You may be finding yourself with some downtime these days if you're one of the many without steady work. Or if you're stuck working somewhere you hate, you may need an outlet. A blog could fill this void, give you something to focus on that you enjoy, and bonus — it could even help you get a new and better job. Showing people what you can do is an essential part of the job search process, and a blog can be tailored to do just that. We know this isn't 2007, the days when "blogging" was the pastime of the hip and the term was used un-ironically. Think about it instead as an activity in discipline, articulation, and marketing. Here are some ways to use a blog to suit your needs, and hopefully get some good returns.

The school of life usually teaches you a lot, but it’s not always appropriate for cocktail parties or nerd-tastic meet-ups. There’s quite a lot of information out there, so it’s easier to focus on one area at a time. Thus, if you want to hang with the English professors or just sound like the most well-educated kid on the block (and community college just didn’t quite prepare you), check out these ways to expand your knowledge base.

We always recommend cooking at home or hitting up a small local joint with entrees under ten bucks, but we know there are special occasions when you end up splurging. If you have a special event coming up, budget for it in advance by putting a couple bucks aside every week. It may not seem like much in the moment, but it can add up to some serious cash. When you've got your funding, choose wisely and use a couple of our tricks to make the most of your funds. LA is a major city and, luckily for you, that means some major deals.

If you're about to get off for a summer vacation or just got fired, you may be wondering what to do with all that extra time. Sure laying on the couch is fun for a couple days, but too much sloth can lead to an overall feeling of blah. Since the economy still sucks, you may struggle to find work. So do some good (and build your resume up in the process) by volunteering at a local organization. It's much easier to have a meaningful volunteer experience when you pair yourself with a cause you actually care about; kittens, books, or homeless youth: very different, but they all could use your help.

Most of us have heard statistics about HPV, HIV, gonorrhea, pregnancy (!) ... the list goes on and on. Let us break it down for you: sex is fun, but you can't afford to expose yourself to major risks. The LA Times just reported about the growing proclivity of those in early adulthood to have more partners. Protect yourself as much as possible. Let's face it, STDs and unintended conception are just not that much fun, and can lead to unwanted expenses.

One of the biggest challenges currently facing the music industry is how to make money. Lucky for you, that means there is tons of free music out there. No longer bound by record needles and eight-tracks, the rise of the internet means new music is always at your fingertips. Even when you're keeping it legal by streaming or only downloading free tracks, there's a whole treasure trove of music just waiting to be discovered.

Life is a roller coaster; sometimes you want to laugh and other times you want to cry. The miracle of the internet connects us to people from all over the world who want to share their experiences with you in words or pictures. Whether high art or mass cultural collage, visual images have immense power. The following are a few sites that have captured our attention and kept us coming back for more. We here at RFB won't assume whether these pics and stories will make you feel sad, less alone, or the ever-popular schadenfreude. Chuckle, sob, roll your eyes, whatever. And, being a bum, you might find some time on your hands to contribute. Do it. Everyone wants to know about your pain.

Our freeloading selves know that the free tv bonanza can't last forever, but we wanna take advantage of it while we can. Cable cut? Can't afford the digital box adapter? Don't sweat it. There are plenty of online sites that will have your favorite shows ready and waiting.

Like any good slasher film, so goes my love life: never is there a happy ending. Personally, I'm all about screaming "Die Cupid Die!" on the all too celebrated Valentine’s Day. So much so that I throw dinner parties with the same theme, and once even convinced a popular musician to paint the same phrase all over her shirt for a gig. Apparently, the crowd loved it. So with that in mind, get out your puffy paints and aprons as I present to you Little Brown Bag's version of DIE CUPID DIE! Yes, it's cheap. Just like those bastards you're going to invite.

Everyone likes to save money and there's no time like right now to save a few bucks. Retailers are offering crazy discounts on everything from paper towels to designer shoes. The list below is a compilation of some sites where you can print out coupons, get coupon codes for online offers, and hear about fantastic deals.