5 Tips for Saving Money This Semester

By Lorena Roberts on May 17, 2018

It’s rare that college students these days don’t have a mountain of student loans weighing down on them. Paying college tuition isn’t cheap, but oftentimes, one of the most overlooked parts of going to college is the amount of money you’ll spend on daily activities/necessities. Budgeting can sometimes help you stay in the right mindset when it comes to watching your weekly spending on (and off) campus. However, according to a recent press release, in addition to budgeting, students can follow these five tips and save money in college.

via Pexels.com

Limit coffee consumption:

Lots of college students rely on mid-day coffee consumption to get them through their remaining classes and homework. Whether it’s every morning on your way to class, while you’re sitting in the library doing homework, or that craving you get for a candy bar in the middle of your nightly study session, spending money on things like coffee and snacks can quickly add up. We’ve known Americans spend quite a bit of money on coffee over the course of a week. ABC News found that in a year, Americans are spending $1100 on coffee!

While you may feel like this isn’t a habit you can crack, you can supplement your cravings in other ways. Try purchasing a coffee machine and make your own coffee at home. This one time buy will last you at least an academic year.

You could also pack some snacks when you go to campus. Take a banana from the grocery store instead of stopping and spending a few dollars on the candy bar you’re craving. Not only is this healthier, but it’ll also help maximize your savings.

Use public transportation or walk:

Paying for gas in college is yet another expense. Whether you are driving to and from campus every day, going places with your friends on the weekends, or tooling around in your car in your spare time, gas isn’t cheap. Instead of buying a parking pass and driving to campus every day for class, find a new form of transportation. Whether it’s a city bus or catching a ride with friends, the $20-30 you could save on gas per week will really add up over the course of a semester.

Don’t pay full price for brand new course materials:

Books and supplies can definitely add up over the course of a semester. Instead of rushing to the bookstore and buying your textbooks brand-new, search around for some better options! Cengage Unlimited is definitely something to look into — by paying one price, you can access tons of ebooks and study tools. There are plenty of options when it comes to getting the materials you need to be successful.

Take advantage of student discounts:

You’d be surprised how many places will honor your enrollment at a university. You can snag a sweet deal on a variety of goods and services by showing your student ID. Much like a military discount, student discounts often have to be asked about up front – rarely are these types of discounts advertised. Regardless of where you eat or shop, get in the habit of always asking about a student discount.

Plan courses by their expenses:

While some courses require over $200 in course materials, others might not require a textbook at all. If you’re really on a strict budget, see if you can plan your courses based on how expensive they are. Instead of loading up on all the classes that will require heavy-costing materials, see if you can spread them out over the course of a few different semesters.

Whether it’s opting to take the bus to class instead of driving or buying textbooks off of friends instead of brand new, there are always ways to save yourself some money while you’re in college.

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