As soon as you enter college, you’ll finally come to realize that budgeting money is actually a thing. You won’t have your parents to rely on much at all and will start having to make money on your own. This money will go towards tuition, school supplies, socializing, and other random things here and there. And plus you need to start saving up and preparing for your future. You’ll quickly realize that money is a tough matter. As a college student, you’ll most likely be on minimum wage and working less than 20 hours a week since crazy schedules can only fit so much. The myth of a “broke college student” will become a reality and you’ll wish you had been saving up your whole life for this moment. Here are 16 struggles of being a broke college student that I promise you can relate to:
1. Your adventurous side will get the best of you.
There are so many places to go and so many things to do, yet you need money for almost everything. That place your friend asked you to go to, let’s plan that for April.
2. You will bargain for books.
Comparing prices between the bookstore and Amazon becomes a second job. You’ll become a pro in no time and always come out with the best deal.
3. The cheapest folder is the best folder.
Who needs a quality folder when you can get one for 99¢? That goes for all supplies.
4. Coffee is for the weak.
Who am I kidding? You’ll continually spend money on coffee for as long as you’re in college. But you’ll always regret it when you run out of money or meal points. Priorities?
5. Your love for food only grows as you waste more money on it.
Getting food on campus is like going to heaven. It can’t be beat. But the money do get that food? Well, let’s not talk about that.
6. You’re running on empty all too often.
If you own a car, you will be running on empty for as long as you can. You’ll also limit excursions so you don’t have to pay for gas.
7. Splurging is a major regret.
That whole treat yourself movement is great and all except when it steals all your money. Yeah, I love to buy myself stuff. It totally makes me feel better for a whole 5 days. But now I want that money back.
8. Your check is the best part of your week.
Going to your mailbox and finding your paycheck is the highlight of your week. Going from 0 to 100 is by far the best feeling.
9. But also your worst.
All that money in your bank account is just more temptation to spend. Devil, stop enticing me with that new college sweater.
10. Getting paid back gives you great joy.
Getting repaid that $5 that somebody borrowed from you is like payday all over again.
11. You struggle with tuition, I struggle with tuition, we all struggle with tuition.
Everyone thinks that everyone else has it together when it comes to tuition but that is far from true. Everyone’s in the same boat when it comes to your monthly payments.
12. “I can’t go, I have no money” is actually legit.
This excuse you used in high school is actually legitimate now. You truly have no money to spend and all your friends, for once, will believe you.
13. Free food is the best food.
There's an event with free food? Oh you'll definitely see me there.
14. Is budgeting a thing?
When you’re on minimum wage and working little hours a week, your paychecks are small and make it so difficult to budget your money. That budget plan I had over the summer just went out the window.
15. Is saving a thing?
I need to save for a car, for loans, for tuition, for that camera I want, for a new phone, for my future home… But with what money?
16. You appreciate your parents so much more.
You come to realize how hard your parents work for their money and the struggles they go through to keep your family afloat. You have so much more respect for them after experiencing the struggle of money yourself.
Money is difficult. And you’re going to struggle with it for a long time. In the long run though, remember that possessions and money should not be our main focus, but rather living life to its fullest and loving those around us.
