Reaping the Benefits of Student Discounts: Three Ways to Save That You Can’t Afford to Ignore

As older students, grads might not get caught up in what they believe to be the “hype” of student discounts. Cynical grad students might feel that these discounts are marketed to naïve undergrads who have more expendable cash. But really, who couldn’t use a discount? You clip coupons and buy things on sale at the supermarket, right? Regardless of age, as grad students we’re all bonded over the fact that we are in school—again— which comes with various expenses (text books, printing fees, living expenses, and not to mention those pesky loans that will come back to haunt you once you graduate). Here you will find three perks—really, I mean it—to being a student.

1. Computers and Software Savings: If you didn’t already know, well-known computer companies LOVE to advertise their back-to-school deals during the end of the summer. Regardless of your preference for a Mac or PC, there are some sweet deals out there targeted at students. HP gives you the option of signing up for educational discounts on their website, while Apple has continually offered a FREE iPod touch with the purchase of a laptop—perfect for those long bus or train rides home after class.

For software, Adobe offers savings of up to 80% off their products, which retail for up to $2,599—wow. Currently, Microsoft is offering their Microsoft Office 2010 version for $79.95 to qualified students. The process for ordering these products online is fairly simple, usually involving your student ID and some other proof of enrollment that can be requested from the registrar. It’s definitely worth it for deals like these on software that allows you to work on assignments on your time, not the library’s.

2. Student Advantage Card: As someone who has used this throughout undergrad and as a graduate student, I can attest to the benefits of this program for students. For $20 you can get a full year of deals. The complete list of affiliated companies is far too long to list, but includes Barnes & Noble, Target.com, Foot Locker, and AMC Entertainment. A huge selling point for me—and this should appeal to anyone who enjoys the occasional visit home—is that they offer discount travel rates on airfare, train tickets AND bus tickets. For those interested in the aforementioned computer deals, note that Student Advantage also offers discounts on academic software, which means even more savings on top of the other student discounts.

3. College ID Card Savings: Don’t just stick this in your wallet and only remove it when you need to get into a building. These cards are considered to be as valuable as credit cards in many restaurants, stores, theatres, and museums, especially in cities and towns that are densely populated with colleges. Some may allow you to add money to them for convenience when you encounter on-campus expenses; this can also be helpful in spreading out your funds so your money isn’t all in one place. Other ID card programs may not involve the ability to put money on them, but you can use them to get significant discounts at popular student spots.

It seems every other take out menu I’ve encountered during my life as a student has made it clear on the front page that “Such and Such College Card is accepted here!” And as busy students who don’t always have time to cook, we can all benefit from this.

Easy and Delicious Vodka-Tomato Pasta

My main priority as a student, aside from getting good grades is finding ways to save money. When it comes to food, I can always find ways to budget myself and still eat great food. One of the best methods I use when cooking at home is to make recipes that involve most of the main ingredients I always have. Some staples that you can always find in my kitchen are olive oil, salt and pepper, half and half, pasta, parmesan cheese and of course, Vodka. Almost all of these ingredients I use everyday for various different meals. However if you don’t have all these ingredients, don’t expect to pay more than $20 at the grocery store. This meal will not only impress your friends, it’s delicious, easy to make and is perfect for the budget-conscious student like myself.

Vodka-Tomato Pasta Sauce

What You Will Need:

-1 16 oz. can petite diced tomatoes

-1 medium yellow onion (diced)

- ¼ cup vodka

-1/2 cup half and half

-1/2 LB. Pasta (Rigatoni)

-1 TB. Olive Oil

-Salt and Pepper to Taste

-Basil (Optional)

-Parmesan cheese (Optional)

Directions

In medium frying pan over medium heat add olive oil and then diced onion. Let the onion sweat and then ass the tomatoes. Allow the onions and tomatoes to reduce over medium heat. In another pot, add water, bring to a boil and add pasta. Drain and Rinse. Once tomatoes and onions have reduced add vodka. Once that has reduced add half and half. Allow the sauce to come to a simmer and then remove from heat and serve over the pasta. Roughly chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese can be added to the pasta.

Serves 1-2 people.

Bringing Food to Class: How to Have Your Dinner and Eat it Too

When I started my life as a grad student, I knew I couldn't afford to eat dinner out all the time on nights I had class from 6:00 to 9:45. But my options seemed limited. Sandwiches were a sensible, frugal, and easy possibility, but I've just never craved a sandwich past lunchtime. I like a little variety in my dinners. Not peanut butter and jelly.

But in my year of experience, I've come far. I've learned that I have options. And so do you.

You can have a truly satisfying meal without resorting to takeout or a lunchtime redux. Here are some alternatives to your run-of-the-mill brown bag lunch or dinner.

• Try bento. Sushi is definitely an exception to my hot-food-for-dinner rule. I'm not suggesting anyone attempt to hand-roll their own maki before rushing off to class, but consider the bento box for creative, varied Japanese-style meals. Bento boxes are widely available and because they're so small and use space so efficiently, they can be a great way to transport your meals. You can find them for around $10 if you shop around, and they're hardy and more eco-friendly than paper bags.
  

If you do try packing your meals in bento boxes, there are a lot of sites out there with suggestions and recipes for bento box meals, such as Just Bento and Lunch in a Box.

Even if you don't want to buy a bento box, you can use some of the strategies and recipes there to think beyond the usual sandwich or salad.

Image credit: "bento" by uberculture. Flickr Creative Commons.

