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SUMMER SAVIN’ BURN, BABY, BURN
Tips on how to spend less cash over summer break KELLYSTARK | Copy Editor
JO(S)EGARCIA | Photographer THANHLY | Photo/Design Editor
With summer and, for seniors, college, approaching fast, saving money during the next few months can be pretty difficult. For most student drivers, buying gas will be the biggest expense that poses a problem. While it may not seem excessive in chunks, when it all adds up, that cash could go toward other stuff. So, this summer, ride the bus or train to get around locally. Most are air conditioned and a day pass for the DART system costs as much as a gallon of gas. On nice days, riding a bike to a friend’s houses is efficient and you’ll get a work out. For long distance travel, your car is always an option, but for just hanging out locally, public transportation or some leg muscles can go a long way in saving some serious cash.
FOOD COMAS
Fast food is so easy to pick up, not to mention utterly delicious. While spending pocket change here and there on some Taco Bell or Jack in The Box isn’t a big deal, if you save your receipts and add up everything over just a month, the numbers can be shocking. Save money by eating at home and limit your fast food intake to once a month. When you’re going out, bring some snacks or eat before you leave so you’ll be less likely to find yourself scarfing a lot of fast food. Not only will this save money, it can cut out some really unhealthy stuff from your diet. Covering his head in disappointment, junior Gerardo Saldana realizes he hasn’t saved much money due to overspending on junk food.
The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends
Unfortunately, the party will end when everyone runs out of cash. You should limit recreational activities that cost more than 30 bucks a night. Of course, there are going to be some nights where you want to just go crazy at the movie theatre and order a triple extra large popcorn with several shots of butter, seven boxes of Skittles and of course, slushies galore. As long you don’t do this often, your money should stay in your piggy bank longer.
Check yo’self before you wreck yo’self
Impulse buys are saving’s biggest enemy. Put something you want and think you “absolutely need” in the child seat that’s found in most carts. Go to on the next aisle. After a few minutes, review your dire need for that product. This can help keep your impulses at bay. Also, go in to the store with just enough cash to cover your estimate of what you need and then the tax.
Saving Grace
If you If you don’t have a savings account or checking account, get one. It’s usually free with a minimum amount and instead of having wads of cash at your disposal, keeping it safe in a bank will cut some unnecessary spending. If you’re spending even $20 a week, which may seem like not a lot, in just a single month you will have spent almost $100. If you can’t remember even spending that money or have to think about it for more than 10 minutes, chances are it wasn’t worth it, and that was just more money wasted that could’ve been saved.
16 | MAY2012