Cinema on a Budget

Sometimes it’s fun to see a movie at the cinema and not have to pay a buttload of money for your ticket. Check out this list of local theaters that offer cheap or discounted tickets! In order based on location.

Central Cinema (Capitol Hill/Central District) -- $7 tickets if bought more than 24 hours in advance, $9 at the door. They also feature 99-cent showings during the week. Happy hour prices from 5:30-6:30.

Three Dollar Bill Cinema (Capitol Hill/Various) -- Offer viewings at various venues. Signature event is the Seattle Queer Film Festival held every October. Every first Monday at Re-Bar they host “Cineoke” where you can sing along. $8 - Doors open at 6:30, show 7pm.

Big Picture (Belltown) -- 21+ - $10.50 matinee (before 4:45) & happy hour tickets (Mon-Thurs shows before 6:30 - Drink specials too!). $18 “Bagels & Bloodys Sunday” screening (includes 1 movie ticket, bagels & cream cheese, plus a choice of a Bloody Mary, Mimosa or beer.  

SIFF Cinemas (Lower Queen Anne) -- offer $8 matinee tickets (before 4pm). If you plan on seeing lots of movies there they also have an annual membership ($55) that includes movie discounts, free popcorn, special events, and more.

Majestic Bay Theaters (Ballard) - Matinee prices for $10.50 before 4pm

Sundance Cinemas (U-district) -- All shows 21+ - Cheapest tickets are always the first matinee of the day, plus free or discounted parking. You can also join their (free) Sundance Partners Loyalty Program to earn points toward tickets.

Grand Illusion (U-District) -- $9 tickets (cash or check only) . You can also buy a $30 membership and get $4 off your ticket price for a year.

Varsity Theatre (U-District) -- Matinee (before 5pm) tickets for $8.50, students with valid UW ID (maybe Cornish too??) tickets for $8, Senior tickets $8.50 & Senior Tuesday $6.75.

The Crest (Shoreline) -- $4 weekday tickets

Ark Lodge Cinemas (Columbia City) - $8.75 for all movies before 4pm. Some nearby restaurants/lounges offer a discount when you show your same-day ticket.

Federal Way Gateway Movies 8 (Federal Way) -- $2 tickets, $1 on Tuesdays. Extra $2 for 3D films.

Blue Mouse Theatre (Tacoma) -- Tickets range $3-5

The Edmonds Theater (Edmonds) -- $8 tickets or $6 for shows before 5pm

During the summer, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings Regal Theaters feature $1 G and PG movies.

Lots of theaters offer cheaper tickets during the daytime (matinee) showings. Each theater is different, but it’s worth looking into if you’re looking for a cheaper ticket.

Good luck & enjoy!

Save Money on Textbooks: Art School Edition

Yes, yes, I know, you’re getting ready to attend an art school in the fall, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have to buy textbooks for some of your classes. Lots of professors of HS classes and even some of your core classes will require you to have a “textbook” of some kind.

We don’t have a bookstore, so that’s not an option - though it wouldn’t be a good money saving option anyway. So you have no choice but to look elsewhere. Depending on the class, and the book you’re looking for, you’ve got some options below for you to pick from.

First, check your syllabus. Hopefully you're starting to get emails or information from your instructors that include a syllabus and information about the classes you've signed up for. Take a look at the syllabus and see what books are required for you to have.

Borrow or buy from someone. If you know of or can find someone who already has the book from taking the class in the past. If they don’t want to sell the book, ask them if you can borrow it for the semester. You can even offer them some money for the “rental” to make it more enticing for them.

Check Facebook. Every year there’s usually a group that’s made for the incoming class on Facebook. This is a great resource for lots of things, one being finding your books! A lot of upperclassmen will join the group and post things about things they’re selling or old books they want to get rid of. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, make a post! It also wouldn’t hurt to try and make a post in a different classes group to see if anybody has the book & would be willing to sell it to you or let you borrow it.