• Get a thermos. Think of it as an investment. You'll save so much money if you use it regularly rather than eating out. And you'd be surprised-- thermoses aren't just for drinks or soup anymore. This summer I bought an Aladdin lunch-and-go container for $12.99 at Target, and it's revolutionized my class nights. All I have to do is pre-heat the container (I put it in the microwave for a few minutes), fill it with delicious just-cooked food (or just-reheated leftovers), and it will stay warm for hours. This is your best bet for hot food when you don't have access to a microwave.
  

An added bonus of having a thermos is that you can make your own tea or coffee at home and save the money you would have spent on a hot drink at Starbucks or Dunkin'. (And if you must have your steamed milk or caramel drizzle, at least we know how to get around some of that expense.)

How to Save Time at the Grocery Store

We've been sharing a lot of ideas about how you can save money on food by cooking at home instead of eating out. But how much longer does it take to walk up and down the grocery aisles than to order in a pizza? When it comes to grocery shopping, you have a couple of options: you can buy enough food to last you a week or so, or you can make another trip every couple of days. Both can be time consuming, but I opt for buying about a week's worth of food at once so I don't have to go back so often.

Once I'm at the store, I don't have time to browse. The basic solution: make a list and stick to it. I love grocery lists for two reasons. First, they help me avoid impulse buys, which in turn helps me keep my budget under control. Second, they point me to the items I need, so I don't have to spend a long time looking at every shelf trying to remember everything.

At my house, we've found a way to take this supermarket tool even further. We make our grocery lists into spreadsheets.

I know; it sounds super complicated. It's not.

The first column is for our basic list of items (milk, eggs, bread). The second column is for the quantity of each. For staples like milk and bread, we generally don't need to list a quantity because we know how much we need, but this column is important when it comes to ingredients for specific recipes when we might forget how much or many we need.

The third column is the real trick. Here, we list where each item is located in the store. This isn't just about remembering where to find things, either. When the list is finished, it can be sorted by this "department" column, making it super easy to go through the store one area at a time. This way, all the items that are close together in the store are also close together on the list. All the produce is together, all the frozen foods are together, all the dairy is together. You get the idea. Easy.

Here's what a very short grocery spreadsheet looks like:

Calling a department by the term grocery might seem overly broad, but that just means the big section in the middle with all the dry goods on tall shelves. The other departments are self-explanatory, with frozen, dairy, and deli being some other options that aren't listed here. Go ahead and use whatever terms work for you based on your store, and if you know the aisle numbers, even better.

The first time my boyfriend and I used this method, we cut our shopping time down to about 20 minutes for a list that probably would've taken us close to an hour before. No scanning the list over and over to find the items we needed from each department; no doubling back for things we overlooked the first (or second, or third) time. Much faster.

Living Within Your Means

As a graduate student, I have loan support for my academic expenses, but there are other costs that build up, aside from tuition. Here are some tips to minimize the other expenses you will face.


Using Credit

I received my first credit card three months ago. Why did I wait so long? I never had a problem living within the means of my paycheck up until then. If I didn’t have the money, I didn’t spend it. But credit is necessary in graduate school for paying any tuition balances, booking that flight home for the holidays, and just in case of emergencies. Try to limit your credit purchases to when you absolutely cannot swing the amount at the moment—but always be thinking that you need to swing the money soon. Never use credit for any purchase that you are certain you can't afford, because you’re right, you can’t. Before going out to the bar or to a restaurant, think before you swipe. The last thing you need is the horrible burden of credit card debt. Chances are you already are feeling the sting of loan debt!


Food

When your graduate classes begin at that witching hour of 6 PM, it can be very easy to run across the street to your favorite eatery and grab a $7 sandwich for dinner. Have classes 2 or 3 times a week? That $21 can go towards weekend funtivities or a new outfit. Invest in a loaf of bread, cold cuts, salad fixings, fruit, various snacks, and a small cooler to make your own meals to bring to class. You can get multiple meals for the price you would pay for a pre-made sandwich at the local café.


Utilities—Namely Air Conditioning

During the brutal summer months when temperatures stretch into upper 80s and 90s, air conditioning becomes necessary for survival, but it can really crank up your electric bill. If you only have a budget for one window unit, put it in your bedroom. Sleep, especially as a grad student, is a precious thing. Turn on the unit about 20 minutes before you’re ready to turn in for the night. Check Facebook one last time, brush your teeth, or get your clothes ready for the next day. These 20 minutes are just enough to cool your room down, and if you keep that bedroom door securely closed, your room should remain comfortable for the rest of the night. Still need a little extra breeze? Invest in a small table fan to keep close to your bed. It will use far less electricity than that window unit and still keep you cool as a cucumber!


It can be the small things that you do that can really decrease your weekly and monthly expenses, but those alterations in your lifestyle can mean a more comfortable and stress-free grad student experience.

5 Tips for Smart Credit Card Management

I didn't get a credit card until after I finished my bachelor's degree. My parents helped me out with undergraduate school and I didn't feel that signing up for a credit card was necessary. After I moved across the country to attend grad school, the idea of a credit card became much more appealing. Although I'm still not perfect at managing my debt, I have learned a few tips about smart credit card management.

1. Decide what type of credit card works for you.

Do you want a rewards card? A low-interest card? A card that donates the service fees it charges toward charity? Many resources on the Web have explanations of the different types of cards so you can determine which one is right for you.

2. Don't get stuck with the same old card if your needs change down the road.

If you find that you grow out of a card you signed up for a year or two ago, you can always transfer your balance to another card that suits your needs better. Just make sure you know how balance transfers work.

3. Don't bite off more than you can chew.

Since I have been establishing credit for a couple years now, I'm sure I could be approved for more than one card. I choose to stick with one card because it is the only credit card I feel I can handle at the moment. However, it is important to be aware that if you already have a number of cards, it can sometimes hurt your credit to close too many accounts at once.

