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How to save when eating on the go

By WTOP Staff

As a professional actress, I’ve spent months at a time out on the road, touring with musicals and generally living the gypsy artist’s life. While the idea of discovering a new city every day might sound glamorous, the reality can prove mundane, especially on a restricted budget with painfully limited food offerings in much of the country.

To keep myself healthy enough to fit into my costumes each night without blowing through my entire per diem on dining each day, I had to get creative. Through trial and error I developed a system that allowed me to eat on the go while staying healthy, physically and fiscally. While you may not have to contend with the challenge of long months of continuous on-the-go eating, having budget and belly-friendly strategies for to-go meals can prove helpful in everyday city life, too.

Pack up your essentials. If you’re planning an extended stay, consider traveling with some of your non-perishable food staples. I always take granola bars or trail mix when traveling abroad, for example. I also pack my peanut butter religiously, whether I’m going away for the weekend or for a full month of touring. Having a snack or breakfast from home on hand saves me a ton on little bites like overpriced muffins and packs of pretzels at cafes and stands with a huge price mark up.

Make double meals. It’s no secret that restaurant portions are often far larger than a single serving size. Practice some portion control and save some money by making dishes last for two meals. If you have trouble with self-control when it comes to food, opt for splitting with a friend instead, or ask the restaurant to bring out half of your dish and package the other half in a to-go box before it’s even served. If you can implement this strategy during a lunch special, you’ll secure even greater savings.

Utilize your resources. When you’re starting to feel that familiar rumble of hunger in your belly in an unfamiliar location, it’s tempting to run to the first lit up sign you see. I made the mistake of doing that at the airport in Iceland once and wound up paying $17 for a piece of lasagna!

Avoid the impulse to fill up without considering cost or calories. Two minutes of research and inquiry can greatly expand your options. You can check the GPS on your phone, input your location on Yelp or ask a local. You may find you’re only three blocks from a natural market or cheap and delicious local haunt. The prepared foods section or deli of the local grocery store might also have some budget-friendly to-go options.

Visit local grocery stores. Speaking of grocery stores, remember that grocery shopping doesn’t have to be limited to home. I can make several meals out of a pack of frozen veggie burgers, a few slices of cheese and a bag of peppers for a fraction of the price (and calories) of the fast food joint next to my hotel. Having a few go-to microwave and mini-fridge friendly options is a great savings strategy. Just be sure to stay on top of your sodium levels!

Use coupons. Local coupon apps like Groupon, Living Social and Amazon Local are an easy way to see what dining options are available near you while scoring savings. These sites host a ton of deals from small businesses, so you can get away from the Applebee’s and the Denny’s for a change, and support the locals while cashing in on your deal.

Skip the drinks. Sodas can add $3 to a restaurant tab and alcoholic beverages, significantly more, especially when tax and tip are factored in. Stick to water while you’re out and about and save the indulgent drinks for later. You can get an entire bottle of wine at the grocery store for the cost of one glass in a restaurant.

If you really want to get a taste of the local watering holes, opt for happy hour hot spots. Bonus points if you can find a place that has a happy hour on food as well as drinks! With a little planning and research, food consumed on the go can be just as healthy for you and your finances as a home-cooked meal.

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How to Save When Eating on the Go originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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