The frugal lifestyle of college students is legendary — and it is all too true. If you haven’t yet felt the effects of a tuition bill, you might not understand just yet, but you certainly will in the near future. While sitting around with friends, it may seem impossible to do anything without spending money on food, or gas, or….other substances, but there are several options to maintaining a balanced budget.
From food to fun, here are some great ways to not spend a dime and still live happily:
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Clubs. Look at the university club list and find something that you’re interested in. Almost every club plans events, trips and socials, and if you convince some friends to join, it can be some great fun for cheap, or even free!
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Campus Events. The campus occasionally holds musical and performing arts shows at Nordica or Emery. There are many other events on a regular basis put on by the variety of clubs on campus; keep your eyes out for their advertisements. Check out things like Dollar Movie Night and Popcorn Cinema, two great ways to see a movie and hang out with friends without stretching your budget.
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Games. Whether it be kicking a soccer ball around or playing Cards Against Humanity, setting aside time for games can be a great way to have endless amounts of fun with friends. Some board games and sport equipment can be expensive, but it’s a one-time investment, and in the end you’ll only have paid a few cents per use.
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Walks and hikes. We are fortunate enough to be in an area with many trails and woodlands. You can walk to Bonney or Flint woods for a casual stroll, head down to the Sandy River for a walk and swim, or drive to hiking trails such as Tumbledown or Bald Mountain. This is a free activity that is good for your mental and physical health.
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Food. For your food budget, the answer may be obvious — if you’re living on campus, use your meal plan (preferably a small one) and make the rest of your food in the dorm kitchen. If you’re a coffee drinker, invest in a coffee maker; don’t go to Dunkin for your morning coffee. You will be surprised how much those small expenditures add up. Imagine yourself going to get a cup of coffee three times a week for $3 per cup, that’s a total of $36 a month.
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Jobs. Whether you work 12 hours or 2 hours per week, every little bit helps. Having an income will prevent you from exhausting your savings. There are many opportunities ranging from work study and work initiative positions at school to working for local coffee shops and restaurants. University jobs will more often provide flexible schedules for students; however, they most often offer fewer weekly hours. It’s definitely worth it to drop off your resume at a few places.
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Take advantage of trip home. It’s always nice to see your family once in awhile. Plus all the extra free meals and laundry that you get.
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