4. Don't let your debt overwhelm you.

It is beyond crucial that you pay your credit card bill on time every month. It is best if you can pay it off in full, but sometimes that is just not possible. Also, before even whipping out that charge card, make sure that purchase is more than just an impulsive one and that it is something you have the funds to pay off in the near future.

5. Keep track of your credit score.

Everyone is eligible to receive a free credit report from one of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) once a year. Check over your report to make sure it is free of errors. Report any mistakes immediately. Although it isn't free, it is advisable that you purchase a Fico report once a year as well since your Fico score is the simplest way to judge how good your credit is.

If you follow these tips, you're well on your way to being a responsible consumer. Even though you may finish grad school with a great deal of debt, at least you won't have major credit card debt to add to that student loan burden!

Lookin' for a New Idea on Your Next Sunday Funday? Well Bostonians, Davis Square Is IT!

Graduate students’ budgets often get in the way of entertainment. As grad students, money IS sometimes everything. But there are ways to curb the pricey clubs and premium local movie theatres by checking out a great little spot off the Red-line. Yes, readers, this article is super Boston-specific and I think it’s time we gave a little bit more praise to a place we like to call—Davis Square.

Why Davis Square? Let’s look at three reasons why Davis Square should in fact be your destination for your next Sunday Funday.

• Grab a quick beer at Mike’s Pub and Grill located at the corner of College and Highland Ave. During warmer weather, it’s great to grab a seat outside or near one of the open windows and people watch on the streets surrounding you. Hard day? Tired? Need to vent? Sip some ice cold cheap beer and munch on a calzone and you’re set for an evening fit for a king/queen and most importantly, a grad student.

• Look at the time—seems like the perfect time for a movie! After leaving the bar at aperfect time before the dinner rush starts, you leisurely walk up Highland Ave just a block or so and find the Sommerville Theatre. Don’t let those Gothic owls intimidate you—Sommerville Theatre has the cheapest movie prices in the Boston area. With its awesome décor and kitchy art exhibit located on the lower level—it’d make a great second half to your evening.

• Still not tired? Feeling like your night wouldn’t be finished without some killer barbecue? Well, Redbones Barbecue is your place for after dinner discourse—and maybe further venting about those grad classes you’ve been taking. Redbones has a great drink selection, a comfortable and eclectic color scheme and great waitstaff. But most importantly, Redbones has the best barbecue you’re sure to find anywhere else (and that includes the debonair McRib)!

Hmmm, outdoor drinks? Movie night and barbecue night? And all just a few blocks from one another? I sure can’t think of anything else a Sunday Funday would need—except of course, great company and a few laughs.

What NOT to scrimp on!

A big part of grad school advice deals with saving money. This makes sense since grad school in itself is quite pricey. But there are a few things that you need to spend money on to ensure yourself that you are getting a quality product. Some examples, if you will:

· Computer. The most obvious one is of course a computer. Your computer is basically your water and air during your graduate years. It’s how you will do your research, write your papers, and communicate with your professors. Don’t go for the cheap models that will break down in a couple months or will slow down as soon as you upload a couple programs. Spending a little more money on a reliable computer is definitely worth it in the long run. I personally don’t know how I lived without my Mac.

· Cell phone. In the same vein, a good cell is almost as important. Most grad students I know don’t use land lines in their apartments, so cell phones are their primary line of communication. If you’re relying on a cell phone to be your only phone, it needs to be one you trust.

I also prefer to receive my email as each one is sent to me, rather than having to check my computer throughout the day. So I like to have email on my phone. It also helps because as a grad student, you’ll probably have multiple email accounts (personal, school, work, etc). Having them all sent to your phone is a good way of staying on top of everything.

· School bag. This thing is going to be loaded with books, papers, and possibly your ever-important computer. You don’t want it to break (it’s horrible, I’ve seen it happen) or not fit everything (at which time you have to resort to carrying two bags­ ­– not fun or convenient). So get one that is big enough and sturdy enough to manage your life. They may not be the prettiest bags out there, but L.L. Bean knows how to make a backpack that will last. They also come with tons of different storage spaces to help you keep track of everything you bring along with you.

Those are the three biggies. Anything else you want to splurge on is up to you, just don’t go crazy. Remember those rent check you need to pay. And the water bill. And the electric bill. And cell phone bill. And you get the picture.

A Grad Student's Staple: The To-Do List

Time management can be a pain in the butt. I'm one of those people who has both a full-time job and a full-time graduate school course load, keeps a blog, has a few writing projects going, and still makes time for her family, friends, and boyfriend. (I also watch way too much TV, have a pet cat, and spend two hours a day commuting.) You other grad students know exactly what I'm talking about, even if your daily tasks vary from mine. To new grad students, I recommend one of the simplest strategies: the to-do list.

Like the calendar, the daily to-do list helps you keep everything straight--you probably used one in undergrad. I have one on my personal blog because I get a kick out of using HTML tags to cross off the tasks I've completed (i.e. Write a blog post), but it can be as basic as a small notebook stored in your pocket, purse, or backpack. If toting more paper around isn't your style, consider these electronic options for use on your computer and/or mobile device:

• Ta-Da List: Ta-Da List helps you keep track of daily and weekly tasks, allows you to make lists (so under "Pay Bills," you can list "Comcast" and "electric"), and share your lists with family and friends. Check off each item's box to keep track of your progress. It also works on the iPhone. This option is free, 100% of the time.
  

• Remember the Milk: This one can be used on an iPhone, Blackberry, or Android phone, as well as with your Google Calendar, Gmail, or Twitter account (send direct messages with updates right to your list!). PC World says it "reinvents the to-do list." Pro Accounts cost $25 per year and you must upgrade to one to use the iPhone app, but why not just register a free account and log in from your mobile device's browser to avoid paying the money?

