you have dry lips, go for moisture/hydra-based gloss, while those with discoloration should go for intense colours.

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Let the kohl wars begin! With so many affordable Kohl pencils and gel-based liners being launched every other day, it’s become pretty difficult to choose the right product for our eyes. How to read the fine print and understand which kohl pencil is value for money and which one we are shelling a bomb on without getting anything from the product. We have chosen five of the hottest selling kajal pencils (in the price range of Rs 150-Rs350) and we break down the pros and cons for you!

Products featured:
Lakme Eyeconic: Rs 199 Maybelline Colossal: Rs 175 Loreal Magique: Rs 245 Faces-Canada Velvet Kohl: Rs 269 Color BarI-Define Eye Pencil New: Rs 325

Dark and defined:
While all the kohl pencils are dark and help define your eyes better, it’s Maybelline’s taxi cab-esque beauty that’s the darkest of the lot. The sexy Eyeconic comes a close second, while Magique fares way low on the black-o-meter. Faces is rather velvety and smooth and ideal for the ‘just-touched-up’ eyes rather than stark dark pops. Of the lot, Colorbar is the only gel-based one and it’s pretty light and fluffy as compared to the rest. So, if black and defined is what you’re looking for, go for Colossal.

Ease in application:
Magique, Velvet and I-Define are really easy on the eyes with their smooth texture and one-stroke application. I-Define is certainly the best of the lot, considering its gel formula that helps hold the pigment together, giving your eyes the right definition through an easy application one-stroke technology. Velvet follows with its smooth and velvety texture and Magique is equally easy to apply, but not as dark as the other two. Eyeconic, on the other hand, is easy to apply, comes with creamy texture and is pretty intense too. The weakest link here is the Colossal, which has a very coarse base. Faces wins this round, hands down.

Smudge-resistant:
The I-Define is the best of the lot as it doesn’t feather or bleed even after six hours. Colossal, Eyeconic and Faces are also smudge-resitant, but the maximum they can stay for is about 3-3.5 hours. Velvet stays for a couple of hours, while Magique stays the least for just about an hour. It starts bleeding and smudging pretty soon. Since it’s not very intense, it tends to feather soon too.

Breakability:
One of the most important factors while choosing a kohl is the breakability. When you apply the kohl on your upper waterline, the kohl can break into bits. If that happens quite often, you need to change your kohl ASAP! Magique, Velvet , Eyeconic and I-Define do not break as they are very smooth to apply. Colossal tends to break into bits and can be quite a pain to apply. Eyconic, which is the closest competitor of Colossal (in terms of price), works like a dream on your eyes.

Price range:
Most of us want to buy a kajal pencil that falls under our affordable range. So, if that’s the deciding factor for you too, here are the prices (from cheap to costly): Maybelline Colossal: Rs 175, Lakme Eyeconic: Rs 199, Loreal Magique: Rs 245, Faces-Canada Velvet Kohl: Rs 269 and Color BarI-Define Eye Pencil New: Rs 325.

After comparing all the kohl pencils, we have come to to the conclusion that Lakme’s Eyeconic is the best in the affordable price range. And if you’re ready to spend a bit more, go for Colourbar’s I-Definition.

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Here are some healthy foods that are economical and save your pocket money. Take a look:

1. Oats
Oats are one of the cheapest healthy breakfast options around, and, as a member of the whole-grain family, they’re loaded with healthful nutrients. One serving of oatmeal gives out five grams of protein and four grams of fiber while setting you back only about 30 cents (and 150 calories).

2. Healthy Frozen Mixed-Vegetable Blends
Bagged frozen vegetables are one of the greatest values in the grocery store. It is because mixed-vegetable blends contain up to seven different vegetables in one bag, they are an incredibly easy and cost-effective way to incorporate a colorful variety of healthy produce into your diet. Frozen vegetables really are just as nutritious as fresh. They are picked at their peak and flash-frozen, locking in all their healthful nutrients.

3. Fresh Fruit: Bananas, Apples, and Oranges
Make affordable fruits like bananas, apples, and oranges your weekly staples, and save more costly options like pineapple, pomegranates, melons, and papayas for special treats. Bananas in particular are a bargain hunter’s dream. Select green, relatively unripe bananas at the store so they last all week. Don’t worry about them going to waste either; if they start to turn black and squishy, toss them into a plastic storage bag and freeze for later. Use frozen bananas in healthy fruit smoothies, or mash them up and mix into oatmeal, low-fat muffins, or pancakes.

4. Lentils
Lentils really are the king of legumes. They have got it all: fiber, protein, folate, iron, potassium, and a host of other trace minerals. Plus, they are super-affordable and surprisingly easy to prepare. Unlike dried beans, they don’t require presoaking and they cook up quickly.

5. Beans (Canned or Dried)
Like lentils, beans are packed with protein, making them an economical alternative to meat, poultry, and seafood. Plus, they’re healthy and loaded with fiber, which among other things, maintains digestive health, reduces cholesterol levels and keeps blood sugars under control.

6. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a concentrated source of protein, as well as heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, and B vitamins. Of course, it’s also a concentrated source of calories, so make sure you limit yourself to no more than two tablespoons per serving. Your money will be better spent if you choose natural peanut butters without added sugars or other additives. For a thrifty, wholesome breakfast, enjoy peanut butter spread on whole-wheat toast.

7. Fat-Free Yogurt
An easy protein- and calcium-rich snack or breakfast option is fat-free yogurt. If your family members are big fans of this dairy favorite, consider buying the large 32-ounce tubs instead of the pricier individual cartons. Purchasing yogurt in portable six-ounce containers is convenient, but your wallet will be rewarded by taking a few extra seconds to scoop out an individual serving into a plastic container or bowl.

8. Eggs
Eggs are another low-cost, high-quality protein source. When stored properly in the fridge, raw eggs last about three weeks in the shell, so stock up when they’re on sale. Also consider buying one of the trays of 18 or two dozen that are available in some grocery and club stores to save a few more pennies.

9. Sweet Potatoes
Our list of cheap eats would not be complete without the humble potato. For an added boost of nutrition, try replacing your regular old white potatoes with sweet potatoes. Like white potatoes, they are one of the richest sources of potassium, but ounce for ounce, sweet potatoes deliver more fiber, vitamin C, and beta-carotene than their pale cousins.

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We all know how difficult it is to keep up with the college trends. More so when you don’t have the budget to spend on clothes frequently. We can empathize with your dilemma of figuring out what to wear for those Friday when your friends make an impromptu plan or those back-to-back parties where you run out of clothes. So, here are the ways you can turn your used denims into trendy hot pants or just change the way they looked within 200 bucks.

1)  Pick-a-pocket:

Add some colour and funk to your old denims by ripping the back pockets and stitching back colourful and printed cloth on it.

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You must splurge on skincare, bags and lingerie. But for products like pyjamas and white t-shirts, you can buy them cheap.

Here’s a list of things you ought to spend extravagantly on, reports huffingtonpost.com:

– Tailoring: Good tailoring can make an off-the-rack dress into something special.

– Skincare: Moisturisers or cleansers from a nearby drugstore can be the cause of acne or other skin issues. Those with especially sensitive skin should buy natural or handmade cosmetics that work well.

– Bags: A cheap bag will fall apart. Besides, people notice nice craftsmanship.

– Perfume: You need to spend on a fragrance that doesn’t smell too sweet and lasts long.

– Bras: Cheap ones can be scratchy or get stretched out easily.

Save money on the following:

– Exercise clothes: Don’t cough up money for exercise clothes. Use old t-shirts floating around your house as the workout wear anyway gets stained and sweaty.

– Pyjamas: Nothing is more comfortable to sleep in than underwear and a 30-year-old t-shirt.
– White t-shirts: White cotton t-shirts never stay white for too long so no point in spending a huge amount on them.

IANS

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Manage your expenses well to stay away from the month-end, no-money-in-wallet situations. Here’s how: 

Make a budget: I know it sounds boring and uncool but none of your friends really has to know that you are making a budget: The only idea behind is to track your spending. We all are given only a definite amount to spend in college every month, so you already know how much money you have in a month. Make a list of all the essential expenses and allocate a certain amount to each. Then, on a daily basis, note down how much you are spending on every other little thing which could be as small as a cigarette. Once you have a log of how much you have spent and where, you will be able to cut down on unnecessary expenses.

