Someone once wrote, “Learn to appreciate what you have before time makes you appreciate what you had.” I think this quote very well describes the relationship that many of us have with our beloved Flex Points. If you would have asked me tips on how to save your Flex Points at the beginning of the semester, I would have given terrible advice, as I had spent all of my Flex Points by fall break. Now having to live off of a low supply of Domer Dollars, I have seen the light. Here are a few tips I have learned the second half of this semester that have helped me be less spendy on campus.
Take Advantage of the Dining Hall. Go to the dining hall whenever you can. Though shaking it up may be nice, if you are low on funds, eating somewhere else may not be the move. A huge advantage of the dining hall is that you are able to take one item out when you leave (or more if you can sneak them in your backpack). For me, a big problem is around 3:00 every day when I get hungry for a snack. Taking an item out of the dining hall for later solves this issue and saves you the $3 you would have spent at the Huddle instead.
Find Cheaper Options. This semester, I have become addicted to coffee, causing all of my Flex Points to disappear. While I love Starbucks with all of my heart, it is also probably the most expensive coffee place on campus. Waddick’s in O’Shag, for example, has an iced coffee in a size similar to a venti for about $3 cheaper than a fancier Starbucks drink. If you get coffee almost every day, saving this amount of money is huge. Also, ABP is a relatively cheap option. Buying a breakfast sandwich at ABP allows you to get any sized coffee with it for $0.99, which is a huge steal. So, if you need food along with little pick-me-up, ABP is the move. Also, the little cart in DeBart is a good idea if you need a quick fix. Or, if you are extremely dedicated to Starbucks despite its cost, just try to limit yourself to one a day, or pick a less expensive option within the Starbucks menu. A venti iced coffee is at least a dollar cheaper than a lot of other options. Even just the little differences in purchases can help you save big time when you get coffee this often. Also, if you have a Keurig, buy coffee K-cups instead of going to buy a coffee every day. Not only does this save money, but it also saves you time and a trip outside of your room.
No More Late-Night Snacks. While it is a fun excursion for me and my friends to go on a late-night run to LaFun as a study break, those trips add up quickly. A tea from Starbucks along with a snack probably costs around $7, and doing that multiple times a week is a big hit to my funds. Also, you aren’t supposed to eat a lot of food within two hours of going to bed, so might as well save the calories, right?
I hope these tips will help you learn from my mistake of mindlessly spending all of my Flex Points and that you can enjoy yours much more than I did.
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