My parents had this expression when I first moved out to go to college. “Fly away from the nest!!” The idea was that I was once a young bird dwelling with the mama bird who would give you shelter and food as you learned to fly. But then when you learn to fly, goodbye! My parents wanted me to support myself 100% with tuition, rent, groceries, bills, books, everything..because they wanted me to claim adulthood for me, myself and I and that wasn’t going to happen if Mama Bird was still putting worms in my mouth. And it worked! I paid my way 100% through my Bachelor’s with $0 in student loans and $300 left in my bank account upon graduation, then when I decided I wanted my Master’s, I taught school for a year to cover what my scholarship didn’t cover. Once again, debt-free.
I’m not here today to talk to you about debt free, though I do recommend a great ol guy named Dave Ramsey. But I highly recommend this lifestyle, and like any lifestyle you still gotta have fun!! Here’s all about living the sweet life away from the nest on a budget. For this week, let’s talk about tricks of the trade when it comes to the greatest pleasure in life….FOOOOOOD.
1. Order off the kids’ menu.
Yes, people will laugh. But who is laughing when you get a free soda, side and literally the same entrée as off the adult menu FOR HALF THE COST ($6) as I learned on this date at PF Chang’s?
2. The dollar menu is your best friend.
Once at Waffle House, my bill, including tip, was $2.17…because I got an egg and cheese biscuit off the dollar menu.
3. An entire pizza can last many meals.
Plus with all of the crazy promos at Papa John's you could literally pay just $8 for three-four meals.
4. Spaghetti is actually pretty fancy if you learn how to cook it up.
Olive Garden thinks they are all fancy with unlimited pasta for $7, but you too can have unlimited pasta for just $2. $1 box of pasta + $1 of sauce=deliciously cheap Olive Garden.
5. Go to a restaurant and just get a soda with free refills.
If I MUST get out of the house to work/study I always hit up Panera and just get a soda. All theDiet Pepsi I want for less than $2!!
6. Just get a cup of coffee at Starbucks if you must meet friends there.
If you put enough chocolate/vanilla/whatever powder they have and tons of milk and sugar I swear it tastes like a latte for under two dollars.
7. Brew your own cup of coffee before class.
My cup of coffee in the morning costs me $0.20 even using Starbucks brand grounds. Know how much your cup of Joe costs at your local coffee joint?
8. Learn how to make fancy breakfast sandwiches.
English muffins, eggs, bacon, cheese, spinach and then freezing it ahead of time so you can just heat it up and go makes you feel like a queen and saves you the line at your bagel place.
9. Remember that Anything you like to eat at a restaurant is doable at home.
As your girl obsessed with buffalo wings and Chinese takeout I’ve learned a quick Google search for recipes will cut your bill in half, give you seconds and make you famous among friends.
10. Take turns cooking meals with your roommates and cook what you can afford.
Cooking for larger amounts is always cheaper, plus you have something to do with all of those leftovers!
11. Debbie Cakes cut into squares served on a fancy plate can get you by at any potluck.
Got a social event but don’t want to spend $10 on cookie ingredients? Get some Cosmic Brownies and rip them into squares. People will be impressed by the frosting, colorful sprinkles and childhood nostalgia..and you just spent $1.88 on pure happiness and no mess in the kitchen.
12. Meal plans are rip-offs. Eat off the dollar menu, cook and freeze meals or eat lots of microwave meals.
I used to spend $700 on food a semester living off Taco Bell and Pop Tarts in comparison to the girl who spent $2,000 on a meal plan. Call it unhealthy? Well guess who still lives to tell the tale ;)
13. Water with Sweet 'n Low can get you by in a pinch.
Just gotta have your soda at a restaurant? Order water, then add sweet n low! Wanna really live it large? Ask for a lemon.
14. Stick around and help clean up after an event, and you will usually get free food.
Most of the time people are going to throw the food out, so volunteer to take it home and you just got fed for a week, baby!
