Can They Survive Too?

The economy is hitting tough times and so are the people living in it. Depending on everyday decisions and choices, the blow can be lessened.
Students are finding creative and practical ways to be frugal. Some students have mastered the art of frugality from day one, and are merely continuing the practice. Others are now learning in these tougher times, and finding it is not so miserable.
Alexi Treu, age 20, sophomore at Hillsdale College spoke of ways he saves money. “We drink water and we only drink from the tap….we “steal” fruit from the cafeteria. We buy off brands… I stock up and buy cans three cans of peanut butter. Then when I don’t eat at the cafeteria I‘ll eat a lot of peanut butter sandwiches. “
Treu says, “We cook veggies together, a little meat and pasta, all cheap groceries. I am frugal which is why I am sound financially.” Treu is one of these students that have made a habit of living frugally, even before college. So this comes natural for him.
“Even if the economy was booming I would save a lot of money because this is how I always live”.
Tara, Treu’s girlfriend, 20, and also a sophomore at Hillsdale, wished her last name to remain anonymous. She spoke of her vegetarian diet. “Being a vegetarian is very economical. Any time I go out to dinner, vegetarian meals are always cheaper than ones with meat.” Tara made a connection between her veggie choices and medical bills. “The other thing about being vegetarian is it cuts down on doctors bills, because you’re a much healthier person. My immune system is much stronger, and I don’t need to buy medicine for colds and spend money at the doctor.”
Tara gave an example of creativity in gift giving. “I definitely put a lot of caring into a blanket I made for my boyfriend. I went to the craft store and found inexpensive fleece, and I spent more time, which was worth it, but cheap.”
A freshman at Mott Community College in Flint, Marlee Rogers, age 20, speaks of her frugal habits. “I don’t carry a lot of spending money, and when I do, I don’t spend in on the Bistro, Mott’s restaurant... I know a lot of people eat out, and that is a major cost even if you do dollar menus.”
Rogers also stated “I have always been one not to spend much.” For instance, “on a shirt I would not spend more than $20. Garage sales are nice because you can make money having them and save money shopping at them.” For birthdays and such occasions, Rogers said, “We always make cards instead of buying them.”
Rogers plans on transferring to University of Michigan- Flint but will attend Mott to save money until it is necessary to transfer. Rogers also lives at home, which is an additional way she saves money.
The Goodwill, a non -profit charity supported organization has been affected in a different way. Calvin Mabery, a Goodwill Industries employee spoke of the effect the economy is having on customer traffic.
“A lot more college people are coming this year,” Mabery said. “People that would not normally shop here are coming. We’ve got clothes that you all people would wear- people don’t know. We’ve got clothes like Abercrombie.”
Mabery also stated he has noticed more students from Mott, Kettering, U of M-Flint, and Baker taking advantage of the Goodwill recently. “They need clothes too you know, and they can’t go buy clothes from JC- Penney all the time.” According to Mabery, donations have gone down, but the change is not significant.
Students have always been known for frugal habits cutting extravagant costs, but now the need is heightening to a necessity as the squeeze for money tightens further. Surviving in tough times is an opportunity for creative juices to come out. It is in these times that everyone realized it is possible to survive, even thrive, with very little.