Life&Style. WAR oF It takes money to make money By Sharon Miki, Assistant Editor “Tf you talkin’ ‘bout money, homie, I ain’t concerned.” -50 Cent e all want to be financially secure, but if money in the bank was as easy as counting your nickels, we'd all be rich. I, for one, have been acting like a chump for years—living a cold, desolate life filled with Ziploc lunches, public transit, No Name cereal, and No Real fun. While I appreciate the sentiment behind frugal living strategies, I’m starting to think that maybe the way to financial solvency is to make bold moves against the grain of conventional wisdom. First of all, how many times have you heard that simply abstaining from pricey Starbucks beverages can save you dollars a day—adding up to hundred of dollars a year. Sounds very practical—until you consider how inconvenient it is to slosh around homemade coffee in a dollar-store to-go mug. You might save a buck, sure, but you'll end up with unprofessional coffee stains on your shirt, you won't drink that cold, disgusting swill, you'll end up exhausted without the caffeine boost, and you will ultimately end up spending the day in an unproductive, unattractive slump. So, maybe you pocketed an extra toonie—but at what “big- picture” cost? Similarly, I think that it’s time more people started eating out for lunch instead of carrying around squished bananas and squashed tuna sandwiches in their backpacks all day. First off: you stink. No one wants to be seen within smelling distance of a tuna-banana aromatized loser; you're losing friends and potential business contacts. Moreover, for 8 what you might be saving in debit card transactions, you’re losing invaluable opportunities to participate in contemporary mainstream cultural and social capital at the post-secondary level. Purchasing a Subway foot-long is more than a lunchtime dollar- purge; indeed, it is a highly-visible demonstration of your inclusion and refined understanding of the shared advertising norms of our society. Walking down the hall with the plastic swish-swish of a green and yellow Subway bag affirms your desire to be a part of the elite within the consumerist elite of the college microsystem. It’s well worth the few extra dollars. Also, tomatoes and pickles go totally soggy on homemade sandwiches. Moving away from gastrointestinal issues, the much- touted idea of using public transit as a way to save money has multiple flaws. As an avid transit user (I’ve been drinking the Kool-Aid, but I now see the light), the most obvious problem with transit is that it takes twice as long to get anywhere. Does this really save you anything? If you added up all of the extra time that you spend on transit, you could probably acquire a second job and still fit in a few naps. Also, most people look really cool driving cars; it’s extremely difficult to look cool while trying desperately not to touch knees with the lecherous man in tear-away pants leering at you while you and 50 other poor souls are bounced around in a vat of gas- powered recycled air and sadness. We all want to be rich, but maybe it’s time we start giving more respect to the adage that it takes money to make money. I’m no financial expert, but let’s try it out: you live your way, and I'll live mine—we'll see who makes it to bankruptcy court first. I think you may be surprised. Making the cut: cost saving measures for the financially-conscious student By Eric Wilkins, Staff Writer hort on cash? Can’t figure GS out why? Well, it’s because you're in college, burdened with an insurmountable student loan, and failing your classes. I kid—partially—but here are some money-saving tips that can ease the stress in at least one area of your life. Let’s start with coffee. The lifeblood of any collegian and definitely a necessity. However, Starbucks is not. While the temptation to give in to consumerism and proudly carry that easily-recognizable cup around every morning is strong, it’s not financially smart. Picking up a cup even three times a week can add up to approximately $12. That’s $48 a month, and $576 a year! Nearly $600 for coffee? A princely sum for a morning wakeup. The solution? Start brewing your own coffee at home. Grab a massive tin from Costco instead! Sure, the taste may not be quite on par, but you'll be saving a lot of money while still getting that jolt of needed caffeine. Second, I love McDonalds and Tim Horton’s as much as the next person. A filling meal for $5 or so looks really good on paper, but do the math. Much like the coffee scenario, eating out for snacks, lunch, and dinner can really put a dent in your wallet. Bring a lunch from home in one of those good old-fashioned brown bags, and you won't regret it. Next, let’s talk about bottled water. It’s the biggest crock since non-alcoholic beer. If we were living in some other area where the water supply was not as trustworthy, then there would be some merit to it. Here in beautiful British Columbia it is completely unnecessary. Tap water is clean, fresh, and very much drinkable. Quit hauling around that bottled water like a badge of ignorance, grab a re-useable bottle, and fill it up. Another point? Cars are wonderful. At a moment's notice, they can whisk you away to any place of your choosing. However, with the state of gas prices these days, that place of your choosing may be restricted to somewhere much closer. Along with the incredible gas costs, you have to pay car insurance. The average premium in 2009 for British Columbians was $1,113 per year. While this advice is not applicable to all, since some truly need a vehicle due to their location, it is a reasonably sound idea to sell your car and take public transit. Make use of that U-Pass you are paying for! Carpooling is also a fine way to reduce travel costs. Go green, and you'll find it keeps more green in your wallet. Finally, there’s the heating expenses for your home. As easy as it is to just crank up that thermostat and walk around in shorts for the rest of the day, listen to your common sense. It’s screaming, “Noooo!” Leave the temperature at a reasonable level and throw on a sweater if you get cold. These are just a few things to consider. Think before you buy. Your bank account will thank you, even if just a little bit.