Surviving By Saving

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November 23, 2009  
Filed under News

It is a Friday night and you and your friends want to have a fun, relaxing time at the movies. However, it is $10 per person. You look in your wallet and realize there is just not enough money to spare.

Across the nation teens are feeling the effects of the recession going on right now. Ever since September of 2008, when the recession began, many families have been tight on money. As more and more businesses started failing, a lot of parents and teens were cut from their jobs. When people are being let go it is hard to find work because no one has the means to hire.

“A friend of mine has been trying to get a job since the beginning of the year but she hasn’t gotten any calls back,” sophomore Mya Huyett said.

This fall, the lack of jobs has forced teens to act upon saving money.  Rachel Pierce, sophomore, has her own way of saving money and regulating what she spends.  In her room are two jars her cash goes into. One is for indulgences like shopping or going out with friends and the other is for savings.

“It helps me keep financially on track,” Pierce said.

There are many other ways teens have been price savvy.  For example, girls have been shopping at stores like Plato’s Closet and T.J. Maxx that sell gently used or passed down clothing and accessory items. Here, they receive quality, name brand items for a lower cost.

Many businesses have deals that students can take advantage of. You can go see a movie at the AMC Studio 30 Theatre in Olathe, which has cheaper prices for around $5 during  Sunday through Thursday.  There are also many restaurants who have a dollar or value menu like Sonic, McDonald’s and Wendy’s. Sophomore Erica Roberts said that these menus make it easier to get cheaper meals, especially with a large family.

Even though the current financial situation is not ideal, teens are finding cost friendly activities, and helpful ways of saving money.

How to Gain and Save at Plato’s Closet

1. Look through your gently used clothes. The store is looking for anything from jeans, to necklaces, to sandals. Some of the most wanted brands are American Eagle, Banana Republic, or Hollister. (You can visit www.platoscloset.com to see the complete list of wanted items.)
2. Bring your items into a location close to you (Lawrence, Overland Park, or Topeka).
3. The employees will check out what you brought and will give you a reasonable amount of cash on the spot.
4. Look around the store for some cheap, fashionable clothing, and walk out with a new outfit and a pocket full of cash.

—–
Kali Hinman

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