• And if you want some more creative ideas for to-do lists (or you just want to know what other people are up to), check out the To-Do List Blog.

Keeping a list is great because I often find myself staring at it after completing a task, asking, "Is there anything else I can do right now?" That exact scenario is why this blog post went up today, not on Tuesday. But remember, the most important thing when keeping a to-do list is to actually follow it and cross off completed tasks. No organization tool will help if you don't use it!

Tweets, Updates and Posts: Keeping in Touch in the 21st Century

Graduate school takes me far away from family and friends, and keeps me busier than ever. Luckily, keeping in touch these days is a snap using social media.

• Twitter equals texting online without the obligatory phone plan. Those obsessed with this microblogging medium blast off an obscene number of 140 character tweets a day. The world does not need to know that you brushed your teeth at 11:45 pm in Boston, MA, on August 6, 2010, but tweeting is a good way to briefly inform people of the flourishes in your life.

• Facebook: Most take the time to check out other people’s business on Twitter and even more so on Facebook. Once relegated to college students, this online community has expanded to include everyone who wants to join, among them a few of my family members as well as the various family members of my friends. These connections are often awkward, but when trying to keep in touch, Facebook has its advantages. For example, when my parents compare notes on who talked to me last, my 16-year-old brother (a Facebook junkie) will casually mention one of my status updates that popped up in his newsfeed. Sign of life confirmed. (Which also teaches us a valuable lesson. If you want to stay hidden from family, stay off Facebook.)

• Blogging, the lazy emailers grace: I love blogging. Not only do I get to be as creative, wacky and outrageous as I want, I can reach out and touch a million people (read: two dedicated readers) with just one post, a glorious departure from the laborious email. You could cut and paste to save time with emails, but you’ll waste even more tailoring each to the intended recipient. Instead, sign up for a free blog on WordPress or Blogger. Personalize it with music, photos, videos and other interactive media. Post some details about your week and knock out your “must email” list with one click. 

Image Source URL: http://kozinets.net/archives/396

4 Great Calendars for Scheduling Your Grad Life

Juggling your classes, work, friends, family, bills and life in general as a grad student can sometimes be overwhelming. However, the right calendar can help you keep your life in order and prevent you from getting crushed under all your responsibilities.

I am admittedly a stationary junkie—I’ve been known to joyfully skip and frolic through office supply stores. I’ve tried just about every type of calendar, schedule, and appointment book known to man, and below are some of my favorites.

A note for the tech savvy: While I prefer the good old fashioned paper and pen variety, there are also a slew of electronic versions for any gadget you happen to have; check out Lifehacker’s Five Best Calendar Applications for a quick overview.

Barnes & Noble Leather Weekly Calendar w/Pen ($8.95)

Unfortunately, these are sold out online, but you can still buy them in actual Barnes & Noble stores. However, if you want to purchase a similar calendar online, Moleskin provides comparable alternatives (minus the nifty pen).

Pros

• Built in pen, very convenient
• Snap closure to keep pages from getting mangled your bag
• Attached bookmark ribbon and tear-tab corners to easilyfind your place
• Address and notes sections in the back
• Thumbnail monthly calendars at the bottom of weekly pages

Cons

• The leather makes it kind of stiff and difficult to open flat and write on
• Only has the full-calendar spreads for August to December of 2010
• Isn’t organized specifically for the academic year

Paper Source 2011 Academic Booklet Calendar ($11.95)

Made from recycled paperAvailable online or in stores, this thin calendar is both cute and functional. It’s large enough to see your entire month at a glance but thin enough to be very portable.

Pros

• Includes 17 full monthlyspreads
• Bright interior colors are funky and very appealing
• Very unfussy and user friendly
• Thin enough to tuck into any folder or notebook

Cons

• Kind of pricey for what it is; you’re definitely paying for the aesthetics
• Exterior isn’t nearly as attractive as the interior
• Calendar grids may be too small to make lengthier notes
• Very little protection to keep it from getting bent and crumpled for the next 17 months

Note Nook 12-Pocket Calendar ($14.99)

I would never pay my bills on time if it weren’t for this one. It’s super handy for sticking your bills in the pocket and marking the date their due on the calendar all in one fell swoop.

Pros

• A different pocket for each month (which is important because if you cram them full of stuff they tend to tear or warp)
• Very sturdy spiral rod and hook keeps them from bending
• Butterfly designs are pretty cute

Cons

• They also offer some rather dowdy designs
• Not at all portable
• Basically does the one job of keeping track of bills

At-A-Glance 12 Month Desk Pad Calendar ($14.99 or $9.99 after rebate)

Available at Staples both online and in stores, this extra large desk calendar lets you make all the notes you need to and still see the whole month’s schedule.

Pros

• Very convenient to keep at your desk or work station and make quick notes
• Available for the academic or regular calendar year
• Plastic corners keep pages from curling up
• Perforated top lets you easily rip off old pages

Cons

• You have to actually have a desk or work space to keep it at
• Not at all portable
• If you spill your coffee on it you have to live with the stain for the rest of the month

For more helpful grad student tools check out Michelle's The 5 Best Free Software Downloads for Students.

Thank YOU, Sheila-- my new Fidelity Investment friend!

As graduate students, many of us do not have full time jobs or jobs we plan on sticking with after we receive our Masters Degrees. I for one, have gone through three jobs so far during my 2.5 years here in Boston. After recently leaving my second job--my sales associate position at Trader Joe's, I received paperwork regarding my 401 K and my plans of what, how, and when I plan on rolling it over.

