Coupons

It may take some effort to find them, but coupons can save you a TON of money at the grocery store, mall, online shopping, etc.

http://www.retailmenot.com/

The 6 + 1 System for Financial Stability

This infographic is explained step-by-step on this website!

Find Recipes Online!

Here are some great places to search for recipes!

Check out this article for information about how long you can store food for in a pantry, fridge or freezer.

Learn How Long Food Lasts

Beginner Cooking Tips

Before you begin, you should know…

Cooking is not as hard as you may think. Don’t be afraid to try something new or out of your comfort zone. It’s okay if things don’t turn out perfectly. It’s also okay to keep it simple and easy. You have to find what works for you. Learning to cook is actually a life-long journey. You just have to start somewhere.

Cooking your own meals is the best way to know what’s in your food and therefore what you are putting into your body. It’s also the most budget-friendly way to eat. Both of these things make it worth the time and effort!

Getting Started

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Tips for Grocery Shopping on a Budget

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Tips for Stocking your Kitchen

Sources for equipment
Essential Kitchen Equipment/Utensils
Nice to have Kitchen Appliances
Essential Kitchen Supplies
Essential Dinnerware
Dried Herbs and Spices
Beans and Pulses
Pasta and Rice
Oils and Vinegar
Sauces and Mustard
Sugar, Syrups, and Honey
Flour and Baking Materials

Be sure to check out the book Good and Cheap by Leanne Brown!

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Housing: Finding the Right Fit

How to figure out who you’re living with – think about:
- community?
- new city?
- tryna meet non-BMC people?
- Use your resources: alumnae networks! Events, facebook, word of mouth

Finding the apartment
- Budget – ⅓ of income (factor in tax! fed withholding?)
- How to find a place?
  - Apartment search sites: Craigslist, Trulia, Zillow, Padmapper, StreetEasy (NYC only), Naked Apartment (NYC only)
- Think about the details :
  - Location (proximity to groceries, drugstores, public transportation)
  - Safety (neighborhood and building)
  - Amenities (dishwasher? laundry in building? WiFi? Cable? Parking?)
  - Commute
  - Use Walk Score to compare locations/safety
  - Management? (individual, realty company, etc. Google your company if you have one!)
Nawar Naseer ’14 created a great spreadsheet that we’ve adapted for you to use – check it out here!
Have an apartment hunting buddy! (If you can, someone who’s done this before in case it’s shady/so you know what to ask)
Factors to consider – location re public transit, groceries, etc, safety.

You found a place!
- Read your lease. But actually.
- Landlord politics/Know your rights in case of:
  - Breaking lease
  - Building maintenance problems (minor–small repairs)
  - Building maintenance and safety problems (major issues like gas leaks)
  - Noise policies
  - Insect extermination policies (know who pays and what the terms are if you get bed bugs).
  - Once you find it – furniture, utilities.