Despite being repeatedly advised on how to save money as a college student, it’s still a predominant problem. For most any collegiate in America, college gets expensive (stop buying textbooks…literally why are you doing that?); but while the struggle of a college student’s bank account is a well known issue, saving money in New York is an even more serious task that can be solved by being aware of the three major NYC culprits.
1. Ignoring the unnecessary little costs that add up. Stop using cabs. Stop it. You aren’t sponsored by MTV for cab transportation with Pauly D and the Jersey Shore gang. The seemingly harmless little costs hide behind ATM and public transportation fees, and they rack up to be not-so harmless.
2. Budget your money for going out. Your money that you use to go out should only be paper. Yes, strictly paper. It should be budgeted before any drinking, or you will most likely end up bringing your card and buying tequila shots for all.
Drink before you go out, and only bring the amount of cash (in paper money form) that you wish to spend for social drinking (and dollar pizza slices, obviously).
Aside from the health issues, unless you have money like Beyonce, you can’t afford Margarita Monday, Tipsy Tuesday, Wine Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, obligatory weekend drinking, and Sunday Funday. Try to keep track of how many nights you go out. If your money is going mostly there, you may have to drop some alcohol related weekday names.
3. As hard as it is, try to be conscious of impulse buys, and don’t do it when you dont need to. No you aren’t PMSing, you just want a justification for the ice cream, kettle corn, and the sour cream & onion chips you brought home.
By keeping your budget goals in mind, the little changes will help your financial situation in big ways. Remind yourself that you would rather have $10 for the weekend than 4 Metrocard swipes to avoid walking to Stop n Shop.
Also, P.S., don’t rely on the boobs the good Lord gave you for boys to pay for your drinks and meals. Have your finances on point; budgeting it now will secure a long life of New York City living.