4 College Money Sinks

By Lev Novak

A penny saved is a penny earned, and while earning money is awesome, saving money can be a lot less fun. After all, spending money is great; to resist that is to resist temptation. True, mostly; however, saving money that you’d otherwise waste is basically free money. And free money is awesome.

1. No Half Measures

Have you seen Breaking Bad? Well, you should. For those of you who have, you understand- those of you who haven’t, just assume the phrase “No half measures” is awesome, and should always be heeded.

What’s a half measure? A half measure is a half-way point between nothing and something, a mediocre effort that isn’t worth having done in the first place. Bad pizza you purchase on a whim- that’s a half measure. A coat that isn’t warm enough, but you got for cheap- that’s a half measure. Texting the girl you like but not really asking her out- that’s a half measure, too.

When it comes to life, it’s best to commit. If you’re hungry, go all out…or, of course, have the bread and Nutella you have at home. Either option is fine, but splitting the difference- between a good but pricier meal and the very cheap okay option- leaves everyone unhappy. Bad chinese food is more expensive than the food you have at home, and much less satisfying than the meal you might otherwise have. It doesn’t work on either level, and it’s a half measure. Save your money for what you really want, and avoid splitting your money on unfortunate compromises.

2. Beer (And Caffine) Outside The House

If you make your own coffee, you’ll notice that Starbucks is easily five times more expensive than it costs to make at home. Now, in a pinch, a $2.75 cup of coffee won’t bankrupt you…but if you have that five days a week, that’s about $45 dollars a month not staying in your wallet.

Similarly, alcohol is much cheaper in your house. We all know to pregame, of course, and to postgame, in a pinch, but unless you really want that beer with dinner, forget about it. That $3.50 PBR is five times more expensive than it should be, which still isn’t that bad…until you remember that means you just lost out on four beers by buying this one.

In a pinch, those drinks can be had outside the house. But don’t plan on them.

3. Buying All Those Albums and Season Passes For T.V. Shows From iTunes

Hahahhahahaha.

Oh, we have fun.

4. Anything Easy

Yes, it’s a sad truth, but anything easy costs more.

Pizza? Super easy. The campus book store- super easy. It’s right there! It’s hard to resist these money sink temptations because they’re right in front of you, and the cheaper options might not be as obviously in front of you, but they’re there. Look around online. Yes, a late-night flight might not be as easy, but it might be a great way to save (and thus earn) eighty bucks or so. Same with ordering your books online. Work a little harder for a little more money. That’s the way to make money; it’s also the way to save it.

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