Ways to Save Money in College

Ways to Save Money in College

by: Eve-Marie Andrews.  Download a printable version here.

MANAGING THE MONEY YOU HAVE

  • Get free savings and checking account.
  • Take maximum amount of free checks offered by bank.
  • Keep track of your bank/checking account.
  • Find a credit card with:
    • Lowest rate
    • No annual fees
    • Only enough credit limit for emergency
  • Pay credit card bills on time.
  • Log each expense for a month.
  • Save spare change in a piggy bank or a big jar

 

BOOKS

  • Borrow one if the class is the same with same instructor
  • Buy used
  • Check www.schoolsoup.com
  • Sell your books after each semester.

 

FOOD

  • Try to eat healthy.
  • Trying to eat on 12 cents? Ramen Noodles
  • Keep peanut butter packs on hand.
  • Starbucks could cost $500 a year. Buy a coffee maker & thermos.
  • Don’t tip just because someone poured you coffee.
  • Oatmeal is fast, filling and affordable.
  • Keep some healthy food on hand like yogurt, cottage cheese, string cheese, bagels and peanut butter.
  • Collect coupons
  • Kick the bottles water habit—drink tap water
  • Avoid sit down restaurants with built in gratuity
  • Split meal only if there is no charge.
  • Go to low cost self serve eateries.
  • Prepare a simple meal at home for a date.

COMPUTERS AND HARDWARE

  • When buying a computer, save with student specials, discounts and rebates.
  • Dell offers discounts through college
  • Hewlett Packard’s Academic Purchase Program
  • Desk top models cheaper than laptop.
  • Consider refurbished laptops.
  • Keep your laptop secured
  • Save on software through discounts at Apple Education Store, Microsofts discounts for students and Linux software
  • Look up Freeware and shareware: like Download.com—free music, videos, games and utilities or Tuscows—Products free or just a few bucks
  • Decline extended warranties.
  • Computer will last longer with anti-virus software and a firewall
  • Ink cartridges: try shopping and comparing prices online or try ink refill kits
  • Throwing away an old computer? Try recycling.

ENTERTAINMENT—MUSIC, MOVIES, ART AND CULTURE

  • Forget about T.V.—watch cable T.V. through your computer
  • Listen to stereo through your computer.
  • Check out movies from the library.
  • Watch matinee movies.
  • Subscribe to Netflix with a few friends & pass along.
  • Brand name video store will give credit for personal DVD’s
  • Legally download music that is free-copyright-free.
  • Buy used CD’s
  • Start a book club.
  • Get involved with study groups.
  • Offer your services as a tutor.

AVOID SPENDING MONEY ON THE WEEKEND

  •  Go on a picnic
  • Take a long walk
  • Fly a kite
  • Play a game of soccer or football
  • Read a good book.
  • Get involved with community service: Like volunteer in a soup kitchen or help build homes with Habitat for Humanity

CHECK THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER FOR FREE EVENTS

  • Concerts
  •  Arts & crafts fairs
  •  Theater
  • Festivals
  • Art galleries
  • Museums

 

SHOPPING

  •  Shop at places offering student discounts
  • Some regions have tax free weeks.
  • Day after Xmas is a good time to save.
  • Buy on clearance.
  • Make your own gifts (candles, soap, beaded jewelry)
  • Get friends to buy an annual membership at Costco or Sam’s Club
  • Buy in bulk—split the cost with friends.
  • Shop for groceries with a full stomach.
  • Shop for clothes at T.J. Maxx, Marshals or Thrift stores.
  • Buy clothes that are washable.

TRANSPORTATION

  • Live close to college if you have your own place.
  • Walk, bike, roller blade or skateboard your way around town
  • Use public transportation.

THE COST OF KEEPING UP

  • Join family cell phone plan.
  • Refer to cell phone comparison sites.
  • Use a pay-as-you-go cell phone plan.

PERSONAL

  • Shop around for hair salons giving student discounts
  • Try a cosmetology school.
  •  If you share an apartment or room, share toiletries.
  •  Buy affordable and quality products—buy store brand & at discount stores.
  •  Do your own laundry at a Laundromat:
  •  Bring your own detergent
  • Buy discounted detergent or on sale
  • Bring your own drink or snack
  • Fill the machines to capacity.

MAKE A FEW BUCKS

  • Donate blood plasma
  • Volunteer for medical study
  • Sell your expertise as a tutor, computer skills, and music lessons.
  • Get a job in food service—you can get free meals.
  • If you are a true subject mater expert, create a website.
  • Be a campus computer tech.
  • Work during the summer.
  • Offer a resume writing service.
  • Help students with their scholarship search.
author avatar
Pacific Sky

copyright College Options