Finally! I made my transfer over to UC Davis, and it's pretty awesome! There's the everyday commute: drive, park, bus to school; that can be a real drag, but I suppose in the end, it's worth it. No loans, no debt, and no money problems! Just get that degree and go, go, go!
I'm taking ECS 188, ECS 165A, and MAT 115A. Just 12 units. Two of the classes have 70-80 people and the other has 25. My classes are predominately male, but after about 2 years of math and science classes at ARC and SCC and living with 2 older brothers, you kinda get used to it. Overall the classes aren't bad, the pace doesn't seem fast since I go to campus 5 days a week. At least we're half way through the quarter!
Everyone is really chill. I'ma be completely honest and say that I am overwhelmed with how many Asian people I see on campus and on the buses. Not just international students, but the bajillions of American-born Asians too. I thought I knew a lot of Asian people as it is in Sacramento, but when I go to Davis... its a whole other story. Most of the people I've befriended at Davis are either white, Mexican, or Indian despite the overwhelming numbers of Asian people. It's a little eye-awakening. I don't know what that really says about me personally, but I think it's noteworthy.
That's all that's been new with school...
But in other news... In the last couple of months, I've turned to extreme couponing! I was skeptical at first, but if you give the system a chance, you can drastically save thousands of dollars (on stuff you actually need)! As a matter of fact, you can even profit from it! At first I watched Shervin's sisters do it, then my brother and I wanted to try, and now I go with Shervin, Melody, and Michelle all the time. We probably go to Target way more than the average person would go to Target in a year, maybe even two years... but all that extra money pays for gas, food, and whatever your heart desires! So don't expect me to stop any time soon.
It's kind of a life-changing adjustment to spending and how I feel about money. You'd be surprise how much a penny can make a difference. Wait till you have the day where your total on the register starts out at $90, and with some planning, strategy, and coupons, the total goes down to $1 or less. It's amazinggggggg!
My advice to savings:
- Buy clothes on sale/on clearance
- Stock up on nonparishable items (i.e. hygiene products, stationary supplies, toiletry and paper towels)
- Commute (bike, bus, walk)
- Take advantage of the library, free printing, and torrented pdf textbooks ;)
- Go to free movie premieres before the movie is out if you can!
That's what I can think of at the top of my head.
No doubt, I've been taking on the responsibility of paying for all of my own stuff. I'm pretty proud to say that I cover my education, health insurance, car insurance, gas, food, household groceries, gym membership, cell phone bill, etc. And, I'm half way through paying my brother off for the Prius. I want to start giving my parents rent too, but they're going to have to wait until I get a part-time job. Ultimately, I owe them so much more for the last 21 years, but I think that requires a full-time career. There's so much to do...
