Creative Ways to Save Money in Athens

By Kristyna Mauch

ATHENS, Ga.—Univeristy students are coming up with creative ways to save money because they are working with tighter budgets due to the troubled economy.

Other than attending class and doing homework, students often spend their free time enjoying a meal, shopping with friends, or running the weekly errands. These activities are everyday basics but come with a hefty price tag. And these days, undergraduates need to save money any way they can.

Gillianne Gentzel, a history major from Jefferson, Ga., has a tight budget but still goes out to eat with friends.

“I always just split a meal with a friend,” Gentzel said. “They give you a lot of food in the first place. Why not share the cost?”

Gentzel’s last meal was at the Chili’s on Alps Road. Stacy, a hostess, says that there two for $20 entrée meal is back on the menu and is a good deal.

“I shared my meal with two other friends. It only cost me seven bucks to eat,” Gentzel said.

Another creative way to save money is to shop smart. University students are not cutting back on shopping but are browsing at places with cheaper prices.

Kelly Hill, sophomore chemistry major from Tifton, Ga., shops at Plato’s Closet, a gently-used clothing store located in the Beechwood Shopping Center.

“I can get a pair of name brand jeans for ten dollars,” Hill said.

There are other shopping options for used clothing such as Cillie’s downtown and various thrift stores located around the Athens area.

Athens is known for its downtown scene and students are using different methods to save money in order to have just as much fun downtown despite the penny pinching.

For example, some students are walking downtown instead of paying for an expensive cab.

Jack Hermanski, a chemistry major from Duluth, Ga., saves money on drinks by avoiding the expensive drinks at the bars.

“I buy my drinks from the store and then drink them before I go downtown,” Hermanski said.

By buying cheaper drinks from grocery or package stores, students save money on the pricey drinks downtown.

“I save so much money,” Hermanski said. “I used to spend almost $50 a night on drinks.”

Another money-saving option is collecting coupons. Students can take advantage of student discounts and buy-one, get-one free coupons. Bring a friend and share the cost. We’re all in this bad economy together; why not help each other out?

“I’m more likely to buy something if I have a buy-one, get one free coupon,” said Rachel Brent, a senior from Columbus, Ga.

Brent uses coupons with her roommate in order to take advantage of most coupon deals.

“I use coupons every time I go to the grocery store or eat out at fast food restaurants,” Brent said.

Elizabeth Brighton, a senior graphic design major from Warner Robins, Ga., says that searching for coupons is fun because it’s like a scavenger hunt and it saves her money.

Students all over campus are taking advantage of ways to save money in order to get by in this economy. Andy Wesche, a business major from Blairsville, Ga., is currently planning on using his $6.99 great clips hair cut coupon for his next hair cut.

“I use coupons like nobody’s business,” Wesche said.