Greenback on Green Street: Students overwhelmed by spending
Many students worry about their spending habits with easy access to places on Green Street and others around campus.
November 30, 2021
As college students living on campus, many students said it seems there is no shortage of spending occasions.
Holidays, social events and food are just some of the things students are spending their money on.
Csilla Moran, freshman in LAS, said she spends around $20 on an average week and emphasized how spending money at social events is almost unavoidable.
“I don’t think I’ve gone to any social event where there’s an option to not spend any money,” Moran said.
During the holidays, Moran said gift-giving is a hefty investment for her.
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“Around holidays, there are usually more social events so it’s easier to spend money,” Moran said.
Maddie Udelhofen, junior in LAS, said many of her expenses come from necessities such as food. However, she said she needs to be conscious of making affordable purchases.
When transitioning to adulthood, Udelhofen said managing and keeping track of money can be stressful.
“You really sort of realize that once you start inching into adulthood that life is very expensive,” Udelhofen said.
Many students said food is one of their largest expenses.
Lucas Nelson, senior in LAS, said he thinks location has a lot to do with how much students spend.
Freshman year he lived in the Ikenberry Commons, which he said is much farther from Green Street than his current location on Healey Street. Nelson said living closer to Green Street makes it more convenient to take trips to restaurants.
“I honestly think I spent maybe $60 eating out all freshman year whereas that’s probably what I go through in, like, two weeks now,” Nelson said.
Moran said it’s easier to spend less money as a freshman when living in a dorm due to the meal plans but thinks that for upperclassman, it’s more difficult.
Sailaja Nallacheruvu, freshman in Engineering, said she’s noticed how prices are higher on campus compared to her home in the Chicago suburbs.
“I think individual things are more expensive (on campus), but if you’re buying bigger items so it’s not one individual box or something, then the prices are similar,” Nallacheruvu said. “(Restaurants) are a little more expensive than they are at home, but none of it’s bad.”
