Budget & Finances
What to bring to your Room ?
When you go away to study for the first time, you want to make sure you're prepared. You may be living on your own for the first time, so there could be some items you wouldn't normally consider taking because someone at home, such as a parent or guardian, usually takes care of them for you. Consult your college acceptance literature for any specific items your college asks you to bring. If you're able, touch base with your roommate prior to school to make sure you're not bringing duplicates of large items such as TVs, couches, or refrigerators. Having double will just take up space and make for a less comfortable environment.
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Dealing with roommates
Having a roommate is most people's first experience living with someone who is not related to them. It comes with both benefits and challenges. Getting along with your college roommate can enhance your college experience. You get an instant friend, someone to confide in and keep you company during your first time away from home. However, since many institutes randomly assign your first roommate, you also run the risk of being matched with someone you find challenging or don't relate to right away. Either way, here's some good advice:
Establish some rules at the beginning. Make your preferences known from the start so you and your roommate are clear on what to do to avoid conflict. Establish what space is whose, when you need quiet time to study, which items you can share, what time you go to bed, if you like to sleep in on weekends and who's allowed to eat what in the refrigerator.
Some residence halls even require roommates to write up a roommate contract to put your rules in writing. Perhaps this is something you and your roommate could do on your own. Make it a fun introductory exercise and hang your contract somewhere in your room as a reminder. This way, if you do find yourselves disagreeing, you have something to help negotiate a solution that works for both of you.
Have good communication. Practicing direct communication will help you in good times and bad. Dorm rooms are close quarters, so even if you get along with your roommate, there is bound to be a conflict or two. Handle such conflicts with open communication. You can't expect your roommate to be a mind reader, so if you get upset or frustrated, communicate it to your roommate right away. Use a respectful tone and choose your words carefully. You'll find such communication gets better reception and ultimately a better response than if you just attack or criticize.
Good communication also comes into play during everyday interactions. Try to engage your roommate. Ask how his or her day was or congratulate him or her on that good essay score. A little praise and interest can go a long way.
You need to compromise. Whenever you're dealing with the wants and needs of other people, you need to compromise. When it comes to doing chores around the room, listening to certain kinds of music, watching different TV shows, and requesting privacy, compromise is key. If you give a little, your roommate will give a little. Compromising does not mean giving in to all of someone's requests; it means coming to a mutual agreement. So, utilize positive communication, and talk through the things you and your roommate differ on until you can reach a compromise.
Even if you find yourself in a situation where you and your roommate just don't get along, moving out should be the last resort. Dealing with roommate conflict can be an important lesson and moving out is a hassle. However, if the situation is burdening you after three months, it may be in both your best interests to consult student housing. You can always talk to your Resident Advisor (RA) and ask for help to resolve conflict.
MANAGING ACADEMICS
During your first year, you will be juggling many new experiences: new friends, new living situation, new activities, new classes, and new teachers. While a lot of these new experiences are exciting, they can challenge your time-management skills and academic adjustment. Even if you balanced a full course load and extracurricular activities in high school, in college you alone are responsible for deciding what your schedule will hold and managing your time accordingly. Set up some structure by giving yourself specific study hours, setting some goals for time management, and sticking to them. And do your best to eat well and get enough sleep
Schedule template
Tips for Supermarket Savings
Supermarket savings isn’t just about finding the cheapest sale items. It also means preventing impulse purchases that are caused by enticing food advertising or shopping on an empty stomach (that makes everything look delicious!). Food waste is another money drain when food spoils before it is prepared or eaten and is thrown out. Consider the following tips before heading to the market:
1. Plan out a few meals you want to prepare the next week and create your shopping list based on these ingredients.
2. Consider meatless meals. Plant-based proteins are highly nutritious and generallymore affordable than meats and fish. If you still crave meat, incorporate smaller amounts as a base for flavor or as a condiment, while focusing on plant proteins like beans or tofu so that you can save on cost, increase volume of the meal, and boost nutrition and heartiness.
3. Purchase foods and snacks that are satiating and filling. How easy is it to eat a half a package of chips in one sitting? In contrast, how many handfuls of nuts or apples can you eat at one time? Even though a 3-pound bag of apples may cost $4.00 versus $2.50 for a large bag of chips, consider which will satisfy your hunger longer. One study found that unsatiating foods leave people wanting to eat more often, which may translate into greater food costs. [2]
4. Don’t shop on an empty stomach. Munch on a piece of fruit or some nuts before entering the store.
5. Allow for flexibility in your shopping list if items like fresh produce or poultry and fish are on sale. If they are foods you enjoy, you might purchase extra quantities and freeze them for later use. Fresh meats, fish, and some produce (bananas, berries, avocados, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, corn) freeze well.
6. Consider purchasing nonperishable staple foods in bulk. Even though it may cost more upfront to buy a “family-sized” package products like whole grains, lentils, and dried beans, the cost per unit is usually cheaper. To determine this, you will need to calculate the price per unit:
• Find the common unit of measurement when comparing two products. For example, a bag of brown rice may be in pounds.
