Quote:
Originally posted by BSUPhiSig'92
But we all know people who claim to be in financial problems but who still seem able to go out and blow money on something they want.
|
Ditto.
Kath and I did the math. Here it is in black and white, based on a 16-week semester:
Give plasma 2 times a week at 25 bucks a pop (yes, I know college students who do this, although not to pay sorority dues
): $800 (save up through the summer and there's another 800 bucks in it for you)
Buy books through one of those online half-price places: you save about $150-200 on average
Go to free fraternity parties instead of buying a $5 cup at a house party once a week, or don't drink at all: $80
Skip going out to eat every other week (most college students I know eat out more often than that): at least $80, depending on where you eat
Asking for someone to pay part of your dues for Christmas or your birthday instead of getting presents: depends entirely on how much your family generally gives for presents, but could cover up to your whole dues
etc. etc. It adds up.
Will all that apply to every person? No. There's a lot of people who can't or won't do these kinds of things. But if the sorority is something you want bad enough, you will be willing to make some sacrifices. That's all that is being said. You can't say, "Oh, well I can afford to join a sorority . . . because I would rather buy four Kate Spades than pay the dues." The problem there is more about what you want to afford than what you can afford.
All these side situations that people keep bringing up (her dad died, she has to support a family) are not only fairly uncommon, but have less to do with the money than they do with other issues.