Want to know what’s going through the HC team’s head? Check in here every other week to see what the HC Team has to say about college tips, trends, news, etc.
This week we’re sharing our money saving suggestions! The HC team spills on how they can afford things in college on a tight budget!
So…tell us…what’s your financial tip?
I work part-time on campus and I have something huge to save for so I take half of every paycheck and put it immediately into savings! That way I still have money in my checking account and the other half is already put away without worries of blowing all the money I just got paid.
– Rachel Petersen, Campus Correspondent, James Madison University
I really don’t drink anything besides coffee and water and I always carry a water bottle or thermos around so I’m not tempted to head to the vending machine or Starbucks when I get thirsty or need my caffeine.
– Ashley Henninger, Design Associate, University of Missouri
I’m obsessive about flipping through coupon books that get handed out every semester to look for deals. I also don’t drive, which is the biggest money-saver for me. I usually split the cost of essentials with my roommates: toilet paper, soap, milk and bread, etc. Otherwise I shop really cheaply and only eat out occasionally at inexpensive places. Becoming a great bargain shopper is essential in college, especially if you like to shop!
- Meagan Templeton-Lynch, Contributing Writer, Colorado State Univesity
To save money, I share clothes with my roommate and watch clothing items that I lust online like crazy to see if they go on sale! I haven’t bought a full-priced item in the 3 years that I’ve been in college!
- Rebekah Meiser, Contributing Writer, Ohio University
[pagebreak]
Budget and keep track of every single purchase. I use an app called “Balance” on my iPhone to keep track of my account.
– Henry Zhan, New Technology Consultant, UT Austin
I eat all my food at the dining hall! I resist ordering food late at night and don’t buy many snacks! That way, I use all the money that was used for my meal plan without wasting my money on food from other places!
– Olivia Prentzel, Campus Correspondent, Rutgers University
My girlfriends and I will drink water with meals instead of soda because it is free in the caf! If we need soda, we’ll buy it in bulk at the grocery store.
- Leigh Maneri, Campus Correspondent, Quinnipiac University
Whenever I buy something online I always Google “Coupon + X”, X being the site I’m buying something from. It doesn’t always work, but when it does I feel so resourceful! I also scour campus for free meals — I’ve gone to some weird lectures/clubs/events because a free dinner was provided. Leftovers are key. Student tickets at the campus ticket center instead of paying full price. This is specific to NYC, but you can get a free subway transfer when you go from the bus to the subway or vice-versa within 2 hours, so I’ll always try to keep my errands short and take the bus one way and the subway another. In general I’m very cheap and have perfected lots of ways to save money; I think at this point I’m actually picking up a minor in frugality.
- Rachel Peck, Contributing Writer, Barnard College
This is a very small thing, but it can help with online shopping: don’t allow any of your favorite websites to keep your credit card/billing info stored; this makes you have to pause and get your credit card and type it in before ordering something, instead of just being able to spend and buy with one little click! I know that one-click shopping is a very bad and dangerous habit of mine…
- Abigail Howard, Contributing Writer, Duke University
[pagebreak]
When my friends and I all want to get dinner together, instead of going out to eat, we each throw in a few dollars and make a home-cooked meal at someone’s apartment. It’s much cheaper than going out to a restaurant to eat, and it brings everyone closer together. Making the food together is just as fun as eating together!
-Caitlin Farrell, Digital Media Associate, University of Maryland
Do odd jobs for your university. My school often has tours and sometimes they need extra tour guides. It’s extra $$$ for only a small amount of your time.
- Brittany Brown, Design Associate, Maryland Institute College of Art
I try to just use cash because using my credit card when out causes me to not be aware of how much I am spending!
– Jill Heindel, Branch Manager, James Madison University
I’ve changed my mindset on shopping quite a bit. Retail stores will put their newest (and most expensive) items out front in the best light, and they’ll style it on mannequins to look very appealing. I might check it out, just to see what the new stuff looks like, but then I’ll do the bulk of my shopping in the sale section. If I still love that item out front, I’ll just tell myself that that same item will also end up in the sale section in a month or so.
- Melanie Yates, Digital Media Associate, Hofstra University