As tuition and housing prices continue to rise, students who are living in Athens over the summer are finding ways to keep living costs at a minimum.
For a lot of students who are living in Athens, roommates may not be in town to help share the load of heavy utility bills, forcing some students to sacrifice luxuries for rent or food money.
Emily Hanford, a junior studying journalism, has made sacrifices in the first summer session in order to save money.
I've limited the amount of time the air conditioning is on
if I put it on at all Hanford said.
Cable and Internet are also two bills that, without roommates, have the potential to be very costly. Using the wireless Internet on campus instead of paying for Internet at home, and going without cable for the summer are two alternatives that some Ohio University summer students have also taken to.
I chose not to get Internet this summer and I've also made sure to turn off all lights and unplug stuff that isn't being used
said Patty Roberts, a junior studying chemistry.
While some students have taken to a more straight-edged method of saving money, others have found alternative methods that professionals may not advise.
Giffin Whites, a junior studying mechanical engineering, said he has shared wireless, unprotected Internet with neighbors, and relies heavily on dinnerware from restaurants and dining halls in order to lower his monetary output.
We just try and turn our power strips off when we aren't using them
Whites said. And we try to not use our dishwasher that much
we just try and wash stuff by hand.
Whites also said that using power strips, and unplugging them when they are not being used, and taking shorter showers, have been two other ways that he has managed to get by.
Bottled water can get expensive so we use water filters instead to try and save a bit of money
Whites said.
Along with heavier methods such as turning off your air, there are a variety of smaller steps to take when trying to save money over the summer elsewhere in their lives. Gasoline prices are another costly item, so biking to classes and work is a healthy and less costly alternative. Roberts said she bikes to her chemistry lab every day instead of driving her car, which would take gas and meter money.
Food and entertainment over the summer can also be costly, but with coupons and free events, allow students to enjoy themselves without spending money. Hanford said she has used the Athens Community Pool every weekend because with her OU ID card, she gets in free.
I also try and pack a lunch when I go to work instead of going out and spending money on Wendy's or Chipotle
Hanford said.
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