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How to Save Money as a College Student

Save Money as a College Student
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

How to Save Money as a College Student

Budget-planning is a vital skill for everyone around the globe. Correct money management helps to provide for yourself and avoid any loans and overdue payments, not to mention making you feel better about yourself when your finances are in order. Let’s explore the post and discover some tips that will help you to save money as a college student.  

Save Money as a College Student
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Why do You Need to Save money?

Your income has to be more than your expenses; that is if you want to avoid eviction, loan collectors, and trouble buying food. Following our tips, you’ll be able to save money to invest or spend on entertainment. In case you’re used to wasting all the money lightning-fast, this post will help guide you to better money management, especially while in school. Let’s examine the best ways to save money as a college student. 

Plan your Budget

The most important thing is to create a budget. Determine how much money you have coming in and list out your monthly and weekly expenses. List your core expenses first, like food, rent, and utilities, if you have money left over to create a savings plan and then an entertainment budget. Putting some money aside each month will help you in an emergency, providing you a cushion for unforeseen events. When creating your budget, consider all your expenses thoroughly, like morning coffee or public transportation costs. Once you know where your money is going, you can prioritize the amount of disposable income you have left. If you are putting that morning coffee on your already overloaded credit card, it may be time to stop having that coffee and making it at home. Most of us, from time to time, need expert help with our homework, so make sure to create a budget for tutoring services. If you’re not good at math and always google the following question, “pay someone to do my online homework?” it’s probably time to get help. If you’re having trouble completing your paper due soon, you can hire an academic advisor on top writing services. He or she will help you to think out all the details to edit and provide suggestions for getting your paper completed with top marks.  

Note All Expenses

Get a notebook, indicate all the expenses every day, or sign up for a free account on mint.com to track all your expenses. Mint.com is an excellent way to track all your expenses. They provide great looking charts that show you where your money is going by category. Once you have a clear picture of how you spend your money, it makes that much easier to curtail your overspending and get your financial life in order. Keep an eye on your budget regularly by reviewing your expenses and income at least monthly to ensure you are staying on top of your budget. 

Download E-Books

Don’t purchase new paper books for college. They are quite expensive and can take a large part of your budget. Instead of this, consider using e-books. In most cases, they’re much cheaper or free. You can also purchase used books from Amazon far less expensive than the campus bookstore; they will also repurchase them at the end of the school year. 

Cook at Home 

Do you like eating out? Well, it’s very convenient. However, it is expensive as well. If you want to save your money, you have to purchase products and cook them by ta home. Find cheap and tasty recipes for college students on the Internet and examine your cooking skills. 

Get Discounts with a College ID

Every student has a college ID. This card brings a lot of benefits. Do not hesitate to use them. Always grab your college ID to get discounts at museums, cinema theaters, and apparel stores. For instance, Microsoft provides discounts on its products for school and college students. 

Buy Used Electronics

Doubtless, every modern student needs a laptop, smartphone, and other electronics. Consider purchasing used gadgets if you have a tight budget. If you’re not interested in used gadgets, look for re-furbished, which generally is much less then brand new. Re-furbished are equipment that had an issue either at the plant or returned. 

These items are repaired and resold at a discount and are virtually brand new. This technique can help you to save a lot of money. 

Use the College Gym

College Gym
Image by David Mark from Pixabay

If you want to keep yourself fit, you have to work out regularly. Don’t spend money on private gyms. Use the opportunity provided by your college. Feel free to use college facilities for sports to save money.  

Share an Apartment with a Roommates

Housing can be quite expensive for students. Therefore don’t be shy to rent a room and share it with roommates. Consequently, you will spit your rent and utility expenses. Moreover, you can always help each other out with your homework. If you both have difficulty with a shared subject, you can always search for “do my math hw for me” and get some assistance while splitting the cost with your roommate. 

Purchase Gift Cards

There are a lot of platforms on the Internet that sell discounted gift cards. For instance, you can purchase a $100 gift card from Walmart for $90 and some money on purchases. Check out the deals on Investopedia, where they give you a full list of discount cards.