• Divide the price of the rice by the total pounds, which is the price per unit. Example: Rice A costs $1.59 for a 1-pound bag ($1.59 per pound), whereas Rice B costs $3.99 for a 5-pound bag (about $0.80 per pound). Rice B is cheaper.
7. Buy generic or store-brand: you will notice when comparing the ingredients list that similar if not identical ingredients are used. The generic brand is generally cheaper because less money is spent on advertising and creating fancy food labels.
8. Scan the discounted produce cart that usually sits in a corner; this is filled with produce starting to age, but which are still tasty if you can eat them the same day or the next day.
9. Don’t buy more highly perishable items than you can use in one week (unless you plan to freeze them), or else you run the risk of food spoilage and waste. Learn how to store produce correctly for a longer shelf life, and be aware of highly perishable foods such as ready-to-eat bagged salad greens, mushrooms, berries, avocados, and bananas.
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11. Stretch your fresh herbs, spices, and alliums. These are key ingredients for building flavorful meals, and while alliums like onions and garlic have a longer shelf life, bagged herbs in the supermarket are particularly perishable. Unless a recipe calls for a whole package (e.g. a bunch of basil for pesto), you’ll be left with extra sprigs. Careful storage can help extend the shelf life (e.g. cilantro in a cup of water covered with a bag), but if you don’t plan on using within one week, consider other ways to extend their utility. One idea is to chop and freeze herbs in an ice cube tray filled with olive oil—ready to be popped in a pan to sauté vegetables.
• Another flavor-builder that can handle the freezer is ginger: store in an airtight bag and when ready to use, peel and grate as much as you like (no need to thaw), returning the remainder to the freezer.
• If you enjoy fresh scallions (green onions), you can easily regrow them on a sunny windowsill. Place the white root ends in a glass of water (changing out the water about once per week). Once the green ends have regrown, snip what you need and let the rest keep growing. (Celery, onions)
12. Use what you have before buying more. Commit to taking inventory of all the food in your kitchen twice a month. Bring forward the buried items and plan meals based on these ingredients.
13. Eat attentively. Practicing mindfulness during meals (known as mindful eating) can increase enjoyment of the food. You may even be satisfied with smaller portions. Conversely, eating while distracted can lead to feeling hungry again sooner and a higher intake of food later on. [3,4]
Goceries template
How to eat healthily on a budget
Healthy eating on a budget can be made easier with these ideas:Stick to your listBuying only what is on your grocery list will help you cut down on impulse buys.Shop for salesCheck out flyers, coupons, mobile apps and websites for deals on foods that are on your list.Look for reduced prices. Products getting close to their best before dates and oddly shaped or slightly bruised produce may be offered at a lower price or discount. These products are just as healthy as “perfect” varieties and buying them also helps reduce food waste.Compare pricesCompare the unit price on the label to know which product is less expensive.In grocery stores where price-matching is offered, use flyers to price match products on sale.Scan different shelves. Companies pay more to place their products at eye level. You may find other versions of the same foods on higher or lower shelves.Compare prices on generic and brand name products to see if there is a difference before choosing.Foods sold in single-serve packaging can cost more. Buy the full size or family size version and divide it up yourself.Stock upStock up on canned goods and staples when they are on sale.Extend the shelf life of sale products. Freeze:• fish• fruit• vegetables• whole grain bread• lean meats or poultryBuying foods in bulk can help you save money. Be careful not to buy more than you need, because this can lead to waste.Consider the seasonFresh vegetables and fruit are usually less expensive when they are in season.Frozen and canned vegetables and fruits are also healthy options. They can be less expensive than fresh produce when it is out of season.Choose plant-based protein foods more oftenBeans, lentils and other legumes are inexpensive protein foods. Use them in your meals several times a week.Limit highly processed foodsLimit highly processed foods. These are usually low in vitamins and minerals and can cost more.Prepare foods at home. Although they can save time, prepackaged foods such as grated cheese and pre-seasoned meat cost more.Set a budgetDecide how much you will spend on groceries each week or month.Explore grocery storesShop at discount grocery stores, which offer lower prices.Avoid grocery shopping at convenience stores, which are more expensive.Check with your grocery store to see if it offers any discounts. Some stores feature a “seniors’ day” or a student discount day with special discounts.Make a healthy choiceWhat you eat on a regular basis matters for your health.• Choose foods that have little to no added sodium, sugars or saturated fat.• Compare the nutrition facts table on foods to choose products that are lower in sodium, sugars or saturated fat.
Discounts & Deals
There's plenty of ways to get better deals or discounts. Shopping in the sections designated for sales, checking price differences often, get familiar with items you will buy often. Theres also some business that offer options for a student, so bring your student card or go shopping on that specific day ! Or simply have some patience, there's good chances it will get on sale eventually.