The classic struggle of a college student is the lack of money that they have and the strange methods of keeping themselves sustained on such a low budget. The idea of ramen and beer being a student’s only sustenance should only be a myth- and through this, hopefully, you can get some valuable budgeting skills that I’ve used my entire life.
Ramen’s Cheap…
While it’s true that Instant Ramen Noodles are cheap, we all know they’re not exactly…the best for you. The entire summer of my 8th-grade year, I only had ramen to eat because I didn’t know how to cook… so, cooking is an invaluable skill here. While you may spend only 50 cents on a meal with ramen, you may find yourself still hungry, and that sodium could lead to a lot of health problems both in the now and later in life.
This is mostly for the Panama City area, but I know other campuses will have them nearby- Piggly Wiggly. It may seem like the shadiest supermarket you’ve ever been to, but their meat is cheap and almost invaluable. The best way to go about better meal planning is to have the ingredients to make it, and with their prices, it isn’t that hard.
I’m not sponsored, I just live in the middle of nowhere and stock up on foods…
The second step is easy, as well. Rice, beans, and the like will cover other areas of the food pyramid, and last an indefinite amount of time. Rice is a personal favorite of mine, as it’s so versatile that it’s not funny. Plain white rice is a staple, and you can jazz it up with some chicken and canned vegetables, which are also cheap, thank goodness. Canned vegetables, by the way, are pretty much the last thing you need- canned or frozen, you’ll want a little bit of green to feel healthy again, or maybe it’s just me who needs them that badly. Either way, it’s good to have them.
Leftovers are also your best friend. If you’re too tired, lazy, or depressed to cook again, you can pop them in the microwave or just eat them cold, and you’re good for the day. Cooking ahead is also a good idea, should you have the time and Tupperware to warrant it. Eating is important, so don’t go skipping meals.
I keep running out of money, though…
Another skill I find isn’t near as common as I think it is budgeting. Counting how much you make or have available and setting a budget for yourself from there is vital. Make notes of it through stickies, phone notes, or what have you; and if you have enough left over, either save it for the next month or treat yourself.
Unlike every baby boomer, I know that no one’s spending 5$ on coffee a day, so it does just come down to “what do I have, what can I freeze, and what all do I need to do?” If you find yourself in a pinch, I find absolutely no harm in asking for help- be it food from friends, or calling your grandma to ask her for some help or something. Society may put a damper on asking people for help, but humans are socially dependent, and I think that people won’t mind helping others when it comes down to it.
What if I want a little extra?
Something I find easy is if you have a talent, make use of it. Are you an artist? Open up commissions, or find a way to sell that art. Do you prefer to make music? Make sample tracks and see if other people are interested in them- they can buy the license from you for that track. Are you a writer? You already know- time to open up writing for people for money. It’s amazing what things you can do if you have the time and talent for it. If you’re a handyman, especially; you can open up services to others, maybe at a discounted rate from what major places offer.
Despite the reign of corporations, sometimes people do prefer to support smaller businesses or even help people themselves out.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
E.MCALISTER
Student Author - Fall 2020
I’m just a small-town student.
