Some people say that college is the best four years of our lives. I can’t say I know whether they’re the best, but I can confidently argue that they are the brokest.
Turns out the price of independence is totally out of our budget, and the world of ‘free stuff’ is smaller than we thought. In the past year, I have developed a few tricks for getting by in State without breaking the bank.
- Feeding Yourself In State
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If you’re still on a campus meal plan, this is your sign to use and abuse it. Starbucks at Edge, bowls at South and East and pizza at Pollock.
If you’re no longer on a meal plan, here are some budget-friendly ways to stay full.
Feeding yourself can bring challenges for so many reasons. Sometimes, feeding yourself on a budget means saying goodbye to some of your favorite foods. For me, it was avocados. There’s simply no room for foods that cost too much and get rotten too soon.
Instead, I’ve been learning to love non-perishables like canned soup and canned tuna; frozen fruits and vegetables, like peas and blueberries; and dry goods like cereal, pasta and rice.
The real difficulty is making the responsible choice to eat at home rather than order takeout. DoorDash is the enemy, and it will drain your bank account.
If you’re going to order anything to your doorstep, let it be Wegmans mobile delivery. With no delivery fees and lots of coupons, this method of attaining sustenance is your best friend.
- Getting Around
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One thing I’ve learned to appreciate since coming to college is a nice, long walk. Walking is your best friend here, but if you’re someone who hates walking, there are other ways to get around that won’t break the bank.
First and foremost, the CATA bus. As a Freshman, I was apprehensive about using the state college transit out of fear it might accidentally bring me where I don’t intend to go and set me behind even further. However, once I got the hang of these routes, the CATA buses became my lifeline.
Download the myStop app on your phone and catch the next CATA bus. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll never need an Uber again.
The buses generally run until 12:30 am. If you’re still looking for a ride after that, you might be in Uber territory. But, if you’re out in State College after 2:00 am, download Lyft and use your student status for free Lyft rides after 2:00 am.
Regardless of how you choose to get around, just remember that walking is free, and State College is a lovely place to walk.
- Abuse Your Student Status
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Your student ID isn’t just the key to your dorm. It’s the cheat code to accessing everything you deserve and more.
College is far from free, but it does come with lifestyle perks that you would be silly to ignore.
One thing you should never spend out-of-pocket cash on is exercise. Penn State offers free fitness classes and intramural sports to any student with an ID card.
From pilates to rock climbing, Penn State has what you love. So don’t you dare spend a cent on a gym membership or a cycling class because your student ID card offers you unmatched access to exercise.
It goes without saying that college is for education. But don’t sleep on the various perks our college provides us.
Your student status offers you access to countless resources that can enrich your overall experience. Stay up to date with a free New York Times subscription and get creative with free Canva Premium and Adobe software.
Staying up to date on all of these benefits ensures you’re not spending any extra cash on the monthly subscriptions that you deserve.
- The Shirt Off Your Back
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There’s no question that fashion trends are changing faster than my paychecks are being deposited. Retail therapy is real, and when I’m stressed out, the first thing I’d like to do is click checkout on a lofty online shopping cart.
But before you press order, consider the things you already have but never seem to wear. Getting new clothes in college doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are a few ways to be broke and fashionable.
My rule of thumb is that for new clothes to enter my wardrobe, the old clothes have got to go. If it doesn’t bring you joy, get rid of it. Or, in this case, get money for it.
State College is home to reputable consignment stores like Uptown Cheapskate downtown and Plato’s Closet on North Atherton Street. Get cash for clothes and use that cash to buy more clothes. It’s an infinite loop that gives you the satisfaction of retail therapy without the stress of spending.
Recently, I’ve been having a blast shopping at the Goodwill off-campus. I bring a twenty-dollar bill and an iced coffee, and I spend hours sifting through the endless sea of second-hand fashion.
- Having Fun For Free
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Sometimes it seems impossible to simply leave your house without spending money. Whether it’s just grabbing coffee or a couple of drinks at the bar, it seems that fun with friends always comes at a cost.
What if I told you that there are ways to have fun for free in State College.
If you’re someone who loves to go on walks and reap the benefits of nature, you must check out the arboretum on campus. This free botanical garden might not be the cure-all for financial blues, but it is totally free.
If you happen to visit the arboretum, the fun doesn’t have to stop there. Right on site is the Penn State Palmer Museum of Art. This museum is beautifully renovated with paintings and installations that could keep you entertained for hours, free of charge.
Experience the birth and history of our university at the Old Iron Furnace on East College Ave. Home to the Centre County Historical Society, this mansion and garden are available to you just to walk around, as well as available for tours on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1-4.
No two financial situations are the same. And college is an intersection of all these different types of situations. But for the most part, it’s the time to dip your toes into the waters of financial independence. And that starts with learning how to save and still have a life.
So take the CATA bus to the arboretum, eat a can of Italian wedding soup and enjoy this time, because it doesn’t last forever.