Kayla Urbanovsky

Saving money -- it's a concept that even college students need to practice. But it can be difficult when incomes and budgets are meager. In this Bobcat Update, Kayla Urbanovsky (urr-ban-off-skee) reports on the struggle some people have in choosing between wants and needs.

In college, to save money you first need to manage it. It's easy to go out to eat and ignore your depleted bank account, but that can result in overdraft bank charges. Renting textbooks or using library resources can help in holding down costs and perhaps leave you with more money to spend elsewhere. Campus ministries offer free lunches during the week that can help hold down food costs. Or, you can pack your own meals from home. Senior Education Major Rachel Lackups says she sometimes leaves her debit card at home on purpose. Doing so helps her overcome the impulse to buy new clothes.
SB: Rachel Lackups
Money struggles for students also come from nights spent bar hopping and paying covers to see bands play. To save money, students COULD go less often or perhaps attend free concerts when they're offered. Gas prices are falling, but driving can still be costly. Alternatives exist that can cut costs. For example, take the tram instead or walk to campus. Texas State Accounting Major Jogil Rivera says that he asks himself multiple times if he absolutely needs something before he buys it.
SB: Jogil Rivera
There are many ways to save money. You can see movies at the dollar theater or watch T-V shows online at such websites as hulu-dot-com. That's cheaper than buying full-price tickets or paying for cable subscriptions. With Christmas coming up and a new semester ahead, students can use these resources to live within a budget and have more money in their pockets. For Bobcat Update, I'm Kayla Urbanovsky.