How to Buy Happiness (Part 1)

Part of being smart about money is not just knowing how to save, but also how to spend. After all, money is meant to be spent. But for someone like myself who has such a small discretionary income, spending money is difficult for me so I'm intent on deriving the utmost pleasure from my purchases. In the first installment this two part series I'll share two ways in which I've found that money can in fact, buy happiness.

How? 

Spend your money on experiences not material items.

Why?

The Anticipation- Studies show that the mere anticipation of going on a trip, seeing a concert, or enjoying a good meal boosts people's level of happiness.

Eliminate Comparisons- Every new product on the market (phones, computers, cars, even shoes) are quickly replaced by a newer model. The worth of your purchase is directly correlated to the "newness" of the product and your happiness inevitably decreases as the novelty wears off and others get a newer version of whatever you've got. The same can't be said for the memories you make while taking a painting class or visiting a new city.

Shared Experiences- It's human nature to feel happy while surrounded by the people you love.  And since most experiences involve other people, it's no surprise that more happiness is derived from purchasing an experience rather than material item.

Over the past year, I've challenged myself to spend less on material goods and more on experiences. For a clotheshorse like myself, it's been a bit of a struggle. Last Christmas instead of asking for a gift from my younger brother, I requested he use the money he would have spent on a present to buy a train ticket to visit me in New York. It's hard for me to think of a material good of the same value (about $30) that would have brought me more enjoyment than hanging out with my bro for the day.

Stay tuned for part two where I'll reveal another way that money can buy happiness ;)

How to Save When Buying Textbooks

Don't we all remember the good old days of school supply shopping as a kid? My mom would drive me to CVS and I'd walk the aisles, school supply list in hand, picking out brightly colored notebooks, mechanical pencils, and locker accessories. This year, as I return to school after taking a year off, I wish I could say my school supply shopping experience was as pleasurable. But alas, my shopping list no longer includes frilly erasers and colored pencils. Instead, the bulk of my school supply budget is going to textbooks. And as anyone who has ever bough a textbook knows, that shit is expensive! So what's a penniless prima donna to do? Read on to find out how I saved on textbooks this year...and it's not just Chegg!

1. Comparison Shop! My three go-to online retailers for textbooks are Amazon, Half.com, and Chegg. All three have the option to buy new, used, the e-book, or rent for most books. I comparison to shop to see which of the three sites has the best deal on a book and I then choose the lowest price. 

2. Consider the Return on Investment! Contrary to #1, it's not always the wisest decision to always choose the lowest priced book. There are several factors that should affect whether you rent, buy a book new, or buy used. I bought a used copy of my French II book even though it was $10 more expensive than renting it, because I know I can sell it back to my campus's bookstore at the end of the semester for more than $10.

3. Use Your Campus Library! Your campus library almost indefinitely has a copy of that $200 statistics book for in-library use. Just set aside some time each week to get the reading done in the library. And you can always photocopy important pages or snap pictures of tables and graphs with your phone to review at home.

4. Use Other Libraries! My Shakespeare class requires me to read five plays by Shakespeare. Instead of buying each individual book, I've put them all on hold at the NYPL. These books can be renewed online so in most cases you can keep them for the duration of the semester. 

5. Communicate with your Professor! Ask your professor if it is okay to buy an earlier edition of the book, or whether they might have a spare book they'd be willing to loan you for the semester.  When I confided in my Algebra Review teacher about the financial burden of buying textbooks, he told me not to bother buying the assigned reading; all the information in the textbook could be found by simply googling each topic. And after stressing out over buying a $90 online course code for my French class, my professor assured me that although it was helpful to have access to the online content, it was not imperative.  Most professors are very understanding and want their students to succeed so they'll be willing to accommodate you.

It takes a little more effort to save on textbooks as opposed to just stopping into your campus bookstore and buying all your books. But for those of us on a tight budget, the extra effort really pays off. I'd love to hear if any of you have tips for saving on textbooks. Tell me in the comments below!

Take a Free Ride on the Staten Island Ferry

Yesterday I found myself at a loss for how to spend my Saturday evening. After browsing my usual sources for cheap events, it seemed like there was nothing fun happening in the city  (which proves how much of a spoiled New Yorker I've become). I racked my brain for an enjoyable, free way to spend a summer evening in the city. And then it came to me...the Staten Island Ferry! 

I know what you're thinking: why would anyone who lives in Manhattan spend thier Saturday night going to Staten Island? Not that I have anything against this forgotten borough because I'm sure if I explored I would find many redeeming qualities. But it's definitely not the mecca of entertainment and culture that is Manhattan. So why go, you ask? Well, as R. Alan Woods would say, "The journey is the destination."

Leaving from the Whitehall Station at the Southern tip of Manhattan, a ride on the Staten Island Ferry offers great views of the Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. The ferry has a deck and ample outdoor seating so passengers can enjoy the view. The ride takes about 25 minutes one way and ferries operate twenty-four hours a day. Best of all, it's free! The best time to go is in the evenings, after rush hour. There's something hypnotic about watching the lit up city skyline get smaller and smaller as the sea breeze blows through your hair. It's a summer must-do!

So grab some friends, your camera, and maybe a beer or two and hop on! You can get more information and check the schedule for departures here.