College campuses are always filled with bikes for lots of reasons. First and foremost, bikes are an affordable means of transportation. Paying for gas can be a real strain on a college student’s limited budget, and riding a bike costs nothing after making the initial purchase. A reliable bike will probably get the job done more consistently than a lemon used car, without the costly repairs. Students are usually allowed to ride bikes across campus, which beats walking when you’re in a hurry to get to class. Most students either live on campus or nearby, so driving to school is totally impractical. Plus, bikes produce zero carbon emissions, which means they’re about the greenest choice around. Riding a bike is also an easy and fun way to stay in shape after a late night pizza binge, too. For these reasons, parents should put a bicycle at the top of their back to college supplies list.

Buying a bike for college can be a bit tricky, though. Most college kids are more concerned about appearances than practicality. This means they tend to pick bikes that look cool, but don’t work very well. For example, visit the campus for a day tour and you’ll probably notice that the bike racks are filled with large beach cruisers. These ultra stylish bikes usually come in awesome colors and patterns, which is why they’re consistently popular with the college crowd. Still, getting a cruiser isn’t a good idea if your child plans on riding it for more than a block because they’re extremely heavy. This is especially problematic for young women. It’s never a good idea to buy a bike that you can’t lift, and cruiser bikes weigh a ton compared to other models. They are also not equipped for riding uphill or on rough surfaces. In short, cruiser bikes are made for coasting down a beach boardwalk, not daily travel.

BMX bikes have their own set of drawbacks. Young men in particular are drawn to these because they’re built for speed and impressive tricks. That’s fine on a half pipe, but not for much else. BMX bikes are small in size, which makes them difficult to ride for longer distances. They don’t typically have different gears, and that means you can forget about riding them up steep hills. Mountain bikes aren’t much better, although for different reasons. They tend to be pricier than the previously mentioned styles. But their tires are made for gripping off road terrain, not plain old pavement. Some mountain bikes are extremely light; however, these are among the most expensive bikes on the market. Lower priced mountain bikes are often fairly heavy since they’re loaded down with features like super absorbent shocks. A mountain bike might be the right choice for a school in a woodsy environment, such as the University of California, Santa Cruz. In an urban setting, you will end up with way too many unnecessary all terrain elements.

The best choice for the majority of college students would be a hybrid or street/urban commuter bike. Take this model for example: http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/Products/Hybrid/Rigid-Fork/Details/1407-S10SPO-Sporterra It’s a Schwinn hybrid model that costs around $370. There are similar versions available at department stores, including Target and Wal-Mart that cost even less. That might sound like something beyond your price range; keep in mind that buying a quality machine is the only way to ensure that you’re getting something that will last throughout the duration of your child’s college career. No matter what brand you choose, be sure to get street tires. These are the only kind of tires that are truly safe when navigating in a metropolitan area. Protective gear is a smart investment, although college kids aren’t known for exercising the best judgment. Overall, you should be able to find the perfect bike for less than $400. Be sure to have your son or daughter test ride the bike to make sure it’s the correct size and desired level of comfort.

Whether the kids are ready to admit it or not, the fall semester is just around the corner for most students. One of the pricier items on your shopping list is probably a new computer, provided you have a high school or college aged child. Younger children can certainly benefit from having a computer, but a family PC will suffice until they really need a machine of their own. For teens and young adults, there are tons of options, although some are decidedly beyond your budget.

Buying a computer for high school or college doesn’t have to put you in the poor house, though. There are some key ways to save on the right model, but even choosing a decent computer in your price range can seem challenging. To help guide your search, it’s important to remember that high school and college students do not have the same set of needs. For instance, college students typically carry a laptop around with them everywhere on campus, so buying a desk top isn’t always the wisest choice. High school students may not need to bring a notebook to class, which means an inexpensive desk top PC would do the trick. Also, college kids often rely on their computers for entertainment in drab dorm environments. Consequently, you’ll want to make sure that you get a laptop that is capable of serving as an all in one media device.

Netbooks are ultra portable and are ideal for note taking, but they don’t have enough power to replace a gaming PC. Besides, netbooks do not have enough memory to fulfill the needs of a full time college student. Research papers may total 20 pages or more, and your son or daughter will have to work on multiple assignments simultaneously. A netbook alone simply doesn’t cut it. Netbooks may be tempting because they are relatively inexpensive, but we wouldn’t recommend depending on one through at least 4 years of school. Additionally, it’s wise to keep your child’s major in mind when selecting a suitable computer. A student majoring in drama, for example, doesn’t really need a super powerhouse at his or her fingertips whereas a computer science or engineering major will require a real workhorse.

For high school students, your best bet is to hit up back to school sales in your area and online. Buying a refurbished PC is another idea; these are far cheaper than brand new models and they usually run just as well. College students can take advantage of student discounts on computers and certain software programs. PCs usually do not come with Microsoft Office and Student as part of their total cost, so be sure to save an extra $150 to cover that expenditure. After all, a PC without a word processing program isn’t very useful for a college student. Most university bookstores offer deep discounts and rebates as an incentive to compete with off campus retailers. Apple and Dell in particular have developed relationships with schools across the country; visit their company websites for more information.