Wh-wh-what? Rolling OVER? What does THAT mean?!

If you're like me, money and numbers are not your forte'. I am a creative writing student and well, my main concerns usually have to do with when an appropriate time to use a semicolon is versus a dash (though, I couldn't really tell you that one, either...).

I decided to be proactive about my finances, MY 401K and in a sense, my LIFE (getting that routine really HAS motivated me, eh?) I decided to call Fidelity Investments.

After speaking with a pleasant woman named Sheila for what totaled to about 7 minutes including the time I was kept on hold—I had a piece of paper with three steps etched out, my mind safely screwed on tight—and a good feeling about myself and my own capabilities of managing my money. See for yourself what Sheila taught me so that the next time you receive an envelope with information regarding your 401K—you’ll know exactly what to do.

1) Open an account with Fidelity Investments. Sheila did say it was simple—and boy was she right! Just be sure to choose “Rollover IRA” after you selected “open account”. After that, it should take about 10-15 minutes to complete.

2) Call the company managing your 401K. Businesses use separate companies to handle the 401K, so now it’s your job to contact them and let them know where to send that money.

3) The company you have called is gonna either send it to you as a check—or request additional information: Your full name and account number. This account number is what you received after opening that fidelity account.

Now all that’s left to do is either: wait for the check that’s being mailed to you—or wait for a phone call from your own special “Sheila” and you’re set. Welcome to living life as an adult. It’s sort of great, isn’t it?

5 Simple Stress-Busters for Busy Students

Despite the challenge of balancing work, school and other obligations, coping with stress is feasible. Don’t fall into the trap of believing that fun ends after your undergraduate career. Simple activities prove that fun doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Here are five ways to indulge in the simpler side of life during exam crams, paper writing, or whenever you need to take a break.

1. Baking/Cooking: Since we all need to eat and buying takeout takes its toll on your wallet, cooking is a necessary activity that doubles as a stress-reliever. Consider websites that offer recipes for cheap eats like Cheapcooking.com, or blogs for students; I found a plethora of cheap recipes through one blog post on Onlinecollege.org. After trying a few of these, you might feel inspired to experiment with some original recipes—and creativity is always an effective stress-buster.
2. Watching a movie or TV show: If you typically work to the point of exhaustion, it doesn’t hurt to occasionally veg out in front of your TV or computer; it actually might benefit your performance to give your brain a rest so you can return to work refreshed. If you can’t abandon your Type A personality, consider incorporating a movie or TV break into your mealtimes. Enjoying dinner and a movie (or a snack and a show, if you’re pressed for time) won’t make you feel guilty since we all need to eat at some point. My friends often sing the praises of Netflix, but if you’d rather not commit to a membership, Hulu.com offers a reasonable selection of movies and TV shows that play with limited commercial interruption.
3. Jogging/Walking: Sometimes the best way to clear your head is to step away from your computer or textbook. If the words you’re reading don’t make sense anymore, you’re better off going outside for some fresh air. Even a brief walk around the neighborhood gives you the chance to stretch and take in different scenery, without tearing you from work for too long. If you’re eager to get back into running, or you feel like too much of your time has been spent indoors lately, search for a nearby park on The U.S. National Park Service's "Find a Park" page.
4. Meeting at local dives: You must make sacrifices as a graduate student, but your social life should not be one of them. Make a point to look for divey-looking (but safe) places the next time you’re out, and then check them out with friends. While enjoying a cheap drink or meal, this can be an opportunity to vent about whatever has got you stressed—always healthier than keeping it inside.
5. Reading: Reading a book, magazine, blog, or any publication that interests you provides a break while keeping your mind active, which means you won’t lose momentum when you return to work. I suggest finding something completely different from your required reading for stimulation.

DIY Design: Tips for Decorating Your Apartment on a Budget

Once you've moved into your apartment, those blank white walls can be intimidating. As a renter, your lease might not let you repaint, put up wallpaper or drill holes in the walls. Add in classes, work, and the student loans looming over your head, and you might feel like you don't have the time, money or energy to fix up your new place at all.

But you do have options. There are simple, frugal, and easy ways to make your new place yours-- and keep your landlord happy, too.

• Buy a blank canvas and a few tubes of acrylic paint and make your own modern art.
  
• You may not be able to put up traditional wallpaper, but how about making your own out of fabric and a little starch? It's cheaper, easier, and one hundred percent removable. This is also a good option if you're allowed to paint or wallpaper but can't afford to or don't have the time.
  
• Another inexpensive (but less removable) wallpaper alternative is to make a dictionary wall out of a secondhand, falling apart dictionary (or book of your choice).
  
• Apply a wall decal or two in lieu of paint, wallpaper, or artwork. Wall decals are removable and stylish. The downside is that they can be expensive, and once removed they cannot be re-used, so it's not a good option if you might relocate over the next few years.
  
• Art prints and postcards make for beautiful and cost-effective decor. Small 9 x 13" prints run around $5 each at museums. Postcards are 50 cents! Vary the sizes (and artists) and stagger them for visual appeal.
  

Art prints, posters and postcards nicely arranged, the day after moving into my first apartment.

• DIY artwork is even cheaper. If you're not artistically inclined, find a friend who is. One of my roommates paints and does quirky ink drawings. Not one of our walls is blank or boring.
  
• Save greeting cards, postcards, and flyers and hang them up. This is a great way to add character to a room, and it won't cost you a cent.
  

Foolproof Chicken & Asparagus

I was always a very plain eater growing up. No sauces or radical cooking for me! Like most graduate students, I am busy most nights with classes; however, when I am home, I find myself wanting not only a delicious home-cooked meal, but one that was easy and nutritious. After many trial runs, using different combinations of ingredients, I have found an easy meal (with just the tiniest kick) that is healthy and can be adjusted according to your palate preference.

