Working With a College Budget

Charles Kuntz
Sigma Pi

Winter break has come to an end, and we’re back to carefully counting change to get by. For most, the time that you spend at home is great for your wallet. Your parents are feeling a little more generous than usual now that you’re home for a month. It’s easy to fall into the habits of spending money like you do at home when you first come back from school, so here are a few tips to help save on a college budget.

Stop eating out:

It is incredibly easy to walk outside of your house and go grab something to eat that’s quick and cheap, but it’s easy for these trips out to add up. Set aside a certain amount of money that you think you can spend on eating for a week and stick to it. It’s pretty easy to blow through your weekly allowance on late night eating, but you’ll regret it at the end of the week when all your friends are at the bar and you’re stuck at home.

Paper, not plastic:

When you go out to the bar, try not to get in the habit of bringing a card. You can’t blow through cash as easy because you can physically see it disappear. It’s easy to open up a tab and order drinks and shots all night with only seeing the consequence when you close out. Generally when you close your tab, you sign the receipt and don’t realize the detriment to your bank account until the next morning. Know how much money you are going to need for drinks, and leave the rest at home.

Great value is the way to go:

Wal-Mart is my grocery shopping destination of choice while I’m at school, and it’s clear to see why. Great Value brand saves you a ton of money, even if some of the stuff tastes like cardboard. Stick with the basics that are pretty hard to screw up (mac and cheese, chips, soda, etc.). As far as mixers and small items, gas stations tend to do the trick.

Get it online:

If you need something new, chances are you are going to be able to find it for a significantly cheaper price on the web. Bookstores rip you off, and you generally don’t need your book for the first week of class anyway. Amazon is a great website to buy books, clothes and many other personal items. It’s definitely worth the three to five business days of waiting.

Part-time job:

As much as I hate to say it, football season ending is the best thing that happened to your bank account. Many places will be hiring throughout the course of the semester, and because you don’t have to spend your Saturdays devoted to football, it is easy to make time for a job. Many offices on campus hire during the spring semesters, and it’s great experience. For other locations, choose somewhere you like because the employee discount will come in handy.

Although these are just a few solutions to saving a quick dollar, one thing is true. Spring semester gets really expensive toward the end with spring break, rodeo, and spring parties right around the corner. Think for the future; you will regret it if you don’t. 

Charles is a junior studying public relations and German. You may contact him at cek0009@tigermail.auburn.edu.