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Ming-Ting Mike Lee stepped in as the new SSU president following Sakakis resignation in July 2022](https://sonomastatestar.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CC4520AB-22A7-41B2-9F6F-2A2D5F76A28C-1200x1200.jpeg)
Life is constantly changing, and because of that students consistently have to make tough decisions regarding finances. Last week the STAR ran an editorial article discussing the difficulties of growing up and budgeting while in college and learning to navigate the real world. Recent economic changes have caused many things that are necessities for students like gas, housing, and food to become much more expensive and hard to get. With this in mind, it was the perfect opportunity for us to chat with some students and get their varying perspectives and experiences managing their lives and finances during this time.
Q: “What is the hardest part about budgeting as a student?”
A: “Probably gas and groceries to be honest. Especially if you don’t really know how to cook for yourself just yet, meal prepping can be really difficult. And so when you’re trying to figure out what to get when you make yourself dinner you might buy too much or not enough and have to take multiple trips to the grocery store, or things will go bad faster than you expect to.”
– Astin Smith, Sophomore, Early Childhood Studies Major
Q: “What is the hardest part about budgeting as a student?”
A: “Getting paid once a month. And then groceries here, I’m not used to the pricing because I’m from the Central Valley and things are slightly cheaper. Especially gas. They have to make things cheap in the Central Valley because no one wants to live there so that’s how they swallow you in.”
– Kyle Sousa, Senior, Psychology Major
Q: “So how has the increase in gas prices impacted your commute from San Rafael?”
A: “So before I used to spend like $60 per month on gas, and now it’s double. I had to cut back on some expenses, like I used to go to three gyms because I do Jiu-jitsu, so now I just kind of cut it because it’s expensive.”
– Thamara Santos, Senior, Psychology Major
Q: “Do you live on or off campus, and what impact did finances have on that decision?”
A: “Off campus, and pretty big. It was mostly just deciding to live with family to save some money. I’m from San Francisco and was going to a Junior College in Kenfield so I was living at home. I also have two jobs. I’m a personal trainer and a class instructor at the rec center, and I am a personal trainer and front desk staff attendant at another gym in Novato.”
– Christian Giver, Junior, Communications major
