Top 12 Ways Broke Students Can Save Money In College   by Webcodes

Rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 4 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

College = No Money

When you are in college, you are broke. Tuition, dorm fees, partying can empty your wallet in a second. These tips will help broke college students into surviving financial debt

1. Get a roommate 

share the costs

If you are in need of money, there's no better way to save than to get a roommate. A roommate can not only share apartment costs but they can also share food costs with you. Make sure you select a roommate with similar living patterns as you. The last thing you would want is a party animal when you are trying to study for your final. A roommate may also help you save in transportation if you guys need to travel to school together. A roomate can really save a bundle in the long run.

2. Start using coupons 

coupons save money that can add up


Yes, be a coupon clipper. I know it's a mom thing, but hey if you can save a few more bucks for some weekend drinks, then it may well be worth it. Check your local Sunday newspapers for coupons that you would use most. Also check your local school newspaper to see if there are any additional coupons. Many times advertisers will offer coupons through the school newspaper to attract the college crowd. You can also find coupons online in sites such as coolsavings.com. You should also use coupons for any online shopping you plan to do. If you have to shop online for things, make sure you use promotional codes to aid in your savings. Promotional codes are like online coupons you enter when you check out of an online store. I recently saved on baseball tickets by using a stubhub promotional code. The extra money served me well for an additional hot dog. Yum!

3. Don't eat out 

eating out can be costly and unhealthy


If you are living in the dorms make sure you eat in your campus dormitories instead of eating out all the time. If you live off campus, make sure you buy things from the market and cook them yourself! You will have healthier food choices and stave off the freshman 15 (freshmen tend to gain 15 pounds by the end of their term). Avoid Starbucks, and start brewing your own coffee. It's not hip to be at Starbucks when you are broke. If you need to take a hot date out, then try gift certificates from restaurant.com. They give you a $25 gift certificate for restaurants for $10. In addition they frequently have restaurant.com promotional codes, where the cost of the certificate can go down to $5. That's a $25 meal for $5, not bad at all.

4. Used textbooks 


This is a must! With college textbooks costing an arm and a leg it pays to shop around. If your local campus does not have the used textbook you need, definitely go online to look for it. Try places such as bookbyte.com or others. You are bound to find the book you need online.

5. Travel on the cheap 

save some gas!

If you go campus, consider using public transit. Taking the bus will save you not only on car costs but gas as well (and you know how much gas is going up these days). Try to minimize on frequent travel to see your family. If your parents live out of state and you need to travel, use auction sites such as priceline or skyauction to see if you can get the best flights online. If you plan on using expedia or travelocity check if there is a travelocity promotional code to get additional savings.

6. Budget 

Don't have, don't use

Whenever I see my credit card bill at the end of the month, I am always surprised at how much I have spent at the end of the month. Try to set an allowance every month and live by it. If you don't set a budget, you will never realize how much money you are wasting on useless things.

7. Avoid credit cards 

Credit card offers will be plentiful throughout your college years. Their representatives will always lure you by giving you prizes such as nerf footballs or t-shirts, etc. Having a credit card can cause chaos to your budget since it always gives you the false impression that you can spend more than you need. Use good old cash and avoid credit card traps.

8. Go get a job 

Make sure the job is flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. If you live in the dorms, try to get a job in the dorm itself, either as the front desk assistant, security checker, or cafeteria worker.

Any job near where you live will facilitate balance between studying and working. If you are a really talented writer, you can start blogging. In your blog you can advertise through google ads or through affiliate programs that will pay you for a sale. For more information on affiliate programs visit clickbank.com

9. Get a boyfriend / avoid a girlfriend 

If you are a girl, one way to save you on some food may be to get a boyfriend. There is no better way to save than to have someone else pay for your food and entertainment. In contrast, if you are a guy, don't get a girlfriend. I know that sounds cruel, but if you can be rich after you graduate, girls will be flocking to you.

10. Take more credits 

By taking more courses, you'll be able to graduate faster and save additional money on your college expenses. Life will be harder, but your wallet will be fuller.

11. Buy refurbished or non brand names 

When shopping for electronics, buy refurbished. If you plan to shop for clothing, shop at discount retailers such as Ross. Don't worry I won't tell anyone.

12. Apply for financial aid 

There are many grants, scholarships that go unclaimed by potential qualified applicants because they did not apply for them. Go to your college campus financial aid office and inquire about all the potential grants and college scholarship opportunities. Make sure you do this early so you don't miss any deadlines. You don't want to be lazy and miss a deadline that can save you hundreds off your college costs.

If it all fails..

Ask your parents for a couple of hundreds or maybe thousands.

How do you or how did you save in college? 

Lensmaster

stoetzels wrote...

Awesome....but I dont like number 9..lol

ReplyPosted October 23, 2008

Lensmaster

ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...

My son has started his own side business. He's pressure washing houses. Fortunately he's able to live at home while going to school, but the work pays his tuition and gives him some fun money.
5 stars
Lizzy

ReplyPosted May 28, 2008

Lensmaster

TopStyleTravel wrote...

Good tips here for college students/parents.
My suggestion is start your own travel website. Encourage friends/family/others to book travel with you and help you pay your way thru college.

Learn how to make online travel of others pay for college

ReplyPosted May 25, 2008

Lensmaster

kab wrote...

If you walk by a can, pick it up - you can say you are helping the environment - but really you are helping your pocket - it adds up! Don't buy water - you're just burning cash - again use the going green excuse.

If there is an entertainment or other coupon book for your college area, it is worth the investment.

ReplyPosted April 22, 2008

Look who made this lens!

Webcodes

Webcodes
My name is Brian, when I went to college I was flat broke and had to work my way through it. At the end I graduated and got a great job...now is time to pay those lo...  more
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