| Are you thinking of getting a student loan? Are you | | | | If you want clothes that are new and different for you, |
| terrified of going into debt? Here are a few things that | | | | organize a clothing swap with friends. Four or more |
| you can do to help you minimize the amount you need | | | | people will make a clothing swap ideal. Everyone |
| to borrow. | | | | brings all the clothes that they no longer wear, and |
| 1. Make a budget. | | | | everyone takes turns trying on these clothes. You |
| No matter what point you are at in life, you need to | | | | might find some great clothes this way! The clothes |
| know how to make a budget. Learning to budget | | | | that nobody wants can be donated to charity at the |
| effectively is a life skill that will stand you in good stead. | | | | end, which is also a great way to clean your closet. |
| Remember to include all of your expenses, to allot | | | | 6. Water down your bar tabs. |
| some money for unexpected expenses, and to | | | | Yay! You’re finally at college or university! The |
| overestimate your expenses rather than | | | | best thing to do is to immediately get drunk, right? |
| underestimate them. | | | | Wrong. Many people party away their university funds |
| 2. Don’t eat all your money. | | | | before they know it. An easy way to save money is |
| Often, students go away to school from home with no | | | | to simply not drink. If this isn’t a reasonable |
| cooking skills whatsoever. There are three possible | | | | suggestion, there are other ways to keep your bar tab |
| negative outcomes from this: a) you could subsist | | | | down too. Drink before you go out: buying vodka from |
| solely on wieners and beans and mac and cheese for | | | | the liquor store and orange juice from the grocery |
| 8 months a year, b) you could eat out 5 times a week | | | | store is much cheaper than buying screwdrivers at the |
| and pay ridiculous amounts, or c) you could attempt to | | | | bar. You can always order a soft drink when you get |
| only snack, and end up buying overpriced convenience | | | | to the bar. If you must drink while you’re out, |
| store junk food every other day. None of these results | | | | share with friends: getting a pitcher for the four of you |
| is healthy for your waist or your budget. | | | | will be cheaper than each of you getting pints. You can |
| Learning to cook might take a little time, but there are | | | | also sometimes get pitchers of other drinks (like |
| many people who will be pleased to help you. Ask a | | | | margaritas) which are more expensive than beer, but |
| roommate, a friend, or a relative to show you how to | | | | less expensive than a round of margaritas. And, if you |
| make a certain dish. They will be pleased that you | | | | must drink while you’re out, pay for each drink |
| asked and you will gain a life-skill in the process. | | | | as you go. Rather than allowing a server to rack you |
| Buying groceries from the grocery store once a week | | | | up a bill that gets out of control before you know it, |
| might sound like a chore, but it will save you lots of | | | | pay for each drink when you order it to ensure that |
| money. The ingredients for a stir-fry will be cheaper | | | | you don’t drink more than the money in your |
| (and tastier) than a frozen stir-fry meal: remember, | | | | wallet. Which brings me to my last tip: only bring cash |
| you’ll be able to use more of that pepper later | | | | on you when you go out, and don’t drink more |
| on in the week too. If you don’t want to cook | | | | than that specified amount. Remember to have an |
| often, perhaps cook one big meal once a week and | | | | emergency $20 on you (kept separate from your |
| then freeze the rest of it (chili, spaghetti sauces, and | | | | party money, perhaps in a different pocket, or a |
| soups freeze particularly well). Buying ingredients, | | | | different part of your wallet) in case you need to get a |
| including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, at the | | | | cab home unexpectedly. Plan ahead to have a |
| grocery store will save you lots of money. | | | | designated driver, to stay at a friend’s overnight, |
| 3. Make your own coffee or tea. | | | | or to take public transit home (bus, subway, etc), which |
| If you buy a coffee every day you are paying at least | | | | will help you avoid costly cab fares. |
| $1 a day: you might even be paying more for a | | | | 7. Live the Student Life. |
| gourmet grande latte frappucino. You can make your | | | | Do you need to go to the $25-a-plate posh |
