[College kids are notorious for being poor. And why shouldn’t we be? We take out student loans to pay for private universities, can barely balance a part-time job with our full-time courseload, and the only “balance” we’re familiar with refers to the number of points left on our dining hall cards. Oh, did I mention many of us tend to splurge every extra penny on PBR’s at the campus bar?

If you disagree with everything I just said, you probably don’t need this column. But if you’re nodding along because you’re officially an adult and still don’t know how to manage your money, then you might want to pay attention every week, because I’m going to (try to) get you through this, and make you a successful saver and a wise spender.]

Last week, I discussed the pros and cons of both credit and debit cards. One risk I run when using my credit card is letting my spending get a little out of control. When you rack up a hefty credit card bill, you essentially lose money, because with every month that goes by that you haven’t managed to clear the balance, the more fees get tacked on to your current statement.

As college students, large bills can easily get out of control, and I know I have often felt like I was drowning in bill payments. After all, most of us can’t work full-time or even well-paying jobs, and if we have a huge exam or a paper on the horizon, we may force ourselves to cut back our hours, and likewise, our weekly income.

If you have hundreds (or even– eek! thousands) of dollars in credit card bills looming over your head, sometimes a credit card balance transfer (to a zero interest card) is just what the doctor ordered. But is it worth it, and should you do it? Read More »

[College kids are notorious for being poor. And why shouldn’t we be? We take out student loans to pay for private universities, can barely balance a part-time job with our full-time courseload, and the only “balance” we’re familiar with refers to the number of points left on our dining hall cards. Oh, did I mention many of us tend to splurge every extra penny on PBR’s at the campus bar?

Ok, before everyone gets up in arms about every generalization I just made, let me clarify: if you disagree with everything I just said, you probably don’t need this column. But if you’re nodding along because you’re officially an adult and still don’t know how to manage your money, then you might want to pay attention every week, because I’m going to (try to) get you through this, and make you a successful saver and a wise spender. Starving college students of the world, I bring you Money Matters: a Guide to Handling Your Income (or Lack Thereof).]

This week, I’d like to introduce you to a splendid gem called Free Student Checking. Now, normally, banks will hold your money for you, but they like to find sneaky ways to make a few bucks back themselves. Some checking accounts, for example, have a minimum balance that you always have to have in your account. If your balance goes below that minimum, you get a fine.

Yeah, that’s right. You have to PAY your BANK for being too poor to have any money in the account that consists entirely of your own money that you started out with in the first place. I understand credit card late fees– with credit, you’re spending money you don’t necessarily have– but a fine on your own money? That’s bullsh*t. Read More »

I’ve simply never been the best with saving money. While I do always pay my bills on time and never go hungry, I am still fundamentally pretty hedonistic and tend to ‘blow’ any extra money I’ve got on anything shiny, fun, or alcoholic.

Nonetheless, I’ve learned to actually save money in recent years. I’ve learned that there are things I do WANT (that cater to my hedonism) that require saved money. So, I’ve cut back on some things that used to completely drain my wallet and saved more than you can imagine. Here are 5 tips if you’d like to do the same:

REPLACE YOUR ENERGY DRINKS WITH COFFEE. FROM HOME.
I have a serious caffeine addiction. It’s not cute; it’s tormenting. The worst part is that I truly do prefer a sugar free Red Bull to a cup of coffee. But I’ve learned to cut back. At $2-$3 a can, my energy drinks can be shelved for the most *crucial* of days…which is not, contrary to my previous beliefs, every single day of the week. Now I brew my own iced coffee every morning and use a box of splenda to get over my sugar fears. It absolutely does the trick and I’ve saved at least $45 a month doing this. Read More »

Now that I’ve been in New York City for two weeks, I’ve had a chance to begin exploring this incredible place, but I’ve also taken quite a hard hit on my bank account. Being a broke college student, I have a very tight budget when it comes to personal luxuries, but I still want to enjoy what the city has to offer, from exotic dining to cultural sites.

As far as eating out goes, I’ll have to tighten my belt a little; I’ve already eaten in a few great places, but I’m keeping my eye on cheap places. Here are a few tips I’ve learned so far about living affordably in ANY city for the summer:

• Always look for a student rate at museums. The Met and other major museums will always have student rates, so bring your college ID; you’ll be able to enjoy a taste of culture at about half price.

• Cook for yourself. It’s great to try new places to eat, but you can’t eat out every day. Restaurants will be a serious blow to your finances, so if you have access to a kitchen, use it! Find your closest grocery store and stock up on easy-to-prepare foods like pasta. Liven up your meals by getting a recipe book and stocking up on fresh vegetables. Read More »

Last February, Miami Herald reporter Natalie McNeal set out to do something that I think we all wish we could do: Not spend money. Of course, she had to buy necessary things, but she made a “vow of frugality” to not eat out, buy clothes, or visit a salon. Also like many of us, McNeal is a self described “fritterer”, not spending her money on huge purchases, but buying a bunch of little things that tend to add up.

That first month, McNeal saved $400. Her Miami Herald Blog, The Frugalista Files, follows her as she navigates her way through pre-recession spending and saving.

Her blog has information on budget building, stories about spending thriftily, and links to other helpful sites like this one that gives you some tips on how to eat healthy on a college student’s budget.

Most interesting to me, is that McNeal started this blog in part to keep track of her progress and also have a means by which the public could hold her accountable, keep her on her spending toes, so to speak. I think it’s a great idea for anyone (like me!) who has trouble curbing their spending and staying on a budget. Read More »

As if avoiding any sexual contact with my own co-workers wasn’t concern enough, now I’ve come to realize it’s best not to get freaky with anyone‘s co-worker.

Explanation:

My friend, I’ll call her “Alyssa”, works in finance. So obviously, all of her co-workers are hot men. She’s kept things platonic there since she’s smart and now these cute money-makers are her pals. This means we all hang out on a semi-regular bar-going basis, thus allowing male/female attraction to develop.

Now my roommate, “Kelly”, has had her eye on one of these fellows for a while, and the two of them have been flirting for months. So it was only a matter of time before they wound up in bed together.

I mean, I wasn’t surprised. But Alyssa, well, she was kind of pissed. Read More »

You know what I love doing after a nice, long, relaxing weekend? Waking up to the sound of bells ringing and sweating Wallstreet dudes screaming from the rooftops.

That’s right. The stock market is falling. Faster than the drunken hook-ups at Sundance, faster than the disappearance of Amy Winehouse’s crack stash—just…fast.

Some people think we’re headed into a recession. Which is just the kind of news I love to hear after receiving my first monstrous student loan bill in the mail.

Those who enjoy depressing themselves can go to CNN for updates.

Ah, clothes, purses and sunglasses. Why do you torture me so?

While I do think it is a teeny-weeny-bit ridiculous that you are coming out in full autumn getup, you are, nonetheless, so freakin adorable.

Seeing your quilted leather handles or fur trimmed collar makes me want to pack away my mini-dresses and tanks and pray for a snow day.

But then I see your price tag and am forced back into reality — I can barely afford the final clearance summer rack let alone a new Marc Jacobs fall coat (which is really a shame because what a cute coat you are!).

However, there is hope my fellow penny-pinching college students of mine.

Thanks to Real Simple magazine, I have a few tips that will help you save up for that rainy day shopping spree.

• Buy Gas On Tuesdays: gas prices go up on weekends often because they want to take advantage of errand runners and weekend travelers. Read More »