Victoria Pilate, Ph.D.                        
           
Excerpts from The Benjamins

This upcoming title helps the newly independent learn how to manage
money.  The book covers topics like paying off student loans, budgeting,
investing and making big ticket purchases.


Education Costs

You can test drive grad school by registering as a
“special student” instead of actually enrolling.  You’ll
have to qualify in the same way but you can take
courses without the pressure of actually being in the
program. It’s a good idea if you’re uncommitted about a
school or program.  Generally, the tuition rate is the
same, however.  

The Skinny on Warehouse Consumer Goods

Warehouse clubs are supposed to save loads of
money. For singles living on their own that’s not always
the case. A friend of mine quickly gave up his
warehouse membership when he realized how much
food went to waste because he frequently was out of
town. When he moved for his job, he ended up throwing
away a lot of bulk food (charitable food banks cannot
accept donations of opened containers of food).
Warehouse memberships can work  for singles. When I
buy large cans of canned vegetables  or fruit, I’ll open
the large can and segment the contents into smaller
portions then freeze them.  Likewise with the dozen
bagels for a single person, a family member will restore
bagels into single ziplock bags and freeze them. That
way nothing goes to waste.

Bargain Hunting

Shop after Christmas for batteries and tape.  I was
shocked to see batteries and wrapping tape be marked
down with other Christmas items at my favorite discount
store.  The same went for batteries and flashlights after
Halloween.  After Halloween one year, I picked up a
bunch of disposable “Halloween" cameras at 75
percent off.  The cameras with their Halloween logos
worked just fine after Halloween.

For Valentine’s Day, after Christmas, I stocked up on
small boxes of chocolate (no Christmas logo on box)
and gift-wrapped them and gave them to the children at
my church for Valentine’s Day five weeks later.
Regularly $1,99, I picked up the boxes for 37 cents each
and made a bunch of grade schoolers very happy.  
Likewise, for the last three Christmas seasons, I'll shop
after Christmas and grab all the super-marked down
tea, coffee, hot chocolate canisters and cookie mix
boxes.  I donate most of it to the local food bank and
keep just enough for me to last the rest of the winter.  
Nothing gets wasted and the greater good is achieved
at a low cost.  

Entertainment Penny-Pinching

With the right timing, you can go to the movies for free.
Movie studios arrange a free public screening a few
days before the film opens. The studio distributes
passes to local business (newspapers, radio stations
and some shops) .  Newspapers such as Orlando
Sentinel will distribute them from the paper’s
headquarters, often to waiting lines.  Bad news is that
studios routinely overbook free screenings to ensure
large crowds.  So you may wait in vain.
This webpage contains
excerpts of copyright protected
material. All rights are
reserved.
The Benjamins covers
financial management
issues for the newly
independent. Some topics
are:  

Credit Management Tips
Finding Affordable Housing
Budgeting
Travel Savings Tips
Insurance
Educational Expenses
Big Ticket Purchases
Money Management on the Job
Funding a Professional Wardrobe
Ideas for Affordable Gifts
Basics of Investing
Penny Pinching
and more!