Tags
budget, college, college life, ideas, independence, saving, tips
Poor.
Five Star Dining ala Top Ramen
As a college student, I, among my many other college student friends/peers are well acquainted with being poor, without large sums of money, or even small sums to be honest. Since leaving high school and entering a more independent state of mind, my parents have been very generous with financial help, as well letting me live at home where there is always a full pantry, water, electricity, and cable! free of charge for me.
This new school year, I’m moving out and into an apartment shared with other students, and I’m terrified. I start my new job this weekend, but what if it’s not enough? And if most likely so, how can I pinch my pennies to the fullest? What if I starve after the first two weeks? And here we are back to the art of being poor.
I went grocery shopping today for just a few items to take for my school lunches and feed me when I get home from school. 12 packs of Top Ramen, 8 generic cracker packs, and 10 yoplait yogurts. Ok, so maybe they’re not the most nutritional items, or even the most filling, but for 11 dollars I felt like I got a lot of bang for my buck! A friend of mine suggested coupons and doing bulk shopping at the beginning of the month, and I like that idea. I would say after a paycheck I would try and use that money as smart as possible and buy the necessities while I still had the money.
Another idea I had was asking my boyfriend’s mom if she would cook her amazing and delicious spaghetti. She always makes such huge portions that there is enough left over for another week’s worth of spaghetti dinners. (and maybe lunches and even breakfasts if we’re desperate). And now as I’m writing I’m thinking I will ask her to show me how to make it and get a shopping list together and make it myself! My lack of cooking experience will hopefully not hinder this plan. Or it will and the pasta won’t turn out right, but I’d still eat it all week.
I hope to be able to budget out my month’s expenses once I get a paycheck or two and see how much I’ll be bringing in, and go from there. It’s exciting, scary, overwhelming, and fun all at once. Do any of you have some great money saving tips for a college student like myself? What do you do? Favorite meal to cook under 10 dollars? I’m eager to gather as much knowledge as I can so please speak up! That’s all for now! Thanks all.
One word at a time 
Wow, i start school in the winter semester for my paramedics program, I’ve moved back home since my divorce so i’m lucky that i got food and etc but as far as the course goes? i’m paying on my own! 😦 for meal under $10 dollars i would make myself some ham sandwich with alfalfa sprouts and slices of tomato oh and mayo 🙂 semi healthy? lol 🙂
Go to PG.com walmart.com coupons.com and target.com (any big store in your area) and type in coupons or free samples and you can get some good savings. you can also combine manufactures coupons and store coupons to get a bigger discount. If you e-mail some of your favorite products they will also send coupons (some of them for free products).
Meals under $10 :
Day 1 make meatloaf with lots of spices roasted potatoes a can of veggies (about $15). a little expensive for day one but it should last you about 4 or 5 days
Day 2 meat loaf sandwich with leftover potatoes. (about $3)
Day 3-5 take last of meat loaf chop it into 1′ cubes and toss it into some Prego (about $5)
Chili and Cheese omelette (about $7)
Bean Tostadas (about $10)- tortillas, rosarita re-fried beans, lettuce, tomato, and cheese.
thanks Shelley I’m definitely gonna look up some coupons! And I’m all about leftovers hehehe
I cant help you with that. We grew up in different cultures. Children here can live with their parents for as long as they want. I lived with my parents when I was in college and they gave me my monthly allowance plus I didn’t need to get a job.
But I wish I had established an early independence like you. And I’m not familiar with those foods.:)
Good luck on your college life.
Imagine if you didn’t have to worry about money? What a world that would be, right?
oh yes, what a world. That reminds me of the book The Giver by by Lois Lowry:
A novel in which a boy inhabits a seemingly ideal world: a world without conflict, poverty, unemployment, divorce, injustice, or inequality. It is a time in which family values are paramount, teenage rebellion is unheard of, and even good manners are a way of life.
It’s a great book and it makes me wonder could a world like that ever be plausible? Interesting thoughts…
I will warn you that eating cheap can end up costing more. If your inexpensive foods have little nutritional value you are more likely to eat more, over eat or break down and spend too much money going out to eat because you are starving. It can sometimes cost more in medical bills and lost brain power which equates to more time in school.
Studies have shown that slightly under eating (meaning the recomended calories are probably to high for the average person and emphasis on slightly) can increase energy, and have a bunch of other good effects. What is important is that you eat the right things. In the end it is far more economical even if it doesn’t feel like you are getting the most bang for your buck.
Dr. Andrew Weil has an excellent book called “Eating Well for Optimum Living” that can be used as a loose guidline.
Try to shave expenses in other ways as well. Like the cel phone, T.V., clothes, the cheapest rent you can find, car, etc. It is amazing what we really don’t need, but healthy food is not one of them.
Good luck and have an excellent time at college. It is a fun time in life.
Thank you so much for your input erica. I think you have some really good points there. It will be a balancing act finding affordable foods that are good for you too! I’ll limit my ramen intake to only once or twice a week 🙂
I agree with you Erica. Pay now or pay later when it comes to what you put into your body. Fruits and veggies can be affordable if you watch for the sales and they are filling and nutritious. I can remember when I first moved out, I lived on cream of wheat cereal (made with milk) Campbells soup and fruit.
Well I’ll be sure to do my best and keep the balance. Fruits and soups I can do that!
I like this recipe. Easy to make, only needs a handful of ingredients. It probably costs closer to $15 but it makes leftovers out the ying yang so its alot less on a per meal basis.
http://zestycook.com/baked-cheesy-turkey-ziti/
oh that sounds/looks/probably tastes so good! I definitely want to try and make that soon! Thanks for the input brian