Head to the library. You won’t be able to keep the book for the entire semester but knowing that it’s available for use is good. Many professors will put the book on reserve for their class which makes the check out time shorter so it ensures that it will be there when you need it. If your professor is only using a few pages or chapters out of the book you can always make some copies to have on hand.  If our library doesn’t have it, check out some of the local public branches to see if they do! You can also speak to one of the Reference Librarians in our library and they will do whatever they can to help you find what you're looking for - even if that means requesting it from a different library!

Rent. There are lots of sites that offer the opportunity to rent the books you need which will usually be cheaper than buying the book for yourself. Plus you won’t have to figure out what to do with it when you don’t need it anymore! Check out these links for a few rental options and see if your book is available:

• Amazon
• Chegg
• Valore
• Barnes & Noble

Buy used. If none of the options work for you so far, consider going on the hunt for used versions of the book you need.

• Check out some local bookshops. There are a good number of students who decide to sell their old books locally to shops who are willing to buy them. Look at some shops on Capitol Hill (Twice Sold Tales), in Lower Queen Anne, etc. - places where you know a good number of students live off campus or shops that are near campus. You might get lucky and find exactly what you’re looking for!
• Check out these sites. These are just a few examples of some places to look online for good deals on used books.
• Slugbooks
• Amazon
• AbeBooks
• Half.com or Chegg

Buying new. If you’ve exhausted all of the other options or simply have to buy the book brand new, check out these ideas.

Buy an older edition. Contact your professor to see if purchasing a different edition of the book (assuming it has them) will work for the class. In most cases, this is just fine, but sometimes the professor is very specific about which edition they want you to work from.

Split the cost. If you know someone else who is going to be in the same class as you, reach out to them and see if they would be interested in sharing and splitting the cost of the book for the semester.

Buy it as an e-book. Ebooks are usually less expensive than purchasing a physical copy, plus you don’t have to lug it around with you. You’ll want to check with your professor, however, sometimes they’re not okay with the use of electronic devices in their classroom - even if it’s just for the book.

Sell your books at the end of the Semester. Provided that you didn't buy an e-book or rent a textbook, you're going to be faced with a decision. Do I need to keep this text book, or not? Will this help with my future courses or with my career? If you decide you won't need the books, there are a variety of places that you can try to sell them back for some of your money. The quickest and easiest is usually going to a local bookshop (Twice Sold Tales, Mercer Street Books, etc.) and seeing if they will buy your book(s) for cash or in-store credit. Other options for selling your books include Amazon, Craigslist, or even posting them on the Facebook page to see if anyone else is in need of the book.

You can also check out this awesome resource from The City University of New York for a master list of some great places to find some of the books you need.  

Good luck out there!

Save Money on College Essentials

Create a list of things that you need. This way you know what you’re looking for while you’re out and about or doing online shopping. It should also keep you from getting too overwhelmed because there’s lots of stuff out there and a lot of advertisements for “back to college” items that you don’t really need - especially if you’re trying to save yourself some money.

Figure out what you already have. Before you start any of your school shopping, look around to see what you’ve already got - you may be surprised. This will save you some time and money when you start to shop. Do you already have some cute bed sheets that will work - at least for now? Already have some cleaning supplies on hand? Do your parents need all of their pots and pans? Maybe they’ll let you have some. Cross off the things you already have or don’t need right away. Work from there.

Check out local thrift shops like GoodWill, Value Village and more local based thrift and consignment shops. This is a really good place to start because you never know what you might find and you could end up saving a ton of money on things you thought you were going to have to buy brand new. Keep an eye out for bedding, decorations, lighting, office/school supplies, clothes, storage, etc.

Look at yard sales too! You can find some super great deals and most people are even willing to negotiate! Check out Craigslist, local power polls, and Facebook events, and other resources to find them!

Find the sales. Finding as many “back to school” sales and discounts as you can will be a big help. This is the time when you will find them. If you know you’re going to need lots of art supplies - LOOK FOR DISCOUNTS AND COUPONS. Art supplies are expensive and anything that can lower that price is going to be a huge help.

Look online. Depending on the deals you can find and whether you’re local or not, it’s probably worth looking around online. You can even have things sent right to you once you’re settled into the dorms or your apartment and have the trouble of having to move said things. Also make sure to activate Ebates while you’re shopping to get some money back!

