There are, of course, great ways to save money in college – budgeting, looking for scholarships, finding a job on campus. But how to save money every day? What cool money-saving hacks can you use to save money on everyday purchases? Well, that’s exactly what you’ll learn today. Here are 10 (unconventional) ways to save money on the little things in college — straight from the guy who did it all himself.
1. Bring your food on campus instead of eating out – you’ll save money and eat healthier.
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Food on campus quickly pays for itself. The $10 sandwich is here. Starbucks for $5. That two-dollar bag of crisps between classes. $2 Coke for midday caffeine. It’s easy to sacrifice money for convenience when you’re focused on passing your exams. But if you cook more food at home, it might be cheaper. as well as healthier. My top two “likes” for easy meals at home:
- Prepare takeaway snacks throughout the week. It can be chopped fruit, mix, nuts, granola bars, boiled eggs, pretzels – really anything you can grab when you run out the door.
- Sunday food preparation. Look for healthy foods that include rice, pasta, dried beans, and other cheap proteins. Many buildings have microwaves, so grab an ice pack and take food to campus if you can’t run home for lunch.
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2. Make coffee or tea at home instead of buying in a cafe
Coffee on campus can easily cost $3 or more. Coffee at home can cost as little as $0.16 a cup. I’m not saying you should give up your coffee drinking habit – I personally don’t plan on doing that any time soon. However, college campuses are littered with coffee shops just begging to take your money. Drown out the siren – and save a few extra bucks in your wallet – by bringing your own cup of Joe to the ATV. Read more: How to Save Money and Maintain Your Coffee Drinking Habit – 6 Simple Changes That Will Save You Hundreds
3. Shop at thrift stores and thrift stores for clothes and other items.
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The cool thing about living on a college campus (or city) is that there are tons of trendy clothes, dorm room essentials, and barely used textbooks heading to thrift and thrift stores every day. So why not amaze them for everything they have?! Research shows that you can save 80% or more by buying used items rather than new ones. So the next time you need something, check out Goodwill, Salvation Army, Value Village, or any local thrift store in your area.
4. NEVER pay full price for new textbooks!
Textbooks can easily cost $500 or more per semester. And when three or more books are required for one class, well…eye rolls. 🙄 But here’s the truth: unless you’re taking some really niche college courses, you can find cheaper versions of the textbooks you need. For example, you can:
- Buy used textbooks, rent them online, or look for digital copies. Amazon and Chegg.com are two of the best sites for evaluating used textbooks and cheap textbook rentals.
- Share textbooks with friends or roommates. Play through the tutorial with someone who is in the same class as you. Brownie indicates if you can borrow a textbook from a friend who has already taken classes.
5. Rent books, movies, and magazines from the library instead of buying them
The library was my JAM in college. Not only did I work there for the duration of my studies – #librarynerd – but I also scoured the shelves (both physically and virtually) looking for free books, magazines, and even movies. And here’s one of my best kept secrets for college students: Many libraries have popular textbooks you can borrow for free, which can be another way to save money in college. Besides, who would turn down free Wi-Fi and a desktop computer in those times when your tiny laptop screen just can’t handle it?
6. Find free campus and community activities (bonus points if they have free food!)
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Hey, I’m not judging here. If you see a free event on campus giving away free food (because hey, how else would you bribe college students to come?!) – TAKE THE FOOD! Every meal you get for free is a meal you don’t have to buy with your own money, so eat up my friend.
7. Limit yourself to one party a week (or even a month)
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How many times do you go out with friends during the week? Again, no judgment. But another way to save money in college is to gradually decrease that number. For example, let’s say you have dinner with your best friends five times a week. See if you can keep it up to four times a week for the next month. Then cut it down to three times a week. This doesn’t mean you can’t hang out with friends or have fun. Free or inexpensive classes can be just as fun. The key is to “trick” yourself into spending less money on travel. (Just like I tried to “trick” my cat into using a human toilet… However, that didn’t work.)
8. Use public transportation or walk instead of paying for parking or gas.
On-campus parking can cost you several hundred dollars per semester. (I remember vying for premium parking every semester like I was trying to win tickets to a Taylor Swift concert.) – try. You will save money on parking and gasoline. Plus, all those endorphins from exercise will make you feel great.
9. Invest in a quality backpack and laptop case to avoid damage and repairs.
College campuses are huge. While you’re bustling around on the lawn, one drop is enough to crack your phone screen or damage your laptop. And let’s just say these bad guys are not cheap. So, protect your sacred electronics by getting a backpack with a laptop compartment (and maybe even a separate laptop sleeve) for extra protection. And if you live in an area where it rains a lot, get a waterproof backpack. I learned this lesson the hard way when I walked into first grade (after running around campus in the pouring rain) only to find my laptop in my backpack in a puddle of water. Wet… and dead.
10. Look for free tutoring services
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Many college campuses offer free tuition through the Center for Academic Success. If you feel like you’re struggling to keep up with the class or just want to be ahead of the curve, take advantage of these free services. And if for some reason you are in an advanced course without tutoring, create a study group with friends. This can be an easy (and cheap) way to get a good grade in class.
Summary
These 10 ways to save money in college may not immediately put a ton of money back in your pocket. But even small stacks add up. So channel your inner thrift to Frannie and use these tips and tricks to save on the day-to-day expenses of college. Featured Image: Luis Molinero/Shutterstock.com
