(November 23, 2004) — Dealing with gas prices : One way to get more gas for your buck is to buy gas at night. It makes perfect sense because as Gruss and Kassakhian have taught us, liquids are denser at colder temperatures. At night, the temperature is pretty cold, and you get more gas for your money. You’ll probably get a couple tenths of a gallon this way, but with gas nearing $3, every drop is worth it. Also, if you’re tight on cash, you don’t always have to buy 91 octane for your car. A car needing 91 octane can survive on 87 octane for some time, although it isn’t good for the engine in the long run. An alternative to this is to buy a gasoline additive at any local auto parts store, which makes a lower octane gas into 91 or higher. This can really save money for those with a large gas tank. Food : Two words: Dollar Menu. Yes, the McDonald’s Dollar Menu is the best value in the land. This shouldn’t replace meals, but serves as snacks during outings. For a mere $1.07 (with tax), you can get a double cheeseburger or fries, or for those who like fancy food, a yogurt parfait. An alternative to this at the same price is the new Taco Bell Big Value menu, which gets you a variety of Mexican food favorites. Then again, these foods aren’t healthy, but when you’re hungry and don’t have $7 for a Jared approved three-grams-of-fat sub from Subway, they will have to suffice. Electronics : Want an iPod but just can’t cough up the dinero? Best Buy in Burbank has a promotional program called Technology Trade In, in which you can trade in electronics for store credit. In order to be eligible you have to be at least 18 or older and the product must work. The things you can trade in range from TVs, printers, speakers, and many other electronics (Check tradein.bestbuy.com for full details.) The amount of store credit is based on blue book value of the item, and you can even call up Best Buy, tell them the model of whatever you want to trade in, and they’ll give you a price quote. You might get 10 bucks for an old printer, but 10 bucks beats an old printer in the attic collecting dust. Clothes : School is a place for learning, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t learn in style. Looking good doesn’t mean that you have to blow you or your parent’s paycheck, and all it takes is a little time to shop around. For example, a Jack Daniel’s screen t-shirt at Urban Outfitters is about 18 bucks, but at Target, the same shirt is $8.99. Target amazingly sells Urban Outfitter style screen tees, probably because of their new “hip” and post-modern image they’ve been trying to advertise. Another place to shop for less is Nordstrom Rack in Glendale. Unlike Ross or Marshall’s, Nordstrom Rack doesn’t sell clothes from a couple years ago, but current styles. They get either overstocked items from the various Nordstroms or apparel that have just gone out of season (but then again you can wear shorts in the winter in California). Clothes and shoes they carry include Ben Sherman, Diesel, Quicksilver and Lucky. Last resort : Freeload off friends. That’s what they’re there for. Just kidding.