17 Alternative Ways to Save Money in College

By Alex Strike on May 19, 2014

Being a college student is not very cheap, especially if you do not work yet but spend all your time on studying. Saving some money seems very difficult and even impossible sometimes, as you still need some food, transportation, clothes and many other things for your student life.

Your parents help you, of course. But wouldn’t it be better to find any alternative ways to save some money on living in college? If you agree with this statement, then you should definitely check and like the tips given below.

student money

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So, you need to save money for:

Your food

Every student will agree with the fact that the process of eating is very enjoyable. Students do not mind having a snack or trying something new and delicious, but they perfectly understand this food can be quite expensive as well. How can you save money for food?

  1. Say “no” to coffee shops, even if you can’t imagine your day without coffee. It will be less expensive to buy your own coffee once and make a coffee drink yourself.

  1. Many students like pizza. Invite your friends to spend a pizza evening with you; ask them to bring some ingredients, and cook this pizza together. First, it will be less expensive, and second, this is a perfect chance to spend good time with friends.

  1. Student life is always full of different interesting events, where free food is usually served. Do not be shy to visit them.

  1. Students enjoy parties, and all those empty cans and bottles left after parties can be successfully recycled. Just give them to special stores and get some money from it.

  1. Try to ignore shops and markets when you are hungry. Big chances are that you will spend all of your money on things you do not actually need.

Your clothes

  1. Do not be an impulsive buyer. It is not easy of course, especially if you are a girl, but try to control yourself and do not buy clothes if you understand that you do not need it. Be practical, and do not hesitate using some shopping websites for students, where you can find many cool but not expensive things to pay attention to.

  1. If you still think of second-hand clothing stores as something bad or unworthy, it’s high time to change your mind. Many good and stylish things can be found there, and the most pleasant thing about all of this is the fact that you can buy clothes for almost free.

  1. You can always sell some clothes to your friends or other people and get extra money on buying new things. And even if you consider those T-shirts or skirts your favorite ones, be brave enough to admit that you do not need them if you bought them 5 years ago and did not wear them since then.

Your transportation

  1. Are you sure you need a car? You can always use a bike instead.

  1. If you still can’t live without your car, you always can save some money for it. For example, turn your air conditioning off to save some gas.

  1. Have you ever thought of a bus as an alternative to your car? It is not free of course, but it is definitely cheaper than a car. Moreover, you do not have to drive it, so you can relax and just enjoy your way to college.

Your house

  1. Do not wash your clothes every day. It does not mean you should look and stay dirty, but it will be enough for your jeans if you wash them once a week. You can save electricity as well.

  1. Think of renting a room or apartment with other people; you will share all expenses together.

  1. Students are usually so romantic. What do you think of using candles in the evenings? This is a great way to create a romantic atmosphere and save money for electricity.

Your entertainment

  1. Visit different local festivals and other events; the schedules are easy to find on the Internet. Can’t find anything interesting? You can always organize your own flash mob and invite other students to take part in it.

  1. Do not ignore parks. As far as you remember, they are free to visit.

  1. Do not go to cinemas every time when a new movie comes out. You can rent a DVD and watch it at home with your friends, or check out the top 5 TV shows for college students.

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