Being in my second year at Pierce College, it was a struggle transitioning from a high school student-athlete coming home to a home-cooked meal rent-free, to a college student working a part-time job to get by.
The biggest worries I have when it comes to spending my money are the cost of living and gas. Living at home significantly reduces the amount I spend on rent, but the money I save in doing so is heavily spent on gas for my car.
Being a sports photographer in the Los Angeles area requires me to drive a lot. What also comes with living in Los Angeles, is the heavy traffic that makes you feel like you are stuck in one place, especially because most of the games that I shoot take place around 5 p.m.
If I am not at school or photographing a game, you can see me working at my part-time job. This is where I spend most of my time, and it is the way I pay for my needs.
Over the past two months, when the Spring 2025 semester started, I have not had a day where I am completely free. I don’t let this get in the way of my social life however, as I also accompany myself with very busy people whose idea of going out is just getting a burger from a fast food place after class, which really helps with saving money from plans.
My entertainment is very limited. I often find myself not wanting to go out with my friends to bigger places simply because of my financial situation. My entertainment consists of mostly staying at home listening to music or playing video games.
All day I listen to music, whether that be at home working on an assignment or stuck in traffic on the Interstate 405 freeway. What helps me out significantly while enjoying my music is my student email.
Your student email is a tool that can help you save a lot of money on subscriptions. Where I find it most helpful is on services such as Spotify, Amazon and Youtube Premium. Using the student email and confirming can cut down the price down 50% or more.
Being a student on a budget is not often a hassle as most people portray. Although I do have to sacrifice some luxuries or plans, I make it up by being productive or finding other places for entertainment.
