Paying for college is more than just tuition and housing. Living on campus means having expenses such as school supplies and groceries, and it's easy to fall into the traps of eating out every night, Uber rides, and other costs that vary from school to school. Therefore, knowing how to budget and save is a necessary skill.
Here are six ways for college students to keep the money in their bank accounts from dipping below zero.
1) Take advantage of student discounts.
Lots of stores and websites have discounts for college students. Amazon offers 6 months of free prime and halves the price after, Spotify offers premium for $5 a month with Hulu included, and dozens of clothing stores such as Forever 21 and Banana Republic give a percentage off if you show a student ID!
2) Don't buy textbooks from your school's bookstore.
Your college will definitely push its bookstore, but textbooks there are expensive and sometimes even unnecessary. Many professors make textbooks optional, so wait until after your first class to see which ones are required. If you have to buy them, check out websites such as Chegg or Slug Books for cheaper options.
3) Utilize local grocery stores.
Here you can get the classics such as ramen noodles and Easy Mac, and even get creative. A bag of potatoes and butter will cost about $7 and can get you about 10 meals.
4) Only buy the essentials before move in.
You may think you need ten throw pillows or fifteen storage bins, but chances are, you don't. Wait until you can take a look at the space. Remember, you are allowed to buy things after you move in!
5) Get a coffee maker.
GiphyThose $4 daily iced coffees will add up fast. Making coffee in your dorm before class will save you money and time.
6) Get a job.
This one seems obvious, but many students don't think it's possible for them due to their schedule. However, there's a way for every person to make money, whether it be through a traditional part time job, opening an etsy store, walking dogs, or tutoring a few hours a week. Even if you only make $20 a week, some income is better than no income!
