Savvy Spending

Balancing monthly expenses like rent and food can be hard when you want enough money to have fun. Take a look at the following tips for ideas about how to scrimp and save.

Housing expenditures

• Furnish your place with second-hand items. You can get them from thrift stores, Craig’s List, or friends and family members.
• Turn off any lights or appliances you’re not using. This saves energy and lowers the electric bill. Don’t forget to unplug any phone or computer chargers when you’re not using them.
• To stay comfortable and save money, keep the thermostat set at 78°F or higher in the summer and lower the heat at night to around 55°F in the winter.
• When doing the dishes, don’t leave the water running. If possible, fill one side of the sink with soapy water for washing and the other side with clear water for rinsing. If you have a dishwasher, only run it when full.

Grocery shopping

• Create a grocery budget with a list of staple items and stick to your list.
• Don’t shop on an empty stomach. If you shop when you’re hungry, you’re more likely to buy what looks tasty rather than what you need.
• Use coupons or use a handy in-store discount card when available.
• Buy generic; most products are identical and are almost always significantly cheaper.
• Buy non-perishable items in bulk to store and save for later.

Personal maintenance

• Use the free gyms on campus to exercise. If you want to work out some place else, ask about a student discount.
• Exercise outside or bike/rollerblade around campus for a free (and fun!) means of exercise.
• Recruit a friend to trim your hair or keep your salon visits to a minimum by getting a cut that is versatile and works at any length.
• Save money on laundry by hanging clothes outside to dry when the weather allows or letting clothes air dry around your apartment in the winter to humidify the air.
• Clean the lint trap in the dryer after each load—the clothes will dry faster.
• Try treating items labeled “dry clean” at home. Most of these items are perfectly safe to wash by hand using a gentle fabric wash.

Eating out

• Try packing food for any meals away from home. You will save money and eat healthier.
• If you dine out, do so for breakfast and lunch rather than dinner, which are less expensive, or meet friends for coffee, which will only cost a few bucks.
• When dining out, drink water instead of soda and split a meal with a friend.
• Bring any leftovers home with you to eat later.
• Make an effort to cook at home at least once a week. Putting together a great meal is fun and cheap and can also be a good opportunity to sit down and catch up with your friends.

Drinking

• Take advantage of happy hour rather than spending the evening out. Some places even provide free snacks.
• Instead of dropping money at the bars each weekend, take a night off and have a group of friends over. Ask everyone to bring something to share.
• Take advantage of the alternatives to drinking UW-Madison provides. Many are cheap or free and can be lots of fun.