Dat debt :(

[misterrr]

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So as most, if not all, applicants are concerned, the tuition + col will incur debt that is essentially unavoidable at this point. So faced with this fact...

Is there any way to minimize debt? I know the tuition is fixed, but what about other expenses? How can I bring it down to as little as possible?

Living in the ghettos? Living with 3 other people in a cramped terrible apartment? Eat one meal a day? Supplements only every other day? (Lol...)

Any advice for a worried prospective dental student would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU !

 

[Hillo]

Move to Texas.
Living with other people and eating a meal a day sounds fine.
Consume cod liver oil, tomatoes, and eggs.
Use salt/baking soda to brush your teeth (using a normal toothbrush).

Remember to take care of your health (physical and mental) because it should be more important than debt you will eventually pay off.

 

[jeffity]

Choose your school wisely. That's the start. The cost difference between Ramen and Cup o Noodles are pennies. Cost of tuition can vary by $100K. Live frugal, before, during and after school. You will be able to pay off loans. My promise to you...

Look at scholarship options...if they are still around. Military seems to be the best gig around.

Last resort, go back in time and pick different parents.

 

[Bis-GMA111]

So as most, if not all, applicants are concerned, the tuition + col will incur debt that is essentially unavoidable at this point. So faced with this fact...

Is there any way to minimize debt? I know the tuition is fixed, but what about other expenses? How can I bring it down to as little as possible?

Living in the ghettos? Living with 3 other people in a cramped terrible apartment? Eat one meal a day? Supplements only every other day? (Lol...)

Any advice for a worried prospective dental student would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU !

buy wholesale everything and live like a college student. stick to cheap, processed food. your body will hate you, but your wallet won't.

 

[Ferneezy]

buy wholesale everything and live like a college student. stick to cheap, processed food. your body will hate you, but your wallet won't.

but he's gonna lose all of his gains!

 

[KittySquared]

buy wholesale everything and live like a college student. stick to cheap, processed food. your body will hate you, but your wallet won't.

He can only splurge to buy fresh produce when he gets A's, so that he doesn't get scurvy.

 

[Seahawk]

Forcing yourself to eat crap food and living in the projects won't save you a massive (relative) amount of money at the end of the day and will make your life miserable. Well, I think it would make mine miserable anyway.

Paying 200 bucks more a month can make a huge difference, say 500 a month to 700 a month. 200 bucks more over 4 years is 9.5k. Spend 75 more a month on food, say you typically spend 75. You can eat like a king for 150 a month on food. Over 4 years that is 15k

Call it 25k more for great uplifting living conditions vs depressing unhealthy ones.

You can easily save that much PER YEAR, if not twice that much depending on your school choice.


Don't go to a school like NYU.

Don't be a loser when you get out.

Don't be an idiot when paying back debt.

 

[UCSFx2017]

buy wholesale everything and live like a college student. stick to cheap, processed food. your body will hate you, but your wallet won't.

Buy wholesale and then resell at profit. 😎

 

[isittoolate]

Forcing yourself to eat crap food and living in the projects won't save you a massive (relative) amount of money at the end of the day and will make your life miserable. Well, I think it would make mine miserable anyway.

Paying 200 bucks more a month can make a huge difference, say 500 a month to 700 a month. 200 bucks more over 4 years is 9.5k. Spend 75 more a month on food, say you typically spend 75. You can eat like a king for 150 a month on food. Over 4 years that is 15k

Call it 25k more for great uplifting living conditions vs depressing unhealthy ones.

You can easily save that much PER YEAR, if not twice that much depending on your school choice.


Don't go to a school like NYU.

Don't be a loser when you get out.

Don't be an idiot when paying back debt.

Do you actually spend $75 a week on food? That is ridiculously low...what do you eat? I spend $75 a week on food...I could easily spend a lot more too haha

 

[shootingstar7]

Having a roommate - at least $500 less/month = $6000 a year in savings = 24,000 or more over four years.

Bag lunch/dinner - $10-15 saved a day = $3500-5000 a year in savings = up to 20,000 over four years.

I'm also glad that I am attending a school where srubs are mandatory attire all four years. Saves you the hassle of spending a fortune on a nice wardwobe for school everyday. For example, I saw two female students on interview day at one school wearing $200 Tori Burch flats. I am hoping that wearing scrubs everyday will prevent me from being tempted to splurge to keep up with my classmates.

 

[Seahawk]

Do you actually spend $75 a week on food? That is ridiculously low...what do you eat? I spend $75 a week on food...I could easily spend a lot more too haha

It really rises and falls depending on how much I cook for myself or eat out. Mine is probably closer to 100. That was the USDAs estimate for a "liberal weekly food budget"