A college student’s life can be extremely costly if not managed correctly. Between tuition, housing, partying (sometimes necessary, yes?) and other living expenses, it may seem like you have just gotten in way over your head financially. As a student, getting a good start with wise budgeting is crucial. It is a model of financial success or failure that will carry over for the rest of your life. Learn to live within and below your means. You won’t regret it. It’s hard to find a balance, but finding that balance is essential to economic survival. There are grants and scholarships available, but most of us can’t bank on the hope that things will just work out by someone handing us the money we want and need. It is up to each individual to make that happen themselves by making smart financial decisions, and by making them early. There are many areas you can cut back in. These include, but are definitely not limited to food, clothing and school supplies. These are necessary expenses, but unnecessary splurges in these areas can really hurt your wallet. Instead, look for discounted printing, grocery member rewards cards, thrift store clothing, buying snacks and quick foods from the supermarket with coupons etc. Consider the following tips and tricks to saving money in college.
Food
Food is an obvious, consistent necessity no matter what stage of life you may find yourself in. It is something money must regularly be spent on. Saving a little bit every time you shop will make a big difference in the long run. As such, grocery store cards, member savings cards not store credit cards and coupons are a wise investment. Also, eat foods in their seasons. Foods that are in season are much cheaper than out of season imported foods. Remember that school activities, clubs and other events often have free food. Follow the free food! If it’s offered, take it. Meal plans may be the cheapest way to go depending on what university you attend. Coupons go a long way in saving money, especially when buying your favorite snack foods. Chips and dips,pretzels, Twinkies etc. IMPORTANT! Don’t Shop Hungry! Doing so will tempt you to buy more than what you actually need or will actually eat. If you need further motivation to be a little thriftier in your food eating endeavors, try this project, take note of what you throw away in a week. You will be amazed by how much your garbage ends up costing you.
Clothing
Clothing is also a necessary expense. There are endless clothing options. Just because you can, or you want to, doesn’t mean you need to have designer clothes. Grit your teeth and give it up. It’s your education, or your diamond-studded closet. You make the choice. If you decide that your education is the more important of the two, it doesn’t mean that you have to give up great style. Buying clothes at a thrift shop is not only a great way to recycle, but also a great way to save money and ensure that you are the only person with your same style. Thrift stores have many one-of-a-kind gems. Finding them may be a little more time consuming, but finding that one fantastic outfit will give you a great sense of accomplishment.
Supplies
When shopping for school supplies, look for specials like discounted printing and used textbook stores. Shop around. Ask other, more experienced students that have some experience in bargain hunting. Use their knowledge to your advantage. Many companies make money by overpricing student supplies, look for the ones that don’t. Search the web for free exchange sites and make requests for what you need and offer things that you may have that someone else might need. Most College students have access to a computer or a smartphone which makes applying the above tips easy to accomplish. The goal is to save money and hopefully this article will hep you do that.