Students rely on innovative ways to earn some extra cash

Arizona Daily Wildcat

It is a skill that, for many, is learned through the road of hard knocks.

But some thrifty students have learned to pad their wallets with income from a campus job or more unusual money-makers.

Undeclared sophomore Jessica Boartfield works 24 hours a week at the Memorial Student Union Umart and lives on a budget.

"I definitely have a budget. It goes when I get paid, which is every two weeks. I try to keep track of my bills." Boartfield added she tries to keep her expenses down by living on campus.

Astronomy junior Jace Eckenrod spends about 16 hours a week working at the Student Union information desk. He said he lives paycheck to paycheck and does not have a budget.

"I find after the first week that I run out of money."

When bills overreach his income, Eckenrod admits he relies on his two credit cards. He tries to avoid large credit card bills by making payments on them each month. "I will make a little more than the minimum payment on them," he said.

If he is hard up for money Eckenrod said he will fix people's computers or turn to mom and dad for extra funds.

But a job is not the only form of income for students.

Civil engineering junior David Le supplements his income from his job at the Fiddlee Fig Eatery in the Student Union by donating plasma twice a week at the Centeon Bio-Services Center, 1014 E. Sixth St.

Le said he is paid $20 per visit, which earns him an extra $160 a month to help cover his expenses.

"I budget. I don't have a lot of money so I have to keep track of what I spend," he said.

Some students try to find ways to earn extra money around campus without holding down a regular job.

Undeclared freshman Heather Hoff participated in a sociology experiment which earned her an extra $30. Hoff gets the remainder of her money from scholarships and her savings account.

"I try to spend as little as possible. When I run out there isn't any more to get," she said.

Chemistry sophomore Kara Kisling also participated in a sociology experiment last year which earned her $15.

Kisling's main source of income comes from her summer job, as well as working nine hours a week at the front desk of Yuma Residence Hall. She said she does try to manage her money to help stretch it as much as possible. "I try to limit myself to $20 a week. I rely on my savings."