Earning Money

      I made the personal, horrible mistake of not taking my finances seriously during college. Some college students live off of their parents’ money…I was one of them. But my spending money was up to me to obtain. So I went through a series of having on-campus jobs that barely paid me anything because I convinced myself that this was the only way to obtain money with a class load at the same time.  

Don’t fall into that trap. 

      If you feel led to have an on=campus job so that you are a part of your university and contribute in some way, then that’s fine! Just keep in mind, on-campus jobs will pay you next to nothing because they don’t feel that they own you anything more than the education they provide. Keep your options open for getting off-campus jobs as well. But most college students run into another problem there, as well…part-time food industry. People under the age of 21 always feel that their only method of obtaining money without having to put forth much effort is through the food industry. This also is not true. There are plenty of opportunities (especially for bilingual Americans) to get a part-time, decent paying job helping out with translating or assisting a translator at places such as a hospital, health clinic, day cares, churches, etc.  

      If you decide to fall into the barely-paying, food industry trap, your money will be very limited and you will have to spend it wisely….aka, not spend it ever. If you want to work in food industry, try serving at a decent end restaurant where you can make tips. Usually places like common, college town restaurants are understanding and flexible of your class schedule. 

      So here are a few things to avoid if you are trying manage and save money as a college student:

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  1. Don’t spend the money on getting wasted five nights a week. There are cheaper ways to have fun with your friends. For example: outdoor activities, funny (maybe even sexual) group games like Suckatash, or any game involving several people shouting at once.
  2. Don’t eat out all the time. The stereotype is that college students are poor…so live like it! Eating Ramen for dinner every night for a while won’t kill you, and it will definitely help save a few bucks each day. Shop at cheap grocery stores like Aldi’s or “Save-A-Lot” type stores. You may not find your favorite name brand items there, but it is a small sacrifice so that you can eventually buy a car when you’re a Junior (…..or whatever).
  3. Don’t take your significant other out on expensive dates. You are most likely both college kids and you should both understand that money doesn’t grow on trees in your situation. Instead of going out to a movie and paying $8 per person after eating a $50 meal and getting a few drinks after the movie…consider a dollar movie theatre and some $1 per scoop ice cream afterwards….you get the picture.

 
So saving money can be really hard as a college student that just wants to have fun. But you HAVE to think of the future, even one or two years down the road…having a few hundred bucks stashed away definitely wouldn’t hurt. 

- Chelsy Albertson

Ball State University, Senior

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    Most of us as college students wake up at the last possible second, run to class, learn little to nothing because we’re tired, eat a cheeseburger, run to another class, take a nap, then wake up in time to watch Lost and get trashed with our friends.  
All of that can be fun for a while…but it eventually becomes a huge waste of time and energy.  

      We all know that we don’t have money for anything. So instead of eating out, going to movies, getting drunk, buying Starbucks…consider volunteering as an option. There is not a single town in the entire United States (and beyond) that doesn’t need help in some fashion.  

      You may be thinking, “Where would I volunteer in my college town?”. Well, some basic needs in every town are found at churches, hospitals, animal shelters, day cares, and nursing homes. You might be saying, “Old people are gross, I hate kids, dogs have rabies, I don’t want to be around sick people, and I’m not a Christian!”. Well, first of all…..try to change your attitude. Second of all, there are more places than just the basics that could use your help. For instance, if you are a guy that loves sports, consider helping out with after school sporting events at a local high school. If you are a girl that loves clothes, consider helping out at your local Goodwill folding clothes and meeting great people.  

      These needs may not be easily found at first. If you try to call a nursing home, but their offices are closed that day…don’t give up! Try an animal shelter where you can enjoy walking dogs and petting kittens all day! Or if you see someone in need on the street, try helping them out a little by giving them a ride or buying them some cheap groceries. Also, in most places in the United States, there is a high demand for bilingual Americans to help out at immigration shelters, hospitals, health clinics, even schools!  

      These volunteering experiences will be very rewarding. We need to consider the fact that, though we are college students and the world seems to revolve around us momentarily, there are people within our own communities that have a great need for basic necessities. It wouldn’t take much time nor effort to help out for an hour or two at a homeless shelter or a nursing home providing happiness for people in need of it.  

      Remember, not only is volunteering a rewarding opportunity to contribute something decent to your community, but it is also a money saver. Keep in mind, in a few years, your life might be very costly as you pay rent, own a car, possibly have a spouse, maybe even kids! Saving some money during college is a smart decision. You might be thinking, “But there is no way that volunteering is fun!”. Why not take your friends along! The place in need of volunteers will have plenty, and you will be working/helping right along side your friends.  

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