Attempting to save money in college can be a challenge. In this article, we seek to simplify with 20 tips you can put to work right away!
College can be a great time – you’re finally out of your parent’s house, and you get to learn about things that interest you! However, one of the downsides is that it can be expensive. Between tuition, room and board, textbooks, and other incidentals, the cost of attending college can add up quickly.
This doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on all the fun, though! In this blog post, we will share 20 tips for saving money in college without feeling like you’re missing out.
1. Bring your own food to school instead of buying meals or snacks. This can save you a lot of money in the long run!
The reason why bringing your own food to school is a great way to save money is that you’re not paying for meals or snacks. This can add up quickly if you buy food every day!
2. Find cheaper alternatives to popular activities and events. For example, rather than going out to eat or see a movie, cook at home or watch a movie at home.
College students can save money by cooking at home instead of eating out. This can be as simple as making a sandwich or cooking a frozen pizza. Another option is to watch movies at home instead of going to the theater. This can save money on tickets and snacks.
3. Make a budget and stick to it! This will help you keep your spending in check.
A budget can help college students stay mindful of their spending and avoid overspending. Creating a budget may seem like a daunting task, but there are plenty of online resources and apps that can help make it easy.
4. Sell unused items online or at a garage sale to make some extra cash.
College students can sell unused items online for cash or at a garage sale. This is a great way to declutter and make some extra money. Popular sites for selling items include eBay and Craigslist, or students can post flyers around campus announcing their sales.
5. Shop around for the best deals on textbooks and other school supplies.
College students should shop around for the best deals on textbooks and other school supplies. Buying textbooks used or renting them instead of buying them new can save a lot of money in the long run. There are also many online stores that offer discounts on school supplies.
6. Rent textbooks instead of buying them – this can save you a lot of money in the long run!
Not only is renting textbooks cheaper than buying them, but you also don’t have to worry about selling them back at the end of the semester. There are a number of websites that offer textbook rentals, so be sure to do your research and find the best deal for you.
7. Limit how often you go out with friends – social activities can be expensive!
Social activities can be a lot of fun, but they can also be very costly. If you’re trying to save money, try limiting how often you go out with friends. Instead, suggest meeting up for coffee or hanging out at someone’s house.
8. Join a student organization or club related to your interests – this can be a great way to meet new people and have fun without spending too much money.
Student organizations and clubs are a great way to meet new people and explore your interests. Most schools offer a variety of different clubs and organizations, so there’s sure to be one that’s right for you. Plus, most of these groups typically have lower membership fees than other social activities.
9. Cut down on drinking and partying – not only is it bad for your wallet, but it’s also bad for your health!
One of the best ways to save money while in college is to reduce your alcohol consumption. Not only are alcoholic drinks expensive, but they can also have negative effects on your health. In addition, excessive partying can lead to missed classes and lower grades. There are plenty of other fun things to do on campus without spending money on alcohol.
For example, many colleges offer free or discounted tickets to sporting events, concerts, and other attractions. You can also take advantage of student discounts at local businesses. By cutting back on drinking and partying, you can save a lot of money and stay healthy too!
10. Find free or discounted tickets to events and attractions online or through student discounts.
For college students looking for ways to save money, finding free or discounted tickets to events and attractions online or through student discounts can be a great way to reduce the cost of entertainment. There are many websites and apps that offer deals on tickets, and many colleges and universities also offer student discounts at various businesses and venues. Checking out all of the options available can help students enjoy their time out without breaking the bank.
11. Cook simple meals at home, using inexpensive ingredients.
One great way to save money on your food budget is to cook simple meals at home using inexpensive ingredients. This can include things like pasta dishes, grilled cheese sandwiches, or even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. By cooking simple meals yourself, you’ll be able to save money on groceries and avoid expensive restaurant bills.
12. Avoid buying unnecessary items, such as clothes, gadgets, etc.
When it comes to buying unnecessary items, college students can be some of the worst offenders. Expensive clothes, gadgets, and other items can quickly add up, leading to massive debts and financial difficulties down the road. That’s why you should never buy something that you don’t have the cash to pay for on the spot.
