How To Save Money In College

Listen, you guys. You should know how to save money in college to cashflow your education while still earning money. You all know the song "Young Dumb & Broke". Although it's a great song, it's not the best way to live your life while in school.

The "young" part of it is okay. The "young" part is fine. Do you feel the same?

You'll be more prepared for college if you have more money saved and you won't worry about how you will get into the real world after you receive your diploma. You won't have to worry about those ridiculous student loan payments.

Guess what? It doesn't mean you have to eat ramen every night to save money or get rid of debt. There are many ways to save money. Let's discuss how to cut down on your largest college expenses.

How to save money on housing

You must first take care of these four walls. There is no argument that you need somewhere to call home.

Housing can be anything for college students, from a tiny apartment you share with your roommates to a luxurious dorm that has a hot tub and views of the city. This budget-friendly housing policy should be maintained, folks.

If you are able, live at home.

Okay, y'all. I get it. It's likely that you are ready to leave the house and enjoy your freedom. Living at home may be the last thing that you want to do. This is not an option for everyone.

Consider the savings you'll make by not spending thousands on rent, utilities bills, or food. Homemade food is far better than store bought food. It will all be worth it.

Compare the cost of living on campus versus off campus

It is not always cheaper to rent an apartment than to live on campus. Campus housing is also not always cheaper than renting.

To find the most affordable option, you just need to check out all options at your school and nearby colleges. Remember to include transportation and utilities costs.

Find a roommate.

If you rent an apartment, a roommate or two or three will help cut down on your monthly expenses. To ensure that you are not left financially hanging if one of your roommates has to leave, make sure your landlord approves each roommate.

Consider how much space actually needs.

While you might desire a large kitchen or a bathroom with a separate entrance, be open about your needs and consider whether you can afford more space while trying to save money.

For now, you might be able to live in a smaller area. Once your emergency fund is fully funded and your finances are stable, you can upgrade to a larger space.

Be creative when it comes to your bills.

It's a good idea to unplug electronics when not in use.

How to save money on food

Food is another essential. But you can survive without avocado toast every day. You just have to be wise about your food choices!

With roommates, split the cost of food.

You guys can save a ton if you go in on groceries - especially if you buy in bulk. To bond with your roommates, you could grocery shop together and cook together.

Take care when dining out.

While it's okay to go out with friends once in a while, it can really add up if you are constantly ordering waffles at 2 AM on impulse.

Your body will start to hate you. You will need to budget how much you can afford to eat out each month, including bougie lattes. Once you have spent that amount, you'll just need to be more responsible until the next month.

Make smart choices about your meal plans.

Costs for meal plans can vary according to your school. The cheapest ones are usually around $1,000 per semester while others can cost three times as much or more. You might be required to purchase a meal plan by some colleges for your freshman year.

However, you don't have to have one. Meal prepping and cooking from scratch can be your best friends. (Grocery shopping tip: Generic brands are almost as good as the name brand, but cost a lot less.

Coupons are a great way to save money.

Coupons are not something to be ashamed of. You are in college. Every quarter is important. You don't know how else to get vending machine snacks between classes. Low Earnings

How to save money on tuition and supplies

This is the most daunting category for college students. But don't stress, y'all-I got you.

Purchase used books.

It is amazing how much you can save by purchasing textbooks online or from a used bookstore rather than the campus bookstore.

Although you won't be able to find all the required reading at these cheaper locations, you can usually rent from them. Renting is the best option. You won't have to go back and re-read your physics textbook after the semester is finished.

First, enroll in classes at a community college.

Because of the huge price difference, you can save significant tuition costs by completing your General Education requirements at a community college first before moving on to your school of choice.

Seriously, a year's tuition at a private school costs more than nine times as much as a year at a community college.

Consider attending an in-state school.

The average tuition for a public school in-state is $10,230 per annum, while the average tuition for a private school out-of-state is $26,290 per annum. That's more than $16,000 a year! The tuition at an out-of state, private college is even higher.

Apply for scholarships

It's kind of a no-brainer: If you find scholarships, you won't have to worry about tuition costs (and some scholarships even cover your books, food and housing! You can.

How To Save Money On Transportation

This is especially important if you know that you will be walking and living on campus. It's a fact that you will need to travel to other places at some point. So it's wise to plan ahead.

Rent a bicycle.

Gasoline is not something that anyone likes to spend money on. You don't need to when you have bikes. That's enough.

Carpool.

Did I mention that no one likes to spend money on gasoline? While I don't think college friends should be made just to split the fuel cost, it is one of the benefits of friendship.

Public transportation is a good option.

You could use the subway, bus or ride-share services. The American Public Transportation Association estimates that a household can save nearly $10,000 by using public transport and not having to drive as often.

How To Save Money On Entertainment

It is a great way to save money on entertainment: Never do anything that's fun. Never. Let's face the truth: Between classes and tests you'll have to relax, so it's possible to do it without spending a lot.

Cancel the cable.

Let's face it, cable TV is a complete waste of money and time. There are plenty of cheaper options that let you pick what you want to watch on demand so you're not flipping through the channels for hours and paying for junk you don't watch. Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are all great, but you only need one streaming site at a given time.

You could also try not watching television if you feel brave.

Cancel your gym membership if you don't want it anymore

While I love getting ripped, saving money should be a top priority. Your school may have a student gym, which is usually included in tuition.

There are many ways to exercise outside of the gym, such as running, intramural sport, throwing a frisbee, and walking back-and-forth in front of your crush's dorm to see if they notice.

Visit the library.

Yes, those are still available. You can always read all the books and watch all the movies at the library if you are bored.

You can end your relationship with your partner.

Just kidding. It's not true. But, the amount you spend on a date can quickly get out of control, especially if your goal is to impress them.

You can have a fun and affordable date by volunteering, visiting a nearby town, hiking, attending a free concert or looking at the stars. You can find it here.

Make strong friendships.

I mean it. Building relationships in college is more about the time you put in than how much money you spend. You'll always remember the time spent with friends, no matter how small, whether it's going thrift shopping or getting together for a game.

Bonus Money-Saving Tips

You guys are my favorite and I want you to be successful. I'm going to give you some extra tips, and you don't even need to pay me.

Sell your stuff.

Craigslist is your best friend if you need cash. You can also use eBay, Facebook Marketplace or Instagram to post photos of your stuff. Whatever gets you the stuff that you don't want out of your home and the money in your pocket.

You can have a side job or part-time job.

You should not underestimate the impact that a few dog-walking or babysitting jobs per week can have upon your savings. Part-time work (no more that 15-20 hours per week) can provide a steady income.

All the discounts and coupons available to students are listed here.

We're talking Groupon. We're talking Yelp. You're referring to all the local restaurants, museums, and movie theatres that offer discounts for college students. Don't hesitate to show your student ID at any place you visit and ask for discounts!

Avoid debt as much as possible

You can save money and create a solid foundation for the future by not having any debt of any type. There are no student loans, credit cards or anything. It will only make you feel worse and prevent you from achieving your financial goals.