With the passing of Thanksgiving, the holiday season will be here before we know it (and can prepare ourselves for it). Don't get me wrong I love everything about the holidays, but this time of the year is especially painful for my wallet because it's the end of the semester and I'm starting to realize just how much money I spent over the past three months- yikes. College does a number on the wallets of poor naive undergraduates and somehow I've yet to learn how to save despite having already completed two semesters. Here's basically how the holiday season is summed up if you're a college kid with a bank account that leaves quite a lot to be desired:
1. You always roll your eyes at articles about how to save money this time of year (because they literally never help).
2. You can bet you'll be out at midnight on Black Friday trying to find the best sales possible.
Here's to you, Tanger Outlets Midnight Madness.
3. Whenever someone suggests ice skating you have to respectfully decline-unless it has free skate rental.
4. Your search for Christmas gifts primarily takes place at Target.
Bonus points if one or more gifts come from the Dollar Spot
5. Secret Santa is your gift-giving method of choice because you only have to buy something for one person
Until you manage to get the one person you don't know anything about.
6. Buying gifts for your parents is the ultimate struggle and you often find yourself asking if a candle is enough to thank your mother for 19 years of nurture.
7. Your favorite family member is your dog because the only present he wants is your affection.
8. Tacking your name onto presents for your grandparents has become standard at this point
As has shamelessly taking handfuls of free candy canes-because why buy something you can get for free?
9. Making a Christmas list is always difficult because how can you ask your Aunt Linda for financial stability???
10. You have developed a new appreciation for leftovers. 
11. You also eat said leftovers for far more days than socially acceptable
12. You feel absolutely no shame in watching claymation Christmas specials from the 1960s-because why pay to go see a new Christmas movie when ABC Family shows all the classics?
Same goes for when you successfully sing both Miser Brothers' songs from The Year Without a Santa Claus.
13. Handmade gifts seem like a great and frugal idea until you accidentally spend $60 in A.C. Moore.
Here's to another year of poorly attempting to manage your budget during the month of December and eating Christmas ham for a week straight!
