Nifty Thrifty
It’s no secret that college kids are a little frugal at times (with dang good reason!)
There’s this mind-set that takes over when you’re put on a budget that says “Be Cheap!” It’s like as soon as Mom and Dad quit supplying the shampoo and cereal, suddently generic becomes so appealing. I still haven’t sacrificed my Starbuck’s lattes or name-brand hair products but I’m always looking for deals when I go shopping now.
With that said, I have to confess something. I definitely have the “student-on-a-budget” attitude when it comes to meal-planning and shopping. That’s why, when my parents came up to my school to help me move in and stayed in a hotel, I took FULL advantage of the continental breakfast.
Not just by exploiting the waffle maker; I LOADED my purse up with goodies that I could take back to my dorm room. Including a ridiculous amount of single coffee creamers:
I spy with my little eye something free….
Really, I should be ashamed. That’s not all. They have single serve peanut butters, and you KNOW I am crazy about peanut butter. These were perfect on-the-go snacks. So naturally I snagged the jelly and cream cheese next to it. Why? I don’t know. The Inner Thrify College Kid came out in me!!
And as if that wasn’t enough of the sample snagging, I grabbed a Soy Milk carton and some Uncrustables too….
Not the healthiest of meals, but good for days I’m in class for 5 hours.
Now don’t judge me…after all, I did refrain from the cereal boxes and yogurts 
My point is that while I maintain a healthy lifestyle, I’m still like any college kid who takes advantage of opportunities (especially those involving PEANUT BUTTER). Also, I always try to sneak some fruit with me from the school cafeteria on my way out. Hey, I haven’t had to buy bananas or apples in a week and judging from the dietary choices of my fellow cafeteria diners, I don’t think the fruit baskets were in high demand anyways. So now you know about my frugal alter-ego. And I hope we can still be friends
I’d love to hear the most extreme thing you’ve done to save a buck!
Posted on September 4, 2012, in College, Dining Out, Real Life Stuff and tagged Budget, college, Confession, Dorm Room, Food, Freebies, Frugal, Money, Samples, Thrify. Bookmark the permalink. 9 Comments.
funny how little I knew about the real world (even though I had been working since 15 years old) but man..suddenly you are out in the real world where you have to buy as my bf calls them… shit tickets… shampoo…everything it adds up fast! Take advantage of the free stuff where u can.
Hahaha I have never heard of shit tickets but it made me laugh!
This is a great post Kenz! Good to see you own up to your inner “frugalness” – we all possess a little more than we’d like to admit. From now on when we make our reservations at your Marriott, they are either going to remember us and stock up on creamers and peanut butters OR they are going to remove them entirely from the buffet during our visits?
No judgment at all! I am frugal with everything EXCEPT my starbucks and my hair products too lol. Those are my little “me” things. Everything else…no judgment
My sister buys top ramen and wont pay for books she shares books with others. I am going to send her a care package gosh I feel so bad for her. College kids have it so rough..
Aww I’m sure she will definitely appreciate a care package
Haha definitely not judging. My friends and I would bring tupperware into the dining hall and take food back to our apartments. I also took a TON of those single PB things and some oranges.
Tupperware?! LOL I would be afraid of getting caught!
That is committment! Haha
I have to say that I love those Uncrustable sandwiches, we use to serve those to the kids at a summer camp I worked at and I was always excited when we had some leftover lol