Tuesday, December 09, 2008  

Hey College Students; Ways to save money for Spring Break & other stuff!

Although we've recently had a blessing, for lack of a better word, with gas prices falling the economy is still suffering and as a college student my wallet is feeling it too. Sound familiar? Don't get me wrong, I am becoming fond of coffee for breakfast, a slice of pizza for lunch and a PB and J when I finally get home after my sometimes 12 hour school day, but it would be nice to get out of my school's cafe and my small apartments kitchen once in a while.

Like most college students, I work an internship which doesn't make me rich. From what I'm told, this is where we are all supposed to be while we're in college. Fair enough, fair enough. But throughout these struggles I've bee finding small gems-if you will- of the broke college student world that I'd like to share with you so you can use them as well to save up for spring break travel, Christmas gifts, or whatever else your doing with your pennies.

First off; Food

You really don't have to be a big spender when it comes to eating in college. Seeing that in actuality, in terms of shear survival, you really don't need a lot to keep on going. Now sure it's easy if you have a meal plan, but if your like me, (a commuter) and don't have a meal plan, here's what you do:

Noodles:
Cheap, vegetarian, (if need be) easy and quick. Usually Ramen will work, but get creative, at most places, (even discount dept. stores!!!) they'll have two for a dollar packs of noodles that are flavored. I bought some sesame Thai for a buck the other day at a place we have up in B-town called The Christmas Tree Shope. They don't sell Christmas trees and yes, they put an "e" at the end of Shop. On a really good day, you can hit up the super market and grab a jar of alfredo sauce and some penne pasta in a box (this will run you about $4 for about 5 meals) and make yourself feel a little more fancy then Ramen.

Also, don't buy a drink, and never buy bottled water. Get some water from the fosset. It's fine, really, it's just water. (Your using it in your Ramen anyway.)

This may only apply to some of you, but Smoking:

Now just to make sure we're all on the same page, smoking cigarettes is bad for you. Don't smoke.

But if you do smoke, like me and everyone at my school, DON'T buy regular packaged butts! Buy rolling Tabacco! It's much cheaper and you get much, much more. There's Bali Shag, Drum, Top, Bugler, and if you can find it, the gem of the rolling Tabasco world is flavored Top, which comes in Peach, Strawberry, margarita, cherry, and vanilla. Peach is the preferred. $2.25 for about 30 butts.

Don't smoke.

Now as college students, (21+) we also tend to get our drink on during the weekend after studying hard all week. Do this responsibly and do this cheaply.

There is no point of spending $10 on a 6 pack of bottles when you can get a 40 oz and pour it into a cold glass. (Trust me, it's just as good) Your going to pay $2.50 per 40 oz and at a bar, your going to pay $3 for whatever is on draft for about 12 oz. Does not make sense, make the more economically sound choice you party animals!

....and then, save the bottles and or cans! If your roomates are like roomates I've had, there will be at least $57.35 at the end of the semester, and if your the one to collect and store them, it's your pot of gold.

The Commute

Use public transportation as much as you can, car pool, all the usual. But if you have to drive somewhere if friends, take an envelope and leave it on the dashboard that says "gas money" in big letters. make everyone through in a couple bucks. Do NOT again do NOT make the mistake of using a jar, use only an envelope. If you put a jar, people will only give you change, not bills. Big mistake.

These are definatly some ways that you can cut corners in the college life world to save up for a spring break vacation, or to travel with friends, or to buy christmas gifts this year.

Enjoy lil'money grips!
posted by Jeremiahcity @ 7:25 AM Comments: Post a Comment

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