College Student Housing Hacks to Save Time and Money

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It is absolutely no secret that college and all its associated costs have a significant impact on one’s financial situation. For college students living on their own during their college years, they may find themselves always finding ways to save money, from taking advantage of college student discounts to scouring the internet for extra scholarship opportunities. Not sure how you can take small steps to start saving even more money? Keep reading for college student housing hacks to save time and money.

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Buy in bulk when possible

Depending on your current shopping habits, you may only be buying what is absolutely needed right now in order to spend the least amount of money. While this may make sense in minimizing your day-to-day expenses at a glance, it may be costing you money and time in the long run.

For example, think of things you use on a daily basis that you know you are always going to need. This can include anything from toilet paper to toothpaste. You may currently be refilling your supply as it runs out, always just buying enough to carry you over for a bit until it’s time to buy it again. Buying a small pack of something for $5 when you need it may seem like the right choice, but you should also consider buying the larger pack for $25. While you are paying more immediately out of pocket, you are saving yourself some trips to the store where impulse purchases can happen, and amidst a busy lifestyle, can be hard to make time for.

Buying toiletries, household goods, and groceries with a long shelf life or that can be frozen can be a great way to save money and time in the long run. Depending on your living situation, you may also consider splitting the costs and sharing items bought in bulk with roommates, optimizing your savings further.

Equip your apartment to cut your going-out costs 

Everyone has things they spend a lot of money on. Some love stopping by a coffee shop before classes to grab a coffee and snack before class. Others tend to dine out on a near-daily basis. If you can recognize where you are putting your money, you can think about how you can do those same processes at home and cut costs.

Rather than going to Starbucks for your daily cup, make sure your kitchen is stocked to give you the thing you are looking for. An espresso machine may seem like a large upfront cost, but it is well worth it in the long run when you are shelling out $5 for a daily cup of coffee and the time to wait in a long line during rush hour. Make sure the coffee you make at home is something you actually enjoy, from flavored syrups to your favorite creamers and milk. The more you enjoy what you can create, the less likely you will be tempted to go out and buy it.

If your budget is taking a hit from going out to drinks with your friends, see how you can recreate the experience at home. Sure, you can’t create a mini club in your apartment, but you can create your own little mini bar and make it easier for your apartment to be one to entertain multiple people at. Shop your favorite mixers, liquor, and so on to make your favorite drinks at home. Add more seating to your living room to accommodate more guests.

Raid the dumpster area, housing news, and local Facebook groups 

If you are looking for furniture, old appliances, or any secondhand goods in general, always keep an eye out for common areas around the property you live in. With rentals, there are almost always tenant turnovers with people moving in and out. Many people leave furniture or any other unwanted belongings in the dumpster area of an apartment complex if they no longer have a use for it. While some may have some wear-and-tear, other items can be in near-perfect condition and only tossed aside because someone didn’t want to move to their new apartment or no longer had use for it.

This can also be done to any community notice boards or Facebook groups local to your area where people post about what they are giving away for free or selling. If they are posting, they are more likely to give it away for free or bargain to your benefit as long as the item gets taken off their hands.

Being a college student can be really expensive for even the most frugal of folks. With these tips in mind, you can help yourself save some money and time – good luck!

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