Single college student life on a tight budget in Orlando (University: sale, apartment complex)

[Vashar]

I just moved into the area two days ago. I can't find much info that would help a single student on a tight budget living down here, so I decided that I will start a guide for others to use by making a log of my own experiences.

Short bio:

26 year old male
Former military, 6 years active duty experience in the Air Force
Little to no support from family/relatives/friends
$5000 in the bank, little or no credit ($500 credit card use for 6 months, just now qualifying for pre-approved cards in mail for up to $1000)
Planning on attending Full Sail full time for Bachelor's in Game Development


Housing:

I met someone on roommates.com with a room available for $342 + deposit + 1/3 water & electricity. The apartment is in Hunter's Ridge, a gated apartment complex at the corner of N Goldenrod Road and University Blvd. The apartment is in fairly bad shape -the former tenants used it as a partying pad. The shower is missing it's soap dish (bare spot in wall) and the rest of the shower is rather old and filthy. The washer, also located in the bathroom, has soap deposits all over. The carpet is very stained. There isn't any lighting for the living room nor for one of the bedrooms (mine). The rest is manageable. Not bad for $400/mo.


Food:

Since I have $5000 saved up, I have minor experience saving and food is one of those areas I tried to cut expenses. I don't like to cook, so I tend to go for cheap "under 10 minute prep-time" foods, but still stay on the healthy side if I can.

The day after I got here, I went to McDonalds to bond with one of my new roommates and then stopped by Winn Dixie's on the way back to get some food. I got a Winn Dixie membership first thing and shopped around. Prices on bread, milk, deli meats and cheeses were at least 50% more than at the commissary (military-only discount grocery store). I'm going to shop around and compare prices and find the best places to buy stuff I will be eating regularly for the next two years. There's a Costco, Sam's Club, Super K-Mart, and Target nearby. There's a Super Wal-Mart 5 miles away.

Winn Dixie:

Totino's Frozen Party Pizza 3 for $4 ($1.25) SALE
Arnold's Double Fiber 100% Whole Grain Wheat Bread 24 oz ($2.29)
Oscar Mayer Bologna 2 for $3 ($1.50) SALE
Borden Fat Free American Cheeze 16 slice ($3) SALE
Total Raisin Bran 18oz 2 for $4 ($2) SALE
- $1 off buying 2 boxes + free box Nature Valley Granola Bars
Kraft Mac n Cheese 4 pack ($3) SALE
Tuna 4 pack ($3.50)
Gallon of Milk ($4)

I plan on going through all this in about 1 week. We had butter, salt, pepper, mustard already at the house. I brought my own mess kit (hobo kit). I'm going to check out Costco and Sams and see which I want to buy a membership for and also write down prices to compare. Other things on my normal shopping list:

Ramen Noodles (.20 at Winn Dixie)
Peanut Butter
Grape Jelly
Rice
Pasta
Pasta Sauce
Canned Vegetables


Transportation:

I saw a bit of the area driving through on my U-Haul truck (which I got a good deal on through over the phone price matching between U-Haul and Budget - almost spent more on fuel than the truck). I love how I'm close to everything. The block formed by E Colonial, N Goldenrod, University, and Semoran have almost everything I need nearby. For any big purchases, I will likely shop online though perhaps pick-up locally (Kohl's, Sears, etc.). I managed without a car before and I think I can manage here no problem. I have a bike and I'm not against walking 5-10 miles a day.


Job:

One of my roommates works as an assistance manager at the Taco Bell on E Colonial, which would've been an option, but I was told school was going to take up so much of my time that holding a job would be a challenge. I'm not due to start classes for a little less than a month, but that's hardly enough time to receive training, so job choices are very limited if I want to work for the next 25 days. I might have to just forgo getting a job and instead work on improving this budget to be suitable for living two years.


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I will bookmark and edit this post and add in more as I experience more of the Winter Park/Orlando area.


Please, if you can supply any useful info in my quest to live a cheaply as possible, post here. I will also accept criticism, as I know my plan isn't the best. My plan is just something I came up with, based on my limited knowledge.

[Vashar]

I don't think this forum allows you to edit your post, so I'll just add on with a new reply.

I visited the China King buffet ($6.99 lunch buffet was great) across the street and Costco today. I told the Costco door greeter that I wanted to browse the store and they told me to visit the customer service area just inside on the left - they gave me a membership form that the cashier could scan to buy a membership and anything else if I decided to buy anything.

