Cheap Living
by Steven Couch
So you’re probably like most new college students, you’ve just spent all your money on school, books, getting here, and housing. Well now it’s time for you to find a job that will make you enough money to where you can do what ever you want, eat where ever and how ever much you please, and not have any debt or loans to pay back… good luck. You’ll probably end up like most of us and get a part time job making barely over minimum wage because now you’re a full time student and are working hard to one day make the big bucks. You’re probably asking how can I survive and still have fun now that I am broke and have no time, well this website is designed to help you discover some cheap ways to get through college-life while still maintaining a social life.
Home Sweet Home
There are three options you have when deciding where to live. You can stay on campus in the dorms, live alone or with a friend or two in an apartment, or the cheapest of all, stay at home with the folks. Each of these options have there highs and lows in helping you to succeed.
First, staying in the dorms is a great way to meet new people especially if you are new to the area. You have the option of single, double, deluxe double, or triple rooms. This is in reference to the size and number of roommates of each dorm. The cost can be paid either all up front for the year or a down payment can be paid at first followed by a monthly payment every 1st of the month after that. If you choose to pay it all at once the base price is $6574.00 per year. If you choose to make payments your initial payment is $1814.00 and $800.00 for each following payment. This cost includes your rent, electrical, cable, water, internet and food. There are a total of five different halls which are made up of a mixture of men and women most of which are new to the school just like you. The rooms are all same sex, no exceptions. You are close to all of your classes obviously, which is nice because you can walk to everything and not have to worry about parking or having a vehicle at all for that matter.
Secondly, you have the option of renting an apartment or house. The cost of living on your own in Sacramento however is pretty high, with the average cost of about $900.00 a month for a decent two bedroom apartment, so if you plan to do this I suggest finding some friends to share some of the cost with you. Having your own place is nice because you have a lot more space and freedom. You don’t have to worry about playing your music at night or keeping your roommate up with your late night studies. Sacramento has many apartments close to the campus some even within walking distance. However not all have this luxury. Those who choose this route will be forced to drive and pay for parking or take some sort of public transit. A semester parking pass cost around $110.00, but they also have carpool, weekly, and daily passes too. Hopefully the Hornet Express will run near you and you can catch a free ride to and from school. Having an apartment requires you to pay multiple bills for things such as water, electric, and food, and if you have the extra cash cable and internet. For more information on the bus route, cost, and times check out the bus article.
Lastly, if you already live close enough you can just stay at home where the only new expense is school. Although, living at home sometimes may make it a bit tougher to make a wide spread of new friends. Try to join some on campus clubs and organizations to help you meet some new friends. You will probably have to drive and fight for parking every day as well. At least the fridge will always be stocked and the lights will always be at the flick of a switch.
Filler Up
Today the gas prices are continually rising and are currently at an average of $2.15 per gallon making for a large bill for a fill up. My suggestion to help lower this expense is to look for other modes of transportation. The bus or the Hornet Express are both easy and cheap ways of getting from point A to point B. If you find that you cannot make it without driving yourself, then when it comes time to fill up look for the cheapest price you can find. Don’t just settle for the one that is close wait until you are on your way to school or work and pay attention for the cheapest one. A good habit that I’ve gotten myself into is saving all my change from my expenditures throughout the week and when it comes time for gas I use that to pay with. This usually seems to keep my vehicle rolling from week to week. Although living in the dorms doesn’t require me to drive near as much as those that must commute to school every day.
I’m So Hungry I Could Eat A Horse
This one is very simple. If you live on campus eat in the Dining Commons as much as possible. Why not, you are already paying for it, it is all you can eat, and the variety and quality of food is quite good(for the first two weeks anyways). If you live on your own or at home it is time to start or learn to cook. Take a trip to the grocery store and look for some cheap yet appetizing meals that you can easy make. Try to avoid name brand items because they tend to cost more expensive and taste the same as the less known ones. If you do decide to go out to eat look for specials or dollar menus because you are more likely to get more food for your buck. Look for cheap buffets because then you know you will always leave full. For more info on places to eat check out the restaurants page and also for some great grocery tips check out the shopping page.
Boogie Nights
Sacramento is a city with plenty of fun and interesting things to do both in the day and night. If you are trying to watch your budget some good things to look for are free concerts, comedy shows, movies, etc. especially around campus. Every week there seems to be at least two or three outdoor events happening on campus and there is bound to be something to interest you. If you are in to plays and music performance pick up a flyer from Capistrano Hall for show days and times. Movie prices these days are outrageous, I think I paid around $8.00 for one ticket for the last movie I saw. A good alternative is renting movies and splitting the cost with your friends. Also, try to play outdoors. It’s great exercise, fun, fun and there plenty of good parks and recreation areas for you to go to. Every Friday a group meets at the dorm quad and plays some intense ultimate Frisbee and they are always welcoming newcomers. If you live in the dorms take advantage of the pool table, swimming pool, ping pong, and tennis courts because they are free. If you like to go to the clubs look for discount nights, and especially look for the nights and times you can get in free. Make sure to listen to the radio stations while cruising in your car because often times they will have guests lists that you can call and get on to get you free admittance.
Do You Moto?
Today we rely so much on our cell phones and for many of us it is our only phone. Try to avoid peak hour calls, and if you do, make them minimal. When buying a phone look for the plan that best suits you. Try to get your friends or family to share a plan with you so you can split the cost and make it cheaper on all of you. Look for plans with good benefits such as free nights and weekends starting at 7:00 pm and free long distance. Remember that unless it is something that can’t wait, e-mail is always free and easy.
But It’s On Sale
Shopping should be avoided at all times and should only be done in times of desperation. The Sacramento area has about 4 or 5 malls and it is very easy to be out a weeks pay in no time at all. So if you find yourself having to by new items look and wait for sales or deals. Try to buy only things you need and only the amount you need of these items. Check out Old Navy and Big Lots because they often have really good deals and is located north on Howe. For more information on shopping, check out the shopping website.
These are my tips and ideas for you on how to budget your cash in your new college lifestyle. Hopefully they will benefit you and allow you to save some for next semester’s tuition. The number one rule to remember is only spend cash when you have to, but make sure you have fun in life at the same time because you only live once. College can be a lot of fun even if you are broke so make the best of it.