By Julie Johnston
IV Leader staff
With our nation’s ever sinking economy, it may be some
time before things start to look up. The new Illinois minimum wage increase,
effective July 1, raised the state’s minimum wage to a mere $7.75 an hour.
For some students, that hourly wage may not be enough money
to travel to and from school each day. Not only must one consider transportation
to and from school, but students are likely responsible for tuition, books,
supplies and any living expenses they may incur.
Being book smart does not always mean being dollar smart. As
students seeking higher learning, perhaps one of the best lessons we learn is a
life lesson and not necessarily something we study in the classroom. Learning
how to budget our money is something we all learn in time, but perhaps a good
way to get one up on the economy is to take some free advice from our fellow
students. With that in mind, I asked a few IVCC students: “What are you doing to
save money this fall?”
Leighann Ceja, a second-year student of Ottawa, said, “I’m
carpooling with my friend to save money on gas.” It is likely that more and more
students are carpooling, not only to school but to extracurricular activities
and just about anywhere else.
According to the State of Illinois government Web site, as of
August 25, 2008, the average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gas is
$3.76. Carpooling is not only a great way to save gas money but students are
also helping the environment. According to www.climatecrisis.net, by carpooling
with someone just two days a week, you can reduce carbon monoxide emission by
1,590 pounds a year. It always feels good to help the environment and by
carpooling we are helping ourselves, too.
Kraig Mathes of rural Marseilles, a freshman at IVCC, said he
is able to save money by “just putting it in the bank” and by “not buying what
[he doesn’t] need.”
Mathes also said that he “eats at home a lot, instead of
going out.” Students often gather during breaks between classes or after school
to go out for a meal. Going out for lunch is often quick and convenient, but
there is a lot to be said for eating at home. Packing a snack from home in your
book bag is usually quicker and more convenient than going out for Chinese food
or burgers after school, not to mention much healthier!
If you are going to eat out with your friends, a good thing
to do is keep your eyes peeled for what restaurants may have food specials on
certain days. Perhaps you can get your favorite pizza on a certain day of the
week cheaper than another.
Have you ever considered staying in on a Friday or Saturday
night and just having your friends over to your home? I often invite my friends
over or go to their houses for various activities like a cookout, “movie night”
or “game night”, instead of going out somewhere. We take turns bringing games,
movies and snacks. It’s always just as much fun and we spend less money than if
we would have gone out.
Don’t be afraid to take initiative and bring up the idea of
hosting a get-together instead of planning a night out. If your friends are also
students or on a budget like you, it is likely they will be game for the idea of
staying in once in awhile.
Other than staying in on Saturday night, carpooling or eating
at home which are great ideas, there are lots of other ways students can save
money. As college students, it’s hard not to notice the latest fashion trends,
latest movies to hit the theater and what’s new in music because we are
surrounded by our peers and media that advertises what’s “new” and “hot” on a
daily basis. Try not to always give in to the impulse buys. Perhaps instead of
jumping at the latest fashion trend, consider buying a few basic clothing items
that are “must haves” but are not too detailed so you can create many different
looks with them.
Or if an artist’s new CD just came out, go online or to a
local music store and sample a few tracks before making the buy, to see if it’s
really worth it. Sometimes giving up bad habits can help us save money, too. If
you smoke or stop for a cup of coffee every morning on your way to class, maybe
it’s time to consider cutting back or even quitting.
Most importantly, feel free to listen to other students,
teachers and faculty on how they are putting a few more dollars back in their
pocket. Or perhaps, offer up some tips of your own.
Remember, talk is cheap, but advice is free!