Living off campus poses challenges for students

By James Strail
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Students living off-campus at Norwich University all seem to have a common bond when it comes to finances. The bond they share is budgeting their money. From rent payments and utilities to bread and butter, every student faces the difficult challenge of budgeting.

Erika DeVincenzi, a junior from Marshfield, Vt., recently moved into an apartment in Northfield. The 21 year-old Communications major often has her hands full budgeting her daily finances.

"Sometimes it can get tough," said DeVincenzi. "Living off campus forces you to be responsible for yourself. You have to learn how to spend what you've got."

Working part time at the Northfield Inn allows DeVincenzi the opportunity to earn some extra spending money.

"I get a few extra bucks working at an inn, but I try and spend it tactfully," said DeVincenzi. "Paying the rent always has the first priority, followed by utilities. Once I get the groceries, then finally I can spend what's left over on whatever."

For others, living off campus can mean living thousands of miles away from anyone to depend on.

Barnney Sandoval, an International Studies major from Alajuela, Costa Rica, lives in an apartment with his roommate Maurice.

"Living away from my parents really hurts at times," Sandoval said. "I've depended on my parents for my entire life.

Sandoval stressed the importance of keeping a full refrigerator to maintain overall good health.

"I think having plenty of food to eat is top priority for my roommate and I," Sandoval said. "If you're not eating right, you're going to get sick, and that's the last thing I need during the semester."

The necessity for food within the household holds the highest priority for many students living off campus.

For 21 year-old junior Brad Mitchell, proper nutrition is an essential part of everyday life.

"I make it a personal goal to eat properly every day," Mitchell said. "If I'm not eating a good diet it takes its toll on me."

Mitchell, a physical education major from Essex Junction, Vt., has earned a workstudy position with men's soccer coach Bob Friske. Mitchell's job with Coach Friske is a key factor in determining his budget.

"It's great to be able to work for Coach Friske," Mitchell said. "He doesn't treat me like a work horse, and the money improves my quality of living tremendously."

The perfect way for students to reduce their off campus living costs is to simply find a roommate. In some cases several roommates come into play to ease rent charges.

For Gabriel Burkart and Aaron Sylvia, that's exactly the case.

The two moved into a house off campus in Northfield, Vt., on Slate Avenue along with two other roommates in hopes of lowering monthly rent charges. Together, the four roommates split their costs, dramatically increasing financial efficiency.

"Having four guys living in the house cut a great deal out of our rent expenses," said Sylvia, a 19-year-old civil engineering major from Bristol, RI. "We're able to focus more of our finances towards groceries and extras, like cable. It's a nice cushion."

"Yeah, having four roommates may be tough to manage at times, but the benefits outweigh the setbacks," said Burkart, a 22- year-old senior from San Antonio, Tex. "By living with three other guys, we split all our costs evenly. It takes the edge off of trying to manage all your finances alone."

Burkart, a communications major, works part time as assistant manager at Sports Image.
The money he earns goes directly towards paying his landlord along with a long list of bills.

"I usually set aside a fixed amount of my paycheck specifically for rent, utilities and food," Burkart said. "It's important to recognize what must be paid first before what can be spent. If you do it vice versa, you risk running into debt."

"It's true. Utilities in this town are no joke," added Sylvia, the 19-year-old sophomore.
"There's not only rent. Utilities like water and sewer, electricity and the phone all run separate bills that will kill you if you haven't prepared a budget."

Preparing a budget is something that prepares students for life in the real world.

Since student budgeting is such an important part of college life, it has become an area of interest to researchers looking to assist those with budgeting problems.

Many college websites have entire portions of their sites dedicated to helping the student adjust to independence.

Simply browsing through various college web sites can lead to valuable information on avoiding a financial crisis.

"Good money management helps solve the mystery of where your money goes, allowing you to know your financial situation at all times, thereby avoiding a financial crisis. Effective money management strategies include deciding what extras you can afford/can't afford at any particular time," according to access.mcmaster website: http://access.mcmaster.ca/financial_aid/index.html. Sites like this one contain lists of tips and strategies that can make student budgeting a second nature.

After a little first hand experience with budgeting strategies, mastery over student finances can become a reality.

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