Are you a university student looking to learn how to save money in college? Or a prospective learner preparing to enroll?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the guide for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, we\u2019ll walk you through over a dozen ways you can save money in college, live on a tight budget, and make use of the resources available to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether four years or two, fast-track or part-time, Ivy League or technical school, getting through college is difficult enough as it is. So, don\u2019t stress out about money when you don\u2019t have to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nHere are 15+ ways to save money in college and stick to a budget:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Take Your Student ID With You Everywhere<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Your student identification card is your passport to a world of discounts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Want to catch a movie? There\u2019s a student discount for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to buy a new shirt at H&M or Topshop? There are student discounts for that, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Restaurants, public transportation, electronics stores, museums, aquariums\u2014almost every commercial establishment and the various means for getting there have reduced prices for students. All you have to do is show your student ID! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Split Costs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s almost always cheaper for two people than it is going solo. If you have a close friend at school or a roommate, consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Sharing Netflix and\/or Spotify subscriptions;<\/li>
- Making dinners together rather than eating separately;<\/li>
- Getting a cell phone family plan;<\/li>
- Subscribing together to the New York Times or Guardian;<\/li>
- Purchasing a couple\u2019s plan at the gym rather than a single;<\/li>
- Split a Costco or Sam\u2019s Club membership.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
3. Get a Job<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Your university studies are priority number one, and a job should not interfere with that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, a part-time job on the evenings or weekends could be a great way to supplement the funds you have now without adding too much to your responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Choose a college job that lets you mentally leave the workplace when you clock out, such as a food service job or retail gig. Employment with high responsibility and likelihood for work during your personal time (e.g., project management) will encroach into your studies and may hurt your grades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a job that keeps you on campus and connected with the pulse of the goings-on, become an R.A. (resident assistant). Another good option is an intern program, as internships are a great way to get started on your career path<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related read<\/strong>: 50+ Best First Jobs for College Students<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Live in Cheap Housing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cheap housing doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be no-frills or incubating a diverse ecosystem of mold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Usually, the cheapest living options include on-campus housing, such as designated student dormitories, rather than off-campus housing (i.e., getting your own apartment). Get a roommate whenever possible, or become a roommate to someone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, the most inexpensive option of all? Live with your parents, if you have the opportunity!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Become an Entrepreneur<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m not saying you should create The Next Big Thing while attending university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rather, put your passions and strengths to good use by freelancing to earn some cash on the side. Studying computer science? Perhaps sign up as an on-demand software engineer on Toptal<\/a>. Love to write? Sign up on Upwork<\/a> for one-off writing gigs. Have a high mechanical aptitude? Post your home repair services in the local paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related read<\/strong>: 15+ Entrepreneurship Words & Phrases Defined<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Rent or Buy Used Textbooks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
At hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars, textbooks are a significant portion of your overall college expenses. If you\u2019re still required to purchase the old-school paper version of a textbook for class, there\u2019s no reason it has to be new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where to buy cheap college books? Here are a few options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Half Price Books<\/a><\/li>
- Campus Books<\/a><\/li>
- AbeBooks<\/a><\/li>
- Barnes & Noble<\/a><\/li>
- Amazon<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Many of those outlets also let you rent textbooks, as well. Oh, and get some spare cash by selling your completed textbooks for the next student to use!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Buy Used Everything<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It doesn\u2019t have to be just textbooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shop at Goodwill (not Goodwall, we don\u2019t sell anything \ud83d\ude42 ) for secondhand furniture for your dorm room. Find a thrift shop for bargain outfits to wear. Search through garage sales on the weekends to find a coffee maker or that cute clock that brings your flat together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When your college studies converts into a successful career for you in the future, that\u2019s when you can shop till you drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Bank Wisely (and Online)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Avoid overdrafts, first and foremost. Those $35 insufficient funds fees could pay for a whole week or two of groceries, or an entire month of utilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shop around for a great bank account without monthly fees. Most banks have free student checking accounts, so take advantage of those. However, the best banks lately are not the big ones like BofA or Chase, but rather smaller online banks, such as SoFi<\/a>, Wealthfront<\/a>, M1 Finance<\/a>, Revolut<\/a>, and Betterment<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Take Their Handouts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Colleges and universities know the struggle students face financially. And, to address this, there are countless college programs out there just for you.