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7 Ways To Make Sure You Can Actually Afford To Hit Up The Town This Semester

Don't fix something that isn't broke... but I'm broke, so help.

Maggi McCann

Jan 30, 2018

Wake Forest

7 Ways To Make Sure You Can Actually Afford To Hit Up The Town This Semester

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I am seriously broke. Like can't-afford-a-sandwich broke. I have a job that pays $8.00 an hour that's not quite allowing me to live my best life, so time to make some life adjustments and become more financially responsible. Here's how I'm going to save money this semester:

1. Budget

The word alone makes me want to roll my eyes; not sure if that's because I don't want to face my own purchases or if I don't feel like doing the math. First, I'm going to add up the money I'll be making from my job every month, then subtract money for food, then divide by four to get how much spending money I have every week.

2. Pick up more shifts at the Writing Center

I seriously LOVE being a writing center tutor, but last semester was my first semester doing it so I only worked five shifts/week. Now that I feel more capable and confident in my position I want to do more of it and it'll help me out financially! It's a win-win!

3. Go to the school cafeteria more

There are so many good places to eat on campus; there's a place for burgers, paninis and salads, Chick fil a, Moe's, and the school cafeteria isn't one of them. Don't get me wrong, the Pit isn't bad, but it's just not as great as the rest of the options on campus.

4. Sacrifice the Village Juice smoothies

We just got this new eating place on campus where they make amazing salads and sandwiches, but they also have Village Juice where you can get delicious, organic juices and smoothies. I seriously love these things, but they're totally overpriced. By the end of the last semester I was drinking three/week! It's a luxury I just can't afford.

5. Use the Keurig more

I've been treating myself to Starbucks almost daily, but I also have a perfectly good Keurig in my room that doesn't get the love and attention it deserves!

6. Un-bookmark Amazon and Etsy

I looove online shopping for things that I don't need on Amazon and Etsy. I always think I'm being good by going to the sale section, but even though I'm saving money on individual items, I end up spending a lot of money. I'm going to have to prioritize things that I really need over things that I really want.

7. Apply for a ton of summer internships in hopes of getting a job someday

If only it were as easy as Oprah giving away free stuff...

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

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Recommended for you

7 Ways To Make Sure You Can Actually Afford To Hit Up The Town This Semester

Don't fix something that isn't broke... but I'm broke, so help.

1. Budget

2. Pick up more shifts at the Writing Center

3. Go to the school cafeteria more

4. Sacrifice the Village Juice smoothies

5. Use the Keurig more

6. Un-bookmark Amazon and Etsy

7. Apply for a ton of summer internships in hopes of getting a job someday

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No one best represents the struggle like our favorite 90s squad.

1. When course schedules are released and you have a conflict between two required classes.

2. When there is only one section of a popular course.

3. Receiving the 18,000 emails reminding you to register ASAP.

4. When you need to see an advisor, but they are too busy/unresponsive.

5. Trying not to dress like a bum for your appointments with your advisors/department heads.

6. When you have a perfectly planned out schedule, and one class ruins it.

7. Carefully moving things around to accommodate a different class/section.

8. Waking up at 6:00 a.m. for your enrollment time.

9. Concocting a new schedule at your enrollment time after your original plan gets changed.

10. Getting into a class and filling the last available seat.

11. When all of your classes finally go through.

12. Realizing that you forgot a class that was a pre-requisite for everything else.

When your capability of "adulting" is put to the test

Nobody deserves to be living in poverty.

"Nobody living in one of the most influential nations in the world should be worried about making ends meet."

What is the current minimum wage at the federal level?

What are the benefits of raising the minimum wage?

What are the states that have set a $15/hour minimum wage?

Told through Parks & Recreation GIFs

Because who understands your bitterness better than April?

1. When you have to provide an "interesting fact" for your first day ice-breaker.

2. When your professor is babbling on and on in his lecture.

3. When you edit your friend's paper and they get an A.

4. When it's 2 AM and you remember you have a test tomorrow.

5. When you finish taking the test and you're pretty sure you failed...

6. ...but then you get the test back and somehow passed.

7. When you've been up for 12 hours straight writing a paper.

8. And then you manage to stay awake in class the next day.

9. When you have to butter up your professor for an extra credit opportunity.

10. When you're assigned a group project.

11. And your group-mates are trying to chat about life instead of the assignment.

12. When it's your last class of the day and you're about to go home.

13. But then you remember rent is due tonight and the anger comes back.

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