Macs tend to get fairly high consumer satisfaction scores from college students, but they are significantly more expensive than other brands. HP and Dell are popular as well as affordable alternatives to Macs, and school tech support teams are always familiar with windows based systems. This isn’t always true when it comes to Macs or Linux for that matter. Parents should also be aware that buying a laptop isn’t as cost effective as a desk top in terms of speed, memory, and reliability. Nevertheless, you should be able to find a quality machine for around $700, provided you’re not dead set on owning a Mac. Happy shopping!

While we’re still enjoying the summer heat, it’s time to face the facts. With August already here, it’s time to start thinking about the transition from summer to fall fashions. This year’s fall/winter looks are kind of like an extension of what’s been hot throughout 2010, so there aren’t a lot of dramatic changes going on. Today we’re only going to focus on women’s clothing because most guys don’t really bother with adjusting their looks according to the seasons. In fact, most guys’ idea of fall/winter style is throwing a hoodie on over their usual t-shirt and jeans combo. Most women are interested in staying on top of the latest clothing trends, and here they are, in no particular order:

Jumpsuits- Ok, we know what you’re thinking. Aren’t those for like, plumbers? Well, yes, and no. The jumpsuit is quickly turning into a romper for fall because it’s a one piece that you can wear anywhere. Although, jumpsuits definitely have more formalwear potential because they have long pant legs. These can be dressed up to look suitable for work, a date, or a formal dinner, as long as you incorporate the right accessories. Belted styles are figure flattering for most body types, and jumpsuits are certainly more forgiving than their skimpy romper counterparts. Baggy varieties are challenging, but fitted cuts should work on just about anybody. Try pairing a tailored black romper along with a draped cardigan and a pair of sandals or boots.

Boots- Speaking of shoes, boots are still going strong, much like they were at this time last year. And by boots, we really don’t mean Uggs. Wearing winter boots is fine, don’t get us wrong. As long as your footwear has some shape to it, it’s all good. But enough with the Uggs already. For that price, you could get two pairs of chic ankle boots, or a pair of Doc Martians. Anyway, it doesn’t matter what length, from ankle to calf to knee highs, boots are the still the rule.

Military Chic- This trend seems to have a lingering effect. It’s been slowly picking up steam since ’08 and appears ready to finally turn huge. Military looks are all about subtle colors, including olive green, black, gray, and beige/khaki. Clothing in these hues that is accented with details like front buttons, zippers, and cargo pockets fits into this category. This is a big contrast when compared to the neon shades that were all the rage last year, hence why it’s been on the back-burner for a while. There are a few staples when it comes to mastering military chic, such as tailored blazers, boots, and belts.

Minimalism/Menswear- It might sound a little funny to see minimalism on the same page as military chic, but the two really aren’t that far apart. Minimalism is all about basic colors, just like the fatigue look. As the name implies, minimalism entails focusing less on elaborate details and accessories and more on making a simple yet sleek style statement.  Ideal for the office, minimalism works well with menswear pieces, such as boyfriend blazers, slacks, and vests. Remember, menswear doesn’t have to look, well, manly.

Long Skirts- Miniskirts are totally out this fall, and we can’t say we’re upset about that. Minis are perfect for the beach, but look way out of place during colder months. This fall, long skirts are making a huge comeback, probably because of the return of the maxi dress. Long skirts can be of the ultra-fitted pencil variety, draped mid-calf, or flowy, ankle lengths. These are versatile in that they can be dressed up or down and compliment most body types. They look great with sandals and boots as well as heels or platforms. They’re delightfully feminine and offer a delicate alternative to the tougher trends. Ankle length skirts in particular are part of the growing “urban hippie” phenomenon that turns 60s styles into neo-bohemian coolness.

Lingerie- Thanks to a few key celebs like Lady Gaga and Paris Hilton, lingerie inspired pieces are going to be everywhere. This doesn’t necessarily mean you should walk out of your house in a bra and panties. The operative word here is inspired. Lingerie usually has lots of lace, ribbons, busty tops, and cinched corsets. Common materials are sheer fabrics, satin, and silk. As a general rule, shiny fabrics are the way to go. For throwback inspiration, check out some of Madonna’s Material Girl era outfits. Today’s lingerie looks aren’t quite as, um, pointy, but you get the idea.

Hats- If that word alone seems pretty broad to you, then you’re catching on. Right now girls have tons of choices when it comes to head ware. Hats are perfect for windy weather and give a ho hum outfit a personal feel. When it comes to hats, basically anything goes. Some popular options include fedoras, newsboy caps, beanies, berets, and cadet hats. Anything knitted has fall written all over it. For the most part, it’s a good idea to stick to hats in neutral colors, although don’t be afraid to spice it up with a super cute plaid fedora.

Well, that’s all we know about fall so far. Talking about colder weather can be a real bummer, so try to focus on the good parts about fall/winter… like updating your wardrobe. Happy shopping!