Baked Chicken & Asparagus

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup bread crumbs (preferably Italian-seasoned)
1 ½ tablespoons red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 stalks of asparagus
Aluminum foil
Salt and Pepper (optional)

Oven Temperature: 400 degrees
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Cook Time: Approximately 45 minutes
Servings: 2

1. Place foil on baking sheet and coat with cooking spray. Mix bread crumbs and red pepper flakes on a plate or in a shallow bowl. Run chicken breasts under cold water just to moisten. Coat chicken breasts in bread crumb mixture completely.

2. Place on foil and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Put chicken in the oven and set timer for 20 minutes. After that time, turn chicken over and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Remove chicken from oven and set aside, loosely covered with the foil to keep warm.

3. Put a fresh piece of foil on your baking sheet and coat with cooking spray. Chop off the ends of your asparagus stalks and discard them. Run your asparagus under water, rinsing thoroughly. Place asparagus on foil and drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over them. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Place asparagus in oven for 5-10 minutes, depending on how crisp you like it. Remove and serve with chicken.

*Note: Every oven temperature varies, especially between gas and electric ovens. Keep an eye on your chicken, the cooking time may be more or less. Also, cook time depends on the thickness of your chicken breast. A thicker cut will take longer to cook.

This is a great meal that is high in protein and vitamins and low in carbs. You may add different herbs to the bread crumbs depending on your taste. This is also a great dish if you’re not adventurous with cooking quite yet. You live a busy grad life—don’t put any more on your plate…other than this meal!

How to Throw a Great Dinner Party

Want to hang out with your grad school buddies but sick of going out every weekend? Bring the fun to your apartment by throwing a dinner party! To have a successful dinner party, you need:

• Invitations - Send out invites to 4-7 of your closest friends a couple weeks prior to the party. Chances are your apartment won't hold more than 7 people and your neighbors won't appreciate the noise of a larger crowd. Save money by sending the invitations electronically via Evite.com or Sendomatic.com.

• A Theme - Dinner parties are always more fun if there's a theme. Print up a food menu and give each dish a name fitting to your theme, such as "Astronaut Brownies" if your theme is Outer Space. Decorate your apartment to look like your theme, make a song playlist to set the mood and tell your guests to come dressed appropriately. Some great party theme ideas can be found here.

• Games - Get your entire group to interact by planning some fun games (preferably ones not centered around drinking massive amounts of alcohol. A grad school dinner party should be a step up from an undergrad frat party!) Charades is always a good choice, or you can incorporate your party's theme into another game. Some game ideas can be found here and here.

Save money on food by asking your guests to each bring a side dish to pass. If you want to mix up some cheap drinks for guests, check out Miranda's "Look! Cheap Cocktail Night."

I’m In a Relationship With my Crock Pot

I might sound like a middle aged women when I say this but regardless: I am in love with my Crock Pot. Being a student and especially a graduate student means your time is precious. Between balancing school, work, and some semblance of a social life, one of the last things I have time for at night is deciding what to cook for dinner.

I’m not one of those people that hates to cook either, I actually love it. You can usually find me on a weekend evening enjoying a glass of merlot and trying out a new recipe. But during the week, I really start to miss the old days of when my mother would ask me what I wanted for dinner. Consequently I was living the dream back then and never knew it until I put on my “big girl pants”, got a one-bedroom apartment and started graduate school.

This is just about the time I discovered the crock-pot and was introduced to it’s magic. Not only can you plan ahead and make it in the morning before work or school, a delicious meal can be waiting for you when you get home.

One easy and delicious meal to make in Crock Pot is chili. This is a great fall or winter meal, but with a side of corn bread I can enjoy it anytime of the year.

Black Bean Chili with Beef

Source: Southernfood.about.com

Ingredients:

3/4 cup cooked black beans

1 lb. stew beef, cubed

2 tablespoons bacon drippings or vegetable oil

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped green peppers

1/2 cup diced green chile peppers

3 tbsp. tomato paste

3 to 4 beef bouillon cubes, or beef base

1/4 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. minced garlic

1/2 tsp. salt and pepper

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or mild Cheddar cheese

Preparation:

Brown stew beef in bacon drippings or oil with onion and green pepper. Combine all ingredients except cheese and cook 6 to 8 hours on low. Serve hot in bowls with a little cheese sprinkled over each serving.

Another delicious meal that can be served year round is chicken with potatoes. Also a good tip when using a Crock Pot is to give yourself enough time. Most of the recipes usually need between 5 and 7 hours to cook.

Easy Chicken With Potatoes

Source: Southernfood.about.com

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1/2 cup Italian salad dressing

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mix basil, oregano, crushed red pepper, and garlic powder to equal same)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

4 to 6 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges or thick slices

Preparation:

Place chicken in bottom of Crock Pot. Sprinkle with half of the Italian dressing, spices, and the grated cheese. Put the potatoes on top or around the chicken. Sprinkle with the rest of the dressing, spices, and cheese.

Shopping Guide for Beginning Grads: These are a few of my favorite things

As important as it is to be frugal in grad school, it's also important to eliminate stress wherever you can. I'm a big believer in buying the right tool for the job, and these items are some of the best buys I've made in trying to simplify my life.

Air Mattress: because futons are so undergrad!

Grad school can be stressful and a well timed visit from friends or family can help restore your sanity. Making your visitors crash on the floor or sofa (if you have the luxury of space to accommodate a sofa) will pretty much pretty any return visits, however. The price of an air mattress is far outweighed by the knowledge that you can make your guests comfortable and welcome.

