Saving money is hard to do. There, I said it. People might say that students don’t have much to worry about, but dealing with adult world problems, such as managing finances, is real, especially between all of the lunch dates with friends, movie nights, graduation fees, cell phone bills and car insurance.
Remember: A couple of dollars can go a long way. Here are some tips to take the edge off.
1. The cards are not in your favor.
Out of sight, out of mind. By taking a few bucks to the mall and leaving all debit and credit cards home, you’ll limit extra spending and buyer’s remorse when tuition comes back around. This will prevent you from having to apologize to your budget.
2. Silly student, you don’t need to pay.
Ever get “textually frustrated” because you can't fathom how much textbooks cost? Check out Direct Textbook — where you can find the cheapest price on new, used and rental books. E-books are also popular. The site compiles shops that students buy and rent from, so all you have to do is look for the deals. Always remember to be keen and to shop early, especially because prices rise daily.
3. Aptly put money in its place.
Money belongs in your pocket. However, that doesn’t always work out. Thankfully, the Internet supports money saving efforts with awesome apps like Mint. If you feel the urge to splurge, ShopKick is the way to go. Walk in a store, scan products and buy to rack up serious points that can be redeemed for a future gift card.
4. A picture’s worth a thousand saves.
If your phone isn’t smart enough to keep up with multiple apps, then downloading one geared toward saving isn’t the best bet. Take a picture of your receipts; not only does it save you space in your bag, but it also creates an instant image that you can draw on mentally when figuring out the numbers. It saves you the trouble of tossing out a few profane words when you can’t return that necklace you bought the other day.
5. The price is right.
Living on a college budget is hard, but eating on one is even harder. Sometimes that doesn’t help your health either. Lots of grocery and retail stores in college towns offer deals like 10 to 15 percent off the total like Harris Teeter and Banana Republic. Bring your student I.D. and driver’s license to register for a discount savings card. Name dropping colleges and universities doesn't hurt either. Don't be afraid to ask for a discount! Stores want to make money and they know that low prices means returning customers.
6. That prep game is strong.
It sounds time consuming, but it’s worth it. Prepare meals for the whole week and freeze it. What a comfort to know popping a yummy dish in the microwave takes only a few minutes.
7. All about that name.
Choose off-brand items when shopping if your locale doesn’t provide deals for college students. Many times it’s “potato, potahdo,” and lesser brands typically provide as much nutritional value as the leading ones. Be sure to look for the sodium and sugar levels.
8. Live free and try whiling.
Believe it or not, colleges provide amenities most people take for granted. Each year as a student, activity fees are paid, but people usually forget what that entails. Take advantage of all those floating deals through emails and flyers around campus. Who doesn’t want to participate in lunch and learn sessions, snack runs, museum visits and road trips?
