Gary Moratz / Roundup
With the unemployment rate at 10.1 percent in California — the highest in more than 20 years according to the Employment Development Department — budgeting for every dollar is a must and Pierce College students are feeling the crunch.
Some of the ways students are combating the situation is by spending less, staying in more and finding other creative ways to spend their time, like Pierce student James Kalivoda, who will just go to a local park.
” I will just go hangout at the park and throw around a frisbee,” said Kalivoda.
Going out to the movies these days seems to be too expensive for students even with the discount. Many students, like James Mason, are having trouble spending the money for the show and prefer to go to previews instead.
“The only time I go to the movies is when I get a free pass here at school for a sneak preview,” said Mason. “I’d like to see the movies more but I’m not about to spend the $10.”
Movie theatres like the AMC in Woodland Hills are noticing the difference and trying to get more customers with special incentives like the “Movie Watcher” card that they started years ago, which earns customers points redeemable for merchandise and free show tickets.
“We have discounts for students all day on Thursdays for only $7.50,” said Erica Aviles, AMC manager.
“It’s best to just stay in and chill for a second (instead of going out and trying) to stretch your money when you really don’t have it,” said Pierce student Kelly Robinson. “Just trying to go to grocery store shopping for food is a little hard because nobody has any money.”
Restaurants like The Rack at the Westfield Promenade in Woodland Hills are feeling the impact too, but Elon Kviatkovsky, executive chef of the Rack, says they are doing what they can to keep customers coming in with new menu ideas and daily specials.
“We have a happy hour special Monday through Friday on drinks and appetizers from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and we have a free hour of pool with the purchase of a $10 lunch special or half-price pool until 7 p.m.,” Kviatkovsky said.
Pierce student Analila Barajas finds it more economical to stay home and cook dinner for some friends then to go out and spend the money.
“No more shopping,” said Barajas. “I have to watch my budget and see how much I can spend when I just go out to eat and stuff.”
Those feeling the need to get out and about can take advantage of deals at local amusement parks. Southern California residents can get a season pass at Universal Studios for the price of a one-day pass.
The happiest place on Earth wants business too, so right now Disneyland is offering discounts for Southern California residents on their annual passes and allowing customers to make payments as low as $5.42 a month on passes valid for both the California Adventures and Disneyland parks.
Pierce students are watching their money a lot more these days while trying to still find ways of having a good time on a budget. Try surfing the net for things to do locally
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Patrons gather at The Rack at the Westfield Promenade in Woodland Hills, Calif. (Gerard Walsh / Roundup)
