Everyone complains about being a broke college student. No one has money yet everyone always has an iced coffee in their hand.
Saving and making money doesn’t have to be as difficult as people say it is. There are so many opportunities to make small but quick amounts of money in school. It might not be much, but like I say, “any money is big money,” especially in college.
Here are few opportunities to make money in school. From one broke college student to another, go forth and be broke no more.
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- Get a job on campus
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There are a lot of job opportunities on campus that you might not know of. Look around, ask around, and seek one out! Jobs are not going to fall into your lap, but it is assuring to know that you could get a job at the library, the recreation center, or even the pool!
- Get a job off-campus
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As a freshman without a car, it is definitely difficult to get a job off-campus. But come sophomore year, you are allowed to have a car. Take advantage of the easiest mode of transportation and find a job not too far away from school.
- Become a tutor
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While it may be a bit more exclusive and intense, if you have an area of academic expertise, being a tutor may be perfect for you. You can choose your hours and get paid a bit more than the average minimum wage jobs on campus. There is the option to become an on-campus tutor as well!
- Take advantage of Meal Equiv
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Something that I am extremely grateful for is TCNJ’s Meal Equiv program. The $8.31 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. is probably one of the best things about the College. I have a class that ends at 10:50 a.m., so if I’m fast enough, I swipe into Eickoff Hall before 11:00 a.m. so I can later get my venti iced peach green tea lemonade without worrying about spending extra points.
- Freelance on Upwork
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This is a great opportunity I heard through a friend. Upwork is a website for freelancers who can apply for small jobs online. I’ve made over $100 freelancing on Upwork, and I am definitely not stopping there. If you have any skills such as editing videos, Photoshop, or even resume writing, you can submit a proposal and hopefully make some money in just a few days.
- Complete Online Surveys
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There are a plethora of online survey sites that will pay you through PayPal or offer discounts and gift cards. My favorite has been a site called http://UserTesting.com, and while there is an application process, the money is worth it. There are tests you can qualify for, and once complete, money will be transferred directly into your PayPal account. The tests are hard to come by, but definitely worth it. Other sites like http://OpinionOutpost.com and http://SwagBucks.com are helpful, as well.
- Play HQ, and be good at it
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I admit, I have yet to make over a dollar playing HQ, but as a “broke college student,” any money is big money. I currently have won a total of 91 cents, but I have only been playing for a few months. We’ll see how much I can make over the course of my remaining 3 years in school. And maybe if I get really lucky, I’ll win big, like the lady in this article!
- Use Sweatcoin
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Though this app does not result in real money, it still has many monetary benefits. The steps you take while having the app running in the background of your phone will result in “sweatcoins.” You can purchase certain items (it changes day by day usually) or save up to even get real cash! It won’t result in instant gratification, but it’s something.
Money management is something I was never really good at, but college has forced me to be way more cautious about spending and saving. While I definitely have not mastered the art of money management, I feel a bit better about splurging on Chinese food on Fridays with the extra cash I’m “trying” to make with these interesting tactics.
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