Getting a bit scared.

[LRH]

I don't know why I needed to make a topic for this, but it really would help me to just write this out.

I'm going through some hard times financially. I'm going into my senior year of college next fall. After getting a degree, I think everything will be okay. In the meantime, though, I've got to make it through a year with very limited resources. It's really hard to find work that will pay reasonably without that piece of paper.

I have a minimum wage job, and I write some articles on the side for a little money. It looks as though that is about to fall through, though. Soon my only source of income will be from the job.

I've got to pay for rent, school, and living expenses. After doing the math, it really seems that I will barely have enough. My parents seem to both be in situations where they are either less willing to help or unable to help. I don't live with either of them because of some step-family issues.

I think I'm just panicking a bit. Still, this is a really uncomfortable feeling. Any words of wisdom or advice out there?

[Darth Mandarb]

You actually made me a tad nostalgic there!

I [actually fondly] remember the days of having not a penny to pinch.  I lived off raman noodles and mac 'n cheese for years!

It seems stressful and yes, scary but you'll get through it.  I just got to a point where I said "I can only do what I can" and didn't let the other stuff get me down.  I always found a way through and I'm sure you will too.

The trick is to prioritize your finances.  Rent and car payment were top of the list; then food, then cellphone, then 'fun' stuff like a social life and/or internet access.  And I just had to convince myself that raman and mac'n cheese were 5 star cuisine!!

The truth is that I treasure those times/experiences.  They shaped me and make me appreciate [daily] where I'm at now.  I never thought, at the time, I'd feel that way about them in the future but that was just because I didn't have a group of forum friends to tell me back then

Hang tough man ... you'll get through it!  Just keep your eye on the prize!

[Ponch]

Ooh! Nostalgia!

Like Darth, I remember those days well. The important thing to remember is that you're going to get through them. In the meantime, you have the summer ahead of you. That's plenty of time to bring a little extra money in, and save a little more on the side.

Here's what I would do if I were you. (Heck, it's what I did!)

1) Get a second job. ANY job. Deliver pizzas. Shampoo carpets. Shovel poop at the zoo. Take any job you can find, the hours of which won't conflict with your first job. Prepare to lose sleep and drink lots of coffee.

2) Cut every expense you can. If you have cable / satellite TV, get rid of it. Don't buy anything you don't absolutely need. No shopping at Amazon, iTunes, Netflix, etc. If you cut all the fun out of your life for just three months, you'll save quite a bit of money.

3) Save every penny you can. The best way to do this is to pay cash for everything and save the change. Don't buy anything with a debit / ATM card. And don't use the credit card for anything except emergencies either. I still live by this law today. I usually wind up with about 150 dollars worth of change at the end of the year. (I save it in a gallon-sized hot sauce jar.)

4) Become a monk for a few months, if you can. Women are expensive. Hanging out with your buddies is expensive. Besides, if you're working a day job and a night job through the summer, you won't have time to see anyone anyway.

5) Learn to cook. Buy a crock pot. Beans and rice and cheap cuts of meat cost next to nothing and can feed you for a week on just a few bucks.

6) Remember that it's only for ten weeks (or so). Once school starts, you'll be back down to one job and seeing your friends at school. Plus you'll have built up a nice little nest egg to help alleviate expenses as you finish your last year of college. (And that's the important bit! You're almost done. You only have to hang in there for a little while longer!)

7) Read Darth's post again. It's the truth. It's odd how nostalgic I am for the days when I was struggling and poor. Life is funny that way.

Good luck, dude. I believe in you Oceanspirit Domithan! 

[LRH]

Hahah

Thank you both, I appreciate it. I'll keep your stories in mind.

[SpacePirateCaine]

Like the other two gentlemen who replied to the thread, I have lived a few years of poverty in my lifetime as well, so I thought that I would share - maybe even put your mind at ease a little.

