This guide will give you all of the information you need to make intelligent decisions on how to get through college with the least amount of money possible.
We will take a look at some of the most popular types of financial aid available, what it is for, and how to apply for it. We will also discuss how this type of aid can help reduce your total educational expenses.
College is an investment in yourself – not just in your skills and knowledge but also in your future career. The payments that you have to pay back can be a big burden on many people’s budgets. However, there’s a lot that you can do about it!
1. Save Water and Energy
Turn off the lights and unplug electronics when you don’t use them. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
It can all add up to saving on your bills. Even if it’s 50 bucks every month, multiply it by 12 and you’ll be saving around 600 USD each year!
2. Get a Library Card
You can save money on textbooks, get research materials, and more for free with a library card. Textbooks can be really expensive. The good news is that you can save decent money on them if you opt for a library card.
3. Make Your Own Lunch
Save money by packing lunch from home instead of buying lunch out. You’ll save on both cost and calories!
Making your own lunch you can save hundreds of bucks every single month. And if you take it one step further, you can make your lunches healthier as well.
4. Use Free Software
Many programs allow you to download a free version for personal use but make sure to read the terms of agreement before downloading anything online!
5. Sell What You Don’t Need
List unused items on sites like eBay or Craigslist to make some extra cash or buy new things at discounted prices!
6. Save on Custom Papers for College Students
There are many websites that offer students online help with their papers. The thing is that they don’t charge the same prices for their assistance. That’s where you can save some bucks as well.
The next time you need pro help with your paper, try AffordablePapers – cheap essay writing services and you’ll be wowed.
7. Plan How to Use Your Resources
Students should have a plan about how to use their resources wisely. Planning is crucial if you want to achieve your goals and do not want to go into debt.
You should be thinking about how much you can spend on a weekly or monthly basis, and what will be the most effective way of spending your money so that you can have enough savings at the end of the semester.
8. Shop Around and Take Advantage of Promos
Shop around before going shopping for something specific.
There are many stores that offer discounts on certain items once in a while, and you might be able to find cheaper alternatives if you shop around first.
You should also look at promotions if you’d like to buy something online.
9. Don’t Follow the Example of Other Students
College students are notoriously bad with their finances. They spend money like it is never-ending. This can be attributed to their lack of experience in the real world, but it can also be explained by the fact that they are not earning any money.
A survey of college student spending habits shows that 67% of students spend more than $100 per month on food and drink outside of university meal plans. That adds up to around $1300 per year just in eating out!
The survey also found that 66% of respondents spend more than $100 monthly on socializing. This is twice what 40% of millennials say they spend monthly on socializing in general!
10. Avoid Using Credit Cards
When you are shopping for a laptop or other necessary school supplies, you may be tempted to use your credit card for additional purchases.
College students have a habit of forgetting that their credit card debt needs to be repaid eventually. As soon as the bill comes in, you need to start paying off the debt and it may be difficult for you because you’re already strapped for cash.
A better option is to consider using a debit card or cash instead of paying with a credit card.
There are many advantages of using these two methods when making purchases; one can avoid interest rates, build up savings accounts, and increase your level of financial responsibility among others.
11. Stick to a Budget to Save More as a College Student
As a college student, you will probably feel the pressure of having to work and save money for your future at the same time. The more money you put away now, the more you will have in the future.
Keep your personal finances in mind and figure out how much you need to save each month as well as what kind of savings account will be most beneficial to you. Consider whether or not having a savings account that earns interest is worth it or if a checking account would be better for your needs.
In order to save as much as possible, there are many things that can be done such as eating out with friends less often or buying a meal with a friend rather than going out on your own.
12. Keep Track of Your Money with an App
Try to use a personal finance app. Planning your monthly budget ahead of time will help you save more as a college student.
A personal finance app can automatically keep track of where your money is going, making it easier for you to save more. It also shows you trends in your spending habits, so you can learn to spend less and save more without having to think too much about it.
13. Make a Grocery List and Stick to It
A grocery list can save you money and time. It will save you from the temptation of buying the things that will eventually go bad in your fridge, and it will also stop you from going to a store for a gallon of milk when you only need a cup.
14. Take Advantage of Student Discounts
As a college student, you can save money on everyday purchases by taking advantage of student discounts. It is an opportunity for you to save some cash and improve your budgeting skills.
You can sign-up with your school email address to receive discounts from various companies such as Apple, Uber, and Amazon.
It is easy to take advantage of these offers because most of them are online, and all you need is a school email address to sign-up.