In order to get through the economic downturn, students are making adjustments to their spending habits.

The weak economy has forced students to think about what they spend their cash on and many are making cuts on entertainment and luxury items to make their dollars stretch.

Like many working students, Vera Martinez, communications major, finds she has less disposable income now.

“I stopped going to Starbucks and started making coffee at home. I eat at home more often,” Martinez said.

Martinez tries to find less expensive ways to hang out with her friends and is cutting back on nonessentials to avoid spending money she does not have.

“I downgraded some of my beauty products. I don’t go to the movies anymore. I just rent one instead,” Martinez said.

Martinez and a friend are also planning on moving to a new apartment-one that is reasonable for her reduced budget- to save on rent.

Venezia Acosta, art major, has had to be creative when it comes to making money in order to make meet her financial needs.

“In addition to my part-time job, I have had to pick up side jobs on the weekend,” Acosta said.

She has started walking her neighbor’s pets and the extra cash helps.

“The (neighbors) are people who understand my situation and help me out,” Acosta said.

Acosta spends any free time at home with her family and doesn’t see her friends much on the weekends to save money.

Cynthia Gomez, nursing major, was denied financial aid because she did not meet the financial needs qualification.

Now she has to find ways to stretch what she already has in order to make her money last longer.

“I don’t go out as much because I have to save gasoline,” Gomez said.

Jarren Ross, child development major, is recently unemployed, so his funds are limited.

He no longer is able to spend money on luxuries and do as many recreational things as he would like.

“I am impacted by the economy every day when I wake up without a check. So now I buy less clothes and go out less with my friends,” Ross said.

Before he became unemployed, he was trying to save money until his job cut his hours and now, without a job, he laments that he cannot buy the new car he wanted.

“The economy is seriously hurting my car fund,” Ross said.

The weak economy has forced some students to choose between wants and needs and think about what they spend their cash on

James Apollo, communications major, is planning to transfer to Howard University and now he must consider any purchases beforehand.

“I work, but I have had to tap into my savings. I buy what I need and not what I want,” Apollo said.