Friday, July 31, 2015

I'm not Broke, I'm a Money Ninja

I'm a college student, and that means exactly what you think. I'm becoming well-educated and (hopefully) establishing my future. I'm learning new things and solidifying skills I already possess. I'm also short on money quite often.
I'm not usually that low anymore, but it's scary when it is!

Part-time work allows me to attend classes and complete homework, but that same arrangement doesn't lend itself to a copious amounts of money. The logical step is to seek secondary gainful employment, which I'm in the process of doing. Until it comes to fruition, I've got to do with what I have.
In order to stretch the dollars and pinch the pennies, I've got to be creative and resourceful. If there's a way I can save money, I'm all for it. Between my own experiences and what I've heard from others, here are some of the ways we're able to make ends meet:

Collaborate: We live downstairs from some of our long-time friends. Not only can we be social, but we can also share. Instead of each cooking a meal on our own, we will have nights where we make food to share.

Use your resources:  There are local food pantries in larger cities. Green Bay has a couple! Also, if your situation is extremely tight, you might consider applying for state food benefits.

Coupon: Whether you go all in and buy a bunch of stuff or you just buy what you need, these lovely little scraps of paper can really help out.

Search engine+"coupon" = winning


Watch Your Community Calendar: You never know, there might be free food. If the right opportunity arises at the right time, it could mean the difference between eating well or being hungry.

Sell Things: I'm only 23, but I've got some things I could stand to get rid of: clothes, books, purses, knick-knacks, etc. I find that yard sales are good for the little and older things, while it's faster and easier to sell the more valuable items online. You'll find a system that works for you
NOTE: AVOID THE PAWN SHOPS. Sure, what they offer might seem like a good deal, but its not. The interest on those short-term loans is ridiculous and they tend to low-ball you when you sell. They are not looking out for you, they are looking out for their bottom line.

Odd Jobs: Ask your friends and family if they have any odd jobs they need help with. Perhaps you'll get a few bucks, or maybe they'll "pay" in a meal. It certainly depends, but it's always worth a try.

Get Creative: Instead of giving into the urge to drain your money with fast food, get creative with what's in your kitchen. Take a gander through your cabinets and see what you can combine!

These are what I've seen and/or used most often, but do you have a better idea? What have you done to pinch those pennies? Tweet me at @Violet_Lyte or comment below!

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