Staying classy on a student's budget: 6 ways to save this summer
Jennifer Souers | Business Manager
Last Updated:4/22/09 Section: The Finer Side
Summer is typically the time when students try to rake in money for
the school year. This coming season, however, it will be harder to
save with forecasts predicting a stormy economy along with the
usual spike in humidity levels. So, it's time to get creative. Here
are some useful tips to help you make a thin budget last until
September!
Search for farmers markets in your area. Farmers markets are a
wonderful way to save money on fresh produce, dairy, and meat. Not
only do you get the best foods at very reasonable prices, but you'll
also be supporting local farmers and producers. Most of the time,
produce is cheaper and fresher at farmers markets than in stores. If you're working in Washington, DC this summer, check out
www.freshfarmmarket.org for a list of events and markets in the area,
and if you're someplace else, a simple Google search will tell you
about potential local finds.
Watch the weekly sales. This will take a little pre-planning, but if
you do it consistently, you'll save yourself a good deal of money.
Keep a running list of things that you need now, or that you know you
will need later. Every Sunday go through local ads for stores you
frequent (CVS, Staples, your local grocery store, Target, Macy's,
etc.) Keep an eye on things that are on sale; if you know you will
need shampoo soon, wait until you see it on sale. If it's not on sale
yet, it will be soon! Retailers are having massive sales right now in
order to make any margin of profit - take advantage of it.
Do your Christmas shopping in June. Most retailers have a semi-annual
sale in June. Nordstrom, Bath and Body Works, and Express are only a few that
have huge sales starting after Memorial Day. Every week they offer a
new promotion, and prices are drastically slashed during their sales.
Do your Back to School, birthday, and Christmas shopping in June so you get the best prices!
Ask for the student discount. At museums, theater events, concerts,
movies, or other entertainment venues, ask for the student discount. A
lot of box offices will not advertise the student price as frequently
as other prices.
Make your own iced tea. Well, cook more in general. Eating out
costs much more than eating in, and restaurants are having to raise
prices in order to cover costs. If you're in DC, you'll
also have to pay a significant added tax on prepared foods. Use this
summer to try some new recipes, and if you say you can't cook, then
use the summer to learn!
Walk, don't drive. If you're in a new city for the summer, walk to
work. This will save you money on gas, parking, cab fare, or metro
cards (which add up). Not only will you get some good exercise, but
you will also get to see so much more of the place where you are
living and working!
the school year. This coming season, however, it will be harder to
save with forecasts predicting a stormy economy along with the
usual spike in humidity levels. So, it's time to get creative. Here
are some useful tips to help you make a thin budget last until
September!
Search for farmers markets in your area. Farmers markets are a
wonderful way to save money on fresh produce, dairy, and meat. Not
only do you get the best foods at very reasonable prices, but you'll
also be supporting local farmers and producers. Most of the time,
produce is cheaper and fresher at farmers markets than in stores. If you're working in Washington, DC this summer, check out
www.freshfarmmarket.org for a list of events and markets in the area,
and if you're someplace else, a simple Google search will tell you
about potential local finds.
Watch the weekly sales. This will take a little pre-planning, but if
you do it consistently, you'll save yourself a good deal of money.
Keep a running list of things that you need now, or that you know you
will need later. Every Sunday go through local ads for stores you
frequent (CVS, Staples, your local grocery store, Target, Macy's,
etc.) Keep an eye on things that are on sale; if you know you will
need shampoo soon, wait until you see it on sale. If it's not on sale
yet, it will be soon! Retailers are having massive sales right now in
order to make any margin of profit - take advantage of it.
Do your Christmas shopping in June. Most retailers have a semi-annual
sale in June. Nordstrom, Bath and Body Works, and Express are only a few that
have huge sales starting after Memorial Day. Every week they offer a
new promotion, and prices are drastically slashed during their sales.
Do your Back to School, birthday, and Christmas shopping in June so you get the best prices!
Ask for the student discount. At museums, theater events, concerts,
movies, or other entertainment venues, ask for the student discount. A
lot of box offices will not advertise the student price as frequently
as other prices.
Make your own iced tea. Well, cook more in general. Eating out
costs much more than eating in, and restaurants are having to raise
prices in order to cover costs. If you're in DC, you'll
also have to pay a significant added tax on prepared foods. Use this
summer to try some new recipes, and if you say you can't cook, then
use the summer to learn!
Walk, don't drive. If you're in a new city for the summer, walk to
work. This will save you money on gas, parking, cab fare, or metro
cards (which add up). Not only will you get some good exercise, but
you will also get to see so much more of the place where you are
living and working!
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Nourkrin
posted 6/04/09 @ 12:33 PM EST
Keep an eye on things that are on sale; if you know you will
need shampoo soon, wait until you see it on sale. If it's not on sale
yet, it will be soon!
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