As a junior in college I was so ready to move off campus. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the two years I lived in Southwest, luckily never in a tower, I was ready for my own space. At first I thought I would miss the craziness of dorm life; the excitement of your floor getting ready to go out for the night, strolling into Berk in sweats on a Saturday morning, or even the occasional riot. Even though I do miss the chaos sometimes, I am LOVING living in my house with my four best friends. Not sharing a bathroom with 40 other girls that is a 2 minute walk from my room has been a blessing in itself.
Living off campus is great, but living off campus without a disposable budget can be tricky…
1. Meals
If you can cook and don’t mind bringing a bagged lunch to class definitely don’t get a meal plan. You will save ridiculous amounts of money! It is tempting when I eat lunch with my friends in Blue Wall and they grab a great looking hot meal and I’m stuck with my PB&J, but its worth it in the long run.
When it comes to grocery shopping always make a list. This way you won’t wander up and down the isles adding random things to your cart. Also stick to a budget. Know how much you have to spend for the month and don’t go over it. Dont be afraid to clip coupons or join your local supermarket’s rewards club. Stop-n-Shop’s rewards club keeps track of what you buy, and will give you coupons for items you buy frequently. Points also add up to help you save on gas!
Even if you are super tight on money, be sure to allot yourself some money for special things. Even if it’s just $10 a week, it can go towards grabbing a coffee with a friends, or having lunch out. If you don’t allow yourself to treat yourself once in a while, it will feel like youre missing out.
2. Parking:
If you are considering living off campus, be sure to think about how you will get to class. Living near a bus route is a key factor to getting to campus. There are many apartment complexes and houses in Amherst that are right near bus stops. Most buses come every 15 minutes, making it convenient to get to and from campus. Parking passes can be upwards of 300 dollars, and aren’t even located that close to classroom buildings. Though the garage can be nice to park in for one or two classes don’t stay there all day; the $1.50 an hour can add up quickly.
3. Going out:
If you are on a budget, be sure to think about the money you will be spending on going out. Cab prices can be ridiculous in Amherst. The most a cab has ever cost my friends and I has been $30 one way. This is another great reason to live near a bus. Also, as we know alcohol can also add up quickly. Remember, there is no need to buy top shelf liquor, no matter how cool it may seem. Also, when you’re out at a bar or club, don’t go crazy with drinks. Those can also add up very quickly. Try to limit yourself to two drinks when out!
I hope these tips helped! Have a good semester Collegiettes!