2008 Woodie Awards
Pinch Your Pennies
Ways to save money this summer
By Sandra Turton
Issue date: 6/18/07 Section: Campus News
Let's face it- college students don't like to be broke; especially in the summer. You want to live, buy summer clothes, eat at patio restaurants and catch a Broadway show? But unfortunately, you find it hard to afford the train ticket to get there. This is when you must learn the art of living frugally, a concept quite foreign to some students. So what is this frugal thing? According to Webster Dictionary, it is being, "economical; not wasteful; not lavish; sparing."
So this means opting for a $1.50 coffee over a $4 extra hot caramel macchiato with whip cream. Plus that stuff's fattening anyway. -You could also pack a lunch instead of spending $10 or more at the local deli near work.
This one's a biggie; avoid the malls. Salespeople can tell you many people buy things they really want, no matter what the cost, instead of spending the money on something they need. So if you're the type to charge a $150 pair of shoes to your credit card, then do yourself a big, big favor and just don't go to the mall! Remember out of sight, out of mind.
Most restaurants serve meals that are fit for two, so split your meals with another party. Also, watch spending money on name brand products. Yes, sometimes you have to do it, but a lot of times you don't. Even billionaire Donald Trump goes by this rule. For instance ladies, you don't have to buy expensive department store brands of skin care and make up to look good. Halle Berry uses Burt's Bees products, an inexpensive brand sold at drugstores.
There are smaller things you can also do like buying bottled water at a grocery store for 35 cents instead of at a convenience store for $1.89. This could be a savings of ten bucks a month or more. That's nothing you say, but I think you'll appreciate that for your gas tank. Speaking of gas, if you have a bicycle, or even roller blades, use this form of commuting to get to where you need to go, if it's within reason. With this you'll hit three birds with one stone, by saving on gas, reaching your destination and staying trim.
Got a place full of books you've already read? Look for a local bookstore that buys used books. For movie buffs, I'm not even going to suggest going to matinees, because they are still around seven dollars and then there's the popcorn, a drink, candy, etc. But you can try renting a video occasionally, checking out some cable movie channels or borrowing a DVD from a friend.
People, I know this is hard. I struggle myself but look at it as if it's a muscle you need to develop. The more you work it, the stronger it gets. For instance, I've vowed to cut down on getting pedicures from every month to every other month, because they run about $20 plus tip. I also try to buy products I need on sale. On my last grocery store visit, I saved over $13 for a week's worth of groceries. If I can keep this up, that's a savings of $56 a month. You can do it too. It'll make you feel good. It makes me feel good - I just make sure I wear closed toe shoes.
So this means opting for a $1.50 coffee over a $4 extra hot caramel macchiato with whip cream. Plus that stuff's fattening anyway. -You could also pack a lunch instead of spending $10 or more at the local deli near work.
This one's a biggie; avoid the malls. Salespeople can tell you many people buy things they really want, no matter what the cost, instead of spending the money on something they need. So if you're the type to charge a $150 pair of shoes to your credit card, then do yourself a big, big favor and just don't go to the mall! Remember out of sight, out of mind.
Most restaurants serve meals that are fit for two, so split your meals with another party. Also, watch spending money on name brand products. Yes, sometimes you have to do it, but a lot of times you don't. Even billionaire Donald Trump goes by this rule. For instance ladies, you don't have to buy expensive department store brands of skin care and make up to look good. Halle Berry uses Burt's Bees products, an inexpensive brand sold at drugstores.
There are smaller things you can also do like buying bottled water at a grocery store for 35 cents instead of at a convenience store for $1.89. This could be a savings of ten bucks a month or more. That's nothing you say, but I think you'll appreciate that for your gas tank. Speaking of gas, if you have a bicycle, or even roller blades, use this form of commuting to get to where you need to go, if it's within reason. With this you'll hit three birds with one stone, by saving on gas, reaching your destination and staying trim.
Got a place full of books you've already read? Look for a local bookstore that buys used books. For movie buffs, I'm not even going to suggest going to matinees, because they are still around seven dollars and then there's the popcorn, a drink, candy, etc. But you can try renting a video occasionally, checking out some cable movie channels or borrowing a DVD from a friend.
People, I know this is hard. I struggle myself but look at it as if it's a muscle you need to develop. The more you work it, the stronger it gets. For instance, I've vowed to cut down on getting pedicures from every month to every other month, because they run about $20 plus tip. I also try to buy products I need on sale. On my last grocery store visit, I saved over $13 for a week's worth of groceries. If I can keep this up, that's a savings of $56 a month. You can do it too. It'll make you feel good. It makes me feel good - I just make sure I wear closed toe shoes.