If you’re like me, living on a college budget is tough. As if college isn’t already expensive enough, books, extracurricular activities, and a social life aren’t included in the price of tuition. Like clock work, the weekend rolls around and there are so many fun things going on, most of which cost money. In addition to the weekly temptations of food and going out, there are also monthly expenses, like rent and credit card payments. If I don’t want to spend my money on fun things, I definitely don’t want to spend my money on required expenses. So, if you’re living on a tight, college budget, here are some small changes to make that will help you save some money.
1. Look into a part-time job. This might seem obvious, but sometimes students don’t get a job because they don’t think they’ll have time. There are many jobs on campus that have very flexible hours that work around your school schedule. Check with your university for a job-listing page or use the career center to help you find a job. You’re tuition is going towards those resources, so you might as well use them. If you’re like me and you already have a job, or two, pick up more hours at the beginning of the semester when you’re less busy.
2. Set aside a certain amount of money each month. Make yourself put away something even as small as 20 dollars a month and you’ll be surprised how quickly it adds up. Also, save your change in a jar instead of in your wallet and once the jar is full, take it to a coin star and cash out. Most people don’t like to carry change anyway, so this is a way to alleviate having it in your wallet.
3. Cook at home. Buying groceries is exponentially cheaper than eating out. Realistically, you’ll spend an average of anywhere from 5 to 10 dollars on a meal. If you eat out every meal, you could spend 15 to 30 dollars a day, which is 105 to 210 dollars a week. When you look at it that way, making meals at home seems like a great option. Limit yourself to one meal out a week, or if you’re really trying to save, only eat out for special occasions.
4. Find cheap or better yet, free things to do for fun. Chances are, there are a lot of fun things to do in your area that are free. Bring a picnic to the park or try out a new walking trail near your house. Most universities also offer movies and other activities on campus that are free for students. Also, take advantage of your student ID. Most restaurants and stores offer some sort of discount for students, but they don’t advertise it, so ask everywhere you go and you’ll probably get lucky.
5. Find alternate transportation or carpool. Do yourself and the environment a favor. If the city bus comes near your home, take that to school. If not, find a friend who has a class schedule similar to yours and alternate who drives to campus. If you and your roommates need to run errands, find a time that works for everyone and make a group trip. That will make shopping more fun and you’ll save money.
Overall, the best way to save money is to stay aware of your spending habits. Keep track of how much you know you have to spend every month and then give yourself an allowance for the extra spending. It’s hard to be in college on a budget, but it is possible. Just be mindful of your spending and you will be an overall happier, healthier, and richer college student.