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nGo to the university gym rather than buying a monthly membership at the local Equinox. Look up events on the institution\u2019s website to find performances or networking meetups with free admission for students. Check the local library for regional discounts for college attendees, as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One added bonus\u2014those free college events often offer free snacks or drinks! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related read<\/strong>: 10 Niche Social Media Platforms to Join in 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Find Online Student Discounts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
That Macbook you need for class? Apple has great discounts<\/a> for college students. Want to get your own NYTimes subscription? They have academic rates<\/a> available. Need Microsoft Office for your next project? It\u2019s free for students<\/a> at uni. Adobe Creative Cloud has steep savings<\/a>, and so does Evernote<\/a>, Lenovo<\/a>, and many others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For everything else you need, there\u2019s always Amazon. And with Amazon, you can get a free 6-month trial to Amazon Student Prime<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11. Cook at Home <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cheap college living doesn\u2019t mean Nissin Cup Noodles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sure, you can eat ramen noodles if you want to, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I mean here is that you should limit the number of times you choose to eat out or order food delivery. While you\u2019ve got enough on your plate figuratively, with exams, reports, lectures, etc., you\u2019ll have more on your plate literally<\/em> by buying groceries for your dorm and cooking yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, avoid that $5 Starbucks latte and make your coffee at home!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12. Purchase in Bulk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Buying 24 rolls of toilet paper in a Costco pack is always cheaper per unit than purchasing one at a time (and you avoid any problems by running out!). Same goes for buying frozen TV dinners, gallons of milk, and boxes of cereal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just don\u2019t go grocery shopping while hungry!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related read<\/strong>: What is the Difference Between a Job and a Career?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
13. Sell Your Car<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Car payments. Registration fees. Vehicle insurance. Maintenance costs. Gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A car eats up money fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live close enough to your college, sell your high school vehicle once you\u2019re in university. Take public transportation, use school transportation, or walk to class\u2014saving money, helping the environment, and helping you stay in shape all at once!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you sell your car, you’ll also have to learn how to…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
14. Travel for Cheap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
On my other website, Dauntless Jaunter, I write extensively about how to travel cheap, among other things. The good news is\u2014there are a lot of options for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re heading home for the holidays or taking a weekend trip with friends to celebrate another successful semester in your rearview mirror, here are ways to travel inexpensively in college:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Spend a little extra time by taking Amtrak or Greyhound rather than a flight\u2014they often have student discounts. <\/li>
- Take public transportation as often as possible\u2014it\u2019s a great way to fight climate change<\/a> and a friend to your wallet! (And there are always student discounts on public transport.) <\/li>
- Carpool whenever possible (check out BlaBlaCar<\/a>, for instance).<\/li>
- Be as flexible as possible when booking flights, which means dates, airlines, and airports.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Also, for great student discounts on travel, check out STA Travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
15. Study Hard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yes, it\u2019s good college advice in general, but what does studying have to do with money?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, if you pay for your own tuition, failing even one class is a huuugggeee<\/em> ouch in the coin pouch. And, the longer it takes for you to graduate, the more time you\u2019ll spend before starting your career and making that better money university\u2019s been preparing you for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
16. Ask for Help on Goodwall!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
No, we\u2019re not like GoFundMe, and we can\u2019t help you raise tuition money, unfortunately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But\u2014 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a Goodwall member, you are part of a community of over 1.5 million entrepreneurs, students, and young professionals from all around the world<\/a>, many who share your same interests, obstacles, and even university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use them to your advantage!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try out Goodwall\u2019s question feature<\/a> to get diverse feedback, unique insight, and viewpoints that you just can\u2019t find anywhere else. If this guide on tips for saving money in college didn\u2019t have the answers you were looking for, the Goodwall community certainly will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And\u2014found all the tips and advice you needed here on how to save money as a college student? Got something new to add? Then you can share your knowledge with other Goodwallers by using our handy virtual elevator speech<\/a> (here\u2019s how to make one<\/a>). Or, share it here as a comment below, and thanks for reading!<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"