SchoolisHard

Though we are among the most destitute of all individuals, we students still can’t help getting the occasional urge to sell our old Nintendo systems, roll up our pennies and buy something.

If you want to make the most of murdering your piggy bank, consider spending what little money you do have on things that will contribute to your quality of life.

A Nice Pillow

Every time I buy a pillow it comes from the four dollar bin at Wal-Mart. For the first two weeks the pillow is great, but after a month passes I am just as well off using a potato sack. Paying upwards of 30 dollars may seem like a lot for a pillow, but you get what you pay for. You won’t necessarily save money, but your quality of sleep will improve.

Complete Car Tune-Up

Get your tires rotated and have your oil and filters changed. If you have a friend who knows a lot about cars, they might be willing to let you pay them to do it. You won’t have to miss class because your car died on the side of the road and your gas mileage will improve.

Multivitamins/Supplements

Staying healthy is probably the hardest part for full-time college students. Taking a daily multivitamin along with any other supplements your doctor recommends will help keep your immune system healthy and keep you in class.

Personalized Labels/Letterhead

This seemed cute and fun when you were a kid, but now that you are an adult it is time to realize the importance of a professional appearance. By having all of your outgoing correspondence to professors, companies, etc. on quality paper, you will make a better first impression.

Eating Out Once with New Acquaintances

It may be expensive, but what is more important - 20 bucks or the chance to make a new friend? It was very difficult for me to put this in perspective during my first few years of college. Somebody would invite me to go out with them, and I would decline simply because I did not have much money. It would have been smarter for me to have gone, spent a couple dollars, and expanded my social network.

Watch a meaningful movie based on a true story by yourself.

If the movie was based on a book, go ahead and buy the book and read it after watching the film.

A small, sturdy umbrella.

Let’s face it - you needed one of these last week, didn’t you? Carry one with you in your backpack or purse at all times. Having an umbrella is also a nice way to make new friends and help people when it suddenly starts to rain.

A nice watch.

How much do you value your time? You’re a big boy/girl now, so that means it is time to start wearing a watch. If possible, get one that runs on solar power or some other alternative energy source such as your body’s movement. (I don’t know if that last one exists, but it should!)

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Supplies for something constructive which you enjoy.

This could be more paint colors, new strings, or foreign language CDs. The main goal is something that allows you to further your talents and explore your current interests more deeply.

One complete professional outfit.

You only need to look nice about .01% of the time, but when that time comes you need to really pull out all the stops. You need a nice suit/dress, coordinating shoes, the works. This may cost you several hundred dollars, but you can save money by taking advantage of sales. (TIPS: Hold off on buying this until you are sure you have stopped growing. If a store has a buy one get one deal, see if a friend needs an outfit and split the cost.)