College is the part in your life where you start to come out from under your parents giving you all the money you need to support yourself. I was lucky enough for my parents to give me a budgeted amount of money for food and other things. Of course, sometimes I spent it all on clothes or something other than what I was supposed to. Regardless of your college money situation, here are a few ways everyone can save money in college.
1. If you're a girl, you can paint your own nails instead of getting them done.
Of course a manicure every now and then is okay, but instead of paying to get your nails done each time, buy some nail polish and paint them yourself. Invite some friends over, and have a girls night that includes painting nails.
2. Eat on campus instead of eating out all the time.
Eating meals on campus all the time can get annoying when it's the same stuff every other week. However, a meal plan is often included in what you're already paying for college. Eat out sometimes, but not all the time. Plus, on campus eating is buffet style... so you can eat whatever you want.
3. Buy used textbooks.
It is worth the extra time to check Amazon and Chegg for cheaper prices than your college bookstore. Textbooks are already expensive enough, so try and save come cash.
4. Don't go grocery shopping when you're hungry.
If you're hungry, you'll want everything.
5. Use the fact that you are a college student to get a discount.
Did you know that many stores will give you something like 10% off just for showing them your student id!? Check it out!
6. Make your own coffee.
Ask for a Keurig for Christmas or your Birthday. Then make your own coffee. Unless, of course, you go to Creighton which conveniently has a Starbucks which can conveniently be paid for with dining dollars already included in your meal plan.
7. Do laundry at home if you can.
If you live near home, it's worth the drive because laundry is just another additional college expense. If not, try and do laundry just when you absolutely need to, or become friends with someone who lives near home and do laundry with them.
8. Be creative with your dorm or apartment decor.
Pinterest and other websites have so many ideas to make your dorm look cool for cheap. You really don't need name brand everything apartment / dorm decor. You can even make some decorations on your own, too.
9. Sign up for those customer loyalty cards (and punch cards) at places you frequently shop at.
Panera and other businesses will give away free rewards after so many purchases. If you're purchasing stuff, you might as well carry around that little card that gets you free stuff along with it!
10. Pick up the free coupon books that you can find at your campus bookstore.
Yes, most of them you will never use. But, some of them are super great. Find the little booklet and look through it, you will at least find some things to use. Maybe a pet store will give you a discount on a beta fish, or maybe you will get 50% off some fro yo... I did.
11. Sell everything you don't use.
For example, Plato's Closet will give you some cash for clothes you never wear. Maybe you have an old iPod you don't use anymore because of your new iPhone... sell it. Be smart, use your thinker, and save and gain all the money you can!
