PAC Student Media

By Bobby Martinez, Pulse staff writer

A student’s life is not easy, but knowing where to find the best deals for your everyday needs and cutting back on spending can help students reduce their stress.

“It is hard living on a budget, but you still have to live it,” said Roseann Trujillo, a Computer Technician Specialist major.

You can adopt this frugal lifestyle to whatever your needs are, for example:

Going on a date does not always have to be at a fancy restaurant and a movie at the theater.

Instead, impress your date by taking them on a bike ride, have a picnic lunch at a park and see a free movie at night with Slab Cinema. On Oct. 26, 2013, Slab Cinema and District 7 Councilman Cris Medina will host “Coraline” at Nani Falcone Park. You can bring your own picnic or select from food trucks that will be available.

If fancy is what you’re looking for, the San Antonio Symphony offers a 50 percent discount to all classics concerts and 20 percent on special concerts with a valid student I.D.

Buying groceries instead of eating out all the time can also help with your finances. Students who bring their lunch to school can save on average of $300 to $400 every semester.

David Rodriquez, financial education manager of Generations Federal Credit Union, never goes over his monthly grocery allowance because he uses cash.

“I go to the ATM, [take] out $200 and . . . leave my wallet at the house . . . with only $200, what’s the likelihood of me going over?”

San Antonio Food Bank and San Antonio College have teamed up once a month to provide a mobile food pantry to any student in need.

Try DIY projects. According to Beth Terry, author of MyPlasticFreeLife.com, many over-the-counter remedies can be made with fresh and dried herbs. Prepare yourself for flu season with Homemade Cough Syrup.

Affordable gyms are hard to come by, but Palo Alto College has a brand new Fitness Center dedicated to students. It offers free weights, cardio equipment and weight machines. For more information, read Million-dollar Fitness Center makes exercising fun and convenient .

For an outdoor workout, San Antonio Greenway Trail System offers 41 miles of uninterrupted paved trails around the city. Medina River Natural Area is about 7 miles from campus outside Loop 410 off of Palo Alto Road. This stretch offers a 14-mile round trip of shaded trail that follows the Medina River.

Job interviews require students to dress to impress. Going out to buy new clothes can put a dent in a budget.

Options to buy nice suits at affordable prices exist at thrift stores. To see just how stylish students can make thrifty look, be sure not to miss the America Recycles Day event on Nov 15, 2013, in the Student Annex Center. COMM 2330 students will stage a Recycled Fashion Show at noon with items only purchased from Goodwill.

Frugal living is not easy living. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll want to share how much it saves you, not how hard life is because you’re on a budget.