5 Tips To Save Money In College | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Adulting

5 Tips To Save Money In College

Because complaining about how poor you are over a five dollar cup of coffee is getting old.

118
5 Tips To Save Money In College

In This Article:

Whether you're an incoming freshmen, a fifth year, a grad student, or somewhere in between, everyone wants to have savings and no student debt. While that might not be realistic at the moment, here are some tips to help manage your money in college and set you up for success in the future.

1. Don't buy a whole bunch of products for your dorm that you won't actually use. 

Although a microwave, water boiler, Keurig, excessive decor, and printer may seem like a good idea in order to cover all your bases, they usually just get in the way and make move in and move out way more stressful than necessary. I'm already a naturally minimalistic person, so my goal was to bring what I needed in order to be comfortable but also practical. I found that my dorm had a lot more kitchen supplies than I expected, and by the end of the school year, I was hardly using the fridge in my room and could've easily used the community fridge down the hall. Overall, limiting the amount you bring to college can save you or your parents a lot of money.

2. If a meal plan is required, use it. And if not, limit cafeteria food and make your own. 

Baylor freshmen are required to choose from some of the most expensive dining hall plans, and honestly it's real frustrating because dorm food gets boring in about 0.2 seconds. But over time you'll develop some relatively healthy/ filling go to's and stick to those. Utilizing your meal plan even when you're tired of it is really important because if not, you'll find yourself spending way more money on eating out than you intended to. If you're an upperclassmen, try cooking at home/ bringing a lunch and save the dining hall for days when you're desperate.

3. Research the cost of your books across your university bookstore and several different websites.

When I buy books, I first look at the price listed on Baylor's bookstore and the options they have for renting or buying. Any time renting is an option, I go with that because it saves me the hassle of trying to sell the books later on. I also like to check websites like Chegg because they often have slightly cheaper resources than the university and generally offer rental options as well. Also, keep an eye out for friends who may have taken the same classes before and own books, I've saved quite a bit simply from borrowing nice friends' books.

4. Get a job.

Sounds simple, but the reality is often not. A lot of students start out thinking that they won't be able to balance both a job and a full load of classes, and that is true for some, depending on how rigorous your classes are. I've seen Health Science majors taking multiple labs a semester who genuinely do not have the capacity to add on a part time job, and that's fine, as long as you factor that in before you begin classes. For me, having a job actually helps me do better in school because it gives me more structure and urgency when it comes to finishing assignments. Take the first semester of your freshmen year to figure out how you work best and what you can handle. Summers are also prime time to save up money for tuition, room and board, or rent if you're an upperclassmen.

5. Count the cost.

There are gonna be some things that you want to splurge on every once in a while, I totally get it. The key is to find cheap alternatives for things you love to spend money on. That way, you get to treat yourself every once in a while, but you aren't breaking the bank. As someone who's super frugal, I've always enjoyed clothes but hated buying them. In the past year though, I've discovered thrift shopping, and it's been great for my wallet. The Salvation Army I shop at has a 50% off all clothes sale every Wednesday and it's become a biweekly date with one of my most stylish friends. Finding little ways to reward yourself while saving most of your money for college expenses will save you a lot of stress in the long run.

Overall, everybody has a different financial situation in college and will manage their money differently. Regardless of your finances going into college, all of these tips are great ways to develop a healthy relationship with money that will last past your college years and into full blown adulting.

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

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

86719
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

11755
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

12164
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments