As a student, it’s likely you are in debt, living pay check to pay check and barely have time to fit in work to make a little money between classes, studying and an unpaid internship.
Just the stress of the debt piling on each semester is enough, but you also have to worry about paying for living expenses. You most likely want to save as much money as possible.
So how can you save money while in school?
Get Around without a Car
If you currently have a car, this could be a drastic change for you, but if you really need the cash, there are plenty of ways for a student to get by without a car. Most students live within walking distance to classes the first few years of college. If not, there is usually city transportation. Of course, this option is not for every one, but just think about how much you could save between car insurance and gas. If you think it could work for you, give it a try. It may not be as convenient, but it will be well worth the savings.
Take Advantage of Student Discounts
Sure, it may save only a few bucks, but more places offer discounts to students than you may think, especially city events or concerts. Student discounts are not always advertised so if you think there might be a discount, just ask!
Use Coupon Apps
Coupons can help you save on some items you may buy often. Clipping coupons can be time-consuming and a challenge to organize, especially when you are a busy college student. Download a few coupon apps to your phone to take advantage of savings at major stores. It will not only be easier to find coupons, but you will have them handy and available right on your phone anytime you go shopping. Keep in mind, in order to save money you should really only buy the items you need. Otherwise you will end up spending more than usual, even if you are using a coupon.
Apply for Scholarships
Scholarship applications don’t necessarily end after high school. You can continue applying for scholarships while in college. Do some research to find out if your school is offering scholarships to students. Usually scholarships are awarded to students with high academic standing or students who are involved in the community. It never hurts to apply.
Review your Bills
You may not have a lot of bills to pay yet, but if review your monthly bills, you may find areas where you could save. For example, if you have a cell phone bill, you might be able to adjust your monthly minutes to lower the cost.
Since expenses can be overwhelming in college when you do not have a full-time job to help, it only makes sense to save where you can. Taking action to save in college will only help you better manage your finances and reduce the stress of worrying about money. Of course, there are plenty of more ways you could save. It helps to take a look at where you are spending and making adjustments to reduce costs.