13. Make your own coffee or tea instead of buying expensive drinks from coffee shops or the campus cafeteria.
Try to make your own coffee or tea instead of buying expensive drinks from coffee shops or the campus cafeteria. This can save you a lot of money in the long run. (Maybe $4-$5 a drink. Extrapolate that over time by multiplying the amount by how many times you go in a month.
14. Use public transportation instead of taxis or ride-sharing services whenever possible.
Use public transportation instead of taxis or ride-sharing services whenever possible. This will help you save money on transportation costs, sometimes quite a bit. Just consider for a moment that one cross-town ride with an Uber can cost $20 or more to visualize the savings.
15. Bring your own water bottle to school or work instead of buying bottled water every day.
Bottled water: $2 (at least)
Water from the tap or a community refrigerator in a breakroom: Free (to you anyway)
If you insist on going the bottled water route, be sure to just refill it with normal tap water when you’re done. You’ll run out of money in a hurry if you’re drinking your daily allotment one paid bottle at a time.
16. Shop at thrift stores and discount stores for clothing and other necessities.
Shopping at thrift stores or discount stores can help students find good deals on clothing and other necessities. The quality standards for many of these stores often make buying from them like buying something brand new, but only at a small fraction of retail prices. You’ll also get to take joy in the knowledge that you did a good deed since many are nonprofits supporting worthy causes.
17. Negotiate lower rates with service providers, such as cable TV, internet, etc.
Negotiating lower bills from service providers can help students save money on utilities, rent, and other monthly expenses, as well. Many college students are too timid to do this. Get over it!
Negotiating your bills is something anyone can do, especially when you consider the wealth of competitors that you can use as leverage. Let your service provider know that you’re shopping around. Don’t be afraid to throw a rival’s offer in their faces. No one wants to lose a paying customer if they don’t have to.
18. Make a list before you go grocery shopping and stick to it! This will help you avoid buying unnecessary items that will end up costing you more money in the long run.
Shopping for groceries instead of eating out can help students save money on food costs. But be careful as you march down to your favorite store. Make a list and follow only what’s on it.
Otherwise, you’re going to end up making a lot of impulse purchases. That’s because you’ll get there, and they will have inevitably rearranged the layout of the store to keep you guessing!
19. Plan weekend trips and activities with friends instead of spending money on things like restaurants and bars.
It’s no secret that weekends are a great time to let loose and have some fun. However, if you’re on a tight budget, it can be difficult to know how to best spend your money.
If you’re looking to save some cash, consider planning weekend trips and activities with friends instead of blowing your money at restaurants and bars, where one drink can cost you $5-$10 (more if you’re a tipper).
By pooling your resources, you’ll be able to afford more interesting and unique experiences that you’ll remember for years to come. Plus, you’ll get to bond with your friends in a completely new way.
And if you insist on bringing alcohol or other substances (age and law permitting), you won’t have to pay for “the experience” (aka spend way more than you should).
20. Take advantage of student discounts wherever possible – many businesses offer discounts to students!
Student discounts are a great way to save money while you’re in college. By taking advantage of student discounts at stores, restaurants, and other businesses, you can save a lot of money each year.
In addition, many businesses offer online discounts to students, so be sure to check out websites like Groupon and Living Social for deals. It’s not unusual for student discounts to go anywhere from 10-30 percent off. Much depends on the type of industry you’re talking about, but any savings is good savings, right?
In this blog post, we have shared 20 tips for saving money in college without feeling like you’re missing out. College can be expensive, but it doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on all the fun. There are many ways to save money without sacrificing your social life or experiencing too much discomfort. By following these tips, you can make college more affordable while still having a great time!
Now it’s your turn, readers. What are some of the money-saving tips that have helped you out the most in your first year(s) of college? Sound off in the comments section below, and let us know!
Aric Mitchell's work appears regularly here at 4tests.com and across the web for sites, such as The Inquisitr and Life'd. A former high school teacher, his passion for education has only intensified since leaving the classroom. At 4tests, he hopes to continue passing along words of encouragement and study tips to ensure you leave school ready to face an ever-changing world.
