College: a constant struggle to save as much money as you can, while also achieving new and exciting experiences. Attending a university so close to New York City definitely has both its advantages and disadvantages. The temptation to venture into the city and explore all it has to offer is always present. The list of things to do is endless, whereas your bank account is not. A hungry stomach begging for anything but “caf food” only worsens the urge to spend more of your savings. The struggle for many college students, me being one of them, is that there is no money coming in while you are desperately trying to stop your money from flowing out. Although not easy, a balance can be achieved between being completely broke and living lavishly.
There are some days where everything your school has to offer just does not seem enough. If you live on campus like I do, this notion happens more frequently than you would like it to. The food is not sufficiently satisfying, and your surroundings seem all too familiar. All of a sudden, you are in a train or a car, ready to spend money on anything new. A key component in this discussion is that it is okay to let this happen sometimes. Saving money does not mean you have to say no to every adventure, it just means you may have to come up with a different option or manipulate the more expensive one. There are some excursions that cost you a lot more money that you had planned. This usually presents itself in the form of unforeseen purchases that could have been left on the shelf. This principle in particular is one that I have learned the hard way. I know now to stick to buying necessities and abstain from buying the hat “you can only find in New York City.”
Fun adventures do not always have to be grandeurs. I have found the expression, “enjoy the little things in life” to be completely true. Memories do not have to be made in a big city, or with a pocket full of money. In fact, some of the best times can be made without spending one cent, excluding gas money. Exploring nature, a place without stores and persistent vendors, has never left me disappointed. Choosing to do so makes the times you decide to splurge that much more gratifying.