Between tuition, textbooks, food and housing you know all too well just how quickly the costs of higher education can pile up. However, by making smart financial decisions you can still manage to save money while in college, despite the expenses. By utilizing money saving tips such as budgeting and responsible spending you can make college more rewarding and set yourself up for a healthy financial future.
4 MONEY SAVING TECHNIQUES
1. TRACK YOUR SPENDING
Perhaps the best way to evaluate the current state of your financial health is by knowing your numbers. How much money do you have, how much money do you make, how much money do you spend? These questions all act as the starting point for the development of your budget. Once you have a good picture of the inflow and outflow of your cash, you can better evaluate the spending areas that need to be better handled. A great tool for handling your budgeting is money tracking apps. These apps monitor your bank accounts, lines of credit, and investments all in one consolidated location.
2. SHOP SMART
RENT YOUR TEXTBOOKS
One of the pricier college essentials are textbooks. At retail value, textbooks can cost you hundreds of dollars each semester! What if I told you there was a better way to get textbooks? Many first-time college students fall into the trap of buying textbooks outright and don’t realize they can rent the same textbooks at a fraction of the cost. You can save up to 90% by renting textbooks through Amazon or Chegg.
UTILIZE STUDENT DISOUNTS
Did you know that you can save money just by being a student? Student discounts are a great way to make your money go farther and are more widely accepted than you may realize.
Treat yourself while responsibly spending with the following student discount resources…
- UNiDAYS is the essential student app that brings you the best deals, content, internships and more from top brands so you can live college life the way you want.
- Student Beans Access free discount codes, food discounts and shopping deals on your fave brands – all with your Student Beans iD. It’s free, it’s easy and you can save loads of money!
- Adobe Creative Suite for Students Students and teachers save over 60%. Get 20+ apps, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat Pro.
- Amazon Prime Student 6-month trial and then enjoy Prime at half the price.
- Spotify Try 1 Month for Free, Only $4.99/Month After. Includes Hulu and Showtime.
- Local Panama City Exclusives (Taco Bell, Subway, Baytown trolley)
3. UTILIZE REWARD PROGRAMS
Another great way to save money is by becoming a rewards member at businesses you frequently patronize. Whether its your favorite fast-food joint, gas station, or grocery store most chain retailers have loyalty programs loaded with reward opportunity’s. Earn points towards free drinks, free food, discounted gas, and free hotel stays!
Start earning rewards today with some of these apps…
- Food
- Travel
- Shopping
4. Split Expenses
When it comes to living expenses, sharing is caring. Splitting expenses with friends financially benefits all those involved and puts a little extra money in your pocket. After all the more you share, the less money you spare. So go find a group of trustworthy friends and get to saving money!
Consider splitting costs on the following:
- Living Essentials
- Rent
- Costco Membership
- Sams Club Membership
- Amazon Prime Membership
- Streaming
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Disney+
- Crunchyroll
- Viki
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Payton Gilley
Student Author - Spring 2021
