I was ecstatic to discover how cheap the video/DVD rentals were at Food City this summer. I had reached a point in my life . a point that almost everyone reaches during the college years. This is a time when most young men and women begin to question the world around them and begin to see things with their own eyes. A time when we question life, love, our very existence, and why the heck I was continuously dishing out loads of cash every time I wanted to rent a movie at Blockbuster.
Blockbuster was what I knew – it was THE movie rental place. It is what I think of when I think of renting movies. Darn those clever marketing ploys. But one sunny day in June, I decided to take a huge leap of faith and explore, and you know what I found? A bargain.
I love a good bargain . mostly because I can’t afford it any other way. I suspect that I am not alone in this feeling. Most college students are trying to live off their financial aid and/or minimum wage. And so, I present to you, a true editorial inspired by Food City Video: BARGAIN HUNTING WITH MORGAN!
I am going to be breaking this editorial into several different parts because of the ridiculous length.
Item 1: Movies/Video Game Rentals:
First, let’s start with the movies. I am basically ruling out actually going to the movie theatre – there isn’t much of a way to do this without taking out a loan. But there are cheap ways to still watch your movies.
After tons of research, Food City Video, I have determined, has the best deal on movie rentals. Regularly $3.50 per movie, you can rent these movies two for $5 any day of the week.
But this is not the best part. On Mondays, you can rent one and get one free. So on Mondays: two for $3.50 – A dollar cheaper than one movie at Blockbuster. And just when you think it doesn’t get any better, on Wednesdays at Food City Video, you can rent any non-new-release for 50 cents a piece. The drawbacks you ask? I mean, sure, you are losing a bit of selection, but how often are you really going to be looking for some obscure movie anyway? As far as video game rentals go, it is really neck and neck between most rental places. Movie Stars on Roan Street has video games for $3.49 one-night rentals, and then $5.99 for five days, or $15 for three rentals for five days. Food City is $5 for five nights, and Blockbuster is $7.99 for a week.
Item 2: Books:
Books are always cheaper online – new or used! Check out Amazon.com for the best deals – schoolbooks too!
Item 3: Clothes:
Rugged Wearhouse, beside Michael’s on State of Franklin, has some of the cheapest junior clothes in town. Ross Dress for Less (also located on the same shopping center as Michael’s and Rugged Wearhouse) also has some good bargains on occasion. Check them out. Other than that, just make sure to always hit up the clearance rack, conveniently located in the back of virtually every clothing store.
Another nice way to pick up some extra cash for your used clothes, is to take your used yet still nice looking, clothes to Plato’s Closet (Roan Street near Carmike Cinemas), where they give you cash to buy back your clothes. It can also be a decent place to shop for clothes – but you have to be careful – yes it is cheap – but honestly you can find better deals for new clothes elsewhere nine times out of 10.
I hope some of these ideas have been helpful to you. Remember though, this is just the tip of the iceberg. They are just a few of the things that I have learned trying to teach myself to live on a shoestring budget – and still have fun at the same time. Look for the second half of this column in the next issue of the East Tennessean, coming out on Sept. 7.
The list goes on to include grocery shopping, dining, and many more miscellaneous goodies. Until then, if you have any tips that you would like for me to include in my next column, send me an e-mail at morganakens@charter.net.

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