The first thing you want to do, as mentioned above, is to cut out unnecessary expenses, and this takes a little self-evaluation as well. I was homeless for about 10 months my Junior year of university, living in the back room of a local pawn shop. That was actually right around the time I started participating in the AGS forums. If you can find a ridiculously cheap place to live, it makes all the difference. I had the benefit of internet access, and when you're a student, that is essential, so look for someplace that has that unless your university has a 24 hour computer lab you can access.

If homelessness is a little too much for you, roommates are a godsend. If you can find someone you trust to room with you for a year while you finish university, rent (which is the highest cost you're likely to be paying) can be cut in half and passed along to other basic needs like food and hygiene.

Unless you're in a committed relationship, stop dating. Don't go out, quit drinking and if you smoke, drop that nasty wallet-killing habit as well. One night of debauchery can cost more than a month living as a hermit, especially when women are involved. Also, use your spare change! Carry a separate coin pouch and use exact change when paying for things. Always try to get rid of coins, and you won't end up having a surplus of coin that you could've really used before (Double edged sword, though, as when you really need it, you won't have coins sitting around the house to scrounge around for).

Learn to cook, and get really friendly with a butcher or some other food services people - there's often extra food left over at the end of the day that will go to waste - Oddly sized cuts of meat, cheeses close to expiration, etc., that you can get for free if you have the right connections.

Be an adventure game character - resourcefulness is your friend.

[cat]

I can confirm from personal expirence: yes, it is possible to reduce your food to noodles, rice and potatoes for a few years. Cook yourself, that saves a lot of money. Also, check at the cafeteria what meal has the best price/calories relation.

And inviting yourself to your parents for lunch on Sundays is always an option!

[hedgefield]

I know what you mean Dom, as a senior in college now I'm right there with you. Luckily the state finances a lot here in Holland, so I'm more worried about how I'm gonna cope when that well runs dry after I graduate. Though I already have a job lined up at the place I work part-time as an illustrator now, but sometimes I worry about what I'll do in the off-chance that's going to fall through. One thing I know for sure is I'm never going back to being a supermarket clerk or a mailman though...

But all in all I can vouch for much of the aforementioned advice. Luckily I'm not a big spender to start with, and I don't really drink (or smoke etc), so I don't have to worry about that. I'm perfectly fine too with eating a tub of potato salad and a burger for dinner all week (much to the chagrin of my mom obviously), something that can really keep the costs down. Cooking for yourself could also save you some, but when I get home at 6 I usually just wanna eat and not spend another 20 minutes in the kitchen. So in that regard I'd say when shopping don't go with the brands you know, find the cheapest ones (that still taste good ofcourse), it can save you a lot. I drink a lot of coke for instance, and instead of the 1.20 I'd pay for pepsi, I get the inhouse brand which is 0.30 and tastes almost as good.

Roommates are also really nice to have. Aside from the solidarity and the free companionship in lieu of sacrificing your social life, you can split costs for internet and utilities, which really helps.

Another thing I'd advise you is to keep close track of your budget. I use AceBudget for iPhone, where you can enter all your expenses and income. Especially at the start it's a good method to chart how much you generally spend on certain things, so you can plan accordingly. I have a budget for anything related to food, and a budget for incidental purchases, which might include tickets to a concert or videogame purchases. Then I can see exactly how much I can spend that month while still breaking even, so to speak.

Good luck man and let us know how it goes!

[m0ds]

Haha, I like Luke's advice - if all else fails, just BE an adventure game character! Just point and click your way out of a problem  :

I have not  very much on a weekly basis. I go out on a Friday and maybe a Saturday night, pay bills and stay in the rest of the week making games and stuff to pass the time and save what money I can. Food for me is only 2 meals a week or so and just snacky meals the rest. I'm still alive... As far as bills are concerned, thankfully companies listen and will reduce them to easy payments if necessary. Do what you can to avoid all debt though, whether it's personal or to a company. It ain't good or fun. Anyway, I'm sure you'll be fine, best of luck!

[Joseph DiPerla]

I feel your pain. My wife and I have been struggling for the last couple of years ourselves. Now we have a baby on the way, so things need to be tighter still. I think the best advice I can give you is this:

1) DON'T PANIC! Panicking is the worst thing anyone can do. If you are a swimmer, you know that to be true.