I wanted to focus on groceries, but couldn't help browse the rest of the store. My first impression was that prices here weren't real bargains. I'm sure that I could find better prices shopping around for the majority of things I found. Things I noted:

Canon Printer Black Ink Cartridges, 4-pack $40 (for my PIXMA printer)
20 lbs 5000 ct Copy/Printer Paper $25
Brita 80 oz Pitcher with 2 Water Filters $26
Aroma 10 cup Stainless Rice Cooker/Steamer $33
Charmin Jumbo Toilet Paper, 30 rolls $20

Honey Bunches of Oats w/Almonds, 3 lbs. $6 (same price as SALE price)
Skim Milk, 1 gallon $3.09 (compared to $4)
Arnold 100% Whole Grain Wheat Bread, 2 x 24 oz. $4.79 (same price)
Kraft Mac n Cheese, 15-pack $9 (compared to 4-pack for $3)
Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 16-pack $9.79 (compared to 4-pack for $3.49)
Organic Rice in a small plastic container, $1.14 per lb
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $5.45 per liter
Bisquik Mix, $0.76 per lb
JIF Creamy Peanut Butter, $0.078 per oz
Heinz Mustard Squeeze Bottle, $0.063 per oz ($0.025 per oz in tub w/o dispenser)
Polamar Strawberry Preserves, $0.08 per oz (couldn't find grape jam)
Eggo Frozen Waffles, 60 count $0.12 per waffle
Trident White, 20-pack $0.52 per pack
Kirkland Signature Cashews, $4.50 per lb
Kirkland Signature Sliced Ham, 2-pack 3 lbs $7.59 ($2.53 per lb)
Kraft Fat-Free Singles Cheese, 64 count $3.22 per lb

I couldn't find:
- Ramen Noodles in small packs (only the Cup-of-Noodles in the bowl/cup type)
- Deli Sandwich Meats (besides the 2-pack of 24 oz. Sliced Ham)
- Personal sized Frozen Pizza (16" Frozen Pizzas were $10 while their food court sold 18" pizzas made fresh for $10)


The weather was perfect today so I rode my bike around town for some exercise exploring and trying to find that "Bay Trail" - the one with the overpass over Semoran Blvd.

I also noted that the exit gate at Hunter's Ridge broke and is stuck open. Not like it's very hard to get in, at least on foot, since the only thing is locked is the vehicle entry gate which requires a code. What's the point of a gated community if anyone can get in?

[Wilshire81182]

The bike path is Cady Way. You should be able to find a website on the path. I find your forum interesting. One thing I thought of since I like to eat out is leftovers, leftovers, leftovers!!!

[Keeper]

Here is a link to a website where you can buy a boxes of food from a food network. There is no fee and is open to everyone. You do not have to be affiliated with any particular religion. You pay approx 50% off of the retail price. The only catch is you have to pay in advance of delivery. I have bought from them and the food is good..

SHARE Florida Food Network

[Vashar]

I took a notebook into Sam's today and recorded enough info for a student do a research project for Economics.

Sams Club prices:

