University of Memphis nursing major Angel Parker doesn't mindshopping for bargains.
"Being a broke college student, I do try to budget my money, butif there is something I really want I will sometimes spend theextra money to get it," she said.
Parker isn't alone, according to national statistics that revealthat U of M students' spending habits are similar to those of othercollege students nationwide.
According to a recent study by the Student Monitor, 83 percentof college students buy things on sale, yet 46 percent still have atendency to walk out of the store having purchased something theydidn't intend to buy.
The Student Monitor publishes nationally syndicated marketresearch of college students. This survey included responses from1,200 college students from 100 different universities.
U of M sophomore Dirk Kitterlin said while he tries to budgethis money, he still finds himself spending all his money on fastfood.
"I will even make the effort to buy groceries, but I still findmyself eating at McDonald's all week."
Justin Sherman said although he looks for inexpensive items whenbuying the necessities, he will splurge on the latest version ofhis favorite video games.
"Most of the time I budget my money pretty well, but when a newvideo game comes out I usually purchase it as soon as I have enoughmoney," said the sophomore music major.
Although Internet services like Ebay make shopping moreconvenient and less expensive, few U of M students interviewed saidthey regularly buy products off the Internet.
"I just joined Ebay this week, and I got a Banana Republic skirtfor only $1.55 and a shirt for only $.99," said Liz Ingram,graduate psychology student.
Freshman Scott Carter said he likes to shop on the Internet butdoes not do it frequently.
Some businesses near The U of M campus, like Domino's Pizza,offer discounts to students with U of M IDs.
Similarly, Garibaldi's Pizza offers specials for U of Mstudents.
"We run luncheon specials everyday," said owner MikeGaribaldi.
Garibaldi said the store is very much in tune with the life of acollege student.
"Students' spending patterns are very typical, I can tell whenthey just bought their books or just got more money from going homeover the break," said Garibaldi.
