It’s (almost) summertime, but for college students, the livin’ is not necessarily easy. Many collegiettes juggle unpaid summer internships with babysitting or a part-time job, not to mention socializing with high school pals, college friends and family.
While your college town may have cut college kids a break on some prices, that’s unlikely not the case at home — especially if your spending the summer interning in a big city. So the collegeittes at Her Campus are sharing their best money saving tips so that you can get back to school with a little dough in your pocket!
If at all possible, set up any summer paychecks you receive to go directly to your bank account. It’s a lot easier to save when a check isn’t sitting in your purse or wallet to tempt you!
– Sydney Nolan, Contributing Writer, Macalester College
Over the summer, I save money by substituting any and all expensive dinners out for potluck picnics. Who doesn’t love potlucks? Who doesn’t love picnics?! It’s not a tough switch to make.
– Kristen Pye, Contributing Writer, McGill University
Two words: Couch Surfing. Go places. Meet people. Experience hospitality in a new place.
– Jake Duhaime, HC Publicity, Emerson College alum
I split each paycheck three ways —”right now” money, savings account and travel fund!
– Rachel Crocetti, Campus Correspondent, Hofstra University
Summer usually means no classes, so take your newfound spare time and use it to thrift for outfits! Everything from jeans that can be made into studded high-waisted cutoffs to vintage designer finds can be purchased at a fraction of the price.
– Kenyatta Giddings, Campus Correspondent, University of Texas at Austin
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Over the summer I save my money by depositing every paycheck I earn and living off my tips only. If I don’t have enough tips to buy something, then I wait until I do. This forces me to save and choose my purchases wisely. At the end of the summer it feels great to look at my bank account and see how all the hard work paid off.
– Olivia Fournier, Campus Correspondent, University of Maine
Go live at home! Parents are much more generous when you’re around to remind them how wonderful you are.
Buy fresh & local! Find a farmer’s market or just look for local produce in the supermarket. Many times farm-fresh produce can be cheaper than your standard, especially when it doesn’t have to travel far. When you prepare your food, make it all at once and freeze or refrigerate in order to prevent spoilage (i.e. to get your money’s worth).
Spend time outside! In the summer months it’s so easy to pack a picnic or some outdoor games and go have a blast with friends or family, without spending a penny. You can also save on a gym membership by exercising outside, or joining a peer-led training mob.
– Lydia Mullen, Campus Correspondent, McGill University
Since my friends and I all have a little extra time, we have dinner parties at my house. We cook with only what we can find in the fridge, get dressed up, and maybe even have a little picnic in the backyard. Its hours of cheap entertainment that’s fun and easy to do.
– Nicole Gartside, Contributing Writer, New York University
My friends and I like to get together at each other’s houses a lot instead of going out and doing things that cost us. If we do take a trip to the beach or the mall, we’ll save gas money by taking turns carpooling!
– Alexa Johnson, Campus Correspondent, James Madison University
Eat out less (we’re home so we can enjoy normal meals!), go to the mall less often, think about purchases thoroughly before buying them, meet up with friends at places that don’t require spending money, carpool to avoid spending money on gas, and buy a coffee machine instead of spending money at Starbucks every day.
– Hannah Chang, Campus Correspondent, University of Maryland
This will be my first year of making enough money to actually save some! Most years I’ve just made it through to the next summer and then work to get more money. I’m going to create a budget per month for the next year. I’m also trying to start saving for the future, whether it’s traveling money, wedding money, or apartment money. I think I’ll feel more accomplished if I save money and keep within a budget rather than spending my money whenever I want and ending up completely broke within a year and having to start saving all over again!
– Elizabeth Schmitt, Campus Correspondent, Mount Holyoke College