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Frugal Living Helps for College Students

Frugal living for college students at Kentucky Christian University. Suggestions on stretching your dollars

Reading is Frugal!


February 14, 2025

 


Reading is Frugal!

Reading is frugal.

Let me break this down.  

Many people think that you have to read books non-stop and love reading to be a “reader.” While these people can be called ‘readers,’ that does not mean that there are not other types of readers.  See if you fall into one of these categories:

  • You read news on your phone from several news sources.
  • You read social media sites on a regular basis.
  • You read information to procure things like a driver’s license.
  • You love to read graphic novels/ comic books.
  • You read ‘playbooks’ on your favorite sport.
  • You read articles on Google when you need information on a topic.
  • You read the back of the cereal box as you eat your breakfast.
  • Etc.

All of that is reading.  In the Merriam-Webster dictionary the first definition for the word ‘Reader’ is “...one that reads” (Reader Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster).  That’s it.  One who reads.  It says nothing about reading thick print books, books designated as classics, only non-fiction books, or books on the New York Times Bestseller list.

So why is reading frugal?

Because it helps you learn new things, and if you utilize the internet or the library, often for free.

  • Do you want to manage your money better?  
    • Do a Google search and read articles and blogs on ways to manage money.
    • Come to the library and check out a Dave Ramsey book.
  • Do you need to change your car battery but have never done it before?
    • Go to AutoZone’s website and look under “Advice and How-tos” at the bottom of the page.  Watch the video (audiobooks count) or click on print to get a set of printable step-by-step directions
    • Go to the library and check out a book on auto repair.
  • Are you tired of ordering delivery pizza that you can’t afford with the same old toppings?
    • Read about alternative pizza crusts on a website such as Cheap Recipe Blog.
    • Go to the library and check out a cookbook on pizza!
  • Do you really want to do well in a particular course?
    • Read the assigned readings in the text book.
    • Can’t afford the textbook?  See if the textbook is available for free in your course or talk to someone else in the course and see if you can share the expense of a book that you can share.
    • It is more frugal to share the cost of a textbook than it is to have to take the course more than once.

All these examples say that reading is frugal.  Reading may not be your favorite relaxing activity, but that does not mean you do not read or that you cannot read.  It merely means that your reading is for information and not necessarily for pleasure.  Think frugally and remember that reading comes in many formats, including audiobooks and graphic novels.

Be Frugal----Read!

References

      AutoZone. (2025, January 30). How to change a car battery. 

https://www.autozone.com/diy/battery/how-to-replace-a-car-battery# 

Haley. (2012, October 5). Alternative pizza crust ideas. Cheap Recipe Blog. https://www.cheaprecipeblog.com/2012/10/alternative-pizza-crusts/

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Reader. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved 

February 9, 2025, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reader