assetbest 
I’m a recent college grad working a minimum-wage job, and I write blunt, practical tips for saving and spending. These are my ideas, not advice anyone else is responsible for.
Like many people in their early twenties, I’m strapped for cash. It feels like money worries keep me from going out and having fun. Most lists of free things to do suggest reading, walking, hiking, stargazing, window shopping, or renting movies from the library. Those are fine once or twice, but you can only walk and read so much—especially when you’ve just graduated and don’t want to hear “read a book” as a life plan.
So I looked at my biggest spending areas and came up with cheaper alternatives to make my finances feel less suffocating.
First, I admit one of my biggest money-savers: I live with my parents. If that’s not an option for you, there are other choices. Consider working as an in-house caregiver or nanny—sites like Aupair-World can help you find opportunities. If you’re flexible about location, working on an organic farm through WWOOF is another option; you get room and board in exchange for work, and you don’t need a gym membership when you’re doing physical labor all day.
You can also skip renting an apartment and save by traveling instead. Budget travel services like STA and couch-surfing networks make this possible, and couch-surfing has been featured by major outlets, so it’s a solid low-cost option. If you still need a stable place to live, renting a room in someone’s home is common—many homeowners rent out rooms to help cover mortgage or living costs, and sometimes you even get laundry included.
I tend to be long-winded, so to keep future posts easier to digest I’ll break them into clear, manageable sections. I can’t promise a strict schedule—I’m too busy trying to earn money—but subscribe or check back to catch each new column.
Update: I published Part 2 — FOOD: How to Not Eat Through Your Wallet. Take a few minutes to read it.
See you next time,
Broke Bytch