Keep an eye out for our next post on how to save money on textbooks!

Good luck out there!

Keeping Track of your Spending: Budget 101

Why budget? Budgeting is about understanding finances and becoming a smarter and more mindful spender and saver. No matter what your income range is, having a budget will only make things better. If nothing else, you will become more mindful of what you’re spending your money on. Smart financial management is about making choices and committing to them.

It doesn’t have to be scary. Budgeting is something that should make your life easier, not harder. It can be overwhelming and daunting at first, but once you work at it for a bit and figure out a process that works for you, it will make your life easier. The hardest part of a budget is creating one.

Set goals. What do you want to get out of this? Do you want to have money in a savings account? Do you want to make sure you have enough money for groceries throughout the entire month? To just generally be more financially aware? To be more prepared when tax season comes around? To pay off debt? Sit down and think about what you’d like to improve, be aware of, or save up for. This will help you personalize your budget.

Use an app or create a spreadsheet. There are more and more apps out there that are made to help you keep track of your finances and help you set up a budget that works for you. I’ve included a list of some options that may be of interest, but feel free to do your own research to find an app that works best for you.

• GottaBe Mobile - 14 Best Budget Apps for 2017
• Nerdwallet - 9 Best Budgeting Apps for College Students
• The Verge - 5 Essential Apps to Track Your Spending, Save Money, and Pay Your Friends
• Tech Times - Best Budgeting Apps for College Students
• Rasmussen College - 5 Awesome Apps for Setting a College Student Budget

If you prefer a more manual process, you can use Google Spreadsheets to track your monthly expenses and income. This way you have access to the information from anywhere, have a more personalized system that works for you, and even share it with your partner or family if you want to.

Underestimate your income. If you have a regular job where you have a similar paycheck month to month, this step will be a bit easier for you. Your monthly paycheck is going to be your big number that you subtract your expenses from. If your paycheck isn’t quite the same every month, pick the number that is lower and work from that. It’s so much better to underestimate your income than it is to do the opposite. Plus it’s a nice surprise when you find out you have more than expected after you pay your bills.

If you’re in a situation where you don’t have a ‘regular’ monthly paycheck you can pull your numbers from, you will either have to do some calculations based on the hours you work and your pay rate or you’ll need to reassess your income each month (or possibly more often). The best way to do this is to estimate what your income will be based on the projects you’re working on or the hours you think you will be hired for. Again, always underestimate your income.

Overestimate your expenses. Try to come up with a list of things that you’ll be spending money on during the month and an estimated amount of what you’ll spend in those areas. If you’re not sure, round up. Then take a look at these expenses versus the income that you came up with just a moment ago. How’s it look? Do you need to make some adjustments?

Needs vs. Wants. Having a budget doesn’t mean you can’t still do fun things, eat out at restaurants, or treat yourself to some fun purchases. What it does mean, is that you’ll be more conscientious about these purchases, and spend your money as wisely as you can.

Tips to cut costs:

• Make your own tea/coffee/etc. and bring it with you instead of stoping by a cafe every day.
• Avoid impulse purchases - if you see something you really want while you’re out and about one day, take some time to think about it and your budget. Make sure you’re making a smart decision for your situation.
• Try to limit restaurant purchases - they add up!
• Don’t go grocery shopping when you’re hungry
• Buy staple items in bulk
• Always have a water bottle with you
• Always carry snacks
• Pay your bills on time - if you have troubles keeping track, get an app or make calendar notifications!
• Seek out student discounts everywhere you go - the worst that will happen is they’ll say no.
• Shop at thrift stores first
• Consider a cheaper phone plan
• Get rid of unnecessary monthly subscription costs
• Seek out and save coupons for grocery shopping
• Buy or rent used textbooks

Pay your bills first. Choose a day every month to sit down and go through your bills and pay them. Usually the best day for this is the first of the month as that’s usually when the majority of them are due. If you have a few that aren’t due until the middle of the month, it’s best to go ahead and pay them off while you’re taking care of the other ones so you don’t risk forgetting or accidently spending too much money before they’re due and not being able to pay the full amount.  