| coffee at home and bring it with you in a portable mug. | | | | restaurant? Probably not. Can you find somewhere to |
| If you save $1 every day, you will save $30 a month. If | | | | eat where you could enjoy a (probably more filling) $10 |
| you save $4 a day, then you will be saving $120 a | | | | or $12 a plate meal? Are there all-you-can eat buffets |
| month. This money can be better spent elsewhere. | | | | around? Does some place offer free refills on bread |
| Also: if you are making your own coffee or tea at | | | | or salads? You don’t have to eat at fast food |
| home, remember to be nice to yourself. You can | | | | restaurants all the time as a student—as we |
| sprinkle cinnamon on your chai, or add honey to your | | | | covered above, you shouldn’t be eating out too |
| chamomile just as easily at home, so you won’t | | | | much to begin with. So pick a family restaurant, or a |
| be losing the taste. | | | | pizza or Chinese food place where you will get the |
| 4. Find bargain books. | | | | most for your money. |
| You can’t find bargain tuition prices these days. | | | | Consider buying store brand or no-name products |
| But you can find bargain books. Go to your local used | | | | rather than the more expensive brand names. |
| bookstores to see if you can find used books that will | | | | They’re often just as good for less money. Buy |
| be used in your courses (every English major will need | | | | things in bulk which you will use (like toilet paper), but |
| a copy of Beowulf: every used bookstore has at least | | | | don’t buy things in bulk which will never get used |
| three). Just remember to ask your prof if it important | | | | up (like window cleaner). |
| to have a certain translation or edition before you go | | | | 8. Love the Dollar Store. |
| searching: often, your prof won’t care as long as | | | | That’s right: the dollar store. Do you need light |
| you have the book. If you are looking for math | | | | bulbs, or pencil crayons, or socks? Often the dollar |
| textbooks, which might not be found in your local used | | | | store has items that will amaze you. But remember, |
| bookstore, visit the university bookstore. University | | | | occasionally other stores have better deals than the |
| bookstores often carry used copy of textbooks from | | | | dollar store. It is smarter to buy 50 blank cds for $25 |
| last year. Some universities even have a separate | | | | from the computer store than to buy then for a dollar |
| used bookstore/book swap. Another way to save | | | | each at the dollar store. Cleaning supplies, school |
| money on books is to get them online. You can find | | | | supplies, and present toppers (like ribbons, wrapping |
| some books on [ has new books (which are often | | | | paper, candles, and ornaments) are often best found |
| discounted and come with free shipping if you buy | | | | at the dollar store. The dollar store also has many |
| enough) and old books; the best site for finding every | | | | random household items that you might need: hangers, |
| book, new and used, is Be sure to remember that you | | | | coin rollers, and gardening tools. Check out the dollar |
| will most likely have to pay shipping on books you | | | | store before you head to the hardware store, |
| order online, so don’t underestimate your | | | | drugstore, or department store. |
| purchase costs. | | | | 9. Earn more money. |
| 5. Outfit yourself for success. | | | | To save money, first you have to earn it. See if there |
| Rather than buying all of your new clothes at J. Crew, | | | | is a program where students can work part-time on |
| American Eagle, and Brooks Brothers, consider | | | | your campus. You might even end up getting |
| browsing some local thrift or vintage clothing stores. | | | | experience in your field! You can also take up a part |
| These stores often have brand name clothes on their | | | | time job tutoring kids from local high schools in subjects |
| racks: it just takes a bit more looking power. Also, | | | | that you have mastered. Be sure to apply for many |
| finding deals at these stores gives you a personal | | | | scholarships, as well. The time you put into the |
| sense of satisfaction. Remember: you don’t | | | | applications could be well worth the investment. |
| have to have new clothes all the time either. You | | | | Have a great time at school, and remember to make |
| simply need clean clothes that are presentable for | | | | that time even more enjoyable by alleviating as much |
| class. | | | | money-related stress as you can. |