When you first start college, you get this sense of freedom. You don’t have your parents on your back telling you what to do and when to do it. It. Is. Awesome. But, this freedom comes at a cost. Literally.
Here is a list of 10 ways college kids can save and make money!
1. Always carry a student I.D with you.
More often than not, all types of stores including restaurants, retail stores, and technology stores offer a discount to students. Having your card with you is proof that you are a student, and a lot of the time, stores want to help you out.
2. Sell your stuff.
Let’s be honest, we all have an array of stuff laying around our apartments that we haven’t thought about for years. Clothes, shoes, old gifts from your ex, and random, useless stuff you won from a carnival 6 years ago. A lot of this stuff can be sold to local thrift shops. Not only will you make some extra cash, it will give you a chance to clean out your space.
3. Take advantage of what your college campus offers.
If you pay close enough attention, there are so many events going on every day that offer free food or free gear! In my own personal experience, I have always kept an eye out for campus events because usually there is free pizza involved. I mean, I can’t think of many things better than free pizza. Pay attention to other things such as voluntary focus groups, surveys, and meetings because 99% of the time, you can get free stuff for participating.
4. Think carefully about purchasing textbooks.
Anyone who is in college knows that textbooks can be one of the most expensive parts of being a student. And it is the absoulte worst when you spend money on a textbook and don’t even use it. To avoid this, ask your professors if the textbook is absolutely required.
If you are required to have the textbooks, ask your friends and peers if they already have it! Some people will lend books to you for free. If not for free, students are usually pretty flexible about negotiating a good price. A big piece of advice I have for you…never buy a new textbook. Used textbooks and renting textbooks cuts the price nearly in half. Campus bookstores are one of the most expensive places to buy so think about places like amazon or eBay. Also, once your semester is over and you have no use for these books anymore, there are sites to sell them back on!
5. Use cash.
Everybody has a different agenda, but going out to dinner with friends, going to the mall, or occasionally seeing a movie at the theatre is bound to happen. Without the social aspect of the college experience, I think it is safe to say we would all go crazy. First off, think about #1 on this list when choosing somewhere to go. Discounts are always a bonus. Second, if you go shopping, start your spree in the clearance section. Third, use cash. Bringing a credit card or a debit card can be dangerous because it feels limitless. Having cash literally limits how much money you can actually spend on a night out.
6. Donate Plasma.
If you are among the brave population who is not scared of needles, donating plasma is a great way to make some extra money. This is an easy way to help others in need plus it does not take too time out of your busy schedule!
7. Initiate a “no spend week” once a month.
As we all know, shopping is fun and addicting, but we often spend money on things we don’t really need. Once a week, every month, challenge yourself to not spend any money. You can even think of it as a game! This will force you to embrace your wardrobe as it is, eat the food that has been forgotten about in your pantry, and will make your piggy bank feel good!
8. Take advantage of the Dollar Store.
The dollar store is often looked past when thinking of ways to save money. I’m not sure why though. Although there’s not an endless supply of everything you need, there are some hidden gems. Brand name dishwasher soap, laundry soap, and shampoos are sold, and the kitchen supplies lasts just as long as any other kitchen gear. Why would you buy a pizza cutter for $14 at your local Target or Bed Bath and Beyond when you could get the same one for only $1.00!? You’d seriously be surprised at what you will find in there.
9. Learn how to cook.
Trust me, this makes all the difference. Going to the grocery store, buying your ingredients, and cooking meals yourself saves hundreds of dollars in the long run. Think about it this An average meal at a restaurant, or an average pizza from your local pizza place is about $10. You can spend $10 on a variety of different foods to make two or more meals! Plus, you are more likely to have leftovers from your own cooking than a restaurant. And on top of that, there are always different deals going on at the grocery store.
10. Create a budget.
If you are living paycheck to paycheck, like most college students do, it is so easy to spend all your money in the first week. Creating a budget allows you to organize your finances and think critically about what you need and what you don’t need. Setting aside certain amounts of money for food, clothes, entertainment, gas, and miscellaneous will make it easier to see what you should and should not be spending money on.
Start utilizing these easy tips ASAP and you’ll have one less problem to worry about. College doesn’t have to be stressful in every aspect, let’s limit the stress by limiting the spending flow!