With a brand-new pair of shoes in one hand and this month’s bills in the other, students weigh their options to see which one is dead weight.
Students decide which things are worth spending their money on and how to survive with their decisions.
Karisa Larsen, a freshman general education major from Henderson, Nev., said she just bought a new pair of boots instead of buying groceries for the week.
“These boots will last me longer than a gallon of milk would,” Larsen said. “That’s how I justified it. Plus, I can just eat my roommates’ food until next week’s paycheck.”
Larsen said eating her roommates’ leftovers helps her maintain a balanced diet as well.
“It also keeps me from overeating, so technically it’s better for me this way,” she said.
Isaac Harwood, a freshman general education major from West Valley, said he recently bought a new Xbox game for him and his roommates.
“That’s all we do anyways,” Harwood said. “’Madden (NFL) 13′ came out, and we basically play it every day. It helps us settle any arguments.”
While Harwood and his roommates play, they turn off most of the lights to save energy, turn down the air conditioning, and turn on a ceiling fan instead.
“Our bills are still pretty high, but we’d like to think that we are at least trying to lower them,” Harwood said.
Rebecca Wright, a junior general education major from West Jordan, said her biggest sacrifice is gas.
“It costs a butt load of money to fill up my tank so that I can go home,” Wright said. “So after my tank is full, I have to gather up any change that I have to survive. I paid part of my bill last month in quarters.”
Wright said she tries to eat in the most affordable ways.
“I can’t afford to go out to eat, so my diet consists of Top Ramen,” Wright said.
Bryce Feist, a freshman general education major from Meridian, Idaho, said he is always going out on dates.
“Girls are expensive, but they are worth it to me,” he said. “If going to a nice restaurant is what they want, I’ll take them. I can’t cook anyways so I have to go out to eat, and I might as well take a lady friend.”
Feist said he abstains from buying too many groceries to save money, even though it is probably cheaper than eating out.
“Most of the stuff I buy at the grocery store just goes bad,” Feist said. “So I figure that it is smarter to just not buy anything at all.“
Lecia Langston, an adjunct economics instructor, said all students give up necessities for materialistic things they probably don’t need.
“As long as they are spending, it helps the economy,” Langston said.
Langston also said if they are surviving without it now, then they are probably fine.
While some give up the essentials, others find a way to go around it. Whether it’s filling up your car or playing Xbox, students find a way to prioritize what they want and what they need.