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College students are known for a lot of behaviors--partying, forsaking sleep, studying (just kidding)—fiscal responsibility not usually chief among them. But Good Morning America reports that a new trend on college campuses is students embracing a so-called "cheapskate mentality."

"It's not for everyone," says Will Thomasen, a college student who is trying to eat for free for the entire year. (Check out the original article for the crafty ways Thomasen finds his food, and for more tales of extreme-savings!) Part of "Generation Cheap," Thomasen told Good Morning America, "I think we've learned from the mistakes of people in the past. We're just surrounded by this story of more and more economic crisis, more and more need for saving and savvy spending." The article is compelling, but what strikes me most is how the students reported that living with less had changed not just their present but the way they look at their future. Says Thomasen, "I have switched my priorities from being able to drive a nice car and have a nice TV and all of those types of things to be able to live appreciating the types of things that a lot of times come for free."


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