Gas on the road

I’m from the Forth Worth area, but mainly live in Austin, so I visit home about once a month, which is pretty common for a college student. It’s a 3 hour drive and 200 miles, so I have a few tips for anyone trying to save money for home visits.

Firstly, when I go home, if I need anything like an oil change, groceries, toiletries, other essentials I get them there because many times my parents will pay for it. This sounds dependent and childish, but I work through school and I’m working this summer and I’m still sort of a kid, especially when I still visit my parents. So enjoy that home cooked food and grocery trip because those won’t last forever.

On the actual trip, I like to fill up closer to my hometown if my gas isn’t empty, because it’s usually cheaper (ha!) up there. This is a great web site and one of the only ones to check gas prices wherever you are.

Secondly, bringing enough food/entertainment for the trip is important. Unless I’ve packed enough delicious snacks and tasty music, I’m bound to get bored and want to stop to buy food.

As far as the non road trip life goes, I’m planning to ride the bus most of this summer. It’s free for students and the gas is on them.

Best (legal) things to do under $5

For the second installment I will tell you about my favorite summertime activity: Bingo.

Yea I said it. It’s fun and it’s not just for old people, don’t be tricked by that stereotype. Bingo is a business of fun and games but no funny business. For just $5, you too can have the chance at the American dream; some smokes, some fun and a 1 in 100 chance of winning some cash–usually $300 to $700. A silly purple dollar bill gets five cards with 12 plays on each, so basically each game you have 12 cards in one to play. At B-12 Bingo, where I like to go, they’ll give you a free dauber your first time and purchases over $5 at their fine dining area will also score you a free dauber.

[This living room is located in the 1970s]

This place isn’t the only Bingo place in town, I know of at least another one in south/central Austin on Riverside, but B-12’s 290 and Victory lane location, BYOB (with coozie) and smoke-tastic atmosphere make it No. B1 in my book.

Disclaimer: You will get secondhand lung cancer from going here, for real though. Even the tiny non- smoking backroom only barely warrants its name.