2008 Woodie Awards
Humor: The smart, the lucky, and the rest of us
Deborah Chessey
Issue date: 8/30/06 Section: Life
- Page 1 of 1
During my first week of school I ran into the three types of Non-Traditional College Students:
The first category contains the Smart Non-Trads. These students grocery shopped and bought enough food for an entire month. They arranged their children's closets so that each child has a fresh outfit every day for an entire month; including socks and skivvies. They stocked toilet paper and dish detergent and they arranged a carpool schedule to get their children from here to there and then back home again.
The second category contains the Lucky Non-Trads. This group comes equipped with a support team of individuals who will pick up the kids from school, go to the grocery store and mow the lawn. The Lucky group comes equipped with a partner that cooks meals, cleans toilets and prepares flash cards during mid-terms and finals.
The final category contains the Rest of Us. We knew that school was going to start on the 21st, but instead of arranging schedules for our families we went on family vacations. We set at the lake and celebrated the fifth to last week-end of summer. We took long road trips and spent all of our children's school supply money on C-store coffee and burritos.
Those of us in the "Rest of Us" category like to think that the only difference between ourselves and the Traditional Student is that we are the legal guardians of our room-mates.
Tips to lighten your bills:
#1. Watch your extra expenses. Keep your phone bill down by using e-mail and forgoing options such as call waiting and voice messaging. Go to matinees instead of evening shows. Do without costly cable options. Try not to eat out too often.
#2. Buy used books.
#3. Share expenses with a roommate.
#4. Work while you are in college. Working students are
generally better at managing their time and have an appreciation for the cost of their education.
#5. Balance your checkbook regularly. This will help you avoid costly overdraft fees. It is also a good idea to get in the routine of saving money each month, even if it's only $5.
#6. Pay with cash whenever possible. This will help keep you within your budget.
#7. Take advantage of student coupons and discounts.
The first category contains the Smart Non-Trads. These students grocery shopped and bought enough food for an entire month. They arranged their children's closets so that each child has a fresh outfit every day for an entire month; including socks and skivvies. They stocked toilet paper and dish detergent and they arranged a carpool schedule to get their children from here to there and then back home again.
The second category contains the Lucky Non-Trads. This group comes equipped with a support team of individuals who will pick up the kids from school, go to the grocery store and mow the lawn. The Lucky group comes equipped with a partner that cooks meals, cleans toilets and prepares flash cards during mid-terms and finals.
The final category contains the Rest of Us. We knew that school was going to start on the 21st, but instead of arranging schedules for our families we went on family vacations. We set at the lake and celebrated the fifth to last week-end of summer. We took long road trips and spent all of our children's school supply money on C-store coffee and burritos.
Those of us in the "Rest of Us" category like to think that the only difference between ourselves and the Traditional Student is that we are the legal guardians of our room-mates.
Tips to lighten your bills:
#1. Watch your extra expenses. Keep your phone bill down by using e-mail and forgoing options such as call waiting and voice messaging. Go to matinees instead of evening shows. Do without costly cable options. Try not to eat out too often.
#2. Buy used books.
#3. Share expenses with a roommate.
#4. Work while you are in college. Working students are
generally better at managing their time and have an appreciation for the cost of their education.
#5. Balance your checkbook regularly. This will help you avoid costly overdraft fees. It is also a good idea to get in the routine of saving money each month, even if it's only $5.
#6. Pay with cash whenever possible. This will help keep you within your budget.
#7. Take advantage of student coupons and discounts.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Nicole
Nicole
posted 9/02/06 @ 10:05 AM MST
I am one of the "rest of us" too. I am a big fan of Mrs. Chessey. I look forward to reading much more from her.
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