The end of the year is fast approaching and although classes are over, exams are not. On top of exams, everyone has to make sure they have enough money for food and coffee. Those couple of hundred dollars you put in your expense or bank account at the beginning of the semester are quickly dwindling due to a few too many Pilgrim’s Prides at Alpine and the unavoidable I-am-done-with-classes-for-the-day Diet Cokes.
Either way, for the past week or so, every time you’ve swiped your One Card or debit card, you have told yourself you’re going to find a way to not spend so much money. Here are a few ideas on how to ration your money during the last week of school, so you have enough money to afford food and a new summer wardrobe.
1. Change your Alpine order
Carolina Dining Services says Alpine is “often considered by students to be the best thing on campus,” and I don’t know many people who disagree. But, because it is the best thing on campus, your dollars can rack up if you go there often. I would never suggest that someone stop going to Alpine, (that would be close to sacrilegious) but changing what you order there might help save money.
As previously mentioned, a Pilgrim’s Pride, a bagel with turkey and any other toppings of your choosing, is $5.59. This is reasonable for what the sandwich is but when trying to save money, maybe try a BLT which costs $4.89 to still get your much-needed veggies in for the day. Or go for the classic cream cheese, which costs $2.39. You can also try Alpine’s cheapest option, a bagel with butter, which costs $1.39. These options may not be as nutritious as your normal order but exams are only for a week and choosing a cheaper bagel will help the last bit of money in your account last.
2. Get your $10 worth at Lenoir and Rams
Some people do not know this but each swipe at Lenoir or Rams is worth roughly $10. So if you don’t have a meal plan, it costs up to $10 to enter a dining hall. So, when you are running out of money, do not skimp on how much food you get when you go to the dining halls. Do not just get a salad and a slice of pizza. That is not worth $10, people. Get a salad and pizza and then possibly a sandwich and some fried chicken while you are at it. Don’t overeat to the point of sickness, obviously, but you don’t want to waste money. If you don’t have a meal plan, don’t worry because Phree Phood has organized the event SwipeFest. Everyone can check the wall and see how many extra swipes people on campus have and know where to meet them.
3. Beware of Walgreens
Walgreens is a very dangerous place if you are trying to conserve your money. As are other convenience stores, such as Pit Stop and Rams Head Market. The key to these stores is to go in and get what you need and leave right away because if you even think to wander to the candy section or, heaven forbid, the makeup aisle, then all hope of conserving your money will go down the drain. While these types of stores are convenient, only go if you have to because we are trying to ration our money, not spend it on most likely unnecessary items.
Hopefully these tips have been helpful and you use them in the next week so you don’t run out of money during exams!
Sources:
Alpine coffee and bagels (Photo); QSR Magazine; http://www2.qsrmagazine.com/articles/ones_to_watch/118/alpine-1.phtml.
Alpine Bagel Company; UNC Dining Services; http://www.dining.unc.edu/DiningLocations/RetailDining/AlpineBagelCafe.aspx.
Alpine Bagel Company Menu
Lenior (Photo); UNC Dining Services; http://www.dining.unc.edu/DiningLocations/ResidentialRestaurants/TopofLenoir.aspx.
SwipeFest: Spring 2012 Event; Facebook; http://www.facebook.com/events/139258939537599/.
Walgreens (Photo); The Herald Sun; http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/5306092/article-Downtown-Chapel-Hill-s-empty-storefronts-filling-in.