Watching Your Wallet

Published on aggietownsquare.com on August 26, 2009

When I was first told I was going to be writing a column about being a smart consumer I panicked a little. I’m not exactly a financial planner; the idea of being an accountant makes me slightly nauseous, and even the thought of balancing my checkbook makes me uncomfortable. But, although I’m certainly no financial adviser I do have one financial strength I am quite proud of: I am cheap. So cheap it’s a bit ridiculous. I will do just about anything to save a buck. It’s probably in my blood; my mom, raised on a school teacher’s budget, is incredibly resourceful and frugal. Being thrifty is a great quality to have but, as I have found, can sometimes be embarrassing.

For example, last year I bought a green sweater from Old Navy for $25, which isn’t bad for a nice sweater. However, when I got home the shopper’s guilt I usually feel after a day of shopping settled in, and the full price purchase felt like a naughty sin. The sweater sat neglected in its bag for several weeks until I heard of an Old Navy clearance sale going on and received a coupon in the mail. With joy in my heart and a spring in my step, I towed my roommate to the store and had her return the sweater for me. I then rebought the exact same sweater. With the clearance sale and the coupon I saved $7. Seven dollars. I felt overwhelmingly pathetic, but was inwardly pleased that the $7 could now go toward cheap Kroger brand cereal or garbage bags. What a joke.

So, after remembering this story and many others like it, I came to the realization that this column may be just my cup of tea! I’ll share bargains and discounts I’ve heard about and provide helpful consumer and financial advice relevant to students. And, I’ll try to keep the embarrassment to a minimum. Wouldn’t want Old Navy to figure out the ole’ roommate-return-your-full-price-items trick.

So for starters, I thought I would share a few bargains, discounts and even how to earn a little money on the side. There are all sorts of bargains when school first begins, starting with the very cheapest: freebies! Freebies are all over the place the first week of school, especially free food. Pick up a Week of Welcome schedule (or check online at www.usu.edu/asusu) and plan your weekly menu accordingly. Wednesday is Day on the Quad, the prime event of the year for free food and treats. As for savings on groceries, Smith’s Food and Drug (175 E. 442 North) and Smith’s Marketplace (750 N. Main Street) both offer a five percent discount for all Utah State students everyday. Just sign up for a Fresh Values Card at either location. It may not sound like a lot but it certainly adds up – and so does the discount on Smith's gas if you buy groceries at the Smith's stores. For discounts of all sorts, pick up a coupon book in the basement of the TSC (I just used one of the coupons this morning: $7.99 haircut at Great Clips!) Are your books painfully expensive this semester? Ease the burden next semester by working as a note taker for the Disability Resource Center for one of your classes and earn a $15/per credit gift certificate to the USU Bookstore. It’s easy. You'll be doing a great service for fellow students, and the extra cash for the Bookstore is always helpful.

These are just a handful of many discounts around Logan. Know of good bargains or places that offer discounts to students? Please share by commenting below.

I’m excited to be broadening my talent as la cheap extraordinaire and by sharing my finds with you as well as giving you financial and consumer information. Have a financial topic you’d like discussed? Please leave a comment! I'm interested in reading your questions, concerns and interests.

-karlie.brand@aggiemail.usu.edu
Karlie Brand is a junior in public relations. "Watching Your Wallet" will appear online each Wednesday. Questions or comments can be sent to her at karlie.brand@aggiemail.usu.edu