 |
Holidays And Student Budgets: What To Do
Author: Morgan D. James  | Posted: 22-12-2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 219 | Rating: (51)  (?) 
Maybe you've just finished your exams. Maybe you're still writing final papers. The last thing on your mind has been the holidays, but now that they're almost here, what are you going to do? How are you going pay for the gifts that you need to buy?
Budget
Although it might already be too late for this, at least now is the time to make a mental note for next year to budget extra money for gifts in December. It's the same thing as budgeting the extra money you need for books each January and each September. It's better not to be caught off guard by these things!
Use your credit card wisely
It is not smart to put hundreds of dollars of Christmas gifts on your credit card. If you are not going to be able to pay back your credit card, then don't use it. It is smarter to get another, separate loan, or to call your bank to lower your student loan payment for this month than to put it on your credit card which could have an interest rate as high as 20%!
Organize the gift exchange
Instead of giving presents to everyone of your friends, organize a few gift exchanges: maybe your residence floor, your sorority sisters, or your biochemistry friends will want to do an exchange. You can set a price limit for each exchange too, like $5 or $10.
Homemade gifts
The best gifts are homemade gifts. You might want to make your gift exchange a homemade gift exchange! If you are short on time right now, but you know that you will have time later, you can always give some coupons for Christmas. Be sure that you remember to honor them, though! Think of your talents: making someone a home-cooked meal, giving a personal manicure or pedicure, or giving lessons on how to play bridge could be a great gift. If you know that you will have money after Christmas, you can also consider giving coupons for gifts that will cost you money, such as a night at the movies, or a nice dinner.
Work for the holidays
As a student, you are probably lucky to have one or two weeks off during the holidays. If you work for one or two days of the holidays, even, then you will earn enough money to buy the gifts that you need to buy. Be sure to give yourself some break, though. You have worked hard enough all semester and you deserve it.
Be charitable
Instead of exchanging gifts with some of your friends, consider doing charitable donations. You can each pick a charity, and then each donate a set amount of money to the other person's charity. Be sure to send a nice card that says you made a donation in their name.
You could also decide to give each other canned goods for the local foodbank. Buying 6 or 7 dollars of canned goods might not be a lot of money, but it will be a great help for those people who need it. You'll feel good, you'll save yourself money, and you and your friends and family will have done a good deed.
Remember
The key to surviving Christmas is to be honest. If you have friends who aren't in school and who have lots of spending money, the best thing is to explain to them that money is tight this year. Sometimes they forget or don't know how much being a student costs. Once you remind your family and friends of your budget, they will be more than willing to participate in some of these fun and money-saving holiday suggestions.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/holidays-and-student-budgets-what-to-do-85118.html
About the Author:Morgan James is a graduate student, and has lots of advice on how to save money, how to budget, and how to get loans to pay for those (un)expected expenses, like the holidays. Check out The Guide to Student Loans for more info.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
School
By: Josh | 23-08-2008
When does Lorain Longfellow Middle school start For th 8th grade?
Find
By: terry | 23-08-2008
i would like to find a year book of the class of 1992 for caverna high school
Link to Article titled: "Room for All"
By: James | 23-08-2008
What is the link to the article, "Room for All," published Friday, 22 August in Oakland Tribune ?
Debt
By: hot rod | 23-08-2008
Does debt eliminator help get rid of debt and is that a good way to go?
I live in South Carolina and I know each state has ...
By: Maryann | 23-08-2008
I live in South Carolina and I know each state has different laws, I am unemployed and I can not pay my creditors. I have notified all of them and I have asked them all if they could make up a small payment plan so that I can pay them. Each and every one of them would not comply. Please help me, all I receive is Social Security and every penny goes to just the mtge. lighting, food, medicine etc.
Oseola County Retired Teachers Association in Florida? $20 an hour P/T Job
By: ksbs | 23-08-2008
Does anyone know how to reach someone at the OCRTA; Oseola County Retired Teachers Association, in Florida? We are looking to hire someone to tutor our newly adopted 9 year old from China and need someone to teach her 3 days a week for 3 hours a day for $20 an hour for 12 months to bring her from K-4 within a year starting in November.
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Education Articles
Movado: Sports Edition Watches - Sports Yet Luxury Watches
By: Joseph Levy | 06/09/2008
Since 1981, the highly popular Sports Edition collection has played an important part in fashion, business and in the lives of the professional athletes. Movado maintains a very strong connection with the sports world.
The Various Types Of Student Loans
By: Paul Hata | 05/09/2008
There are three types of loans that are commonly found for college students. They include federal student loans, federal plus loans, and private student loans. Each type of loan has advantages and disadvantages that are unique to that particular loan.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Associate And Bachelor Degrees
By: Paul Hata | 05/09/2008
Regardless of whether a two-year degree or a four-year degree is in your personal best interest at the moment neither are a waste of time or effort. I hope that you will eventually seek a four-year degree, as this will give you a competitive edge in business, however, even the smallest improvement in your education level can mean big changes over the course of your lifetime.
The Benefits Of Community Colleges
By: Paul Hata | 05/09/2008
Add to that the fact that most community colleges offer very flexible class scheduling and even some courses online and you will find that there are many reasons to consider community college that go well beyond mere budgeting requirements.
Why Should You Get A College Degree
By: Paul Hata | 05/09/2008
There is no wrong reason to get an education. Even if you are applying for a job that won't use your specific degree, you might find that having a degree at all gives you a boost over other applicants for the same position.
How To Be Eligible For Scholarship
By: Paul Hata | 05/09/2008
If you're planning to go to college with a scholarship, you must familiarize yourself with the different requirements, how to go about your scholarship application, avoid scholarship scams, get a good help with scholarship essays, and see featured scholarship programs especially on the net.
Continuing Nursing Competency
By: ROBYN KNAPP | 05/09/2008
For those student nurses who are about to graduate, their main priority is to pass the NCLEX-RN examination. The practice of nursing is regulated according to licensing authorities in each state jurisdiction.
Each jurisdiction must ensure that each nurse has the minimum competency to practice nursing in their state. In order...
Nursing Entrance Test, Test Anxiety and Stress
By: ROBYN KNAPP | 05/09/2008
What is the Nursing Entrance Test? The test evaluates areas that are essential for academic success including basic math skills up to beginning algebra and reading comprehension. The Nursing Entrance Test must be passed with a score that is dictated by the community college or university. Some nursing schools require...
More from Morgan D. James
Get Your Degree Abroad
By: Morgan D. James | 11/12/2006 | Education
You've always wanted to travel. Why wait until after you are done school to travel? Get your entire degree abroad and you will be able to travel while you are in school!
Is Study Abroad for Me?
Before you decide to go and take your entire degree abroad, you need to consider...
|
|
Education 
