Money Saving Tip Wednesday?!

I know, I know - I'm a day late! Money Saving Tip Wednesday doesn't sound nearly as cool as Money Saving Tip Tuesday, but oh well!

This is actually my last post for Textbookless. Craziness. Therefore, I wanted to post more "mid-week."

To wrap up my money saving tips, I've decided to take a look back at all of the tips I've explored thus far. Lastly, I have a few final bits of advice to offer you as we part ways.

A Look Back at Textbookless Money Saving Tips

1. Don't buy any food on campus or at work. Grocery shop on weekends, at places like Wegmans, to have enough food available for the week. Prepare meals ahead of time to take with you. DON'T let temptations like grabbing food out at Chipolte distract you! As I learned, it's not worth it. Splurge (but not too much) on a fun lunch box that will excite you about bringing your lunch. Here's the one I have: 
   
   Vera Bradley lunch box via Google Images
   
   
2. Try engaging in the 52 Week Money Challenge. Here's a short video to remind you what the challenge is. You can save $1,378! 
   
3. Unsubscribe from e-mails from stores that tempt you to shop.
4. Take the gently worn clothes in your closet that you no longer wear to Plato's Closet. You can receive cash for your clothes or shop for cheap items as a "trade" for your clothes. 
5. Visit the Rochester Public Market (or your local public market) to buy fresh, inexpensive produce and other unique items. 
6. Open a savings account!
7. Ask friends for advice on how they save money - like in the interview I did. 
8. Try buying your groceries at Trader Joe's. If you're interested in healthy, organic products this store offers them at a cheap price. 

And finally, a few pieces of advice:

1. Saving money is hard. I completely understand that. But if you make it a "challenge" or incorporate fun things like a cute lunch box to keep you motivated, it does make it a little easier. 
2. Saving money is obviously worth it. While I don't know if I've "mastered" it yet, I will say I have gotten better at it and it feels good to not see my money wasting away on quick meals out or things I really don't need. 
3. Saving money is eye-opening. It's been very interesting to see what items I don't really need and can most certainly live with out. I feel like I've been living a simpler life - even if it's only a little bit. I can't wait to continue utilizing what I already have.

Photo via Google Images. 

Thank you so much for taking the textbookless journey without me. If I didn't have to blog about it, I don't know if I could have stayed faithful to not having textbooks AND saving money. My final grades will be coming out in a little less than two weeks and I'm confident that I have survived the quarter. I encourage you - strongly encourage you - to take a look what you deem a "necessary purchase" and evaluate just how necessary it is. 

I wish you the best of luck!