• My tips: Avoid air mattresses that have a built in pillow bump, which do nothing but give you a crick in your neck. Mattresses with electronic pumps are also unnecessary (you can just use a blow dryer set on cool), but mattresses with built in manual pumps are really handy for getting it to just the right firmness. Also, when you make up the mattress for your guests place another blanket between the bottom sheet and the mattress itself; this just makes it more cozy and gets rid of that vinyl feeling.
• My pick: Wenzel Full Insta-bed with Comfort Adjust Pump (Amazon $39.99)

Functional Bag: because a crooked spine is rarely sexy

A backpack? As an adult? Yeah, I know, I felt the same way. I crammed by laptop, books, notepads, and various other accouterments into my purse

for my first semester—until it started crushing my spine. I then gave up and made the adult decision to go for functionality over fashion, and I’m really glad I did. It’s great for toting around all your class stuff, lugging

groceries home, or packing for a weekend escape.

• My tips: Think about how you’re going to use the bag first: Will you be carrying a laptop? Snacks? Water bottle? Sunglasses? Pens, pencils, PDAs, and such? Then find a bag that will meet all of those needs. I love Dakine bags because they have a ton of differnt types and styles, but are consistently high quality and very user friendly.
• My pick: Dakine Women’s Academy Pack (Moosejaw $29.99-$45.99)

Water Bottle: one that you’ll actually use

This is just a practical must have. Having a water bottle on hand keeps you hydrated and saves you from buying bottled water which helps your wallet and the environment

• My tips: Make sure it’s leak-proof! I mean really leak proof—like trust it in your bag with your laptop leak proof. It’s also helpful if it has a built-in clip to attach it to your bag, so you don’t have to carry it around. My pick is a BPA-free plastic water bottle (for more info on BPA-free items check out Nalgene’s site); however, you may want to opt for a metal version,which is even more eco-friendly since it isn’t made with non-renewable petroleum products.
• My pick: Contigo AutoSeal BPA Free Hydration Bottle (Amazon $9.59)

Shelving Cubes: classier than plastic crates but holds

just as much crap

As a grad student, you’re probably going to moving a few times during and after your studies, and you’ll be able to alter these shelves to fit any space or decor you run into. They also come apart easily and stack neatly to take up less space during the actual move. They’re great because you can toss a ton of stuff into them, slide them shut, and look totally organized even when you’re not. I’ve used mine for an entertainment center, bathroom storage, an entryway bench, shoe storage, bookshelves, and a filing cabinet.

• My tips: Comparison shop; you’ll probably be making more than one trip to numerous big-box stores during your preparations, and most of them will have a version of these shelves. Just make a note of their prices so you can get the best deal. Price the canvas drawers separately because one store may have the best deal on the shelves while another has a better deal on the drawers themselves (the shelves and drawers are typically a foot square but double check just to be sure). You can also buy additional shelves to make new configurations in the future without having to redo the entire shelving unit.
• My pick: ClosetMaid 6 Cube Organizer (Target $49.99)

For more tips on simplifying the space you live in, check out Stefania's Home Sweet Home: Five Steps to Making your tiny studio Feel Like HOME.

Free Internet Access for Students on the Move

Whether Verizon/Comcast/RCN screwed up again or you're just stuck studying far from home, every grad student needs easy Internet access--and getting stuck paying an hourly rate while trying to stick to a budget is never fun. Thankfully, many shops and restaurants are recognizing this need and rising to the occasion by eliminating fees, required log-ins, and other hurdles many Internet-seekers had to jump over in the past. Here are some coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants that feature free wireless Internet, no matter your location (just make sure you're using a WiFi-enabled device!):

• Starbucks recently quit charging for unlimited Internet. While you're there, use some of Get Grad Schooled's budget-friendly coffee shop tips!
• Panera Bread has free WiFi hotspots at all locations. Their salads and sandwiches are pretty phenomenal, too.
  
• Au Bon Pan offers a location search on its web site to help patrons discover if their local cafe is WiFi-enabled. Some locations have a six-hour limit.
  
• The New England-centric Boloco is a popular spot for burritos, smoothies, and of course-- free WiFi.
  

And if a quieter, less aromatic atmosphere is more your studyin' style, then the national bookstores might be your salvation. Both Barnes & Noble and Borders now offer free WiFi to all patrons. Libraries often have free access, either in general or by using an easily-obtained--and free--library card, so check your local library's policies, too.

If you prefer avoiding the chains, visit the web sites of (or pick up the phone and call) your nearby independent stores and eateries to discover which locations have WiFi, and never be without free Internet again!

Hard-to-Kill Plants for the Graduate Home

Sorry. No pets allowed in your current apartment. And even if there were, with your hectic schedule of class, internships you aren’t getting paid for and menial paid labor, poor Tin-tin would probably waste away from lack of care. But if you absolutely, positively have to have something living in your living space, we suggest one of those spindly green things that sit in that brown stuff.

Plants are considerably easier to take care of than animals (sorry Tin), often needing no more than a splash of water and a ray of sun to keep on trucking. However, as a self-admitted plant killer, I am more than aware that this easy scenario could go horribly wrong. Here are some low-maintenance, hip plants that might work for you.

Indirect Sun and Minimal Water Plants   

Blooming Jade Plant

Jade This dark green, juicy-leafed succulent does well in small pots and stores water much like cactus plants. 

Aloe Vera

  
Aloe Beautify your home and your body with this multifaceted succulent. Unlucky cookers and sunbathers can also use it for nasty burns. What a gem.



