College is a time in many people’s lives when they are exposed to new responsibilities and atmospheres.
During this time, it is important for college students to remember that these years are meant to prepare you for your future as an “adult.”
Learning financial responsibility is a big step into adulthood, and college can be a great opportunity to learn.
Below are a few tips on how I save haved money as a college student. These habits will continue to benefit me in the future.
Meal prep
Although Chipotle and Chick-Fil-A are often tempting, I quickly learned that eating out is extremely pricey.
As the meal prep craze has gone viral on Instagram, I was inspired to start my own routine to help save money and also to start eating healthier.
Each Sunday, I make my way to the grocery store and stock up on a protein, vegetables and rice to prep my weekly burrito bowls!
Burrito bowls are a quick and easy meal prep idea that I have used for my four years on campus, which has allowed me to skip the lines at Chipotle and save hundreds of dollars each semester.
Skip the bookstore
Just like in high school, many college courses require you to use textbooks for class and homework assignments.
Textbooks in college are generally expensive, but there are many ways to help you save money as a student.
Chegg.com is a great resource to buy or rent textbooks instead of purchasing through your campus bookstore.
Other websites such as campusbooks.com and bigwords.com allow you to compare prices of your textbooks and track books for new, used or rental.
If you buy a new textbook, make sure to keep good care of it over the semester! There are many resources that allow you to sell your used books for some extra cash.
Shop smarter: buy used
Throughout college, I have utilized websites such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist when purchasing basic amenities for me and my roommates.
Throughout the years, you may go through fridges, couches, cooking utensils, and many other random household articles.
Buying used online can save you hundreds of dollars. My roommates and I have used Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to furnish our entire living room and outside area.
Just make sure to be safe when picking up things from strangers, always bring a friend and never go into a stranger’s home.
Budget budget budget
As a student you’ll spend money on many things such as books, beer, concert tickets and late-night pizza.
Create a budget centered around your income or spending goals. Make it a habit to check your budget, this will allow you to keep an eye on your spending and help you make better decisions about your money.
There are many different online applications to help create and stick to a budget, check out this article that names a few.
Utilize campus resources
There’s always free food and other goodies across campus that can help you save money.
When outside of campus, many businesses offer student discounts and rewards, so make sure to always carry around your campus ID to cash in.
Utilizing your campus network can also help you save money on career development.
Instead of paying for networking events and resume building, utilize your career services department to learn and save.
by Jacob Glass
CougarBuzz 