Lindsey Graham | Opinion Co-Editor
With the implementation of Buena Vista University’s (BVU) new Bring Your Own Device program, students who met specific requirements would receive a $550.00 check to help aid the cost of buying a new computer.
Students had to commit last spring to whether they would be keeping their BVU issued device or be purchasing their own. Once we returned to campus this fall, purchased computers had to be validated if they met the required specifications in order to be eligible for the stipend. Those that qualified were able to pick up their stipends last week.
Some students cashed the checks the day they received them, but if you are still deciding what to do, here is a list of possible ways to use $550.00.
1. Invest in the stock market. If average the average return on your investment is 10% annually, then your $550 could easily grow to be over $20,000 when you retire in about 40 years.
However, if you are too impatient and want immediate gratification, here are some other ideas:
2. You could be the coolest suite on school by purchasing an inflatable hot tub for your living room, started at $420 for a Spa2Go.
3. Put a down payment on a car, if you are in need of one.
4. Give it right back to the business office to use for next semester’s tuition.
5. Put it towards an AWOL, J-term or May/June term trip.
6. Buy a new big screen TV for your dorm.
7. A new iPhone.
8. Some clean, professional clothes for interviews and internships.
9. A mini coffee shop for your room. You can buy a Keurig and Torani coffee syrups. No more trips to the coffee shop!
10. Too lazy to make your own coffee? Put the $550 on your Beaver Bucks account.
11. Find a nice futon for your room.
12. Stock up on enough Ramen to last the rest of your college career.
13. Plan a spring break trip with your best friends.
14. Is your roommate annoying you? You can buy out your room and make them leave!
15. Use as funds for interning in a new city over the summer.
16. Buy a surround sound system and a projector for a movie room in your suite.
17. Buy Christmas presents for your friends and family.
18. Donate to your favorite charity.
19. Pay off some interest from your loans before you graduate.
20. Girls: Have a spa day with full massage, manicure, pedicure, and haircut after finals are over.
21. Get a DSLR camera. Sometimes your smartphone camera isn’t enough, especially when traveling.
22. Do something extreme. Like go skydiving or bungee jumping.
However, you can always save the stipend for a rainy day. Put it in your savings account or on a certificate of deposit. There will always be something new and exciting tomorrow to purchase.
Graphic by Kyle Shade
