6 Ways to Cut Spending Until Payday

As college students, we need to be careful with our money. It’s not unusual to be a little tight financially a few days before you get paid. Here are some easy ways to cut spending until payday.

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Pack a lunch, don’t buy

One of the easiest ways to go through money is by eating out all the time. I know it’s extremely tempting to eat out all the time, but it’ll make your wallet cry. Instead, pack your own lunch at home and bring it to school.

Also, if you are on a meal plan, use it! Take advantage of those meals you have already paid for rather than spending extra money on eating out.

Make your own coffee

Similarly, it’s very easy to spend $100 on coffee every month. You can save this money if you simply make your coffee at home and bring it to school in a travel cup. It’s hard to resist the convenience and the yummy smell of Starbucks, but please do. Your wallet will thank you.

Wait until after payday to go out or to treat yourself

Another way to cut spending is to wait until after payday to go out or to treat yourself. You can wait until payday to watch the latest Marvel movie. You can wait to buy the new palette at a high-end makeup store. This is also a great way to avoid impulse purchases, as you might realize that you actually don’t want what you thought you did. If you want something that badly, it will still be there when you get your paycheck.

Pay with cash

Paying for the things you do buy with cash is a good idea because you’ll be more aware of how much money you are spending. When you pay with a credit card, you don’t see the money physically leaving your hands. With cash, you do.

If your budget is tight for a few days and you need to make purchases, use cash rather than a credit card.

Ask about a student discount

Many places have student discounts, they just don’t advertise them. Bring your student ID when you go out and ask if they offer a student discount. It might not be much, but the money you save will add up! It’s worth taking the few minutes to ask if they have a discount.

Don’t drive to school

Driving is expensive. You have to worry about gas, parking permits, and maintenance. If you can help it, try to take another mode of transportation to school. For example, you can carpool with a friend, take public transport, ride a bike, or even walk if you are close enough. Of course, this is not always possible, but if you can, take a mode of transportation other than your car to school.

If you’re a college student, there will be times where you are tight on money a few days before payday. That’s okay! As long as you spend what you have responsibly, you should be fine until your next paycheck arrives.