2) As Darth said, Prioritize. I am not sure where you live or what you do, but rent is the number one thing you need to pay. Do you really need a car where you are? If so, is there anyway you can lower the insurance by taking off certain coverage?

3) If you do own a car and you do absolutely need it, then do yourself a favor and try walking more. Yes, use the car when you do need it. But save on gas, take a stroll or ride a bike.

4) Open a second bank account. One is for fun spending and extra cash, the other is for bills. Make sure you put all you need into the bills account. Budget carefully here. Then, never touch that account unless its to pay bills. This assures you that you have what you need to go on living.

5) There is no shame in coupons or shopping at various stores to cut costs. The truth is, some stores are cheaper than others for some items and vice versa. Basically, shop around. You may need to buy some groceries at one store and others at another. Look in your local newspaper and see what coupons you can use to save on cash.

6) If you pay your own utilities, be sure that you do not use unnecessary heat, or that you leave things turned on longer than you need them, eg: lights, tv, computer, etc...

7) Cellphones. Can you get a cheaper plan with your provider? Perhaps fewer minutes? Or can you perhaps just go with a prepaid phone system? Have you tried metropcs or Sprint? Maybe the company you want may not be great and their phones may be crap, but atleast you wont pay as much monthly. Avoid buying a smartphone so you wont have to pay the monthly internet fee.

8) If you are paying for cable, it might be time to cancel it.

9) Which brings me to this point... If there is something you don't need, thats costing you money... Get rid of it completely.

10) If you are in need of some extra dough... Try the examiner. I think its examiner.com. They are looking for freelance writers. I heard they pay well and you get many perks.

Hope this stuff helps in someway.

[Stupot]

Don't underestimate the power of charity shops for things like clothes and kitchenware.  Why go to TopMan and spend 50 quid on a pair of jeans when you can get some perfectly decent ones for a tenth of that?  You may have to sacrafice a tiny bit in terms of style, but not necessarily; it's surprising how much actually half-decent stuff can be found second-hand if you shop around.

There is of course eBay, but I've been avoiding that lately because I go through phases of buying stuff I don't need.  Just because something is cheap doesn't mean it's not a waste of money.

[LRH]

Thanks again everyone! I'm feeling a bit better, I do generally cook for myself and the internet is free here. I don't smoke or anything either, so that's good. I just checked my account and I'm actually surprised at how much I've saved already. This last year might be a bit tough, but I've got the money to fall back on when I need it, so I think I just really need to tighten my belt like crazy for this last year and I'll manage to crawl out unharmed.

[blueskirt]

I know how you feel, I've been there the last 8 months.

Get rid of TV if you have one. Pirate everything for a while and redeem yourself when you'll have a diploma, a job and a pool of money.

If you've got electricity to pay, turn off everything anytime you're not using it. If there is one more winter before you get your diploma, turn off the temperature a little bit and sleep with socks, extra blankets or a gown. Also, seal your windows and every other holes where heat escapes. During summer, hang your clothes, don't dry them.

Avoid restaurants. Look out for sales at grocery and always compare prices. Whenever something you eat a lot is on sale, stock up for when it is not. Also stick to cheap stuff, eggs, bread, flour, potatoes, pasta, etc. If you're still not saving enough, reduce food to a meal per day, or alternate between a meal and two meals. Eat before you go to the grocery store. No more juice or soda, drink water. Avoid the big brands, buy your grocery's home brand instead. Shop too if you can, don't stick to one grocery store.

Pork mince is cheaper and a good substitute to beef mince.

Don't buy anything at convenience stores, ever. Everything is overpriced there.

Don't drink when you go to bars (just say you're the one who's driving tonight). If you need beer badly, buy it at grocery store, twenty bucks is what, four beers plus tips in a bar? It's twelve beers at grocery store, more if you fall on a sale.

Roommates are great to split lodging and food bills, if you can find a friend or an honest roommate.