 

Christmas Cactus

Cactus You don’t have to go for the three-pronged stereotype from the westerns. The Christmas Cactus, also known as the Orchid Cactus, is a sprawling beauty with gorgeous pink and white flowers. 




 

Sun and Water Loving Plants

Bamboo

 
Bamboo The tall, elegant bamboo is not only chic, but a tough to kill. Place these plants in a water-filled glass bowl or vase with colored stones at the bottom to hold down the roots. Voila, instant decoration/centerpiece/room accent.

 

Silver Vase Urn Plant

Urn Plant Bring the Amazon to you with this pink flowered, spike-leafed bromeliad. Or if you don’t care much for flowers, check out the silvery octopus-like Tillandsia Xerographica.


 

Tillandsia Xerograhpica

Plant Care Resources

The National Gardening Association
The Flower Expert
Plant Care.com
Bromeliad.com
The Bromeliad Society International


Image Credits: Anika Malone. “Jade Plant is Blooming.” Flickr, 11.26.07; Biology Big Brother. “Aloe Vera.” Flickr, 2.11.07; Spablab.“Full Bloom” (Christmas Cactus).  Flickr, 1.20.2009; Dizfunkshinal “Plant Love” (Bamboo). Flickr, 8.20.2005; Cliff1066. “Silver Vase, Urn Plant (Aechmea fasciata).”  Flickr, 9.14.2008; I-saint. “Tillandsia Xerographica.” Flickr, 6.6.08

Need a roommate? Useful tips to help you find one!

Moving to a new city for your graduate studies? If yes, chances are you aren’t moving along with roommates. So you’re going to need to find a couple because living on your own as a graduate student – while a lovely idea­ – is too expensive for many of us. Hence the need for roommates, whomever they may be.

How to find these people whom you hope to share your home with (minus your food and toothbrush)? A couple methods:

· ­Your school. Yep, one of the best ways could be through your graduate institution. The summer before I entered grad school, my program provided get-togethers for incoming students. We were able to mingle and meet with other students who were also looking for roommates.

I realize it may seem strange to meet someone and try to decide rather quickly on their roommate-potential, but at least you are in the same school. If they’re a grad student, it’s less likely that a.) they will flake on you and b.) they are a random creeper.

· Web listings. If you miss out on your school’s housing event, or if one isn’t provided, then web listings are probably the next place to turn. Yes, these people are strangers. But at least you can narrow down your search to your age range and maybe even to people in grad schools. If you go this route, make sure you spend time with them to figure out their creep rating. The lower, the better!

When looking for a roommate, be picky. Even if that means asking about someone’s nose-picking habits. You don’t want to choose the first person you come across just to have the decision made. You have to live with this choice – and this person – for a year. Make sure it is someone you think you can get along with. If you prefer quiet after 8:00 p.m., make sure the person doesn’t want to hold band practice every night at 9:00. If you don’t like parties at your place, discuss this before any lease agreement is signed. Find common ground with your future roommate – do you both cook or prefer take-out, shower at night or in the morning. Best case scenario: you become friends. Even if you never reach that level, at least you’ll have a roommate with whom you feel comfortable.

Look! Cheap Cocktail Night.

Keg parties are so undergrad, so why not mix up a few cocktails at home? Oh, right, keeping even a minimally stocked liquor cabinet is way out of my grad-school budget. But there's another way.

Instead of spending money on fifths or even liters of our essential ingredients, my boyfriend and I bought a variety of miniatures. (50-mL bottles, or between 1.5 and 2 fluid ounces. Apparently they're called nibs here in New England.) For the same cost as just a couple regular-sized bottles of liquor, we were able to buy everything we needed to make six different drinks—three for each of us.


Here are the (mostly) classic cocktails we tried out:

• Amaretto Sour
• Tequila Sunrise
• Chocolate Martini
• Tom Collins
• White Russian
• and this crazy thing called a Monkey Gland Cocktail I stumbled across on Forbes magazine online, of all places

A note on the ingredients:
Each 50-mL bottle is about the same as one shot, the right amount of alcohol for one drink. The Monkey Gland calls for absinthe, which was our only budget breaker: we found a 100-mL bottle for $9.99. If you're just looking to try it out or only need a little, though, this amount goes a long way. A full-sized bottle will run you closer to $50 or $60. No thank you.

Did you know you can make your own sour mix and grenadine at home? Sour mix is just heavy simple syrup plus lemon juice, so I bought one lemon for 69¢ instead of spending $4.99 on a whole bottle of the pre-made stuff. Grenadine is just pomegranate juice plus sugar, but I actually didn't save money here. I paid a dollar more for real pomegranate juice than I would have for grenadine. However, the grenadine at the store is almost entirely high-fructose corn syrup, not actual juice. I think this is an extra dollar well spent.

The Monkey Gland and the Tequila Sunrise both call for orange juice, but I didn't want to buy a whole carton just to use about five ounces of it. I bought two oranges and fresh squeezed them. I'm sure this is much tastier, anyway.

Shopping list and total price:

amaretto	$2.99
tequila	$2.49
vodka	$3.50 (for 2)
gin	$5.98 (for 2)
Kahlua	$2.49
chocolate liqueur	$3.99
absinthe	$9.99
lemon	69¢
2 oranges	$1.07
pomegranate juice	$4.99
club soda	59¢
Grand Total:	$38.77 + tax

Sure, buying in larger volumes is a better value, but this was a cheaper overall cost and much greater variety for six drinks than we could've gotten if we'd bought larger bottles. More than 25% of our total was the absinthe, too, so we can make it much cheaper by nixing it next time.

Another thought: we're moving to a new apartment this weekend. This might just be the grad-school answer to the traditional housewarming party. Potluck, anyone?