Money has always been a problem for students, and the current state of the economy has made it even worse. With these 10 tips, you can have a great time in college while saving money.
1. If you live near universities and cities with shopping and entertainment, you can save money because you don’t have to take the bus or taxi every day to go to school, shop or go out. bus, train or tram, you may get a special ticket. Why not study?
2. You will save a lot of money if you buy used books instead of new ones. Some books are only available for a short time, so worthless. Remember, you can often find the books you need on online auction sites or local classifieds, as well as local and university bookstores.
3. A night out costs money, but staying with a friend is a lot cheaper and just as fun. Why not take turns bringing food or fun things to do, like music or video games?
4. Don’t feel like you have to buy the latest clothes, CDs, video games, etc. No one will really be impressed, don’t you think there is a better way to spend your money?
5. If you learn how to cook before college, you don’t have to depend on expensive takeout meals. Instead, you can buy ingredients and cook for yourself. Even if you only cook simple meals, you will save money and learn a very useful skill. People will expect you to cook for them, and it works for you.
6. Don’t forget to take advantage of student discounts and offers. You may have to switch supermarkets or go to another bar, clothing store or bookstore, but you will save money.
7. Keep in mind that your money should last longer than the first month, so learn how to budget. You may want to determine your budget before you start so that you know how much you are going to spend on a daily or weekly basis.
8. If you can get by without a car, don’t drive. Taxes, gas, insurance, and maintenance are all major costs for students. You will also be asked to arrange rides for people if they buy too much, help them move things and drive them home from the supermarket. However, if you need a lift, you can find someone who has a car and is willing to help you.
9. You can save even more money if you take your bike out of the garage and ride it instead of driving, taking a bus or calling a taxi. As long as it’s roadworthy and has lights, you don’t need anything else. Still, you should wear a helmet, and if you plan on riding a lot, you may want to buy cycling-specific clothing to make your trip more comfortable and faster.
10. Save as much as you can before college, or try to find a job after college. Having more money means you don’t have to worry as much about spending it and you’re less likely to run out of money in the medium term. Why not see if you can also work on holiday?
