Although we’d really love to, we know that we can’t meet all of your needs. Somehow you’ve got to feed yourself, put a roof over your head, wash your clothes every now and then, and replenish your bank account. We can help with the money part, but what about the rest? When you’re paying for rent, transportation, tuition, nomming three times a day, and participating in on-campus activities, you need to get creative. So what can you do every day to scrape by?
Well, the Flashnotes staff is proud to consist of 100% college graduates, and we know from experience that there is a direct correlation between dwindling dollars and creative survival techniques. So, take our word for it. And because noshing, nomming and gobbling are OUR favorite pastimes, let’s start with one of our favorite on-campus meccas – the cafeteria.
1. Tupperware is your friend. You have to admit that the thought has crossed your mind about five times since last week – and that’s because it’s a smart idea. If you’re like me, and like most other students with a campus meal plan, you spend about $12 every night just for the right to step foot in the cafeteria for dinner and gaze at the options. Unless you’re an athlete, you probably only ate about $6 worth of food at your last visit. Bring that to-go container and fill ‘er up. Enjoy the other $6 worth later when you’re huddled over your Orgo homework, thankful that your I-just-don’t-freaking-get-it rage is quelled with every delicious bite of late-night leftover spaghetti you cram into your mouth.
(Tip: This strategy usually works best when coupled with #2.)
2. A “My, that goulash really brings out the green in your eyes,” never hurt anybody. Some rules can be broken, and some can be bent. The easiest way to bend a rule is under the gaze of a knowing smile and twinkling eye. You know where I’m going with this: Make Bertha the cafeteria warden your BFF. Taking food out of the cafeteria when you pay an entrance fee may be met with a raised eyebrow on some campuses, but if the powers-that-be say OK, then you’re in the clear! I learned a lot from our campus cafeteria workers: How to be gracious, how to show thanks, how to make delicious omelets (including the ever-elusive perfect flip) – and how to score free cookies. Bertha is one of the most important people on your campus – get on her good side, and your to-go potential is limitless.
3. Make your meal mobile. A plate of eggs, bacon and toast sounds messy until you put a little pizzazz into it. Stack it, wrap it with a couple of napkins, and you have yourself a breakfast sandwich to go. Most backpacks are big enough to fit at least five egg sandwiches – which means you’ve got breakfast covered for a week! I’m high-fiving you in my mind.
4. If you can can-can. There’s no shame in recycling. In fact, it’s all the rage! If whatever is bad for the earth is your enemy, than whatever is a friend to the earth is your friend (We learned that in Philosophy 101). So collect those leftover cans on the table at the end of dinner and head to your nearest Trader Joe’s to cash in. Don’t expect to be rolling in dough; at 5 cents per can, you would need 20,000 cans for every $1,000 you want to make. If you got 10 cents per can, you’d need 10,000 cans per $1,000. Still, money is better than no money. Plus, you’re helping our best buddy, Earth!
Here at Flashnotes we’re in the business of helping college students make money. If you’re reading this, you’re probably already using us. And if you’re using us, that means you’ve got an enterprising spirit and an intelligent mind, you resourceful young devil, you. Do you have any dining hall tips and tricks to save money?
(This blog was written by Flashnotes’ Community Coordinator Adriana. Show her some love!)
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