Spring is here! It’s time to curse out your financial aid offices, and run around looking for all your tax forms!

Everyone knows times are hard these days which also means that money is tighter than skinny jeans on Precious. Whether you are a 9-5 worker, college student, or a regular person trying to make ends meet, we are all waiting for that one day where all of our finances are no longer a worry. The one day where you can just go out and say the 5 words “Put it on my tab” instead of the 5 embarrassing words “Your card has been declined.”

For most of us Spring is when the sign of relief comes because it all works out when you receive that big ass check. The only problem is that once we get it, it’s gone sooner than Stevie Wonder’s hairline…with nothing to show for it. You can’t see where your check went just like how Stevie can’t see that his hairline is past his ears.  So after evaluating my own expenses as well as observing other’s, I’ve came up with a few realistic ways to control your spending.

1. Lenox Lovers
Stay far far far away. Look in your closet; I know that you have a few items that still have tags on them. Put them in a shopping bag and take them back out like it’s brand new. For all the ladies, take your old clothes and re-design them into something new. For all the males, take your old shoes and clean them dammit! You don’t need a new outfit for every event, I can guarantee your Facebook friends don’t give a damn if you rewear you profile pic. Trying to stay up with the latest trends are not that important, you can make yourself look more unique by developing your own style from within your closet…. you definitely don’t need to spend unnecessary cash.

2. Upgrade!!
Go ahead and buy it, but don’t complain next month there is another phone that you just have to have. All you need is a working phone, that outputs & receives, and that allows you to dial 911…if its that damn serious get yourself a jitterbug. The way it looks right now everyone tweets for free more than they text, meaning a full service plan for excessive and unlimited texting might be pointless. But buying a new phone is pointless, cause at the end of the day it does that same thing as that your first Nokia with the monophonic ringtones that’s sittin in your mommas basement.

3. “Im Lovin It”
Same menu, new day. Spend your money wisely by grocery shopping and cook for yourself. McDonalds is just a lazy excuse for wanting a fast, quick, greasy meal that is not considerably good for “left-overs” compared to a home-cooked meal that can be re-heated and taste just as good as the day before.

4. Magic City Mondays
If you want to see a half-naked body, take a second and check Bossip to see the next Amber Rose photo. There is no need to spend money every week to see some ass when it’s all over the internet. Check Bossip daily, a new day, a new hoe (j/k).

5. Gifts
Some people feel the need to always give back, which is a good thing. But everyone has a creative mind, use it and create a gift. There is no need to get your loved ones and friends gifts every time you get your hands on some extra cash. With all the holidays coming up, it’s time to show how much you really care. Instead of spending, give them something from the heart…it just better not be made out of macaroni and Elmer’s glue.

6. “Makin it Rain”
Okayyy! Its 2010… If I see you throwing money in the club I am going to look at you like the dumb ass that you are. Buying out the bar? You are not Trey Songz and girls aren’t going to “Say Ahh”, so keep your money to yourself. Females don’t like it when men exaggerate about money, so be classy, buy the lady a drink and let your personality do the rest.

7. Super Bowl Sunday
This year don’t do all the planning yourself. Have a party, but make it a “BYOB” event. Don’t just let your friends lounge around without pitching in. Enforce the BYOB rule, remind them that if they don’t bring a drink they will be sitting there watching you drink yours.  Keep in mind that at the end of the day YOU’RE the one paying the electric bill for all the TV’s used, and water bill for each time that toilet flushes.

So hopefully these 7 Sins of Spending Your Refund check will teach you to keep your ass at home and invest your money wisely. Take it from someone who’s been there, someone who knows about being a broke ass college student…shit I’m still there!