Everyone knows of the “broke college student life” stereotype, but who knows it more than a former broke college student? No one! So here are some tips from a former broke college student on how to not be broke in college for high school seniors, and even current day broke college students!
1. Get a job - even if it's part time.
Yes, if you don’t have a job, you should definitely get one. Even if it’s just babysitting for your cousins every weekend. A job is the only way to make money, which you obviously need to not be a broke college student.
2. Build your credit, even in college.
If you don’t have a credit card, get one. Apply online for student credit cards, which are designed for young people to build their credit. My personal favorite is the Capital One Journey Card, because it offers a small percentage of cash back, and most student cards don’t have a cash back feature!
3. Never spend more than you can afford.
Build your credit, but never spend more than you can afford even on credit, and never default on payments. Bad credit effects your entire life, like getting a house, apartment, a new car, and even employment in some cases. This includes defaulting on student loan payments, so choose a payment plan with your provider that is right for you. You can always pay back more than the minimum payment, but never ever pay less than that minimum. Easier said than done.
4. Combine your credit.
Manage only one credit card. If you have multiple credit cards, choose your number one card, pay off all of the others and cancel them so you can manage only one card. This makes it easier to spend less and track payments, and even easier to make sure all expenses coming out of your balance are made by you!
5. Build a savings account.
Challenge yourself to save 80 to 90 percent of all of your paychecks. Something I like to do is “beat” my “highest amount ever” in savings (ex. If $5,000 was the most I have ever had, I want to get to $5,100, and so on). It’s a fun way to challenge yourself to save and saving definitely makes your future brighter.
6. Have online banking and apps.
Check your bank statements regularly, always check that money is not coming out for things you haven’t paid for – identity theft is huge! Never overdraw your checking account – it looks incredibly bad and usually comes with fees. I will usually keep a decent amount in my checking account, but if that runs out before 20 to 10 percent of my paycheck direct deposits into my checking it sucks! Have the willpower to not transfer money from your savings into your checking unless its an emergency! And no, shoes or that hot new game is not an emergency.
7. Asses your spending!
Don’t buy things you don’t need! This is obvious, but so hard. Cut back on going out for food and how much are those cigarettes really costing you (other than your health)? If you spend $10 on lunch twice a week, that’s $20 a week, and $80 a month! Multiply that by 52 weeks in a year and that’s $1,040 that you wasted on going out for lunch! An average pack of cigarettes is $5.51 and if you smoke a pack every other day that’s $22.04 a week, and $1,146.08 a year! The little things add up and fast!
8. Save your change!
Save all your change in a jar and once that jar is full either roll your coins, or use a CoinStar machine! I wait tables, and so I collect a lot of change. I filled a medium-sized mason jar with all of it and ended up with $64 extra, that would have just sat the bottom of my purse, or all over the house! That filled up my gas tank almost three times! Like I said, the little things add up – including change!
9. BUDGET! BUDGET! BUDGET!
So obvious, yet so hard. Make a realistic budget and stick to it! You’re not going to only spend $150 on groceries and toiletries a month if you’re living in an apartment or don’t have a meal plan. Plan accordingly, and make sure you budget for buying books and some for entertainment as well. Continue your budget even after you graduate, make sure you can still feed yourself after paying your mortgage!
10. Don't move out if you don't have to.
Yeah living with your parents when you’re in your college years can be a drag, but don’t move out if you don’t have to! Try to make an arrangement with your parents of helping pay for a few things if they allow you to cut back on your own expenses so you can save money and not have to move back in when you’re graduated! I promise living at home while in college is better than when you’re in your late 20s early 30s!
11. Don't forget to "treat yo'self."
Use your money to benefit yourself – use money to make money. Take new classes, become certified in a trade that interests you, go to a gym! All of these things you’re using your money for either make you more money, or make your life healthier and less stressful. Take the risk, but don’t be that person who blows their whole paycheck on a trend rather than bills.
I know saving money can be hard, but keep all of these tips in mind. Also remember that saving money now, means for a better and less stressful future.
