Tips for Stretching Your Paycheck
By Claire Brocato, contributor
In today’s economy, everyone is looking for ways to cut his or her expenses, and travel nurses are no exception. Luckily, trimming your costs doesn’t have to be difficult or inconvenient. It just takes a little forethought, planning and the dedication to follow some common sense tips.
Entertainment on the Cheap
One of the perks of travel nursing is being able to explore an exciting new destination every three months or so. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in your new surroundings and enjoy your new hometown without breaking the bank. Here are a few ideas from seasoned travel nurses to help you keep your entertainment and sightseeing costs under control while on assignment:
• Get your hands on a community calendar at the local town hall or library. It’s a great way to find out about free city concerts, book signings, exhibitions, community events and more.
• You can also find out about local events and attractions online via sites for the city government, visitor’s bureau or local newspaper.
• Take advantage of “get in free” days at museums and galleries in your new hometown.
• Check out the local parks and nature trails and go on a hike. It won’t cost you anything and will provide a good workout at the same time.
• Pack up a picnic basket and head off to the nearest beach or park to enjoy the sunrise or sunset.
• Invite your colleagues and friends over for a cookout or potluck. Almost every activity at home is less expensive than going out, and your guests will likely reciprocate at a later date.
• Many towns have community tennis courts, volleyball courts, swimming pools and running tracks that won’t cost you a dime. You’ll get to work out for free and get to know your local community at the same time.
• Stop by the local public library and get a library card. You’ll be able to enjoy books, movies and CDs without having to buy them or pay for rentals.
• Find out about local volunteer programs. Volunteering a great way to meet new people, learn about your new area and get involved in a positive project that makes a difference to others.
Eat Out for Less
When you’re in a new part of the country, it’s a great time to try out the regional cuisine, and what better way to do it than to visit the local restaurants. Although eating out can be expensive, there are some simple ways to keep your dining costs under control.
• Don’t order two dinners. If you’re eating out with a friend or spouse, order one entrée and an appetizer, and split it. Restaurants typically serve more than you can eat, so why ruin your waistline and your bank balance?
• Find out about lunch specials. Many restaurants offer great deals that are a lot cheaper than the same fare they serve in the evening.
• Check out your local newspapers and mail circulars for discounts and coupons for local restaurants. Sometimes you can save as much as 50 percent.
• Instead of ordering a drink, ask for water with a slice of lemon; you’ll be surprised how much you can save on your bill.
• Make your meal go further by filling up on the bread and veggies and taking your entrée leftovers home, which you can have for lunch or dinner the next day.
• Skip dessert, or split one among friends. You can always pick up a carton of ice cream on your way home.
Shopping on a Budget
Whether you’re shopping for groceries, household goods or clothing, there are some tried-and-true ways to keep your spending under control.
• One of the quickest ways to curb your spending is to stop using credit cards. According to the most recent Federal Reserves Survey of Consumer Finances, the average American with at least one credit card has more than $8,500 in credit card debt. Instead, use cash or a debit card, which will limit you to the money you have on hand.
• If something catches your eye, don’t make the purchase right away. Give yourself 24 hours to think about it. One of the biggest mistakes that consumers make is the impulse buy.
• As a travel nurse, you probably don’t want to pack up big, bulky items each time you move to another destination. One way to save money and travel light is to buy a used television set, DVD player or other electronics from an online site such as Craigslist, or from a local pawn shop, and to sell the goods when you move to your next destination.
• Instead of spending money on pricey cafeteria lunches or fast food every day, get into the habit of brown bagging it. Make nutritious and tasty sandwiches; or if you have a favorite chili or pasta recipe, make a large batch at once and then divide it up into separate containers that you can just grab on your way to work each day.
• Take a bottle of water with you wherever you go so you won’t be tempted to stop at a vending machine or coffee stand for sodas or lattés; those little expenses can eat into your paycheck quickly.
• Plan your meals around the weekly grocery store sales flyers by checking out the biggest sale items and then creating a meal based on those ingredients.
• Save money on gas by batching your errands and planning the most efficient routes. You can also shop around for the lowest gas prices in your area by using a site such as GasBuddy.com. Or, if you land an assignment in a city with a good public transportation system, leave your car at home and use the city’s busses and trains to get around. You’ll save yourself a tidy sum and help the planet.
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