Devil's Advocate
Issue date: 1/28/09 Section: Features
Dear Devil's Advocate,
I had a ton of fun this winter break. I got to see all of my friends and hang out with my family. The only problem? I didn't work.
I have a job over the summer that pays fairly well, but they're not open during the winter so I can't go back over break. I don't have the time for a job during the school year either. I'm beginning to regret all the times I went out over break and the money I wasted. I had a ton of fun, but was it really worth it?
Now I'm faced with an entire semester of weekends and only a few hundred dollars to my name. I still have to buy textbooks and pay for some of my class fees.
I don't know what to do! How am I going to really enjoy this semester if I can't pay for anything?
I don't want to leech off my friends, but that's starting to look like the only option I have left.
I want to have fun on the weekends, but I don't know if I can do that without money.
Sincerly,
Poor Patrick
Dear Poor Patrick,
We all know how difficult it can be to manage our money. It's easy to just throw down your credit card and pay for a night of fun in the city with your friends. But that's where this all begins: you have to do everything in moderation.
Luckily for us, going to school in New York City gives us plenty of opportunities for fun that are also free.
Buy a MetroCard and spend the day with your friends exploring.
Get off at a subway stop downtown and just walk; you never know what you can find just walking up Broadway. Or check out Central Park or the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
They're both easy to get to and free.
If the city isn't your thing, there's no shame in spending the night in. Organize a movie night with your friends or watch an entire season of your favorite TV show on DVD.
Sometimes just being with your friends can be as much fun as anything else. Make some popcorn and you'll be set!
Game night is also a fun, cheap pastime to do on a Friday night. Get a group of friends together, a bunch of board games and let the fun begin! It's also a great way to get to know friends better, with games like Apples to Apples, Outburst, or Scattegories.
I had a ton of fun this winter break. I got to see all of my friends and hang out with my family. The only problem? I didn't work.
I have a job over the summer that pays fairly well, but they're not open during the winter so I can't go back over break. I don't have the time for a job during the school year either. I'm beginning to regret all the times I went out over break and the money I wasted. I had a ton of fun, but was it really worth it?
Now I'm faced with an entire semester of weekends and only a few hundred dollars to my name. I still have to buy textbooks and pay for some of my class fees.
I don't know what to do! How am I going to really enjoy this semester if I can't pay for anything?
I don't want to leech off my friends, but that's starting to look like the only option I have left.
I want to have fun on the weekends, but I don't know if I can do that without money.
Sincerly,
Poor Patrick
Dear Poor Patrick,
We all know how difficult it can be to manage our money. It's easy to just throw down your credit card and pay for a night of fun in the city with your friends. But that's where this all begins: you have to do everything in moderation.
Luckily for us, going to school in New York City gives us plenty of opportunities for fun that are also free.
Buy a MetroCard and spend the day with your friends exploring.
Get off at a subway stop downtown and just walk; you never know what you can find just walking up Broadway. Or check out Central Park or the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
They're both easy to get to and free.
If the city isn't your thing, there's no shame in spending the night in. Organize a movie night with your friends or watch an entire season of your favorite TV show on DVD.
Sometimes just being with your friends can be as much fun as anything else. Make some popcorn and you'll be set!
Game night is also a fun, cheap pastime to do on a Friday night. Get a group of friends together, a bunch of board games and let the fun begin! It's also a great way to get to know friends better, with games like Apples to Apples, Outburst, or Scattegories.
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