This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mass Amherst chapter.
If you are a broke college student like myself, you know that saving money can be extremely difficult. With expenses like tuition, textbooks and other necessities, your bank account may be suffering.
It’s hard enough balancing your class schedule without having to worry about balancing a checkbook! But fear not, there are easy ways to save your money. Here are some tips to help you and your bank account maintain a happy relationship.
- Give yourself a weekly allowance. When you give yourself a set amount to spend a week, your spending suddenly becomes a lot smarter and a lot less impulsive. You really don’t need to buy that shirt that looks slightly different than the one in your closet. And you really don’t need to get Starbucks everyday (this may take some will power for all you Starbucks addicts). It will take some sacrifice but it’ll be worth it when you actually have money to spend on more worthwhile things (like a vacation!).
- Buy your textbooks used. If your professor posts the textbook needed before classes start, look online for a used copy. Even with shipping, chances are it’ll still be cheaper than buying it through the campus bookstore. And make sure to look your professor up on www.RateMyProfessors.com! Sometimes former students will let you know if the textbook is even necessary for the course.
- Avoid paying with your card. I’ve learned the hard way that using your credit/debit card can really screw you over, especially if you don’t keep track.
When you don’t see the money being spent, it can be easy to keep swiping. Paying with cash is a sure way of knowing how much you really have left. And if you must use your plastic, keep track of how much you’re spending. - Get a job! Even if you don’t have work-study, you should find a non work-study job. Or even a job off-campus if it works into your schedule. To save money, you actually need money to save. Put at least 70 percent of every check into your savings and you’ll definitely see your bank account grow.
- Kick your bad habits. Not only will it be good for your health, it’ll be good for your pockets. I know its college but there will come a time when you’ll realize they’re not worth it. By quitting or cutting down on things like cigarettes or alcohol, you’ll save a ton of money – not to mention years on your life.
- Make a list before going shopping (and stick to it!). It’s dangerous to go shopping without a list. It can mean buying things you don’t need and forgetting what you actually do. By making a list, you can avoid overspending and impulse buying. You also might want to buy the generic brand of items you need. There usually isn’t a difference and it’s cheaper!
- If you’re one of those students that buy cases of water, it’s time to kick that habit to the curb. Your tap water is just as good and it’s FREE. You’ll be doing yourself and the environment a favor. If you’re really not keen on the idea of drinking straight from the tap, you should invest in a filter of some sort. In the long run, it’ll be cheaper!
- If you have a car and drive everywhere, it might be a good idea to take a different mode of transportation once in awhile. Gas is expensive and taking the bus around here is free with your student ID so take full advantage of it! Or if your destination is close enough, walk there instead. You’ll be saving money and getting exercise!
- Choose the right meal plan. If you always seem to have a ton of meals leftover each semester, you should look into decreasing your plan. Look into your options and find the one that fits your needs. If you decide to go without a meal plan, you can budget your grocery bills by using coupons or signing up for a shopper’s discount card.
- Take care of your belongings. It’s easy to be careless sometimes but by treating things we own with respect, they last longer! This means you don’t have to get a replacement so often. Things such as our shoes or clothes should be taken care of. It’s a simple and easy way to make your dollar last longer.
By making smarter choices, you’ll be able to save more money than you ever thought possible. It just takes a little will power and self-control but I promise it’ll be worth it!