It’s also been harder for me to save money when school is back in session. I go to class right after I’m done with work at 5pm, so I can’t go home and eat. Any tips on what I could do to save money on after work snacks?
Update on my student loan: It’s not going down a big amount yet. If I graduate next semester, then my loans won’t be due until the end of 2012/beginning of 2013, so I’m in no rush to pay those down aggressively right now since only one gains interest. I am paying down the loan that gains interest though.
My car loan is just inching down a little by little. I pay $400 a month but I plan on upping that so that I can be done faster. My car is worth about $5,000 to $7,000 more than the loan amount that I have left. I’ve been wondering if I should just sell it and get a cheaper car, or if I should just keep my car and driver it for long after I’m done paying for it. What does everyone think?
My emergency fund has barely been creeping up due to my vacation last month, but I plan on building it back up after this month. With all of my school fees that I had to pay, there won’t be much leftover this month.
Any tips, advice, or anything about any of this? Thanks!
Canadian Saver says
Love the pic! Sorry you are so tired though, I dunno how you juggle everything!For snacks, do you need something unrefrigerated? I always keep granola bars in my purse, I try to find something as healthy as possible. Then a piece of fruit is easily transportable. Good luck getting everything figured out and balanced! For the car, if it's running well I'd probably say just keep it… I kept my old one 10 years and then gave it to my goddaughter who's been driving it hard for the last 14 months…
Rafiki says
The full time work part time school thing is quite hard and vice versa. I always admire people who can do it.On the car. If its a car you like bordering on love to drive I suggest keep it. If not you really could consider selling it and getting something else.
Renee says
For your car is it in good condition? is it a gas hog?> if it is in good condition and NOT a gas hog I say keep it =) But I really don't have room the talk..I have a gas guzzling cherokee that I can't part with LOL (its in like new condition though)Maybe get a food dehydrator and dehydrate some fruits?
Michelle Parker says
I'm thinkin just granola, but I'm guessing that will start getting old after a couple of weeks.I LOVE my car. It's great, has decent gas milage and it's a car that will loses it's value very slowly. I'll probably just keep it.
Jane says
I would keep the car you know and love – you never know what you could end up with otherwise. And for snacks – I always carry my own with me. Trail mix from the bulk food store is great, or make your own (though I really don't think it's any cheaper to make it yourself. It keeps well and will really give your energy a boost!
Stephanie says
I agree with those who said that you should keep the car as long as it isn't a gas hog. Get your money's worth by keeping it and running it into the ground! If it lasts long enough, maybe you'll even save up enough to pay for your next car in cash. :-)Oh, and almonds make a great snack. Or really pretty much anything you can get in the bulk food section of the grocery store. They're relatively inexpensive and don't require refrigeration.
Michelle Parker says
That's exactly what I'm thinking. Just keeping it and running to the ground and then hopefully being able to pay for the next car in cash.
BTHappyHomeowner says
I want to point out that even though you're feeling drained, you're still doing it! You're still paying down your debt instead of letting it go up. You're still saving $$ even if it's a small bit right now. You're still keeping up with your assignments even if you're exhausted. Kudos to you!!!!As far as the car, I'd say run it into the ground, which I'm currently doing with mine. I don't plan to part with that thing until I absolutely have to (when the repairs are so expensive that it just doesn't make sense to still have it, etc.). And I feel your pain about the snacks. I did the full-time work, full-time grad student thing for 2 Masters degrees, and I'm considering going back for a third (yay for free tuition through my part-time job!). Anyway, I picked up a super cute lined lunch bag and a few of those gel freezer packs (people always ask me about it and I proudly tell them I got it at a discount store for ONE dollar!!). My "dinners" included almonds, yogurt, pretzels, baby carrots and hummus, trail mix, granola bars, grapes, bananas, and sometimes salads (everything was in individual containers so it stayed fresh and didn't get soggy, then I'd just assemble it during the class break, etc.). Just mix it up so you don't get bored and you can still eat healthy meals cheaply.
Michelle P says
Thanks. If I sell my car, there's no way I would be able to get a car with the same value for the difference between my loan and what's it worth, so I'm definitely just going to keep it and run it to the ground.Good idea! I should just get a lunch bag and freezer packs, that will be nice if I want a sandwich or something. And great "dinner" ideas! Thanks