A cheap date plan: If you are planning to get hooked up with someone or propose her, and thinking of asking her out on a date, keep your wallet sorted first. Decide how much you can spend and then make a plan. Even if you want the lady to pick the place, you give her the options which suit your pocket. How about catching up over coffee, or attending college activities together, or watching a play instead of a movie, or just strolling around the campus, or eating at pocket friendly places? The idea is to strike a chord and get going, so even a bowl of maggi at your place or from the roadside should do the needful.

Cut down on cigarettes and beer: For most of us, it’s during college life that we start smoking and drinking. We don’t even come to know when we turn into smoke emitting chimneys and start drinking like a fish. Not only is it bad for health, we also end up spending a sizeable chunk of our monthly pocket money over it. The only way to save your health and money is to either stop smoking and drinking completely, which may not seem as the idea to many of you, or cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke a day and how often you drink. Instead of buying a packet, buy one cigarette and restrict your beer plans to only one day in the week. Never get into the habit of stocking your fridge with beer bottles.

Eat breakfast at home: If you are a hostelite or live in a PG, you would be invariably spending on all three meals outside. I know it becomes a bit difficult to handle what we eat when our moms are not staying with us. But what you can do is atleast eat breakfast at home. It will be way too healthier and cheaper than the breakfast you order from the canteen. A bowl of cornflakes with milk and some chunks of bananas will keep you filled till the lunch break.

Buy used books: While second hand books are a good option, you can also look at photocopying books which are difficult to find. There are always those rare, special books which your professors or friends have, and they seem way out of your pocket, just get them Xeroxed.

Cut down on treats during the day: Avoid looking at Barista or CCD for your cuppa and drink coffee and tea from your canteen. If you don’t like the taste, try the thele wala outside the campus and if you still don’t like it, make it yourself. Once the college gets over for the day and you still wish to hang out with your friends, look at your canteen or a friend’s home or the roadside eatery, instead of even slightly fancy places.

Shop in limit: It gives a sense of general happiness to dress up well for college everyday. If you are one of those who would love to wear something new to college everyday, then you need to tweak your spending habit a bit. Don’t look at brands and buy cheap clothes from the Colaba Causeways, Sarojini Nagars and Janpaths in your city.

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Lava Xolo Q700 (Rs 9,990)

If you dig Android and have just Rs 10,000 to spare, we suggest you buy this phone asap. With 1.2GHz quad-core with 1GB RAM and a 4.5-inch IPS display at 540 x 960, running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and powered by a 2400 mAh battery, this phone is an absolute steal. It comes in stylish coffee brown and trendy blue, so the ‘cool’ factor has been taken care of too! If there is one gripe we have about this phone, it’s the weight. But then again, for under Rs 10K, the bulk doesn’t even matter.

Nokia Lumia 520 (Rs 9,899)

The stunning Nokia Lumia is one of the best looking phones in the market for under Rs 10K. It’s trendy, comes in a riot of colours and boasts of some fab features too, especially a really cool camera. In fact, it’s one of the best in this category. It works on Microsoft Windows Phone 8, which is slowly becoming a favoured platform in an otherwise Android/iOS-dominated world. It has 8 GB, 512 MB RAM and dual core processor.

Micromax Canvas Music A88 (Rs 8,499)

Other than an attractive price of less than 9 grand, this Micromax smartphone doesn’t have anything out of the world to offer. With a not-so appealing exterior, 4GB, 512MB RAM and dual core processor, it’s rather mediocre in every way.

Karbonn Titanium S1 (Rs 9,990)

With a 4.5 inch display screen and quad-core processor, it has a promising outlook but fails to deliver. Despite the 1.2GHz quad-core processor and 1GB RAM that make the Jelly Bean-powered phone work fast; it doesn’t impress us, thanks to its ugly physical appearance.

Sony Xperia E Dual (Rs 9,799)

It has the Sony brand behind it, which makes it sturdy and sexy. The dual-sim is also a good bargain if you are planning to keep your lover and others on a different spectrum! But the single-core process and 3.45 inch screen is enough to make this phone unattractive. But if you must have a branded phone on you, you can totally go for this one.

This was our take on the best in the under Rs 10K smartphone market. Do you and your friends have any other suggestion? Do let us know and we can feature your article on our new section ‘Campus Pulse’. Keep it coming in, guys!

The post Budget buys: Smartphones under Rs 10,000 appeared first on Youngisthan.in.