i never knew cvs has water fountains. i've always try to save $ in school. i avoid the vending machines in school unless im starving to death lol. dun get offended by this: i stopped buying useless stuff like necklaces cuz i really dun need it cuz its just an accessory.. i cant eat it and i cant use it.

anyway i've been spending more $$$ on clothes as u know people changes throughout life.

- No more water bottles. I bought a refillable, reusable plastic 990 mL water bottle from Canadian Tire for $4, fill it with my water filter at home, and take that to school/anywhere else I'm going to be for an extended period of time. Refill from any fountain.
- No more eating out. I pack my lunch (or breakfast or dinner, or both, or all 3) for school the night before so I can grab everything from the fridge and run right out. Eating at the school cafeteria would be at least $3-$8+ a day, which does add up.
- DIY skincare. I bought my own oils from a local independent supplier two years ago, and mixing them with honey, sugar and/or salt, I've got my own scrubs. With clay, I've got my own masks. With castor oil, I've got my own OCM (oil cleansing method) cleanser (as this was so time consuming, I stopped using it). A little always goes a long way, I've been using the same 16oz bottle of jojoba oil everyday for the past 2 years and am not even half way through it.
- DIY haircare. Instead of wasting my money on frilly-smelling shampoos and conditioners, I've taken up "no poo" - a method that uses no shampoo whatsoever. 1 part baking soda to 3 parts water, mixed well and left to soak, then massaged and rinsed out acts as a cleanser. 1 part apple cider vinegar to 3 parts water (really helps to dilute the smell) treated the same way acts as a conditioner and pH balancer. I have not had dandruff OR dry scalp since - many shampoos, especially cheaper ones contain a skin irritant that doubles as a floor cleaner.

I've been budgeting myself recently. I saw my savings balance, and since I'm working all summer, have planned to work 5 days a week from May to September, and have given myself $X to spend all summer (which I have used to Christmas shop and clothes shop so far, hah) while paying off all my tuition in one lump sum, and still being able to break even. At this point in my life, breaking even is far more than enough to get me through a rainy day my family might encounter. I've never been one to spend frivolously or lose money to services since I don't drink coffee, I don't eat out, I pump my own gas, etc.

It's not an adjustment at the moment, but more of a promise I'm keeping to myself that when I move out, a max of 3 credit cards: one for pet emergencies, one for household bills, and one for leisure (ie. online shopping).

I buy in bulk from Costco when I can, sharing a membership with family.  Otherwise, either Wal-Mart or the local grocery stores but only stuff that is on sale.  I'm more flexible about buying the stuff that's cheap and then finding out how to cook it.  No more frozen dinners, Hot Pockets, or school cafeteria food.  I cook my own food in the largest batches possible so we have extra for later and don't have to cook each meal from scratch.  Eating out is a rare treat, and even then it's limited to either fast food, or a buffet at the end of the "lunch prices" hour which can serve as a combined lunch/dinner.  If I have a busy week, I try to cook or make everything in advance on the weekend and put it in containers in the refrigerator, ready to take to work or school. 

While I should give up sodas, of course, I can't quite.  I have switched to either generic brands or watching for sales, and make my own large batches of iced tea and coffee to keep at home.  If I think I'll want a drink at school or work, I take a couple with me so I won't end up using a vending machine.  I usually fill up water bottles at the tap or fountain.  Tap water won't kill you. 

Clothes come from Wal-Mart or a thrift store, and I try not to get too many new ones each year.  If your friends are that worried about what you wear, you need different friends.  I try to wait for movies to get to the dollar theater before seeing them.  Borrow/rent from the school library or Redbox, and it's also cheaper to get DVR service with my cable and record stuff off the TV that we want to watch.  Buy used movies when they're on sale and keep our own collection.

I like the idea of seeing how long you can go without spending, though I can't usually go more than a few days.  I need a lot of gas to drive to work and there's nothing that can be done about that.  Also, I wish I knew how to make my own stir-fry sauce.  What should be a cheap, homemade meal ends up costing a lot more because of having to buy bottles of sauce.

"To keep myself from going on a ridiculous shopping spree, I'll browse online to get the satisfaction of trying to shop and keep a bookmarked list of things I might want when I have a little more money in my wallet."

That's what I do, too! :D