<p>I agree to see if your mom will let you visit less. $20 adds up, and it will probably mean that you wouldn’t be able to work on the weekends. (Let alone do your school work).</p>
<p>You may want to consider whether taking out a small federal loan to take care that $400 x 2 semesters is worth it for you. </p>
<p>Start creating your resume now, so that you can get hired faster. </p>
<p>Have a budget. For now, you can estimate, and when you actually have a job, use the real numbers. NYU should have a page on its website that tells the “entry level wage.” From that, figure out how much time you must work each week to get the full grand per semester and how much you will earn each month. (Remember taxes will eat some of that money, although there are fewer taxes that apply to FWS earnings). Think about how much you need to set aside for school, to return home, for food, for necessities, for school supplies, and for fun. What would you do if you don’t get hired until the second month of school? If you have time for a second job, you may be able to baby sit. Baby sitting doesn’t always require more than a night’s commitment and taxes aren’t taken out of your earnings. Your university may have job listings that list neighborhood babysitting/ odd jobs.</p>
<p>Oatmeal is really cheap and you don’t need milk. (Milk is good for you, but is expensive and requires refrigeration). Get a fridge, or even better have a roommate get a fridge and buy a fridge next spring off of someone who isn’t able to store it. Don’t go out to eat too often, and when you do, just get an appetizer or soup, and eat a real meal in the dorm before or after you go. Eat healthfully especially when you are eating cafeteria food so you don’t get sick (no a pop tart isn’t a “square meal,” nor is easy mac good for you in the long term). There will probably be other students who never use their meal plan for some reason or another. See if they will swipe you in. A Starbucks/ coffee/latte/ diet coke habit gets to be expensive. Drink water, or brew your own coffee or tea. Learn to cook. The immigrant supermarkets sell staples at a lot less than regular grocery stores. (You may have to buy a lot to make the subway fare worth it). Take advantage of the free food that is offered at events. </p>
<p>Buy the bare minimum for your dorm room. If you need twin xl sheets, see if you can buy quality sheets at a discount store somewhere so that they will last longer. If you need twin sheets, use the sheets from your own bed/ see if any one you know has old ones. Bring your pillow and pillow case from home. Posters are nice to have, but not necessary. Decorate with photos/ things you’ve printed out instead/ things you already have. Chinatown has cheap plastic storage solutions, but free discarded boxes from local businesses are even cheaper. </p>
<p>If you need more clothes, check out the thrift store. Thrift stores have lots of other stuff you might need on the cheap. </p>
<p>As a college student you will probably have more time than money (although not enough of either). Walking is cheaper than the subway, which is cheaper than taxis. Walk when ever possible, and do your best to plan ahead so that you can combine your subway trips. Avoid taxis whenever possible, but if you must take them split the costs 4 ways with friends.</p>
<p>Look up the clubs you want to join. Some may have fees or traveling expenses. You will have to either save up, or find another club.</p>
<p>If you don’t talk on the phone a lot, a pay as you go phone is cheaper.</p>
<p>Do well in school so that you can apply for scholarships.</p>
Just about everyone I know is on FA or has taken out loans to be here. Most people have part-time jobs or internships and don’t have a lot of money to throw around. Of course there are rich kids but please don’t worry about not fitting in because most people aren’t rich. Some tips on saving money in NYC from an upperclassmen:</p>
don’t take drinks from strangers of course.</li>