How To Budget Your Money Effectively | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

5 Ways To Budget Your Money Effectively

In 2019, we're saving up.

101
5 Ways To Budget Your Money Effectively
Rachel Neal

It wasn't until late high school/early college that I began to worry so much about money and saving as much as I possibly can.

I think every college student can relate to this. College is extremely expensive and us students have to budget almost everything we can.

But, us students can also fall into the trap of buying things we want instead of what we actually need, and constantly buying food even though we claim how "broke" we are.

Here are a few tips in order to save yourself some extra cash for the things that really matter:

1. If you work, split your paychecks in half

media.giphy.com

This might be common sense to people, but often times it's forgotten, and everyone spends their paycheck all at once. By splitting it up, you're able to save for your bank account while also having money to spend out with friends and on that new outfit you'd been eyeing up for the past week.

2. When going to buy something materialistic, ask yourself, "Do I actually need this?"

media.giphy.com

I do this all the time while I'm shopping. I'll see something I like, but then think, "Why do I need this sweater when I have 10 others that are similar to it?" Just make sure you're making the right choices while you're browsing stores in the mall, and it'll save you a ton of money in the long run.

3. If it isn't broken, don't fix it

media.giphy.com

I live by this. I'll let things I have run it's course until it's almost falling apart at the seams. It probably sounds crazy, but it's true. If something still works perfectly, don't rush to order a new version of it because it's completely unnecessary.

4. Don't eat out as much

media.giphy.com

I'm guilty of this. Especially as a college student. With so many food chains surrounding my campus, it's hard not to get Chick-Fil-A and Chipotle at least once a week. A good alternative to this is to bring a snack along with you to class or just simply bringing your own food to heat up. My schedule allows me to have an hour and a half between my four classes on Tuesday and Thursday, so instead of spending $5-$10 on food at the student center, I often bring chips or crackers to help get me through the day.

5. Be more sustainable

media.giphy.com

This might be hard for some, but once you get the hang out of it, it becomes extremely easy and useful. I saved so much money by bringing my reusable water bottle with me everywhere. If there's a self-serve drink station, there you go. You just saved money, Try to do this often because in the long run, you'll have saved hundreds of dollars just by bringing your own bottle. It helps the environment too!

While these are just tips on how to save, it's also important to know that you are allowed to spend your money as much and as little as you want. It's your money, not mine of course!

You're also allowed to treat yourself every once in a while. You deserve it!

These are just helpful tips on how to save money if you were looking for a little advice.

Happy saving!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

40 Perfect Gifts for 'I Have No Idea What I Want For Christmas' 🎁✨

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

117777
Christmas gifts
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2023, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Kent State University
Great Value Colleges

If you go to or went to Kent State, then more than likely you have done or will do some of these things.

1. You’ve slipped and fallen on the ice at least once.

The winters at Kent are brutal, and while the heated sidewalks and some great snow boots are always a help, there’s no chance you won’t bust it on the ice at least once in your four plus years at school.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

5 Reasons Why Finals Week Is The Worst For People Who Love Christmas

Christmas is on the brain during the month of December, not finals! How do you expect me to study?

59
santa claus with red background
Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

Christmas is literally so close. We can almost taste it. But there is just one thing standing between you and the big day: FINALS. It's not the studying, lack of sleep, last minute cram sessions or crappy food intake that is the worst... but the fact that you cannot focus because, well, CHRISTMAS. How do professors expect you to focus when Christmas is soooo soon. For all my fellow Christmas lovers out there, I feel your pain.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Library Struggles Every College Student Will Understand

Are you really a college student if you don't stay up all night studying in your pajamas?

608
sleeping in the library
Daily Fun Lists

One of the most dreaded places on campus is the library. Nothing awesome ever happens here. Usually, the only reason you're here is because you've procrastinated so long that the library is the only place you'll actually get stuff done. It gives you this feeling of sadness and impending doom. You have no idea how this is going to go or how long you'll be here, but you do know it is about to be the most excruciating experiences yet. But it has to get done, so you drag yourself to the lovely library.

Keep Reading...Show less
Illistrated image of colorful balloons and fireworks
StableDiffusion

With each new year comes new goals.

Deciding on a goal can be hard, unsure of what to change for this new year. A new goal for myself is to be happier and take care of myself more. I am a very driven person; so driven that I commit to a million and ten things.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments