5 Best Ways to Save Money in College

By Sara Kennelly on August 16, 2017

A new struggle most college students encounter is their empty bank accounts. As coming to campus is quickly approaching, many students are already trying to figure out how to save money.

Instead of banking on Mom and Dad sending food in the next care package, use these tips to keep dough in your pocket on campus!

Image by Brad K. via flickr.com

1. Shop thrifty

No one wants to spend a ton of money on clothes. That said, the clearance section of stores seems to be somewhat taboo for fashionistas. When you want the latest fashion but on a budget, I highly suggest taking a stroll to the back of the store to find some hot deals!

Also, don’t be afraid to go into a second-hand shop. A lot of thrift stores, like Goodwill, have great deals every day and some cute finds! You may have to spend a little longer in the shop digging around, but it is well worth the money you save. Many of these thrift stores have extra deals as well, so keep an eye on the ones near your school!

2. Look for apps with deals

More and more fast food places are creating apps to start a “point system.” Surprisingly enough, these point systems will get you deals that can help save a lot of money in the long run. A few places with these types of apps include Noodles and Company, Chipotle, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A and more.

Along with these, the app Hooked is also great for finding food deals. Hooked works specifically for college campuses and gives you the deals of all the restaurants around your campus!

Another great app to use on campus is called Pocket Points. While on campus, turn on this app and then lock your phone. The app will time how long your phone stays locked and rewards points for it. This app not only keeps you from the distraction of your phone during class, but these points can lead you to coupons and deals that are both online and local to your campus area. A good tip for the app is to always have it running whenever you’re on campus and not using your phone.

Image by Tax Credits via flickr.com

3. Use cash, not a debit card

I will agree, debit and credit cards are much more convenient than cash. But think about how easy it is to swipe a card and not even realize how much money you’re spending. A good tip for really watching what you spend and staying on budget is to only use cash when you go out.

Although it is tedious to go to the ATM and grab cash every time you run out, you’ll notice yourself using a lot less cash when you do go out. When you can physically see how much you have to spend and how much you have left, it makes it easier to say no to buying frivolous things; this might be getting water instead of a soda when you go out for lunch or deciding to not get a large popcorn at the movies.

Image by Mike Mozart via flickr.com

4. Use less gas

Now that you are free from parents and restrictions, it’s tempting to drive your car anywhere and everywhere. The problem here is that now you have to pay for your own gas. A full tank of gas is almost always upwards of $20, which is a lot in and of itself but will add up to be a whole lot of wasted money.

For colleges in small towns, bikes are a great way to get around. Of course, that is only viable in good weather. For most college towns, there is a bus system in place for the students. Most of these systems offer discounts or free rides to students. As scary as it might be to learn how to use public transportation, it could save you a lot on gas money!

5. Learn how to say no

This sounds very simple: if you can’t afford to go out, don’t do it! Sometimes, this is a lot harder than it seems. When a group of your friends invites you out, there can be a lot of pressure to blow your budget. It may mean skipping a party or a night on the town, but learning how to say no to people will save you more money than you’d expect!

Also, don’t always think you need to go out to have fun; many college campuses offer students fun events and concerts for little to no cost! This might be a free ticket to the next basketball game or a $5 charge to go see your favorite artist play on campus!

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