It’s no secret that surviving on a college budget is easier said than done. Just how can Cougars avoid breaking the bank?
Here are a few tips for students looking to save some green and stay in the black.
Food:
Sophomore biology major and commuter Gabe Allaf explained that he faces difficulty when trying to stick to a reasonable food and gas budget.
“I’m on campus so much that it’s inconvenient for me to drive home just to grab food,” Allaf said.
As a result, Allaf said he ends up having to purchase food either on campus or at off-campus eateries, making his food bill stack up quickly.
Freshman sociology major Lilian Romney expressed a similar problem. Romney has a top-flight dining plan, but because of APU Dining Services’ limited weekend hours she often searches off campus for food. After paying for the dining plan already, Romney said it’s discouraging to spend even more money for meals because the university’s eateries are closed.
For those who cook for themselves, grocery bills can do heavy damage. Junior applied exercise science major and swim team member Lindsay Luebker said buying nutritious foods without breaking the bank can be a difficult task.
“As an athlete, I would like to eat healthy,” Luebker said. “I want fruits and vegetables, but those go bad quickly, so you have to constantly keep a supply of those, and it’s more expensive that way.”
Luebker’s advice: “You can’t have it all.”
She recommends that students splurge on just a few pricier, healthier items each week instead of trying to buy everything.
Freshmen can keep some emergency no-bake meal options in their dorm room—buying groceries ahead of time costs much less than eating out. As for commuters, make a friend on campus who is willing to keep an emergency food stash in his or her living space or try putting nonperishable snacks in the car for long days on campus.
Textbooks and School Supplies:
With some textbooks costing over $100, many students find themselves paying a sizable bookstore bill. Luckily, there are ways to cut down on book expenses.
Many professors will change their list of required materials after classes start. As a result, Luebker suggests waiting until after the first class to buy books to avoid purchasing items you won’t need.
Buying all the required texts from APU may be convenient, but students can often find books from other sources for a better deal. Before purchasing, compare textbook prices between and among multiple sources, like Amazon or friends who have already taken the class, Luebker suggested.
After finishing with the textbooks, remember the University Bookstore only buys back a certain number of each text. The sooner you sell back your books, the more money you will get back.
Clothing and Dorm/Apartment Needs:
Valley Thrift, Goodwill and other thrift stores offer various used items for reduced prices. From sofas to sweaters, students are likely to find a unique item for a good deal if they are willing to hunt for it. This can be especially useful for freshmen looking for theme clothing for hall events.
To shop without even leaving campus, consider browsing the APU “Free and For Sale” page or the “APU Buy and Sell” page on Facebook. Each page is full of students selling and giving away everyday items such as clothing and furniture to other students on campus who can comment on posts if interested.
Leisure and Entertainment:
Located in the shopping center adjacent to East Campus, Foothill Cinema Stadium 10 charges only $6.50 for movies that start before 5 p.m.
To blow off some stress, take a trip to Sky Zone in Covina. On Wednesdays from 6-9 p.m., the indoor trampoline park has “College Night,” giving students 30 minutes of jump time for $3 plus the $2 fee for Sky Socks.
Romney encourages fellow freshmen to take advantage of living area events, which are often inexpensive and convenient.
Romney also said that APU’s High Sierra preview weekend, occurring Oct. 10-12, is an affordable opportunity to get off campus. The weekend trip to Yosemite is just $30, and Honors College students can go for free.
Feeling overwhelmed by all these areas of expenses? Organizing your budget is stressful, but it is not impossible. Take advantage of online planners or worksheets specifically designed for college students to decide how much they want to spend and what they want to spend it on. One helpful online organizer to help your budgeting and spending needs is the website http://www.daveramsey.com/home/