I knew going to college would be expensive, and I knew attending college in New York City of all places would increase the chances of me going completely broke. I had saved up a little less than $1500 when I first moved here in August, foolishly thinking that would be enough to carry me into
at least the middle of my semester.
Well, I was wrong. By the time September was ending I was pretty much begging my mother for $10. I wasn't exactly rolling around in a new wardrobe or jewelry either; that money had gone for walking shoes, groceries and college books.
I found myself with nine classes and an internship, so I had no time to make money. I was eventually allowed $150 a month to live on and that is what I am still living on. A hundred and fifty dollars seems like a lot in my small-town mind I'm accustomed to, but in Manhattan $150 will get you three bags of groceries, a metrocard and maybe one weekend out divulging in a social life, it seems like. So I had to do some cutting back on the frivolous lifestyle I was used to having way back in my upstate NY days.
I no longer buy clothes unless I really need them, I take full advantage of the "buy one, get one half off/free" sales at Key Foods and I think twice before splurging on a night on the town or makeup that a commercial sucked me into. As much as adjusting has been difficult, it's also been a lesson learned and I'm happy with how I've learned to budget money.
What are other tips on budgeting money while in college? How did you get by in your college days?
Comments (4)
I attend college too and I know what you mean. But I bag my lunches, and spend on items that are utterly necessary. That means no going clothing shopping unless there is a big hole I cant fix. Never use the school vending machines cause they literally suck the money outta you, and buying in bulk or half price is the only way to survive. Oh and using cupons is good too.
Like you said, it is all about giving up things that arent necessary!
Figuring out what is really important is all it takes!
At my college, I live in the dorms, and food comes with the housing plan, but I've gone 3 weeks without spending a cent (i had two dollars in my wallet and 45 cents in the bank). It was when i needed to do laundry that I ran into trouble... a pair of pants can last you several weeks, underpants, on the other hand, can't.
trader joes is surprisingly cheaper than any other food store, even the ones known to be cheaper. A 6 pack of granola bars is only 1.69 and lasts you a week. Oh and drinking soup helps a lot since soup is relatively cheap to make and keeps you full for a good while.