Stay organized and updated. Pick a day every week, two weeks, or month, where you’ll sit down and look at and update your budget. It’s important to check in every once in awhile to see if you’re staying on track or if you’re spending too much money. If you can, do this more often than just once a month - the more you check in, the more organized and up to date you’ll be.

Use your savings account and/or set up an emergency fund. Every paycheck, try to put money into your savings account that you won’t touch unless it’s absolutely necessary. Whether this is $5 or $100, it will add up over time and be there for you when you need it for an emergency or special purchase.

If you have a credit card, be mindful! It’s super easy to put big and little purchases on your credit card and to tell yourself that you’ll deal with it at the end of the month. But if you don’t keep an eye on it, those purchases can add up quickly and the higher it gets the harder and longer it will take to pay it off. Make sure you have enough credit left that can cover an emergency if one came up.

Learn from your mistakes and move forward. If you get to the end of the month and realize that you didn’t meet all of your goals, that’s okay. Take count of what happened and what you can do in the future to improve the situation that occurred. It’s a learning process, and as long as you can make it through the month that’s what matters most.

Further reading and resources:

• Budget Tips from StudentAid.ed.gov
• Common Cents - Step by Step Guide to Take Control of Your Money
• Lifehacker - How to Create Your First Budget in the Real World
• Ask us questions or come talk to us! You can come in and chat or set up an appointment with one of the Financial Aid Advisors in the office. We have some very busy times during the year where we may not have much time to dedicate to other projects, but we’re always more than happy to help you with any questions you may have, and can help you find the resources you need to get started. We’re here for more than your initial Financial Aid Award and FAFSA questions!

Tips for Travelling (Abroad) on a Budget

Save up. If you know you want to travel, or already know when and where you’re going, start saving money specifically for this trip. You’ll want to save as much as you can so you don’t have to worry as much about what you’re spending while you’re gone. Pro tip: be careful about carrying too much cash on you when travelling, you could be in a tough situation if you lose it.

Stay in hostels. While it may not sound like the most fun or private way to stay somewhere, staying in hostels can save you lots of money. Hostels vary from large to small, so do some research to find the ones that will work best for you. Hostels can also provide an opportunity to meet other people you might not have otherwise - who knows, you might find new friends! Pro tip: staying outside of the city limits is usually cheaper.

Workaway. If you’re willing to work your way around the world, Workaway could be a perfect option for you. The idea of workaway is labor - which can vary - in exchange for food and housing.

Couchsurfing or Airbnb. Rent a couch, room, or home/apartment wherever you’re travelling. Prices and spaces vary, so you can find what suits you best.

Study Abroad. If you have a chance before you graduate, think about spending a semester abroad!

Find discounts. I’ll say it again, while you’re a student, take advantage of any and all discounts that you can. Check out one of our previous blog posts for more discount resources.

Get a job abroad. Once you’re not in school, you won’t really have the option to study abroad. However, you could work abroad. If there’s somewhere specific you’d like to spend some time, do some research for getting a work visa in that country. The job doesn’t have to be anything extravagant, but this would give you an option to explore while also having an income. Plus you’ll have an opportunity to meet more people you might not have otherwise!

Volunteer. If you’re not worried about money, but are interested in volunteering and meeting new people, check out Go Overseas for different programs and options.

Good luck, and safe travels!

Discount Grocery Shopping

Tips to Shop

Take advantage of your meal plan. If you live in the dorms, make sure you're making full use of your
meal plan! There's no limit on what you can spend in a day, but you do only have a certain amount for
the semester, so plan accordingly. You can always add money out of pocket onto your card - this goes for
those of you who don't live in the dorms as well!

Make a list. Figure out what you need (and want) before you head to the store. This will help to keep

you focused and you’ll be less likely to wander the store adding things into your cart that you don’t

really need. It can help if you also create a standard 'staples' checklist of things you always want to have
on hand.

Budget. Figure out how much you can spend on groceries and try to stick to it. Do you get paid once

a month? Are you living off of your savings? Figure out a plan that works best for you.

