“If one more person raises their hand in class and asks what time the final exam is as it is written in the 80 page syllabus, I’m going to vow to never eat a scone from the caf ever again. And that’s serious.”

“I think somebody farted in class today and I hope it wasn’t the hot dude. I really like looking at him and that would totally ruin things for me.”

These aren’t conversations I have anymore. In fact, I can’t even believe I used to have them. They are completely pointless, entirely stupid and absolutely glorious.  Ok FINE, I wish I still talked about this kind of stuff on a daily basis – but things have been a little different in my new post grad life. I never said people don’t fart in meetings rooms, but they aren’t sexy and I won’t tell anyone about it.

I’ve noticed a huge shift in my conversations lately. They’re like, slightly grown up. Flash Notice: I still talk about sex, flatulence, snot and totally gross 5-year-old boy things – just bare with me while I try to sound cool and old. Here are the top five new things I’m chatting about these days (that I’m not quite used to yet):

1. Work

Work is by far the most popular post grad topic to blab about (partially because you don’t know what else to think about and partially because it’s all you know to think about). People at work. Arguments at work. Mistakes at work. Failing at work. Having a “semi-good day” at work. Secret work crushes. You ate lunch at your desk at work. You spoke your mind in a meeting at work. You drank a lot of water at work so you’d waste time going to the bathroom at work. Everything I talk about nowadays is fogged with that ‘w’ word. Work, work, work, WORK.

2. People getting married/engaged/pregnant on Facebook

Vanished are the days that I can look at Facebook and point and laugh at the embarrassing pictures of people getting hammered in public. This happens at least once a day for me. I open up Facebook, glance over the news feed and look up from my computer to screen to my roommate that yet another high school classmate popped out a baby and took the baby daddy’s stupid last name.

3. Not making enough money

I don’t know how long THIS one is going to last but it’s already getting old. I get a big girl job and suddenly think I should be making enough money to shop at Pottery Barn and J Crew on a weekly basis. Not really the case people. I have a paid salary ego and it’s gotta go.

4. Stress.

This is a conversation topic spawned from the work topic. After spending all day talking about how I’m not married, single, not making that much money and dealing with everything at my job – I can’t help but to talk about how many zits I have because all I do is stress eat and pick at my face.

5. The future

In college, all I talked about was…college (and where we were spending thirsty Thursday). The future was a dark blob that sat in the corner of my mind, untouched with minimal regret for feeling that way. Now, the future lays out in front of me like a fresh tar highway that I am being forced to drive on at top speed. And all I want to do is talk about it with my friends! “Where do you think we’re going to be in a year? What happens if I make this decision, how much will it effect the next few months? Will I lie in a box in two months because I want to quit my job and the economy is bad?”

Who knows. And that’s the beauty of it all.

It should be no surprise to my fellow college students that I’m broke. We all are. So it’s also no surprise that my boyfriend is too. But sometimes this little fact of life can get in the way of our relationship. It’s hard to have spectacular dates when your electric bill is past due, and you can’t really expect fancy anniversary presents when you’re digging into the couch cushions for gas money.

Sometimes this can get a bit stressful. No one likes the feeling of being in debt, it’s emotional, so naturally when the subject of money comes up in a relationship, it’s bound to start some fights. Matt and I have gotten into plenty and it’s mostly because he gets about 4 times the amount of financial aid that I do. How is it fair that we split things evenly if he’s got more to spend than me? And if he’s got more, why isn’t he offering to do more?

And so the fight begins.

The best thing that I’ve learned from those types of fights is that you should sit down, actually talk about your finances and try to find a balance. For me it was accepting the fact that I just don’t have as much money for Matt, and he agreed to divide up the expenses accordingly. I always hated asking Matt for money and it’s much easier now that we’ve sorted everything out and have an understanding.

As far as the dates go, Matt and I are always finding ways to have fun together without spending a whole lot of money. In fact, we’re going to a museum this weekend because we get in free for being students. As far as cheap dates go, here are a few things we’ve managed to come up with that don’t make us feel like we’re broke as a joke:

-Look into what your city has to offer for students. Always be looking for student discounts. My favorites are student nights at movie theaters and free passes to concerts and museums.

-Do some research into what your town has to offer parks-wise. I love heading to the park on a nice weekend, having a picnic and going kayaking, which together can be as cheap as $10.

-My best friend introduced me to Groupon.com. It’s seriously amazing. They have deals every day that are essentially gift certificates for a discount, but you can only get it if X amount of people buy it. I’ve found everything from $20 for $40 worth of food at local restaurants to $10 massages.

-This where on-campus events can be your friend. Check out cool clubs together, or go to events together. Matt and I always go to this thing at UT called 40 Acres Ffest, which is pretty much a fair that covers the main areas of campus that’s put on by all the student groups and ends with a free concert from some pretty well-known bands. Check out what your school has to offer and take advantage of it all!

With a little understanding of your financial situation and a pinch of research and creativity, it’s totally manageable to not let money affect your relationship. Just don’t be afraid to have the money talk with your significant other; and never be embarrassed to go on a “cheap” date. Sometimes they’re the most fun!

Anybody else have any ideas on the cheap?

Although talk of the economy seems to be everywhere, not everyone realizes the impact that it can have on relationships. Imagine your significant other having no worries because his parents dish out money at the drop of a hat (and then some), while you are fretting about next semester’s tuition. He may not understand the stress or the frustration because his financial situation (thanks to Mom & Dad) hasn’t changed like yours, and that in itself can complicate things.

Here’s some ways to keep money out of the picture in this economy:

1) Don’t make money an issue (or at least a big one) – This is very important! You are dating him because you like him, and whether or not you have money or you are having a hard time financially, it should not be a main staple in your relationship.

2) Communication – Be honest with him. If you think he bragging about his more fortunate life, tell him how it makes you feel. If you don’t feel right about going out to a fancy dinner that you can’t afford, tell him that. Although it’s important to not make money an issue (especially an underlying one in your relationship), it is important to talk about your worries.

3) Do not play the victim card – Even if you are having a hard time, it’s not right to throw your financial problems on someone else and expect him to pay for everything.

4) Gifts are nice – Presents and gifts are nice, but they aren’t required in a relationship. If your man tries to buy you nice things constantly, tell him that money can’t buy your love and let him know that you appreciate it, but you don’t expect it. And most of all, don’t forget to say thank you.

5) Dates don’t have to always be a dinner and a movie – If he has an off campus house, cook at his place. Play a couple games of Scrabble. If you must get out of the house, hit up a party – frats always have free beer. Check out local activities, many things are free and cheap.

6) Remember – Dating is supposed to be fun, not stressful because of money.

Although the economy may be impacting your life right now, it doesn’t have to nudge it’s ugly head into your relationships and dates!