Staying Warm on a Budget

For nearly 30% of you, Massachusetts weather is nothing new. You've come to expect piles of snow and temperatures in the teens. We at Savvy Student want to focus this post on the portion of the remaining 70% of Brandeis students who hail from warm climates by offering some advice on where and when to buy your cold weather gear.

1) Remember that dressing in layers is just as important as finding a well-insulated coat.

The student lifestyle is most definitely a mobile one—we're constantly moving from one building to another and we're always forcing our bodies to adjust to different temperatures. Because of this, we need to keep layers in mind when dressing.

Remember three things when building your cold weather wardrobe: eliminating moisture, insulating your body's natural heat, and protecting yourself from wind, snow and ice. Your base layer should be made from moisture-wicking material to ensure that your perspiration won't freeze upon stepping outside. Your second layer should be made from fleece, wool, or another thick and warm material. Your outer layer should be water and wind resistant.

Check out steepandcheap.com for great prices and closeout bargains on all sorts of layers.

2) Shop for your warmest jacket while stores clear out for Spring.

The coldest months in the Boston area also happen to be the months retailers use to clear out their winter apparel and make room for spring styles. You'll find great deals nearly everywhere on all types of outerwear, from pea coats to parkas. Here are a few online retailers to get you started:

• backcountry.com
• burlingtoncoatfactory.com
• overstock.com

3) Utilize and repurpose what you already own.

Ladies—do you own tights or pantyhose with rips or runs in them? Instead of lamenting the loss of a wardrobe staple, wear a pair or two underneath your jeans or underneath a pair of unblemished tights to help contain the heat from your body.

Guys—wearing pajamas in public is generally a faux pas, but in cold weather you can use pajama pants as a base layer. Wear long socks that cover the leg opening of the pants to prevent the chill from hitting your skin, and wear your jeans or pants over them. This will generally do the trick in lieu of specially made base layers.

As always, remember to check for discount codes for online retailers. Retailmenot.com is an excellent place to start.

Stay warm,

Savvy Student

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Here we go again...

Its about that time--fresh snow on the ground, new faces and brand new professors. It's the start of a new semester and many are awaiting their refund checks. But here at Savvy Student, we are here to remind each student ways to be smart and chic while on a budget.

Step one is simple. Don't splurge!

Watch what you do when your money comes through.

It's very tempting, when you get your refund check at the start of each term, to get a false sense of financial security and spend accordingly. Use your will power and try not to splurge. If you do this, you'll reap the benefits at the end of term when you actually do have money and are not scraping the barrel. You should also consider spending your money on things like books and equipment that you'll need and use for the semester or even longer. Keep yourself from buying things that you really don't need, no matter how badly you want them!

Step two : Give yourself pocket money.

Control your spending with a self-imposed allowance.

Just as your parents may have given you a weekly or monthly allowance, this strategy will help you begin to think about and control your spending. On the same day each week, withdraw a fixed amount of money to cover your weekly expenses. Each weekly withdrawal must be for the same amount. This way you will begin to create a healthy spending pattern.

Step three is be wallet aware!

Only carry the amount of cash you allow yourself to spend daily.

If you're a sucker for an afternoon latte or tend to get cash-happy on a night out with your friends, put money in your wallet on a daily basis. Not only will this stop you getting that final round in and blowing tomorrow's money, it will also allow you to save in advance for a special occasion.

Step four is to keep an accurate record of expenditures.

It may seem like a drag and you may think you do not have time to do it daily but in the end it works out. Basic bookkeeping helps to keep spending in line and underscores the importance of writing a budget and sticking to it. The extra five minutes a day of writing your charges will help when your wondering "Where did all my paycheck go?"

Step five is to routinely visit Savvy Student.

Here at Savvy Student we know how to keep you informed about the latest ways to budget and save. Not only are you going to learn to budget that refund check and all your checks to come but you'll also look savvy doing it.

Savvy Student

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What a Girl Wants...

Not all women wake up looking as beautiful as Jessica Alba, Carrie Underwood or Vanessa Hudgens. It takes make-up, air brushing and a ton of work to look like the stars. So, instead of attempting to emulate the Hollywood beautification process, women buy specialty products to DIY at home. While these products are fun to use and can serve as self-esteem boosters, they can also feel like burdens (particularly at the check out). The difference in cost between products developed for women and products developed for men can be quite significant. Sure, razors and shaving gel may have to be replenished more quickly than foundation or mascara, but either way our pockets are being emptied every time we decide to purchase something as simple as facial cream.

An article in MSN Money referred to research conducted by Consumer Reports which compared several "his" and "hers" products. The goal of this comparison was to determine if there was any truth to the rumor that it costs more to be a woman than a man. On average, Consumer Reports found that it costs 50% more to purchase products aimed at women. Many companies justified a price difference due to higher costs in packaging or special technology used to produce the item for their female audience.

At the end of the day do these products work any more miracles than their male counterparts? Not sure, but food for thought next time you are purchasing body wash or facial cream.

Savvy Student

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Savvy Savings

The start of a new year means many things to many people. It is a time to say goodbye to old habits and realize the truth in resolutions made just days earlier. Although this may cause some angst, it should fill each of us with hope and understanding for the adventures that await us.

Included in these adventures are the grocery store and mall which transform into a jungle after the holidays. This is the time of year when retailers need to unload their inventory by way of a massive sale, thus making shopping a very chaotic and unpleasant experience. To avoid the frenzy, it may be best to plan ahead, do research and be a savvy shopper. As always we want to help you on your path to savings and in doing so, we've come up with a couple of strategies you can use next time you brave the battleground. Many stores offer either a price matching or price adjustment policy to ensure they are maintaining their competitive edge.

When stores offer competitive price matching it is their way of guaranteeing that you, the consumer will make your purchase at their store. This puts you in the driver seat, giving you the responsibility of finding the best rate for the item you wish to purchase and then deciding what retailer you wish to shop at. For many stores the only catch is that the item must be "in-stock" with the competitor.

Stores that participate in this bargaining war of sorts, include Lowe's and Home Depot, Best Buy, Target and Walmart. Each store's policy is slightly different, so please follow the links to view their guidelines.

Both Lowe's and Home Depot promise to beat the competition by 10%, all you have to do is provide proof of the deal and hope that the item is in stock there. Best Buy just matches the competition as long as the item is available, but I say who cares if they don't offer bells and whistles, the time and gas money you are saving by not driving all over the place is well worth it. As for Target, they will match print ads and redeem coupons, where as Walmart will look for a competitor's shopping card such as the CVS Extra Care Card before they match the price.

Another hidden gem in the world of retail is the price adjustment policy that many stores offer. Target, Gap and Bed, Bath and Beyond all offer a variation of the same principal that if you purchase an item and it goes on sale with in two weeks you will be entitled to a savings of the difference. This is a one time per item deal, but it beats going shopping only to discover if you had waited, you would have saved. Instead of kicking yourself, you can simply head on over to the cashier to claim your saviness.

So, the next time you need to go shopping, before entering the safari, stay at home and do a little online research. Save yourself both time and money by taking advantage of the policies these retailers are offering.

Until next time,

Savvy Student

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