We all throw around the “broke college kid” phrase but some of us really are. In college, there are so many types of students like the commuter (from their own home or their parents’ house, which nothing is wrong with that live there as long as you can), and the students that live in campus house kind of broke.
As college students, we all struggle just in different ways. I want to give you a few tips for each type of student no matter what your circumstances are you should be able to save or accumulate some extra cash.
On Campus
- For the most part, students that live on campus are required to have some kind of meal plan. Those meal plans tend to come with bonus dollars/cash. Try to budget where those bonus dollars are going because that will make a difference for when you are running low and need to pull actual cash. Please don’t run out of swipes and bonus cash during midterms unless you want to starve.
- Pick up a part-time job – some students are offered “work-study” positions. However, some colleges do not make it easy for you to get a job. Side note, when I went to a small public university in rural Virginia, they passed out jobs like hot cakes but when I transferred to VCU the pickings were slim and I didn’t even know how to find a job. When you find a job keep it, save five to ten dollars a week for a rainy day, you’ll thank me later.
- YOU DO NOT NEED EVERYTHING THAT YOU SEE. Instagram is on top of its branding game by sending out mass ads to target college students. They use your location and the friends that you are connected to on whatever platform that you are using to figure out your consumer preferences. For example, have you ever noticed when you’re liking several photos of that new “X” you’ll start seeing it in every ad to persuade you to buy? Trust me you don’t need it.
Also, I attend a very trendy University where most people on campus look like a walking ten thousand follower Instagram aesthetic. Don’t be like everyone else. You don’t need the dad shoe’s girl. Although, if you are already a natural born shopaholic try thrifting, it’s more cost efficient than let’s say Urban Outfitters.
Off-Campus
To clarify, “off-campus” are the students who technically live on campus, but their houses aren’t through the university.
Whether you live with parents, roommates, or your fluffy companion you have to learn to save money in other ways. Usually, when you stay on campus your housing is paid directly from your financial aid but when you live off campus you’re subject to monthly living expenses. Here are some ways that I’ve learned to survive while living off campus.
- Working part-time. When you’re a full-time student your schedule won’t allow you to work as many hours as you like. So, night and weekends will become your best friend. Remember to put away money for rent, but also a rainy day too. BTW if you have mom and dad paying for your off-campus lifestyle try to put in some hours anyway, you never know when you’ll need a leg up.
- Get paid to shop: there are so many affiliate services out there but the two that have done the most justice for me are Ebates and Ibotta.
- Ebates: When you create an account with them, they allow you to also download a plug-in. That way when you arrive on a site an icon will pop up that’ll show whether or not cash back will be available. Every month, Ebates uses PayPal, sending what they call a “Big Fat Check.”
- Ibotta: This application is accessible on Apple and Android devices. Once it’s downloaded, you’re able to search through stores like Walmart, Target, Uber and even Amazon. When a snapshot is taken of the receipt, it is then uploaded to see the amount of cash back that will be uploaded into the account.
BTW: After Signing up for either Ibotta or Ebates you’re able to earn Cash Back for joining through a referral code.
- Do you love dogs?
- Apply to be a dog walker through “Wag!” or “Rover” the hourly rate is ten dollars and fifty cents plus tip. Plus, you get to spend time with some awesome pups and set your own schedule.
What works for you?
Hopefully, you’re able to mix and match these tips whether you live on or off campus. Being in college is expensive and it is hard to stay on top of finances when one of your group members are on their third latte and you’re barely able to stay awake. It’s the little things that will save your pockets in the long run. Just remember if you are really struggling to get necessities, see if your university has a food pantry, it’s okay to ask for help.