Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
placeholder article
placeholder article

Save Money This Semester!

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Towson chapter.

You’re a busy young woman juggling college, friends, possibly work and just life in general. Here are some simple ways to save some money that are easy and won’t waste your precious time!

This post is going to include a bunch of really silly pictures of me…enjoy!

 

Drink water when eating out

Restaurants hike up the price of drinks like soda or ice tea. Instead, get water. If plain water is too bland for you, ask for lemon slices. You can even add sugar to make lemonade. If you’re not at a formal restaurant, like Chipotle, you can always ask for a cup for water. If you go out and get a soda at least a couple times a week, swap it for water and you can save a lot of money. Buying soda three times a week at an average of $2.00 a drink for 7 weeks= $42 in time for SPRING BREAK!

Use your change
 


Making it RAIN!

It’s temping to pull out paper bills instead of counting out coins, but using your change will help you keep a few dollar bills in your wallet, and you won’t have a bunch of coins that you will have to run through a coin machine later, which will take a percentage of your money.

It’s temping to pull out paper bills instead of counting out coins, but using your change will help you keep a few dollar bills in your wallet, and you won’t have a bunch of coins that you will have to run through a coin machine later, which will take a percentage of your money.

Activate your account from AmazonPrime student for FREE 2 day shipping for 6 months

You will receive your purchase within two days for free. I have used this service so many times and it always comes in handy. Next time you need something like a new cell phone charger or a gift for someone, search on Amazon. They have pretty much everything and you can get it shipped fast for free. Buying things you need online lets you really look around for exactly what you need for the best price, and can easily save you money. Go tohttp://www.amazon.com/gp/student/signup/info?tag=dealswoot-20&prv=forums&cur=forums&ses=. After six months just choose to end the service if you do not want your credit card charged.

Buy a water filter or reusable water bottle with a filter instead of buying water bottle 
 



AGUA

This is also much better for the environment. Just use tap water from your dorm or wherever, it will purify it. This brita one from amazon is only about $10.00, and you can get it shipped for free and get it in only a couple of days with a student amazonprime account!

Organize your dorm, backpack, car, etc.

Plastic containers similar to this one can be found at dollar stores, and can store things like jewelry or makeup
 

When you are organized and know where things are you won’t lose or misplace things as often and will not have to replace them. I like using inexpensive containers and plastic drawers from places like five below and the dollar store to store items that are alike. For example, in my dorm, my roommate and I keep our soaps, some lotion, and body sprays in a cute basket she bought. We always know where to find what we need. Organizing can be VERY cheap. I love going to craft stores like Michael’s to get cheap organizers, and they almost always have coupons online or in the Sunday paper. You can also decorate plain boxes/containers and get creative!

Be careful when buying things with a credit card
 


If you use a credit card or card(s), when you are purchasing something always think of how much you are spending would be as a stack of cash in your hand. People often don’t associate their credit card purchases like this. Even if you don’t make huge purchases, charging your credit card for small amounts often can definitely add up fast. Don’t use your credit card if you don’t have to. Also, be careful of buying anything online, and only buy from sites that you know for sure are legitimate.

 


Before buying anything, simply ask yourself if it is a NEED or WANT

I want this!


Also ask yourself why you want to buy it and how often you will use it. Sometimes wants may seem like needs, but they’re not, and you could be wasting your money. For example, I was in the University Union a while ago and saw a package of pretty colored sharpies for about $10.00. Then I thought about if I WANTED them or NEEDED them. They would have been a need, but I already have a nice package of sharpies, so I left without them, and my $10.00.

Don’t be an impulse shopper

If you see something you thing you really like, leave it for a week and if it’s still on your mind in a week you can consider buying it!

Remember not to beat yourself up when you absolutely have to spend money on something. This is one reason why you save money in the first place!

 

Alexandra (Ali) Pannoni is a senior at Towson University majoring in journalism with a minor in theatre. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of Her Campus Towson. As the Campus Celebrity columnist for Her Campus Towson, Ali has interviewed Country Music Superstar Chuck Wicks and Major League Baseball Player Casper Wells. In Spring 2012 she was an editorial intern with Baltimore magazine. Currently she is an intern for the nationally syndicated radio morning show, The Kane Show, heard locally on HOT 99.5 in Washington D.C. and Z104.3 in Baltimore.  You can view some of her published work for Baltimore magazine on her website. She loves reading magazines, (attempting) to run, and hanging out with friends and family.