Returning from spring break can leave students with an awful epiphany: There’s no more money! With vacation spending in the past and debt in the present, Indiana Daily Student columnists suggest ways to avoid financial difficulties during the rest of the semester.
Put the cards down and pick up a school book\nJacob Stewart is a junior majoring in political science\nOut of money from a long spring break you say? Vegas casinos drained your pockets and now you’re getting the cold shoulder from your angry parents? Well here’s a tip: Stay away from the poker table.\nSince the publicity for card playing has increased as a result of ESPN’s coverage of “World Series of Poker” events and a proliferation of gambling Web sites, college students are very prone to addictions. And if the money is endless, such is no problem. But when sitting around green tables and staring at computer screens where you can’t see the money leaving your wallet or purse (gotta love the beauty of credit cards) has significant effect on your eating habits, its time to take a step back and not starve to death.\nSo how to beat that nasty poker addiction? Simple: Don’t get pulled in by the bright colors and flashy advertising! As much as you want to believe that you’re on that tropical island with the pretty people who lose hands and laugh frivolously on those Paradisepoker.net commercials, more likely is that you’re pockets are emptier than MC Hammer’s. And he has some big pockets.\nAt the end of the day though, instead of saying “Oh why not, what’s another 20 bucks?” you should play poker using toothpicks instead of money, like grandma used to make us. From the looks of things it doesn’t seem like there will be much food to pick from between your teeth.
Embrace Ramen noodles, avoid Kirkwood grease\nScott Leadingham is a graduate student studying public affairs.\nTaco Bell. Cracker Barrel. Chipotle. \nWhat traits do these restaurants share? It’s not a propensity to produce diarrhea, although my pair of Scooby-Doo boxers would tend to disagree. Rather, these delicatessens are a sampling of the fine culinary institutions that grace the town of Bloomington. Actually they’re not really delicatessens, but then again, I’m not really a journalist, so who cares. \nMore than being places to gorge ourselves, the restaurants of our fair city represent a dangerous trap. Students have an overwhelming propensity to live beyond their means. Short of saying, “Stop blowing your money,” allowing me the following warning of too much eating out: “Refrain from blowing your money.” (See, I didn’t say “stop.”) \nHowever, don’t take these words as a referendum on eating tasty beef-lard balls on Kirkwood. Instead, read forward for some useful tips on saving money on the semester’s remaining food bill.\n1) Ramen is your friend. Throw in some peanut sauce and chili peppers and you have Pad Thai. Don’t go out when you can make it in your own kitchen while naked.\n2) Don’t buy lettuce or even a restaurant’s salad when you can pick the herbs growing in your basement and make a tasty mix of greens. Heck, you can even make some nice brownies. \nNow that you’re well equipped to save money on eating out, use your newly acquired knowledge to make wise choices in life. I’d recommend buying some Scooby-Doo underwear. That’s as wise as it gets.
Think cheap beer for weekend parties\nKirk Nathanson is a senior majoring in English and political science\nWhen budgeting for your weekend mayhem it’s important to remember that Thursday is just a practice Friday, a dry run you might say – a dress rehearsal. While it’s important to take Thursday’s partying every bit as seriously as Friday’s, you don’t always need to shell out the big bucks. \nHold off on the barsa beer pong tournament can save you a lot of money. In a small apartment, even a friendly gathering can feel like a big party, and at 50 cents a beer, you just can’t go wrong with a case or five of Keystone Light. If you hate the clean up, I recommend the Budweiser party balls with authentic draught beer flavor (tap not included). \nNow you’re probably thinking “I waited 21 years for the opportunity to pay $8.75 for a drink, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to get tanked at home,” but you need to pace yourself. You still have two more nights and your credit-card debt has more digits than the account number. \nAnd alcohol isn’t your only weekend expense. Besides your date, or significant other beneficiary of your financial aid, you still need to pay the cab driver, possibly pick up a sack, order Pizza Express and buy “Borat” on DVD. \nBut if you must go out, live within your means. Follow the specials, and save the pricier booze for later by buying the house liquors. Grey Goose might go down extra smooth, but in the end it’s always about the Taco Bell.
Share date costs with significant other\nAbby Schwimmer is a sophomore majoring in environmental management\nAh, young love. Poor love. Cheap college student love. Let’s face it, in this day and age, dating is expensive. Beyond the actual costs of going out, there is the added expense of anniversaries, Valentine’s Day gifts and “oops-I-screwed-up” reparations. So what’s a penniless college kid to do? \nFirst and foremost, accept that you will most likely have to rely on something other than your burgeoning bank account to impress that special someone. Sure, you can buy the object of your affection a drink, but it works just as well to offer a sincere compliment or to engage him or her in a stimulating conversation. As for tokens of affection, the occasional gift will not destroy your credit history, but is it really necessary to celebrate your two-month anniversary with a fancy dinner? Probably not. \nAnother factor to consider, given that college guys and girls are often equally poor, neither party should take it upon him or herself to pay for everything all of the time. This does not mean that guys should abandon being chivalrous altogether – small courtesies are always appreciated – but there is a difference between opening a door for your lady and shelling out the big bucks on a weekly basis. \nDating on a budget can be a challenge, but it can also be a lot of fun. Brainstorm date ideas that don’t involve breaking the bank, like going for a hike around Griffy Lake. Even if you don’t have a penny to your name, there is plenty to do around Bloomington; the sky is the limit!
