As A Struggling College Student, Saving Money Isn't As Easy As Skipping Starbucks | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

As A Struggling College Student, Saving Money Isn't As Easy As Skipping Starbucks

It takes a lot more than just "not buying a coffee every day."

40
As A Struggling College Student, Saving Money Isn't As Easy As Skipping Starbucks

As I work my way up the ladder in my professional career, there's one thing I've come to realize about the way we earn and spend money. Being a millennial college student, there are literally millions of nonessential things that you could get sucked into spending your hard earned money on. I'm not just talking about the usual addictions, (i.e., drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc.) I'm talking about the everyday expenses that keep us from saving money.

Things like Starbucks, Dunkin', convenient stores and vending machines are all silent thieves in the night, and yet, no one has dared to name them as such. See, here's the thing. As a college student, this means you are literally on the go 25/8. You wake up, barely have time to eat, run out the door and off to your first class you go. Then the hunger sets in, and you think, "oh, man. I need to eat." So, what do you do? Spend $5.49 at the nearest Dunkin' on a bagel and medium coffee.

Whatever, it's only $6, that's not going to break my budget.

Now it's noon, and well, would you look at that, you've run out of coffee and your stomach is starting to grumble. With not even half the day over, you decide to grab lunch. This can range anywhere from $5-10 depending on your choice of fast food. But again, it's "only $10, that won't hurt my budget."

Finally, you're nearing the end of the day, but, your eyes start to feel heavy, your palms a little sweaty, and you feel like you could fall asleep standing up, but you still have one more hour of this lecture. But wait! Wasn't there a vending machine right outside of the classroom? What's $5 for a Snickers and a Gatorade? After all, there's no way you can make it without it.

Say you did this everyday, 5 days a week, even though most of us don't have the luxury of having weekends off, we'll play along for a bit. So, that $6 you spent at Dunkin', the $10 you spent on lunch, and the $5 you spent on snacks times 5.....

You've now spent roughly $100 on just convenience foods. That's not including gas for your car, or any other random expenses that may come up.

So, now, how am I supposed to save money, if half of my paycheck goes to me being able to live in order to finish up my week.

It's time to unmask the hidden bank account thieves. It's time to make conscious efforts to spend LESS in order to literally SAVE.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

11 Things Summer Nannies Can Relate To

There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

382
11 Things Summer Nannies Can Relate To

As a college student, being a nanny over the summer is both enjoyable and challenging. Underneath the seemingly perfect trips to the pool or countless hours spent playing Monopoly are the obstacles that only nannies will understand. Trading in your valuable summer vacation in return for three months spent with a few children less than half your age may seem unappealing, but so many moments make it rewarding. For my fellow summer nannies out there, I know you can relate.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl

If it hurts now, it'll hurt again. Not because you're gullible or naive, only because you fall fast, hard, and you do it every time.

We fall each and every time with the complete and utter confidence that someone will be there to catch us. Now that person we SWORE we were never going to fall for has our hearts, and every time we see them our palms start sweating. The butterflies in our stomach start to soar and our hearts are entirely too close to bursting out of our chests.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Things Only Equestrians Understand

Yes, it IS a sport. Yes, I fall all the time. No, I do not ride in jeans with a cowgirl hat on.

818
horses
Barn Pros

Growing up I have always wanted to own a horse. My grandparents own a well known equestrian facility in Georgia, so I have been riding since I was born. A bond between a person and their horse is a bond so strong that it cannot be broken. Everywhere I went I wanted to be around horses, even forcing my family to go on trail rides during vacations. Horses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember has taught me great responsibility, as well as 14 things that all equestrians can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
man wearing white top using MacBook
Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

College is super hard. Between working, studying, and having a social life, it feels like a struggle to just keep afloat.

I understand. When you feel like your drowning and there's no way to stay afloat I understand that it feels like everyone else is doing just fine. I understand all the frustration, long nights in the library, and that feeling that you want to just throw in the towel. I understand that sometimes it's too hard to get out of bed because your brain is already filled with too much information to remember. I understand because I am also feeling pretty burnt out.

Keep Reading...Show less
No Matter How Challenging School Gets, You Have To Put Your Health First — A Degree Won't Mean Anything If You're Dead
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Some of the best advice I've ever received was from my social studies teacher in sophomore year of high school. He stated, "If you don't know it at midnight, you're not going to know it for the 8 a.m. exam, so get some sleep."

It's such a simple piece of advice, but it holds so much accuracy and it's something that the majority of college students need to hear and listen to. "All-nighters" are a commonality on college campuses in order to cram in studying for an exam that is typically the next day.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments