Tips For Broke College Students
College is a full-time commitment, which makes it hard to find a job between classes, homework, and clubs without stretching yourself too thin. But have no fear, here are some great ways to save and make money without eating up too much of your time.
Make Money
1. Use StudentRate.com when shopping online.
You might not be close to your favorite stores while you are away at school which will likely steer you to online shopping. StudentRate gives you the opportunity to earn money back just by shopping online at your favorite stores. It’s also a great resource to buy textbooks as the money you get back can help cushion the blow that textbooks are guaranteed to have on your bank account.
2. Become a College Rep
Use websites like WayUp.com to find a job. There are a lot of companies looking to hire college students to promote their brand right on campus. Most of these jobs aren’t very time-consuming, so they fit in perfectly between classes and other obligations. Being a campus rep is a lot of fun, making it the perfect job for broke college students.
3. Find odd jobs to make quick cash.
I recommend downloading the app Go Commando. After a few simple steps, Go Commando connects college students with various brands that are looking for people on campus to do simple jobs. The jobs can be anything from taking a survey to testing an app and providing feedback. I have had the app for two months and have already made over $20 from various jobs.
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Save Money
1. Buy used textbooks
Textbooks are expensive, but a necessary expense for college. A great way to finagle these costs are to purchase used books rather than brand new ones. As an added bonus, there’s a chance your used book will come full of useful notes from prior students. Be careful though, the person who had the book before you might not have the right answers.
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2. Get a rewards card
Now that you are an adult, you are going to be doing your own shopping. I recommend getting a rewards card at the places you shop the most. Stores like Walgreens, CVS, Kroger, and Walmart all have rewards programs so that you can save money as you spend.
Who’s watching #Ted2?? #PapaGinos got a proud mention! ☺️ #Rewards #Membership #RewardsCard @whattedsaw A photo posted by Papa Gino’s (@papaginos) on
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3. Cut back on Starbucks
I know you are a gold member (I am too), but Starbucks is expensive. If you have a meal plan, get coffee from the dining hall. It is cheaper, and you can get as much as you want. You can even bring your travel mug already filled with your favorite creamer or flavoring. If you are are living off campus, invest in a Keurig. The best birthday present I ever got from my parents was a Keurig. It is a great way to enjoy your coffee without worrying about wasting a whole pot.
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Take Advantage of Free Opportunities
1. Stream your music
There are so many great services out there, like Pandora, Spotify and Soundcloud, where you can stream music. Services like these are great for making playlists for when you are getting ready to go out, studying or trying to fall asleep. And the best part is, they’re free!
2. Go to events on campus
Most colleges have a programming club or other organizations that will host events right on campus. One of the ways they get students to go to these events is with free swag and food. Hate doing laundry all the time because of the expense? Go to an event! You’ll probably get a free shirt out of it. I knew a girl my freshman year who got enough free shirts to last her an extra two weeks. Is your meal plan running a little low? A lot of these campus events include food, free of charge!
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3. Test out products for free
There are websites, like Influenster.com and pinchme.com, which send various products to users to try out. All you have to do is post an honest review online about the product. This is also a great way for you to try out that cool new product you heard about from your favorite YouTuber, without breaking the bank.
Being a broke college student is a badge of pride. With the tips above you can embrace your dwindling bank account and learn to live frugally with a little less stress.
