Just because college likely won’t when you have the most money in your life, it doesn’t mean you need to resort to eating Ramen every night. From putting money away to making good buying decisions, here are a few ways that you can save some money while you’re in college. A big factor in saving money is recognizing what you spend most of your money on. So figure that out first, and feel free to alter some of these tips to better fit your buying habits!
I already know what you’re thinking: “But what if I get tired of them!” That’s what variety packs are for! Buying in bulk almost always proves to be more cost effective. Snacks in bulk like little bags of chips, wrapped packages of cookies, granolas bars and Pop Tarts can often be bought at most grocery stores. Plus they make your life in college super easy because you can bring them with you as snacks when you go out for the day, and you don’t have to buy snacks which will save money! If you want to take this a step further, buy other groceries and essentials in bulk. These can be things you often make for dinner, or things you’ll always need like toilet paper. Keep an eye out for sales, and stock up then to save money.
The current TikTok trend I have been seeing everywhere is people making their cold brew at home. Take notes! By buying the ingredients to make coffee at home, you are saving yourself from having to pick up a coffee from a coffee shop, thus allowing you to save money. What I also like about this, is I have found by only getting coffee out every once in a while, like once a week or even every other week, the coffee is just much more enjoyable, since I am not buying it as much. Making your coffee at home also allows you to customize it just as you want, and not have to worry about being judged for your over complicated order (looking at you Starbucks!). You can even get fancy with it, like by buying a French Press, or by buying a milk frother for lattes.
This tip I definitely recognize may not be feasible for everyone. Adjust it to how it may fit better with your paychecks and your situation. Even if it’s $5 from every paycheck that you put away, it’s something! Think about how much you get paid, and every expense you have. How much do you end up with after all your expenses are paid? Alternatively, what do you spend money on that can be cut out, so the money can be saved instead? (Hint hint: maybe the coffee you’re buying every morning?) Even just putting away a little bit of money will help you save money, and it adds up fast! Before you know it you will have a nice little stash put aside, and this could be like a graduation gift to yourself at the end of college, or at the end of every school year!
Textbooks are one of the larger expenses every college student has got to go through. They’re overpriced and sometimes we don’t even end up using them, or barely use them and we don’t get our moneys worth. By renting your textbooks, you only need to keep them for an allotted amount of time. This is great because very rarely will you continue to need your textbooks after class. This is typically cheaper than buying your textbooks, allowing you to save money. By renting used textbooks, you are guaranteed to save even more money, since once textbooks become used, they lose value and become even cheaper to rent or buy. Used textbooks never bothered me, and they shouldn’t bother you either! Typically they aren’t even that worn, because if they were, whoever you are renting from would take them out of the rotation. Sometimes used textbooks have notes and writing in them, but it doesn’t bother me. Sometimes it even helps to guide me in my reading and studying!
If you have your car on campus with you, gas money is just another expense you have to throw money out for every few weeks. Cut down on how much gas you are using by carpooling with friends! Take turns driving on to/off of campus, so that you all have to fill up your individual cars less! When possible, take public transportation! This is especially feasible if you go to school in a city like Boston or New York. It’s cheaper than driving your car everyday, resulting in burning less gas, and it’s even better for the environment! Take these with your friends to find new ways to where you’re going, and you may discover new things along the way.
Paying bills isn’t fun, and having to pay an additional fee on top of those bills because your payment was late makes those bills even worse. Late fees can be easily avoided by making sure you are staying up to date on when bills and payments are due, to ensure that you don’t shell out more money than you need to. Late fees can add up, and depending on what you’re paying, interest may also be involved, so being on top of it and paying early will keep that interest low as well. This should be applied to your tuition payments as well as your other bills like phone, insurance, rent, etc. Set up a schedule so you never miss a payment, but also so payments don’t all hit at once and you’re always comfortable with money, depending on when your paychecks hit.
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