so you’re poor…

Hello Aska!

Here’s a self-proclaimed poor poor guy who is trying every possible means to cut budget. Hope u can provide some insiders’ tips on the various areas i’m going to ask on.

I’ll be a first year student in St.G, commerce stream this falls and tuition fees is alrdy a major burden. Manage to take a cursory look at the online UofT bookstore and my eyes turned red when i scrolled to the price-tags.. Yup, actually I would like to know how much of a necessity are textbooks for the various courses in UofT? More specifically for Mat133y, Eco209y, Rsm100y. Are there any second-hand bookstores in campus or outside-campus? To Aska readers! – are there anyone willing to part with their books for the above mentioned modules at a discounted price?

That goes, another aspect i think i can budget on is the UTSU health and dental plan. I understand that all full-time St G students are paying for services to UTSU via our non-academic incidental fees (consisting of four categories, namely *UTSU-Dental Plan, UTSU-Student Commons (St G), UTSU (St George) & UTSU-Accident/Pr Drug Ins*). There exist an opt-out option but i wish to further clarify the implications b4 finalizing a decision. May i know of which categories of fees will be refunded back to the student upon successful opt-out, and the consequences involved (as in what kind of benefits are withdrawn, provincial health insurance shd be sufficient right?)

It is likely that you will suggest for the path on application for financial assistance as a solve-all. I feel that there’s definitely ppl worse off than me in the wealth spectrum, it will only be fair not to deprive them of these assistance opportunities. So, do advice accordingly =) Other budgeting tips are welcome too!!

Thanks

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Askastudent understands your need for cool, cheap stuff. School is expensive (my days of surviving on falafels are not far behind me, like at all), and when you factor in tuition, rent, textbooks and the general cost of living man, it can all add up to a hefty cost.

For cheap books look on Craiglist (seriously!) and check out the several used book stores in the area. U of T has a discount text book store all on its own, in addition to a book swap hosted by UTSU, plus several used book stores in the Annex.

As for the opt out, you won’t receive the kick-back to that money until October/November. UTSU usually posts the details, but doesn’t have the 2010 info up on their website yet. Here is last year’s information.

In terms of other budgeting information – Aska recommends taking advantage of free services on campus (the Athletic Centre, CINSSU’s Free Friday Films, The Hart House Record Room), buying your groceries at the nearby Kensington Market and/or Chinatown and going home to do your laundry for free. You can rent all kinds of good movies at Robarts, take out free books and attend events on campus for free food. Best of luck and steal as many supplies from other people’s frosh kits as you can. That gratis deodorant will come in hand in December when you are poor, stressed and stinky.

Don’t forget to talk to your academic registrar about academic bursaries and awards!

xoxo, Askastudent