We sit down with self-proclaimed “Cheap College Chick,” Ashley Sylvester of Felton, Del., to get some tips and tricks on how to survive college, without racking up debt.
Ashley is a recent graduate of the University of Delaware and the name of her blog, “Cheap College Chick,” is where she talks about tips and tricks that helped her get through college debt free. Ashley says a big part of graduating debt free was learning to say “no.”
Lisa and Ashley
“Saying no is going to be hard, but it’s going to be worth it,” Ashley says. “Are you going to have fun doing something, when all you can think about is how much it cost? For me, doing stuff with friends wasn’t worth the feeling of financial freedom I had knowing I didn’t have a single student loan. Think of low cost things you can suggest to friends instead of always spending money. Going to the library, cooking dinner or drinking wine at home, binge watching a TV series, painting each other’s nails or studying together are all great alternatives.”
Ashley also talks about using free campus resources such as clubs that offer free pizza at every meeting or dinner with the Dean of the college.
“I signed up for every free event I could in college,” says Ashley. “I got to have a four-course intimate dinner at the president’s house with 10 other students. I got to have lunch with the provost of my college one month and dinner with my dean and our local elected officials the next. By getting a “dinner” out about once a week, you’re saving the cost of the dinner. Plus you’re saving yourself the need to want to eat out later in the week because it gives you a break from ramen without the cost.”
Ashley mentions community resources as well such as the library, university bus systems, tutoring center, and water from the fountains in lecture halls. There are college giveaways as well where you can win some free college gear such as pens, umbrellas, bags, shirts, water bottles, headphones, etc.