Like Ponch said, banks leech you whenever you use your debit card, which is quite stupid since you're saving them time by using it and not going there in person. Generally you are allowed to use it a certain number of time per month, if you blow the limit they suck you fifty cents to a dollar every time you use it. Use it once per month, get what you need and hide the card away 'til next month.

Get rid of your cellphone if you can without penalty, get a phone at home, it's much cheaper.

Pay your bills on time to avoid useless interest.

Sell the stuff you don't need anymore. If you want to get rid of games and consoles, avoid crap stores like Gamestop and EBgames who think you're a moron and sell them on eBay instead.

Edit: Moar!

Wait three months before you buy something totally useless. Chances are you won't want it anymore then.

Got a collection of soda and beer cans and bottles lying around? Bring them back to the store.

[Calin Leafshade]

Wait, they *charge* you to use a debit card in the US? lol @ you guys srsly.

[blueskirt]

Canada actually. And yes, they do. Took me a while to discover that. Maybe they charge you too and you don't even know.

[Phemar]

Wait, they *charge* you to use a debit card in the US? lol @ you guys srsly.

Same in South Africa. I just make a mass withdrawal at the beginning of each month and use cash. They also charge you if you have insufficient funds, which doesn't really make sense to me... :/

[Calin Leafshade]

No, they do not charge for debit card services in the UK. It is free with pretty much every bank I know of.

[IndieBoy]

Domithan, I'm in exactly the same boat. I used to survive alright in the past although I recently changed employers and they haven't been giving me the hours I used to have in the previous job, so this month money has really been tight. I wouldn't say cut everything you spend money on, I always think there should be some sort of money set aside to enjoy yourself with.

Things I've been doing is stop doing rounds of drinks with my friends when we are out. There's no shame asking what is the cheapest drink at a bar, just be constructive with your questions; "Are all the bottled beers the same price?" etc.  Also go at a slower pace when you are drinking.

As said before, keep everything turned off you aren't using (No standby modes). Also disconnect things like laptops when you are using them, I know I can get I the habit of keeping my laptop plugged in when it is fully charged.

Food wise, avoid fastfood places. Toast is a cheap meal and there is a lot of different things you can eat with it. Remember a balanced diet is healthy, so have some form of fibre and protein regularly. I usually buy a large amount of mince at the start of the month, split it up into four and freeze it. So that I can take what I need each week and defrost it.

[Stupot]

Here are my top five thrifty tips, which I abide by religiously in my daily life:

1) Don't throw away your used t-bags!  Sewn together they make great insulation.
2) You see that Bible gathering dust on the shelf there?   Never buy Rizlas again!
3) Parsley is cheaper than cannabis.
4) Teach evening classes in Pig Latin and Ubbi Dubbi.
5) A hooker with AIDS is usually cheaper than a hooker without.

[Ponch]

No, they do not charge for debit card services in the UK. It is free with pretty much every bank I know of.

My bank doesn't charge to use the card. But I spend more when I use it to buy things. If I go into the store with 40 dollars, then I'm certain I'll spend no more than that. But if I go in with the plastic, then I find myself walking out with 46 dollars worth of stuff (for example). Week to week that adds up.

Also, Stupot -- thanks for the tip about the hookers. Now I'll be able to save even more money!

[Ryan Timothy B]

Wait, they *charge* you to use a debit card in the US? lol @ you guys srsly.

Canada as well, and yep. The funny thing is the banks actually charge the stores 5 cents every time someone uses a debit card.
Credit cards, the bank charges the store roughly 1-3 percent of what the total is. So a $200 dollar purchase costs the store $2 or more.

I can't remember the exact totals because it has been a year since I last heard them. My father owned a grocery store for nearly 20 years until March of this year when he sold it, and he had to have thousands a month set aside for debit and credit purchases to pay the bank.

It's an unbelievable rip off for stores, and the debit card fee for the customer is also a large rip off. I pay $10 a month just to cover my usual debit transactions (something like 40 a month).