Best of Money-Saving Tips #1

Well before starting this site, I spent a lot of time looking for tips on how to save money in college. Now, armed with something called "Google" I've found some very interesting blogs, columns and websites. I present to you, povero (Italian 101!) college student, the first installment of my findings. I would say "pay heed", but I'd rather you didn't pay anything. Here we go....

• From savingwithme.com: Get a job that allows you to socialize. Most people want to go out at night as much as possible in college. Try getting a job as a bartender or server in a favorite bar, restaurant, or club so you can attend for free, make some money, and be out with everyone else....
  

A big concern I've had with getting a job on campus is that it would somehow inhibit my social life. Tips like these have helped me to realize that adapting your circumstances to fit what YOU want is the key to successful employment. In other words, find a job doing something you like. If such a job doesn't seem to exist, make it - the Internet is a powerful source. Good places to start would be your local town's craigslist page, or a simple Google search for that special something. For example - "growing salvia divinorum", "online survey for money" (beware, many of these are a scam. This isn't though.), "freelance writing", etc. Be creative. Make progress every day...keep a simple log on Notepad (if you use Windows). Useful questions: How can you adapt your social life to your fiscal life? What do you enjoy doing, and how can you be paid to do it?

• From getrichslowly.org: Avoid non-academic debt. It might seem like a good idea to put that Xbox on a credit card, but it’s not. Focus on developing good money skills with cash. Worry about credit later. Save and then splurge. If you decide you must have that Xbox, then save for it. Wait until you can pay cash.

While seemingly obvious, it's nice to have this reinforced. My yearnings (see, the site description is correct!) for a Macbook have been replaced with a resolve to SAVE, then SPLURGE. Hey, if it's a useful item (like my Macbook will be for writing, video production, etc.) and you develop good financial habits from its attainment AND carry no debt....go for it. I put 10$ in an envelope the other day labeled "Macbook fund". I sealed it heavily and taped it shut. Baby steps are key.

• From forbes.com: Leave the car at home. The insurance, maintenance and gas will eat you alive. Most university towns are compact and everything you need will be within walking distance of campus. If some of your friends have a car, great--let them cover the expense.
  

I only put this tip down so I could show the picture which accompanied it on the Forbes website. I wish I went to this "college". Every student has red hair and no dimensions! The buildings look nice, except for the lack of windows or entrances.

That does it for the first installment. I'll keep looking, so expect more great tips. Be sure to read the original article's I've linked to - each has many more ideas for pursuing frugality and a degree.

Have any tips of your own? Leave a comment below!

College Frugal Pastime #1

It's called "hiking", or, simply "walking". I wanted to get out of the dorm, so I just left and walked down the road for an hour or so before turning back.

It's a greate exercise, pretty easy, and free. Plus, I packed a lunch which was fun. It's a great time of year for walking - a nice breeze, sunshine....trees changing colors.

In short, I have managed to spend no money today.

Earlier, I found 2 pennies (heads up!) at the same time. Double the luck?

Either way, I am up 0.02$ from yesterday. Huzzah!

Some Updates

Added a new banner (free!), links and other gizmos to the site. I found an interesting finance blog - the link is to the right.

Welcome to my friends, who are the only people who read this (yet!).

Wednesday Blues

Back when I played football we had a day of practice, once a week, which our coaches eloquently called "hump day". It was Wednesday - right in the middle of the week, a few days after a game and a few days before a game, which meant that we could beat the living hell out of each other for hours without worrying about injuries (mostly).

Anyway, today is Wednesday, and it appears hump day is back, because I have a lot of classes and meetings today. I'm making a quick cup of coffee right now, hopefully I can get to class on time.

As to frugality: still no call back from the part-time-job-craigslist-man. I left two messages so I retain the hope that he'll get back to me. Also, I repotted my salvia plant. In a much larger pot. Roots need room!

It cost me 2$ for the potting soil, 1$ for the new pot (dollar stores are great...) and 1$ for the sprayer I mist the plant with every morning and night. I'm a pretty good caregiver, what can I say?

I have a meeting for a real part-time job...work-study is part of my financial aid. I can work up to 10 hours a week, and this job seems to be 8.25$ a week. Meaning I can make 82.5$ (minus taxes) a week, which is far more than I am spending!

Profit! What?!?!?! It's too good to be true.

Hey, I'll post later but I have to run.

T.V Fatigue/Part-Time Employment

Rough night. I spent most of yesterday evening watching Weeds, and I got T.V fatigue. I've only experienced this once before - when I watched 2 seasons of Arrested Development in a row.

Anyway, sitting down for hours and hours and watching T.V in a room a few degrees colder than is comfortable is not, it turns out, a good recipe for health. I felt awful when I was done. I hadn't eaten dinner either, and I was in a terrible mood.

Back to frugality.....I put a call in with the part time job listing I found on craigslist (of all places). It seemed pretty legitimate - just working 10 hours each weekend would net me 80$, which more than pays for my expenses for the week. Of course, I haven't gotten a call back yet. Stupendous!

I'm leaving my Salvia Plant out of it's humidity tent (read: plastic bag) for five hours today. It needs to "acclimate" itself to the climate in my room, which happens to be very different from the plant's original home of Oaxaca, Mexico. Now, I'm no shaman, but something tells me these magic plants require some love. Or at least water. They are used to 50% humidity, which is really quite a bit....my plant seems incredibly hardy though, and seems to be adapting well. If all goes well I can repot it on Wednesday or Thursday. Then I have to keep waiting and draw up plans to monetize!

In other news, my roomate was in the shower so long this morning that I had to pee in a bottle. Now that, my friends, is Collegiate Frugality ©.

Off to lectures!

MacBook

I want this. Is that so wrong? I'm using a Dell Latitude D505...and it's becoming dated. It's tough to take my computer places when the battery life is down to less than an hour. Plus, it comes with one of these.

I thought it didn't fit into my budget, but then again, I have no budget.

First thing's first: make a budget.

Has anyone successfully financed a Macbook with the Juniper Visa Card that Steve Jobs is pushing?


Frugality is about discipline. Do I have the discipline to not use a credit card (besides financing the dreaded Macbook) ? I believe so. Did Juniper Visa accept my application? No. No, they didn't. Or, at least, not yet. Bastards.

Also, my Salvia Plant is doing fine. I bought it on eBay(19$!) from a guy in PA who used the word "aloha" without a hint of irony. It is a fine plant, though. I have a few leaves already harvested...I'm trying to go easy on the plant until it gets substantially bigger. Then, who knows? Hopefully selling Salvia Divinorum - either ground up leaves or cuttings of the plant itself - is a viable income source.

We'll see, won't we?