10 ways to save money this week
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 3/11/09 Section: Opinion
1. Cut down on driving. Hitch a ride with your friends, dust off your bike or use the UA's transit service. All are free and environmentally friendly.
2. But if you do decide to drive, slow down. Studies have shown that laying off the gas pedal improves fuel efficiency.
3. Clip coupons. You could go old-school and cut them out of advertisements in magazines and newspapers, or you might try something more high-tech, like Collegetokens.com.
4. Choose cheap housing next semester. Living in the Northwest Quad or Duncan Avenue Apartments has definite perks, but if you're facing serious debt upon graduation, you might consider selecting cheaper residence halls or living off campus altogether.
5. Learn to cook. Get some use out of that stove and oven - cooking your own dinner is almost sure to be cheaper (and healthier) than dropping cash for a combo at Chick-fil-A.
6. But if you bought a meal plan on campus, use it. Why spend thousands of dollars for food each semester when you're only using the Flex dollars?
7. Use cash more often than you rely on debit cards and checks. Unless you balance your checkbook faithfully, debit purchases make it tough to know precisely where (and how quickly) your money is going.
8. Be smart when you shop. Forego bottled water, don't buy books when you can borrow them for free from the library, and check out consignment stores like Cheap Thrills for some clothing bargains.
9. Instead of forking over money at a theater or on Dickson this weekend, stay in. The university offers movies, Friday Night Live activities, concerts, speakers, you name it - all for free, all on campus. (And let's face it - buying drinks on Dickson drains your wallet ... fast.)
10. Finally, whatever you do this Spring Break, remember your budget. Who knows - a cheap camping trip with your friends might even be more fun than heading to the border.
2. But if you do decide to drive, slow down. Studies have shown that laying off the gas pedal improves fuel efficiency.
3. Clip coupons. You could go old-school and cut them out of advertisements in magazines and newspapers, or you might try something more high-tech, like Collegetokens.com.
4. Choose cheap housing next semester. Living in the Northwest Quad or Duncan Avenue Apartments has definite perks, but if you're facing serious debt upon graduation, you might consider selecting cheaper residence halls or living off campus altogether.
5. Learn to cook. Get some use out of that stove and oven - cooking your own dinner is almost sure to be cheaper (and healthier) than dropping cash for a combo at Chick-fil-A.
6. But if you bought a meal plan on campus, use it. Why spend thousands of dollars for food each semester when you're only using the Flex dollars?
7. Use cash more often than you rely on debit cards and checks. Unless you balance your checkbook faithfully, debit purchases make it tough to know precisely where (and how quickly) your money is going.
8. Be smart when you shop. Forego bottled water, don't buy books when you can borrow them for free from the library, and check out consignment stores like Cheap Thrills for some clothing bargains.
9. Instead of forking over money at a theater or on Dickson this weekend, stay in. The university offers movies, Friday Night Live activities, concerts, speakers, you name it - all for free, all on campus. (And let's face it - buying drinks on Dickson drains your wallet ... fast.)
10. Finally, whatever you do this Spring Break, remember your budget. Who knows - a cheap camping trip with your friends might even be more fun than heading to the border.
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