Getting through the spring semester on a budget is tough, so I’d like to take a moment to congratulate you. You’re in the home stretch. There are only five weeks left of school if you include final’s week. That’s just barely more than a month. It’s time to buckle down, save up, and avoid the end of semester splurges.
Here are my top four things to avoid in the next few weeks. It won’t be easy to get around these, but if you can, you’ll end the semester that much richer! Remember, you don’t want to go into the three best months of the year broke.
1. Graduation
Graduation is approaching and it’s coming for your money, even if you aren’t graduating! If you are graduating you’ve likely budgeted to buy a ring, graduation announcements and photos, graduation party supplies, etc. Skip some of the expenses and grab your friend with that super professional camera, chances are he or she can shoot photos and design a much more personal announcement for a lot less money.
If you aren’t graduating, be weary of graduation gifts. Yes it is a special moment for you to celebrate your friends, but it doesn’t need to be an extravagant gift-giving occasion. Be there for you friends, spend time with them in their last few days on campus, and give them a gift that’s reasonably priced and personable. Here is my tip: offering to help them move to their new job or home is just as awesome, if not nicer than any gift you can give!
2. Groceries
As the semester dwindles down, you are either busier than ever with exams or you have more free time than ever. Both of these extremes can make it hard to find motivation to go grocery shopping and prepare your own meals. Avoid the restaurant bill and stock up on the BOGO’s at Publix instead. My suggestion? Hit up Trader Joe’s for the first time because you know you’ve been meaning to go all semester!
3. Gadgets
It’s that time of the year when technology fails us, and because of how dependent we’ve all become on our technology, we are left with no choice but to buck up and buy new gadgets. But before your laptop’s hard drive dies, take some precautionary steps to keep it alive. Turn off your laptop, cell phone, and iPad at night. Give your gadgets some rest. If you do end up in need of new tech, make an appointment at the UF Computing Help Desk in the Hub before you run off to Best Buy. Those people know their technology, and for a small fee, they may be able to save you a lot of money.
4. Get-a-ways
Don’t kid yourself, it’s not summer yet. Even though the sun may be shining over us and beating down on your unbearably hot walks to class, a trip to the ocean isn’t justified. Summer break is just weeks away. Hit the pool instead. Work on that tan while getting some school work done. After a day at the pool, enjoy the quick commute back up to your apartment and relax knowing that you’ve saved some major bucks. Buckling down now will pay off later when you can afford that trip to the Bahamas.