How To Be Cheap In College

I am cheap, i.e. I don’t like to spend money on anything for any reason. I’ve gotten really creative in order to get out of spending as much money as I can. The most obvious way to be cheap is to get as much free food as possible because THAT CRAP IS EXPENSIVE. But I’m guessing you already knew that.

Go to all the school events that give out free food.

Department meeting that gives out free pizza? Yes. International students’ night? Go there, they have stuff other than pizza. Something boring you don’t care about? Go, you’re saving money by eating that free food. Watch the emails for events that advertise free food. The people planning that event know that people will at least show up, even for only the food. At one point, I joined the student activities board just to get special food privileges. I go to the events early to save some food for myself and keep some of the leftovers.

College discounts

So many places will give you a discount if you show your student ID. These usually aren’t advertised, but they are DEFINITELY on the internet.

Special restaurant holidays

Krispy Kreme will give you a dozen donuts if you wear three pirate themed things on a certain day. Chik-fil-a will give you a free sandwich if you dress like a cow on cow day. It’s totally acceptable to look like a fool if it will get you free food, especially if your friends will help.

Study the menu when you go out

Going out is expensive, but it’s a social thing people do. I like to be social, even if I have no desire to spend anything. Sometimes I say I’m too broke to buy anything and people will volunteer to buy me something, but when that is not an option I still have a plan. I study the menu to see what offers the most possible food for the least amount. My best is a full meal at McDonalds for $2.12. Water is almost always free.

Leftovers

When you go out, get a box and eat it later- either as a full meal or a snack. I like to think of leftovers as a free meal because they’re already paid for. I also like to refill my drink right before I go.

Take the condiments and napkins

Never buy ketchup again. I don’t usually use enough napkins to warrant buying a pack anyway. The people in the restaurant probably hate us, but we gotta do what we gotta do to survive on almost nothing.

I am so cheap and thanks to that I HAVE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT, which is great. But don’t tell my friends, they might make me buy food.

– Karen Klepacz, Contributing Writer