College Entertainment for the Frugalista!

So if you are anything like I was, and like how most of my friends currently are... at this time of life most of us 20-somethings have little to no true concept of money. Blame it on the underdeveloped frontal lobe, ignorance, or just naivety... but most of the people I associate with who are college students like myself, just don't get it. They don't get that they are racking up debt by how they are spending, they don't see years down the road when it is all going to catch up with them. When they want a dream wedding = no money. When they want babies = no money. When they want a vacation = no money. And instead of all these great things, they will have debt and collectors and bills and stress.

Of course, college is the time of one's life. Being frugal doesn't mean sitting at home on your couch twiddling your thumbs every night, knitting a sweater for Grandma.. it just means being smarter, and choosing to spend money in a wiser [is that a word?] manner, that's all! So here are some tips for entertainment in college on a budget.

Go BIG. But only once a week! - Don't go to the bar, or the club or concert, etc every night of the week. Let yourself have one night a week that you go 'big'. Get that special house margarita... but only on Friday's. Go out to dinner, but only on Friday's... you get the idea. The rest of the week, try to keep in low-key. Rent a movie (Redbox = $1!), have the girls over and have a wine night, hang out on campus, go to a free event etc, etc. Instead of going to dinner, maybe go out for a snack instead (frozen yogurt, coffee (IHOP!), or something else) It will save money and you'll still get the satisfaction of getting away from your crazy roommates cooking skills, or lack thereof. Just try to stay low-key on the nights that aren't your big night. Plus, staying low key the rest of the week will make your big night that much sweeter!

Early bird gets the worm - Go to the early afternoon showings instead of the late night showings - they are always cheaper, and not to mention, a lot less crowded (Think perfect seats and nobody taking 'your' footrest! Bliss!!)

Ask & Ye Shall Receive - Always, always, always ask if there is a student discount. Most places, especially in a big college town, have discounts for students. You just have to ASK! :) And be prepared to show a school ID!

Adult Beverages - 3 words, people. Make your own. Yes, I know that swirly-tie-die-frozen-margarita-goblet-thing looks AMAZING, but it is probably also $10. Make your own drinks - much much cheaper. Pretend to be a bartender for your friends and see what kind of concoctions you can come up with.

Be One with Nature - Research parks in your area. My friends and I used to go to a great park in our city on a Saturday and call it a day. There was a giant frisbee-golf course, a big field calling the boys names' for a game (or five) of football, swingsets, walking trails etc. Bring bikes, soccer balls, footballs, frisbees, and just spend the day running around the park hanging out. Everyone would also bring a food item each and we would grill burgers and hot dogs and have a picnic lunch. I have some great memories from those cookouts at the park, and it was much cheaper than going to an amusement park. Another idea is look for any type of national parks around you. My friends and I found a canyon that had 12 different hiking trails about 1.5 hours north of our city. We carpooled (AKA split gas costs 5-ways!) and paid our admission into the canyon and spent all day hiking and spending time together. Seriously, my sweetest and most cherished memories of my time with my friends are the times where we left all the "stuff" behind, left all the frills in the city, and just made our own fun. Money does not equal happiness or a good time.

Biore OVERHAUL!

Talk about the Biore motherload! I have enough Biore products to last me until Jesus comes back. Wait until you hear about this deal I got!

(6) packs of Pore Strips = 35.64
(2) 4-in-1 Cleansers = 11.98
(1) Ice cleanser = 5.94
(3) Pore Scrubs = 17.82
= 71.42 without coupons

** Each pore strip came with a $2 off coupon for next time!
** Two of the pore packs came with a free sample of the new steam cleanser!

So here's where the savings come in, I had 6 B1G1 coupons, so all 6 of the cleansers were FREE. Then I had two 2/1 and two 1/1's that I used. I also got back a $5 Target giftcard for every 3 products (i.e. $20)

That brings my total from $71.42 to.... 9.68 or about $0.80 cents per product. Not to mention I got $12 in coupons and two free samples!

I love Target.

Free Sample of the Day - BeneVia Drinks

Go here for this freebie.

The pack includes: 1 Bottle of BeneVia Heart Health
1 Bottle of BeneVia Strength & Energy
1 Book: The Science of Staying Young (by John Morley)
& High value Coupons

Sweet!

FREE Personalized Cat Safety ID Tag wyb 2 Arm&Hammer Litters

Go here for this great deal.

I am going to save my reciepts and get a tag for both of my cats that says "If you see me outside, pls Call xxx-xxx-xxxx". I keep a pretty good eye on them, but they are pretty good escape artists :)

Who told you nothing's ever free? They're lying straight to yo face!

Here are tons of free samples for you! ** Usually the free samples are accompanied by generous coupons that you cant find elsewhere.

I have literally filled out probably 100 free sample forms in the past 24 hours. I never knew the abundance of them that exist. I cannot wait until my mailbox starts filling up with freebies :) My poor apartment complex... they are gonna think I am craz(ier) than they already think I am! Oh well, free is free baby!

Plus, if you don't use any of these items go ahead and get the sample pack anyways. Start your own donation bin/bag/container. When it's full take it to a local women's shelter. Especially the soaps/feminine products - they will be such a blessing to those women!

Kraft Sandwich Shop Mayo

Pampers Potty Training Kit

eb5 Facial Cream

Flexitol Foot/Heel Cream

All Natural Bully Stick Dog Treat

5 Flavors of Nescafe Coffee

True Lemon/Lime/Orange Crystals

Playtex Gentle Glide

Arm & Hammer Toothpaste

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner

Dr Scholl's Heel Insert for Women

Nivea Body Wash or Lotion

ASPCA Pet Safety Kit

Gas-X Thin Strips

Dove Daily Treatment Conditioner

YoPlait Yo Plus (coupon for free sample)

Beach Nut Baby Food Starter Kit

Emergen-C

Happy Sampling :)

Free Glade Products!

Gift basket comes with a plug-in warmer and refill, a room spray, and a candle.

ENDS MAY 28th!

Go here for the free Glade goodies!

My $1.92 evening trip to Target!

Listerine Whitening for $0.48 a bottle at Target! How? Heard from a little birdie that these have been clearanced down yet AGAIN to $1.98. I went to check it out at my store and sure enough they were marked down! I used 2 $2/1, and 2 $1/1's... here's the breakdown.

$7.92 - $6 coupons = $1.92 ($0.48 cents each)
I got all four for less than the price of one! What a deal. Giving 1 bottle to my sister, and 1 bottle in my donation bin, and keeping 2 bottles for myself. That worked out great!

And about those Whiska's cat treats. FREE. I used 2 B1G1's on them, and got them both free. Sweet!