College on a Budget How to get through four years of school without always being broke

Writing by Ally Cendana

Let’s admit that living life on a college budget isn’t easy. From filling up your gas tank to book and club fees, the expenses for college life are unlimited but the budget isn’t. We know that just being in college drains your bank account, barely leaving you any money for food and your wants. We wish we could live a healthy lifestyle eating ramen and ordering off the dollar menu at McDonalds, but sadly that’s not the case. In order for us to keep the study grind we need to keep ourselves healthy physically, so here are a couple of places where you can get healthy food for cheap. Yes, I said healthy foods for cheap!

TRADER JOE’S

One of my favorite grocery stores is Trader Joe’s. It’s like a knock off Whole Foods with organic foods with unbeatable prices. They have lots of healthy options for people who want to stay healthy on a budget such as their delicious organic riced cauliflower ($1.99) and frozen brown rice all ($4.00 for three 10 oz. bags). They are infamous for their frozen mandarin chicken and their ‘Everything

Bagel Seasoning’, which honestly is an amazing seasoning for not only your bagels but proteins as well.

Aldi

Have you seen one of these stores? Its small looks shouldn’t fool you because it is packed with low price off brand items that taste exactly like store brand items but better. They have fresh bread and croissants for about a $1.89 a pack, as well as other items that I’m sure you love.

For all the fashionistas out there, just know that there are places that you can get trendy and unique clothes without breaking the bank. You don’t need to go to the mall and buy clothes at full price when you can go to thrift stores and get the same item and multiple items for less than you expect! You can easily find the brands you love at these stores as well as some cute vintage fashion. Just give it a wash and it will look like it was never used.

Goodwill

Goodwill can be a hit or miss but the one near UH on Westheimer is the absolute best! At Goodwill it takes a bit of digging but I promise you that another man’s trash is another one’s treasure, and you will find some cute clothes or even household items here. For $5.99 a shirt and $6.99 for jeans, now that’s a steal.

PLATO’S CLOSET

If you want definite named brands, this is the place to go! Plato’s Closet is very selective when it comes to their clothing items since they all look brand new. The prices range depending on the brand, but I would say the range can go from $5-$20. You can find brands like from Forever 21, Zara, and Topshop! They even sell used brand named purses if you feel like treating yourself. Plus, you can resell your clothes there to make a little side cash!

Buffalo Exchange

Now this is a thrifting gem in Montrose (right across Trader Joe’s by the way)! This place has one of a kind unique items for good prices, it would be any fashionistas heaven! Their items range from well known brands to eccentric vintage items that will catch anyone’s eye. The place is very charitable as well because when you shop there you receive a token rather than a bag, where you can choose to put the token in your selected charity. Each token you put in they give 5 cents to the selected charity, how nice!