Issue date: 9/17/09 Section: Opinions

I am broke. I mean really broke.

Odds are, you are as well. Nearly everyone is these days. I still manage to live like a true college student, though. I just do it "on the cheap."

I've never been a fan of Ramen and the recession won't change that. But, there are plenty of other inexpensive ways to eat.

My favorites are tomato soup, fried egg sandwiches and cereal. None of them cost more than a dollar and each is enough to sustain me for a day of classes, working for the newspaper and my second job.

After the stress of the day is over, and there is plenty of stress in my day, a cold beer or two sounds incredible. And, wouldn't you know it, Charleston has the perfect place for drinking on a budget.

Bars like Mac's Uptowner have drink specials seven nights a week. These can be ideal places to unwind after a hectic day and have a few drinks with friends.

Wednesday is my favorite night to hit the Towner, because it's Pabst Blue Ribbon pint night, and PBR is the king of beers for the broke. Plus, it's delicious.

There is more to life than just food and beer, though. A student has to have some sort of weekend entertainment.

This is where Charleston really excels.

Live music, generally for less than $5, can be found at various bars and house parties all around town. Both regional and local acts play almost every weekend. Not to mention the occasional act in 7th Street Underground.

Eastern sporting events are free to students and can provide a good afternoon's worth of entertainment. There are still four home football games this year, and with tailgating and the game itself, it's an entire day's worth of fun and camaraderie with fellow students for free.

Then the question comes up of what to wear. This is something I constantly obsess over.

My budget and my urge to constantly revamp my wardrobe are depressingly mismatched but even this has some great solutions.

This summer, a good friend got married, and not just any friend, he was my first kiss. So it was very important to me that I look good at the wedding but I didn't have the funds to buy a new dress.

So, instead of shopping in a mall, I went shopping in my friend's closet. I tried on several dresses until I found one that was perfect.

I looked great and it didn't cost me a thing.

For a full-on wardrobe revamp, a clothing-swap party is an excellent idea. Friends get together, each bringing clothes they no longer wear, and trade them.

The Web site Planetgreen.discovery.com suggests turning the swap into a real party. Send out invitations to friends, serve food and drinks, play some games and get some new (to you) clothes.

To keep the party costs down, make it a potluck dinner and ask your friends to chip in for drinks, because they are likely in the same tight-budget situation as you.

The party not only allows you to change up your wardrobe, it is also a good excuse to weed out pieces you no longer wear.

So, being broke isn't really that bad, you just need to get creative with how you spend your time and what little money you have.

Sarah Ruholl is a senior journalism major and can be reached at 581-7942 or DENopinions@gmail.com.

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