Sign up for EBT. Did you know that if you’re a student with work study, you can qualify for food

benefits? Head on over to the DSHS and apply for EBT, then stop by our office and we can provide

you with documents that prove you’re active in the program.

Shop with your roommate(s). Share the cost of a grocery run by splitting the cost in half or trade off
on grocery runs. Sit down with your roomie(s) and see what would work best for all!

Coupon. Some grocery stores have their own apps that have discounts and coupons that you

wouldn’t get otherwise. If you have store you go to frequently, see if they have one! There are tons

of other apps out there for grocery coupons and even ones that will give you money back after you

upload your receipts. Check the weekly flyers that stores have, look in newspapers for coupons.
(Checkout 51, Ibotta, more)

Buy in bulk & freeze. Dry and non-perishable foods are the best for this (beans, rice, pasta, oatmeal, canned

goods, etc.) If you have some extra space in your living area and you see some sales - stock up! If you have
room in your freezer, you can always freeze items that will expire!

Pack a lunch the night before. Most cases, you probably run out of time in the mornings before you head
to class and don't have time to figure out food to bring. If you do this the night or weekend before, you
won't have to worry about it in the morning!

Shop seasonal. Buying fruits and veggies that are in season will save you some money. When

produce isn’t in season it tends to be more expensive because it has to travel farther to get to you!

Eat before you go! Shopping while hungry is never a good idea because you’ll want all of the things.

You’ll find yourself buying more than you might if you shop when you’re not hungry.

Grocery List Ideas

Fruits

Apples

Bananas

Grapes

Oranges

Veggies

Avocado

Bell peppers

Broccoli

Carrots

Lettuce

Onions

Spinach

Sweet potatoes

Tomatoes

Protein

Beans

Chicken

Deli meat

Eggs

Lentils

Peanut butter

Tuna fish (look for low sodium)

Yogurt (look for low sugar)

Bread and Grains

Cereal (look for low sugar; dry cereal also makes a quick snack)

Oatmeal (look for low sugar)

Rice (preferably brown or long-grain)

Tortillas

Whole grain bread

Whole wheat pasta

Quick Eats

Cheese sticks

Dried fruit

Frozen dinners

Hummus

Popcorn

Protein/cereal bars

Salsa

Soups

Trail mix

Other

Butter (or substitute)

Coffee (making it yourself can save you tons of money—don’t worry, Starbucks will still be there)

Garlic

Honey

Olive/coconut oil

Pasta sauce

Salt & pepper

Tea

Where to Shop

Cash & Carry

Best products: Groceries and produce at case prices (single packages also available on most
items), fresh meat, dairy products, and frozen foods.

Nearest locations: SoDo, Ballard, Mt. Baker

Fred Meyer

Best products: Save more by taking advantage of weekly ad specials and digital coupons on
their website.

Nearest locations: Ballard, Greenwood

Grocery Outlet

Best products: Brand-name groceries and fresh produce. Sign up for “WOW” email alerts to be
notified of unadvertised deals from your local store. They also have occasional $5 off coupons if
you use your phone number at the kiosk during checkout!

Nearest locations: SoDo, Central District, Crown Hill

Uwajimaya

Best products: Regular prices can be high on some product, so take advantage of weekly specials,
and get 10% off as a student every Friday after 6pm!

Nearest location: International District

Trader Joe’s

Best products: Check out their weekly flyer! A lot of things at Trader Joes have pretty good

prices. Keep an eye out for sales and Trader Joe’s brand products.

Nearest locations: Central District, Queen Anne

Big John’s PFI

Best products: Store carries mostly European and Mediterranean imported foods. ½-pound
minimum when buying deli meats (unsliced/no slicer), sausages, cheeses (domestic and
international), and olives. Large variety of bulk dried goods: rices, beans, spices, grains, flours.
Large selections of olive oils, specialty oils, and vinegars. Also chocolate and candy from around
the world.

Location: SoDo

Costco (membership required)

Best products: best value is found on dairy products, organic products, frozen foods, Kirkland
brand products, bulk foods, and perishable foods.

Nearest location: Industrial District