Georgia Pacific 8.5" x 11" 20 lb 92 bright Printer/Copy Paper, 5000 ct $25
PIXMA MP970 full color pack $60
Colgate/Crest Premium Toothpaste, 4-pack 8 oz $10
Listerine Mouth Wash, 2-pack 1.5L 9.25 / Whitening 2-pack 32 oz 8.50
Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts, 52 oz 5.46 (0.105/oz)
Planters Cashews, 46 oz 9.88 (0.215/oz)
Trident White Gum, 12-pack 7.30 (0.608 ea)
Heinz Ketchup, 3-pack 44 oz Squeeze 5.76 (0.044/oz) / 1 gal 3.29 (0.026/oz)
French's Yellow Mustard, 2-pack 30 oz 3.29 (0.055/oz) / 1 ga 3.29 (0.026/oz)
Cattleman BBQ Sauce, 1 gal 8.56 (0.067/oz)
Kikkoman Soy Sauce, 64 oz 3.92 (0.061/oz)
Red Hot Pepper Sauce, 1 gal 8.56 (0.067/oz)
Sweet Green Relish, 1 gal 3.70 (0.029/oz)
Pickle Chips, 1 gal 3.88 (0.03/oz)
Sauerkraut, 1 gal 4.12 (0.032/oz)
Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 10-pack 6 oz 5.78
Ragu Pasta Sauce, 3-pack 45 oz 6.86 (0.05/oz) / 8.5 lbs 5.28 (0.039/oz)
Kraft Parmesan Cheese, 4.5 lbs 17.88 (0.248/oz)
Chef Boyardee Ravioli, 10-pack 15 oz 8.78
Kraft Mac n Cheese, 12-pack 7.25 (0.615 ea)
Progresso (assorted) Soup, 8-pack 18.5-19oz 10.88 (1.36 ea)
Maruchan Chicken Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles, 36-pack 3 oz 4.74 (0.132 ea)
Chefs and Bakers (assorted) Pasta, 6 lbs 4.87 (0.05/oz)
Bisquick, 5 lb 3.84 (0.048/oz)
Buttermilk Instant Pancake Mix, 10 lbs 5.09 (0.032/oz)
Long Grain Enriched Rice, 20 lbs 7.49 (0.023/oz)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 2 L 10.88 (0.04/oz - 5.15/qt)
Real Lemon Lemon Juice, 2-pack 48 oz 4.88 (0.05/oz)
"All Spice" (Mrs. Dash or any non-salt spice mix), 6 oz $5
Lowry's Seasoning Salt, 40 oz 4.74
Quaker Instant Oatmeal Variety, 55 count 9.43 (0.17 ea)
Kelloggs Raisin Bran, 76.5 oz 6.88 (0.09/oz)
Life Cereal, 62 oz 5.87 (0.095/oz)
Honey Bunches of Oats, 48 oz 6.25 (0.043/oz)
Pop Tarts, 3-pack 21 oz 6.52
JIF Creamy Peanut Butter, 2-pack 40 oz 6.44 (0.079/oz)
Smuckers Strawberry Jam, 2-pack 32 oz 5.42 (0.169/oz)
Welch's Concord Grape Jam, 2-pack 32 oz 3.12 (0.043/oz)
Splenda Sweetener, 12 lbs 12.32 (0.064/oz)
Nature's Own 100% Whole Grain Wheat Bread, 2-pack 20 oz 4.02
Smart Balance Buttery Spread All-Natural, 3 lbs 4.12 (0.086/oz)
Egg Beaters, 4-pack 16 oz 8.46 (0.132/oz)
Milk, 1 gallon Skim 3.08, 1% 3.18, 2% 3.32, Whole 3.48
Eggo Frozen Waffles, 60 count, 7.13 (0.119 ea)
Corn Dogs, 80 count 6.88 (0.086 ea)
Kraft American Singles, 72 count 3lbs 7.72 (0.161/oz) / Fat Free 48 count 2 lbs 6.44 (0.201/oz)
Land O'Frost Variety Pack (Ham, Pepper Beef, Turkey), 28 oz 7.87 (0.28/oz - 4.48/lb)
DAK Sliced Ham, 2-pack 20 oz 6.04 (0.134/oz - 2.14/lb)
Oscar Mayer Beef Bologna, 2-pack 1 lb, 4.22 (0.132/oz - 2.11/lb)
Oscar Mayer Turkey (2.57/lb)
BBQ Shredded Pork (2.72/lb)
Premium 80/20 Sirloin Beef 1/3 lb Patty (2.21/lb)
1/4 lb Angus Patty (2.28/lb)
75/25 Beef Patty (1.58/lb)
Tyson Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (1.98/lb)
- 99% Fat Free version (2.31/lb)
Tyson Chicken Drum/Thigh (0.93/lb)
Tyson Chicken Wings (1.46/lb)
Tyson Chicken Nuggets (2.34/lb)
Tyson Chicken Patty (2.90/lb)
Meatless Patty (2.70/lb)
Gormon? Fish Sticks (1.69/lb)
(Various - Tilapia, etc.) Fish Fillet (4.00/lb)
Charmin Ultra Toilet Tissue, 36 count Soft 17.73 / Strong 20.87
3 gal Kitchen Garbage Bag, 300 count Store brand 15.88 / 128 count Glad Flex 13.32
Aroma Stainless Rice Cooker 29.63

Wow, I'm glad something didn't happen where I lost all that data. I'm going to make this into a spread sheet now.

[SouthernBelle3]

Are you studying to be an accountant? LOL. Be careful walking around out there. Orlando is not pedestrian friendly. One more store to check out. Publix has some good buy 1 get 1 free deals. Other than food prices, are you finding Orlando affordable compared to where you were? Good luck with your schooling.

[Grady]

The best thing to do is take your ass to Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, or Dollar General. The best ones are in Metrowest.

[rich renter]

if there is a super target near you, you should check them out, i find they have good deals on and also keep there stores clean

[Wilshire81182]

The super target is a little less 10 miles from him I believe, from goldenrod/university to waterford lakes.

[Tlynn3]

Hi Vashar, there are other job opportunities available. A place called Bag's and Cars --- they hire for all sorts of resorts and pay about $10 per hour. The are also very flexible. 407-849-0670 you will have to go in and fill out an app. 6751 Forum Drive #230 zip 32821. Be careful here and try and find a good church. Networking while you are young is terrific. Also, working on a golf course is a great way to meet future employers or semi-mentors.
One more thing, you are going to get fat eating Pizza! You can eat well on a tight budget, RICE goes along way. Lentil's and the like are super good for you and full of nutrients and tomatoe sauces (without too much sugar) are full of antioxidant to keep you from getting sick.
Good luck.
Check on the web for healthier alternatives.