What is the cheapest thing you had ever done?

Hey, not a problem! and BTW, you are not "stealing" internet access. as a matter of fact, you are simply using a resource that person has decided to share with you! there is a lock on the laptop so that you do not have to "share" wireless service. Instead of bringing it to their attention, just do something nice for them, like help them with their gardening or something. This way you don't have to feel guilty that you are getting something for nothing. I actually have wireless in my apartment, and my whole complex now gets free wireless. I have experienced some great joy in my neighbors being extra friendly to me, (the ones with laptops, LOL!) and it is definitely worth it. More power to them!

Well, I will tell you how I survived while going to college in Phoenix Arizona. I indeed had a roommate, who was on social security, so she didn't have much money either. I ate on 1.07 a day. Jack in the box, I think saved my hide, because I always ordered the jumbo jack, which has all your veggies on it anyways, and I asked for extra pickles, ketchup etc. to fill me up. I ate at lunch. I payed my roommate 200$ a month, which included utilities, and I made friends, and they would invite me over to beat the heat in their pool. I also spent a lot of time at the library, because as you know, it is a great place to beat the heat! computer labs are also good for this, since they have to keep it cool in there because of the computers. I made extra money selling items on the weekend at the swapmeets, by picking up garage sale items. I worked at the lab on campus in the psychology department for a little extra cash. I dated a lot,because the guy, if he was working, always took me out to dinner, and that was pretty cool, so I never starved. As a matter of fact,I'd only date the guys who had jobs, and usually it was just a date or two, then I was off to the next guy! (LOL) at bars, I would sing karaoke for free drinks. And, I did odd jobs for people, such as caring for their gardens, homes or pets. It is not always easy to work a regular job, if your school schedule is all over the place, like mine usually was. I had morning classes, and evening classes. (and of course, the dinner dates stopped after I met my husband!) another good place to hang out is the coffeeshops. If you have a laptop, you can usually avoid having to pay for internet service if you use these places, though sometimes they charge like a buck.I found it completely necessary to have a laptop in college for assignments anyways. hope this helps!

Yeah I have a laptop and somehow were stealing internet of the people next door. Its weird, but helpful. I have morning and night classes mon-fri and then I work a 16 hour shify every sunday. Saturdays are my only day when I'm not doing anything and that day is usually for my boyfriend.. So of how bad it gets some times. We don't have a Jack in the Box here but all the fast food places have dollar menus and I always ask for water too. Picking up change works for me too. I usually find change around my friends apartments and on the ground outside my apartment. As soon as I'm done I'll never have to go threw this again so I can't wait to be done,.. Thanks for the helpful tips. It really means alot to know there are other people out there who are going and have gone threw the same thing. Thanks!

I feel the same way! I know so many people who have had a lot of help in their lives who can't seem to understand that it doesn't work that way for everyone! Whenever I talk about my financial situation, people always ask why I don't just ask my family for help, and it's frustrating. They never seem to understand what it is like not to have that option!

*nods* I often have questions about that sort of thing, and it's hard to explain why I can't ask anyone to help me. I mean, how do you politely say that your family abused you for your entire childhood, stole every penny you tried to keep for yourself, and then kicked you out when you were so ill you weren't sure you were going to live? Right now my husband and I do things the best we can for ourselves, and things are going okay. =)

stealing napkins? I guess you never had a teller hand you like 100 napkins or something? most people just throw them away, anyways. No, I always ask first. except the toilet paper. My rule of thumb is this, if there is a bundle of napkins, and you take the whole thing in the bundle, that is stealing. however, if they are left on the counter for you to use, there is no limit to how much you can take. 1 or 100 it is still the same. and, what about TP? if you take the whole roll, that is stealing. but if you just take off some from the roll, I am sure they wouldn't complain, or notice. BIG DIFFERENCE.

Look in your yellow pages under recycling, and do a little investigating on prices. There are quite a few recycling plants in the US anyways, that recycle glass, aluminum,copper, paper, plastics, etc.

Can you really make money off cans and plastic bottles in so where?

Hot dog soup! that is pretty creative!

Yes,very creative! One of the things that really killed me in college,was the expense of the text books.And,they were always coming out with new editions the instructors insisted you needed, so you could not get the books used! makes college very difficult when you are paying for your own classes.

that is actually good thinking there, stuff to do with ketchup packets! I am sure that if you didn't tell anyone, add a little Italian seasoning, and some Parmesan, it would be hard to tell the difference?

those day olds are great with coffee. (chuckles)

Good Job! My husband and I never took anything from family, or friends. We wanted to get by on our own, so I know how you feel! It is good that you have been set on the right track, and didn't need to struggle much. unfortunately, we are not all that lucky.(it would be nice though!) Sometimes just lack of advice from a caring person can send someone in the wrong direction. There is more to parenting than just giving birth, and it may take longer than 18 years. (LOL!)