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Join our Tweetchat this Thursday at 12:00 p.m. Pacific/ 3p.m. Eastern for lively conversation and a chance to win a $200 gift card or one of two $50 gift cards! Use #WBChat and #SmarterPhone to participate.

This week's topic: Back-to-School College Tech! Learn about how to save on new laptops, cutting costs on new cell phones, and keeping phone plans affordable. Share tips on what apps you think all college students should download and let us know your number one tip to help college students save on back-to-school tech!

11 Affordable Ways to Stay Cool in the Summer Heat

Summer's not over yet! For most, the arrival of this season marks the start of sweltering-hot weather. Not all of us can install expensive cooling systems in our homes, so here are a couple ways to beat the heat on the cheap.

RELATED: Get Crafty This Summer With 26 Simple DIYs

1. Cool Treats

Keep cool in the summer by indulging in icy treats and cold drinks. Indulging in an ice pop or cool beverage will help you feel cooler. FitSugar recommends some delicious ice-cream alternatives that will keep you cool and healthy!

Best Money Tips: Ways to Score a Raise

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some stellar articles on ways to score a raise, how to never make a late payment again, and paying off student loans smarter and sooner.

Top 5 Articles

14 Tried and Tested Ways That Will Score You a Raise — If you want a raise, approach the conversation like an interview and have a number in mind. [PopSugar Smart Living]

7 Simple Tips to Never Make a Late Payment Again — To avoid making a late payment, pay bills when you receive them instead of waiting until their due date. [Money Manifesto]

The Best Times of Year to Travel Anywhere

Sometimes, it's a bit of a hassle getting a trip together. Whether it be work, school, or social schedules, a family planning on traveling domestically or abroad may find it impossible to do so. And, worse, once you get to where you thought your dream vacation should be, is virtually shut down because of "low season."

Truth is, any time of year is a great time to travel — you just need to know where to go, when.

Winter

Beaches, of course, both north and south of the equator, will be popular, but you can also escape the crowds and still have a great time.

Europe

7 Weird Ways to Keep You and Your Stuff Safe

We've got home security systems and car alarms and bike locks. Yet our belongings still get stolen from time to time. When the mainstream anti-theft devices just aren't cutting it, it may be time to get creative. (See also: Can't Afford a Home Alarm System? You Probably Already Have One)

Read on for our roundup of the top seven outside-the-box things you can do to protect your assets.

6 Ways Debt Settlement Can Leave You Deeper in Debt (Even With Trustworthy Companies)

Late night TV ads and radio ads promise that you can obtain debt relief, paying "pennies on the dollar" for what you owe to creditors.

These ads are for debt settlement, a process designed to convince creditors to accept a lump sum payment for less than you owe them. Your account is closed and considered paid off, and you no longer have onerous debt payments. (Although the settlement might be noted in your credit report and impact your score.) (See also: Surprising Things That Can Kill Your Credit)

You're Doing It Wrong: 6 Health and Fitness Rules That Have Changed

Health. It's all-encompassing, and paying attention to the rules as they change with time is certainly smart if you want to live the best life possible. But since that can be a full time exercise routine itself, we've rounded up six recent guidelines for you to consider — and we'd love to hear what new health rules you're following these days.

The 5 Best Pillows

Having the right pillow can mean the difference between waking up in the morning well-rested and ready for the day, or groggy and with a sore neck. When purchasing a pillow to sleep on, there are a number of different factors to consider. The most important of these factors include the pillow's ability to support your head and its ability to conform to the gaps between your head and your neck, both of which ensure that your head stays aligned and comfortable.

Replace These 8 Luxury Buys With Their Cheaper, Better Alternatives

Does the price of an item really determine its quality? Well, this depends on who you ask and what you're buying. (See also: How to Have an Above Average Life for Below Average Prices)

As a savvy shopper, I believe that paying more for certain items is a better buy. It's no secret that some higher-priced items last longer than cheaper versions, ultimately reducing how much we spend in the long run. But this isn't always the case. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives that are just as good (or better) than their luxury counterparts. Here are several of my favorites.

Best Money Tips: Saving on Designer Wear

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some awesome articles on saving on designer wear, cleaning without cleaning, and re-evaluating financial priorities.

Top 5 Articles

Saving on Designer Wear — Making use of coupons and focusing on style instead of brand can help you save on designer wear. [Club Thrifty]

11 Ways to Clean Without Cleaning — Reducing your stuff and taking off your shoes can help you clean without actually cleaning. [PopSugar Smart Living]