By Amie Dahnke
I paid $36.25 for lemon-lime Gatorade last month. That's right; an innocent quick trip to Safeway before school turned out to stretch my checking account beyond its limit, hammering me with an overdraft fee.
The Band Aid my bank put on to assuage my bankrupt boo-boo cost me a whopping $35.
Telling my parents that I needed extra financial help was worse; while they happily wrote me a check (not without a stern, stern lecture of course) and I happily cashed it in, their money stung my pride like alcohol on an open wound.
As college students, we hold a type of pride regarding our independence.
We're away from home, living on our own with our friends and making our own decisions, sans parents and sans (many) restrictions. The last thing we want to do is turn around and ask mom and dad for help, no matter how close we are with them.
With the school year coming to an end and news of the recession worsening, it's time for those of us, graduates or not, to think about how to survive through, let alone bust, this recession.
Rather than list the money-saving frugalities spewed out by newspapers, blogs, parents and professors, check out these off-the-beaten-path ideas to save money and maintain your sanity.
If you're adamant about living away from your parents' house, embrace the-more-the-merrier mantra and buddy up this summer.
Junior Alyssa Fuchsberger's house, nicknamed the orphanage, took in two extra renters over spring break, bringing the six person house to an occupancy of 10.
"This helps cut down on rent and other bills," Fuchsberger said. "It's a fun and crazy living situation but it's a zoo in here."
Bring back the potluck. Cooking dinner together isn't just cheaper than cooking alone; it's a lot more fun, too. Make sure to take stock of ingredients you have in your kitchen and make a list before heading to the store.
In addition to the potluck, throw more parties. True, throwing more parties seems counterintuitive to saving money but if you're like senior Annie Vuong, you could just make a profit on those red plastic cups.
"It's possible to throw parties and profit with entrance fees," Vuong said, admittedly half-joking. "We're not sure if it's financially sound of course."
Use internet sparingly and can't quite give up your double soy latte? Cancel your wireless and head out to a local coffee shop that offers free Wi-Fi. Not only do you get your caffeine jolt, but the local community gets a buzz from your business.
Can't live without checking your e-mail or Facebook daily? Keep your internet but cancel your cable, as senior Ashley Young and her housemates do.
"You can pretty much watch shows online for free now," Young said. "It's easy to save money that way."
While you're drinking your coffee and using free Wi-Fi, check out freebie Web sites like www.totallyfreestuff.com for legitimate free stuff.
Whether you need makeup, random DVDs or magazines, freebie Web sites are a great way to fill the extra time you have now that you don't have the money to go out. You can find the freebies elsewhere, too.
Vuong takes freebie-searching to heart, raiding campus for free food when she can.
"We go to all the socials that offer food, participate to our fullest extent so that we don't feel guilty later, then take home all the leftovers after it's over," Vuong said.
Don't forget the power of samples: New Seasons, Whole Foods and Costco - if you have a membership - all have killer sample sessions, especially on the weekend. Not only does it get you out of the house (bonus free points if you cycle instead of drive), but it gives you a meal, too.
Speaking of going out; if you're a movie theater junkie, check out one of Portland's numerous cheap pub theaters. Tickets range from $3 to $6, and a pint of beer and slice of pizza will run you $10 total.
Research return policies. While it's by no means ethically sound, many major conglomerate retail stores (ahem, Wal-Mart) have "don't ask, don't tell" return policies; these stores will take back nearly any product within 90 days as long as it comes with a receipt of purchase.
If you're leaning toward the more ethical side of shopping, check out the nearest Goodwill or dollar store.
"Dollar Tree is the new Freddies," Vuong said. "Their frozen foods section is kind of neat."
Get a piggy bank. A real, live piggy bank and at the end of the day, take all of your extra change and plop it in the tiny slot.
Don't open it until Christmas time rolls around and you could find an extra $40 to spend on Grandma.
If all else fails, maintain your hope, call mom and dad and opt for water in lieu of Gatorade.
