College will be expensive no matter what you do, but trying to save money can help. So, before you call me crazy, check your purchases. Do you see any places you can save? I bet you can. Let's get started by using these helpful tips.
1. Unnecessary Spending
If you eat out everyday, cut back and eat at home. Use what you already have in your pantry and cabinets. You can cook a big meal and freeze it in smaller portions to eat later. My mom does that with soup and pork roast.
Also, unnecessary spending includes buying things you want rather than things you need. You don't need three different tubes of mascara or a case of hair gel. Going to the bar every weekend is also unnecessary.
2. Price Check
When making your grocery list, check the prices of those items in your local area. It may be cheaper to buy some items from the Dollar General instead of Walmart. It takes a long time to do it manually, so download the app called Flipp. It does the searching for the best price for you. I just started using it, and it's helping me so much.
It would be a really good idea to see what items are at your local Dollar Tree. I got off-brand glass cleaner for a dollar compared to over a dollar for the off-brand glass cleaner at Dollar General.
3. Coupons
Look for coupons in magazines, newspapers, and websites. Coupons.com has coupons for all categories and also coupons for specific stores and companies, like Kohl's, Walmart, Albertson's, and HP. You can clip them on your phone, connect your printer to your phone, and print the coupons you need. I use this website all the time. If you ever find a coupon for water or milk, get it. Those don't come around very often.
4. Sales
Look for sales on groceries and other items, like clothes. Some grocery stores do sales on food, like a buy one, get one free. Your local newspaper will have the items on sale at your local stores. This can be very handy when grocery shopping, so use it. If you need clothes, buy them on sale. It saves you money, and you still leave with cute clothes. You can do the same thing with makeup too. Some makeup stores, like Ulta, have sales.
5. Rewards Shopping
Some retailers, like Walgreen's, have rewards points if you have a card with them. There are apps that go with them. You will get rewards points from purchasing items there. After so many reward points, they have money value. For example, after 5,000 points at Walgreen's, you get five dollars off your next purchase. To use your card, the cashier can scan it, or you can give the cashier your phone number. Most stores that do these kinds of cards have some items more expensive than other stores, but not all. Remember, apps for stores like these can tell you what coupons are available and can tell you what's on sale.
I use coupons when I shop because I know money doesn't grow on trees and I have bills to pay. Take the information above and use it to your advantage. One time I got two bottles of Garnier Fructis shampoo for $2.50. Imagine the deals you could get.
