Brought to you by KBC.
Welcome to adulthood.
Life as a student is a pretty sweet deal most of the time. That three or four years where you have all the perks of being a grown-up, without any of the obligations.
The odd 9 am lecture along with an all-nighter to finish an assignment every so often. That’s about the hardest thing you had to contend with, in exchange for plenty of partying and sleeping in late.
Also learning, that was good too…
There was one other struggle that most people who’ve experienced college life can relate to – being broke.
No one wants to be working a full-time job while studying. The alternative is living off a few hours work here and there and the occasional hand out from parents. All of which never really covered the cost of eating, drinking and paying rent.
Sacrifices had to be made.
Grocery shopping is where most of us learned to hold back. In fact, can it really be called ‘grocery shopping’ if all you buy is ten packets of ramen noodles at 20c a pop?
If you’re lucky enough to get a job that pays you a wage you can live on once you leave college, your weekly shop is likely to change.
Here are a few of the changes you might see on your shopping list if and when you join the nine to five brigade.
A vegetable
I know what you’re going to say “But kebabs have vegetables in them.” Which is true, but if you can’t remember eating said kebab, did it ever really happen?
Now that you’re a fully fledged grown up, you need to start taking care of yourself better. That starts with adding fruit and veg to your diet.
Start by adding the odd few tomatoes into your weekly shop and go from there.
Branded Shampoo
What a treat it will be to see that rash fade away once you start using EU sanctioned toiletry products.
Noodles that cost more than 20c a pack
They sustained you throughout secondary school and college. They’re versatile, in that you can eat them for breakfast, second breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.
But there a comes a time when you have to let go of certain things.
Packets of noodles are a bit like the Iron Giant. Once his work is finished saving Hogarth, it’s time for him to go on a help someone else.
But don’t dismay, you’re about to enter a whole new world. Once you start breaking the bank and pay more than a quid for your noodles, all different varieties become available.
There’s rice noodles, udon noodles, soba noodles, there are even noodles that will clean your house and have dinner ready for you when you come home from a long day at the noodle office.
Meat from an animal that died this year
Chicken nuggets, chicken goujons, chicken kievs. Chicken is grand but frozen, processed chicken or any other meat for that matter isn’t the ideal fuel to run your body on.
Why not take a trip to the butchers? Such a place exists and they’re just waiting for your custom.
A four pack of beer that costs more than €5.50
There’s a funny thing that happens when drinking cheap cans. If it hits your palate at a certain angle, all you can taste is the alcohol… Delish.
Like most things on this list, the world is about to open up in front of you once you dip your toe in the water. We’re excited for you.
Guac in your burrito
That extra quid for a dollop of guacamole is often one luxury too many when you’re broke. You try to tell yourself you can live without it. You even start to believe it tastes grand just the same. But the moment you let guac back into your life, you’ll realise the lies you’ve been telling yourself.
Jacks roll
We’re not proud of it. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Why pay for something when you can steal whole wads of it from pubs and restaurants?
There’s a very specific feeling one gets, walking out of an establishment with a backpack stuffed with their toilet paper. It’s something akin to shame, but with a hint of excitement at the thrill of what you’ve just pulled off.
Too many have fallen victim to this sport. You try to chase bigger and bigger highs. More toilet roll, a bigger backpack, fancier restaurants.
One day you’re just sitting at home surrounded by pillars of the stuff. White columns fit for the Greek tragedy you’ve constructed for yourself.
Your life will be so much richer once you start buying your own toilet roll. Friends will start talking to you again, your self-esteem will return and you can find time for a more fulfilling hobby than toilet looting.
Need something to help you when your funds are low or you’ve had a busy month? The KBC credit card offers you more convenience and flexibility when you need it. You’ll get 0% interest on your balance for six months when you transfer your credit card balance to KBC.
Offer available when you close your existing credit card and provide closure letter within 90 days. After six months, the interest rate will revert to the standard interest rate at that time. Transferred balance should not exceed 80% of approved credit limit. Lending criteria, underwriting, and terms & conditions apply. KBC Bank Ireland plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. For more information, check out the website.
Brought to you by KBC.
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