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.

tulane.edu

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.

npr.org

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.

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

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.

ebay.com

 

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!

See Also

 

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!

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

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.

Share
Pammy Levinson

Pammy is a transfer student at Eureka College and is from the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. She is also a proud member of Alpha Epsilon Phi. She is currently majoring in Communications with a focus in Human Communication and minoring in Leadership. In her free time she enjoys reading and spending time with her friends.

Recent Posts

10 Things You Will Never Hear A Student Say At Liberty University

Liberty University is full of its perks, but there are still some things that don’t compare to other Virginia universities.…

48 mins ago

10 People You’ll Always Run Into At The University Of Florida

There are certain people at the University of Florida that you can't help but run into on a daily basis…

4 hours ago

10 Student Instagrammers You Need To Follow From UNH

Scrolling through Instagram, double tapping your friends pic is an everyday thing. Sure you scroll through your feed and have…

16 hours ago

10 Gifs That Accurately Describe What It’s Like To Be A Student At San Diego State University

Every student at San Diego State University knows they have a great lifestyle at one of the best universities. We've…

21 hours ago

5 DIY Body Scrubs Perfect For The Winter

The cool winds of winter are creeping in, and you might be noticing your skin getting a little dry.  Don't…

1 day ago

15 Small Gestures That Will Instantly Make Your Partner Feel Appreciated

There are so many ways to make your partner feel appreciated. It doesn't have to be a huge gift or…

1 day ago