My new floor mates and I left the Sunday chapel service and walked across campus to the cafeteria. It was my first weekend on campus, so I had no idea what to expect on Sundays: A post-chapel line all the way out the door and to the street. My new friends and I groaned. "We're going to have to wait forever," my resident assistant said. "Should we just go to Pizza Hut instead?" She didn't have to ask twice. My share of the hot, cheesy pepperoni pizza only set me back $4.50. Since I had more than $200 in my checking account, I didn't mind this small expense. A few slices of pizza weren't going to bankrupt me. But over the next few weeks, I noticed how quickly my money was draining away, here and there. Finally, I recognized the problem. I was spending money as freely as I had in high school, when I earned more cash at my after-school job. But now even the little costs that I didn't think much about were draining my savings, and my monthly work-study checks were hardly enough to handle my spending habits. It was time to start keeping track of my money and setting limits on how much I spent. It was hard at first to say no to the situations where I knew I'd shell out too much cash. Living on a budget meant not going bowling every time my friends asked. It meant only making midnight runs to the local all-night diner occasionally instead of every month, and asking for new jeans for Christmas instead of buying them myself. But getting a grip on my wallet did get easier. Eventually, I realized that my friends also lived on tight budgets. It was somehow comforting to realize I wasn't the only one who took cookies from the cafeteria to save money on snacks. My budget-minded friends and I found out there were lots of ways to have fun without always spending money. The college planned free activities and concerts almost every weekend. The local public library had a great DVD and video selection. Friends in the dorm were willing to share their movies, too. And changing my snack from vending-machine M&Ms to store-brand microwave popcorn saved several dollars a month. My new budget didn't mean I couldn't ever spend money, but it did make it more special when I could splurge. Carpooling also saved me money. I realized if I was willing to find a ride home for breaks, I wouldn't need a car—or money for a parking permit, gas and car insurance. When I posted my name and hometown on the school bulletin board, other students from my area would call to let me know when they were heading near my hometown. By driving together, we'd each pay for part of the gas instead of a whole trip's worth. When I'm willing to be creative, I can find lots of ways to stretch my money. It's not easy living on a tight college budget, but it's worth it to know I can support myself and go to a school I love. Plus, being wise—even about little costs like M&Ms, pizzas and videos—is a way to honor God, our provider who owns it all. Ariel Emery is a senior at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
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