Everyone wants to sink their feet into soothing hot sand, have the sun beaming on their skin, and inhale that smell of salty ocean water. The summer is finally here, but there is more to think about than bikinis, barbeques and pool parties. Unfortunately, as students we have to find a balance between having a good time and getting some money at the same time if we intend on surviving the next year of school. Here are a few tips on how to have a good time but also save a little money on the side for the upcoming school year.
1.) QUIT FREELOADING!
First of all, there’s no way you can save money if you don’t have a job to get money in the first place. So get off your parent’s couch and start applying for jobs that are nearby in the area. Unfortunately, gas prices could possibly raise to $5.00 in the summer, so try to find a job relatively close that doesn’t require a lot of gas to get there.
2.) Sacrifice
Once you get the pay stubs rolling in you’re ready for the hard part. You might get excited to get your first $100 or $200 check. You might be thinking, ‘Yes! I could buy those new expensive shoes or go out with friends using the money’; but do you really want to blow your check like that? It might sound painful, but take a little bit out of your paycheck and put it away. Whether it’s in your savings account or under your mattress, put the money away and never look back! If you do that after each payday, you’d be surprised as to how much money you can save at the end of the summer.
3.) Coupons! Coupons! Coupons!
It may sound like you’re being really cheap and frugal, however every penny counts! Would you rather pay for that sun dress at full price or half? Sign up at your favorite stores; the emails and newsletters might inform you on some deals or they might just simply email the coupon to you. Your inbox might be full after a while, but at least you’re getting a good deal in the end.
4.) Give Your Wallet A Break
You don’t have to do something every weekend that involves spending money. Sometimes it’s better to just bring your friends over for a movie at your house or go to a barbecue/pool party; it’s cheap and fun. Remember, it’s not all about going to boardwalks and movies all of the time.
5.) Online Shopping is Your Friend
Some websites give better deals online rather than at the stores themselves. Look out for cyber sales that go on during a certain time of month. Also, shopping on Amazon could help reduce the cost. Sure you have to wait a little bit longer to get it, but at least you’ll be saving money.
6.) Quality Over Quantity
Don’t be a saving shopaholic–you need to have some self-control! Just because you’re buying several items that are on sale, doesn’t entirely mean that you’re saving money. Which brings me to my next point, patience.
7.) Be Patient
You don’t have to buy what you want immediately. Yes, this is a hard challenge to accept at first, but purchase what you want when you know you can afford it. Whatever you want isn’t going to jump off the shelves immediately. You can afford to wait a little while, save up some more money, and then go back out and buy it at a time that is more convenient for you. If you’re lucky enough and time it well, whatever you’re interested in buying might drop down from it’s original price.
I know at first doing the above steps might seem a little difficult, however wouldn’t you rather say “challenge accepted” instead of “I can’t do that”? Give it a try this summer, and you’d be amazed as to how you can save money and still have fun while doing it. Have a good summer and don’t forget to save!